No. 4.] BIRDS ON THE FARM. 129 



When spring opened and most of our little friends retired 

 to the woods, one pair remained behind and made their 

 home in the observation box. Another pair set up house- 

 keeping in a birch stump not for awaj in the edge of the 

 pine grove. The pair in the box, having abundant nesting 

 material at hand, soon began building. Here was an excel- 

 lent opportunity^ for watching the construction of the nest, 

 but the box was not opened or disturbed, for fear that the 

 birds might forsake it. 



All in the house Avere enjoined to keep awa^^ from the 

 box until the birds were seen carrying food to the nest. 

 The box was then opened, and seven young birds were 

 found. From this time on the feeding and growth of the 

 young birds were observed through the glass. Mr, C. A. 

 Reed, the editor of " American Ornithology," became in- 

 terested in this young family ; and on June 10, having been 

 notified that the birds were ready to leave the nest, he came 

 with his camera to photograph them. The old birds had 

 now become so accustomed to our presence that they would 

 come and feed the 3^oung while people were at the open 

 window within a foot or two of the box. When sittino^ at 

 the window, one could see plainly the insects held in the 

 beaks of the old birds. Large insects were brought singly, 

 smaller ones in bunches or masses, — one almost might say 

 in mouthfuls. 



The old bird gathered ants, plant lice, spiders, etc., in its 

 bill until that was well filled, when it flew quickly to the 

 box, fed the 3'oung, cleaned the nest, and, taking the ex- 

 crement in its bill, flew away for more food. Sometimes 

 the most greedy youngster got the whole mouthful, at other 

 times the food was divided among the young. The follow- 

 ing notes, taken at the nest ^hile the camera was in posi- 

 tion, June 10, Avill show how little the birds were disturbed 

 by our presence, and how often they came with food that 

 forenoon. The box was opened and the camera set up at 

 9.50 o'clock. At 9.52, the female chickadee came with a 

 large, dark caterpillar. At 9.54, the male bird came with a 

 light, geometrid caterpillar. At 9.571/2, the male bird 

 brought two caterpillars. At 9.57i/'2, the female brought 



