THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



The Veery, in common with a large number of other 

 birds, builds a nest open at the top. The eggs, there- 

 fore, are often more or less exposed to the Crow, 

 the pilfering Jay, and the egg-stealing red squirrel. 

 This necessitates a very close and careful watch on 

 the part of the owners. At times it may seem that 

 the birds are not in sight, and that the eggs are de- 

 serted; but let the observer go too near, and invaria- 

 bly one or both old birds will let him know of their 

 presence by voicing their resentment and sending 

 abroad their cries of distress. 



Character of Material Used. — ^A wide variety of 

 material is used by birds that build open nests. Cot- 

 ton and feathers enter largely into the composition of 

 the lining of a Shrike's nest. In Florida the 

 Mockingbird shows a decided preference for the 

 withered leaves and stems of life-everlasting, better 

 known as the plant that produces " rabbit tobacco." 

 The nest of the Summer Tanager is made almost en- 

 tirely of grasses, the outer half being green, freshly 

 plucked blades that contrast strikingly with the 

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