One morning there was a call of distress from Mr. Sparrow. The children watched him as he flew from tree to tree, and limb to limb, calling—calling in the most plaintive tones. All day he called until the sun went down behind the Palisades, but no mother returned to her children. It was quite decided that Mrs. Sparrow was hurt, or even killed, and great was the excitement over this terrible possibility. After two days of calling and calling Mrs. Sparrow returned—but not alone. The guilty partner of her flight came along, too, and Father Sparrow promptly chased him away, but every time Father Sparrow flew at him and chased him off, Mrs. Sparrow would fly away with him. Then poor Father Sparrow would call and coax and tease and plead with her to return, and she would return just long enough to see the little fledglings, and off she would go with the other sparrow. Each day she returned to see the little ones and trouble the poor father, who was trying so hard to provide for the motherless family. The other birds seemed most sympathetic, and on one occasion Mr. Robin watched the sparrow house while Mr. Sparrow chased the wooer of his wife. This was the last time, for Mrs. Sparrow never again returned to her family. No other birds ever went near that tree wherein the lone “widower” dwelled. He seemed greatly respected by the other birds. He taught his little ones to fly and where to find the choicest food in Bobby’s garden. The children insisted on caging the cats for a few weeks so that Father Sparrow would not have this extra burden on him. They were of one decided opinion that father love and devotion saved that family, and all agreed that it was a most important factor in bringing up a family. This was a most unusual case, and the boys were made to realize its unusualness, for it is _very seldom_ that a mother ever deserts her young. It was funny to watch the sentiments of these small tots. As soon as Mrs. Sparrow returned for her short intervals the children got bread and worms and all kinds of tempting food in hopes that she would remain with her family. They were willing like Father Sparrow to forgive her, but as soon as she made her preparations to go away, instinctively they picked up stones to throw at her, so intense was their interest, and it is feared that had not a grown-up been with them something would have happened, for the air was full of whispers, and words like bean shooters, air rifles, etc., were heard occasionally. However, their attention was diverted to Miss Oriole, who had two young Oriole attendants. Each asked for her love—and she would not decide. How she teased them both, and how desperately she flirted. Of course, the lovers despised each other, but how wonderfully they told her in song of their great love for her, each trying to outdo the other.