270 



Bird - Lore 



BLUE JAY BROODING 



their nest, nor did they disturb the small birds nesting near, nor would the 

 male come near the nest while the camera was in position. 



Perhaps the prettiest thing connected with the life of this nest occurred 

 when the young were twelve days old. I had taken three friends to see 

 them, and, as we were watching them from behind the fence, the mother- 

 bird brought food and fed one hungry youngster and was looking at them 

 from the edge of the nest, when the male came, also with food. Alighting 

 on the opposite side of the nest, he gave the food to his mate, who in turn 

 gave it to the young, a scene so attractive that I y/ished all those who cry 

 " thief" and denounce the Jay could have seen it. 



Coming and going, the birds were singularly quiet, giving utterance to 

 only a single note, which I associate with their nesting. So marked was their 

 silence while I was about the nest that one must attribute it to a desire not 

 to draw attention to their home. 



May 30, the young showed the first signs of fear and a disposition to 

 leave the nest. They were now well feathered, one being especially large and 

 keeping the best position in the now crowded nest. The morning of June 

 I they left the nest, and I photographed them on a branch. Now the old 

 birds were furious, and the male had gained the courage to join his mate; 

 several times they struck me in the face with their wings, even swoop- 



