BIRDS WITH A HANDICAP 



larch tree close by the house, but only after the birds 

 had left it. It was one Memorial Day, and with a 

 friend I was looking for birds in some tall white pine 

 woods. My attention was attracted by a Veery, or 

 Wilson's Thrush, which flew up from the ground into 

 a pine. Just as it alighted it was attacked in the most 

 violent manner by a tiny bird, which was so quick in 

 its motions that I could hardly tell what was going on. 

 The thrush, though a far larger bird, unable to rival 

 such velocity and deftness of attack, was driven off in a 

 hurry. Naturally we assumed that there was a nest 

 near, and sure enough, there it was, about two-thirds 

 way out on one of the lower branches of the pine, some 

 fifteen feet up, not in a crotch, but built on to the 

 branch itself, as though it were a knot or excrescence of 

 the same. While we examined it the female buzzed 

 and darted about our heads like an angry bee. As for 

 the male, he did not put in his appearance, and I have 

 reason to fear that he is a shirk. Since then I have 

 found various nests, but I do not in any case recall 

 seeing the male about when his wife was in distress 

 over the intrusion. Some writers state that he leaves 

 to her all the care of eggs and young. Formerly he was 

 very ardent in his protestations of affection and devo- 

 tion, but now, as the flowers expand in greater profusion, 

 he finds them more interesting than the prosaic duties 

 of home. 



This home, howbeit, is one of the most remarkable 

 and artistic creations of all bird architecture. It is a 



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