IO0O HERRICK, Care of Nest and Young. onl 
CARE OF NEST ANDY YOUNG: 
BY FRANCIS H. HERRICK. 
THE sanitary condition of the nest is a matter of great concern 
to birds, who, as a class, are probably the cleanest of animals. 
This is especially true of all who breed in holes like Woodpeckers 
and Chickadees, the young of which are piled up in close quarters 
and often more than one layer deep. The Woodpecker’s hole 
and the Bluebird’s nest are always sweet and clean, and the nest- 
lings immaculate. ‘The parent bird not only ceaselessly carries 
food to the young, but is often seen hurriedly leaving the nest 
with a small white package in bill, an action full of significance 
to every member of the family. 
The excrement of the nestlings of Woodpeckers and Passerine 
birds is surrounded by a transparent sac of mucous, which is 
probably secreted at the lower end of the alimentary canal, and 
of such consistency as to allow of its being picked up without 
soiling bill or fingers, a condition which undoubtedly occurs to 
some extent in other orders of birds. The Bluebird carries these 
packages several rods from the nest, and presumably drops them. 
Many other birds probably dispose of them in this way, but it is 
not commonly known that others, among which I can now certify 
the Robin, Cedar Waxwing, and Red-eyed Vireo, devour the 
whole or a part of the excrement at the nest. 
The Robin has undoubtedly been seen by many in the char- 
acteristic pose shown in one of the photographs standing 
on the brim of the nest, and usually with head inclined, as if dot- 
ing on her young and thinking what fine children they are, when 
this attitude is really one of sanitary inspection. Shortly after 
feeding, the nestling becomes very uneasy, raises itself to its full 
height or tries to do so, and when possible drops the excrement 
over the edge of the nest. .The old bird follows every movement, 
snaps up the excrement the moment it leaves the body, and either 
swallows it immediately or carries it away. When seen flying 
from the nest with head slightly depressed and beak outstretched 
