The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-25


obstinate little bills.
l do not know whether the birds,
grown wiser for their two days absence
from the safe tree, concluded not to
come down to the ground where Mouser
could get them, or il they met the sad
fate of too venturesome birds, but the
next day they were not to be seen, and
we saw no more of the family that year.
Two years afterward we were again at
the farm. One day the children came
running to me to say that the old
pewees' nest had some young birds.
went softly under the tree, and sure
enough there was to be heard the soft
sound of the pewee baby. A few days
afterward, just before sunset, was out
to the tree, and evidently there was
something about to happen, there was
such stirring about in the nest. l had
supposed there was but one, possibly
two young birds. The nest was old and
so very small it seemed impossible that
there could be more. Soon / saw two
little heads pop up, then one little one
fluttered its wings, and lifting itself by
them, stood trembling on the edge of
the nest. 1t looked down TO it's weak
little feet as if distrusting their ability
to hold up the plump little body. Then
shook it's wings, ducked its head under
them and pecked out its feathers, then
pecking at it's soft bosom, left little flecks
or dents which showed it's white vest
under the outer cover of soft drab which
tipped the feathers on its bosom.
Calling the children. we all stood
under the tree. quietly waiting to see
what was to come. Suddenly another
pair of wings spread themselves. and
alother tiny thing futtered out of the
nest. The first having grown holder,
flew few inches to twig, and the sec
ond was soon cuddled close up to it. two
tiny puff balls. We were greatly sur
prised to have third pop up out of the
nest and sit on it's edge, but this was
evidently the baby of them all and did
not venture further.
Meanwhile the father and mother
very much excited over the wonderful
event, flew hither and thither, back and
forth, over and around the birds, SEEM
ingly taking no notice of the group of
| children near me.
Soon Mr.. Bird. or Mrs.-I could not
tell them apart-fiew away. The mate
| followed, and both returned and began
to feed the birds. This they kept up
| for some time. Down they came to the
grass. lowering over the clover and
grasses, much like humming birds,
darting almost as swiftly, catching what
were invisible insects to US, then re-
turning to drop them into the open
mouths OF their babies.
Meanwhile it was growing dark, l
began to wonder if the babies would
know enough to 60 back into their nest
| for the night. [ felt anxious for them,
for in the west storm was coming up.
How would the mother get them back
into their nest-cradle? The two little
puff balls sat so close. they seemed in
the growing darkness to be but one.
except when they stretched out their
bills for food, which now both father
and mother refused. while both gave
their attention wholly to the one still in
the nest. There was good reason for
this neglect. The parents fed the bird
in the nest until l feared the little
thing would die from over feeding, and
the two in the tree cried in vain.
At last one left the other and flew in
to the nest. The birds then fed this
one, and the third was soon with the
others. The papa and mamma now fed
| the third.
1t was now so dark could only see
rou d ball in place of the nest, for
Mother Bird covered her BROOD while
Papa Bird suppose it was Papa Bird
was out taking an evening fly.
There was furious storm during the
night, and the next morning was early
at the tree. fearing harm for the birds.
| Out oil tl6 nLtl6 Ou6S were out OIL Lu6
nest upon near twigs.
watched them for half hour at a
time at intervals during the forenoon.
At noon they were gathered into the
nest for noon nap, and were out dur
ing the afternoon. but put to bed, or
rather nest, at night.
The next day | saw them. and for
several succeeding days on neigh boring
trees, for from this time the nest was de-
serted.
1t is indeed an old nest now. Whether
it will hold together to be the birth.
place of the great grandchildren of these
tiny creatures cannot say, nor Vould
be willing to testify that these are the
same, or the children of the same pewees
we watched the first summer. All |
know is. that they were 80 alike that
they might have been. = Christian
Work.