HM^j^^^a^ll^^ilMMi^ijMfi :;£^S^J^^3S^^SH Albert R. Mann Library Cornell University Gift of Wiliatn E. Davis, Jr. '^o. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924090279922 BIRD 11 HOMES GLOBULAR NEST OF THE LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. (77ic )foang bOv tvas just lea'ving ihe nest as the pholograph 'U}jis taken.^ BIRD HOMES, the nests EGGS AND BREEDING HABITS OF THE LAND BIRDS BREEDING IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES; WITH HINTS ON THE REARING AND PHO- TOGRAPHING OF YOUNG 'birds BY A. RADCLYFFE DUGMORE ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS FROM NATURE* BY THE AUTHOR Garden City New York DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 1920 Copyright, 1904, by Doubleday, Page & Company Copyright, 1900, by Doubleday & McClure Company TO MY MOTHER THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED CONTENTS PART I I. Introductory II. Birds' Nests and Eggs .... III. Egg-Collecting and its Object IV. Photographing Nests and Young Birds V. Hints on the Rearing and Keeping of Birds VI. Notes . Approximate Dates when Birds Begin to Nest PAGE 3 II i6 21 24 27 29 PART II I. Open Nests on the Ground, in Open Fields, Marshes, AND Generally Open Country . . . .33 II. Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets . 52 III. Covered or Arched Nests on Ground : Part I. Open Country 73 Part II. In Woods and Thickets . . .74 Contents CHAPTER PAGE IV. Open Nests in Marshes, Reeds, Saw-grass, and Low Bushes in Open Country 77 V. Nests in Buildings, Bridges, Walls, Rocks, Banks, AMONG Roots, Brush Heaps, and in Holes in the Ground 81 VI. Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs . . 96 VII. Semi-pensile, Pensile, or Hanging Nests . . .114 VIII. Open Nests in Trees, Bushes, and Vines : Part I. Large Nests in Trees . . . 122 Part II. Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines . 132 IX. Nests Saddled on Branches 172 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Globular Nest of the Long-billed Marsh Wren (Colour) Fro7itispiece Worm-Eating Warbler Feeding Young Young Catbird, a Few Days after Leaving Nest. . ii Robin Just Out of Nest v Bluebird, Three Weeks Old vi A Trio of Bluebirds on the Day of Leaving Their Nest ix A Nestling Song Sparrow x "^'oung Baltimore Orioles xi Chickadees Just Out of Nest xiv Immature Mocking-Bird xv Bluebird, Four Weeks Old xvi FACING PAGE Wood Thrush on Nest 4 Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, One Year Old . 8 Crested Flycatchers, Two Weeks before Leaving Nest 12 White-eyed Vireo on Nest 14 Young Baltimore Orioles and Nest 14 List of Illustrations FACING PAGE Ruffed Grouse on Nest . . i8 Young Redstarts, Day of Leaving Nest iS Young Red-eyed Vireos Ready to Leave Nest 22 Young Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Twenty-four Hours BEFORE Leaving Nest. 22 Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, One Year Old, Taking Sun Bath 27 Bob-white's Nest Full of Eggs (Colour) . 36 Nest and Eggs of Bobolink, on the Ground in a Meadow . .... 40 Plate B: Common Eggs (Colour) 44 Nest and Eggs of Field Sparrow, on Ground in Field of Dead Grass . ..... 46 Song Sparrow's Nest ... 48 Nest and Eggs of Brown Thrasher ... 50 Nest of Brown Thrasher on the Ground. 50 Nest and Eggs of Ruffed Grouse . 52 Nest of the Worm-eating Warbler in a Bank . . 64 Nest of Blue-winged Warbler on Ground in Damp Scrub . 66 Nest of Maryland Yellow-throat (Colour) 68 Nest and Eggs of Maryland Yellow-throat . 70 Nest of Wilson's Thrush (Colour) ... -72 Meadow-lark's Arched Nest 74 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper, or Yellow-winged, Sparrow . 74 List of Illustrations FACING PAGE Arched or Domed Nest of Oven-bird on the Ground IN Woods . .... Nest of Red-winged Blackbird (Colour) . Barn Swallow's Nest of Mud Pellets and Straw Nest, of Eggs of Rough-winged Swallow . Plate C: Common Eggs (Colour) The Downy Woodpecker's Home (Colour) Nest and Eggs of Crested Flycatcher Nest and Eggs of Bluebird in the Branch of an Apple-tree . . ... Nest of Orchard Oriole Pendant Nest of the Baltimore Oriole (Colour) A Fair Example of the Red-eyed Vireo's Nest Basket-shaped Nest of the Warbling Vireo Hanging Nest of the White-eyed Vireo (Colour) Plate A: Common Eggs (Colour) Nest and Eggs of the Carolina Dove Nest of Blue Jay in an Apple-tree . Nest and Eggs of Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Colour) Nest and Eggs of Chipping Sparrow Plate D: Common Eggs (Colour) Nest of Scarlet Tanager in Apple-tree Nine Feet FROM Ground ...... Nest of the Cedar-bird (Colour) Nest of Yellow Warbler in Elder Bush, Five Feet 76 78 88 88 94 102 106 1 12 114 1 16 118 118 120 130 132 132 136 144 146 152 154 from Ground 156 xiii List of Illustrations FACING PAGE Nest and Eggs of Chestnut-sided Warbler in Azalea, Two Feet from Ground . . . . .158 Yellow-breasted Chat's Nest (Colour) . . . 164 Nest and Eggs of Catbird in Tangle of Vines, Three Feet from Ground ...... 166 Nest of Wood Thrush, with Pieces of Newspaper Used in Construction , . . . . . 168 Nest and Eggs of Ruby-throated Humming-bird, Natural Size ....... 172 Nest of Least Flycatcher (Colour) . , . 174 A bird's nest. Mark it well, within, without. No tool had he that wrought, no knife to cut, No nail to fix, no bodkin to insert, No glue to join ; his little beak was all. And yet how neatly finish'd '. What nice hand, With every implement and means of art. And twenty years' apprenticeship to boot. Could make me such another?" — Hitrdis. BIRD HOMES BIRD HOMES PART I Chapter I INTRODUCTORY It has been suggested that a work on Bird Homes might do more harm than good, since it would add to the icnowledge already possessed by the birds' human enemies. I think this surely a mistake ; a near acquaintance with our feathered friends in their homes will surely give to the most careless such an in- terest in the birds and their daily lives, such a new sense of com- panionship with them and affection for them, that it can but work for their good. Yet it may be as well to say emphatically at the outset : Make your object the study of birds through their nests and eggs. Don't add a new terror to the many that already beset anxious little bird-mothers by disturbing them during the breed- ing season or taking their eggs for a so-called "collection." If you stop at this you will lose some of the choicest pleasures that fall to the lot of the nature lover. So far as I know, this side of the birds' life has been com- paratively neglected. There are plenty of scientific works on oQlogy and nidification, and so on, but hardly anything that deals with the subject from what might be called the " human " side. If this book helps the ordinary unscientific person to get some closer glimpse of the birds in their roles as heads of a family ; to study their wonderfully adapted nests and beautiful eggs as manifestations of that bird nature which is so charmingly varied and so endlessly interesting — if it does this in any measure at all 1 shall be more than satisfied. Introductory Every one agrees that the study of birds should be fostered and developed. The first thing is to teach people to see, and very few of those who have not gone into the matter sympa- thetically realise how little of the visible world of nature they do see. In particular are there recompenses for the patient observer who devotes hiri/self to the beauties of bird-li.e. There are but few, especially among boys, who are really capable of doing sys- tematic collecting of eggs, and unless formed with the utmost care and system, a collection is of not the slightest value. On the other hand, every one can be taught to see, to study the birds in connection with their nests, eggs, and young. Birds have so many natural enemies that our first impulse should be to protect them. It is a dark reflection on man that, with all his much-vaunted intelligence, he should do more toward the destruction of birds than all other causes combined. And he certainly is one of their most relentless foes. If laws were made, for instance, forbidding the sale of bird- skins for millinery purposes, what a boon it would be to our feathered friends 1 Much has been written and published on the subject by that most excellent institution, the Audubon Society ; but what little effect has it produced. Laws have been passed, though rather late in the day, prohibiting the killing of egrets in the South and of many varieties of the smaller birds in special States ; but these laws are to a great extent disregarded, and there are no adequate means for their enforcement. The destruction of birds' nests is forbidden ; yet there are endless "collections" made every season. How many boys — and men too — are there in every village who take every year large numbers of eggs which serve no purpose 1 Their only idea is to get " a lot of them, " which are gathered together without notes or observation, or even identification. All sparrow-like nests found on the ground are said to belong to the "ground sparrow" or "grass sparrow," or some such ambiguous bird. When the nest is found and the eggs are taken the entire aim of this "collector" seems to be satisfied ; the idea of making notes never even enters his head. If asked where some particular egg was taken, he replies vaguely : " I don't remember exactly, but I think it was in such a place, or perhaps some fellow gave it to me." Thus it is that eggs are destroyed and with them the means of studying the birds during the most interesting period of their 4 Pgii^".\ %^ ''%?^ , . .^n'' !m -■■'■rOf.'-"'''' ''\ :: f, A -■ " ". '.^i ; ■ j J; I. '■ \ mm / ^ ' '.\ . WOOD THRUSH ON NEST Introductory lives ; for where a bird's nest is, there is its home in the strictest sense of the word. It is true that most birds are wanderers ; they .go south shortly after the young are fully grown, to return when the frost leaves the ground and the necessary supply of food can be obtained. But during the migration the bird is seldom resident for more than a few weeks in any one place ; he is rest- less and only awaits the time when he may get back to his nesting place of the previous year. Here, where he sings his love-songs and sets up housekeeping, is surely his real home and habitation. In reading over the works of well-known ornithologists it is surprising to see how very little has been written about birds during the breeding season. The time occupied in nest-building ; the period of incubation ; the appearance and habits of the young at different ages ; how long they remain in the nest, and so on — these and the many other facts which give each species and each bird family definite individuality, though they are of the utmost interest, have been to a great extent ignored. It is difficult to realise why this is. Of course it requires great patience and plenty of time to get accurate data of this sort ; but there are thousands of enthusiastic nature students, and particularly bird students, nowadays, and the difficulties only make it all the more important that every one who is really interested should endeavour to add all possible information that may be of value. And right here let me say that all original and authentic notes — and only these — are valuable. Eggs of different birds of the same species, and indeed of the same bird, vary greatly both in colour, markings, and size, yet it is not at all necessary that every one should collect a large series to show such variations. Such collections may be found in museums when needed for comparison. Therefore 1 should say : Leave the egg where it belongs — in the nest — and visit it frequently (using all due caution against disturbing the owner even in this), making notes of anything of interest you may happen to see. You will be surprised at the number of things you will find that will prove of real interest, and you will surely be glad after your first experi- ment of this sort that you did not destroy the eggs, and with them your opportunity of gaining such an insight into the do- mestic life of Mrs. Robin Redbreast or Jenny Wren. Last