34 
THE CONDOR 
VOL. VI 
gotten quite used to the camera. I had the instrument leveled point blank at the 
nest only a yard distant. A gray figure came flitting over the tree top and planted 
himself on the limb right beside the home. He carried a green cut-worm in his 
mouth. No sooner had he squatted on his accustomed perch than he caught sight 
of the Cyclops. With an astonished chirp, he dropped his worm, threw a back 
somerset, and all I saw was a meteor-like streak of gray curving up over the point- 
ed firs. I doubt if he felt any degree of safety till he got across the Willamette, 
MALE YELLOW-THROAT AND YOUNG 
for he didn’t get up courage enough to even enquire about the children the rest of 
that day. 
I didn’t think his lordship figured in home affairs at all, but I must have been 
mistaken. The next day the mother again tried to lure me from the nest. Just as 
she was putting on a few extra agonizing touches, I saw a glint of gray. The 
father pounced upon his feigning spouse. I never witnessed such a case of wife 
beating. I’m not an expert on bird ethics but such a performance would be some- 
