40 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

On looking down, however, I find I am not
quite deserted, for standing close to my left
foot is Tuft, so called from the little knot of
feathers on top of his head.

Tuft is a crow of great age and antiquity;
he is also blind in one eye, and, as the defec-
tive eye is towards me, the poor deluded
creature still stands beside me, in hopes of
getting a piece of biscuit, or cherry, or some-
thing of the sort.

On examination of the nests I find three
fine eggs, and depart therewith rejoicing.
On the way, unfortunately, one of the kittens
gets under my feet, and with that stupidity
which is peculiar to cats, I believe, refuses to
move. Down I go of course, and smash!
goes one of the eggs, which is annoying in
the extreme.

It is an ill wind that blows no one good,
however, for instantly there is a general
rush, and before I can recover myself, the
egg, shell and all, has disappeared.

Never mind, though, two new-laid eggs
are not to be despised, and comforting my-