The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25

fallen from fits nest and been picked up
and brought here. II had been tenderly
cared for by kind friends. but owing to
injuries and homesickness II had died.
i thought Of my own dear babies and has
tened home to see that they were all safe
In the nest.
June 10. This has been a very trying
day. Early this morning the air was
filled with the hoarse cries Of the Crow
Blackblrds; and II seemed TO me as II the
sky was darkened by Their wings. They
have been flying about everywhere and,
20 my horror, came into our tree. ! was
so frightened / hardly knew what to do,
but l kept quiet and kept the brides
nestled close and soon the lady and the
boys, hearing the hubbub. came out and
drove them away. Several times they at
tempted to come near me; but someone
was always ready to drive them off. l
have scarcely dared leave the nest long
enough TO get food for the children. Mr..
Grcsbeak tells me that the Blackblrds
will probably 80 away soon, and then l
shall feel relieved.
June 20. Rumors reached us to-day Of
the ~depredations Of those bold robbers,
the Red Squirrels. Mr.. Robin Redbreast's
home and family we're completely Destroy
ed. / asked Mr.. Grosbeak what he should
do II they were TO come here. He said
che did not know" which was not very
reassuring. especially as 1 should not
know what TO do myself.
June 2ith. | fear the lady suspects my
secret, for she watches the nest more
closely than ever. l have taught the
children to be very quiet when any
one is around, and they are quite good
about II. To-day I I'm afraid that she
nearly found out about my brides, for
when ] came home with food they
stretched up their w%ide-open bills TO re-
ceive it. But ] saw her standing under
my tree, and so / said "Pib" very soft
~, and they obediently ducked their lit
tie heads. | began at once TO look all
around, as IL something on the ground
was far more interesting than anything
I'm the tree. She probably thought she
rad been mistaken in thinking there was
anything special going on, for She soon
went away. Then l fed one Of the babies
and went for more supplies. When !
returned there she stood again, watching
the nest. evidently only h~alf-cOnvinced.
Now. / thought. must s:tsty her that
there is nothing here; 50 l didn't even
look into the nest. but settled on q branch
Just below it. RULED up my feathers,
drew my head down 20 my shoulders,
closed my eyes and apparently went TO
sleep. / did keep one eye open the
tinlest bit TO see when she would so away.
She stayed SO long that the babies were
getting restless at having no dinner,
and / did lot know but that I should
be Obliged to wake up and feed them.
and so betray my secret. At last she
became convinced and went away again.
When ! had settled doVu in the nest
I noticed a big black animal under the
tree. but as it seemed stationary l did
80. L. -.IH ~. "a ar ON II hnWn "a
TO move and sneaked into the house,
but 1 do not in any way connect It with
tie lady. and l believe my secret Is stu
safe. I have Submitted all summer TO
her attentions. because OF her ddmird-
ton for MIR. GrOsbeal,, and 90 not iOrBet
the services rendered during that Black
bird scare. But since the birdlipgs came
.be has ANNOYED me aud several inc J
have limited ass delicately as l could that
T consider il very bad form for her q"
"shadow'' my house as she does. But
II is of no avail; she IA just the
same.
june 2Cth. An met how can write the
story Of to-day? Mir. Grosbeak had gone
early to spend the day with a lrlehd
and I went out Do search Of breakfast Tor
the hungry children. l met a Irle'lu u
t,v, and dare say that l was gone longer
tban j Intended When I came IN si6ht
of the nest with an esytcIdlly inNltlns
,,oy.al J wondered ~ not seeing the III
n, heads above the nest watching Tor
mo with beating heart I hurried to the
r4st and O. how can 1 tell II? there was
q bid in the nest. 4 GaZeu AoI d
momont i'm stupid amaZement d theh
I.v- ol around. calling necessarily, "1lD'
bib" for unlikely as 1t was, thoubH'
babies might have ianned d SuIPrts1
for mo and gotten out Of the nest. But
were not there neither on tH'
nor I'm any Of the trees l kepl
lD my anxious calls for a long uH'e. Inc
adv came out and searchci ABOUT 700.
think after an she knew OF my nItle
and felt sorry Tor mo. MIS- mn
Ding Sparrow came ID trlei 20 comfort
ne and aid ia the search, and all the
'atbird family q ougnt to say 'n"t
found them quite nice sort OF peo-
be after an and good nelghpors) ana
other Of the birds came and Went.
sweet music Of the D pelS
ont. the air was filed with the song
If happier birds. the sun shone brlshtly'
he soft breeze stirred the leaves above
nv bower and rocked the empty cradle.
sat on a. branch on another tree ana
ried to think what could have happened
% NV ncstlin4s. Was IT those boys
90. they have been kind % us all sum
oer. Did they ny2 Yes, / guess they
have learned 10 use their dear III
le wings. They ought 20 have told me
Goodbye th~0ueh-why as / live theres
man coming this way with a gun. l
/ had better use my wings too'
nd Try and find my dear old a