110 
N£STS AND EGGS OF 
show itself as early as the fifteeuth of June, or as late as the middle of 
September, or during any intermediate period. 
The nest being prepared for occupancy, on the ensuing day the female 
commences to deposit her first egg. This is followed by a second on the 
next day, when further efforts in this direction cease, and incubation at 
once proceeds. This lasts for fourteen days, and is chiefly the task of the 
female. Although the male occasionally takes the nest, yet his principal 
duty is to supply his mistress with food. When not thus occupied, he is 
seldom observed on the same tree, but stations himself close-by, where he 
is ready at all times to answer to her summons. Should the nest be 
approached by human enemies, the female makes no effort to protect it, 
but vacates in a hurry, and silently contem^slates, from a stump, or 
fence-rail, in the immediate vicinity, the intended desecration. The male, 
however, is more timid, and surveys the scene with the same quiet, sorrow- 
stricken expression, but from a safe distance. A few days of lamentation, 
and their troubles are in a measure forgotten. The disappointed couj^le, if 
the season be not too far advanced, not to be frustrated in their plans, 
now seek other quarters, where they hope to achieve the object of their 
mission in peace and prosperity. In places where the nest is not interfered 
with, the same spot is chosen on each return of the breeding-season. 
There is one feature about these birds that should not be passed over. 
We refer to their fidelity. Unlike many females, our lady-bird disdains 
the meaningless flirtations which characterize the actions of so many of our 
smaller insessorial birds about the mating-time. In no way does she 
encourage the attentions of other birds, nor will she even tolerate them. 
The male is not behind his partner in this particular. To show his 
appreciation of her, a dozen times a day he comes before her presence, 
parades himself backward and forward in front of her admiring gaze, 
trails his wings, and, ever and anon, puffs himself up to more than his 
ordinary capacity. Assured of her pleasure, he temporarily abandons these 
pompous manoeuvres, and manifests his regard for her by thrusting his 
bill into her mouth and discharging therein the contents of his crop. 
