236 BIRDS 



their appearance ; tlien it was time for the family group 

 to have its picture taken. Owing to the deep shade all 

 about the nest it was impossible to secure good full- 

 timed pictures; here I called to my assistance the Imp 

 flash powder gun, and succeeded in getting some ex- 

 cellent negatives. (Fig. 138.) 



While watching the pair I decided that no birds ever 

 manifested more genuine affection for their young than 

 do Wood Thrushes. It was indeed inspiring to witness 

 the admiring attitude of this mother and father, and 

 their display of affection at the side of the nest, where 

 they both frequently fed their babies at the same time. 

 They would actually stand on the rim, admiring the 

 young for many minutes after the worm had been de- 

 livered into the open mouths of their ever-hungry off- 

 spring. These parents would unconcernedly let me come 

 within four feet of them and change plate-holders in 

 the camera. Even the flash gun with its calcium flare 

 did not interrupt their frequent feedings. 



On one occasion two small busybodies, House Wrens, 

 came to investigate the state of aifairs in this home, and 

 the flash caught the Thrush with wings spread as she 

 was driving the little intruders from the premises. 



