45 



ming on the various ponds undisturbed, although in close 

 proximity to man, is fraught with significance to the quick 

 perceptions of wild, birds, large and small. Their keen per- 

 ceptions and superior powers of intelligence tell them that 

 such unwonted altruistic conditions must offer advantages. 

 The result is an almost immediate recognition of their secur- 

 ity in the Park which is truly remarkable, and birds which 

 seldom show themselves within sight of civilization liave 

 come again and again, and exhibited a tameness which 

 deceives many people into thinking they must be escaped 

 birds. The honored visitation of Canada Geese will long tes- 

 tify to the truth of this fact. Wild sea-gulls not infrequently 

 drop from the loose flocks passing overhead, and consort for 

 a few days with their wing-clipped kindred. When they 

 leave, the young gulls which have been hatched in the Park 

 usually accompany them, but return in a few hours to their 

 home and flock. Ducks, herons, and hawks show a similarl}^ 

 quick realization of their immunity from danger in the Park. 

 Green Herons creep like feathered phantoms among the 

 branches of the trees overhanging the water, while Great 

 Blue, and Black-crowned Night Herons, forgettmg all shyness, 

 clamber over the arches of the big flying cage in broad day- 

 light, and in sight of hundreds of people, peering down at 

 their brethren inside and uttermg envious squawks as they 

 see the bountiful repast of fish and shrimps prepared for 

 those fortmiate ones. 



The manner in which -the tame Crows raised from the nest 

 are treated by their wild relations offers an interesting 

 psychological study. Casual notes of mine show that the 

 condition of affairs is about as follows : The tame individ- 

 uals are a source of great concern to their wild friends. 

 That no gun will be turned against them these latter birds 

 soon learn, but the absolute familiarity with man exhibited 

 b}' the tame Crows — for they closely accompany the attend- 

 ants during every important alteration of cages or changing 



