206 BIRDS 



slacker Cowbird. This I had promptly removed. Thus 

 the mother had one less mouth to feed. 



It was a hot day and I knew that the little mother 

 would not remain long away from her new babies. I 

 set my camera within three feet of the nest, focused care- 

 fully, fastened the shutter release line and retired to a 

 bunch of briars to await her return. I had already sepa- 

 rated the briars so I would have good sunlight on the 

 nest. When the mother returned I made an exposure 

 and changed plate-holders. To my surprise the bird did 

 not leave the nest, but continued with her feathery sun- 

 shade to protect the delicate young. I made two more 

 exposures ; then I decided to place my hand as near her 

 as she would permit and make a close-up. To my sur- 

 prise she remained perfectly quiet, letting me gently 

 stroke her graceful little back and tail without protest. 

 I quickly made an exposure showing my hand in this 

 position. (Fig. 120.) 



Before I left I pulled the briars together and thus 

 built a shady bower for this little mother and her tender 

 brood. Then with heartfelt best wishes for their safety 

 I departed, conscious of having done them no harm and 

 fully realizing that with maternal love nature throws 

 aside all fear and stands willing to sacrifice life in the 

 protection of the defenseless young. With this lesson 

 fresh upon me I resolved to honor, respect and assist 

 these humble little creatures whenever an opportunity 

 presented itself. 



Never have I so fully realized the utter helplessness 

 of small birds as I did on that occasion, with my huge 

 hand within grasping distance of the tiny bunch of 

 feathers. Some human beings could, with credit to them- 

 selves, follow the precepts of birds in providing for and 

 protecting their young. 



