62 Bird Studies. 



in the large cage that had been provided for them. They were then seven- 

 teen days old, and a photograph of one taken at that time is appended. 



From this time on they grew rapidly and on July I5th were full grown 

 and fully fledged, looking very like the old birds, save for their somewhat 

 grayer blue feathers and generally softer plumage. 



They now began to moult their plumage, except the wing and tail 

 feathers, and during the first week in August had finished this change, having 

 the gray of the back replaced by shiny blue, and the body plumage by clearer 

 colored and stronger feathers. These birds at this writing, October i, 1897, 

 are still in my possession ; they have undergone some further changes by 

 moulting, all of the feathers of the wings and tail having been replaced, as 

 well as those of the head and throat. They are very tame, and live at 

 liberty in a large airy room with other birds taken in this and previous years, 

 and kept for observation and study. 



The reader's attention is called to the fact that the nest of June i6th 

 had only been disturbed when the young birds were taken out for a few 

 moments to be photographed, and that it still remained in its original posi- 

 tion. The old birds did not seem in any way to resent the intrusion, but 

 continued the care of their brood. When on June 3Oth two of the young 

 were finally taken from the nest, it was left to the possession of the parents 

 and the two remaining chicks. It is unnecessary to allude to the solicitude, 

 shown young birds by their parents, but too much stress cannot be laid on 

 the extreme care taken in removing all dirt and excrement from the nest, and 



c> 



the resulting cleanliness. This can only be realized by the examination of 

 many recently abandoned nests where broods of singing birds have been 

 raised. Aside from a certain wear and settling they can scarcely be distin- 

 guished from those newly built. 



A further word in regard to the movements of very young birds seems 

 essential. These movements are accomplished largely by the aid of the feet 

 and legs. At first birds rest on their entire foot to the heel. They exercise 

 the muscles of their legs by constantly opening and closing their feet. This 

 motion is uninterrupted, save when the birds sleep. How large a factor the 

 linings of nests form at this period of their lives is only to be appreciated by 

 watching nestlings. As one foot is opened the other closes on the twigs, 

 rootlets, or fine grasses, the bird never slipping and always sustained. 



In attempting to raise a brood of Blue Jays, having secured birds about 

 ten days old, I left them in their nest, but thinking to keep the birds clean 

 and free from the dirt they made, I placed a cotton cloth between the birds 