summer, while walking through the woods, I found a 5 Introductory yellow-billed cuckoo's nest containing two eggs, which showed that incubation was far advanced. It was three days before I had another chance to visit the nest. During this interval the young had hatched, and when I saw them they were little naked objects with but the first beginnings of pin feathers showing. Unfortu- nately, 1 did not know their exact age (as you can see, notes should be exact down to days and hours), but as I visited them day by day I noticed how the feathers grew. Instead of breaking through the envelopes gradually, as do the feathers of other birds, the little cuckoo's feathers remained sheathed and finely pointed until the day before the birds left the nest. Then in twenty-four hours every envelope burst, and the bird was completely feathered, with no trace of the sheathing except at the base of the tail. Had I taken the eggs 1 should not have been able to note this fact (which 1 have not been able to find any record of in the books) or to secure the amusing photograph which is reproduced further on. While 1 deprecate the taking of eggs as being in most cases entirely unnecessary, I should strongly advise both boys and girls to look for nests. It will be a means of developing a love of nature in one of its most attractive forms, and it will stimulate the powers of observation and add to the knowledge of birds in striking degree. The love of nature in any form is an acquisition well worth striving for. Besides adding enormously to one's interest in a walk, whether on the high road or along the woodland paths, it is a resource which would do a great deal towards banishing that silly phrase, " 1 wish I had something to do." How often do we hear people say that, even when living in the country where wild life in its thousands of different phases exists all around them, un- noticed by all except the very few who are devoting themselves to some particular study. Unfortunately the power of observation is lacking in most of us who have not been trained to it — we look without seeing. Mr. Burroughs says that "some people seem born with eyes in their heads, and others with buttons or painted marbles, and no amount of science can make the one equal to the other in the art of seeing things." But even those who by ill- fortune are born without keen eyes can by constant practice cul- tivate the faculty of observing to a surprising degree. That so little is known about the common birds is a good il- 6 Introductory lustration of this lack of seeing ; even birds as conspicuous as the Baltimore oriole, the cardinal, or the scarlet tanager are as re- mote as birds of paradise to many people who live in the country. I have heard men and women ask whether these birds, which they had just seen as mounted specimens in some museum, were from South America or some other tropical country. They were much surprised when told how common these and others of equally brilliant plumage are within a few miles of New York City. How many people who live in the country throughout the summer months, or even country folk themselves, have ever seen the rose-breasted grosbeak, a common and most gayly coloured summer resident ? Or the yellow-breasted chat, or the Maryland yellowthroat, or the indigo-bird ? Even these flashing bits of animated colour are generally unknown, while the less conspicu- ous birds, if seen at all, are called "sparrows " or " small birds." Now that the public schools are taking up nature studies, we have good reason to hope that people will learn more about the birds. I think any woman who had seen a mother-thrush on the nest, with her anxious, wild, little eyes looking out in fear of the intruder, could never again wear a stuifed bird as a hat orna- ment, to be used for a short month or two and then thrown away. For herein lies, perhaps, the chief cause of the partial extermination of our birds, both those that are sombre in colour (for they can be dyed to any desired shade) and those that are by nature of brilliant hues. And who gains by this cruel sacrifice to a heartless fashion save the dealers ? Keeping native song-birds in captivity is forbidden in some States, the idea being, of course, to protect the birds. But this law undoubtedly does harm as well as good, for many people are thus prevented from becoming intimately attached to the common birds. Who, having once owned a bluebird, could m]we one in any way or take its eggs ? And the same applies to almost any other species. Then, again, children would become fond of such birds as they knew, and the cruelty dis- played by some boys would be a thing undreamed of. In Eng- land, where I understand the sojig-birds are not protected by law, they are more abundant than anywhere else. What boy would kill an English robin— the robin redbreast — that he hears about in the earliest nursery rhymes and stories ? He has been brought up to know and care for it, and it is therefore to be 7 Introductory reckoned as one of his friends. Here the robin, were it not pro- tected by law, would be shot off for food purposes, and 1 think this comes largely from the fact that the bird, like all the other birds, is not known really intimately, and therefore not cared for. Only last summer an instance attracted my attention of the utter barbarism that exists among some boys in this connection. 1 had noticed a robin's nest containing eggs, and being anxious to obtain certain notes in connection with the young, I visited it again three days later. What I saw made me fairly sick at heart. The parent bird was hanging from a branch — dead. Some boy had fastened a fish-hook baited with a worm to the branch above the nest. The poor bird had swallowed the hook and had hung there to die a slow, lingering death by starvation. The young had also starved to death. Such cruelty seems almost incredible; yet it was done by a boy supposed to be of average intelligence, who was being educated at a good school. Keeping pet birds is a much discussed question, but after all my experience 1 have no reason to believe that they are neces- sarily unhappy in captivity. Some of my birds have been out for a fly many times, but they always seem glad to return, and I am sure they enjoy themselves, even when in their cages. Of course they receive every care and are allowed a good deal of freedom; they have no cares, no trouble to search for food or shelter, and they are nearly always well, and to all appearances happy. The whole question is, of course, one that each person must decide for himself, but unless there is a great deal of cer- tainty in one's mind it is surely better to give the birds the benefit of the doubt — and their freedom. One aspect of the case has been put acutely by a poet who loved birds and sympathised with them very fully. He says of his mocking-bird : "We have sometimes discussed the question: Is it better on the whole that Bob should have lived in a cage than in the wild wood ? There are conflicting opinions about it: but one of us is clear that it is. He argues that although there are many songs which are never heard, as there are many eggs which never hatch, yet the general end of a song is to be heard, as that of an egg is to be hatched. He further argues that Bob's life in his cage has been one long blessing to several people who stood in need of him : whereas in the woods, leaving aside the probability of hawks and bad boys, he would not have been likely to gain 8 Introductory one appreciative listener for a single half-hour out of each year," and so on. But 1 must remind all readers that any one who does keep pets incurs responsibilities along with the pleasure they bring. To deprive any wild animal of its liberty and then neglect it is sheer barbarity. Having birds in this way affords almost the only means of studying the remarkable individuality possessed by different members of the same species. That each bird has a character peculiar to itself may be doubted by some, but I have never seen two individuals showing the same peculiarities. Two rose- breasted grosbeaks that have been reared together from the same nest, and are now eighteen months old, are different in almost every way. One is intensely jealous and objects to attention being paid to any other bird; the other seems not to know what jealousy means. One wants to sleep at night; the other keeps up a perpetual jumping from perch to perch until all hours. The female (who has most of the bad traits) never lets her mate have any little tid-bit in the way of food; no matter how much she has, she immediately seizes whatever is given to her better- natured companion. So it is with all the other birds; one will be naturally wild and timid; another knows no fear; one, though, tame, cannot endure being touched; another, like a bluebird I have, wants to be handled most of the time, and is quite content if allowed to sit quietly (and go to sleep) inside a partly closed hand. The method of eating adopted by each of the birds is quite individual. The wood thrush makes rapid and regular dips into the food-cup, taking only a small mouthful each time, but repeat- ing the operation until its hunger is satisfied ; feeding takes place at rather long intervals. The yellow-breasted chat feeds some- what after the same manner, but is not so quick or so dainty in its movements, and eats more frequently. The mocking-bird eats often and much, but does not draw his beak away from the cup between each mouthful. The bluebird eats fairly frequently and dips his beak into the food with a sharp jerk, pausing a second or two between each mouthful, and making a snap with his beak every time he takes the food. If given a live grasshopper, he carefully kills it, then shakes off its legs and swallows the entire body, afterwards gathering up the legs. The Baltimore oriole 9 Introductory seems to chew his food, and eats very frequently ; if given any- thing, either eatable or otherwise, he holds it, hawk-fashion, with his feet (or foot) and quickly picks it to pieces, usually prying it apart with his sharply pointed beak. The rose-breasted grosbeaks eat nearly all the time, even late at night, and 1 fancy this accounts for their tendency to become very fat when in captivity. So it may be seen that each bird is a study by itself. Undoubtedly this same individuality exists in birds when in their wild state, perhaps even to a greater degree, but it is more difiFicult to discover. Some nests show individual peculiarities, but whether the same bird builds the same kind of nest each year is, of course, unknown. The object of this book, 1 may repeat, is to stimulate the love of birds ; and though descriptions of nests and eggs are given, as well as instructions for egg-collecting, it must be borne in mind that it is generally neither necessary nor advisable that collections of eggs should be made. Remember that, as Mr. Frank Chapman says, the two points of interest in a bird's egg are " what the egg is in and what is in the egg." Much more knowledge may be gained by observing the birds themselves throughout the breeding season than by taking the eggs. Leave egg-collecting to those who are able, through scientific study, to make use of such col- lections and devote your leisure hours to the far more interesting process of collecting knowledge which will lend increased interest to your every-day existence and give you new insight into the fascinating world of bird-life. lO Chapter II BIRDS' NESTS AND EGGS A CAREFUL examination of a bird's nest will convince any one that it is a work of art. One cannot help wondering at the in- genuity displayed by its architect. How carefully a bird adapts itself to environrhent is well illustrated by endless examples : the red-winged blackbirds (whose nests are usually built among reeds, flags, or bushes) make their nests very much deeper when the place selected is subject to strong winds than in more shel- tered spots ; and then, as a further safeguard, the mouth of the nest contracts so that the eggs will not fall out when the flags are swayed by