IN THE HEMLOCKS 69 



The warblers and smaller flycatchers are gener- 

 ally the sufferers, though I sometimes see the slate- 

 colored snowbird unconsciously duped in like man- 

 ner; and the other day, in a tall tree in the woods, 

 I discovered the black-throated green- backed warbler 

 devoting itself to this dusky, overgrown foundling. 

 An old farmer to whom I pointed out the fact was 

 much surprised that such things should happen in 

 his woods without his knowledge. 



These birds may be seen prowling through all 

 parts of the woods at this season, watching for an 

 opportunity to steal their egg into some nest. One 

 day while sitting on a log I saw one moving by 

 short flights through the trees and gradually near- 

 ing the ground. Its movements were hurried and 

 stealthy. About fifty yards from me it disappeared 

 behind some low brush, and had evidently alighted 

 upon the ground. 



After waiting a few moments I cautiously walked 

 in the direction. When about half way I acciden- 

 tally made a slight noise, when the bird flew up, 

 and seeing me hurried off out of the woods. Ar- 

 rived at the place, I found a simple nest of dry 

 grass and leaves partially concealed under a pros- 

 trate branch. I took it to be the nest of a sparrow. 

 There were three eggs in the nest, and one lying 

 about a foot below it as if it had been rolled out, as 

 of course it had. It suggested the thought that 

 perhaps, when the cowbird finds the full comple- 

 ment of eggs in a nest, it throws out one and de- 

 posits its own instead. I revisited the nest a few 



