IDENTIFICATION, NEST-BUILDING, ETC. 27 



of approaching twilight or early dawn must appreciate 

 the futility of man's puny efforts at reproducing its 

 notes. 



The marvels of the protective coloring of the birds are 

 a constant source of wonder to all bird-lovers. One would 

 think that the Meadow-lark, with its beautiful golden- 

 yellow breast, would be conspicuous ; however, it is amply 

 cared for by its ground-feeding and nesting habits. As 

 it sits on the nest its gray and dark striped back blends 

 with its surroundings so accurately that its body is hard 

 to detect a few feet away. The same is true of practically 

 all ground-nesting birds — Sparrows, Quails, Grouse, and 

 others of like habits. The Ptarmigan, with gray summer 

 and pure white winter plumage, is an illustration of the 

 seasonal protective plumage of birds. 



The American Bittern, its neck and beak extended as 

 it stands motionless in a bunch of dry or dead slough 

 grass, is almost indistinguishable from its surroundings, 

 even though you are only a few feet from the bird and 

 saw it when you first approached its location. 



The Black Skimmer and a few other birds are excep- 

 tions to the rule of plumage mimicry of natural surround- 

 ings. 



The better acquainted we become with birds, their 

 habits and home lives, the more we realize the benefit they 

 are to civilization and the firmer our affections are 

 cemented to them. The birds are ever reducing the 

 number of harmful bugs, moths, worms, rodents and 

 weed seeds, regardless of their location. Whether these 

 pests are beneath the water, under the bark of trees, on 

 the leaves or in the air, there exist birds whose feeding 

 habits are such as to lead them to seek and destroy these 

 pests. 



We have been too slow to recognize bird benefactors, 

 and in enacting laws for their protection. The great 

 Audubon Society, and other organizations, are carrying 

 on propaganda of inestimable value along this line. 



Two of the birds' most civilized enemies are house 

 cats and lovable, tender-hearted and sympathetic women. 

 I am sure that if every woman who wears a stuffed bird, 

 or the feathers of one, could have a true picture presented 

 to her of the sacrifice of life made in order that her hat 



