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 in fact anything he could find, and put it inside the swallow's nest. He was a careless fellow, and didn't spend any more time than was necessary over the building; but when it was finished it was quite a nice little house,—a great improvement, certainly, on the house in the elm-tree that his family now occupied.

The next day the sparrow appeared, escorting his bright-eyed wife and her three little ones, now fine strong young birds; and they seemed much pleased with their new quarters.

"That bright-eyed Mrs. Sparrow is a nice little thing," said Mrs. Polly to herself, "much too nice to be neglected by that scamp of a husband of hers. I'll keep a sharp look-out, and set matters straight if he goes on in the old way."

The sparrow was very attentive to his family the first day, and brought the finest worms and insects he could find for them to