LITTLE BROTHERS OF THE AIR. 



THE kingbird's NEST. 



To study a nest is to make an acquaintance. 

 However familiar the bird, unless the student 

 has watched its ways during the only domestic 

 period of its life, — nesting time, — he has still 

 something to learn. In fact, he has almost 

 everything to learn, for into those few weeks is 

 crowded a whole lifetime of emotions and ex- 

 periences which fully bring out the individuality 

 of the bird. Family life is a test of character, 

 no less in the nest than in the house. More- 

 over, to a devotee of the science that some one 

 has aptly called Ornithography, nothing is so 

 attractive. What hopes it holds out! Who 

 can guess what mysteries shall be disclosed, 

 what interesting episodes of life shall be seen 

 about that charmed spot? 



To find a newly built nest is the first June 

 work of the bird-student, and this year on the 



