FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



YOUNG TANAGKK 



They grew wonderfully. When they 

 were large enough to fly well they were 

 given the freedom of the conservatory, 

 then the door was left open, and finally 

 they were placed in an apple-tree with 

 food and water beneath. As I write they 

 are six weeks old. Bath water is still 

 furnished them, but they have not been 

 fed for ten days. Both of them are fly- 

 ing in the orchard, clean, bright, beautiful 

 birds. I was most anxious to keep them, 

 the Grosbeak especially. It would have 



made a precious pet, but the laws of my state prohibit the 

 caging of a song-bird, so gradually I had to accustom them to 

 become self-supporting, take their pictures, and let them go. 



AVhile working among birds in the nesting season I liave, se& 

 cured these intimate studies and experiences. At any other timV* 

 when they are the wild, shy^ free creatures of all outdoors, a precon- 

 ceived study of them is theanerest chance, and a stray snap shot, 

 luck, pure and simple. This, of course, refers to songsters; with 

 coast, tropical and polar birds that live in flocks it is different. 

 But do not let anyone imagine because he knows his nat- 

 ural history well, that 

 Jie knows anything 

 about the camera. 

 That is a separate 

 and distinct study. 

 You might as well ask 

 a great surgeon to do 

 X-ray work without 

 knowing how, as to ask 



HEN'S NEST CONTAINING EGG OF 'CHICKEN-HAWK l > SClCntlSt tO JUOgC 



25 



