FEATHERED GEMS 



which well fits in with the murmuring voices of the 

 grove. I do not doubt but that I have walked under 

 literally thousands of their nests, yet I never have 

 found but one, and that was built in a pine grove near 

 a Sharp-shinned Hawks' nest, and was deserted before 

 the eggs were laid, the warblers, probably, being killed 

 by the hawks. The nests are built out on the branches, 

 usually high up, where they cannot be seen from the 

 ground, and hence they are very hard to find, among 

 so many thick trees. Speaking of the destruction of 

 these various birds or their nests, according to my 

 experience a considerable portion of the birds fail to 

 rear their young owing to predatory vermin or cold 

 storms. Indeed, it seems almost remarkable that any 

 of the birds survive the many dangers to which they 

 are exposed, and the very least we can do, in order 

 that they may not be exterminated, is not to injure or 

 needlessly disturb them ourselves, and, better still, to do 

 all that we can for their protection. 



Another warbler that conceals its nest in a different 

 way is the Chat. It builds a rather bulky structure 

 amid the densest tangle of briers, entirely hidden from 

 sight. It was only by struggling through acres and 

 miles of brambles, with plenty' of scratches and rents 

 in clothing, that I have found nests of this retiring bird. 

 To hear it sing, imitating other birds and pouring 

 forth the loud, striking medley that it does, one would 

 expect to find it of a bold, audacious disposition, 

 whereas it is just the opposite. So shy is it that I have 



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