Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-10

ship was not at first suspected Most Of the
yireos have soft, pleasant voices; but this
little species, scarcely five inches long. is so
noisy and harsh at times as to lead one to be.
lieve, il the bird is not seen, that the sound
comes from much larger throat.
No wonder that he appears anxious, for
right below where he is now piping IS ms
home-a miniature gunnysack, suspended
from the fork of slender wildrose twig, not
more than two feet from the ground.
1t is a large, deep nest for so small bird,
and strongly lashed to the bush with tough
roots and grass spears On the outside are
bits of moss aud asma scrap of newspaper
on which is printed Rooms to Let'-as if the
builder had given notice to the cow black
birds-and withes, of sedge, drawn tightly
round and crossed as bands, to keep the nest
in the proper shape.
Within the cavity, which seems to be lined
with no softer substance than fine grasses,
are four white, brown-dotted eggs.
l look upon them with feelings akin to the
miner, who finds his nuggets OF gold after long
and weary searching, and yet as treasures that
must not he aiken away.
Here is the very essence OF the birds life
concentrated in this little nest the result OF
a thousand miles journey, and much sharp
searching for this particular fork; the cause
OF exaltation and song, and weeks of watching
and anxious concern.
Now that / have discovered the home, the
mother-that, by-the-way, resembles her mate,
and sings as well as he-make no effort to
COuctdl HeISeilJ DuI uOIJs dDout DNShSo hS",
| by utteriug a series of exclamations and abs
| much in the tone of the mother who forbids
her child handling any costly of easily-broken
article. There is an expression IN her tone
and action hard to resist, and, as / withdraw,
she Immediately fits to the edge, looks down
on her precious casket of pearls, and finally
settles upon them, for the incubating fever has
| evidently taken possession of her.
| In how short time the eggs are Matched,
and how quickly the nestlings growl Hardly
fortnight has passed since these little white
eyes were lying quiet and dumb, and exquisite
| ly arranged within the nest.
Nature, though she has made a thousand
enemies that prey on Just such defenseess
households, has also provided means for their
protection, not only in the consummate skill
of hiding their nests, but in the rapid develop
ment Of their young.
They must not remain too long in the same
locality however we'll concealed they may be-
| for the providers would be sure to find them
| out at last So they are brought into the
world at the time when crawling and flying in
sects most abound, that the little gluttons may
be generously fed, and fastened into strength
of body and wing necessary for escape.
| 1t is notable picture that see on the rose
| twig under the arrow-wood flower has
blossomed near the doorstep, and the anxious
mother stands transfixed at the edge of her
nest as if some taxidermist had prepared and
wired her to the spot yet her unwinking eye,
with its odd white circle round the pupils,
CLEANS with the light of parental solicitude
which round bit of painted glass could not
send forth
It is evident that the bird is remaining thus
motionless, and trusting to her harmonizng