From a Tree-top

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23809, 9 November 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

From a Tree-top

jQEAR ANNE SHIRLEY,—The sun is shining as I write and there's a cool breeze. I am sitting 011 a branch in my oak tree in the orchard. 1 lio ink-bottle is balanced precariously 011 a thick branch, so I am hoping the wind docsn t suddenly shake the branch and spill all the ink on to the hundreds of tiny green oaks which arc peeping up at me through the long grass! From my perch I can see for miles around —from the hills in the Peria district across miles of plains to • the Kaimai Range. *• • A.bove my head are two little sparrows, cheeping and making a great commotion. They have built a nest, but I think it must be a first attempt, because it is very untidy! There are pieces of string, and straws, and lengths of wool blowing in the breeze. I'm sure my oak tree is feeling very pleased about it all, because this is the very first time a nest has been built 'in its branches! I expect it will feel quite "grown-up." A yaw] or so away a young cabbagetree is pushing its way through the branches of my oak, and it has a long branch of white buds lying among its green fronds. I'm anxiously waiting for it to come out. as I've never seen the flower so close before.—Yours sincerely, Thelma Blennerhassett, Peria.