316 Perry, Vesper Sparrow and Hermit Thrush. [j,jj y 



in A.M. 



When the nestlings were eight days old, although they were not 

 well feathered, the parents coaxed them from the nest. This 

 they accomplished by calling "Chirp, chirp" near the nest, some- 

 times with and sometimes without food in their mandibles, and then 

 waiting until a nestling hopped out. As soon as the nestling 

 approached, they retreated a few feet and then again waited. If 

 the nestling seemed disinclined to continue following, the parents 

 went back near it and again called " Chirp." The nestling would 

 probably start to follow. By a continuation of this process the 

 parents of both nests enticed the young from the homes into the 

 surrounding grass and shrubs while they were still unable to fly, 

 and their only method of locomotion consisted of clumsy hopping. 

 I could now see why the young had begun to assume the position I 

 have before mentioned. This is the preparatory position for 

 climbing out of the nest. Since the young seemed so helpless, I 

 several times put them back into the nest. They only screamed 

 when I touched them and again hopped out, ready for the adventures 

 of the w r orld. 



II. 



The Hermit Thrush. 



The nest of the Hermit Thrush was about a mile from those of 

 the Vesper Sparrows. It was on much lower ground, near a bog. 

 The vegetation was similar, except that the trees were much taller. 

 It was placed in a shallow depression of the sandy soil, at the bases 

 of a dwarf honeysuckle and several tall brackens, and extended 

 above the surface of the ground about an inch and a half. It 



