THE WOOD PEWEE 



The nature of the pewee is sweet and trustful. I have 

 always found him responsive, replying almost invariably 

 as I have imitated his note. I once had a particularly 

 pleasant experience and succeeded in convincing a little 

 pewee of my friendly attitude toward him. One summer 

 I was obliged to spend many weary days in a hammock 

 hung in a grove; I beguiled the tedious hours by endeavor- 

 ing to attract birds to close proximity. A pewee came 

 oftenest; he frequently perched on a bough within a few 

 feet of my hammock, and "talked back" to me between 

 dives after insects. That he knew me and was unafraid 

 was proved, for when relatives and friends arrived later 

 in the summer, he would fly away at their approach. 



I saw much of him, even when parental responsibilities 

 claimed him. One day, after the young had flown, I 

 came upon him calling earnestly, evidently to a fledgling 

 that was on the ground at my feet. I picked up the little 

 thing; it cuddled down in my warm hand and closed its 

 eyes. Its father continued to call, but without excitement 

 at such a proceeding; he seemed to know that I would not 

 hurt his baby. I put it on a bough near him and left 

 them to work out their bird-problems together. 



Not many days later, we saw four young pewees 

 perched in a row on a wire near the house, with their 

 parents in attendance. The father called repeatedly and 

 the little ones made sweet inarticulate gurglings, finding 

 their voices. They were as dear a bird-family as it has 

 ever been my pleasure to see. 



Dallas Lore Sharp, in his delightful essay, "A Palace 

 in a Pig-pen," thus summarizes the flycatchers: 



"Not much can be said of this flycatcher family, except 



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