AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



325 



is a whistle that may be likened to a repetition of their family name 

 "Curlew." 



During the latter part of April they pass us on their way to the 

 breeding grounds which are in the Arctic regions, mainly in the inte- 

 rior. Here during June their set of eggs is laid. These are very large 

 for the size of the bird and are very dark colored. The young follow 

 their parents almost as soon as they are out of the shell and are devot- 

 edly attended by the latter. 



If approached they hide behind a stone or squat down in a hollow 

 where they attract surprisingly little notice, the parents in the mean- 

 time doing their best to attract the intruder away. During the breed- 

 ing season one of the adults may often be seen standing on one foot, 

 dozing on a fallen down or decayed tree. As soon as the young are 

 strong enough, the family starts on it's southern, journey which 

 frequently continues until they reach the extremity of Patagonia in 

 South America, thus making one of the longest migratory flights of 

 any of our birds. 



OUR FEATHERED NEIGHBORS. 



few years ago, while living in the 

 village of West Grove, Chester coun- 

 ty, Pennsylvania, I observed an un- 

 usual number of different birds in 

 our own immediate yard and garden, 

 nearly all of which built their homes 

 within the narrow limits of our prop- 

 erty. Being deeply interested in bird 

 doings, and appreciating their friend- 

 ship and confidence, I carefully watch- 

 ed the progress of their daily labors, 

 and their respective traits and indi- 

 vidual habits. Our buildings con- 

 sisted of a house, small stable and 

 carpenter shop, and I was much grat- 

 ified to see so many pretty birds 

 nesting at our very doors. 



In the front yard stood three tall 

 pine trees. In one of these a pair of 

 Black Birds made their nest and 

 reared two broods of young, and a 

 Gold Finch also chose one of the lower branches of the same tree, in 



