14 IXTKODCCTION. 



eggs only ouce out of ten times. A hawk cannot often be 

 seen when sitting on her nest, and the only signs, which rarely 

 deceive, are the small feathers, which usually cling to the 

 nest, or to a branch near it. Dead leaves inside of a nest indi- 

 cate further emptiness, or occupation by squirrels, who usually, 

 in building, heap together hay, straw, and pine-needles, or the 

 like. In the absence of all the above-mentioned signs, judg- 

 ment is I'equired, but no further rules can be safel}' laid down. 

 It may be remarked that smaller birds are also often brave or 

 even bold in protecting their nests. 



In climbing, never leave one hold before testing and secur- 

 ing another ; remember that pine-limbs are less to be trusted 

 than those of hard-wood trees ; place j'our feet, if possible, 

 next to the trunk, and, if inclined to dizziness, do not look 

 down. Gloves, old clothes, a soft hat (and climbing-irons, 

 when convenient) form the necessary outfit, as large eggs ma}'^ 

 be safely brought down in a cloth cap, grasped firral}' b^' the 

 teeth. Never take one egg from a set in a hawk's nest, if 3-ou 

 wish for the rest, as these latter will often disappear myster- 

 iously before your return. None of the hawks {i.e. Falconidce), 

 with the exception of the Ospreys and eagles, show a disposi- 

 tion to attack. These latter have been known to inflict dan- 

 gerous wounds, and at the same time are, I believe, the only 

 species generally' occup3'ing the same nest year after year, with 

 the exception of the Duck Hawk ( ?) and Sparrow Hawk. I 

 do not recall many other birds who do so, with the marked ex- 

 ception of the swallows and Pewees, who sometimes rebuild 

 their old homes. 



§ N. All birds have an afl!ection for some haunt, whither, if 

 left undisturbed, they return every spring. These haunts are 



