52 



HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



ground. The red thrush, the mocking-bird, and many 

 others, although inferior in strength, never allow him 

 to approach their nests with impunity ; and the jay, to 

 be even with them, creeps silently to it in their absence, 

 and devours their eggs and young whenever he finds an 

 opportunity." But, as far as my observation extends, 

 he seldom finds an opportunity : nests are not often left 

 unguarded. 



KILLDEE PLOVER. 



A pair of killdee plovers (JEgialite$ vociferus) are at 

 home on the lower terrace adjoining the river. The 

 plumage of this bird is beautiful : a soft orange-brown 

 color on the rump and upper tail coverts, the head 

 white, with a clearly defined black band across the 

 crown, and two others encircling the white neck and 

 breast. 



These elegant, graceful creatures are not very trust- 



