The Sage Sparrows 



^^ 



Photo by the Author 



NESTING HAUNT OF THE BELL SPARROW 



PERFECTLY TYPICAL ALSO OF THE SAGE SPARROW'S RANGE 



Three days later I returned with the Graflex and took snap-shots at 

 five feet. The day following I came with the Premo, straddling legs, 

 flapping cover-cloth and all, and I made the little mother a promise. If 

 she will sit for her portrait at the Premo limit of two feet, I will not touch 

 her eggs. Agreed! She allows me to make all but the final adjustments 

 without leaving her eggs. Finally, however, the strain becomes a little 

 too great, and she slips off, but only to stand at six inches remove on the 

 same bush. She holds her ground, too, when I snip away some twigs 

 which obstruct the view, only craning her head and standing on tiptoe to 

 see what I am about. Upon my retiring she immediately returns to her 

 charge, and I am able to photograph her twice at two feet, using only 

 the ordinary bulb. What extraordinary courage! What an over- 

 mastering power is this mother love! Here am I a hulking six-footer, 

 backed by engines of unguessed potency, towering over a bit of a bird 

 whose very heart is no bigger than the end of my little finger. She is 

 free to fly, but she flies not. Her place is here, and here will she stick 

 though the heavens fall ! 



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