the wind. These clever birds have even been known to place their eggs in a deserted woodpecker's nest in places where the fish crows were numerous — for the fish crow is worse even than the jay as an egg and fledgling thief. In this way the red- wings managed to elude their persecutors and saved their eggs and young from destruction. Some birds readily avail themselves of new and favourable conditions. The phoebe formerly built its nest exclusively on rocks, but now that houses and bridges are to be found through- out the country, this bird has to a great extent changed its former custom, and it now builds nests on almost any sort of structure erected by man. This also applies to the barn swallow, while the chimney swift has taken possession of our chimneys, and almost forsaken the hollow tree-trunks, in which, but a few years ago, they built in large colonies. How rapidly birds are changing their habits is not known, but it is evident from the few examples we have about us that a change is progressing, in some cases very noticeably. Of course a bird's main idea when depositLig its eggs is that they shall be safe from enemies of all kinds and from unfavourable weather conditions. With these objects in view it is interesting to II Birds' Nests and Eggs note the different methods employed. The whippoorwill builds no nest, but lays its eggs in a slight depression among the dead leaves. When the parent bird is sitting, her colour, which matches the .leaves and dead wood, saves her from observation. The eggs themselves are much like either stones or the under sides of leaves, so they are difficult to find even when exposed. But if they are discovered, the parent bird carries them' away to a new hiding place. The quail and many other birds, such as the meadow-lark and some of the sparrows, often arch their homes over with either the growing vegetation surrounding the nest, or with dry material brought for the purpose, and in some cases they build covered paths or entrances. The woodpeckers hide their eggs in natural holes in trees, or in holes hollowed out after much tedious labour by the birds themselves ; here the eggs are fairly safe ; squirrels, snakes, and human beings are about the only enemies to be feared. The crested flycatcher often makes use of a snake-skin in the construction of his nest, which occupies a hole in a tree. It is only reasonable to suppose that there is some object for his pref- erence for this strange and apparently useless material. It may be that it frightens away would-be thieves, squirrels, jays, or crows (for the opening to the nest is often large enough to allow a crow to enter without difficulty) ; here is a case where authentic observations might tell us much of the bird's life-history. The ruby-throated humming-bird saddles his tiny nest usu- ally on a high branch, and covers it with lichen so that it resembles an excrescence on the branch. Why the long-billed marsh wren builds so many "dummy" nests, most of which are usually near the real nest, is not known, but it is presumably as a matter of safety, and for the purpose of misleading intruders, just as a parent bird will feign a broken wing to lure danger from the young. The Baltimore oriole hangs his well-built nest, a masterpiece of bird architecture, on the extreme end of an overhanging branch where nothing but a winged enemy can reach it. To guard against these the nest is made so that it looks something like a hornet's nest — with which the jays, crows, or hawks would not care to interfere. Then, again, after ^all these precautions, the comfort as well as the safety of the young is thought of when the nest is built, the lower part being compactly and strongly made, while the walls are loosely woven so as to admit of free circulation of air. The eggs of the belted kingfisher are placed in a hole often 12 Birds' Nests and Eggs six or eight feet deep, excavated in a bank by the birds themselves after as much as two weelcs' work. One possible reason for the choice of such a place is the fact that the young, which are fed on fish, regurgitate large pellets of scales and bones and such indi- gestible matter ; were these dropped beneath a nest built in a tree or on the open ground it would betray the presence of the home to the natural enemies of the bird. Why the cowbird declines the responsibilities of maternity has never been satisfactorily explained. It is certain, however, that there is some good and sufficient reason. The European cuckoo, like the cowbird, lays her eggs in the nests of other birds, those of the smaller birds being usually chosen. A certain French writer gives as a reason the fact that the cuckoo cannot lay eggs on succeeding days. How long the interval is has not been decided, but if it is of many days' duration that would be an ample reason for the bird's not building a nest for itself, since the eggs might be stolen were they left unpro- tected until the full complement were laid. The eggs of the yel- low-billed cuckoo are said to be deposited at irregular intervals of from two to five days, and are occasionally found in the nests of other birds. Whether in days gone by they placed their eggs en- tirely in the care of other birds or whether they will do so in the future is of course a problem, but it is quite possible that some such change is taking place. There are birds who, having laid their eggs, cover them up and allow them to hatch by themselves, trusting to the heat generated by the covering chosen. I know of none of our eastern birds that do this, yet some of them make use of vegetable Substance that has heating qualities. The grebes, for instance, use decayed and damp vegetable matter, while many of our small birds place in their nests woolly stuffs and other non-conducting material, probably to protect the highly sensitive eggs from sudden changes of temperature. The shapes of eggs show in many instances the forethought of nature. Eggs that are laid on bare rocks and exposed places where little or no nests are made, are generally rounded at the larger end and come almost to a point at the other extremity ; this makes it possible for them to be turned by the wind without roll- ing away ; whereas the ovate or elliptical eggs that are found in well-protected places, such as holes in trees, would soon be blown off by a strong wind in such exposed situations. 13 Birds' Nests and Eg^s The ways of birds are difficult to understand. Why should some build in colonies, and others singly but in close proximity, and others again miles away from their kind ? The passenger pigeon gives the best example of nest colonies, immense numbers breeding in a very limited area. Prof. H. B. Rooney speaks of a nesting area forty miles long and from three to ten miles wide, where, in 1878, a million and a half of the pigeons were killed for food purposes, while if those that were taken alive and the dead nestlings were included, the number would reach the enormous total of a thousand millions. This is thought to be somewhat ex- aggerated, but shows what an immense number of birds must have been breeding in this limited space. Some of our smal] birds nest in colonies ; among them the red-winged blackbird and some of the swallows afford the most noticeable examples. The bobo- link and marsh wrens also live in scattered communities during the breeding season. Most of the larger hawks select a desirable copse or fairly large tract of woodland as a common home, and it is seldom that another nest of the same species is found within that area. In Florida, where each cypress swamp is usually clearly defined, it is seldom, except in the large swamps, that one finds in each more than one nest of the Florida red-shouldered hawk — a species very abundant throughout the more southern parts of the State. Some birds return regularly year after year to the same nest- ing site, even after their nests have been robbed several times. I have known a crested flycatcher to build in the same hole for three years in succession though each set of eggs was taken. Phoebes return with great regularity to the same bridge, building, or rock, where they make one or two nests each season. Some of the owls also use the same hole for many years, and hawks and crows rebuild their old nests, so that each year the nest be- comes larger as layer after layer is added. Most, if not all, birds are governed in their habits by regular rules — ^from which, however, they occasionally depart, just as human beings depart from the rules which seem most generally applicable. The Wilson's thrush, whose nest is commonly on or near the ground, has been known to build in a hole in a tree. Bob-whites' nests containing thirty-seven eggs have been reported — though these were, of course, not all laid by one hen. The eggs were 14 j^ WHITE-EYED VIREO ON NEST The extreme lameness of these birds renders them good subjects for the camera YOUNG BALTIMORE ORIOLES AND NEST Birds' Nests and Eggs said to be arranged in tiers, witli the smaller ends pointing towards the centre. It is curious to note that if the female bob-white is killed after the eggs are laid, the male bird takes upon himself the entire duty of incubating. This may not be an invariable rule, but a number of instances have been reported by reliable observers. Robins will sometimes build their nests in buildings or bridges with no vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the nest, and mocking-birds have chosen fence rails and other such queer places for their building sites. In parts of the old world and in South America will be found birds that build extraordinary nests and have curious habits. The male hornbills have a remarkable custom of incarcerating the female in a hole in a tree during the period of incubation, by sealing up the entrance with mud, leaving a small opening through which she is supplied with food. Should the male be killed it is a ques- tion whether or not the female could free herself. This habit is doubtless a method of protection. The nest of the tailor-bird is a good example of the skill dis- played by birds in building and concealing their homes. They sew the edges of a large growing leaf round the nest, so that it is absolutely hidden from view. The bower-birds use queer ma- terials, such as bones, pieces of metal, shells, etc., but perhaps the greatest curiosity supplied by birds is the nest of the esculent swift, known commonly as the edible bird's-nest, so much appre- ciated by the Chinese as a table luxury. These are but a few examples of the endless variety to be found in bird architecture. It is a subject a full treatment of which would fill many volumes, and it is a study offering unusual attrac- tions to all who want to do "original work" in nature subjects. IS Chapter 111 EGG-COLLECTING AND ITS OBJECT A COLLECTION of cggs, to be of any real value, must be formed according to some prearranged method and for some definite pur- pose — not haphazard, with merely the idea of accumulating a great quantity of eggs. The amateur collector is generally without any notes, such as where found or the number in nest ; in fact, he is apt to have nothing but somewhat uncertain names of eggs ob- tained by exchange or purchased from some dealer — secured in any way so that the number be great. What, may 1 ask, has ever been gained from such a collection ? And after the craze has lasted a year or two, the whole thing is put aside and forgotten, to be destroyed by neglect. The object of a collection is to show not only the individual egg, but how conditions affect eggs of a given species in different parts of the country. Thus it is of the utmost importance that it should be known where the eggs were procured ; the date should be given, so that it may be possible to find out whether in differ- ent places the nesting season varies, and,' if so, how great is the variation. The catalogue should contain exact information on these points, together with notes relating to the nest ; whether placed on the ground, or in bushes or trees, etc. All notes should be made on the spot and not from memory. A