. Bird studies for home and school; sixty common birds, their habits and haunts . swamps along the lakes and rivers. In theseplaces it is best able to obtain its food, which consists of crabs,frogs, lizards, fish and snakes. Here it lives and rears itsyoung. In October it returns to the South- When in its haunts this bird may often be seen in one oftwo striking attitudes. It may be standing on one foot in thewater among the sedges with its head resting upon its breast,apparently asleep, or it may be alert with head and body erectand both feet on the ground, yet so still as to seem lifeless. In
. Bird studies for home and school; sixty common birds, their habits and haunts . swamps along the lakes and rivers. In theseplaces it is best able to obtain its food, which consists of crabs,frogs, lizards, fish and snakes. Here it lives and rears itsyoung. In October it returns to the South- When in its haunts this bird may often be seen in one oftwo striking attitudes. It may be standing on one foot in thewater among the sedges with its head resting upon its breast,apparently asleep, or it may be alert with head and body erectand both feet on the ground, yet so still as to seem lifeless. Ineither case, however, it is fully awake and ready to fly in amoment. Preferring to remain well concealed during the day-time, it alights again after a short flight whenever disturbed. At the approach of night it comes out of its hiding placeto search for food. Then it may be seen several miles fromits haunts. Flying slowly over the water at such times withits long legs dangling behind, it is a very a-iVkward bird. Another interesting characteristic of this bird is its habit 92. of booming. During the breeding season, the male birdmay be heard making a loud and startling sound like the boomproduced by driving a stake into soft ground. This strangenoise is made by forcing air through the throat. When onceheard it will be long remembered. This habit of booming hasgiven the Bittern one of its common names while the other isderived from its place of nesting. BIRD NOTES 93 CHIPPING SPARROW, OR HAIRBIRD Forehead black; crown chestnut; a light line over theeye and a black one behind it; back of neck gray; back streakedwith black, buff and reddish; wings and tail dusky; under partsgrayish-white; throat nearly white; bill black. Length, fiveand one-half inches. Nest, in bushes or trees, five to twertty feet up, often nearthe house, made of grasses, twigs and fine roots, well lined withhair. Eggs, four to five, blue with brown or black markings,.75 X .50 inches. About April first the Chip
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidcu319240, booksubjectbirds
