Ill 



birds' eggs 



A DMIKE the bird's egg and leave it in its 

 -^--*- nest" is a wiser forbearance than "Love 

 the wood-rose and leave it on its stalk." We will 

 try to leave these eggs in the nest, and as far as 

 possible show the bird and the nest with them. 



The first egg of spring is undoubtedly a hen's 

 egg. The domestic fowls, not being compelled to 

 shift for themselves, and having artificial shelter, 

 are not so mindful of the weather and the seasons as 

 the wild birds. But the hen of the woods and the 

 hen of the prairie, namely, the ruffed and the pin- 

 nated grouse, do not usually nest tiU the season is so 

 far advanced that danger from frost is past. 



The first wild egg, in New York and New Eng- 

 land, is probably that of an owl, the great horned 

 owl, it is said, laying as early as March. They 

 probably shelter their eggs from the frost and the 

 snow before incubation begins. The little screech 

 owl waits till April, and seeks the deep snug cavity 

 of an old tree; the heart of a decayed apple-tree 

 suits him well. Begin your search by the middle of 

 April, and before the month is past you will find the 

 four white, round eggs resting upon a little dry 



