78 PROCKEDINGS MANCHESTER INSTITUTE 



young while we were near, but hovered around, reiterating their 

 soft warble. 



When happy chance gives one leisure in nesting time, what 

 family secrets he is let into, in the bird world. Sitting patient- 

 ly under a fragrant pine, and listening to the bird notes in all 

 directions, and one near, that of the oven-bird, or golden- 

 crowned thrush (as he is sometimes called) , we saw his mate 

 fly past repeatedly with food for the young. Knowing that it 

 would be a rare thing to find the fairy oven, we made diligent 

 search, but without success. Returning the next daj', by acci- 

 dent we so nearly stepped on the nest that the overgrown babies 

 made good their escape. In so doing, they revealed the nest, 

 composed of a few chestnut leaves, but mainly of pine needles ; 

 it was at the base of a pitch pine. Having ruthlessly disturbed 

 their peace, we tried to gather the frightened brood, but it was 

 of no use ; we desisted, and they disappeared as completely as 

 do 3^oung partridges, when fairly grown, hidden by their pro- 

 tective coloring among the dry leaves. 



'Twas here, in this same wood, that we were shown the leafy 

 nest of Madam Partridge, the ruffed grouse. It held a dozen 

 pure white eggs, and some days later we were there when two 

 or three downy babies had just hatched and were standing with- 

 out the nest. They were so tiny, and wobbly on their little yel- 

 low legs, that they cuddled in our hands, too young to be afraid. 

 Not so the brave little mother. Fear was in her eye, so we with- 

 drew, leaving her still sitting. One of the most difficult nests 

 to secure and keep in shape was that of the Black-billed Cuckoo, 

 The typical apple twig though sometimes straight, is covered with 

 lichens and knotty protuberances. The nest was made almost 

 entirely of such twigs, with a few mosses, and clusters of apple- 

 blossoms for lining. Did the bird gather the latter for fragrance 

 and decoration? The tender petals with surrounding soft, green, 

 young leaves were at least fragrant and beautiful for a da}^ Each 

 year, one or more pairs of these beautiful, shy birds, have been 

 seen near the Reservoir. It is hoped that a fresh specimen of 

 their nest building may be added to our collection. 



Many Institute observers think that the Prairie Warbler un- 



