28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



perfect composure and flew away for more supplies. Soon he 

 returned with a May-fly, hesitated for a second, then went 

 straight to work and never faltered thereafter during the forty 

 minutes in which we remained glued to the spot, witnesses to 

 the most intimate relations of this fascinating bird and hungry 

 brood and in the closest proximity it has ever been my good 

 fortune to be placed. In that space of time this devoted parent 

 carried in some six or seven worms, two May-flies and a beetle, 

 and twice removed cases of excrement as he came out. The 

 hen at first did not appear, and when she did with a worm, ex- 

 hibited much excitement, and although she made several ad- 

 vances toward the nest, her courage failed and she would shy 

 off, uttering constant chipping notes of alarm. Her actions in 

 no wise daunted the brave little cock, who continued about his 

 duties unflinchingly. It seemed extraordinary that courage 

 inspired by parental devotion should have been thus shown so 

 much more strongly in the male than in the female, from whom 

 it naturally would be expected. 



Once while thus posted in the willows, a Yellow-throated 

 Vireo lit almost on my shoulder, and his surprise at meeting us 

 in such a sequestered spot and his subseqent panic were most 

 amusing, for it was not long before he concluded that it was 

 wiser to put more space between us. 



Passing on in a further search amongst the willows, our 

 attention was attracted to a movement in the crevice of a dead 

 stub which projected from a live tree. Within the tiny hole 

 fifteen inches above the water, something like a mouse seemed 

 to be revolving. It proved to be the tail of a bird, and pres- 

 ently the head of the owner appeared and out popped a female 

 Prothonotary to our profound astonishment. Within was a 

 nest carefully built of moss, bark strippings and grasses about 

 ready to receive the eggs. After a wait of two or three minutes, 

 the bird returned with a small piece of grass, which she carried 

 in, performing again the same revolving antics. Here at last 

 was the prospective chance of finding a nest of eggs, but it 

 involved another expedition, so we withdrew and reflected with 

 satisfaction upon the experience of the day. It had indeed 

 been one of ample reward and one not to be forgotten or soon 

 repeated. 



