DOMESTIC LIFE OF THE BIRDS 



an immunity from domestic duties that might cause 

 the lady Hornbill many an envious sigh did she know 

 of the freedom of her American sister. 



Mrs. Phalarope has no intention of being shut in 

 with her eggs for a month while her mate goes roam- 

 ing at large about the country, nor has she any idea 

 of playing the part of the Georgia Mockingbird 

 and bringing five-sixths of the food which the young 

 require. Her method of procedure is first to permit 

 her mate to search for a suitable nesting site. When 

 some sheltered spot in the ground, quite to her liking, 

 has been found she deposits the eggs and goes her 

 way. Little companies of female Phalaropes may be 

 seen at this time of the year frequenting the ponds 

 and sloughs they inhabit. The dutiful and well- 

 trained males are all at home, where they are re- 

 sponsible for the entire task of caring for, and incu- 

 bating, the eggs. 



Length of Mated Life. — The length of time which 

 birds remain mated is a question often asked but 

 seldom answered satisfactorily. The truth of the 

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