BIRDS'-NESTS 103 



shield to the female. It is thought that the female 

 is humbler clad for her better concealment during 

 incubation. But this is not satisfactory, as in some 

 cases she is relieved from time to time by the male. 

 In the case of the domestic dove, for instance, 

 promptly at midday the cock is found upon the 

 nest. I should say that the dull or neutral tints of 

 the female were a provision of nature for her greater 

 safety at all times, as her life is far more precious 

 to the species than that of the male. The indis- 

 pensable office of the male reduces itself to little 

 more than a moment of time, Avhile that of his mate 

 extends over days and weeks, if not months.^ 



In migrating northward, the males precede the 

 females by eight or ten days ; returning in the fall, 

 the females and young precede the males by about 

 the same time. 



After the woodpeckers have abandoned their 

 nests, or rather chambers, which they do after the 

 first season, their cousins, the nuthatches, chicka- 

 dees, and brown creepers, fall heir to them. These 



1 A recent English writer upon this subject presents an array 

 of facts and considerations that do not support this view. He 

 says that, with very few exceptions, it is tlie rule that, when both 

 sexes are of strikingly gay and conspicuous colors, the nest is 

 such as to conceal the sitting bird; while, whenever there is a 

 striking contrast of colors, the male being gay and conspicuous, 

 the female dull and obscure, the nest is open and the sitting bird 

 exposed to view. The exceptions to this rule among European 

 birds appear to be very few. Among our own birds, the cuckoos 

 and blue jays build open nests, without presenting any notice- 

 able difference in the colori'ng of tlie two sexes. The same is true 

 of the pewees, the kingliird and the sparrows, while the common 

 bluebird, the oriole, and orchard starling afford examples the 

 other Avay. 



