1 7.8 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



perfect jewel of a nest. We watched the mother bird throughout 

 the period of incubation, and especially enjoyed seeing her feed her 

 baby, bird — only one of the two eggs hatched. I also' found a 

 perfect humming bird's nest under a tree, which had evidently been 

 blown from the limb ; so we really think we had two hummingbirds' 

 nests, but have no record of one of them. 



I shall never again permit a sparrow hawk to nest on the grounds. I 

 am sure he drove many birds away, for often I would observe him 

 perched in the top of a tall oak tree, and suddenly dart like an 

 arrow for smaller birds that happened to alight in his vicinity. 

 Besides, none of the nesting boxes near the sparrow hawk's nest 

 were occupied. 



We did not locate a cardinal's nest this year, although the grounds 

 were full of them nearly all the time. I know they were nesting 

 nearby, but we were unable to find the nests. 



I wish everyone could appreciate the great returns in pleasure 

 and satisfaction in protecting and attracting the song birds to their 

 home grounds Certainly no other investment brings greater 

 returns. 



