398 



THE UI'E-'OIS lirM.MA(. 



their motlicr. IiKlci-d it was a mystery wliere slie ciaild [Mjssibly liave fuuiul 

 aiivtliiiig to eat. This nesi was saddled uihmi a twig a few feet alx>ve the 

 gruuiul amitlst the slielteriiig brandies of a huge cedar, thus protecting tlie 

 young from any direct contact witli tlie rain. 



Tlicre is scarcely a conceival)le situation, except directly on the gr<>un<l, 

 that these birds will not select f<>r a nesting site. Such odd places have been 

 chosen as a knot in a large rope that hung from the rafters of a woodshed; 

 and again, amongst the wires of an electric light -! '■ ' " was sus|)ended in 

 the front porch of a 

 city residence. It luay 

 be found fifty feet up 

 in some huge fir in the 

 depths of the forest, or 

 on the stem of some 

 blackberry bush grow- 

 ing in a city lot. 



Very often tiicy 

 fonn colonies during 

 the nesting season, as 

 nianv as twenty nests 

 being built in a small 

 area. Some large fir 

 grove is generallv 

 chosen for the colony, 

 but a most interesting 

 one was located on a 

 tiny island in Puget 

 Sound. This island has 

 had most of its large 

 timber cut away, ami 

 is heavilv overgrown with huckleberry, blackberry, ami small alders. In the 

 center is the colony, the nests placed only a few yards apart on any vine or 

 bush that will serve the ]nirpose. Huckleberry bushes seem the favorites, 

 but many nests are built in the alders and on the blackberry vines. 



The nesting season is greatly protracted, for fresh eggs may be found 

 from Ai)ril till July. This makes it seem probal)lc that each pair raises at 

 least two broods during the spring and summer, .\fter incubation is some- 

 what advanced, the female is most courageous, often iiermitting herself to Ik* 

 lifted off the nest before its contents can be examined. .At such times the 

 bird student must be on his guard, as the little luothcr will ..fiin rtsfiit the 

 intrusion, and her attack is always made at the eye- 



iii-ar Tatcma. Pkolo by Hit Amhi 



NKST OF Rl'FOlS 111 M.MKK OX FIR IIR AXCII 



