ent, and plainly studying me. I shall always think his
conclusion was unfavorable, that he decided I was dangerous; and I, who
never lay a finger on an egg or a nest in use, had to suffer for the
depredations of the race to which I belong. The pretty nest so doted
upon by its little builder was never occupied, and the winsome song of
the warbler came from another part of the wood.

We found him, indeed, so often near this particular place, a worse
tangle, if possible, than the other, that we suspected they had set up
their household gods here. Many times did my friend and her dog work
their way through it, while I waited outside, and considered the
admirable tactics of the wary warbler. The search was without result.

Weeks passed, but though other birds interested us, and filled our days
with pleasure, my comrade never ceased longing to find the elusive nest
of that blue warbler, and our revenge came at last. Nests may be
deserted, little brown spouses may be hidden under green leaves,
homesteads may be so cunningly placed that one cannot find them, but
baby birds cannot be concealed. They will speak for themselves; they
will get out of the nest before they can fly; they will scramble about,
careless of being seen; and such is the devotion of parents that they
must and will follow all these vagaries, and thus give their precious
secret to whoever has eyes to see.

One day I came alone into the woods, and as I reached a certain place,
sauntering along in perfect silence, I evidently surprised somebody, for
I was saluted by low "smacks" and I caught glimpses of two birds who
dived into the jewel-weed and disappeared. A moment later I saw the
blue take flight a little farther off, and soon his song burst out, calm
and sweet as though he had never been surprised in his life.

I walked slowly on up the road, for this was one of the most enchanting
spots in the woods, to birds as well as to bird-lovers. Here the cuckoo
hid her brood till they could fly. In this retired corner the tawny
thrush built her nest, and the hermit filled its aisles with music,
while on the trespass notices hung here, the yellow-bellied woodpecker
drummed and signaled. It was filled with interest and with pleasant
memories, and I lingered here for some time.

Then as the road led me still farther away, I turned back. Coming
quietly, again I surprised the blue family and was greeted in the same
manner as before. They had slipped back in silence du