16 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



torn with that branch of the Thrasher family, before the "fatal multiplica- 

 tion of cats." 



But just behind a plain little white country school house in a thicket of 

 young poplars and alders, near, or rather at the base of an old stump, on 

 the ground, was a Thrasher's nest with five baby birds in it. 



When we first discovered the nest we were in great fear lest we disturb 

 the mother bird. But very soon we became very well acquainted. With all 

 the marching and singing by the nest she did not seem to be at all afraid 

 and appeared to enjoy it quite as much as anyone. With head tipped to one 

 side, she seemed to be listening very attentively. 



At every opportunity we watched the birds very closely. One noon, as we 

 were at lunch near by. we threw some crumbs near the nest, hoping she would 

 come out and pick them up. And sure enough, out she hopped, and took 

 them ! But she ate them herself ! Finally, I suppose because she found them 

 all right, she took a very large piece of bread in her mouth and immediately 

 dropped it into one of the small bird's mouths, it being so large, only served 

 as a proj) to keep the little fellow's mouth open. In a few seconds she took 

 it out and dropped it into another mouth and ended by eating it herself. 



Photo from life by C. A Smith. 



Brown Thkasher on Nest. 



