initial commit of ebook 34294HEADmain

24 files changed, 6248 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/34294-8.txt b/34294-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..810d908
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1743 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Birds Illustrated by Color Photography [February, 1898]
+       A Monthly Serial designed to Promote Knowledge of Bird-Life
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2010 [EBook #34294]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                       BIRDS.
+         ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
+         ================================
+         VOL. III. FEBRUARY, 1898. NO. 2.
+         ================================
+
+
+
+
+GILBERT WHITE AND "SELBORNE."
+
+
+I suppose that a habit of minute observation of nature is one of the
+most difficult things to acquire, as it is one which is less generally
+pursued than any other study. In almost all departments of learning and
+investigation there have been numberless works published to illustrate
+them, and text books would fill the shelves of a large library. Thoreau
+in his "Walden" has shown an extremely fine and close observation of the
+scenes in which his all too short life was passed, but his object does
+not seem at any time to have been the study of nature from an essential
+love of it, or to add to his own or the world's knowledge. On the
+contrary, nature was the one resource which enabled him to exemplify his
+notions of independence, which were of such a sturdy and uncompromising
+character that Mr. Emerson, who had suffered some inconvenience from his
+experience of Thoreau as an inmate of his household, thought him fitter
+to meet occasionally in the open air than as a guest at table and
+fireside. There is a delicious harmony with nature in all that he has
+written, but his descriptions of out-of-door life invite us rather to
+indolent musing than to investigation or study. Who after reading Izaak
+Walton ever went a-fishing with the vigor and enterprise of Piscator?
+Washington Irving allowed his cork to drift with the current and lay
+down in the shadow of a spreading oak to dream with the beloved old
+author.
+
+In White's "Natural History of Selborne" we have a unique book indeed,
+but of a far more general interest than its title would indicate. Pliny,
+the elder, was the father of natural history but to many of us Gilbert
+White is entitled to that honor. To an early edition of the book,
+without engravings, and much abridged, as compared with Bohn's,
+published in 1851, many owe their first interest in the subject.
+
+Mr. Ireland in his charming little "Book Lover's Enchiridion," tells us
+that when a boy he was so delighted with it, that in order to possess a
+copy of his own (books were not so cheap as now) he actually copied out
+the whole work. In a list of one hundred books, Sir John Lubbock
+mentions it as "an inestimable blessing." Edward Jesse, author of
+"Gleanings in Natural History" attributes his own pursuits as an
+out-door naturalist entirely to White's example. Much of the charm of
+the book consists in the amiable character of the author, who
+
+    "----lived in solitude, midst trees and flowers,
+    Life's sunshine mingling with its passing showers;
+    No storms to startle, and few clouds to shade
+    The even path his Christian virtues made."
+
+Very little is known of him beyond what he has chosen to mention in
+his diaries, which were chiefly records of his daily studies and
+observations, and in his correspondence, from which the "history" is in
+fact made up. From these it is evident that his habits were secluded and
+that he was strongly attached to the charms of rural life. He says the
+greater part of his time was spent in literary occupations, and
+especially in the study of nature. He was born July 18, 1720, in the
+house in which he died. His father was his first instructor in natural
+history, and to his brother Thomas, a fellow of the Royal Society, he
+was indebted for many suggestions for his work. It is also to his
+brother's influence that we owe the publication of the book, as it
+required much persuasion to induce the philosopher to pass through the
+ordeal of criticism, "having a great dread of Reviewers," those
+incorrigible _bêtes noires_ of authors. His brother promising himself to
+review the work in the "Gentleman's Magazine," White reluctantly
+consented to its publication. The following short abstract from the
+review will show its quality, as well as suggest a possible answer to
+the current question propounded by students of the census.
+
+"Contemplative persons see with regret the country more and more
+deserted every day, as they know that every well-regulated family of
+property which quits a village to reside in a town, injures the place
+that is forsaken in material circumstances. It is with pleasure,
+therefore, we observe that so rational an employment of leisure hours as
+the study of nature promises to become popular, since whatever adds to
+the number of rural amusements, and consequently counteracts the
+allurements of the metropolis is, on this consideration, of national
+importance."
+
+It is to be feared, however, that many stronger influences than this of
+the study of nature will be necessary to keep the young men of the
+present day from the great cities. Indeed, modern naturalists
+themselves spend the greater part of their lives at the centers of
+knowledge and only make temporary sallies into the woods and fields to
+gather data. White was a noble pioneer. The very minuteness--almost
+painful--of his observation required him to occupy himself for days and
+weeks and months with what to the average mind would seem of the
+slightest importance. As an example of his patient investigation, his
+famous study of the tortoise may be given. It was more than thirty years
+old when it came into his possession, and for many years--perhaps
+twenty--we find White watching the habits of the interesting old
+reptile, until, we may assume, he knew all about him and his species.
+
+There are over three hundred and fifty different species of animals and
+birds treated by White, most of them exhaustively; the beech tree, the
+elm, and the oak are described and watched from year to year; and the
+geology and fossil remains of Selborne district are presented. We have
+daily accounts of the weather, information of the first tree in leaf,
+the appearance of the first fungi and the plants first in blossom. He
+tells us when mosses vegetate, when insects first appear and disappear,
+when birds are first seen and when they migrate--and a thousand other
+things; all in a style of such simplicity, united with rare scholarship,
+that it is well worth the attention and imitation of students of the
+English language. White was educated at Oxford. He had frequent
+opportunities, 'tis said, of accepting college livings, but his fondness
+for his native village made him decline all preferment. To this we owe
+"Selborne" of which Dr. Beardmore, a distinguished scholar, made the
+prophetic remark to a nephew of White's: "Your uncle has sent into the
+world a publication with nothing to attract attention to it but an
+advertisement or two in the newspapers; but depend upon it, the time will
+come when very few who buy books will be without it."
+
+The village was far less attractive than our imaginations would depict
+it to have been, and the traveler who would "view fair Selborne
+aright," according to a contemporary writer, should humor the caprices
+of the English climate and visit it only when its fields and foliage are
+clothed in their summer verdure.
+
+                          --CHARLES C. MARBLE.
+
+
+
+
+A FRIEND OF BIRDS
+
+
+It is told of George H. Corliss, the famous engine builder of
+Providence, R. I., that when building a foundry at the Corliss works,
+some Blue Birds took the opportunity to build in some holes in the
+interior framework into which horizontal timbers were to go. The
+birds flew in and out--as Blue Birds will--and went on with their
+housekeeping, until in the natural course of things the workmen would
+have evicted them to put the apertures to their intended use of
+receiving timbers. But Mr. Corliss interfered and showed how the
+particular aperture the birds were occupying could be left undisturbed
+until they were done with it, without any serious delay to the building.
+So the pair came and went in the midst of the noise of building and
+brought up their little family safely, and after they had flown away,
+and not until then, that particular part of the framework was completed.
+
+At another time, Mr. Corliss was working on a contract with the city of
+Providence to supply a steam pumping apparatus, power house and all,
+at Sockonosset, and the time was short, and there were forfeitures
+nominated in the bond for every day beyond a a specified date for its
+completion.
+
+The power house was to be upon virgin soil where were rocks and
+trees--little trees growing among rocks. In blasting and clearing the
+necessary place for the foundations of the building, a Robin's nest was
+discovered in a little tree within the space where the upheavals were to
+be made. When Mr. Corliss knew this he had the work transferred to the
+other side of the square or parallelogram around which the digging and
+blasting were to go, saying that it was just as well to do the other
+side first.
+
+But it proved that when the workmen had got clear around and back to the
+Robin's tree, the young birds were still not quite ready to fly. This
+called for a new exercise of an inventor's power of adapting means to a
+worthy end. Looking at the little tree with its nest and little birds
+high in the branches he bade the men support the tree carefully while it
+was sawed through the trunk a little above the ground, and then carry it
+in an upright position to a safe distance and stick it into the ground
+with proper support.
+
+The Robin family continued to thrive after this novel house-moving and
+all flew away together after a few more days.
+
+
+
+
+QUEER DOINGS OF A CRANE.
+
+
+A writer on "Animal Helpers and Servers" gives a remarkable account of a
+tame Crane, communicated by Von Seyffert. Von Seyffert had a pair of
+tame Cranes which soon lost all fear of man and of domestic animals, and
+became strongly attached to the former. Their life in a German village,
+in which agriculture was the sole employment and the communal system of
+joint herding of cattle and swine and driving them together to the
+common pasture prevailed, was very much to their taste. They soon knew
+all the inhabitants in the place and used to call regularly at the
+houses to be fed. Then the female died and the survivor at once took as
+a new friend a bull. He stood by the bull in the stall and kept the
+flies off him, screamed when he roared, danced before him and followed
+him out with the herd. In this association the Crane learned the duties
+of cowherd, so that one evening he brought home the whole of the village
+herd of heifers unaided and drove them into the stable. From that time
+the Crane undertook so many duties that he was busy from dawn till
+night. He acted as policeman among the poultry, stopping all fights and
+disorder. He stood by a horse when left in a cart and prevented it from
+moving by pecking its nose and screaming. A Turkey and a Game Cock were
+found fighting, whereon the Crane first fought the Turkey, then sought
+out and thrashed the cock. Meantime it herded the cattle, not always
+with complete success. The bovines were collected in the morning by the
+sound of a horn and some would lag behind. On one occasion the Crane
+went back, drove up some lagging heifers through the street and then
+frightened them so much that they broke away and ran two miles in the
+wrong direction. The bird could not bring them back, but drove them
+into a field, where it guarded them until they were fetched. It would
+drive out trespassing cattle as courageously as a dog and, unlike
+most busybodies, was a universal favorite and pride of the
+village.--_Cornhill Magazine._
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                LEAST BITTERN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE LEAST BITTERN.
+
+
+Throughout the whole of temperate North America and tropical America to
+Brazil, this, the smallest of the Bittern family, is a well-known bird,
+but being a nocturnal species, inhabiting the almost inaccessible swamps
+and boggy lands that are covered with a dense growth of canes, reeds,
+and rushes, it is seldom met with. Mr. Davis calls it an extremely
+interesting little bird, of quiet, retiring habits. In some places as
+many as a dozen or twenty pairs breed along the grassy shores of a small
+lake or pond. The nest is placed on the ground or in the midst of the
+rankest grass, or in a bush. It is often placed on floating bog, and is
+simply a platform of dead rushes.
+
+This bird has many odd habits. When standing on the edge of a stream,
+with its neck drawn in, it is often taken for a Woodcock, the long bill
+giving it this appearance. It is so stupid at times that it may be
+caught with the hand.
+
+The Least Bittern is usually seen just before or after sunset. When
+startled it utters a low _gua_, and in daylight flies but a short
+distance, in a weak, uncertain manner, but at dusk it flaps along on
+strong easy wing, with neck drawn in and legs extended.
+
+The eggs of this species are usually from two to six in number, and of a
+pale bluish or greenish-white. If approached while on the nest, the
+female generally steps quietly to one side, but if suddenly surprised,
+takes to flight.
+
+The Least Bittern is known by many local names. In Jamaica it is called
+Tortoise-shell Bird and Minute Bittern, and in many localities Little
+Bittern.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "All Nature is a unit in herself,
+    Yet but a part of a far greater whole.
+    Little by little you may teach your child
+    To know her ways and live in harmony
+    With her; and then, in turn, help him through her
+    To find those verities within himself,
+    Of which all outward things are but the type.
+    So when he passes from your sheltering care
+    To walk the ways of men, his soul shall be
+    Knit to all things that are, and still most free;
+    And of him shall be writ at last this word--
+    'At peace with nature, with himself, and God.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE BALDPATE DUCK.
+
+
+"There seem to be as many Ducks as there are Owls," remarks Bobbie.
+"This fellow is called Baldpate, but he's not bare on top of his head
+like Gran'pa, at all."
+
+"No, his head is feathered as well as any Duck's head," replies mamma.
+"I remember hearing him called the Widgeon, I think."
+
+"Yes, that's what it says here, the American Widgeon, a game bird, you
+know, mamma."
+
+"Yes, its flesh is very delicious, almost as good as the Canvas-back."
+
+"Oh, but these Baldpates are cunning fellows," exclaims Bobbie,
+continuing his reading, "It says they are fond of a certain grass plant
+which grows deep in both salt and fresh water, but they don't dive for
+it as the Canvas-back and other deep water Ducks do."
