BIEDS' EGGS. 



"Admtre the bird's egg and leave it in its 

 nest" is a wiser forbearance than "Love the 

 wood-rose and leave it on its stalk." We will 

 try to leave these eggs in the nest, and as far 

 as possible show the bird and the nest with them. 



The first egg of spring is undoubtedly a hen's 

 egg. The domestic fowls, not being compelled 

 to shift for themselves, and having artificial 

 shelter, are not so mindful of the weather and 

 the seasons as the wild birds. But the hen of 

 the woods and the hen of the prairie, namely, 

 the ruff'ed and the pinnated grouse, do not 

 usually nest till the season is so far advanced 

 that danger from frost is past. 



The first wild egg, in New York and New 

 England, is probably that of an owl, the great 

 horned owl, it is said, laying as early as 

 March. They probably shelter their eggs from 

 the frost and the snow before incubation be- 

 gins. The little screech-owl waits till April, and 

 seeks the deep snug cavity of an old tree; the 

 heart of a decayed apple-tree suits him well. 

 Begin your search by the middle of April, and 

 before the month is past you will find the four 

 white, round eggs resting upon a little dry grass 

 or a few dry leaves in the bottom of a long 



