THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



of the seraglio and, going to some broom-sedge field 

 or open place in the woods, constructs her nest on 

 the ground beneath some slight, convenient shelter. 

 Day after day she absents herself for a short time, 

 and the speckled treasures grow in number until 

 from twelve to fifteen have been deposited. All this 

 time her movements are characterized by absolute 

 secrecy, for if the gobbler by any chance comes 

 upon the nest he immediately breaks every egg. 

 He is perhaps wise enough to know that when 

 his hens begin to set lonely times are in store for 

 him. 



The Outcast. — One of our wild birds whose domes- 

 tic relations are not fully understood is strongly 

 suspected of being promiscuously polygamous. Sus- 

 picion on this point is heightened by the fact 

 that it never has a nest even of the most humble 

 character, and shuns absolutely all the ordinary 

 dangers and responsibilities of parentage. We call 

 this seemingly unnatural creature the Cowbird, 

 probably because it is often seen feeding in pastures 

 [56] 



