12 Bird - Lore 



Cooper's and Red-shouldered Hawks, which used to live here, have 

 departed, while English Sparrows, that are never very keen about places of 

 this sort, seem to shun it. Once in a while I shoot a few young ones in 

 the autumn about the hen-yard, but that is all. 



Of Crows we have many. They have always built upon the place; and 

 within half a mile is a roost that, in summer, lodges each night from 150 to 800, 

 depending upon the season. I can not find that on this place they ever destroyed 

 a bird's nest, though I do have to protect my corn and peas by various devices. 



Of Jays we have numbers, at least two pairs breeding, and, while I am 

 usually distrustful of them, I can not find but that here they live on amicable 

 terms with their neighbors. There have been many nests of young birds upon 

 which I have kept an eye, and I have yet to find any evidence of their 

 having been disturbed by Jays. 



Of the Screech Owls I wish I could speak as well. They are great pets of 

 mine, whistling almost nightly outside my window, and coming close when 

 I imitate them. 



We are taught by our paternal government that they are beneficial, and 

 the majority of them undoubtedly are; but I found, in the spring of 1910, that 

 this especial pair had lined their nest very warmly and elaborately with the 

 freshly-plucked feathers of many small birds, including Chickadees, Juncos, 

 Downy Woodpeckers, Flickers, and Jays, that I had lately missed; and it 

 seems to me that the career of these Owls, like this article, should end. 





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COWBIRD 

 Photographed by Guy A. Bailey 