+
+"Well?" says mamma, as Bobbie stops, his lips moving, but uttering no
+sound.
+
+"I stopped to spell a word," explains Bobbie. "It says they closely
+follow and watch the Canvas-back and other Ducks, and when they rise to
+the surface of the water with the roots of the plant in their bills, Mr.
+Baldpate quickly snatches a part, or all of the catch, and hurries off
+to eat it at his leisure."
+
+"A mean fellow, indeed," remarks mamma, "but he has no reason to guide
+him, as you have, you know."
+
+"Indeed I _don't_ know," quickly says Bobbie. "You remember that story
+about the imprisoned Duck that had its leg broken and was put under a
+small crate, or coop, to keep it from running about? Well, some of the
+other Ducks pitied the little prisoner and tried to release him by
+forcing their necks under the crate and thus lifting it up. They found
+they weren't strong enough to do that, and so they _quacked_, and
+_quacked_, and _quacked_ among themselves, then marched away in a body.
+Soon they came back with forty ducks, every one in the farm yard. They
+surrounded the crate and tried to lift it as before, but again they
+failed. Then they _quacked_ some more, and after a long talk the whole
+of them went to one side of the crate. As many as could thrust their
+necks underneath it, and the rest pushed them forward from behind. A
+good push, a strong push, up went the crate a little way, and out
+waddled the little prisoner. I want to know if they didn't reason that
+out, mamma?"
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                BALDPATE DUCK.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE BALDPATE.
+
+    We would have you to wit, that on eggs though we sit,
+      And are spiked on a spit, and are baked in a pan,
+    Birds are older by far than your ancestors are,
+      And made love and made war, ere the making of man!
+                                            --ANDREW LANG.
+
+
+There is much variation in the plumage of adult males of this species
+of Widgeon, but as Dr. Coues says: "The bird cannot be mistaken under
+any condition; the extensive white of the under parts and wings is
+recognizable at gun-range." The female is similar, but lacks the white
+crown and iridescence on the head.
+
+The Baldpate ranges over the whole of North America. In winter it is
+common in the Gulf states and lower part of the Mississippi Valley.
+Cooke says it breeds chiefly in the north, but is known to nest in
+Manitoba, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, and Texas.
+Throughout the whole of British America, as far north as the Arctic
+ocean, it is very abundant. In October and April it visits in large
+numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both sea coasts of the
+northern United States, and is much sought by hunters, its flesh being
+of the finest quality, as when in good condition it cannot easily be
+distinguished from that of the Canvas-back. It is regarded by hunters as
+a great nuisance. It is not only so shy that it avoids the points of
+land, but by its whistling and confused manner of flight is said to
+alarm the other species. During its stay in the waters of the
+Chesapeake, it is the constant companion of the Canvas-backs, upon
+whose superiority in diving it depends in a large degree for its food,
+stealing from them, as they rise to the surface of the water, the tender
+roots of the plant of which both are so fond--_vallisneria_ grass, or
+wild celery. The Baldpate is said to visit the rice fields of the south
+during the winter in considerable numbers. It winters in the Southern
+states, Mexico, and the West Indies. In the north, the Widgeon exhibits
+a greater preference for rivers and open lakes than most of the other
+fresh-water Ducks.
+
+The favorite situation of the nest is remarkable, for while the other
+Ducks--except, perhaps, the Teal, according to Mr. Kennicott--choose the
+immediate vicinity of water, he found the Baldpate always breeding at a
+considerable distance from it. Several of the nests observed on the
+Yukon were fully half a mile from the nearest water. He invariably found
+the nest among dry leaves, upon high, dry ground, either under large
+trees or in thick groves of small ones--frequently among thick spruces.
+The nest is small, simply a depression among the leaves, but thickly
+lined with down, with which after setting is begun, the eggs are covered
+when left by the parent. They are from eight to twelve in number, and
+pale buff. The food of the Baldpate consists of aquatic insects, small
+shells, and the seeds and roots of various plants.
+
+The call of this bird is a plaintive whistle of two and then three notes
+of nearly equal duration. Col. N. S. Goss states that, as a rule,
+Widgeons "are not shy, and their note, a sort of _whew, whew, whew_,
+uttered while feeding and swimming, enables the hunter to locate them in
+the thickest growth of water plants."
+
+
+
+
+WOOING BIRDS' ODD WAYS.
+
+
+Of all the interesting points on which Mr. Dixon touches in his
+"Curiosities of Bird Life," perhaps none is more remarkable than the
+strange antics in which some birds indulge, especially at the pairing
+season. With what odd gestures will a smartly dressed Cock sparrow, for
+instance, endeavor to cut a good figure in the eyes of his demure and
+sober-tinted lady-love!
+
+To a similar performance, though with more of dignity and action about
+it, the Blackcock treats his wives, for, unlike the better conducted
+though often much calumniated sparrow, he is not satisfied with a single
+mate. One of the most characteristic of spring sounds on Exmoor, as
+evening darkens, or, still more, in the early hours of the morning, is
+the challenge of the Blackcock. In the month of April he who is abroad
+early enough may watch, upon the russet slopes of Dunkery, a little
+party of Blackcock at one of their recognized and probably ancestral
+meeting-places, by one of the little moorland streams, or on the wet
+edge of some swampy hollow. Each bird crouches on a hillock, in the
+oddest of attitudes--its head down, its wings a-droop, its beautiful
+tail raised--and utters at intervals strange, almost weird notes,
+sometimes suggestive of the purr of a Turtle-dove, and sometimes more
+like the cry of chamois.
+
+Presently an old cock, grand in his new black coat, will get up and
+march backward and forward with his neck stretched out and his wings
+trailing on the ground. Now he leaps into the air, sometimes turning
+right round before he alights, and now again he crouches close upon his
+hillock. It is said that in places where black game are few a single
+cock will go through all this by himself, or at least with only his
+wives for witnesses. But if there are more cocks than one, the
+proceedings generally end with a fight. Where the birds are numerous the
+young cocks, who are not allowed to enter the arena with their elders,
+hold unauthorized celebrations of their own.
+
+There are many birds which thus, like higher mortals, have their fits
+of madness in the days of courtship. But there are some, such as the
+spur-winged Lapwing of La Plata, which are, like the lady in the song,
+so fond of dancing, especially of what the natives call their serious
+dance, meaning a square one, that they indulge in such performances all
+the year, not in the daytime only, but even on moonlight nights. "If,"
+says Mr. Hudson, who tells the story, "a person watches any two birds
+for some time--for they live in pairs--he will see another Lapwing, one
+of a neighboring couple, rise up and fly to them, leaving his own mate
+to guard their chosen ground, and instead of resenting this visit as an
+unwarranted intrusion on their domain, as they would certainly resent
+the approach of almost any other bird, they welcome it with notes and
+signs of pleasure. Advancing to the visitor, they place themselves
+behind it; then all three keeping step, begin a rapid march, uttering
+resonant drumming notes in time with their movements; the notes of the
+pair behind them being emitted in a stream, like a drum roll, while the
+leader utters loud single notes at regular intervals. The march ceases;
+the leader elevates his wings and stands motionless and erect, still
+uttering loud notes, while the other two with puffed-out plumage, and
+standing exactly abreast, stoop forward and downward until the top of
+their beaks touch the ground, and, sinking their rhythmical voices to a
+murmur, remain for some time in this posture. The performance is then
+over and the visitor goes back to his own ground and mate, to receive a
+visitor himself later on."--_London Daily News._
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                PURPLE FINCH.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE PURPLE FINCH.
+
+    "The wind blows cold, the birds are still,
+           And skies are gray."
+
+
+Purple Grosbeak, Crimson Finch, Strawberry Bird, and Linnet are some of
+the common names by which this bird of bright colors, sweet song, and
+sociable disposition is known. It is very numerous in New England, but
+is found nesting regularly in the northern tier of states, North and
+South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., northward, and it is
+said to breed in northern Illinois. In Nova Scotia it is exceeding
+abundant.
+
+Robert Ridgway says he first made the acquaintance of the Purple Finch
+at Mt. Carmel, in mid-winter, "under circumstances of delightful memory.
+The ground was covered with snow,--the weather clear and bright, but
+cold. Crossing a field in the outskirts of the town, and approaching the
+line of tall, dead rag-weeds which grew thickly in the fence corners, a
+straggling flock of birds was startled, flew a short distance, and again
+alighted on the tall weed-stalks, uttering as they flew, a musical,
+metallic _chink, chink_. The beautiful crimson color of the adult males,
+heightened by contrast with the snow, was a great surprise to the
+writer, then a boy of thirteen, and excited intense interest in this, to
+him, new bird. On subsequent occasions during the same winter, they were
+found under like circumstances, and also in 'sycamore' or buttonwood
+trees, feeding on the small seeds contained within the balls of this
+tree."
+
+Dr. Brewer says that the song of the Purple Finch resembles that of the
+Canary, and though less varied and powerful, is softer, sweeter, and
+more touching and pleasing. The notes may be heard from the last of May
+until late in September, and in the long summer evening are often
+continued until it is quite dark. Their song has all the beauty and
+pathos of the Warbling Vireo, and greatly resembles it, but is more
+powerful and full in tone. It is a very interesting sight to watch one
+of these little performers in the midst of his song. He appears
+perfectly absorbed in his work,--his form is dilated, his crest is
+erected, his throat expands, and he seems to be utterly unconscious of
+all around him. But let an intruder of his own race appear within a few
+feet of the singer, the song instantly ceases, and in a violent fit of
+indignation, he chases him away. S. P. Cheney says that a careful
+observer told him that he had seen the Linnet fly from the side of his
+mate directly upward fifteen or twenty feet, singing every instant in
+the most excited manner till he dropped to the point of starting. The
+Yellow-breasted Chat has a like performance. See Vol. II of BIRDS, p.238.
+
+The nest of the Finch is usually placed in evergreens or orchard trees,
+at a moderate distance from the ground. It is composed of weed-stalks,
+bark strips, rootlets, grasses, and vegetable fibres, and lined with
+hair. The eggs are four or five in number, dull green, and spotted with
+dark brown.
+
+Study his picture and habits and be prepared to welcome this charming
+spring visitant.
+
+
+
+
+THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+
+    A little Woodpecker am I,
+      And you may always know
+    When I am searching for a worm,
+      For tap, tap, tap, I go.
+
+
+Oh yes, I am proud of my appearance, but really I am not proud of my
+name. Sometimes I am called the "Zebra Bird," on account of the bands of
+white and black on my back and wings. That is a much prettier name, I
+think, than the Red-bellied Woodpecker, don't you? Certainly it is more
+genteel.
+
+I know a bird that is called the Red-eyed Vireo, because his eyes are
+red. Well, my eyes are red, too. Then why not call me the Red-eyed
+Woodpecker? Still the Woodpeckers are such a common family I don't much
+care about that either.
+
+In the last February number of BIRDS that saucy red-headed cousin of
+mine had his picture and a letter. Before very long the Red-cockaded
+Woodpecker will have his picture taken too, I suppose.
+
+Dear, dear! If all the Woodpeckers are going to write to you, you will
+have a merry time. Why, I can count twenty-four different species of
+that family and I have only four fingers, or toes, to count on, and you
+little folks have five. There may be more of them, Woodpeckers I mean,
+for all I know.
+
+Speaking about toes! I have two in front and two behind. There are some
+Woodpeckers that have only three, two in front and one behind. It's a
+fact, I assure you. I thought I would tell you about it before one of
+the three toed fellows got a chance to write to you about it himself.
+
+I am not so shy and wary a bird as some people think I am. When I want
+an insect, or worm, I don't care how many eyes are watching me, but
+up the tree I climb in my zigzag fashion, crying _chaw-chaw_, or
+_chow-chow_ in a noisy sort of way. Sometimes I say _chuck, chuck,
+chuck_! The first is Chinese, and the last English, you know. You might
+think it sounded like the bark of a small dog, though.
+
+I am fond of flies and catch them on the wing. I like ripe apples, too;
+and oh, what a _good_ time I have in winter raiding the farmer's corn
+crib! I have only to hammer at the logs with my sharp bill, and soon I
+can squeeze myself in between them and eat my fill. I understand the
+farmer doesn't like it very much.
