The Solitary Vireos 
at once ceases should 
any unusual noise occur. 
They are most cour¬ 
ageous while on the nest, 
seldom leaving until re¬ 
moved by hand, when 
both birds remain 
within a few feet of the 
intruder, scolding vig¬ 
orously. 
Of this courageous 
confidence on the part 
of sitting birds we have 
abundant testimony. 
While it is characteristic 
of the species, there are 
wide individual depar¬ 
tures. Of a pair I had 
under close observation 
for three weeks in 
Modoc County, the fe¬ 
male would submit to being lifted from the nest, while the male would 
fly at three or four feet. The male, moreover, was greatly disturbed 
over what he considered my undue familiarity with his mate. 
Bird psychology is sometimes a very disappointing thing. 
Psychological experimentation, likewise, is often inconclusive, because 
of our lack of insight into many of its operating causes. After two 
weeks’ study of the nest, shown indifferently on this page, having nursed 
the brood through two storms and otherwise proven myself a good 
fellow, and having, as I supposed, made a decided hit with the mistress 
of the manse, I sought to secure better photographs than the shaded 
situation allowed. So, finding the female Cassin astride of her three 
ungainly youngsters, I first stroked her gently, then insistently pressed 
her foot until she clambered up on the edge of the nest to be rid of annoy¬ 
ance. Presently she flew for food, and after her return I cut the nest 
branch and lashed it to another sapling in the sunlight 25 feet away, 
then retired to await results. Neither bird made the faintest move 
to follow or to seek the young in a new location. Both, however, moped 
in the old home tree, or took turns examining the severed branch. The 
only sound made was an occasional low chuckle, much as a farmer who 
has mislaid his specs might ejaculate, “Sho,” in deprecation of his care¬ 
lessness. 
575 
