170 BIRDS 



In spite of all his efforts at driving them away by shoot- 

 ing and by destroying their homes, they persisted in 

 returning in increasing numbers. At the time of my 

 visit there were fully five hundred nests located in easily 

 accessible positions, for good picturing. Birds and eggs 

 were in all stages of incubation and growth, for the old 

 birds had rebuilt many nests destroyed by the farmer. 

 The female remained on the eggs while I set my tripod 

 up within three feet of her. (Fig. 90.) 



The noise of the birds, when a gun was fired into 

 their midst, was of deafening intensity as they flew in 

 confusion about the magnolia grove and returned to their 

 nests. 