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+
+
+"Zebra Bird" is the name by which this handsome Woodpecker will be
+recognized by many readers. Some regard it as the most beautiful of the
+smaller species of its tribe. As may be seen, the whole crown and nape
+are scarlet in the male. In the female they are only partly so, but
+sufficiently to make the identification easy. A bird generally of
+retired habits, seeking the deepest and most unfrequented forests to
+breed, it is nevertheless often found in numbers in the vicinity of
+villages where there are a few dead and partially decayed trees, in
+which they drill their holes, high up on a limb, or in the bole of the
+tree. When engaged in hammering for insects it frequently utters a
+short, singular note, which Wilson likens to the bark of a small dog. We
+could never liken it to anything, it is so characteristic, and must be
+heard to be appreciated. _Chaw, chaw_, repeated twice, and with vigor,
+somewhat resembles the hoarse utterance.
+
+Prof. D. E. Lantz states that this species in the vicinity of Manhattan,
+Kansas, exhibits the same familiarity as the Flicker, the Red-headed and
+Downy Woodpeckers. About a dozen nests were observed, the excavations
+ranging usually less than twenty feet from the ground. One nest in a
+burrow of a large dead limb of an elm tree was found May 12, and
+contained five eggs. The birds are very much attached to their nests. If
+the nest is destroyed by man or beast, the birds almost immediately
+begin excavating another nest cavity for the second set, always in the
+vicinity of the first nest, often in the same tree.
+
+In its search for food, the "Zebra Bird," regardless of the presence of
+man, climbs in its usual spiral or zigzag manner the trees and their
+branches boldly uttering now and then its familiar _chaw, chaw_, darting
+off occasionally to catch a passing insect upon the wing. Its flight is
+undulating, and its habits in many respects are like those of the
+Red-headed, but it is not so much of an upland bird, or lover of berries
+and fruits, and therefore more respected by the farmer. In contest with
+the Red-head it is said to be invariably vanquished.
+
+The North American family of Woodpeckers--consisting of about
+twenty-five species--is likely to be brought together in BIRDS for the
+first time. We have already presented several species, and will figure
+others as we may secure the finest specimens. Occasionally a foreign
+Woodpecker will appear. About three hundred and fifty species are known,
+and they are found in all the wooded parts of the world except Australia
+and Madagascar.
+
+
+
+
+A FORCED PARTNERSHIP.
+
+
+A pair of Robins had made their nest on the horizontal branch of an
+evergreen tree which stood near a dwelling house, and the four young had
+hatched when a pair of English Sparrows selected the same branch for
+their nest. When the Robins refused to vacate their nest, the Sparrows
+proceeded to build theirs upon the outside of the Robin's nest. To this
+the Robins made no objection, so both families lived and thrived
+together on the same branch, with nests touching. The young of both
+species developed normally, and in due time left their nests. The branch
+bearing both nests is now preserved in the college museum.--_Oberlin
+College Bulletin._
+
+
+
+
+WHAT IS AN EGG?
+
+
+How many people crack an egg, swallow the meat, and give it no further
+thought. Yet, to a reflective mind the egg constitutes, it has been
+said, the greatest wonder of nature. The highest problems of organic
+development, and even of the succession of animals on the earth, are
+embraced here. "Every animal springs from an egg," is a dictum of Harvey
+that has become an axiom.
+
+In an egg one would suppose the yolk to be the animal. This is not so.
+It is merely food--the animal is the little whitish circle seen on the
+membrane enveloping the yolk.
+
+We hope to group a number of eggs, to enable our readers to compare
+their size and shape, from that of the Epyornis, six times the size of
+an Ostrich egg, down to the tiny egg that is found in the soft nest of
+the Humming-bird. This gigantic egg is a foot long and nine inches
+across, and would hold as much as fifty thousand Humming-bird's eggs.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAW-WHET OWL.
+
+    "The Lark is but a bumpkin fowl;
+      He sleeps in his nest till morn;
+    But my blessing upon the jolly Owl
+      That all night blows his horn."
+
+
+A curious name for a bird, we are inclined to say when we meet with it
+for the first time, but when we hear its shrill, rasping call note,
+uttered perhaps at midnight, we admit the appropriateness of "saw-whet."
+It resembles the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed.
+
+Mr. Goss says that the natural home of this sprightly little Owl is
+within the wild woodlands, though it is occasionally found about farm
+houses and even cities. According to Mr. Nelson, it is of frequent
+occurrence in Chicago, where, upon some of the most frequented streets
+in the residence portion of the city, a dozen specimens have been taken
+within two years. It is very shy and retiring in its habits, however,
+rarely leaving its secluded retreats until late at eve, for which reason
+it is doubtless much more common throughout its range than is generally
+supposed. It is not migratory but is more or less of an irregular
+wanderer in search of food during the autumn and winter. It may be quite
+common in a locality and then not be seen again for several years. It is
+nocturnal, seldom moving about in the day time, but passing the time in
+sleeping in some dark retreat; and so soundly does it sleep that
+ofttimes it may be captured alive.
+
+The flight of the Saw-whet so closely resembles that of the Woodcock
+that it has been killed by sportsmen, when flying over the alders,
+through being mistaken for the game bird.
+
+These birds nest in old deserted squirrel or Woodpecker holes and small
+hollows in trees. The eggs--usually four--are laid on the rotten wood or
+decayed material at the bottom. They are white and nearly round.
+
+In spite of the societies formed to prevent the killing of birds for
+ornamenting millinery, and the thousands of signatures affixed to the
+numerous petitions sent broadcast all over the country, in which women
+pledged themselves not to wear birds or feathers of any kind on their
+hats, this is essentially a bird killing year, and the favorite of all
+the feathers is that of the Owl. There is an old superstition about him
+too. He has always been considered an unlucky bird, and many persons
+will not have one in the house. He may, says a recent writer, like the
+Peacock, lose his unlucky prestige, now that Dame Fashion has stamped
+him with her approval. Li Hung Chang rescued the Peacock feather from
+the odium of ill luck, and hundreds of persons bought them after his
+visit who would never permit them to be taken inside their homes prior
+to it. So the Owl seems to have lost his ill luck since fair woman has
+decided that the Owl hat is "the thing."
+
+The small size of the Saw-whet and absence of ears, at once distinguish
+this species from any Owl of eastern North America, except Richardson's,
+which has the head and back spotted with white, and legs barred with
+grayish-brown.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAW-WHET OWL.
+
+
+"Whew!" exclaims Bobbie. "Here's another Owl. I never knew there were so
+many different species, mamma."
+
+Mamma smiled at that word "species." It was a word Bobbie had learned in
+his study of BIRDS.
+
+"The _Saw-whet Owl_," said she, looking at the picture. "A good looking
+little fellow, but not handsome as the Snowy Owl in the June number of
+BIRDS."
+
+"He _was_ a beauty," assented Bobbie, "such great yellow eyes looking at
+you out of a snow bank of feathers. This little fellow's feet have on
+black shoes with yellow soles, not white fur overshoes like the _Snowy
+Owl's_."
+
+"His eyes glow like topaz, though, just as the others did," said mamma.
+"Let us see what he says about himself.
+
+"As stupid as an Owl. That's the way some people talk about us. Then
+again I've heard them say, 'tough as a b'iled owl.' B'iled Owls may be
+tough, I don't know anything about that, for I have been too shy and
+wary to be caught.
+
+"I had a neighbor once who was very fond of chickens. He was a Night Owl
+and said he found it easy to catch them when roosting out at night. Well
+he caught so many that Mr. Owl grew very fat, and the farmer whose
+chickens he ate, caught, cooked, and ate him. His flesh, the farmer
+said, was tender and sweet. So, my little friends, when you want to call
+anything 'tough,' don't mention the Owl any more.
+
+"A foreigner?
+
+"Oh, my, no! I'm proud to say I am an American, and so are all my folks.
+A branch of the family, however, lives way up north in a region where
+they sing 'God save the Queen' instead of the 'Star Spangled Banner.'
+They call themselves English Owls, I guess, because they live on British
+soil.
+
+"Do I sing?
+
+"Well, not exactly. I can hoot though, and my _Ah-ee, ah-ee_, _ah-oo,
+ah-oo_, has a pleasant sound, very much like filing a saw. That is the
+reason they call me the Saw-whet Owl. My mate says it doesn't sound that
+way to her, but then as she hasn't any ears maybe she doesn't hear very
+well.
+
+"You never see me out in the day time, no indeed! I know when the mice
+come out of their holes; I am very fond of mice, also insects. I like
+small birds, too--to eat--but I find them very hard to catch.
+
+"Don't you?"
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                SAW-WHET OWL.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+THE BLACK SWAN.
+
+
+I advise you little folks to take a good look at me. You don't often see
+a Black Swan. White Swans are very common, common as white Geese. I only
+wish I could have had my picture taken while gliding through the water.
+I am so stately and handsome there. My feet wouldn't have shown either.
+
+Really I don't think my feet are pretty. They always remind me when I
+look down at them of a windmill or the sails of a vessel. But if they
+hadn't been made that way, webbed-like, I wouldn't be able to swim as I
+do. They really are a pair of fine paddles, you know.
+
+There was a time when people in certain countries thought a Black Swan
+was an impossibility. As long as there were black sheep in the world, I
+don't see why there shouldn't have been Black Swans, do you?
+
+Well, one day, a Dutch captain exploring a river in Australia, saw and
+captured four of the black fellows. That was way back in sixteen hundred
+and something, so that one of those very Black Swans must have been my
+great, great, great, _great_ grandfather. Indeed he may have been even
+greater than that, but as I have never been to school, you know, I can't
+very well count backward. I can move forward, however, when in the
+water. I make good time there, too.
+
+Well, to go back to the Dutch captain. Two of the Swans he took alive to
+Dutchland and everybody was greatly surprised. They said "Ach!" and
+"Himmel," and many other things which I do not remember. Since that
+time they say the Black Swans have greatly diminished in numbers in
+Australia. You will find us all over the world now, because we are so
+ornamental; people like to have a few of us in their ponds and lakes.
+
+They say that river in Australia which the captain explored was named
+Swan river, and Australia took one of us for its armorial symbol. Well,
+a Black Swan may look well on a shield, but no matter how hard you may
+pull his tail-feathers, he'll never scream like the American Eagle.
+
+
+
+
+THE BLACK SWAN.
+
+
+Australia is the home of the Black Swan, and it is invested by an even
+greater interest than attaches to the South American bird, which is
+white. For many centuries it was considered to be an impossibility, but
+by a singular stroke of fortune, says a celebrated naturalist, we are
+able to name the precise day on which this unexpected discovery was
+made. The Dutch navigator William de Vlaming, visiting the west coast of
+Southland, sent two of his boats on the 6th of January, 1697, to explore
+an estuary he had found. There their crews saw at first two and then
+more Black Swans, of which they caught four, taking two of them alive to
+Batavia; and Valentyn, who several years later recounted this voyage,
+gives in his work a plate representing the ship, boats, and birds, at
+the mouth of what is now known from this circumstance as the Swan River,
+the most important stream of the thriving colony of West Australia,
+which has adopted this Swan as its armorial symbol. Subsequent voyagers,
+Cook and others, found that the range of the species extended over the
+greater part of Australia, in many districts of which it was abundant.
+It has since rapidly decreased in number there, and will most likely
+soon cease to exist as a wild bird, but its singular and ornamental
+appearance will probably preserve it as a modified captive in most
+civilized countries, and it is said, perhaps even now there are more
+Black Swans in a reclaimed condition in other lands than are at large
+in their mother country.
+
+The erect and graceful carriage of the Swan always excites the
+admiration of the beholder, but the gentle bird has other qualities not
+commonly known, one of which is great power of wing. The _Zoologist_
+gives a curious incident relating to this subject. An American physician
+writing to that journal, says that the first case of fracture with which
+he had to deal was one of the forearm caused by the blows of a Swan's
+wing. It was during the winter of 1870, at the Lake of Swans, in
+Mississippi, that the patient was hunting at night, in a small boat and
+by the light of torches. In the course of their maneuvers a flock of
+Swans was suddenly encountered which took to flight without regard
+to anything that might be in the way. As the man raised his arm
+instinctively to ward off the swiftly rising birds, he was struck on his
+forearm by the wing of one of the Swans in the act of getting under
+motion, and as the action and labor of lifting itself were very great,
+the arm was badly broken, both bones being fractured.
