AMERICAN OUXITUOLOUY. 



39 



had been caught in a sort of thorn trap in the midst of a thick bush. It 

 had perhaps crept into the place to escape an enemy, and found it im- 

 possible to back out. 



In contrast with the disaster that overtook the robin of the hedge, I 

 present the picture of a happy and fortunate robin family. The nest 

 was built in a grapevine trailing over the side of a barn in a yard 

 adjoining my own. This was right in the midst of the residence part 

 of the town, and where people passed many times a day going to the 

 barn. The little nursery was about four feet and a half from the door, 

 partly in front of a window. 



The photographer arranged his camera, and then waited, bulb in 

 hand, about an hour before the mother bird ventured to feed her 

 young; but after she had given them their rations, she sat quietly in 

 the branches a little above the nest while the camera man arranged his 

 plates for several exposures. Madam Robin hunted for worms for 

 her bantlings in my rear and front yards, coming close to the house and 

 showing little fear of her human neighbors. I could sit in plain sight 

 on my back porch and watch her hunting for food and feeding her 

 hungry bairns. 



Photo by R. H. Beebe. 



YOUNG BLUE JAYS. 



