THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.
"The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

"They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin." "Last year," said Rap, "when the men were chopping trees in the great wood beyond the lake, the miller went up one day to hunt coons and took me with him.

It was the beginning of March and terribly cold; there were long icicles hanging on the trees, and we were glad enough to go in by the fire in the lumbermen's camp.