+
+When left to itself the nest of the Swan is a large mass of aquatic
+plants, often piled to the height of a couple of feet and about six feet
+in diameter. In the midst of this is a hollow which contains the eggs,
+generally from five to ten in number. They sit upon the eggs between
+five and six weeks.
+
+It is a curious coincidence that this biographical sketch should have
+been written and a faithful portrait for the first time shown on the two
+hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Black Swan.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                BLACK SWAN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+LIFE IN THE NEST.
+
+
+    Blithely twitting, gayly flitting
+      Thro' the budding glen;
+    Golden-crested, sunny-breasted,
+      Goes the tiny Wren.
+    Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,
+      Nook is found at last;
+    Moss and feather, twined together--
+      Home is shaped at last.
+
+    Brisk as ever, quick and clever,
+      Brimming with delight--
+    Six wee beauties, bring new duties,
+      Work from morn to night.
+    Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,
+      Nook is found at last;
+    Moss and feather, twined together--
+      Home is shaped at last.
+                            --J. L. H.
+
+
+
+
+THE SNOWY PLOVER.
+
+
+About one hundred species are comprised in the Plover family, which are
+distributed throughout the world. Only eight species are found in North
+America. Their habits in a general way resemble those of the true
+Snipes, but their much shorter, stouter bills are not fitted for
+probing, and they obtain their food from the surface of the ground.
+Probably for this reason several species are so frequently found on the
+uplands instead of wading about in shallow ponds or the margins of
+streams. They frequent meadows and sandy tracts, where they run swiftly
+along the ground in a peculiarly graceful manner. The Plovers are small
+or medium-sized shore-birds. The Snowy Plover is found chiefly west of
+the Rocky Mountains, and is a constant resident along the California
+coast. It nests along the sandy beaches of the ocean. Mr. N. S. Goss
+found it nesting on the salt plains along the Cimarron River in the
+Indian Territory, the northern limits of which extend into southwestern
+Kansas. The birds are described as being very much lighter in color than
+those of California. Four eggs are usually laid, in ground color, pale
+buff or clay color, with blackish-brown markings. Mr. Cory says the nest
+is a mere depression in the sand. He says also that the Snowy Plover is
+found in winter in many of the Gulf States, and is not uncommon in
+Northwestern Florida.
+
+When the female Snowy Plover is disturbed on the nest she will run over
+the sand with outstretched wings and distressing gait, and endeavor to
+lead the trespasser away from it. It sometimes utters a peculiar cry,
+but is usually silent. The food of these birds consists of various
+minute forms of life. They are similar in actions to the Semi-palmated
+(see July BIRDS), and fully as silent. Indeed they are rarely heard to
+utter a note except as the young are approached--when they are very
+demonstrative--or when suddenly flushed, which, in the nesting season,
+is a very rare thing, as they prefer to escape by running, dodging, and
+squatting the moment they think they are out of danger, in hopes you
+will pass without seeing them as the sandy lands they inhabit closely
+resemble their plumage in color, and says Mr. Goss, you will certainly
+do so should you look away or fail to go directly to the spot.
+
+The first discovery of these interesting birds east of Great Salt Lake
+was in June, 1886. A nest was found which contained three eggs, a full
+set. It was a mere depression worked out in the sand to fit the body. It
+was without lining, and had nothing near to shelter or hide it from
+view.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                SNOWY PLOVER.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+ONLY A BIRD.
+
+
+    Only a bird! and a vagrant boy
+      Fits a pebble with boyish skill
+    Into the folds of a supple sling.
+      "Watch me hit him. I can, an' I will."
+    Whirr! and a silence chill and sad
+      Falls like a pall on the vibrant air,
+    From a birchen tree, whence a shower of song
+      Has fallen in ripples everywhere.
+
+    Only a bird! and the tiny throat
+      With quaver and trill and whistle of flute
+    Bruised and bleeding and silent lies
+      There at his feet. Its chords are mute.
+    And the boy with a loud and boisterous laugh,
+      Proud of his prowess and brutal skill,
+    Throws it aside with a careless toss.
+      "Only a bird! it was made to kill."
+
+    Only a bird! yet far away
+      Little ones clamor and cry for food--
+    Clamor and cry, and the chill of night
+      Settles over the orphan brood.
+    Weaker and fainter the moaning call
+      For a brooding breast that shall never come.
+    Morning breaks o'er a lonely nest,
+      Songless and lifeless; mute and dumb.
+                              --MARY MORRISON.
+
+
+
+
+THE LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.
+
+
+Extending over the Great Plains from western and probably southern
+Texas northward through Indian Territory to Kansas is said to be the
+habitation of the Lesser Prairie Hen, though it is not fully known. It
+inhabits the fertile prairies, seldom frequenting the timbered lands,
+except during sleety storms, or when the ground is covered with snow.
+Its flesh is dark and it is not very highly esteemed as a table bird.
+
+The habits of these birds are similar to those of the Prairie Hen.
+During the early breeding season they feed upon grasshoppers, crickets,
+and other forms of insect life, but afterwards upon cultivated grains,
+gleaned from the stubble in autumn and the corn fields in winter. They
+are also fond of tender buds, berries, and fruits. When flushed, these
+birds rise from the ground with a less whirring sound than the Ruffed
+Grouse or Bob White, and their flight is not as swift, but more
+protracted, and with less apparent effort, flapping and sailing along,
+often to the distance of a mile or more. In the fall the birds come
+together, and remain in flocks until the warmth of spring awakes the
+passions of love; then, in the language of Col. Goss, as with a view to
+fairness and the survival of the fittest, they select a smooth, open
+courtship ground, usually called a scratching ground, where the males
+assemble at the early dawn, to vie with each other in carnage and
+pompous display, uttering at the same time their love call, a loud,
+booming noise. As soon as this is heard by the hen birds desirous of
+mating, they quietly appear, squat upon the ground, apparently
+indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals, whom they
+gladly accept, and whose caresses they receive. Audubon states that
+the vanquished and victors alike leave the grounds to search for the
+females, but he omits to state that many are present, and mate upon the
+"scratching grounds."
+
+The nest of the Prairie Hen is placed on the ground in the thick prairie
+grass and at the foot of bushes when the earth is barren; a hollow is
+scratched in the soil, and sparingly lined with grasses and a few
+feathers. There are from eight to twelve eggs, tawny brown, sometimes
+with an olive hue and occasionally sprinkled with brown.
+
+During the years 1869 and 1870, while the writer was living in
+southwestern Kansas, which was then the far west, Prairie Chickens as
+they were called there, were so numerous that they were rarely used for
+food by the inhabitants, and as there was then no readily accessible
+market the birds were slaughtered for wanton sport.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NEW TENANTS.
+
+BY ELANORA KINSLEY MARBLE.
+
+
+The next day Mrs. Jenny retired into the tin pot, and later, when Mr.
+Wren peeped in, lo! an egg, all spotted with red and brown, lay upon the
+soft lining of the nest.
+
+"It's quite the prettiest thing in the world," proudly said Mr. Wren.
+"Why, my dear, I don't believe your cousin, Mrs. John Wren, ever laid
+one like it. It seems to me those spots upon the shell are very
+remarkable. I shouldn't be surprised if the bird hatched from that shell
+will make a name for himself in bird-land some day, I really shouldn't."
+
+"You foolish fellow," laughed Mrs. Wren, playfully pecking him with her
+bill, "if you were a Goose your Goslings, in your eyes, would all be
+Swans. That's what I heard our landlady say to her husband last night,
+out on the porch, when he wondered which one of his boys would be
+president of the United States."
+
+Mr. Wren chuckled in a truly papa-like manner and pecked her bill in
+return, then fairly bubbling over with happiness flew to a neighboring
+limb, and burst into such a merry roundelay, one note tumbling over
+another in Wren fashion, that every member of the household came out to
+hear and see.
+
+"There he is," cried Pierre, as Mrs. Wren left her nest and flew over
+beside him, "with tail down and head up, singing as though he were mad
+with joy."
+
+"Such a rapturous song," said mamma. "It reminds me of two almost
+forgotten lines:
+
+    'Brown Wren, from out whose swelling throat
+    Unstinted joys of music float.'
+
+"How well we are repaid for the litter they made, are we not?"
+
+"And sure, mum," said Bridget, whose big heart had also been touched
+by the sweet song, "it's glad I am, for sure, that I wasn't afther
+dispossessin' your tinents. It's innocent craythurs they be, God bless
+'em, a harmin' ov no wan. Sthill--"
+
+"Well," queried her mistress, as Bridget paused.
+
+"Sthill, mum, I do be afther wonderin' if the tin pot had been a hangin'
+under the front porch instead of the back, would ye's been after takin'
+the litter so philosophyky like as ye have, mum, to be sure."
+
+The mistress looked at Bridget and laughingly shook her head.
+
+"That's a pretty hard nut to crack, Bridget," said she. "Under those
+conditions I am afraid I----" What ever admission she was going to make
+was cut short by a burst of laughter from the children.
+
+"Look at him, mamma, just look at him," they cried, pointing to Mr.
+Wren, who, too happy to keep still had flown to the gable at the
+extremity of the ridge-pole of the house, and after a gush of song, to
+express his happiness was jerking himself along the ridge-pole in a
+truly funny fashion. From thence he flew into the lower branches of a
+neighboring tree, singing and chattering, and whisking himself in and
+out of the foliage: then back to the roof again, and from roof to tree.
+
+"I know what makes him so happy," announced Henry, who, standing upon a
+chair, had peeped into the nest. "There's a dear little egg in here.
+Hurrah for Mrs. Wren!"
+
+"Do not touch it," commanded mamma, "but each one of us will take a peep
+in turn."
+
+Mrs. Wren's bead-like eyes had taken in the whole proceeding, and with
+fluttering wings she stood on a shrub level with the porch and gave
+voice to her motherly anxiety and anger.
+
+"_Dee, dee, dee_," she shrilly cried, fluttering her little wings, which
+in bird language means, "oh dear, oh dear, what shall I do?"
+
+Her cries of distress were heard by Mr. Wren, and with all haste he flew
+down beside her.
+
+"What is it?" cried he, very nearly out of breath from his late
+exertions. "Has that rascally Mr. Jay----"
+
+"No, no!" she interrupted, wringing her sharp little toes, "It's not Mr.
+Jay this time, Mr. Wren. It's the family over there, _our_ family,
+robbing our nest of its one little egg."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense!" coolly said Mr. Wren, taking one long breath of
+relief. "Why, my dear, you nearly frighten me to death. You know, or
+_ought_ to know by this time, that our landlord's family have been
+taught not to do such things. Besides you yourself admit them to be
+exceptionally good children and good children never rob nests. Fie, I'm
+ashamed of you. Really my heart flew to my bill when I heard your call
+of distress."
+
+Mrs. Wren, whose fears were quite allayed by this time, looked at her
+mate scornfully.
+
+"Oh!" said she, with fine sarcasm, "your heart flew into your bill
+did it? Well, let me say, Mr. Wren, that if it had been my mother in
+distress, father at the first note of warning, would have flown to her
+assistance with his heart in his _claws_. He kept them well sharpened
+for just such occasions, and woe to any enemy _he_ found prowling about
+his premises."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said Mr. Wren, "I presume he would have attacked Bridget
+over there, and the whole family. To hear you talk, Mrs. Wren, one would
+think your father was a whole host in himself."
+
+"And so he was," said she, loftily, "I have seen him attack a _Bluebird_
+and a _Martin_ at the same time and put them both to flight. An _Owl_
+had no terrors for him, and as for squirrels, why----" Mrs. Wren raised
+her wings and shrugged her shoulders in a very Frenchy and wholly
+contemptuous manner.
+
+"I'm a peace-loving sort of a fellow, that you know, Mrs. Wren,
+deploring the reputation our tribe has so justly earned for fighting,
+and scolding, and jeering at everything and everybody. Indeed they go so
+far as to say we trust no one, not even our kindred. But mark me, Mrs.
+Wren, mark me, I say! Should any rascally Jay, neighbor or not, ever
+dare approach that tin pot over yonder, or ever alight on the roof of
+the porch, I'll, I'll----" Mr. Wren fairly snorted in his anger, and
+standing on one foot, doubled up the toes of the other and struck it
+defiantly at the imaginary foe.
