12 INTRODUCTION. 



cabinet, I shall return to speak of the difficulty in frightening 

 certain birds when incubating, chiefly the Hawks. Individuals, 

 rather than species, vary in this respect, though the smaller 

 are undoubtedly more often timid than others. One Hawk 

 glides silently from her nest as you approach ; another flies 

 when you rap the tree energetically with a stick ; whereas a 

 third remains until the crackling of branches, as you ascend, 

 causes her to seek safety in flight. Hawks, moreover, are 

 often obliged to leave the nest, after the eggs are laid, if their 

 mates either die or fail to give them enough food. As about 

 ninety per cent or more of the nests found in a large '' hawk- 

 ery " are old, except a few nests belonging to Crows and 

 squirrels, and as Hawks and Owls, moreover, often inhabit 

 such, not always rebuilding them, one naturally is doubtful 

 about climbing far, on finding a large nest of sticks, which is 

 likely to contain eggs only once 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 indicate further emptiness, or occupation by 

 squirrels, who usually, in building, heap together hay, straw, 

 and pine needles. In the absence of all the above-mentioned 

 signs, judgment is required, but no further rules can be safely 

 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 hardwood trees ; place your 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 may 

 be safely brought down in a cloth cap, grasped firmly by the 

 teeth. Never take one egg from a set in a Hawk's nest if you 

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

 ously before your return. None of the Hawks ({. e. Falco- 

 nidoe)^ with the exception of the Ospreys and Eagles, show a 

 disposition to attack. These latter have been known to inflict 

 dangerous wounds, and at the same time are, I believe, the 



