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Bird - Lore 



they do, though in varying degree. I will mention only one or two instances, 

 out of many which have come under my own notice, illustrating this 

 individuaUty. 



I once planted myself and my camera close to a Stone Chat's nest {Saxi- 

 cola torquata hibernans), without any pretense at hiding, either. The young 



MALE RED-BACKED SHRIKE 



were nearly full-grown and the parents actively engaged in feeding them. 

 Naturally my presence was resented, and in strong language. Finding me hard 

 to move by mere words, the old birds resorted to strategy. For ten minutes 

 they pretented to feed imaginary young, thirty or forty yards away. They 

 took a deal of trouble to deceive me, catching insects and grubs and dropping 

 down to this spot time after time, depositing the food there, every now and 



