Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-10-17
Happened
Z, BABY Bird

/ Two little birds had built their nest
inside OF porch. high up under the
! roof, Here they were safe from wind
and rain, from prowling eats or any
| unfriendly birds, and it was SO lovely
| and quiet for no one seemed to b
living in the house.
They often twittered and chirped
with delight about the snug place they
had found. s-r they had wonderful
secret. In the most were three little
eggs. which Is and by would be baby
birds.
One morning they were much fright
ened to hear great banging of shut
tiers. People had come to live in the
house. A man was cutting grass in
the yard, and there on the porch in a
big rocking chair sat girl in a red
coat. She was only little girl, but
she looked very big to them. She
would find out about the nest, and they
were sorry.
The little father was afraid to 70 to
get breakfast; but, after peeping and
starting several times, he at last darted
out with whir of wings, keeping high
above her head. He did this many
times during the day; but, as the giri
never seemed to notice him or come
near the nest, they soon forgot to be
afraid, and were as happy as ever.
From the first she knew there must
be nest near, but she wouldn't have
frightened those little birds for the
world So that was why she always
sat still when they flew through the
porch and stayed in the far end.
Then came the great day, when tiny
voices said peep, peep" There In the
nest were three babies, with eyes shut
very tight and not even feather for
dress. When they were hungry,
which was very often, they would hold
their mouths open very wide, until
worm was dropped in. The little faith.
er was busy. The mother had to stay
at home most Of the time to keep them
warm; but, as they grew older, she.
too, would go of for little fly and to
find food.
One morning they both left the nest,
and the babies waited for their break
fast. The little brother bird grew tired
of waiting; he was very hungry. He
tried to peep out to see if mother and
father were coming.
Don't, don't" cried his little sisters
you'll fall
But he wouldn't listen Farther and
ldIL lICI uc rlcdISu Over luC Cus0s
and the next mirute fell headlong from
and the next hinute fell headlong,
down, down. AS he fell, one of his
sharp claws caught in the ledge upon
which the nest rested, and there he
hung, his poor little leg almost pulled
out of place.
n he moved even the tiniest bit he
would fall into that awful dizziness be.
low and be crushed The little sisters
could do nothing to help him, nor could
his mother, when she came home Z
little later. She fluttered her wings
and gave sharp, shrill cries, which
brought his father and by and by many
neighbor birds; but none of them could
lift the poor baby back in safety.
Then the little girl came, feeling
sure all those excited cries and so
many birds flying about the nest meant
trouble When she saw the little broth.
er, she knew something must be done
at once or he would die.
She climbed up on the railing. and
tried to reach him, but he was far, far
above her head. Then she called
"John, John, bring ladder, quick,
please"
John. the man who crt the grass
came hurrying as fast as he could with
the ladder. The next minute the little
brother bird was lifted gently back in
to the nest
Wasn't he glad to be safe home again
with mother and father and little sis.
ters who chirped and sang with JOY!
and aren't you glad the little girl was
on the porch?
A Hickory Nut Story ~ By