small pocketbook should be carried for that purpose, and these notes ought finally to be arranged in a larger book, either in chrono- logical order or under the name of each bird ; the latter is proba- bly the better way as it is easier to refer to and needs no index. Be careful that all information is accurate. Anything taken from hearsay should be marked as such. In most cases it is better to have nothing but notes made from personal observation. As I have said before, birds, though governed by certain rules, do occasionally change or modify their habits ; 50 that notes on i6 Egg-Collecting and Its Object the habits of a given species should specify whether or not they were taken from an Individual bird or from numerous individuals of that species. Among the numerous points to be noticed may be mentioned the following : When birds are seen pairing ; when nests are commenced ; how long building ; whether built by one or both birds ; materials used in the construction, from where gathered ; where the nest is placed ; if on the ground, whether on a sod or tussock, in a tuft of grass or in a depression, in damp or dry places, in open country, in woods or in thickets ; if in a bush, what kind of bush ; the height from the ground ; whether in a crotch, sad- dled on a branch or pendent ; the size of nests ; when the eggs are laid ; interval between laying ; period of incubation ; whether both birds or only the female takes part in that duty ; appearance of young when hatched, and at different ages ; at what age they leave the nest ; which of the parent birds provides the food, or whether both do ; of what does the food consist ; what becomes of the young when they leave the nest ; and so on with the num- berless points which go to differentiate one bird from another. The period of incubation varies of course with different birds ; for instance, with the white-eyed vireo it is about seven days ; the indigo-bird takes ten days, the wood thrush twelve, and the ruffed grouse eighteen. The time should be taken from the day the bird actually commences sitting and not necessarily from the day on which the last egg is laid. Eggs are usually laid during the morn- ing, between the hours of nine and eleven, but the bird does not always begin to sit the same day that the last egg is laid. Some birds commence sitting before laying the full complement of eggs ; in these cases the young are hatched at intervals. The age at which young birds leave their nests is not de- pendent on the st\e of the bird. The gallinaceous species, such as the grouse, quail, turkey, etc., being well developed when hatched, desert the nest within a few hours after leaving the egg ; the young wood thrushes keep to the nest for ten days, by which time they are pretty well feathered, the tail being rather more than one inch in length ; the white-eyed vireo leaves when seven days old ; while the owls stay in their nest for several weeks. A few birds build their nests indiscriminately on the ground or in bushes. In some localities certain birds almost invariably choose the ground, while in some other place, where conditions 17 Egg-Collecting and Its Object do not appear to be in any way different, tiie same bird selects bushes. Notes of this kind are of interest and should be worth the trouble of systematic investigation. Certain birds, such as the prairie horned lark, build several nests during the season, the first nest being constructed in a much more substantial manner than the second or third. This is prob- ably owing to the change in the weather conditions. Early in the season the ground is damp from the frequent rains, while later on the ground becomes dryer and there is more protection from the weeds and grasses which surround the nest. Such observations as these soon lead one to realise that much more interesting in- formation may be gathered by studying carefully, systematically, and intelligently the habits of the birds, together with the peculiari- ties of their nests and eggs, than by making collections of the eggs themselves. In order to get a collection of eggs it is by no means always necessary to destroy the nest, or even to cause the birds to aban- don it ; that is, of course, unless you wish to have complete sets of eggs, and this may fairly be said seldom to be essential for the amateur or general student. If you are fortunate enough to find a nest before the eggs are laid, watch for the first one. This should not be touched, but the second may be taken and sometimes a third and fourth ; then leave the nest alone, and in most cases the bird will lay the com- plete complement. Care should be taken not to disturb the nest or frighten the birds. In this way 1 have seen as many as six eggs taken from a single nest, and four more were afterwards laid and hatched. Some birds are exceedingly shy and will desert their nests upon small provocation, especially if they are disturbed while building. Others, however, such as the golden-winged wood- pecker and crested flycatcher, are difficult to drive away. When eggs vary in size, shape, or colour, as those of most of the sparrows, the bobolink, and many others, it is an advantage to procure a fairly large number or series of sets, showing as many of the differences as possible ; this adds greatly to the interest of a collection, particularly when the difference correlates with locality and varied conditions. A well-arranged collection of bird's nests, even without the eggs, is both picturesque and valuable. They should as far as possible be left as the bird had placed them ; i8 i ^^^^^^^^i ^ fe ^^HkI . BM^Hilc^'^EJH I^BIla ' ^ \ v^^^Hr I^^Hk aL k ^Sf j^^r .^.^5^ # Eggf-Collecting and Its Object if built in a bush or on a brancli, enough of the support ought to remain with the nest to show by what method it was secured. With ground nests that are placed in tufts of grass, the tuft should be removed with the nest ; in the case of woodcock, ruffed grouse, or any bird that forms its nest roughly of leaves, a wire hoop covered loosely with muslin or wire gauze will answer the pur- pose ; this can be slipped under the nest so that it need not be disturbed. When the eggs are laid in a hole in a tree it is not always feasible to cut down the tree or even the branch. Sometimes the branch can be cut just below the nest (taking care not to cut through the lower part of the nest itself), and then an opening can be made in order to show the eggs and whatever there may be in the way of a nest, leaving the original hole through which the bird had entered. If the nest is taken before the eggs are laid, or even when the bird has commenced sitting, during the early part of the season, not much harm is done, as the bird immediately begins building again. As the season advances it is better that the nest should be left until after the departure of the young, al- though then it is not in such good condition as before being used — particularly if it happens to be the nest of the cuckoo, which leaves its nest in a most filthy condition. The egg-collector's outfit comprises a few drills of various sizes, a blow-pipe of either glass or metal (for home work those made of glass are preferable, as they are easily cleaned, but for the field metal is, of course, more serviceable), forceps of various sizes, scissors, and an embryo-hook. When the eggs are fresh they are easily blown, and the hole should be very small ; the blow-pipe may be used by holding it near the hole and forcing air into the egg, thus emptying it of the contents. By this method the hole need not be large if the egg is fresh ; another way is to insert the end of the blow-pipe, when the contents may be quickly blown out. The usual plan adopted by boys is to make two holes, one very small and the other varying in size according to the condi- tion of the egg ; this has the disadvantage of making two holes, and when the egg isn't quite fresh, it takes a boy's stomach to stand it. When the embryo has formed it is generally necessary to use the embryo-hook and to make a large hole. Never try to take 19 Egg-Collecting and Its Object out the contents of an egg through a hole of insufFicient size. In large eggs, the scissors or forceps come into use. If the embryo is very large soak the egg in water for a day or so. It is of the utmost importance that the egg should be thor- oughly washed, both inside and out, with either cold or tepid water, which may contain some weak antiseptic solution, but on no ac- count must very hot water be used. The water should be taken up with the blow-pipe and dis';harged into the egg, repeating this operation several times. Finally dry thoroughly, letting it drain, hole downwards, on cornmeal, sawdust, blotting-paper, or sand if nothing else is obtainable. In the case of white eggs their beauty is much enhanced by inserting a little pink cotton-wool ; this makes the specimen ap- pear more as though the yolk were inside. For field work have a few small metal boxes (such as those used for holding tobacco) filled with cotton wadding cut into squares, so that each egg may be wrapped up separately. Put on each a number, written lightly in pencil, referring to your field notes on that egg ; this saves a great deal of confusion, especially when many eggs are found in a day. The A. O. U.* check list number should be written on every egg to prevent the occurrence of any possible mistake. If the collection consists of nests with the eggs a cabinet with glass top will be needed, so that the nests may be seen, while at the same time the air and dust may be excluded as much as possible ; camphor or naphthaline must be kept in the cabinet. Strong sunlight ought not to be allowed to fall on the eggs, for it causes them to fade, so it is advisable to keep the cabinet covered with some opaque material. Each nest should be marked either with a number referring to the catalogue, or with that and the name of the nest. If the collection contains only eggs, they should be kept in a cabinet with well-made drawers, each drawer di- vided off with partitions large enough to contain a complete set. The eggs may be laid on cotton, sawdust, sand, or finely grated cork, the last being perhaps the most suitable. * American Ornithologists' Union. 20 Chapter IV PHOTOGRAPHING MESTS AND YOUNG BIRDS In making notes on young birds the camera will be found to be most useful, as it shows exactly the growth of feathers and other points of interest ; but here again it is necessary to be par- ticular as to the age of the bird. Guesswork will not do, as a single day often makes a great difference in the appearance of young birds. It is extraordinary with what rapidity they grow. In order to secure good photographs great patience is neces- sary, especially so in the case of young robins and others of the thrush family, for they are very shy even before they can fly. Any good long-focus camera with the regular lens will do, but of course a very rapid lens will give better results. The lens that has given me the greatest satisfaction, both on account of its rapidity and depth of focus, is the Goerz, series III. My method of photographing the bird before it can stand is to place it on a piece of smooth white or light-gray paper laid on a flat surface and raised at the farther side so as to form a per- fectly smooth blank background with no lines or creases ; this may be placed in the sunlight or shadow, according to the speed of the lens. A very quick shutter is essential, owing to the rapid breath- ing of the bird when young and to its restlessness when able to perch (in a life-sized photograph the slightest movement shows unless the shutter works with unusual rapidity). Once the young- sters can fly, it is necessary to make some sort of enclosure ; this may be arranged temporarily by hanging some white cheesecloth in the sunlight, with a piece of mosquito netting'at the top so as to allow sufficient light inside. Sunlight may be used to advan- tage in some instances to give striking effects of light and shade. (When sunlight is used, a developer rather weak in pyro will be found to give the best results.) 