130 Bird -Lore 



from the nest, with meals served at all hours. The old bird's head would 

 almost disappear in the nest while the feeding was progressing for the babies 

 were so small and weak. 



There are many tragedies that befall the careless or unobserving Robin 

 parents. But our neighbors of the grape-vine were never caught off guard. 

 While the youngsters were small, one of the old birds was constantly near the 

 nest, if not actually standing on its edge or brooding over it. When the little 

 birds were feathering and their heads were visible over the edge of their home, 

 both birds would leave the nest indefinitely, although one or the other seemed 

 to be constantly observing from some inconspicuous vantage-ground. 



During a half hour, one afternoon, several battles in the surrounding trees 

 resulted in victory to our Robins. They had apparently fed their growing 

 triplets enough for the time being. Mother Robin was the only parent in sight, 

 and she stood preening her feathers on the branch of a plum tree. The harsh, 

 shrill cry of a Jay sounded, and a light blue bird stopped nearby. The Robin 

 hesitated a moment, as if locating the intruding outcast, and then deliberately 

 flew straight at the Blue Jay. A moment later the Jay dashed out from the 

 dense foliage and was off for more peaceful quarters. 



Soon after, another Jay grew bold enough to alight in the garden. It was 

 apparently too close to the nest for safety, for a cry of alarm from the Robin 

 on guard brought her mate from an unseen position and together they drove 

 the enemy forth. 



From time to time it was interesting to feed the little birds. Their parents 

 seemed to feed them anything available, from bread crumbs to grasshoppers 

 and from insect larvae to earthworms. One day I spent an hour digging part of 

 a tin pail full of worms which the greedy little rascals eagerly ate when dropped 

 into their yawning big mouths. But the old Robins became furious and started 

 up a warning chatter which seemed to chill the little ones with fright. They 

 ceased to hold up their cavernous mouths and cowered into the nest as close as 

 they could. It seems wonderful that such young birds can understand the 

 various signals. So far as fear on their own account is concerned, they do not 

 seem to have it until their wings are grown sufficiently for them to leave the 

 nest. On the contrary, they snuggle into a hand just as they do the nest unless 

 warned by the enraged old folks. 



The wee little birds changed rapidly. At the end of the first week their eyes 

 were open and their feathers had sprouted all over. Their bills, at first mere 

 soft and wide openings as it were, elongated and took on a bird-like form. The 

 necks grew strong so that, when the parents came up with food, their heads 

 were lifted far up and their gaping mouths entreated for the first share. The 

 act of placing a morsel in the mouth of the young is accomplished so rapidly 

 that it is all but invisible. 



At an early stage the young Robins commenced to preen their pin-feathers. 

 They would move their overgrown heads about in a most awkward manner 



