236 



Wild Birds 



Every occasion on which the tent described in these pages is 

 brought up to a nest of young birds is a direct experiment in the 

 taming process. No matter how far the discipline is carried or 



how little perman- 

 ency it may pos- 

 sess, the principle 

 is always the same. 

 By this method 

 wild birds, while 

 the parental in- 

 stincts are at their 

 height, can be 

 tamed to a degree 

 without use of a 

 cage. In illustra- 

 tion of the process, 

 we will choose the 

 Chestnut-sided 

 Warbler, although 

 the experiments to 

 be described were 

 not carried out 

 with this end es- 

 pecially in view. 

 In any case paren- 

 tal instinct was 

 the chief agent 

 employed. 



Two nests of the 

 Chestnut-sided Warbler, each containing fresh eggs, were found 

 in a pasture on the twelfth day of June. The behavior of the 

 birds at both nests was at first essentially the same, so far as 

 it was tested. While the eggs were still fresh, the nests were 

 often visited without seeing or hearing a bird, but during in- 

 cubation the female, who is a close sitter, would allow me to 

 approach within a yard or two feet. Then as I extended my 

 hand slowly toward her she would hop out and cling with head 



Fig. 143. Female Chestnut-sided 'Warbler approaching 

 nest and looking in. At this time there were eggs, or the 

 young had barely pipped the shell. 



