STUDY OF BIRD UF3 1 9 



achieve approximately the facility of action of old birds of the same 

 species is a notable point of observation in the study of bird life. 

 This aspect is well illustrated in the case of the Nuthatch family, 

 whose young can climb with almost the same cleverness as the 

 old birds. 



After the nesting season there follows a period that may not 

 ineptly be called family days, when the young are more or less 

 dependent on the old birds for food. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, 

 Bluebirds, Phoebes, Crested Fylcatchers, Goldfinches, and many 

 other species are seen in small flocks, which are undoubtedly 

 birds of one or more broods. But the single families speedily grow 

 into larger groups, which often comprise hundreds of the same 

 species. Bronzed Grackles, Cowbirds, Martins, and others fill 

 our fields, or groves, or the air with a multitude of living creatures. 

 One of the most noteworthy sights in autumn is a large flock of 

 Cowbirds flying, the males black and the females brown. 



At all times, but expeeially during the nesting season, birds 

 are exposed to many enemies. Among these are snakes, squirrels, 

 birds of prey, and the domestic cat. Although snakes and squirrels 

 destroy many eggs, it is mostly owls, crows, hawks, and cats that 

 are the greatest destroyers of bird life. My own observations and 

 those of my friends relate mostly to cats that roam at large. When 

 these creatures find a nest, they will watch it persistently, and as 

 the young birds fly weakly out, the cats will pounce upon them. 

 One spring the entire brood of a Catbird was thus killed by a single 

 cat at Notre Dame. 



The enemies of birds naturally suggest the problem of their 

 protection. No doubt nature's provision for the safety of all 

 creatures is the most effective. But nature's conditions have been 

 much altered by civilization, and this element has greatly added 

 to the difficulties of conserving bird life and animal life. Artificial 

 arrangements can not be adequately coped with by birds, and so 

 man must step in and meet the adverse situation by special safe- 

 guards. More intelligent attention to this subject should be paid 

 by all citizens, but by our vState Audubon societies the more 

 efficient protection of our birds should still be more carefully 

 studied. 



That birds should be helped to increase and become plentiful, 

 both in town and country, needs no proof at all. The beauty of 

 their bodies, their sweet strains in spring and summer, their use- 



