i2 4 Wild Birds 



The insect was swallowed, wings and all, but only after pro- 

 longed efforts. As confidence was gradually regained, the 

 birds would remain longer and longer at the nest, pick the 

 young all over, and clean everything with care and deliberation. 



At this time (July 23d) the young were about eight days 

 old, and could be easily approached. Two days later, when their 

 nest was touched they tumbled out in an instant, disappearing 

 as if by magic amid the leaves. I succeeded in finding one of 

 them, but it refused to remain in the old nest. Its wing-quills 

 now showed a half inch of the feather-shaft, which represented 

 two days' growth, while the tail feathers were still in the stub- 

 brush stage. 



There were four young in the second nest, which was dis- 

 covered in some bushes close to the river bank on the nineteenth 

 of June. It rested in the crotch formed by the crossing of 

 shoots of the dogwood and alder. The young were in pin- 

 feathers, but not a tube had burst. Both old birds happened 

 to be off -foraging, but quickly returned with food in their 

 mouths, and began to alarm the neighborhood. 



The tent was pitched in front of this nest at eight o'clock on 

 the morning of June 23d. After it was closed both birds began 

 their cautious explorations in the vicinity, tschaying incessantly 

 and with nerve-rasping vehemence. A male Redwing Black- 

 bird was soon attracted to the spot, and added his note of 

 alarm to the general outcry, but after rinding that the matter 

 did not concern him, returned to his nest in the flags farther 

 away. 



In twenty minutes the Catbirds had become more quiet, and 

 began to pay close attention to the tent. The Redwing was 

 heard con-quer-eeing in the distance. Song Sparrows were 

 singing merrily. Veeries called from the woods close at hand, 

 and the be-be I of the Goldfinches could be heard as these birds 

 passed leisurely overhead. The conditions were all reassuring, 

 and presently the Catbirds became silent, and went off for food. 

 In a few moments a rustling of leaves was heard close to the tent 

 and the male could be seen coming boldly in its direction. 



Up to this time the young lay quietly in the nest, but were 



