while they were gone, mrs. cowbird came walking over the grass and dry leaves to the foot of the tree. she wagged her head at every step, and put on as many airs as though she were showily dressed, instead of wearing, as she always does, a robe of dull brownish gray. she had seen the goldfinches fly away, and she was looking for their home. she was a lazy creature in spite of her stirring ways, and she wished to find a nice little nest in which to lay an egg. you know cowbirds never think of building nests. they want all of their time to take care of themselves, which is a very foolish way of living; but then, you could never make a cowbird think so!