+
+"Oh, I dare say!" tauntingly said Mrs. Wren, "you are the sort of fellow
+that I heard little Dorothy reading about the other day. You would fight
+and run away, Mr. Wren, that you might live to fight another day."
+
+Mr. Wren lifted one foot and scratched himself meditatively behind the
+ear.
+
+"Good, _very_ good, indeed, my dear! It must have been a pretty wise
+chap that wrote that." And Mr. Wren, who seemed to find the idea very
+amusing, laughed until the tears stood in his eyes.
+
+Mrs. Wren smoothed her ruffled feathers and smiled too.
+
+"Tut, tut, Jenny," said the good-natured fellow, "what is the use of us
+newly married folk quarreling in this fashion. Think how joyous we were
+less than one short hour ago. Come, my dear, the family have all left
+the porch, save Emmett. Let us fly over there and take a look at our
+treasure." And Mrs. Wren, entirely restored to good humor, flirted her
+tail over her back, hopped about a little in a coquettish manner, then
+spread her wings, and off they flew together.
+
+Mrs. Wren the next day deposited another egg, and the next, and the
+next, till six little speckled beauties lay huddled together in the cosy
+nest.
+
+"Exactly the number of our landlord's family," said she, fluffing her
+feathers and gathering the eggs under her in that truly delightful
+fashion common to all mother birds. "I am so glad. I was greatly puzzled
+to know what names we should have given the babies had there been more
+than six."
+
+"I hadn't thought of that," admitted Mr. Wren, who in his joy had been
+treating his mate to one of his fine wooing songs, and at length coaxed
+her from the nest, "but I dare say we would have named them after some
+of our relatives."
+
+"Why, of course," assented Mrs. Wren, "I certainly would have named one
+after my dear, brave papa. Mrs. John Wren says that boys named after a
+great personage generally develop all the qualities of that person."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" sniffed Mr. Wren, "that was the reason she named one of
+her numerous brood last year after our rascally neighbor, Mr. Jay, I
+presume. Certainly the youngster turned out as great a rascal as the one
+he was named after."
+
+Mrs. Wren's head feathers stood on end at once.
+
+"For the life of me," she said tartly, "I cannot see why you always fly
+into a passion, Mr. Wren, whenever I mention dear papa, or Mrs. John, or
+in fact _any_ of my relatives. Indeed--but sh-sh! There's one of our
+neighbors coming this way. I verily believe it is, oh yes, it is, it
+_is_----" and Mrs. Wren wrung her toes, and cried _cheet, cheet, cheet_,
+and _dee, dee, dee_! in a truly anxious and alarming manner.
+
+[TO BE CONTINUED.]
+
+
+
+
+SUMMARY.
+
+
+Page 46.
+
+#LEAST BITTERN.#--_Botaurus exilis._
+
+RANGE--Temperate North America, from the British Provinces to the West
+Indies and South America.
+
+NEST--In the thick rushes, along the edge of the water, bending down the
+tops of water grass and plaiting it into a snug little nest, about two
+or three feet above the water.
+
+EGGS--Three or five, pale bluish or greenish-white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 50.
+
+#BALDPATE.#--_Anas americana._
+
+RANGE--North America from the Arctic ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba.
+
+NEST--On the ground in marshes, of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and
+nicely hollowed; usually lined with the down and feathers from its own
+breast.
+
+EGGS--Eight to twelve, of pale buff.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 54.
+
+#PURPLE FINCH.#--_Carpodacus purpureus._ Other names: "Purple Grosbeak,"
+"Crimson Finch," "Linnet."
+
+RANGE--Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States
+northward.
+
+NEST--In evergreens or orchard trees, at a moderate distance from the
+ground. Composed of weed-stalks, bark-strips, rootlets, grasses, all
+kinds of vegetable fibres, and lined with hairs.
+
+EGGS--Four or five, of a dull green, spotted with very dark brown,
+chiefly about the larger end.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 58.
+
+#RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.#--_Melanerpes carolinus._ Other name: "Zebra
+Bird."
+
+RANGE--Eastern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, south to
+Florida and Central Texas.
+
+NEST--In holes in decayed trees, twenty or thirty feet from the ground.
+
+EGGS--Four or six, glossy white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 63.
+
+#SAW-WHET OWL.#--_Nyctale acadica._ Other name: "Acadian Owl."
+
+RANGE--Whole of North America; breeding from middle United States
+northward.
+
+NEST--In holes, trees, or hollow trunks.
+
+EGGS--Four to seven, white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 67.
+
+#BLACK SWAN.#--_Cygnus atratus._
+
+RANGE--Australia.
+
+NEST--On a tussock entirely surrounded by water.
+
+EGGS--Two to five.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 71.
+
+#SNOWY PLOVER.#--_Aegialitis nivosa._
+
+RANGE--Western North America, south to Mexico in winter, both coasts of
+Central America, and in western South America to Chile.
+
+NEST--On the ground.
+
+EGGS--Three, ground color, pale buff or clay color, marked with
+blackish-brown spots, small splashes and fine dots.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 75.
+
+#LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.#--_Tympanuchus pallidicinctus._
+
+RANGE--Eastern edge of the Great Plains, from western and probably
+southern Texas northward through Indian Territory to Kansas.
+
+NEST--On the ground in thick prairie grass, and at the foot of bushes on
+the barren ground; a hollow scratched out in the soil, and sparingly
+lined with grasses and a few feathers.
+
+EGGS--Eight to twelve, tawny brown.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34294-8.txt or 34294-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/9/34294/
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/34294-8.zip b/34294-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50212bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-8.zip
diff --git a/34294-h.zip b/34294-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10281d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h.zip
diff --git a/34294-h/34294-h.htm b/34294-h/34294-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe2a759
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/34294-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,2746 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+   <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography Vol. Three, No. 2, February 1898 by Birds (Periodical).
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+/*<![CDATA[*/
+
+    p {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         }
+
+    .sml {font-size: .8em;}
+    .sml1 {font-size: .8em; font-variant: small-caps;}
+    .head {font-size: 1.1em; letter-spacing: .2em;}
+
+    h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+
+    h5 { text-align: center; font-size: 3em;
+         clear: both;
+         }
+
+    h6 { text-align: center; font-size: 4em;
+         clear: both;
+         }
+
+    hr { width: 33%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+       }
+
+
+    .vlouter { width: 100%; border-top: 1px black solid;
+               border-bottom: 1px black solid; padding-top: 0.25em;
+               padding-bottom: 0.25em; }
+    .volumeline { width: 100%; border-top: 1px black solid;
+                  border-bottom: 1px black solid; padding-top: 0.25em;
+                  padding-bottom: 0.25em; }
+    .volumeleft { float:left; width:33%; text-align:left; }
+    .volumeright { float:right; text-align:right; width:33%; }
+    .spacer { clear: both; }
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+
+    .box { width: 600px;
+           margin: 0 auto;
+           text-align: center;
+           padding: 1em;
+           border-style: none; }
+
+    a { text-decoration: none; }
+
+    .pagenum  { visibility: hidden;
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .caption  {font-weight: bold; font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    .figleft     {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top:
+                 0em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;}
+
+  /*]]>*/
+
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Birds Illustrated by Color Photography [February, 1898]
+       A Monthly Serial designed to Promote Knowledge of Bird-Life
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2010 [EBook #34294]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="box">
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p>
+
+<h1>BIRDS.</h1>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Illustrated by</span> COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="vlouter">
+<div class="volumeline">
+<div class="volumeleft"><span class="smcap">Vol</span>. III.</div>
+<div class="volumeright"><span class="smcap">No</span>. 2.</div>
+<div class="center">FEBRUARY, 1898.</div>
+<div class="spacer"><!-- empty for spacing purposes --></div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2>GILBERT WHITE AND &ldquo;SELBORNE.&rdquo;</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 38px;">
+<img src="images/imgi.png" width="38" height="80" alt="I" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>SUPPOSE that a habit of minute
+observation of nature is one of
+the most difficult things to
+acquire, as it is one which is
+less generally pursued than any
+other study. In almost all departments
+of learning and investigation there have
+been numberless works published to illustrate
+them, and text books would fill
+the shelves of a large library. Thoreau
+in his &ldquo;Walden&rdquo; has shown an extremely
+fine and close observation of the scenes
+in which his all too short life was
+passed, but his object does not seem at
+any time to have been the study of
+nature from an essential love of it, or
+to add to his own or the world&#8217;s knowledge.
+On the contrary, nature was the
+one resource which enabled him to
+exemplify his notions of independence,
+which were of such a sturdy and uncompromising
+character that Mr.
+Emerson, who had suffered some inconvenience
+from his experience of
+Thoreau as an inmate of his household,
+thought him fitter to meet occasionally
+in the open air than as a guest at
+table and fireside. There is a delicious
+harmony with nature in all that he has
+written, but his descriptions of out-of-door
+life invite us rather to indolent
+musing than to investigation or study.
+Who after reading Izaak Walton ever
+went a-fishing with the vigor and enterprise
+of Piscator? Washington Irving
+allowed his cork to drift with the
+current and lay down in the shadow of
+a spreading oak to dream with the beloved
+old author.</p>
+
+<p>In White&#8217;s &ldquo;Natural History of Selborne&rdquo; we
+have a unique book
+indeed, but of a far more general
+interest than its title would indicate.
+Pliny, the elder, was the father of
+natural history but to many of us Gilbert
+White is entitled to that honor. To
+an early edition of the book, without
+engravings, and much abridged, as
+compared with Bohn&#8217;s, published in
+1851, many owe their first interest in
+the subject.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ireland in his charming little
+&ldquo;Book Lover&#8217;s Enchiridion,&rdquo; tells us
+that when a boy he was so delighted
+with it, that in order to possess a copy
+of his own (books were not so cheap
+as now) he actually copied out the
+whole work. In a list of one hundred
+books, Sir John Lubbock mentions
+it as &ldquo;an inestimable blessing.&rdquo;
+Edward Jesse, author
+of &ldquo;Gleanings in Natural History&rdquo; attributes
+his own pursuits as an out-door naturalist
+entirely to White&#8217;s example. Much
+of the charm of the book consists in
+the amiable character of the author, who</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 5em;">
+&ldquo;&mdash;&mdash;lived in solitude, midst trees and flowers,<br />
+Life&#8217;s sunshine mingling with its passing showers;<br />
+No storms to startle, and few clouds to shade<br />
+The even path his Christian virtues made.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Very little is known of him beyond
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>what he has chosen to mention in his
+diaries, which were chiefly records of
+his daily studies and observations, and
+in his correspondence, from which the
+&ldquo;history&rdquo; is in fact made up. From
+these it is evident that his habits were
+secluded and that he was strongly
+attached to the charms of rural life.
+He says the greater part of his time
+was spent in literary occupations, and
+especially in the study of nature. He
+was born July 18, 1720, in the house
+in which he died. His father was his
+first instructor in natural history, and
+to his brother Thomas, a fellow of the
+Royal Society, he was indebted for
+many suggestions for his work. It
+is also to his brother&#8217;s influence that
+we owe the publication of the book, as
+it required much persuasion to induce
+the philosopher to pass through the
+ordeal of criticism, &ldquo;having a great
+dread of Reviewers,&rdquo; those incorrigible
+<em>b&ecirc;tes noires</em> of authors. His brother
+promising himself to review the work
+in the &ldquo;Gentleman&#8217;s Magazine,&rdquo; White
+reluctantly consented to its publication.
