A Domestic Tragedy 



163 



returned so I concluded all was well. Once more I tried to see if the male still 

 would have confidence in me. I stroked his head, touched his bill, and still he 

 moved not a feather. That day I left the woods feeling quite proud that I had 

 made the friendship of the long, but vainly sought Blue-headed Vireos. The 

 next day Dr. Allen of Cornell and a friend visited the nest and were able to 

 secure photographs as evidence of the bird's confiding nature. 



On June 16, about twenty days after the first time the male was seen incu- 

 bating, Dr. Allen again visited the nest hoping to find a family of Vireos, but 

 much to his amazement all he discovered was a Cowbird fledgling. What a dis- 

 appointment ! Where were the young Vireos? No doubt, in our absence, 

 another Cowbird had discovered the nest, and left the third bomb that resulted 

 in this calamity. 



CROW ABOUT TO FEED YOUNG 

 Photographed by Guy A. Bailey, Geneaeo, N. Y. 



