. The birds about us . September,when young and old gather in loose companies, oftenassociated with birds of other kinds, and long beforecold weather has set in proceed on their southwardjourney. Another flycatcher, and one that we are sure tohear before we see, is the Great-crested. It is veryplainly dressed, and of all our birds has the mostdisagreeable voice, a veritable grating squawk thatmust be uttered of necessity rather than choice, forthe bird can surely only be pained when it hearsitself speak. They reach the Middle States in Apriland make as long a stay as the kingbird. As fly-catch
. The birds about us . September,when young and old gather in loose companies, oftenassociated with birds of other kinds, and long beforecold weather has set in proceed on their southwardjourney. Another flycatcher, and one that we are sure tohear before we see, is the Great-crested. It is veryplainly dressed, and of all our birds has the mostdisagreeable voice, a veritable grating squawk thatmust be uttered of necessity rather than choice, forthe bird can surely only be pained when it hearsitself speak. They reach the Middle States in Apriland make as long a stay as the kingbird. As fly-catchers they are much the same, and are just asbrave so far as defending their nests is concerned,but do not seem to be anxious to forever have aquarrel on hand. Unlike the kingbird, which builds an open nest,the great-crested wants a commodious hollow in atree, and will not hesitate to question the rights ofthe little red owl, although the latter has had un-disturbed possession all the previous winter. AsWilson states,—. i, KING-L;[KD. 2, GKEAT-rMESTED FLYCATCHER. }, WOOD- PEWEE. 4, PHlBE-BIRi>. S, SMALL GREEN CREST. The Perching Birds. 115 He builds his nest in a hollow tree deserted by the Bluebird orWoodpecker. The materials of which this is formed are scanty andrather novel. One of these nests, now before me, is formed of alittle loose hay, feathers of the Guinea-fowl, hogs bristles, pieces ofcast snake-skins, and dogs hair. Snake-skins with this bird appearto be an indispensable article, for I have never yet found one of hisnests without this material forming a part of it. Whether he sur-rounds his nest with this by way o{ terror em, to prevent other birdsor animals from entering, or whether it be that he finds its silky soft-ness suitable for his young is uncertain ; the fact, however, is notorious,Tlie female lays four eggs of a dull cream color thickly scratchedwith purple lines of various tints, as if done with a pen. An almost domesticated species is the familiarPew
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1895
