. Nestlings of forest and marsh, by Irene Grosvenor Wheelock; . eft the win-dow. During the last few days of their stayin the nest, either the father or the motherwas cramming food down the spotted goldenthroats of the nestlings every three was strong individuality showneven then. One youngster, evidently amale, was much more restless, energetic,and self-assertive than the other two. Iwas not surprised to see him rise on theedge of the nest one day, watch his mothersflight, and decide that he could follow he did, to the surprise and consterna-tion of his small sisters le
. Nestlings of forest and marsh, by Irene Grosvenor Wheelock; . eft the win-dow. During the last few days of their stayin the nest, either the father or the motherwas cramming food down the spotted goldenthroats of the nestlings every three was strong individuality showneven then. One youngster, evidently amale, was much more restless, energetic,and self-assertive than the other two. Iwas not surprised to see him rise on theedge of the nest one day, watch his mothersflight, and decide that he could follow he did, to the surprise and consterna-tion of his small sisters left meekly at went just as far as his untried wingscould carry him, and landed in a crotch ofthe main trunk, six feet below the then the father returned with food, andso astonished was he at the exploit of hisson that he uttered a loud cry, even withhis mouth full of caterpillars, and for onewhole minute forgot to feed the venture-71 NESTLINGS OF FOREST AND MARSH some youth. After that, however, he evi-dently decided that this was a son to be. Talcing a sun-bath proud of, — girls being a minor considera-tion anyway, — and he devoted all his effortsto the adventurer. 72 A MARTINET IN FEATHERS The next day the other two were still inthe nest and seemed content to remain there,but the fond father and the eldest son werenowhere to be found. The Man with theCamera, having decided that conditions werefavorable for a family portrait, climbed thetree amid the angry protests of a wholeneighborhood of birds, and carried the tworemaining babies down to be ordeal over, he replaced them in thenest, expecting, of course, to see them flyaway. But no, — they cuddled down, per-fectly content to be safe, warm, and caredfor. The glorious freedom of the air hadno attractions for them; what they mostdesired was a cosey place to lie in the sunand watch the big white clouds float by,sure that at their first hungry chirp motherwould bring them food. The anxious
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1902
