18 BIRDS 



quickly pursue the line peculiar to the species. Whether 

 one calls this new adaptability to unusual conditions, or 

 a resumption of the old, or instinct or reason, is of little 

 consequence to the general bird-lover. 



The individual who does not care to enter into the 

 minute scientific details of ornithology may find in the 

 study of the personal or individual peculiarities of birds 

 in their home lives much of interest. For instance, the 

 male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is the ideal bird husband 

 and his mate, I take for granted, is the original suffra- 

 gette. Think of a husband who patiently remains at 

 home attending to all the household duties while his wife 

 is away at the club or voting-place! Just think of it! 

 He is so happy while attending to these same home duties 

 that he actually sings, as he incubates, morning, noon 

 and night. Is not that a lovely bird personality? It is, 

 with a vim ! 



Of all birds who possess a despicable personality 

 the Cowbird is the limit: it does not mate, is polyga- 

 mous in its breeding habits, builds no nest of its own, 

 lays its egg in some small bird's nest and abandons the 

 egg and the hatched young to the tender mercies of foster- 

 parents. Whether the small bird whose nest is despoiled 

 by this slacker, is unsuspecting or is filled with a parental 

 love so strong that it fails to detect the fraud, I do not 

 know. At all events, the intruder in the family circle 

 of the small bird receives the same parental care as 

 her own brood. 



