98 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



development, and certain call-notes are heard only at this season. The 

 numberless actions incident to courtship, the intelligence displayed 

 in nest-building, the choice of special food for the young, the devo- 

 tion which prompts the parents recklessly to expose themselves 

 in protecting their ofifspring, — all these manifestations of the bird- 

 mind may be observed in June. 



BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 



Peniiancnt Residents, sec page 83, 

 Sum III er Residents, see page S6. 



July Bird-Life. — The full development of the bird year is 

 attained in June, and as earl}- as the first week in Jul}^ the season 

 begins to wane, when, among some migratory birds, there are evi- 

 dences of preparation for the journey southward. 



The young of certain species which rear but one brood a year 

 have now left the nest, and. accompanied by the parents, wander 

 about the country. In localities which we had thoroughly explored 

 in June, we may now find species not met with then. In some 

 cases these families join others of their kind, forming small flocks, 

 the nuclei of the great gathering seen later. Examples are 

 Crackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and Tree Swallows. The last 

 named increase rapidly in number, and by July 10 we may see 

 them flying over late each afternoon cii route to their roosts in 

 the Hackensack marshes. 



During the first week in the month we shall also find that 

 certain birds have concluded their season of song. Bobolinks and 

 Red-winged Blackbirds are rarely heard after the loth of the 

 month ; their young are reared, the cares of nesting-time are 

 passed, and with other one-brooded birds they begin to renew their 

 worn breeding plumages by molting. After the 15th we miss the 

 voices of the Veery, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Chat, Brown 

 Thrasher and other birds. 



BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 



I'enuaiieiit Residents, see page 83, 

 Summer Residents, see page S6. 



August Bird-Life. — A\Mth the majority of our nesting birds, 

 family cares are ended in August, and at this season they completely 

 renew their worn plumages by molting. When molting, birds are less 

 in evidence than at any other time. What becomes of many of our 

 birds in August it is difficult to say. Baltimore Orioles, for example, 

 are rarely seen from August i to 20, but after the latter date they 

 reappear clad in full plumage, and they are then in nearly full 



