leaved forest or fruit tree, relying on their 
method of constructing for protection. Their 
nests are round and compactly made of loose felt- 
like material, the outer side over all closely cov- 
ered with lichens stripped from the bark of the 
tree in which they are built. They are very de- 
ceiving. The nest of the humming bird is not 
larger than a horse chestnut and looks very like 
a large knot of the branch on which it is placed. 
Only an expert observer finds a humming bird’s 
nest. 
Do birds think? The field sparrow builds its 
nest on the ground in the open field. If by 
chance or with malicious intent you approach 
the nest when the mother bird is covering her 
eggs, she abruptly flies up before you, then 
abruptly falls at your feet, apparently disabled 
by a broken wing or leg. Sympathetically you 
stoop to pick her up when she hobbles lamely 
away. You follow, and when again with like 
intent you stoop to pick her up, she repeats her 
first device, and after not only winning you away 
from her nest, but all thought of it, she flashes 
up and away when fear of the intruder has 
passed. 
There are other birds than the field sparrow 
that practice similar protective methods. The 
catbird is a gay deceiver. He sees you approach- 
ing his nest. If by chance your approach is too 
direct, he, being a good ventriloquist, sounds out 
his warning notes as if from a bush a hundred 
yards or more beyond where he is concealed. 
90 
