THE SCARLET IBIS. 
(Guara rubra.) 
the warmer parts of the globe and 
number, according to the best 
authorities, about thirty species, 
of which four occur in North America. 
The scarlet ibis is a South American 
species, though it has been recorded 
from Florida, Louisiana, and New 
Mexico. The ibises are silent birds, 
and live in flocks during the entire year. 
They feed along the shores of lakes, 
bays, and salt-water lagoons, and on 
mud flats, over which the tide rises 
vite: are distributed throughout 
and falls. Their food consists of crus- 
taceans, frogs, and small fish. 
Colonies of ibises build nests in 
reedy marshes, or in low trees and 
bushes not far from good feeding- 
grounds. Three to five pale greenish 
eggs, marked with chocolate, are found 
in the coarse, bulky nest of reeds and 
weed stalks. 
These birds are not so numerous as 
they once were. They have been wan- 
tonly destroyed for their plumage 
alone, the flesh being unfit for food. 
CHIPPY—A BABY -MOCKING BIRD. 
MARTHA CROMBIE WOOD. 
NE bright day early in August I 
C) sat by my windowwriting. My 
attention was soon attracted by 
a pair of mocking birds which 
were flying back and forth between a 
peach-tree and a plum-tree near by. 
These birds having been near neigh- 
bors of mine for some time, I had named 
them Jack and Jill. 
A family quarrel seemed brewing, for 
Jack evidently found more good points 
in the plum-tree and scolded Jill for 
spending any time in the peach-tree, 
while Jill was equally impressed with 
the favorable aspect of the peach-tree. 
I thought they were trying to decide 
upon a location for a nest and was soon 
convinced that I was right, for Jack 
ended the family disagreement by tak- 
ing a twig in his bill and carrying it to 
the plum-tree, where he began balanc- 
ing it among some of the small 
branches. His mate continued to scold 
from her place in the peach-tree, but 
when he paid no attention to her and 
went on with his work she soon relented 
and flew down to offer her assistance. 
With very little difficulty these birds 
could carry a twig six or eight’ inches 
long and a quarter of an inch in diame- 
ter. Several of these large twigs were 
jaid loosely among the forks of three 
small branches and then a more com- 
pact structure was placed upon this 
foundation. This was made of smaller 
twigs, with roots and stems of Bermuda 
grass twisted among them. A lining 
composed of horse hair, grass, cotton, 
a piece of satin ribbon some three 
inches long, bits of paper, string and 
rag completed the home. 
There was very little weaving in the 
construction of the nest and the most 
wonderful as well as the most curious 
thing about it was how it could be made 
so loosely and not fall apart during the 
very high winds which we have in cen- 
tral Texas. 
While the eggs were being hatched 
there was a violent storm which lasted 
all day, and several times I saw the tree 
bend nearly to the ground. Each time 
I was afraid I should see the destruc- 
tion of this home, which had become so 
interesting to me. As I watched the © 
tree writhe in the storm I began to ap- 
preciate the wisdom shown by the bird 
in the selection of the place for his nest, 
for it was in the part of the tree least 
disturbed by the wind and most thor- 
oughly protected from the rain. 
During the long nights the mocking 
bird often sang to his mate as she pa- 
tiently sat on the nest. 
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