145 



the occurrence was noted to be looked up later. On June 

 thirtieth search of the tree revealed a typical Cherry-bird 

 nest containing four dull bluish eggs with few black spots. 



This pair of Cedar-birds made an unfortunate choice of a 

 nesting site, for they had built their house on two crossing 

 limbs. Every time the wind blew, their house tipped back 

 and forth and threatened to spill the contents out. As we 

 did not wish such a calamity to happen, we tied the branches 

 together and then, as an additional precaution, tied the nest 

 more firmly in place. Probably the birds did not appreciate 

 this kindness but it undoubtedly saved the lives of their 

 little ones as will be seen later. While we were engaged in 

 making over their home as we thought it should be, the two 

 Cedar-birds perched on the topmost branches and feebly 

 protested. 



It was twenty days before we again visited the nest. We 

 could see from a distance that it was safe and that the 

 parent birds were busy feeding little ones. They both left 

 and flew about overhead until they calmed sufficiently to 

 alight on their lookout perches and watch to see what we 

 were about. 



As soon as the branch was touched, up flew four heads 

 with wide open mouths the interior of which was blood-red 

 in color, — very diff"erent from that of the young of other 

 birds. They were repulsive little things, — closed eyes, skin 

 like soft black leather and not a sign of feathers about 

 them.. As soon as they found that no food was forthcoming, 

 they cuddled down in the bottom of the nest and remained 

 quiet while we were making our preparations. 



The limbs were weighted with a large stone so as to bring 

 the nest down to a height of about five feet, all intervening 

 branches were tied out of the way and the one that shaded 

 the nest had a string attached so that it could be pulled to 

 one side and let sunlight strike the nest when we wished. 



After seeing that the picture was satisfactory on the 



!■) 



