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Bird - Lore 



noon satisfied, or perhaps dissatisfied, my curiosity, for a Cowbird's egg had 

 been deposited. For some time I debated seriously whether I should remove 

 the Cowbird's egg from the nest. To me it seemed a perplexing situation for 

 the Vireos to face. The unwelcomed egg was destroyed. 



Early the following day,, when both parents had slipped away for their 

 breakfast, I managed to take another peep, and well was I rewarded, for there 



I saw one egg of the Vireo, followed by 

 another on the second day, and a third 

 on the succeeding day. I was exube- 

 rant with joy, and I longed to see the 

 day when the young would crack their 

 shells and get their first glimpse of the 

 world. 



The next day four eggs were found. 

 Careful observation however, revealed 

 that another Cowbird's egg had been 

 slipped into the nest and lay by the 

 side of the three of the Vireo 's own. 

 Just then, the male returned. He lit 

 on the edge of the nest and glanced in. 

 Something was wrong. He became 

 alarmed, flew to a neighboring hemlock, 

 singing with all the life and energy his 

 little body possessed. What a strange 

 action ! His excitation was calmed by 

 an outburst of song. Of course, I could 

 not resist the temptation of removing 

 the Cowbird's egg. 



My frequent visits assured me that 

 my new friends were becoming quite accustomed to my presence, for they 

 offered no signs of alarm or curiosity. However, I was anxious to see how 

 near I could approach without causing great disturbance. I had often heard 

 of their confiding nature. Very carefully I raised my hand and tried to touch 

 the beautiful hanging-basket. Not a stir ! Not even a movement of the head 

 to see who the intruder might be. I actually stroked its back. Instead of 

 fluttering his wings, as the majority would do, he merely twisted his neck and 

 looked at this ungainly sized hand. He was curious indeed, but not alarmed. 

 He remained faithfully at his post. Excepting the Chickadee, I had never 

 before had the pleasure of touching a wild bird. To me it was the event of 

 spring. If I had only had a camera, what a delightful representation of confi- 

 dence would I have secured. 



As usual, I found the birds there the following day, flitting back and forth 

 in search of food. They exhibited no signs of alarm, curiosity, or fear when they 



YOUNG COWBIRD AND BLUE-HEADED 

 VIREO'S NEST 



