36 
THE CONDOR 
1 Vol. IV 
decoration. In this latter case the tree 
was charred to quite an extent and the 
nest was very similar in appearance to 
the limb on which it was built. Nests 
are very difficult to see unless the bird 
is watched as he carries material and 
deposits it on the nest. Both male and 
female do the work of building. Of all 
the nests I have observed, four seems 
to be more common than five as a set of 
eggs, though five is not at all unusual. 
The variation in eggs lies principally 
in the ground color, some sets being 
much paler than others. Rather than 
take up time here in giving a detailed 
description of bird and eggs I refer to 
Coues or Ridgway, especially since I 
have limited mj^self to nests in this 
article, and have made little attempt to 
cover other phases on the subject. 
W W ® 
A Word in Behalf of the Boy. 
I have recently been impressed with 
certain expressions occurring in the 
writings of prominent ornithologi.sts 
concerning the relation of the downy 
young of the genus Homo to the nests 
and eggs and downy young of our 
feathered friends. Two facts are self- 
evident: “Boys will be boys: all men 
were boys once.” You may elaborate as 
much as you please on these two points, 
but do not forget to ask yourself how 
much you ewe these same boys in 
the way of instruction and enlighten- 
ment and then ask how much you have 
done for their elevation into and en- 
couragement in right ways of thought 
and action. 
Next to mc 7 i who collect birds’ skins 
and eggs for sale, boys are probably 
the birds’ worst enemies. But do not 
blame the boys until you have heard 
their case and have done your duty by 
them. Most children receive no instruc- 
tion at home in the study of the animal 
kingdom and very little in the common 
school, both on account of the lack of 
time and incompetenc)^ of the instruc- 
tors. I am not now placing blame upon 
the parents or teachers; neither do I seek 
to excuse the shocking cruelty of boys 
I have known; but I simply state what 
seems to me to be true. 
A boy stands accused of wantonly rob- 
bing and destroying a bird’s nest or of 
trying to collect more eggs than any 
other. Who will cast the first stone at 
him? Don’t throw any stones but take 
the boy to your home, show him your 
collection of nests and eggs, explaining 
many things which, up to this time, he 
has had no opportunity to learn, be- 
cause he has been con.sidered an outlaw 
and no one has taken enough interest 
in him to speak kindly to him and ask 
where he lived etc. Make him feel 
that he is at least as important as a 
bluejay or an English Sparrow. Open 
your insect cabinet and show him the 
difference between a bee and a ffy — be- 
tween a bug and a beetle. If he asks a 
question answer him fully and respect- 
fully. Shake hands with him, bid him 
goodbye and tell him that if he will be 
on hand next Saturday morning at 8:30 
o’clock, you’ll take him on a collecting 
trip with you. And don’t forget to put 
in lunch enouj^h for two. 
In short, — stoop to entertain a 
thoughtless, carele.ss boy, for any boy 
is of more value than maii}^ sparrows. 
If you really wish to .see the birds pro- 
tected, make friends with the boys and 
.seek their cooperation forthe}' can help 
more than you think. For nearly two 
years I have conducted a “natural his- 
tory class” in my home and have been 
greatly plea.sed with the results. We 
meet on Tuesday and Thursday even- 
ings of each week and go afield when- 
ever the opportunity offers. Several 
of my class have mastered the work out- 
lined with most commendable thorough- 
ness and alacrity. Thus I have direct- 
ly influenced the boys and girls to a 
greater or less extent. Why cannot a 
hundred other members of the Cooper 
Ornithological Club do as much or more? 
Wouldn’t the birds be glad? 
F. C. Cr..\RK. 
lYapa, CaL 
