d his offensive remarks; another pebble convinced him that the
distance might be profitably increased, and thus I drove him away; at
about the fourth pebble he took a final departure.

Here, then, I saw the small housekeeping go on. I always found the
little dame in possession, and generally the lord and master gleaning
food in redstart fashion; flitting around a branch, darting behind a
leaf, over and under a twig, tail spread to keep his balance during
these jerky movements, his bright oriole colors flashing as he dashed
through a patch of sunlight,--a beautiful object, but a perfectly silent
one. When his happiness demanded expression he flew to a maple-tree,
and poured out his soul in the quaint though not very musical ditty of
his race. Sometimes he stood still on a branch, like a bird who has
something to say; but more often he rushed around after insects on this
tree, and threw in the notes between the firm snaps of his beak.

Promptly every half hour the little sprite took his way to that precious
apple branch, and dropped, light as a snow-flake, on a certain twig on
the nearest side of his homestead. A flash from the nest announced the
departure of madame, and he popped into her place. Not to settle down to
business, as she did,--far from it! It is a wonder to me how even a
female redstart can sit still. On taking his place, he first examined
the treasures it held, leaning over the edge with a solicitude charming
to see; and when he did at last cover them from sight, his black velvet
cap still bobbed up and down, this way and that, as though he were
taking advantage of his enforced quiet to plume himself. Precisely three
minutes he allowed his modest spouse for her repast. At the expiration
of that time he deserted, darted away, and began to call from the next
tree, when she instantly returned. Sometimes she was at hand, and
alighted on a twig on the farther side of the nest, when he bounded off
and out of sight. She carefully inspected the nest to see that all was
right, then slipped in, settled herself with a gentle flutter of wings,
and I knew she was safe for another half hour. It was the closest
watching I ever tried, so quick were the motions, so silent the going
and coming.

Now and then the redstart chose to stay longer at home. The usual time
having expired, the little sitter appeared, but if her mate did not
vacate, she availed herself of the additional liberty in flitting about
the tree, adding a d