BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 125 



A bird's enemies are numerous, but the methods of nest conceal- 

 ment are just as numerous. The commonest method is the selec- 

 tion of a site which will be concealed from all points of view by 

 surrounding grasses or leaves. In photographing a nest it is 

 usually necessary to move the leaves from above or in front of 

 the nest, hence a picture of it does not show the normal condi- 

 tion of concealment. Other methods of concealment or protec- 

 tion employed by various species are the building of roofs over 

 the nest either by using nesting material (meadowlark) or by 

 pulling the grasses together over the nest (sora), and the build- 

 ing of the nest in accessible places. 



(1) Concealed 



Field sparrow Nu SpF2 



Ovenbird Nu Ov2 



Indigo bunting Nu BuI2 



Least flycatcher Nu FnL2 



Meadowlark Nu Mf2 



Slate-colored junco Nu JuS6 



Sora Nu So3 



Pied-billed grebe Nu GsP2 



How is each concealed? 



(2) Inaccessible 



Duck hawk, on ledge 

 Black-crowned night heron, in tree top 

 Oriole, on tip of branch 

 Osprey, normal site, in tall tree 

 Osprey, on Gardiners island 



There being no terrestrial enemies such as cats, skunks, coons, 

 weasels, minks and depredating men on Gardiners island, the 

 osprey returns to nesting on the ground. 



b Attachment to 



A bird becomes greatly attached to its nesting site and in 

 many cases an individual returns to the same bush or tree year 

 after year. If the old nest is still substantial, it is repaired ; but 

 as a rule a new nest is built in the vicinity of the old. 



Eagle, nest several years old Nu EB 



Phoebe, two nests side by side Nu Pk32 



Oriole, two nests close together Nu OrB3 