21 Photographing Nests and Young Birds The dead branch of a tree makes a natural and effective perch for the bird to stand on ; it should be carefully selected, with no twigs that would be much out of focus. Then focus your camera on some particular point ; mark this lightly with a penknife and take the photograph when the bird stands on the marked place. When several birds are to be photographed together, they must be arranged so that each one shows in a different position from his companions. You may say that this sounds easy, but is most difficult to accomplish ; here is the time for the much-needed pa- tience already mentioned. Young birds may be photographed while in the nest, but this is not often satisfactory, since only the heads show. Especially in the case of the smaller birds is it difficult to get all parts in focus. Moreover, the location of the nest is generally in the shade, so that to get good results a time exposure is desirable. But the birds invariably move ; so, on the whole, I think the best results are to be obtained without anything in the way of accessories. This has been my experience, though others who have been more fortunate in getting good effects with the young in the nests think that is the better method. When nests containing eggs are to be photographed it is better to choose a cloudy day, otherwise a screen should be used in order to soften the light, or the markings on the eggs will scarcely show in the picture, and the detail of the nest will often be lost in the strong light and shade. The screen may be made of cheesecloth or fine muslin, and a light, portable frame for it may be constructed of thin bamboo, arranged so as to fold and be carried with the tripod. If the nest is photographed in bright sunlight, a piece of white paper or cloth may be used with advantage as a reflector in order to soften the shadows. When photographing ground nests the ordinary tripod is troublesome and difficult to tilt to the necessary angle. After trying various schemes, 1 am now using a device which works satis- factorily, its disadvantage being its weight. Three- ply wood should be used in making this, and the metal parts may be taken from an ordinary tripod top. The bar AB is cylindrical, ^ inch in diameter ; to this is clamped a ball-and-socket device, allowing the camera to tilt forward without moving the legs of 22 YOUNG RED-EYED VIREO THE DAY AFTER LEAVING ITS NEST VOUNG YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BEFORE LEAVING NEST Showing how late the feathers remain sheathed Photographing Nests and Young Birds the tripod. A hole may be made (C) so that the regular tripod screw can be used when taking photographs of other objects. Occasionally it is desirable to take a photograph of the old bird on the nest, but this is by no means easy. The camera should be arranged and focussed on the nest while the parent bird is away, taking care to remove the leaves or twigs that would be out of focus in the immediate foreground. The instrument must be concealed to some extent by leaves and twigs, and the operator will have to take pains to see that nothing interferes with the working of the shutter. A long tube must be substituted for the short one, and either a large bulb or, if convenient, a bicycle hand-pump will answer the purpose admirably. In this way I have made time exposures with the camera fastened to the higher branches of a tree, where the shade made it necessary to give a five-second exposure and I found that the branch shook if 1 stood on it. Once a tube nearly forty feet long was used, and with the aid of the bicycle pump 1 got an excellent picture. A very useful accessory to the bird-nest photographer's out- fit is a pair of pruning clippers for removing small twigs and leaves. The surroundings of the nest should not be disturbed more than one can help, since this gives an artificial appearance to the picture and is apt to frighten away the owners. S3 Chapter V HINTS ON THE REARING AND KEEPING OF BIRDS Most of the hard-biiled birds and many of the soft-billed may be reared with ease, but the latter are rather more delicate. The hard-billed birds, so called, include the finches, sparrows, and any birds that break seed. The soft-billed are those that eat chiefly insects and fruit. People often complain that their birds die from no apparent cause : my experience has been quite different, for though I have reared a good many birds of various kinds, 1 have never had but one death in my bird family, and that was a young redstart which had fallen from the top of a tree, where its nest was situated. 1 attribute my good fortune to the fact that my young birds get their meals with regularity and with each meal a drink of water. 1 believe it is the lack of water that is responsible for so many deaths, especially when the birds are very young. The best time to take fledglings is about a day or so before they are ready to leave the nest ; they are then fairly strong and have something to boast of in the way of looks. When the nest happens to be a long way from home, it is necessary to feed the birds every hour en route. With any of the frugivorous varieties a blackcap or any thoroughly ripe berry may be given, but it should first be masticated. For regular diet during the first two weeks or so feed with mashed boiled potato thor- oughly mixed with the yolk of eggs hard boiled ; this must not be used if in the least sour, and to guard against this it should be made fresh every day. A small smooth stick of hard, non- absorbent wood, such as clay-modellers employ, may be used for a spoon ; after each meal it should be dipped into water and a few drops put into the bird's mouth ; every hour this performance takes place, from six in the morning till nearly dark. You see 24 Hints on the Rearing and Keeping of Birds bird children are almost as much trouble as the human variety, and no one should keep them who is not willing to take infinite pains. The next aiticle of diet should be ants' eggs (which .may be procured from any bird fancier), mixed with the potato and eggs — a little at first, and gradually increasing the amount ; finally, with hard-billed birds, seed may be given as soon as the bill is hard enough, though at first it is sometimes necessary to crack the hemp-seed before giving it. For soft-billed birds I know of nothing better than what is known as "mocking-bird food" ; this may be bought either in the dry or the moist form. The latter kind can be made from the following recipe 6 parts corn-meal. 6 parts pea-meal. 6 parts German moss-meal. Add a little melted lard and molasses, fry well for half an hour, keeping it well stirred. If put in a covered jar it will keep for a long time. This is rather rich, and if found to disagree with the bird the dry form of food should be substituted, mixing it fresh every day with grated carrot and water sufficient to moisten it. Birds must be watched carefully to see that their food agrees with them ; ex- cept when moulting they should be lively and have good appetites ; if such is not the case, it is probable that the food does not suit them, and a change should be made immediately. Occasionally birds have fits ; that is to say, they drop down without any warn- ing, and either lie perfectly still, with feet upturned as though dead, or they revolve rapidly while on the ground. This hap- pened to one of my favourite pet birds, and in despair 1 consulted a bird dealer, who told me to cut the nail and thus draw blood. 1 did so, but without any result. Several times on alternate days the poor bird had these fits, and every time we believed him to be dying. Finally, as a last resource, we changed his diet from the moist to the dry food with plenty of carrot, and from that day he has been perfectly well, very much to our delight. It is advisable to give birds as much ripe fruit and green stuff as they wish. Young lettuce they are particularly fond of, but they will eat almost any young leaves. 25 Hints on the Rearing and Keeping of Birds Frequent baths will do much toward keeping birds clean and healthy ; every day or two they should be given, but it will be noticed that during the period of moulting the bath will be but little used. Never put young birds, no matter how young they may be, in any artificial nest that differs essentially in texture from their own ; for example, a young crow or catbird should have sticks and not soft rags or cotton, but a young phoebe may get along very well in a cotton nest. The reason for this is that some birds require greater development of the leg muscles than others, and when quite young they keep their feet in constant motion, grasping the small twigs that form the inside of the nest ; in this way they develop and strengthen the necessary muscles of the leg. When unnatural conditions have prevented this exercise, 1 have known the birds to become partly paralysed and die, and I have no doubt that the absence of suitable rough material was the direct cause. Nature is very wise in regard to her children, and you will do well to follow her example whenever you are at a loss. Should young birds become droopy, a little diluted whiskey or paregoric put in their mouths with a medicine-dropper will generally restore them to normal condition. Cage-fighting invariably takes place sooner or later ; as a rule it only lasts a day or so, but if persisted in cover the cage with fine wire mosquito netting, so that the bird may not be able to get his beak through. At night the cage should always be covered, otherwise the birds wake at amazingly early hours ; this applies more particu- larly to fledglings, as their waking means they must be fed, and it is not always pleasant to have to get up at daylight to minister to their wants. 26 MALE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, ONE YEAR OLD, TAKING A SUN-BATH Chapter VI NOTES The illustrations of nests in this book are from photographs, which, with few exceptions, were taken without disturbing either the nest or its surroundings. In a few instances, such as the nests of the bluebird, downy woodpecker,'and crested flycatcher, the branch was cut down, and an opening made in order to show the eggs. The photographs of both young and old birds are from life. Under the headings of breeding range the reference is only to the United States, and only the land birds that breed in the Eastern States are described. The description of the plumage of each bird is not meant to be very complete ; the principal char- acteristics are given so that the bird may be recognised. No attempt has been made to give the notes or songs of the birds. The number before the name of each bird is the number adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union check-list, and will save looking through the index when referring to other works on birds. The book is arranged so that all the birds that build open nests on the open ground are in one chapter, those that build open nests in woods or thickets are in another chapter, and so on. In cases where a bird builds usually in a bush but sometimes in the open fields the description is given under the heading of nests in bushes, etc., and the name of the bird, together with the colour of the eggs, is referred to in its numerical order in the chapter of nests in open fields, etc. Thus, for example, if an arched nest is found in a field or swamp, it will be necessary to look in Chapter III. But it may be the nest of a seaside sparrow, which is rarely arched ; in that case you will be referred to Chapter I for the de- scription. All measurements of birds and eggs are given in inches and hundredths. The sign S signifies male, and ? female. Notes I must acknowledge my indebtedness to many works, in particular to the following : Frank M. Chapman's " Handbook of Birds," Davie's " Nests and Eggs of North Ameri(;an Birds," H. D. Minot's "The Land Birds and Game Birds of New England," Charles Bendire's "Life Histories of North American Birds, with Special Reference to their Breeding Habits and Eggs," and the A. 