10 



Wild Birds 



circumstances, the distribution of the food which is again subject 

 to varying conditions, a special call-note being often used when 

 the reaction of a fledgling is slow, the inspection and cleaning of 

 the nest, and the brooding or shielding of the young. Thus not 



Fig. 6. Female Kingbird astride nest, protecting young from heat. This and Figs. 7, 

 36-39, from photographs made at nest shown in Fig. 5. 



only do the many subordinate instincts overlap, but their ex- 

 ercise is modified by circumstances. In cool or wet weather a 

 bird will brood her young in order to keep them warm, but on 

 hot days she will stand astride the nest and with spread wings 

 shield them from the heat. 



The surge of parental feeling is often marked by an inbred 

 pugnacity, which begins to show itself in certain species at the 



