A BIRD-STORY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]
SIR,—" On a tree by a river a little tomtit" went through a, good many surprising and unexpected performances, all of which we know to be true, because we have the Mikado's word for it. But there are other eccentric tomtits. At a gate by the roadside a little tomtit has built her nest in a letter-box. This letter-box is at the end of a carriage-drive of a country house in Suffolk. The box is cleared every evening. The birds (parus major, or great titmouse) have founded their nest on the bottom of it, making their entries and their exits through the slit which admits the letters. There are now six small birds in it nearly ready to fly. The postman has sheltered the nest and its inmates from the shock and shower of uncalled-for communications by placing a " lean-to " made of cardboard over the nest, one end resting on the bottom of the box, the other leaning against the side,. so that the letters slide down it and over it, and leave the nest protected underneath. The whole side of the box opens to let the letters be taken out ; but the birds, both old and young, are so accustomed to the operation that they take no notice whatever when the postman or other visitor (and they have many) opens it. This is the first year I have made their
acquaintance, but I am informed that the pair are so devoted to literature that they have built in this letter-box for three
years in succession.—I am. Sir, cfec , TITWILLOW.
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