. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . together, so that they may occupy the least room possible; andthis appears quite necessary when we note how large they are in compari-son with the parent bird. Sometimes a little grass or crumbled bark ordried rabbits dung serves for the lining, but often the eggs are laid upon theliare ground. Once in eastern Washington, I found what I think must be THE KILLDEER 487 regarded as the ideal environment for tiiese eggs. An upland gravel-bed,peculiar to that region, was composed of d
. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . together, so that they may occupy the least room possible; andthis appears quite necessary when we note how large they are in compari-son with the parent bird. Sometimes a little grass or crumbled bark ordried rabbits dung serves for the lining, but often the eggs are laid upon theliare ground. Once in eastern Washington, I found what I think must be THE KILLDEER 487 regarded as the ideal environment for tiiese eggs. An upland gravel-bed,peculiar to that region, was composed of disintegrating fragments of a lightbrown lava mingled with the soil. Each pebble of the bed was scrawledand spotted by a black lichen, as tho tar had been carelessly flung this bed reposed four Killdeer eggs. When you saw them you sawthem, because their outlines were rounded instead of angular; but the momentthe eye departed from them the search had to Ije commenced anew, so per-fectly were the eggs mimicked by their surroundings. Young Killdeers are delightful absurdities. Their strength is in their. Plioto by the Autho Ni;ST .^ND EGGS OF THE legs, and these carry them pattering away, before the embrvonic juices arefairly dried upon their hacks. They need to be nimble, for .nil nature turnsteeth to little birds that cannot fly. Fortunately for them the flesh of the Killdeer is not esteemed for foodby humans, so they are allowed to gather in peace into fall companies con-taining a score or two of individuals. The Killdeer is not gregarious at othertimes of year, altho a half dozen pairs may nest in the same field: but infall they tlock common]}-, and are found about meadow ponds, ri\-er bars,and even on the lake beaches. THE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. These Plovers migrate at night, preferably by moonlight; and, may be regarded as an unquiet spirit on almost any moonlight nightiu spring or fall. Most of the birds leave our borders for two or thre
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1903
