This spring was an unusually favorable one for 

 them. I noticed the least flycatcher and the Mary- 

 land yellowthroat mothering young cowbirds, and 

 many vireos and warblers so engaged. It is a wary 

 caution that leads the cowbird to choose the 

 smaller birds for her vidtims. 



It would be hard to say which of all the foster- 

 mothers is the more solicitous of her charge. Now 

 it appears to be the redeye, and again the chip- 

 ping-sparrow. All alike are bent on bringing the 

 birdling to maturity as though it were of first im- 

 portance. That cowbird shall thrive though the 

 heavens fall. The attention seems to be in propor- 

 tion to the egregious demands of the foundling. 

 Here at least is a waif well cared for, an upstart 

 that takes precedence over the true and lawful 

 heirs. Another year this same adventuress will in- 

 vade the nests of her adopted sisters. 



The yellow warbler is perhaps the oftenest 

 chosen. Accessible and easily found, the nest is a 

 beautiful cup-shaped structure lodged in the fork 

 of a fruit tree, with perchance a spray of blossoms 

 just over it — a house of silk, a satin bower. How 

 awkward and uncouth must the cowbird appear 

 squatting on this fragile silken thing to lay her 



37 