0. U. check-list of North American birds. '^S APPROXIMATE DATES WHEN BIRDS BEGIN TO NEST THESE DATES APPLY TO THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK (WITHIN ONE HUNDRED MILES OF THE CITY) EXCEPT WHEN THE BIRD'S RANGE IS NOT WITHIN THAT AREA, OR WHEN OTHERWISE SPECIFIED January : First week. February : Fourth week. March : First week. Second Third it Fourth Some time during March. April : First week. Bald Eagle (Fla.) Golden Eagle (Cal.) Great Horned Owl Canada Jay (Me.) American Crossbill White-tailed Kite (S. C.) Marsh Hawk Audubon's Caracara Barred Owl Short-eared Owl (Ohio) 474^ Prairie Horned Lark (Iowa) 372 Sawwhet Owl Screech Owl Ivory-billed Woodpecker (?) Black Vulture Swallow-tailed Kite 339fl Florida Red-shouldered Hawk (Fla.) Duck Hawk (Southern States) Red Cockaded Woodpecker (?) Florida Jay (Fla.) Brown-headed Nuthatch 352 349 315 484 521 328 33 i 362 368 367 313 392 326 330 ^56 395 479 729 316 332 337 343 Mourning Dove Sharped-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Broad-winged Hawk 29 Approximate Dates When Birds Begin to Nest pril : First week. ^66 it <« ( 488 (C <( t 766 " Second ' ' 360 tt Ct I 456 It f 1 1 727 € • (( < 761 " Third ' ' 300 <( (( t 305 it It t }33 ts tt t 365 tS tt € 511 tt It t 547 ft tt t 593 Fourth • 329 It tt 1 364 It tt t 394 tt II t 663 Some time during April. day : First week. 390 406 409 412 477 501 533 560 563 58, American Long-eared Owl American Crow Bluebird American Sparrow Hawk Phoebe White-breasted Nuthatch American Robin Ruffed Grouse Prairie Hen (Kansas) Cooper's Hawk American Barn Owl Purple Crackle Henslpw's Sparrow (111.) Cardinal Mississippi Kite American Osprey ; Fish Hawk Downy Woodpecker Yellow-throated Warbler 289^ Florida Bob-white (Fla.) 320 Ground Dove ^2'y Turkey Vulture 327 Swallow-tailed Kite 339 Red-shouldered Hawk 378a Florida Burrowing Owl (Fla.) 416 Chuck-will's-widow (Fla.) 513 Boat-tailed Crackle (Fla.) 575a Bachman's Sparrow 731 Tufted Titmouse Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Colden-winged Woodpecker ; Flicker. Blue Jay Meadow-lark. Pine Finch ; Siskin (New Eng- land) Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow 30 Approximate Dates When Birds Begin to Nest May : First week. Second Third 613 Barn Swallow 617 Rough-winged Swallow 676 Louisiana Water-thrush 703 Mockingbird (Va.) 718 Carolina Wren 393 Hairy Woodpecker 467 Least Flycatcher 494 Bobolink 498 Red-winged Blackbird 542fl Savanna Sparrow 546 Yellow-winged or Grasshop- per Sparrow 584 Swamp Sparrow 587 Chewink ; Towhee 60 r Painted Bunting 610 Summer Tanager 611 Purple Martin 614 Tree Swallow 616 Bank Swallow 638 Swainson's Warbler 652 Yellow Warbler 654 Black-throated Blue Warbler 658 Cerulean Warbler (?) 674 Oven-bird 675 Water Thrush 683 Yellow-breasted Chat 704 Catbird 705 Brown Thrasher 721 House Wren 726 Brown Creeper 735 Chickadee 755 Wood Thrush 289 Bob-white 388 Black-billed Cuckoo 420 Nighthawk (New England) 423 Chimney Swift 452 Crested Flycatcher 461 Wood Pewee 490 Fish Crow 506 Orchard Oriole 31 Approximate Dates When Birds Begin to Nest May : Third week. 507 Baltimore Oriole 517 Purple Finch 540 Vesper Sparrow 549 Sharp-tailed Sparrow 550 Seaside Sparrow 595 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 612 Cliff Swallow 624 Red-eyed Vireo ' 627 Warbling Vireo 631 White-eyed Vireo 636 Black-and-white Warbler 639 Bachman's Warbler 659 Chestnut-sided Warbler 681 Maryland Yellow-throat 687 American Redstart 722 Winter Wren 724 Short-billed Marsh Wren 725 Long-billed Marsh Wren 756 Wilson's Thrush Fourth ' 428 Ruby-throated Hummingbirc 444 Kingbird 459 Olive-sided Flycatcher 598 Indigo Bunting. 608 Scarlet Tanager 641 Blue-winged Warbler 648 Parula 655 Myrtle Warbler 662 Blackburnian Warbler 677 Kentucky Warbler 684 Hooded Warbler 759* Hermit Thrush 298 Canada Grouse 445 Gray Kingbird 'jb']e Carolina Junco 575 Pine-woods Sparrow Some time during May. 597 Blue Grosbeak 604 Dickcissel 622 Loggerhead Shrike 637 Prothonotary Warbler l 751 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 32 Approximate Dates When Birds Begin to Neat une : First week. 387 Yellow-billed Cuckoo li H it 400 Arctic Three - toed Wood- pecker (?) ^-^sr?: ^#:"^.l^i'^- V ■ v' /:r"?'. NEST AND EGGS OF BOBOLINK ON THE GROUND IN A MEADOW Open Nests on the Ground sitating the building of a stronger nest than would be required during the finer weather of June and July. The nests may usually be found in dry fields of either grass or corn. 494. Bobolink: Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.) Adult 3 —Breeding plumage : Forehead, throat, and under parts black, the feathers being slightly tipped with light buff during the earlier part of the season ; back of head and neck light buff ; back, dark dusky feathers with buff markings ; upper part of rump whitish ; wings and tail black, the tail feathers having pointed tips. Adult 9 —Upper parts dark buff with black streaks ; wings and tail brown ; under parts light buff. Adult ,3 — Except during breeding season and when immature resembles the female. Length — 7.25. Breeding Range — Southern New York to Nova Scotia, west as far as Utah. The nest is placed on the ground in meadows, and is formed of grass with occasionally a few leaves, the inside being lined with fine grass. Usually it is an open nest about one and a half inches deep inside, but sometimes it is partly concealed by grass bent over so as to form a sort of rough arch. 3 to 6 and rarely 7 eggs are laid. They vary greatly both in colour and size, ranging from white with distinct chocolate markings, to grayish buff with large brown blotches which nearly cover the ground colour; in size they range from about .55 x .79 to .dd x .90 — the average is about .63 X .85. See Fig. 2, Plate B. He who has not had the pleasure of hearing and seeing the Bobolink during the breeding season has a great treat in store. This sweet little songster seems to be the very embodiment of pure happiness, spending most of his time singing the song that has inspired both poet and author. Probably no bird of the New World has been so frequently mentioned in the literature of the country. While the bird is in flight the song is particularly enchanting, reminding one to a certain extent of the European skylark, though it is perhaps richer in tone. To find the bird is very different from finding the nest; it takes many hours of patient searching. You ma_y hide near the 41 open Nests on the Ground edge of some likely looking field, and watch each female bobo- link as she drops in the long grass to where you think her nest may be ; but when you arrive at the place she flies up, and in vain you may search for the carefully concealed nest. The most satisfactory method is for two persons to walk through the field holding either end of a cord along which sticks should be fastened at intervals. These striking the grass frighten the sitting bird, and she flies up directly from the nest, instead of running along through the grass, as she usually does when she sees her disturber. The best place to find these birds during the breeding time is in the large tracts of moderately moist meadow land, usually not very far from water. The nest is completed about May 15th in northern New Jersey. Long before the breeding season the male is conspicuous with his fine feathers, but in early August he dons the same colours as his mate and children, when they all start in large flocks for their winter quarters in South America, stopping in a leisurely manner en route among the reedy swamps, and visiting again the rice-fields which were in the springtime the scene of the depre- dations of the old birds. Then it is no longer a day of riotous song ; that day is forgotten, for now it is that the so-called sportsman claims them under the name of Reedbird, and instead of being seen perched on the tall swaying grass or reed, you may look for them in the markets, hung up in bundles of a dozen or so, each happy little life gone, leaving but a mouthful or two of food. 501. Meadowlark: Sturnella magna (Linn.) Eggs white spotted with reddish brown, chiefly at the larger end. See Page 73, Chapter 111. 540. Vesper Sparrow; Bay-winged Bunting: Poocaetes gramineus (Gmel.) Adult — Upper parts brownish gray with dark streaks ; tail dark brown, the outer feathers white; under parts grayish buff streaked with black. Length — 6.12. Breeding Range — From southern Virginia northward ; westward to the plains. 42 Open Nests on the Ground The nest is always placed on the ground, generally at the root of a tall weed or small bush in an open field ; it is slightly made of coarse and fine grass and small roots, lined with horse- hair. 4 or 5 eggs are laid ; they are whitish, thinly spotted and blotched with warm brown and lilac, with sometimes a few black markings. Size— .80 x .60. See Fig. 13, Plate B. These sparrows are distinguished by the white outside tail feathers, which are extremely noticeable when the bird flies. Do not mistake it for a junco or titlark ! They are among the commonest of the sparrows in parts of Long Island and in New England, where they commence breeding towards the end of May, raising as many as three broods during the season. They are called Vesper Sparrows from their habit of singing until quite late in the evening. 542a. Savanna Sparrow: Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.) Adult — Upper parts brownish, darkly streaked ; pale yellow line over the eye and at the bend of the wing ; under parts white or whitish streaked with dark brown. Length — 5.65. Breeding Range — From southern New Jersey northward to Labrador. The nest is built on the ground "in fields or pasture land inland, or in the salt marshes and grassy places on or near the coast; it is a flimsy structure of grasses, rarely of moss, lined with fine grass and occasionally horse-hair. The number of eggs varies from 3 to 6; they are white or greenish white, with fine brown spots or large blotches of cinnamon. The variations in colour are so great that any accurate description is scarcely possible. Size— .78 x .56. See Fig. 15, Plate B. This little sparrow is generally to be seen along the sea-coast, though it is also found inland. Minot speaks of seeing them breeding in the White Mountains, where he found a nest con- taining fresh eggs the 23d of July. They begin nesting in May, and rear two or three broods. Care should be taken that the Savanna Sparrow is not con- fused with either the sharp-tailed, seaside, or Ipswich sparrow ; the latter, however, does not breed in the United States, but is a northern-breeding species, which, after the breeding season, comes on our northern Atlantic seaboard. 43 Open Nests on the Ground 546. Yellow-winged or Grasshopper Sparrow: Ammo- dramus savannarum passerinus (Wils.) AduU— Upper parts dark or dusky, the feathers being bordered with buff; back of neck warm brown ; tail feathers rather short and pointed; under parts buffy, shading into white on the belly. The most distinctive features of this bird are the bright yellow at the bend of the wing and the darker yellow in front of the eye, Length— 5.20. Immature birds have the breast spotted with dark brown or nearly black. Breeding Range— ?xom the Gulf States to New England, probably not north of Massachusetts. The nest is either arched or opened. It is made of grass, with fine grass and occasionally horse-hair for lining, and may be found in open fields, usually where the grass is short ; often it is placed under an upturned sod or beneath a tussock. 4 to 5 eggs are laid ; they are white, with few or many reddish brown spots, mostly around the larger end. Size — .73 x .56. See Fig. 14, Plate B. The Yellow-winged Sparrow spends nearly all the time on the ground, running through the grass, and only taking wing when forced to do so. When he does fly he gets up with a great deal of noise for so small a bird, and takes a zig-zag course during his short flight, which is seldom more than a few yards. The nesting season in the neighbourhood of New York begins about the middle of May. In Illinois eggs have been found from April 20th to August 1 2th. Two broods are reared during the season. 