DOMESTIC LIFE OF THE BIRDS 



ing desperately in a frantic effort to feed one or 

 more great hulking Cowbirds twice its size. It is 

 little wonder that discerning people are not fond of 

 the Cowbird. Even the birds seem to regard it as 

 an outcast from avian society, and rarely associate 

 with it on friendly terms. This is the only species 

 of North American birds that exhibits such deprav- 

 ity. ' 



All other birds display great willingness to attend 

 to their home duties, and often give evidence of 

 keen delight while so engaged. One of the most 

 exquisite and dainty forms of bird life found in the 

 United States is the little Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 

 When occupied in building the nest, which is usually 

 saddled on the limb of some forest tree, the birds 

 call to each other constantly; and even after the 

 eggs are laid there is no attempt to restrain their 

 expressions of happiness. Unlike the Crow and Jay, 

 that sometimes appropriate the nests of other birds, 

 these little creatures have no sins to answer for to 

 their neighbours. One of the most pleasing sights I 

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