298 Bird -Lore 



the nest of the Vireo. Finally I decided it was better to let Nature take her 

 course, and allowed the egg to remain. It proved to be a wise decision. 



The next morning when I felt in the nest, the lining of the bottom was 

 all disarranged and the egg was gone. I feared the worst, yet disliked to think 

 that this altogether convenient opportunity to watch the home-life of a bird 

 so interesting was being snatched from me. I felt in the nest again, and this 

 time with greater success. The loose straws were the last touches on a false 

 bottom which had been built in over the Cowbird's egg. I left immediately, 



wo MORI. (OWMIRDs r(,(.S HAD BEEN SLIPPED INTO THE NEST" 



fearing that the birds might return and find me there. I did not wish to give 

 them any reason for desertion. 



Although I passed by frequently during the next five days, I resisted looking 

 into the nest because each time one of the birds was on it. Three times in the 

 morning and twice in the afternoon, the male bird was incubating, but only 

 once did I find the female in her proper place. Either I always struck the male 

 bird's hour at home, or else he was getting more than his share of the domestic 

 duties. I began to listen for some note from the female that might be inter- 

 preted as "votes for women,'' and credited her with being on the nest the one 

 time only for performing the single duty that she could not turn over to him. 



