Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/65

 Our Blue Jay Neighbors BY MRS, HARRIET CARPENTER THAYER. Minneapolis. Minn. Ilhislralrii by photoj;raph« from naluri- by Thos. S. Roberts II is pcrliaps a rare pri ilc^c, in the midst of a lartie city, to be chosen as neighbors by a family of Hhie Jays, yet such was our ^ood fortune. Ihey came one May morning into the top of a younji ehii tree close by our bedroom window. One had a twig in his mouth which he was en- dcaxorin;^ to ijet into position in the site selectetl for the nest. He pulled IS HI. J.W ON NEST and tugged, now bendinfi; his body, now twitching his head, until at last he succeeded : and the news spread abroad that a pair of Hlue Jas were building a nest in our tree. For two days they worked, completing the outside; then they came at longer intervals for two days more, bringing choice bits of finishing for the inside. Hoth birds took part in the labor of house- building. During these das three small heads were often peering at them from the window near b and shrill little voices often interrupted their work. Hut at last, though we trembled lest we had frightened them away by our frantic efiforts to keep quiet, the mother settled down on her nest and only whispers were heard at the window. (50)