. The home life of wild birds; a new method of the study and photography of birds. Birds; Photography of birds. 28 Wild Birds. the alert in recording what took place, and the scenes would often shift so quickly that it was difficult to decide which bird came to the nest. The mother brooded eighteen times, and altogether for tlie space of one hour and twenty minutes. The nest was cleaned seven times, and the nest and young were constantly inspected and picked all over by both birds, although the female was the more scrupulous in her attentions. Whenever the male brought a large dragon-fly to th
. The home life of wild birds; a new method of the study and photography of birds. Birds; Photography of birds. 28 Wild Birds. the alert in recording what took place, and the scenes would often shift so quickly that it was difficult to decide which bird came to the nest. The mother brooded eighteen times, and altogether for tlie space of one hour and twenty minutes. The nest was cleaned seven times, and the nest and young were constantly inspected and picked all over by both birds, although the female was the more scrupulous in her attentions. Whenever the male brought a large dragon-fly to the young an exciting scene was sure to follow. If the female happened to be brooding at the time, she would seize the struggling insect and try to start it down one of the hungry throats. If she failed in this the male would snatch it from her to try his skill, and usually with as little success. In this way the prey would be passed back and forth, until it was crushed between the bills of the two birds, or torn limb from limb. Some of these unequal contests between birds and insects are illustrated by the photo- graphs. When the male brought a moth miller and accidentalh- dropped it close to the tent, he went after it like a flash, and to place its security beyond doubt swallowed it himself. Again, one of the birds while perched near by was seen to disgorge the indigestible parts of its insect food, a common practice with fly- catchers both old and young. I have added the foregoing details in order to show with what harmony life at the new nesting site proceeds when once the severed threads have been united. A knowl- edge of former conditions seemed to have been completely effaced. The nesting bough was defended with the same bold spirit for which this bird is celebrated. The young were brooded night and day, while birds of other species were constantly assailed and driven from the premises. At noon on the ninth day of July one Kingbird, then full-fledged, was standing on the b
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1901
