The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-01
WHY THE BOYS CHANGED THEIR
MINDS.

"Where are you going. Ned?"
"Down to the orchard to look for a
birds nest"
What for?"
"Why you know our teacher, Miss
Graham? She has collection of nests.
She was showing them to my sister and
me the day we went there on an errand.
I thought that maybe l could find some-
thing down in our orchard that she
hasn't. So many birds build there.
Will you come along Jack?"
"Why, yes. of course. I'll help you
look"
Ned was hurrying along in the direc-
ton OF the orchard, and Jack soon
caught up with him. In few moments
they were among the trees, looking first
at one, and then at another, in the hope
Of finding something very unusual
"There's beauty, Ned; let's take
that"
That's so; it is beauty, and no mis-
take"
The boys we're now standing under
the wide-spreading branches of low
tree. Their attention had been taken
by delicate little structure woven of
thin blades of dried glass. shaped some
what like basket, and fastened secure
ly to two of the outer branches. The
sunlight resting on it made it look al.
most as yellow as gold. Its fragile con-
tents, light-grayish eggs with curiously
shaped spots of brown. added to the
beauty of the picture. The nest was so
low as to be easily examined.
"It's tight enough. How shall we
get it without spelling it?" Jack in
CURED.
"Wait!" and Ned lifted warning fin.
| ger.
The boys drew back just as yellow.
ish bird darted out from among the
branches and took up a position in a
tree close by. 1t was followed by another,
a lovely creature in chestnut and black.
Both seemed greatly alarmed, but the
former only fidgeted about on the tree
while the latter gave expression to it's
feelings IN notes that were decided. but
| not unmusical.
81 know that bird-the one in chest
nut and black" whispered Ned; tits an
| orchard oriole."
whats the light one?" asked Jack.
"Why that must be the female oriole,
and that is their nest"
"But amt tine same kinds of birds
alike?" Jack inquired. wonderingly.
30, no, father says they seldom are,
that is, the male and the female. The
male bird in most cases is prettier. just
see how we have frightened them. Let's
hide where they can't see us, and watch
what they do"
"Yes. perhaps they'll go to the nest"
The boys stepped softly behind large
tree near by. There they could see the
nest without being seen by the birds.
But it was several minutes before the
timid creatures recovered from their
alarm. They hoped about uneasily
from branch to branch, looking this
way and then that as if to make
sure that no enemy was near. Then
the female oriole quietly slipped
into the nest, and her mate went as
near to it as he possibly could. Every
little while he would glance at her and
seem to say: Don't you be afraid. I'm
here, and I'll protect you"
Doesn't he seem proud of the nest?s
whispered Ned.
Yes, and see how contented she is sit
ting there on those eggs"
"Say. Ned" went on Jack. after mo-
ment's thoughtful pause, lit seems to me
it would be kind of shame to take
that nest away from them"
Just what l was thinking. They'd
feel awful, l suppose. Lst's don't l
never thought much about how they'd
feel"
Neither did l. All right. we'll let
tnen Keep III.
The boys watched while longer, and
then started for home.
Il wonder that Miss Graham would
take the nests" Jack remarked on the
way.
swell. l was just thinking that she
probably takes them after the birds are
done with them. l remember now, too,
that she spoke Of getting them late in
the fall, and I'm sure she wouldn't do
anything to hurt the birds. because she
loves them So"
but don't you suppose they want the
nests another year after all the trouble
they take to build them?"
81 hardly think they do. Besides,
Jack, the nests are blown about SO, and
SO much spoiled by the storms of winter
that they can't be worth much the fol-
lowing spring. They mostly blow down,