I70 Bird -Lore 



Naturally, I was very desirous that the birds should not be in any way 

 disturbed, at least until they had become thoroughly established in their new 

 home. Therefore I made no attempt to see the eggs. But on May 22 I felt 

 quite sure that the young had hatched, so I cautiously lifted the lid of the box, 

 and looking in, saw a downy blackish mass, in which I could count seven yellow 

 bills. I was careful to stay near the nest only a moment, but I discovered after- 

 ward that I need not have been so particular, for the old birds, especially the 

 male, seemed to be quite unconcerned when I approached even to within ten 

 feet or so of it. 



The parents were now kept busy feeding their young, and I saw them bring 

 winged insects, small green caterpillars, and suet. I was interested to find that 

 the suet apparently formed a considerable proportion of the young birds' diet, 

 and I saw the parents make many trips from the suet-holders to the nest, a dis- 

 tance of some fifty yards. The birds would generally make two or three trips 

 to the suet and then go off for something else. 



On June 2, Mr. E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, came 

 out to take some photographs. He looked into the nest and could see at least 

 six young birds which seemed to be about ready to fly. They were still in the 

 nest on June 4, but on the morning of June 5 the box was empty. We discovered 

 some of the young birds in pine trees not far away and found that they were 

 active and could fly well. In fact they closely resembled the adults except for 

 being lighter in color. 



Several times during the next few days I saw some of the young birds 

 perched close to the suet, being fed with it by one of their parents. And in less 

 than ten days after the young had left the nest I saw two of them picking at it 

 unaided. 



The Nuthatches remained in the vicinity until some time in August, but 

 I have not seen them at all during the last six months. It will be interesting 

 to see whether or not any of them return in the spring to nest. 



As far as I have yet been able to ascertain, this is the first record of the Red- 

 breasted Nuthatch having nested in a bird-box and I would be glad to know 

 if any other cases have ever been reported. 



I never heard the Nuthatches give any "song" other than their usual 

 nasal notes, but during the breeding-season they frequently indulged in low 

 conversational twitterings, which were both pleasing and expressive. 



