SECOND ANXUAI. MEETING 35 



come under my observaticm in this region have been found in June. 

 I have also seen several nests in .Tuly with young- birds. 



On August 20 the nest contained a young bird about three days old, 

 the remaining egfi; apparently being infertile. The little one Avas far 

 from luiudsonie. \vi1li black skin, ragged iilnmage tracts, stubby bill, 

 and tiuopened eyes. Tlie uiotlier l)ird was about the nest, and I saw her 

 feed the young three times, though she was very shy and would not 

 approach the nest while I was near. 



]\ry next visit was on September 3. The nestling's eyes were now 

 open, and he had grown rapidly. A little clump of elms stood near, 

 and in this I secreted myself, having thus an excellent iJlace of observa- 

 tion not more than eight feet from the nest. Very soon the mother 

 bird appeared, and after a wary approach alighted upon the edge of the 

 nest and thrust her bill far down the throat of the young bird. I could 

 see h€r throat move as she regurgitated the food. She left her bill in the 

 little one's throat for about six seconds, then withdrew it. This opera- 

 tion was repeated four times, with intervals of three to six seconds be- 

 tween. She tried to feed it a fifth time, but the young bird would not 

 open its bill, and after several efforts she desisted and flew away. She 

 kept up a continuous chatter while about the nest, except when actually 

 feeding. Her note consisted of two syllables as a rule, though some- 

 times a single chirp, always of the same j)itch and duration, repeated 

 .'^everal times in succession; a verj- simple chirp, fairly clear, but not 

 loud. She commenced this vocal greeting when ten or fifteen feet from 

 the nest, always approaching cautiouslj', making short dashes and 

 hovering after each. When the little one heard her note or the sound 

 of her AAdngs it was at once on the alert, answering her calls in kind, 

 though much less strongly, and straightening its neck for the expected 

 food. After feeding she came to my place of concealment and hovered 

 not three feet away, making- short lateral dashes and viewing me from 

 every side with great agitation, with a continuous chirping. After this 

 inspection she dashed away over the treetops, and did not return for 

 three-quarters of an hour. Upon her return she was too wary to go 

 near the nest, and flew away after again viewing me carefully. In a 

 half hour she came back, first approaching the nest, then coming to my 

 elms, inspecting me several times before her maternal bravery bore her 

 to the edge of the nest. She inserted her bill three times, and again 

 made several attemiDts to feed the little one after it was satisfied. I 

 remained at the nest fifty minutes after she left, but she did not again 

 return during- that time. 



During the absence of the mother I frequently' examined the young 

 bird quite closely. There was a perceptible swelling under the skin 

 at the base of the neck, due, I assumed, to the frequent feedings. It 

 seemed to have no fear, its leading instinct being to take food. I 

 should mention another instinct, however — its determination to avoid 

 a fall was quite remarkable. Having on this occasion no means of 



