AN ANXIOUS DAY FOR MR. THRUSH AND HIS FAMILY.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 22

AN ANXIOUS DAY FOR MR. THRUSH AND HIS FAMILY.

(CONNIE CURRIE, 14 years.)

"Oh, mother, we're so frightened," said Fluffy Longtail and Trixy Thrush. "So lam I, children, but we must all try to Ibe brave and keep very quiet and still." I That morning Father Thrush had come flying home in a terrible hurry to say that he had just heard three little boys say they were going into the forest that i afternoon to pull down all the nests i they could find. He heard one boy say that he thought there was a lovely nest in the big pine tree on one side of the path, a little way into the forest. Now Mr. and Mrs. Thrush knew that they had their nest in a pine tree, and so ■ that was why they were all so frightened. As soon as Mr. Thrush had told i his wife and children all about it, he J flew away into the forest to tell all the other birds, and some of them said when they heard the news, "Dear, dear, it will be a pity if the cruel boys ruin Mr. Thrush's nest, because he is so good and kind." It was now one o'clock, and Mr. Thrush and his family sat in their nest shivering with dread. Hark, what was that! It was someone whistling in the distance. Gradually the whistling came nearer and nearer until it stopped, and Mr. Tlirush, looking over the top of the nest, saw three little boys standing on the path at the bottom of the tree. Presently one spoke. '"This is the tree, Jimmie.' 'Aw. gam, that's a fir tree." " 'Tis not," said the first speaker, "it's a pine tnee, and I saw a bird fly out of it the olJier day." These two 'had not noticed the third boy wander on a little way, and presently they were startled to hear someone say, "Here's a pine tree and I've found a nest right at the top." The first speakers did not wait to finish their argument; they ran as hard as their legs could carry" them to the other tree. When the "boys had gone further on into the forest Mr. Thrush and his family moved round into a circle and danced round and round for sheer joy and delight. Presently there was a burst of song: It was Mr. and Mrs. Thrush singing their song of triumph, and when the other birds heard it they knew that all was well.