+The following short abstract from the
+review will show its quality, as well as
+suggest a possible answer to the current
+question propounded by students of the
+census.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Contemplative persons see with
+regret the country more and more
+deserted every day, as they know that
+every well-regulated family of property
+which quits a village to reside in a
+town, injures the place that is forsaken
+in material circumstances. It is with
+pleasure, therefore, we observe that so
+rational an employment of leisure hours
+as the study of nature promises to
+become popular, since whatever adds
+to the number of rural amusements,
+and consequently counteracts the
+allurements of the metropolis is, on this
+consideration, of national importance.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It is to be feared, however, that
+many stronger influences than this of
+the study of nature will be necessary
+to keep the young men of the present
+day from the great cities. Indeed,
+modern naturalists themselves spend
+the greater part of their lives at the
+centers of knowledge and only make
+temporary sallies into the woods and
+fields to gather data. White was
+a noble pioneer. The very minuteness&mdash;almost
+painful&mdash;of his observation
+required him to occupy
+himself for days and weeks and
+months with what to the average
+mind would seem of the slightest
+importance. As an example of
+his patient investigation, his famous
+study of the tortoise may
+be given. It was more than thirty years
+old when it came into his possession,
+and for many years&mdash;perhaps twenty&mdash;we
+find White watching the habits
+of the interesting old reptile, until, we
+may assume, he knew all about him
+and his species.</p>
+
+<p>There are over three hundred and
+fifty different species of animals and
+birds treated by White, most of them
+exhaustively; the beech tree, the elm,
+and the oak are described and watched
+from year to year; and the geology
+and fossil remains of Selborne district
+are presented. We have daily accounts
+of the weather, information of the first
+tree in leaf, the appearance of the first
+fungi and the plants first in blossom.
+He tells us when mosses vegetate, when
+insects first appear and disappear,
+when birds are first seen and when
+they migrate&mdash;and a thousand other
+things; all in a style of such simplicity,
+united with rare scholarship, that it is
+well worth the attention and imitation
+of students of the English
+language. White was educated at
+Oxford. He had frequent opportunities,
+&#8217;tis said, of accepting college livings,
+but his fondness for his native village
+made him decline all preferment. To
+this we owe &ldquo;Selborne&rdquo; of which Dr.
+Beardmore, a distinguished scholar,
+made the prophetic remark to a
+nephew of White&#8217;s: &ldquo;Your uncle has
+sent into the world a publication with
+nothing to attract attention to it but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>
+an advertisement or two in the newspapers;
+but depend upon it, the time
+will come when very few who buy
+books will be without it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The village was far less attractive
+than our imaginations would depict it
+to have been, and the traveler who
+would &ldquo;view fair Selborne aright,&rdquo;
+according to a contemporary writer,
+should humor the caprices of the
+English climate and visit it only when
+its fields and foliage are clothed in
+their summer verdure.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 20em;">
+<span class="smcap">&mdash;Charles C. Marble.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>A FRIEND OF BIRDS</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 38px;">
+<img src="images/imgi.png" width="38" height="80" alt="I" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>T is told of George H. Corliss, the
+famous engine builder of Providence,
+R. I., that when building
+a foundry at the Corliss
+works, some Blue Birds took
+the opportunity to build in some holes
+in the interior framework into which
+horizontal timbers were to go. The
+birds flew in and out&mdash;as Blue Birds
+will&mdash;and went on with their housekeeping,
+until in the natural course of
+things the workmen would have
+evicted them to put the apertures to
+their intended use of receiving timbers.
+But Mr. Corliss interfered and showed
+how the particular aperture the birds
+were occupying could be left undisturbed
+until they were done with it,
+without any serious delay to the building.
+So the pair came and went in
+the midst of the noise of building and
+brought up their little family safely,
+and after they had flown away, and
+not until then, that particular part of
+the framework was completed.</p>
+
+<p>At another time, Mr. Corliss was
+working on a contract with the city of
+Providence to supply a steam pumping
+apparatus, power house and all, at
+Sockonosset, and the time was short,
+and there were forfeitures nominated
+in the bond for every day beyond a
+a specified date for its completion.</p>
+
+<p>The power house was to be upon
+virgin soil where were rocks and trees&mdash;little
+trees growing among rocks.
+In blasting and clearing the necessary
+place for the foundations of the building,
+a Robin&#8217;s nest was discovered in
+a little tree within the space where the
+upheavals were to be made. When
+Mr. Corliss knew this he had the work
+transferred to the other side of the
+square or parallelogram around which
+the digging and blasting were to go,
+saying that it was just as well to do
+the other side first.</p>
+
+<p>But it proved that when the workmen
+had got clear around and back
+to the Robin&#8217;s tree, the young birds
+were still not quite ready to fly. This
+called for a new exercise of an inventor&#8217;s
+power of adapting means to a
+worthy end. Looking at the little
+tree with its nest and little birds high
+in the branches he bade the men support
+the tree carefully while it was
+sawed through the trunk a little above
+the ground, and then carry it in an
+upright position to a safe distance and
+stick it into the ground with proper
+support.</p>
+
+<p>The Robin family continued to
+thrive after this novel house-moving
+and all flew away together after a few
+more days.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p>
+<h2>QUEER DOINGS OF A CRANE.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/imga1.png" width="93" height="80" alt="a" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>WRITER on &ldquo;Animal Helpers and Servers&rdquo; gives
+a remarkable account of a
+tame Crane, communicated
+by Von Seyffert.
+Von Seyffert had a pair of tame Cranes
+which soon lost all fear of man and of
+domestic animals, and became strongly
+attached to the former. Their life in
+a German village, in which agriculture
+was the sole employment and the communal
+system of joint herding of
+cattle and swine and driving them
+together to the common pasture prevailed,
+was very much to their taste.
+They soon knew all the inhabitants in
+the place and used to call regularly
+at the houses to be fed. Then the
+female died and the survivor at once
+took as a new friend a bull. He stood
+by the bull in the stall and kept the
+flies off him, screamed when he roared,
+danced before him and followed him
+out with the herd. In this association
+the Crane learned the duties of cowherd,
+so that one evening he brought
+home the whole of the village herd of
+heifers unaided and drove them into
+the stable. From that time the Crane
+undertook so many duties that he was
+busy from dawn till night. He acted
+as policeman among the poultry,
+stopping all fights and disorder. He
+stood by a horse when left in a cart
+and prevented it from moving by
+pecking its nose and screaming. A
+Turkey and a Game Cock were found
+fighting, whereon the Crane first fought
+the Turkey, then sought out and
+thrashed the cock. Meantime it
+herded the cattle, not always with
+complete success. The bovines were
+collected in the morning by the sound
+of a horn and some would lag behind.
+On one occasion the Crane went back,
+drove up some lagging heifers through
+the street and then frightened them
+so much that they broke away and ran
+two miles in the wrong direction. The
+bird could not bring them back, but
+drove them into a field, where it
+guarded them until they were fetched.
+It would drive out trespassing cattle
+as courageously as a dog and, unlike
+most busybodies, was a universal favorite
+and pride of the village.&mdash;<em>Cornhill
+Magazine.</em></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i_013.jpg" width="600" height="453" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">least bittern.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 21em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE LEAST BITTERN.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 86px;">
+<img src="images/imgt.png" width="86" height="80" alt="T" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>HROUGHOUT the whole of
+temperate North America and
+tropical America to Brazil,
+this, the smallest of the Bittern
+family, is a well-known bird, but being
+a nocturnal species, inhabiting the
+almost inaccessible swamps and boggy
+lands that are covered with a dense
+growth of canes, reeds, and rushes, it
+is seldom met with. Mr. Davis calls
+it an extremely interesting little bird,
+of quiet, retiring habits. In some
+places as many as a dozen or twenty
+pairs breed along the grassy shores of
+a small lake or pond. The nest is
+placed on the ground or in the
+midst of the rankest grass, or in a
+bush. It is often placed on floating
+bog, and is simply a platform of dead
+rushes.</p>
+
+<p>This bird has many odd habits.
+When standing on the edge of a stream,
+with its neck drawn in, it is often
+taken for a Woodcock, the long bill
+giving it this appearance. It is so
+stupid at times that it may be caught
+with the hand.</p>
+
+<p>The Least Bittern is usually seen
+just before or after sunset. When
+startled it utters a low <em>gua</em>, and in daylight
+flies but a short distance, in a
+weak, uncertain manner, but at dusk
+it flaps along on strong easy wing,
+with neck drawn in and legs extended.</p>
+
+<p>The eggs of this species are usually
+from two to six in number, and of a
+pale bluish or greenish-white. If
+approached while on the nest, the
+female generally steps quietly to one
+side, but if suddenly surprised, takes
+to flight.</p>
+
+<p>The Least Bittern is known by
+many local names. In Jamaica it is
+called Tortoise-shell Bird and Minute
+Bittern, and in many localities Little
+Bittern.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 6.5em;">
+&ldquo;All Nature is a unit in herself,<br />
+Yet but a part of a far greater whole.<br />
+Little by little you may teach your child<br />
+To know her ways and live in harmony<br />
+With her; and then, in turn, help him through her<br />
+To find those verities within himself,<br />
+Of which all outward things are but the type.<br />
+So when he passes from your sheltering care<br />
+To walk the ways of men, his soul shall be<br />
+Knit to all things that are, and still most free;<br />
+And of him shall be writ at last this word&mdash;<br />
+&lsquo;At peace with nature, with himself, and God.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE BALDPATE DUCK.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>&ldquo;There seem to be as many
+Ducks as there are Owls,&rdquo; remarks
+Bobbie. &ldquo;This fellow is
+called Baldpate, but he&#8217;s not
+bare on top of his head like
+Gran&#8217;pa, at all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No, his head is feathered as
+well as any Duck&#8217;s head,&rdquo;
+replies mamma. &ldquo;I remember
+hearing him called the Widgeon,
+I think.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, that&#8217;s what it says here,
+the American Widgeon, a game
+bird, you know, mamma.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, its flesh is very delicious,
+almost as good as the Canvas-back.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, but these Baldpates are
+cunning fellows,&rdquo; exclaims Bobbie,
+continuing his reading, &ldquo;It
+says they are fond of a certain
+grass plant which grows deep in
+both salt and fresh water, but
+they don&#8217;t dive for it as the
+Canvas-back and other deep
+water Ducks do.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; says mamma, as
+Bobbie stops, his lips moving,
+but uttering no sound.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I stopped to spell a word,&rdquo;
+explains Bobbie. &ldquo;It says they
+closely follow and watch the
+Canvas-back and other Ducks,
+and when they rise to the surface
+of the water with the roots
+of the plant in their bills, Mr.
+Baldpate quickly snatches a
+part, or all of the catch, and
+hurries off to eat it at his
+leisure.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;A mean fellow, indeed,&rdquo; remarks
+mamma, &ldquo;but he has no
+reason to guide him, as you
+have, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed I <em>don&#8217;t</em> know,&rdquo; quickly
+says Bobbie. &ldquo;You remember
+that story about the imprisoned
+Duck that had its leg broken
+and was put under a small crate,
+or coop, to keep it from running
+about? Well, some of the other
+Ducks pitied the little prisoner
+and tried to release him by forcing
+their necks under the crate
+and thus lifting it up. They
+found they weren&#8217;t strong enough
+to do that, and so they <em>quacked</em>,
+and <em>quacked</em>, and <em>quacked</em> among
+themselves, then marched away
+in a body. Soon they came back
+with forty ducks, every one in
+the farm yard. They surrounded
+the crate and tried to
+lift it as before, but again they
+failed. Then they <em>quacked</em> some
+more, and after a long talk the
+whole of them went to one side
+of the crate. As many as could
+thrust their necks underneath it,
+and the rest pushed them forward
+from behind. A good
+push, a strong push, up went the
+crate a little way, and out waddled
+the little prisoner. I want
+to know if they didn&#8217;t reason
+that out, mamma?&rdquo;</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i_020.jpg" width="600" height="442" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">baldpate duck.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 21em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE BALDPATE.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 5em;">
+We would have you to wit, that on eggs though we sit,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And are spiked on a spit, and are baked in a pan,</span><br />
+Birds are older by far than your ancestors are,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And made love and made war, ere the making of man!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;" class="smcap">&mdash;Andrew Lang.</span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 86px;">
+<img src="images/imgt.png" width="86" height="80" alt="t" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>HERE is much variation in the
+plumage of adult males of this
+species of Widgeon, but as
+Dr. Coues says: &ldquo;The bird
+cannot be mistaken under any condition;
+the extensive white of the under
+parts and wings is recognizable at
+gun-range.&rdquo; The female is similar,
+but lacks the white crown and iridescence
+on the head.</p>
+
+<p>The Baldpate ranges over the whole
+of North America. In winter it is
+common in the Gulf states and lower
+part of the Mississippi Valley. Cooke
+says it breeds chiefly in the north, but is
+known to nest in Manitoba, the Dakotas,
+Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois,
+and Texas. Throughout the whole of
+British America, as far north as the
+Arctic ocean, it is very abundant. In
+October and April it visits in large
+numbers the rivers and marshes, as
+well as both sea coasts of the northern
+United States, and is much sought by
+hunters, its flesh being of the finest
+quality, as when in good condition it
+cannot easily be distinguished from
+that of the Canvas-back. It is regarded
+by hunters as a great nuisance. It is
+not only so shy that it avoids the points
+of land, but by its whistling and confused
+manner of flight is said to alarm
+the other species. During its stay in
+the waters of the Chesapeake, it is the
+constant companion of the Canvas-backs,
+upon whose superiority in diving
+it depends in a large degree for its
+food, stealing from them, as they rise
+to the surface of the water, the tender
+roots of the plant of which both are so
+fond&mdash;<em>vallisneria</em> grass, or wild celery.
