THE CHICKEN THIEF 



51 



a slight depression in the center of the nearly 

 flat nest and no lining, excepting a few scales 

 of bark. In the nest were three white eggs 

 with a slight bluish tinge. Evidently incuba- 

 tion had been in progress several days, for all 

 three eggs hatched on June 20, only twelve 

 days later, and most authorities give twenty- 

 four days as the period of incubation of the 

 cooper hawk. 



When the Naturalist undertook the task of 

 making a photograph of the nest and eggs, he 

 found that it was no easy task. It was not diffi- 

 cult to reach the site, but there was no limb on 

 which to stand nor any suitable support within 

 reach on which to place the camera. Accord- 

 ingly, after trying 

 various schemes 

 without result, he 

 strapped himself 

 to the body of the 

 tree immediately 

 above the nest and, 

 with both hands 

 free to manipulate 

 the camera, se- 

 cured the picture 

 shown herewith. 



In the nest were three white eggs 

 with a slight bluish tinge. 



