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Bird- Lore 



and apologetic as it fluttered, played wounded, cried, and yet con- 

 stantly drew nearer to us and the nest. Finally it lighted on the 

 ground, faced us boldly, made a little run toward the nest, and paused 

 breathlessly — a splendid-looking creature as it stood there, head erect, 

 eyes sparkling, every sense on the alert. The camera snapped ! Up 

 it rose but, finding no harm resulting, tried it again and yet again, 

 till it made a final run, posed, and we made a final 'snap,' just as the 

 bird stood over the eggs ! We were sitting motionless on the gravel 

 about eight feet from it. I was glad to leave the poor bird in peace 

 after that. Meantime its more faint-hearted mate had never ventured 

 near us. About fifty feet off it had gone on industriously and per- 

 functorily with its 'play acting,' dragging itself on the ground and 

 crying piteously, but not really risking itself in the least. It was 

 curious that I never once heard the kill-deer cry which the books say 

 they give. They uttered a one-syllabled cry only ; evidently an 

 alarm note. 



YOUNG BRONZED GRACKLE 

 Photographed rom nature by R. W. Hegner, Decorah, la. 