+The Baldpate is said to visit the rice
+fields of the south during the winter
+in considerable numbers. It winters
+in the Southern states, Mexico, and
+the West Indies. In the north, the
+Widgeon exhibits a greater preference
+for rivers and open lakes than most
+of the other fresh-water Ducks.</p>
+
+<p>The favorite situation of the nest is
+remarkable, for while the other Ducks&mdash;except,
+perhaps, the Teal, according
+to Mr. Kennicott&mdash;choose the
+immediate vicinity of water, he found
+the Baldpate always breeding at a
+considerable distance from it. Several
+of the nests observed on the Yukon
+were fully half a mile from the nearest
+water. He invariably found the nest
+among dry leaves, upon high, dry
+ground, either under large trees or in
+thick groves of small ones&mdash;frequently
+among thick spruces. The nest is
+small, simply a depression among the
+leaves, but thickly lined with down,
+with which after setting is begun, the
+eggs are covered when left by the
+parent. They are from eight to twelve
+in number, and pale buff. The food of
+the Baldpate consists of aquatic insects,
+small shells, and the seeds and roots of
+various plants.</p>
+
+<p>The call of this bird is a plaintive
+whistle of two and then three notes
+of nearly equal duration. Col. N. S.
+Goss states that, as a rule, Widgeons
+&ldquo;are not shy, and their note, a sort of
+<em>whew, whew, whew</em>, uttered while feeding
+and swimming, enables the hunter
+to locate them in the thickest growth
+of water plants.&rdquo;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+<h2>WOOING BIRDS&#8217; ODD WAYS.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 64px;">
+<img src="images/imgo.png" width="64" height="80" alt="O" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>f all the interesting points on
+which Mr. Dixon touches
+in his &ldquo;Curiosities of Bird
+Life,&rdquo; perhaps none is more
+remarkable than the strange
+antics in which some birds indulge,
+especially at the pairing season. With
+what odd gestures will a smartly
+dressed Cock sparrow, for instance,
+endeavor to cut a good figure in the
+eyes of his demure and sober-tinted
+lady-love!</p>
+
+<p>To a similar performance, though
+with more of dignity and action about
+it, the Blackcock treats his wives, for,
+unlike the better conducted though
+often much calumniated sparrow, he
+is not satisfied with a single mate. One
+of the most characteristic of spring
+sounds on Exmoor, as evening darkens,
+or, still more, in the early hours
+of the morning, is the challenge of
+the Blackcock. In the month of April
+he who is abroad early enough may
+watch, upon the russet slopes of
+Dunkery, a little party of Blackcock
+at one of their recognized and probably
+ancestral meeting-places, by one of the
+little moorland streams, or on the wet
+edge of some swampy hollow. Each
+bird crouches on a hillock, in the
+oddest of attitudes&mdash;its head down, its
+wings a-droop, its beautiful tail raised&mdash;and
+utters at intervals strange,
+almost weird notes, sometimes suggestive
+of the purr of a Turtle-dove, and
+sometimes more like the cry of chamois.</p>
+
+<p>Presently an old cock, grand in his
+new black coat, will get up and march
+backward and forward with his neck
+stretched out and his wings trailing on
+the ground. Now he leaps into the
+air, sometimes turning right round
+before he alights, and now again he
+crouches close upon his hillock. It is
+said that in places where black game
+are few a single cock will go through
+all this by himself, or at least with
+only his wives for witnesses. But if
+there are more cocks than one, the
+proceedings generally end with a
+fight. Where the birds are numerous
+the young cocks, who are not allowed
+to enter the arena with their elders, hold
+unauthorized celebrations of their own.</p>
+
+<p>There are many birds which thus,
+like higher mortals, have their fits of
+madness in the days of courtship. But
+there are some, such as the spur-winged
+Lapwing of La Plata, which are, like
+the lady in the song, so fond of dancing,
+especially of what the natives call
+their serious dance, meaning a square
+one, that they indulge in such performances
+all the year, not in the daytime
+only, but even on moonlight
+nights. &ldquo;If,&rdquo; says Mr. Hudson, who
+tells the story, &ldquo;a person watches any
+two birds for some time&mdash;for they
+live in pairs&mdash;he will see another Lapwing,
+one of a neighboring couple,
+rise up and fly to them, leaving his
+own mate to guard their chosen
+ground, and instead of resenting this
+visit as an unwarranted intrusion on
+their domain, as they would certainly
+resent the approach of almost any other
+bird, they welcome it with notes and
+signs of pleasure. Advancing to the
+visitor, they place themselves behind
+it; then all three keeping step, begin
+a rapid march, uttering resonant drumming
+notes in time with their movements;
+the notes of the pair behind
+them being emitted in a stream, like a
+drum roll, while the leader utters loud
+single notes at regular intervals. The
+march ceases; the leader elevates his
+wings and stands motionless and erect,
+still uttering loud notes, while the
+other two with puffed-out plumage,
+and standing exactly abreast, stoop
+forward and downward until the top
+of their beaks touch the ground, and,
+sinking their rhythmical voices to a
+murmur, remain for some time in this
+posture. The performance is then over
+and the visitor goes back to his own
+ground and mate, to receive a visitor
+himself later on.&rdquo;&mdash;<em>London Daily News.</em></p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 452px;">
+<img src="images/i_027.jpg" width="452" height="600" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">purple finch.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 9em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE PURPLE FINCH.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p class="center">
+&ldquo;The wind blows cold, the birds are still,<br />
+And skies are gray.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 79px;">
+<img src="images/imgp.png" width="79" height="80" alt="P" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>URPLE GROSBEAK, Crimson
+Finch, Strawberry
+Bird, and Linnet are some
+of the common names by
+which this bird of bright
+colors, sweet song, and sociable disposition
+is known. It is very numerous
+in New England, but is found nesting
+regularly in the northern tier of states,
+North and South Dakota, Minnesota,
+Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., northward,
+and it is said to breed in northern
+Illinois. In Nova Scotia it is exceeding
+abundant.</p>
+
+<p>Robert Ridgway says he first made
+the acquaintance of the Purple Finch
+at Mt. Carmel, in mid-winter, &ldquo;under
+circumstances of delightful memory.
+The ground was covered with snow,&mdash;the
+weather clear and bright, but cold.
+Crossing a field in the outskirts of the
+town, and approaching the line of tall,
+dead rag-weeds which grew thickly in
+the fence corners, a straggling flock of
+birds was startled, flew a short distance,
+and again alighted on the tall weed-stalks,
+uttering as they flew, a musical,
+metallic <em>chink, chink</em>. The beautiful
+crimson color of the adult males,
+heightened by contrast with the snow,
+was a great surprise to the writer, then
+a boy of thirteen, and excited intense
+interest in this, to him, new bird. On
+subsequent occasions during the same
+winter, they were found under like
+circumstances, and also in &lsquo;sycamore&rsquo;
+or buttonwood trees, feeding on the
+small seeds contained within the balls
+of this tree.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Brewer says that the song of the
+Purple Finch resembles that of the
+Canary, and though less varied and
+powerful, is softer, sweeter, and more
+touching and pleasing. The notes
+may be heard from the last of May
+until late in September, and in the
+long summer evening are often continued
+until it is quite dark. Their
+song has all the beauty and pathos of
+the Warbling Vireo, and greatly
+resembles it, but is more powerful and
+full in tone. It is a very interesting
+sight to watch one of these little performers
+in the midst of his song. He
+appears perfectly absorbed in his work,&mdash;his
+form is dilated, his crest is
+erected, his throat expands, and he
+seems to be utterly unconscious of all
+around him. But let an intruder of
+his own race appear within a few feet
+of the singer, the song instantly ceases,
+and in a violent fit of indignation, he
+chases him away. S. P. Cheney says
+that a careful observer told him that
+he had seen the Linnet fly from the
+side of his mate directly upward fifteen
+or twenty feet, singing every instant
+in the most excited manner till he
+dropped to the point of starting. The
+Yellow-breasted Chat has a like performance.
+See Vol. II of <span class="smcap">Birds</span>,
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30965/30965-h/30965-h.htm#Page_238">p. 238</a>.</p>
+
+<p>The nest of the Finch is usually
+placed in evergreens or orchard trees, at
+a moderate distance from the ground.
+It is composed of weed-stalks, bark
+strips, rootlets, grasses, and vegetable
+fibres, and lined with hair. The eggs
+are four or five in number, dull green,
+and spotted with dark brown.</p>
+
+<p>Study his picture and habits and be
+prepared to welcome this charming
+spring visitant.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10em;">
+A little Woodpecker am I,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you may always know</span><br />
+When I am searching for a worm,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">For tap, tap, tap, I go.</span></p>
+
+
+<p>Oh yes, I am proud of my appearance,
+but really I am not
+proud of my name. Sometimes
+I am called the &ldquo;Zebra Bird,&rdquo;
+on account of the bands of white
+and black on my back and wings.
+That is a much prettier name, I
+think, than the Red-bellied
+Woodpecker, don&#8217;t you? Certainly
+it is more genteel.</p>
+
+<p>I know a bird that is called the
+Red-eyed Vireo, because his eyes
+are red. Well, my eyes are
+red, too. Then why not call me
+the Red-eyed Woodpecker?
+Still the Woodpeckers are such
+a common family I don&#8217;t much
+care about that either.</p>
+
+<p>In the last <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30626/30626-h/30626-h.htm#Page_46">February</a> number
+of <span class="smcap">Birds</span> that saucy red-headed
+cousin of mine had his picture
+and a letter. Before very long
+the Red-cockaded Woodpecker
+will have his picture taken too,
+I suppose.</p>
+
+<p>Dear, dear! If all the Woodpeckers
+are going to write to
+you, you will have a merry time.
+Why, I can count twenty-four
+different species of that family
+and I have only four fingers, or
+toes, to count on, and you little
+folks have five. There may be
+more of them, Woodpeckers I
+mean, for all I know.</p>
+
+<p>Speaking about toes! I have
+two in front and two behind.
+There are some Woodpeckers
+that have only three, two in front
+and one behind. It&#8217;s a fact, I
+assure you. I thought I would
+tell you about it before one of
+the three toed fellows got a
+chance to write to you about it
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>I am not so shy and wary a
+bird as some people think I am.
