The nest was flat upon the ground. Around it and over it arched the tall meadow grasses. The nest itself was made of grass—it seemed to Phyllis that it was made in a somewhat careless manner, and that the eggs might easily roll out upon the ground.
There were four beautiful oval eggs in the nest—the largest birds' eggs Phyllis had as yet discovered. They were over an inch long, and were of a beautiful rosy white colour, speckled closely with reddish brown spots.
As Phyllis sat very still, the mother bird crept softly back to her home. She carefully settled herself on the grassy nest and with her bill tenderly tucked the eggs under her soft feathers.
"How careful you are!" exclaimed Phyllis. "No fear of your breaking the eggs."
The brown bird rose up quickly in fright and looked uncertainly toward the fence. Phyllis thought to see her whirr off again.
"Oh, don't go," she cried. "I will not harm you! Truly I will not disturb you!"
The meadow lark looked again toward the fence, and then settled herself once more over her precious eggs.
"Why do you look toward the fence so often?" asked Phyllis.
"Do you not see that bird perched upon the fence?" asked the meadow lark.
"Yes," Phyllis answered, "what is he doing there?"