. New England bird life; being a manual of New England ornithology: ed. from the manuscript of Winfrid A. Stearns . Birds. SYMPH. SEMIPALMATA : SEMIPALMATED TATTLER. 235 changed, or, at any rate, held in abeyance, during and for a short time after incubation. They cease their cries, grow less uneasy, become gentle, if still suspic- ious, and may generally be seen stalking quietly about the nest. When Willets are found in that humor — absent-minded, as it were, absorbed in reflection upon their engrossing duties, and unlikely to observe any- thing not directly in front of their bill — i
. New England bird life; being a manual of New England ornithology: ed. from the manuscript of Winfrid A. Stearns . Birds. SYMPH. SEMIPALMATA : SEMIPALMATED TATTLER. 235 changed, or, at any rate, held in abeyance, during and for a short time after incubation. They cease their cries, grow less uneasy, become gentle, if still suspic- ious, and may generally be seen stalking quietly about the nest. When Willets are found in that humor — absent-minded, as it were, absorbed in reflection upon their engrossing duties, and unlikely to observe any- thing not directly in front of their bill — it is pretty good evidence that they have a nest hard by. It is the same with Avocets, and probably many other waders. During incubation the bird that is" off duty '' (both parents are said to take turns at this) almost always indulges in revery, doubtless rose- tinted, and becomes in a correspond- ing degree oblivious to outward things. If then they are not set upon in a manner entirely too rude and boisterous, the inquiring orni- * ^ FlO. 53. — SEMIPALMATED tholo^ist could desire no better toes'of willet. Nat- ° ^ Ural size. opportunity than he will have to observe their every motion and attitude. But once let them become thoroughly alarmed by too open approach, particularly if the setting bird be driven from her nest, and the scene quickly shifts; there is a great outcry, violent protest and tumult, where was quietude. Other pairs, nesting near by, join their cries till the confusion becomes general. But now, again, their actions are not those they would show at other times; for, instead of flying off with the instinct of self-preservation, to put distance between them and danger, they are held by some fascination to the spot, and hover around, wheel- ing" about, flying in circles a little way to return again, with unremitting clamor. They may be only too easily. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1883
