ittle birds made their appearance
in the compact and cosy nest.

The event caused quite a sensation among the other dwellers in our old
tree. Jays were constantly inquiring how the nestlings were getting on,
an inquisitive Magpie peeped into the nest, trying to get a glimpse of
the pretty ones, and received a sharp peck from the angry father as a
reproof for the intrusion; as to the motherly Rooks, who were supposed
to care for nothing save their own family concerns, they kindly advised
the young parents how to rear the brood, saying, 'Care, care,' was all
that was necessary; nay, it is even recorded, as an undoubted fact, that
an old Owl, who had lived for ages in a hole in the tree, actually
opened her eyes quite wide when the news was first told to her, although
it was broad daylight! You may imagine, then, how happy they were,
surrounded thus by kindness and love; and yet--I suppose it is but right
there are ever shadows as well as sunshine, and, sad though it seems,
every life must have bitters mingled with the sweets; still they were so
joyous in that tiny nest! Why, ah, why was their happiness to be
clouded? Alas, it grieves me even now to tell, though many long years
have since then passed away!

One day the father-bird went from the nest, and never returned!

Long and patiently waited his little mate, hoping each moment to hear
his welcome note, as swiftly he winged his way back to her. But the day
wore on, the evening sun grew golden, then faded in the purple west--but
still he came not! The other dwellers in the oak returned to their
homes, yet they brought no tidings of the wanderer. After a while their
happy voices were hushed in sleep, the Blackbird ceased to warble his
evening hymn, and all were buried in slumber, and at rest!

All? Ah, no! the lonely mourner was waking still, gazing up with sad,
sad eyes at the starry heavens above, asking the night-winds as they
moaned around:

'Will he not return to me?'

Days passed, slowly dragging their length wearily on for the lonely bird
in that desolate nest. Yet, though her heart was breaking, she tended
her tiny nestlings, neglecting none of her daily duties; for his dear
sake she loved them yet the more, hoping as each day came it would bring
him back, and striving to imagine his delight when he returned, and
found his young ones almost fledged. But still the days dawned, the
weary hours went by, the sickness of hope deferred would fall upon her
loving