852 



THE NATURE BOOK 



The number of Gannets which annually 

 visit the Bass Rock is estimated at from 

 sixteen to twenty thousand, and they are 

 regarded as pests by fishermen on account 

 of the enormous quantity of herring fry 

 they consume. 



The two photographs of young Black- 

 birds show difterent stages of development 

 though not the same birds. The blacka- 

 moors on the tree are more at ease than 



thus no necessity for them to turn round, 

 which is a very handy acquirement in 

 confined apartments. 



The ways of the Starling are some- 

 times curious in her efforts to feed 

 her young. Once while photographing 

 this bird I noticed that it chd not know 

 its nest hole " right off." There were 

 two nests in one part of a bridge, and 

 a Starhng would often alight at one hole 



WILD CHAFFINCH FEEDING YOUNG. 



the tribal members m the nest. This 

 sable-coated songster is as well known 

 as the Thrush, and almost as much 

 admired. His song appears to be a more 

 cut-and-dried production than that of 

 the Thrush. The Thrush is an inspired 

 musician. The Blackbird would appear to 

 be always going over his musical lesson, 

 and I think he learns it exceedingly well. 

 The mellow liquid notes are very refresh- 

 ing ; and when this sweet singer is 

 perched on the " highest turret " of 

 spruce or fir, his notes gather a new 

 meaning and give satisfying enjoyment. 

 Where young birds are brought up in 

 holes Nature adapts them to their sur- 

 roundings. For example, Woodjieckers 

 have little excrescences on their back 

 joints, and they go back and forward 

 in their confined homes with a shuttling 

 gait which is remarkably swift. There is 



first by mistake and then go over to the 

 other, which it entered. 



Starlings have often been suspected of 

 polygamy ; but if you get a nest con- 

 taining more than six eggs — the number 

 they generally lay — you must not judge 

 too hastily. It is quite possible that in 

 some cases, at least, the first female may 

 ha\'e died and the widower taken to 

 himself another wife. 



Young Swallows and House Martins 

 appeal to us chiefly because of the mar- 

 vellous rapidity of even their early flights. 

 Occasionally y(ju may come across a young 

 Swallow or House Martin too weak to fly. 

 In such a case carefully and tenderly 

 examine the bird and you will most hkely 

 find spidery-looking insects under its 

 wing. 



When I first saw these parasites I 

 did not hke to touch them, but one must 