547. Henslow's Sparrow: Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.) Adult — Head dark olive-green ; either side of crown black ; back warm brown ; tail feathers sharply pointed, the middle feathers longest ; breast buffy with black streaks ; belly white or whitish ; yellow at bend of wing and in front of eye. Length — 5.00. This bird might be mistaken for the yellow-winged spar- row; its darker colour, greenish tone on back of head, longer tail, with the outside feathers the shortest, should serve to distinguish it. Immature birds in first plumage have no spots on the breast. (Chapman.) 44 PLATE B. — Common Eggs. K Sharp-tailed Sparrow 2. Bobolink. 3. Lark Sparrow. 4, Song Sparrow. 5. Field Sparrow, 6. American Redstart. 7. White-thfoated Sparrow. 12. Cedar Waxwing. 8. Brown Thrasher. 13. Vesper Sparrow. y. Nighthawk. 14. Grasshopper Sparrow. 10. Prairie Horned Lark. 15. Savanna Sparrow. 1). Seaside Sparrow. 16. Prairie Warbler. 17. Bewick's Wren. Open Nests on tlte Ground Breeding Range— "W^q Eastern States, from Virginia to Massachu- setts, "westward to tiie edge of the plains." The nest is somewhat roughly built of coarse grass, placed on the ground often in a slight depression, or close against a tussock in the open fields. The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are white or nearly white, with distinct brown and purplish spots, more numerous at the larger end. Size — .73 x .56. This shy and unobtrusive sparrow is rather difficult to find, owing to its habit of remaining in the thick grass unless forced to fly. In its short, jerky flight it resembles its near relation, the yellow-winged or grasshopper sparrow. Generally speaking, it prefers the more moist fields to those that are very dry. The nest, as in the case of other birds of similar habits, is well and carefully hidden in the grass. In Illinois, eggs have been found as early as April 20th and as late as August 12th. Mr. Brewster says that this sparrow breeds commonly but very locally in the eastern part of Massachusetts, quite numerously in portions of Worcester County, sparingly and locally in Berkshire County. 549. Sharp-tailed Sparrow: Ammodramus caudacutus (Gmel.) Adult — Upper parts greenish brown ; a light gray line through centre of crown, which is brown ; bend of wing light yel- low ; throat and belly white or whitish ; breast light buffy brown with dark streaks. The tail feathers, as the bird's name implies, are very sharply pointed, the outer feathers being much shorter than those in the middle. Length — 5.85. Breeding Range — From South Carolina along the coast to New Hampshire. The nest is placed on the ground in the sedge or grass in or near the salt marshes ; it is built of dry sea-weed and grasses, fine grasses being used for the lining. 4 or 5 eggs are laid, usually 5 ; they are white or whitish with numerous fine brown or reddish spots chiefly at the larger end. Size— .77 x .55. See Fig. I, Plate B. The Sharp-tailed Sparrow resembles the seaside sparrow in its choice of locality, being found always near the salt water, choosing for its nesting place either the brackish or salt-water swamps, or 45 Open Nests on the Ground the sandy ground near the swamps, where it may be seen running in and out among the coarse grass, more lilce a mouse than a bird. Great care should be observed in identifying the nests, as they may easily be mistaken for the nests of the seaside sparrow, both birds generally breeding near each other in the same swamp. The eggs of the sharp-tailed sparrow are somewhat smaller and more finely marked ; the nest is usually placed where it is rather drier ; it is also more bulky. The breeding season lasts from May to late July, two broods being reared during that period. The young may be found until well into August. 550. Seaside Sparrow: Ammodrannus maritimus (Wils.) AduU — General appearance dusky gray ; upper parts grayish ; tail brown with narrow, sharply pointed feathers ; throat and breast gray, slightly streaked with darker gray ; belly white, shading into gray at sides ; light yellow patch in front of eye and at bend of wing ; the toes are rather long, and the bill is long and slightly thicker than the sharp-tailed sparrow's, though much the same shape. Length — 6.00. Breeding Range — Along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina northward, rarely on the coast of Massachusetts. Nest, resembling closely that of the sharp-tailed sparrow, only not so bulky, placed on the ground in or near brackish or salt water swamps, built of reeds and grasses lined with fine grass. Usually 4 eggs are laid ; they are white or whitish, finely speckled with light reddish brown and lilac. Size — .80 x .63. See Fig. 11, Plate B. All that has been said of the sharp-tailed sparrow applies equally to these lovers of the sea-coast. In exceptional cases the nests are said to be found arched over. 550a. Scott's Seaside Sparrow: A. m. peninsulas Alien This is a southern sub-species of the seaside sparrow, being found from the more northern parts of Florida on the Atlantic coast to South Carolina, and on the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. The most noticeable difference is in the dark streaks on 46 NEST AND EGGS OF FIELD SPARROW ON GROUND IN FIELD OF DEAD GRASS Open Nests on the Ground the breast and sides, which are much more sharply defined in the southern variety. The nesting habits are described as being identical. 552. Lark Sparrow : Chondestes grammacus (Say) Adult — Head reddish brown with a whitish line through crown and over the eye ; upper parts ashy brown with dark streaks ; tail feathers dark brown with white tips ; under parts white or whitish, a black line on either side of throat, and a black spot on breast. Length — 6.25. Breeding Range — " Throughout the Mississippi Valley, from east- ern Texas and Louisiana on the south to Iowa and southern Michigan on the north." Accidental on the Atlantic coast. The nest is usually placed on the ground in prairie land or pastures ; it is made of grasses, twigs, and fine roots, lined with hairs. 3 to 4, and not more than 5, eggs are laid. In some cases they are said to resemble closely the eggs of the Baltimore oriole, though as a rule the markings, consisting of very dark brown and lilac scrawl-like lines, are more confined to the larger end ; the ground colour is white, sometimes tinged with blue or buff. Size — .80 X .(>■}. See Fig. 3, Plate B. The Lark Sparrow, Lark Finch, Quailbird, or Road-bird, as he is variously named, has scarcely the right to be called a resident of the Eastern States, being but an occasional visitor. In localities where they are regular residents they are said to " often repair the nests of the mocking-bird and orchard oriole with a lining of grass, horse hairs, etc." Their eggs have also been found "in the nest of the scissor-tailed flycatcher," and though occasionally the nest is built in bushes or even trees, it is usually on the ground. The breeding season lasts from May to July. 558. White-throated Sparrow: Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.) Eggs white, tinged with either blue or yellow, with fine marks and heavy blotches of various browns. See Page 60, Chapter II. 47 Open Nssts on the Ground 563. Field Sparrow : Splzella pusilla (Wils.) AtiuU— Upper parts light chestnut brown, finely streaked with brown ; under parts light buff shading into white on the belly ; bill pinkish. Length — 5.68. " Young in first plumage have breast streaked with black." (Chapman.) Breeding Range — From South Carolina to Canada. The nest, which is placed either on the ground or in low bushes, is built of grass, fine roots, and occasionally leaves, with the lining of hair or fine grass. 3 to 5 eggs are laid, varying con- siderably in their colour and markings ; some eggs have the ground colour, which is white or greenish white, nearly covered with small reddish spots — rarely blotches — while others have scarcely any spots. Size — .70 x .52. See Fig. 5, Plate B. These delightful little sparrows are easily recognised by the distinctive reddish or coral-coloured bill and by the long light chestnut tail. They lay their eggs about May ist near New York, laying two or three sets during the season, which lasts with them until late July. The nests may be found in the open fields, in thickets, and sometimes in scrubby clearings ; they are, as a rule, placed on the ground, or in a tussock of either green or dead grass. In some places, however, they are most often to be found in low bushes. While on the nests these birds are usually averse to human visitors ; they glide off quietly through the grass, flying up when at some distance to a bush or tall weed, where they give utterance to their anxious little note of reproach. Their song, though small in volume, is decidedly sweet in tone ; it may be heard most often in the early hours of the morning, almost before dawn, or late in the afternoon and evening. 567. Snowbird; Junco: Junco hyemalis (Linn.) Eggs greenish or bluish white with fine spots and some- times blotches of reddish brown and lilac, chiefly in a wreath round the larger end. See Page 6i, Chapter 11. 48 SONG SPARROW'S NEST. Open Nests on the Ground 58 1 . Song Sparrow : Melospiza fasciata (Gmel,) A^uU— Upper parts rich brown streaked with blacit, the head having a light gray line in the centre, either side of the crown being brown ; throat and breast light gray, with brown marks which usually form an irregular blotch on the breast. Length — 6.30. Breeding Jiange— Throughout the Eastern States. "East of the AUeghanies, it breeds from South Carolina north to the Brit- ish provinces." The nest varies greatly both as to the materials used in its construction and to where it is placed ; sometimes it is a bulky structure of coarse grass, weeds, leaves, and bark, lined with hair, being as much as two and a half inches deep inside, and then again it may be a flimsy, shallow affair made of grass and lined with fine grass ; it is placed on the ground, in open fields or in woody places, or it is sometimes built in bushes as high as five feet from the ground. The eggs vary greatly, both as to colour and size, ranging from .76 to .85 in length and from .55 to .60 in diameter ; the ground colour is white, sometimes tinged with green or blue, with irregular brownish blotches and markings, which in some cases nearly conceal the ground colour. See Fig. 4, Plate B. The Song Sparrow shows a nature of such extraordinary adaptability to all sorts of conditions that in this one respect he proves himself to be a remarkable little character — a character very well worth studying. Everything about him is made and done with apparently but little regard to rules of any kind. Each sea- son he rears an indefinite number of families, ranging from one to four. The nests are made in various sizes, of various materials, and built in any sort of place, from an old tin can to a hole in a tree, but usually either on the ground or in a bush ; if on the ground it may be in a fine large breezy meadow, where the ground is dry, or on the top of a tussock in a swampy thicket. The time for singing his familiar song varies greatly both as to hour and season ; one must not be surprised if at any hour of the day or night his song is heard, whether it be on a bleak March day or when the trees have taken on the glories of the rich au- tumn colouring ; time and place matter but little to this happy songster. Nesting begins about May ist. 4 49 Open Nests on the Ground 583. Lincoln's Sparrow: Melospiza lincolni (Aud.) Eggs greenish white or brownish white spotted and blotched with lavender and chestnut or brown, more thickly at the larger end. See Page 62, Chapter II. 604. Dickcissel; Black-throated Bunting: Spiza americana (Gmel.) Adu// $ — Forehead yellowish ; head gray ; back brownish, dark streaked ; yellow line over and back of eye and on side of throat ; throat white with black patch ; breast yellow shad- ing into white on the belly. AduU ? — General colour duller, with black patch on throat. Length — 6.00. Breeding Range — " From Texas to Minnesota " (Recent Eastern Records). The nest may be found either on the ground in open fields and prairies or in bushes or trees ; it is built of " leaves, grasses, rootlets, corn-husks, and weed stems ; the lining is of fine grass and often horse hair." 3 to 5 pale blue eggs are laid. Size — .80 X .60. In Iowa the nesting season begins in May, continuing until August. 