128 Wild Birds 



dragon-fly was as long as the young bird, but it was invariably 

 swallowed wings and all, though only after a hard struggle. 



The young, always on the alert, huddle to this and that side 

 of the nest, and stretching to the utmost limit their transparent 

 red necks display the yellow target of the open mouth as they 

 tsit I tsit ! to the approaching mother, who sounds her well- 

 known call. 



On one occasion I saw the female deliver a black dragon-fly, 

 and afterwards take from the bill of the male, who was standing 

 near, a carrion beetle, and pass it to the young. Then keenly 

 eying her brood, she deliberately .bent over, and as the body of 

 one was raised took from it a small white package and flew away. 

 Many of the photographs show the birds performing this sanitary 

 act, a practice common to many other species. During her 

 first visits the female ate the excreta, but thereafter it was in- 

 variably removed from the nest. 



The food served to these young Catbirds consisted of dragon- 

 flies, which were brought to the nest thirteen times, insect 

 larvae, beetles, moth millers, and a great variety of smaller 

 insects, varied with liberal courses of strawberries. At first the 

 old birds approached quietly, fed their young hurriedly from the 

 farther side, and were off in a few seconds, but as confidence in 

 their surroundings was gradually restored, they would come to 

 the nest-front, with the camera but three feet away, remain 

 there for a full minute, and after assisting the young to dispose 

 of their harder subjects, inspect everything with the greatest 

 care. 



When this nest was visited two days later the young looked 

 bright and hearty. They were now in full feather, and about 

 ready for flight. When the tent had been cautiously set up, I 

 noticed that a number of leaves cast undesirable shadows on 

 the nest. Though knowing well what to expect, I decided to 

 take the risk, and reached out to cut them off. This was the 

 fatal spark which fired the train of gunpowder, for all went off 

 in an instant in a panic of fear, and the game was up, for Cat- 

 birds when well out of their nest at this stage are out for good. 



