DOMESTIC LIFE OF THE BIRDS 



water. When you find one nest of the Grackle you 

 are pretty certain to find several other occupied nests 

 in the immediate vicinity. From three to six of these 

 marvellous cradles, with their quiet brown female 

 owners, often appear to be watched over by one shin- 

 ing, iridescent lord Grackle, who may be husband to 

 them all. He guards his own with jealous care. Evi- 

 dently, too, he desires the whole country to know that 

 he is the most handsome, ferocious bird on the earth ; 

 for all day long his hoarse shoutings may be heard, 

 and when he launches into the air, the sound of the 

 ponderous beating of his wings can, on a still day, be 

 heard half a mile away, across the lake. 



One of the best-known polygamous birds of North 

 America is the Wild Turkey. Go into any part of 

 the country where this fast-disappearing game bird 

 still survives, and the experienced local gunners will 

 tell you that in the mating season you will usually 

 find a gobbler accompanied by two or more Turkey 

 hens. When a female gets ready to make her nest 

 she slips away from her sultan and the other members 

 [ 55 ] 



