74 



Wild Birds. 



Figs. 62, C3, 64, This series rcpresenis the Bluebird engaged in 

 cleaning her nest on three distinct visits^ at each of which food 

 was served. Nearly one half life size. 



help support her weight against the 

 side of the tree, hke a Woodpecker, 

 and I noticed that the tail feathers 

 were frayed and worn at the points. 

 The male during the numerous 

 visits which followed came two or 

 three times and sat above the door, 

 but never actualh' entered it, and 

 never brought to the young a single 

 morsel of food in the course of the 

 entire day. He would warble very 

 sweetly, however, and probably en- 

 couraged the exertions of his mate. 

 The next time this bird appeared 

 with a grasshopper she did not trust 

 herself inside, but stood at the en- 

 trance, put her head in and as quickU- 

 drew back to take another glance 

 around, then leaned far down and fed 

 her clamoring brood. When she came 

 again, I made a picture of her as she 

 stood at the hole, and in so doing 

 frightened her off, but she was back 

 in an instant, and another picture was 

 secured as she left the nest. At this 

 moment a flock of Goldfinches flew 

 overhead, and were heard calling bc- 

 hc ! be-bc ! , at which the young Blue- 

 birds were instantl)' aroused, and 

 made the old stump resound again 

 with theircries. After man_\' grasshop- 

 pers and crickets had been dispatched, 

 a hairy robber fl_\', or Asilus already 

 mentioned, was brought in. Then 

 another bright green katydid, with its 

 wings half spread in its vain effort to 

 get free, was served to the young. If 

 frightened in an attempt to enter the 

 nest this bird invariably returned 

 shortly, and after the feeding was 

 over, would take the excreta, and fly 

 some distance before dropping it. In 

 no case was it known to be eaten at 

 the nest. During the afternoon, when 

 t]u-~e birds had become more at ease 



