. Birds of California; an introduction to more than three hundred common birds of the state and adjacent islands, with a supplementary list of rare migrants, accidental visitants, and hypothetical subspecies . vicinity of LakeTahoe the mating was arranged and excavation for thenest was begun by May 23. When first observed,the cavity seemed to be about four inches deep, belowthe first limb of the live aspen tree they had selected for RED CONSPICUOUS IN PLUMAGE 463 a 1Mb i a home, and in six days it was complete. It was, as Iafterwards ascertained, nine and a half inches in pair were
. Birds of California; an introduction to more than three hundred common birds of the state and adjacent islands, with a supplementary list of rare migrants, accidental visitants, and hypothetical subspecies . vicinity of LakeTahoe the mating was arranged and excavation for thenest was begun by May 23. When first observed,the cavity seemed to be about four inches deep, belowthe first limb of the live aspen tree they had selected for RED CONSPICUOUS IN PLUMAGE 463 a 1Mb i a home, and in six days it was complete. It was, as Iafterwards ascertained, nine and a half inches in pair were not so shyas most of those I hadwatched; after the exca-vation was partly accom-plished, they kept on attheir work when I wasin full view, though dis-creetly keeping my dis-tance. The male wasadvisory counsel and de-fender, but candor com-pels me to admit that heallowed Madam to domore than her share ofthe hard work. He wasalways near, keeping aneye on me and look-ing into the small door-way to note progresswhen his mate hadflown away for food,but only three times did Icatch him making the chipsfly himself. I thought sometimes heseemed stupefied with thesap he had been is not an uncommon. 403. Red-breasted Sapsuckek. The mother watched the attempt todrink the sweet syrup. 464 LAND BIRDS occurrence with his Eastern cousin, the yellow-belliedsapsucker, who sometimes becomes so intoxicated on thesap of the mountain ash that he will allow himself to bepicked up by the hand of a quiet observer. But theRed-breasted is more cautious, and knew instinctivelyjust when my glasses were turned toward him or whenI moved hand or foot. I say instinctively, for often-times I knew he was behind the trunk where he couldnot see me, and yet the most noiseless movement broughthim inquisitively into view. So long as he was on guardthe female worked without fear, but when he left on aforaging expedition, she usually became restless andshortly afterwards flew away also. Incubation began M
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Keywords: ., bookauthorwhee, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectbirds
