A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



nest was composed of moss, sphagnum. It was 

 placed on some bushes of the black-alder which 

 the snow had bent down. Instead of mud the 

 bird had used a black soil, and the nest was 

 lined with horsehair. The horsehair, moss, 

 and black mold were all near the nest. If I 

 had found the nest after the young had left 

 it, it would have proved a puzzle for me. As 

 it was, the old bird was on the nest when I 

 found it and so gave me the clue. 



Young birds are taught to sing by the old 

 males. This is true of the birds that have 

 come under my observation. Even the grouse 

 teaches the young to drum. This is done 

 soon after dark in the fall of the year. From 

 my hammock I often hear these lessons. The 

 old grouse makes the woods ring with his 

 drumming. Then he rests while the young 

 grouse try a hand. Their efforts are not a 

 success, and the old bird again shows them 

 how to do it. Some nights this will go on 

 for two hours. 



There is a test that any one can try, to 



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