14 INTRODUCTION. 



eggs only once out of ten times. A hawk cannot often be 

 seen when sitting on her nest, and the only signs, which rarely 

 deceive, are the small feathers, which usually cling to the 

 nest, or to a branch near it. Dead leaves inside of a nest indi- 

 cate further emptiness, or occupation by squirrels, who usually, 

 in building, heap together hay, straw, and pine-needles, or the 

 like. In the absence of all the above-mentioned signs, judg- 

 ment is required, but no further rules can be safely laid down. 

 It may be remarked that smaller birds are also often brave or 

 even bold in protecting their nests. 



In climbing, never leave one hold before testing and secur- 

 ing another ; remember that pine-limbs are less to be trusted 

 than those of hard-wood trees ; place your feet, if possible, 

 next to the trunk, and, if inclined to dizziness, do not look 

 down. Gloves, old clothes, a soft hat (and climbing-irons, 

 when convenient) form the necessary outfit, as large eggs may 

 be safely brought down in a cloth cap, grasped firmly by the 

 teeth. Never take one egg from a set in a hawk's nest, if yon 

 wish for the rest, as these latter will often disappear myster- 

 iously before your return. None of the hawks (i.e. Falconidce) , 

 with the exception of the Ospreys and eagles, show a disposi- 

 tion to attack. These latter have been known to inflict dan- 

 gerous wounds, and at the same time are, I believe, the only 

 species generally occupying the same nest year after year, with 

 the exception of the Duck Hawk ( ?) and Sparrow Hawk. I 

 do not recall many other birds who do so, with the marked ex- 

 ception of the swallows and Pewees, who sometimes rebuild 

 their old homes. 



N. All birds have an affection for some haunt, whither, if 

 left undisturbed, they return every spring. These .haunts are 