705. Brown Thrasher: Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.) Adult — Upper parts bright orange-brown or rufous ; under parts white with black spots forming longitudinal streaks ; bill long with downward curve ; the tail is over five inches long. Length — 11.42. Breeding Range — From the Gulf States to Canada. The nest is placed indiscriminately on the ground or in low bushes ; it is rather bulky and roughly made of twigs, vine ten- drils, roots, bark, and leaves, "lined with horse hair and a few feathers " (Davie). Those that I have found in New Jersey were in every case lined with fine black rootlets. 3 to 5 and rarely 6 eggs 5- Open Nests on the Ground are laid ; they are whitish, bluish, or greenish, with numerous fine light brown specks evenly distributed. Size— 1.08 x .80. See Fig. 8, Plate B. The Brown Thrasher is also known under the names of Ground Thrush, Brown Thrush, and in Virginia he is known as the Sandy Mocking-bird, and further south as the French Mocking- bird. In some localities they prefer bushes and thickets, while in others they build almost exclusively on the ground. My own experience has been that most of the nests were found on the ground, near tall weeds, in an open field ; very few were in bushes. While on the nest these birds, like their relatives the wrens, sit very close, allowing themselves to be almost caught, but once they leave the nest their manner changes and they become in- tensely noisy, making a great pretence of attacking the intruder, uttering repeatedly their harsh, scolding note. During the very early hours of the morning or late in the afternoon the brown thrasher may be seen perched on the top- most branch of a tree, singing a song, full and rich in tone, re- sembling somewhat that of the European song thrush. The nesting season begins about the second week in May. Chapter II OPEN NESTS IN WOODS, THICKETS, SWAMPY THICKETS 289. Bob-white; Quail: Colinus virginianus (Linn.) White eggs. See Page 35, Chapter I. 289a. Florida Quail : Colinus virginianus floridanus (Coues) White eggs. See Page 36, Chapter I. 298. Canada Grouse; Spruce Partridge: Dendragapus canadensis (Linn.) Adult 3 — General colour dark grayish brown or nearly black, barred on the back ; breast mottled with whitish and buff, excepting lower part of breast, which is black tipped with white. Bright red shin over eye. Adult s — Upper parts lighter than in the 3 . Length — 1 5.00. Breeding Range — The more northern parts of New England and New York, northward. The nest, which is carefully hidden, generally beneath a low-lying spruce branch, is composed of leaves, dry ferns, moss, twigs, and sometimes weedy grass, placed on somewhat swampy ground in the dense northern forest. The eggs, numbering from 8 to 16, are buflf-coloured, with irregular blotches and spots of brown. Size — 1.71 x 1.22. The Canada Grouse, or Spruce Partridge as it is more com- monly called, is an inhabitant of the dense forest region of the more northern parts of Maine and New York in the United States, S2 NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GROUSE Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets and in Canada as far north as the arctic timber line, where it lives a secluded life among the trees— spruce, larches, and fir trees being its favourites. As a game bird it is fairly well known, though its extreme tameness renders it by no means an exciting quarry. So tame is it that in some places it has been caught by means of a noose attached to the end of a fishing-rod. During the breeding season this bird drums, after the manner of the ruffed grouse. In Maine they breed in May. Incubation occupies 17 days. 300. Ruffed Grouse: Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) Adult 3 — General colour yellowish brown or rusty ; upper parts mottled with black and gray ; under parts light buff to white or buffy white on the belly, with irregular dark mot- tled bars, which are more pronounced on the breast and at the sides ; on either side of the neck are large tufts of black feathers, which may be distended at will. Adult ? — Somewhat lighter than the 3 , and with very small tufts on the neck. Length — 17.00. Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States, from the higher regions of Georgia northward. The nest is on the ground, usually at the base of a tree, sometimes against a fallen log or under a bush. It is made of dead leaves with a few feathers, and is either very shallow or fully five inches deep inside. From 8 to 14 and rarely 16 eggs are laid ; they are creamy white, often much stained, and sometimes speckled with brown. Size — 1.56 x 1.13. Under the different names of RuflFed Grouse, Pheasant, and Partridge this bird is well known to all sportsmen as perhaps the finest of our Eastern game birds. Its extraordinary habit of drumming has been the cause of many a surprise, and even of fright, to the novice, who, not knowing whence the sound pro- ceeded, has attributed it to all sorts of wild and ferocious animals. That it is really made by a bird is hard to believe. The sound is made by the rapid striking of the wings either against the sides of the body or against the air (this is a much-disputed question) while the bird is standing on a fallen tree or a low bush ; and though this is the mating call, it may be heard throughout the shooting season in Maine and probably elsewhere. S3 Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets The nesting season in the neighbourhood of New York begins about April 25th. The period of incubation occupies about 18 days, the young leaving the nest as soon as hatched, and after a few days being able to fly. When the old bird is driven from her nest she starts off with one or both wings, and perhaps a leg, apparently broken, and after scrambling on the ground for a few yards, she scales along until about a hundred feet away, and then takes flight. If she is found with her brood of chicks she acts in a most remarkable manner, either attacking the disturber or else feigning complete powerlessness, thus diverting attention long enough to enable the young to hide. Near where I am now living (South Orange, N. J.) the woodsmen say that the partridge always build at the foot of a white oak. There seems to be some truth in the saying, so far as this immediate neighbourhood is concerned, as all the nests I have seen hereabouts were at the foot of white oaks. 300a. Canadian Ruffed Grouse: B. u. togata (Linn.) This is a sub-species of the ruffed grouse. Its grayish instead of buffy or rusty colour on the back, and the bars being more dis- tinct on the under parts, especially on the belly, are the chief points of variance. Breeding Rar^e — Northern New York, Maine, and Vermont, north- wards. These birds vary greatly in colour; in some instances they may be mistaken for the common ruffed grouse, as specimens showing all the intermediate gradations of colour have been taken. 306. Heath Hen: Tympanuchus cupido (Linn.) These birds bear a close resemblance to the prairie hen, ths principal difference being in the neck tufts, which are pointed instead of rounded. Length — 18.00. Breeding Range — Martha's Vineyard. Nest on the ground; eggs brownish drab or buff. Size— 1.73 X 1.29. S4 Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets The Heath Hen is almost extinct, being restricted to the island of Martha's Vineyard, where they are "in imminent danger of total extinction." 310. Wild Turkey: Meleagris gallopavo Linn. Differing in some degree from the darker varieties of the domestic turkey, the smaller wattles and the dark buff or chest- nut tip to the tail coverts and tail are characteristic of the wild bird. Th6 adult male is very much larger than the female, weigh- ing usually about 25 pounds, and sometimes as much as 40 pounds, while the female weighs about 8 pounds. Length of adult 3 — 48.00. Breeding Range — Canada to Florida ; extinct in New England. The nest is built on the ground among briars and thick weedy places. 9 to 13 eggs are laid (some writers putting the number as high as 24). They are cream-coloured with fine brown- ish-red spots. Size — 2.55 X 1.80. Unfortunately, the Wild Turkey is becoming so scarce that in a few years' time it will be a rare bird. Laws made for its preservation were adopted too late, and in many places are utterly disregarded, which means that the birds will become restricted to inaccessible places, such as the large tracts of swampy wood- land. It has never been my good fortune to find a wild turkey's nest, so I cannot give any original data in connection with their breeding habits. During the mating season each male fights for the possession of a drove of hens, varying in number from 4 to about 8 or even more ; at other times the two sexes flock to- gether, though it is usual for the very old gobblers to remain solitary. Mr. Davis says that when the eggs are once touched the female will abandon her nest. 31 Ob. Florida Wild Turkey: M. g. osceola Scott. The Florida Wild Turkey varies but little from the more northern species, being somewhat smaller, darker in colour, and has irregular white markings on the wings in place of the wide white bars. Breeding ^a«^if— Southern Florida. SS Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets The breeding habits are described as almost identical with those of the northern wild turkey. These magnificent birds are still fairly common in parts of Florida, though much less so than they were a few years ago. When 1 was in southern Florida in 1 892 I sometimes saw in one day as many as seven droves, numbering in all from twenty-five to forty birds. During the seventeen days I camped out 1 secured thirty-two specimens without very much trouble. This was just before the mating season. The droves contained from three to nine birds, and where both sexes were together the males were usually birds of the previous year. The older males were most often in flocks of about three, with no hens ; the very old gobblers were invariably solitary. The males ranged in weight from eight pounds (yearling birds) to twenty-three pounds. The hens weighed rather under seven and a half pounds. 316. Mourning Dove: Zenaidura macroura (Linn.) Eggs white. See Page 153, Chapter VIII. 317. Zenaida Dove: Zenaida zenaida (Bonap.) Eggs white. See Page 133, Chapter VIII. 320. Ground Dove; Mourning Dove: Columbigallina passerina terrestris Chapm. Adult 3 — Various shades of "dove colour" ; breast somewhat spotted ; iridescent feathers forward of the shoulder ; bill red. Adult ? — Grayer. Length — 6.75. Breeding Range — The Gulf States and Florida, north to North Carolina. The nest is a flimsy structure of twigs, with sometimes straw or pine needles. It is placed either on the ground or in bushes, rarely at any height from the ground. 2 white eggs are laid. Size — .85 X .65. The Ground Dove is easily recognised from its size alone, it S6 Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets being much the smallest of our native doves. As its name im- plies, it spends the greater part of its time on the ground, where it may be seen moving its head, while walking or running, after the habit of the domestic pigeon. The nests are usually near cultivated land, frequently in abandoned gardens or yards, and though the ground is perhaps the favourite place for building, yet bushes, trees, or even tree stumps are sometimes chosen. The breeding season lasts from April to July ; eggs have been taken as late as October, but this is probably quite exceptional. 322. Quail Dove: Geotrygon martinica (Linn). Eggs white or bufFy white. See Page 135, Chapter VIII. 325. Turkey Vulture; Turl