+When I want an insect, or worm,
+I don&#8217;t care how many eyes are
+watching me, but up the tree I
+climb in my zigzag fashion,
+crying <em>chaw-chaw</em>, or <em>chow-chow</em> in
+a noisy sort of way. Sometimes
+I say <em>chuck, chuck, chuck</em>! The
+first is Chinese, and the last English,
+you know. You might
+think it sounded like the bark of
+a small dog, though.</p>
+
+<p>I am fond of flies and catch
+them on the wing. I like ripe
+apples, too; and oh, what a <em>good</em>
+time I have in winter raiding
+the farmer&#8217;s corn crib! I have
+only to hammer at the logs with
+my sharp bill, and soon I can
+squeeze myself in between them
+and eat my fill. I understand
+the farmer doesn&#8217;t like it very
+much.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 458px;">
+<img src="images/i_033.jpg" width="458" height="600" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">red-bellied woodpecker.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 9em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKER.</h2>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 96px;">
+<img src="images/imgz.png" width="96" height="80" alt="Z" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>EBRA BIRD&rdquo; is the
+name by which this
+handsome Woodpecker
+will be recognized by
+many readers. Some
+regard it as the most beautiful of the
+smaller species of its tribe. As may be
+seen, the whole crown and nape are
+scarlet in the male. In the female
+they are only partly so, but sufficiently
+to make the identification easy. A
+bird generally of retired habits, seeking
+the deepest and most unfrequented
+forests to breed, it is nevertheless often
+found in numbers in the vicinity of
+villages where there are a few dead and
+partially decayed trees, in which they
+drill their holes, high up on a limb, or
+in the bole of the tree. When engaged
+in hammering for insects it frequently
+utters a short, singular note, which
+Wilson likens to the bark of a small
+dog. We could never liken it to anything,
+it is so characteristic, and must
+be heard to be appreciated. <em>Chaw,
+chaw</em>, repeated twice, and with vigor,
+somewhat resembles the hoarse utterance.</p>
+
+<p>Prof. D. E. Lantz states that this
+species in the vicinity of Manhattan,
+Kansas, exhibits the same familiarity
+as the Flicker, the Red-headed and
+Downy Woodpeckers. About a dozen
+nests were observed, the excavations
+ranging usually less than twenty feet
+from the ground. One nest in a burrow
+of a large dead limb of an elm
+tree was found May 12, and contained
+five eggs. The birds are very much
+attached to their nests. If the nest is
+destroyed by man or beast, the birds
+almost immediately begin excavating
+another nest cavity for the second set,
+always in the vicinity of the first nest,
+often in the same tree.</p>
+
+<p>In its search for food, the &ldquo;Zebra
+Bird,&rdquo; regardless of the presence of
+man, climbs in its usual spiral or zigzag
+manner the trees and their branches
+boldly uttering now and then its
+familiar <em>chaw, chaw</em>, darting off occasionally
+to catch a passing insect upon
+the wing. Its flight is undulating, and
+its habits in many respects are like
+those of the Red-headed, but it is not
+so much of an upland bird, or lover of
+berries and fruits, and therefore more
+respected by the farmer. In contest
+with the Red-head it is said to be
+invariably vanquished.</p>
+
+<p>The North American family of
+Woodpeckers&mdash;consisting of about
+twenty-five species&mdash;is likely to be
+brought together in <span class="smcap">Birds</span> for the first
+time. We have already presented several
+species, and will figure others as we
+may secure the finest specimens. Occasionally
+a foreign Woodpecker will
+appear. About three hundred and
+fifty species are known, and they are
+found in all the wooded parts of the
+world except Australia and Madagascar.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+<h2>A FORCED PARTNERSHIP.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>A pair of Robins had made their
+nest on the horizontal branch of an
+evergreen tree which stood near a
+dwelling house, and the four young
+had hatched when a pair of English
+Sparrows selected the same branch for
+their nest. When the Robins refused
+to vacate their nest, the Sparrows proceeded
+to build theirs upon the outside
+of the Robin&#8217;s nest. To this the
+Robins made no objection, so both
+families lived and thrived together on
+the same branch, with nests touching.
+The young of both species developed
+normally, and in due time left their
+nests. The branch bearing both nests
+is now preserved in the college
+museum.&mdash;<em>Oberlin College Bulletin.</em></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>WHAT IS AN EGG?</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>How many people crack an egg,
+swallow the meat, and give it no
+further thought. Yet, to a reflective
+mind the egg constitutes, it has been
+said, the greatest wonder of nature.
+The highest problems of organic
+development, and even of the succession
+of animals on the earth, are
+embraced here. &ldquo;Every animal springs
+from an egg,&rdquo; is a dictum of Harvey
+that has become an axiom.</p>
+
+<p>In an egg one would suppose the
+yolk to be the animal. This is not so.
+It is merely food&mdash;the animal is the
+little whitish circle seen on the membrane
+enveloping the yolk.</p>
+
+<p>We hope to group a number of eggs,
+to enable our readers to compare their
+size and shape, from that of the
+Epyornis, six times the size of an
+Ostrich egg, down to the tiny egg that
+is found in the soft nest of the Humming-bird.
+This gigantic egg is a foot
+long and nine inches across, and would
+hold as much as fifty thousand Humming-bird&#8217;s
+eggs.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE SAW-WHET OWL.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 9em;">
+<span style="margin-left: -.3em;">&ldquo;The Lark is but a bumpkin fowl;</span><br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">He sleeps in his nest till morn;</span><br />
+But my blessing upon the jolly Owl<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">That all night blows his horn.&rdquo;</span></p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/imga1.png" width="93" height="80" alt="A" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>CURIOUS name for a bird,
+we are inclined to say when
+we meet with it for the first
+time, but when we hear
+its shrill, rasping call
+note, uttered perhaps at midnight, we
+admit the appropriateness of &ldquo;saw-whet.&rdquo;
+It resembles the sound made
+when a large-toothed saw is being filed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Goss says that the natural home
+of this sprightly little Owl is within
+the wild woodlands, though it is occasionally
+found about farm houses
+and even cities. According to Mr.
+Nelson, it is of frequent occurrence in
+Chicago, where, upon some of the most
+frequented streets in the residence portion
+of the city, a dozen specimens
+have been taken within two years. It
+is very shy and retiring in its habits,
+however, rarely leaving its secluded
+retreats until late at eve, for which
+reason it is doubtless much more common
+throughout its range than is generally
+supposed. It is not migratory
+but is more or less of an irregular
+wanderer in search of food during the
+autumn and winter. It may be quite
+common in a locality and then not be
+seen again for several years. It is
+nocturnal, seldom moving about in the
+day time, but passing the time in
+sleeping in some dark retreat; and so
+soundly does it sleep that ofttimes it
+may be captured alive.</p>
+
+<p>The flight of the Saw-whet so closely
+resembles that of the Woodcock that
+it has been killed by sportsmen, when
+flying over the alders, through being
+mistaken for the game bird.</p>
+
+<p>These birds nest in old deserted
+squirrel or Woodpecker holes and small
+hollows in trees. The eggs&mdash;usually
+four&mdash;are laid on the rotten wood or
+decayed material at the bottom. They
+are white and nearly round.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the societies formed to
+prevent the killing of birds for ornamenting
+millinery, and the thousands
+of signatures affixed to the numerous
+petitions sent broadcast all over the
+country, in which women pledged
+themselves not to wear birds or feathers
+of any kind on their hats, this is essentially
+a bird killing year, and the favorite
+of all the feathers is that of the Owl.
+There is an old superstition about him
+too. He has always been considered
+an unlucky bird, and many persons
+will not have one in the house. He
+may, says a recent writer, like the Peacock,
+lose his unlucky prestige,
+now that Dame Fashion has stamped
+him with her approval. Li Hung
+Chang rescued the Peacock feather from
+the odium of ill luck, and hundreds of
+persons bought them after his visit
+who would never permit them to be
+taken inside their homes prior to it.
+So the Owl seems to have lost his ill
+luck since fair woman has decided that
+the Owl hat is &ldquo;the thing.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The small size of the Saw-whet and
+absence of ears, at once distinguish
+this species from any Owl of eastern
+North America, except Richardson&#8217;s,
+which has the head and back spotted
+with white, and legs barred with
+grayish-brown.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE SAW-WHET OWL.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>&ldquo;Whew!&rdquo; exclaims Bobbie.
+&ldquo;Here&#8217;s another Owl. I never
+knew there were so many different
+species, mamma.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mamma smiled at that word
+&ldquo;species.&rdquo; It was a word Bobbie
+had learned in his study of
+<span class="smcap">Birds</span>.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The <em>Saw-whet Owl</em>,&rdquo; said she,
+looking at the picture. &ldquo;A good
+looking little fellow, but not
+handsome as the Snowy Owl in
+the <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30666/30666-h/30666-h.htm#Page_211">June</a> number of <span class="smcap">Birds</span>.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He <em>was</em> a beauty,&rdquo; assented
+Bobbie, &ldquo;such great yellow eyes
+looking at you out of a snow
+bank of feathers. This little
+fellow&#8217;s feet have on black shoes
+with yellow soles, not white fur
+overshoes like the <em>Snowy Owl&#8217;s</em>.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;His eyes glow like topaz,
+though, just as the others did,&rdquo;
+said mamma. &ldquo;Let us see what
+he says about himself.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;As stupid as an Owl. That&#8217;s
+the way some people talk about
+us. Then again I&#8217;ve heard them
+say, &lsquo;tough as a b&#8217;iled owl.&rsquo;
+B&#8217;iled Owls may be tough, I
+don&#8217;t know anything about that,
+for I have been too shy and
+wary to be caught.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I had a neighbor once who
+was very fond of chickens. He
+was a Night Owl and said he
+found it easy to catch them when
+roosting out at night. Well he
+caught so many that Mr. Owl
+grew very fat, and the farmer
+whose chickens he ate, caught,
+cooked, and ate him. His flesh,
+the farmer said, was tender and
+sweet. So, my little friends,
+when you want to call anything
+&lsquo;tough,&rsquo; don&#8217;t mention the Owl
+any more.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;A foreigner?</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, my, no! I&#8217;m proud to
+say I am an American, and so
+are all my folks. A branch of
+the family, however, lives way up
+north in a region where they
+sing &lsquo;God save the Queen&rsquo; instead
+of the &lsquo;Star Spangled Banner.&rsquo;
+They call themselves
+English Owls, I guess, because
+they live on British soil.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do I sing?</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, not exactly. I can
+hoot though, and my <em>Ah-ee, ah-ee</em>,
+<em>ah-oo, ah-oo</em>, has a pleasant sound,
+very much like filing a saw.
+That is the reason they call me
+the Saw-whet Owl. My mate
+says it doesn&#8217;t sound that way to
+her, but then as she hasn&#8217;t any
+ears maybe she doesn&#8217;t hear very
+well.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You never see me out in the
+day time, no indeed! I know
+when the mice come out of their
+holes; I am very fond of mice,
+also insects. I like small birds,
+too&mdash;to eat&mdash;but I find them very
+hard to catch.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&#8217;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 453px;">
+<img src="images/i_044.jpg" width="453" height="600" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">saw-whet owl.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 9em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE BLACK SWAN.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>I advise you little folks to take
+a good look at me. You don&#8217;t
+often see a Black Swan. White
+Swans are very common, common
+as white Geese. I only
+wish I could have had my picture
+taken while gliding through
+the water. I am so stately and
+handsome there. My feet
+wouldn&#8217;t have shown either.</p>
+
+<p>Really I don&#8217;t think my feet
+are pretty. They always remind
+me when I look down at them of
+a windmill or the sails of a vessel.
+But if they hadn&#8217;t been
+made that way, webbed-like,
+I wouldn&#8217;t be able to swim as I
+do. They really are a pair of
+fine paddles, you know.</p>
+
+<p>There was a time when people
+in certain countries thought a
+Black Swan was an impossibility.
+As long as there were
+black sheep in the world, I don&#8217;t
+see why there shouldn&#8217;t have
+been Black Swans, do you?</p>
+
+<p>Well, one day, a Dutch captain
+exploring a river in Australia,
+saw and captured four of
+the black fellows. That was
+way back in sixteen hundred
+and something, so that one of
+those very Black Swans must
+have been my great, great, great,
+<em>great</em> grandfather. Indeed he
+may have been even greater than
+that, but as I have never been
+to school, you know, I can&#8217;t very
+well count backward. I can
+move forward, however, when in
+the water. I make good time
+there, too.</p>
+
+<p>Well, to go back to the Dutch
+captain. Two of the Swans he
+took alive to Dutchland and
+everybody was greatly surprised.
+They said &ldquo;Ach!&rdquo; and
+&ldquo;Himmel,&rdquo; and many other things
+which I do not remember. Since
+that time they say the Black
+Swans have greatly diminished
+in numbers in Australia. You
+will find us all over the world
+now, because we are so ornamental;
+people like to have a
+few of us in their ponds and
+lakes.</p>
+
+<p>They say that river in Australia
+which the captain explored
+was named Swan river, and Australia
+took one of us for its
+armorial symbol. Well, a Black
+Swan may look well on a shield,
+but no matter how hard you may
+pull his tail-feathers, he&#8217;ll never
+scream like the American Eagle.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE BLACK SWAN.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/imga1.png" width="93" height="80" alt="A" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>USTRALIA is the home of
+the Black Swan, and it is
+invested by an even greater
+interest than attaches to
+the South American
+bird, which is white. For many centuries
+it was considered to be an impossibility,
+but by a singular stroke of
+fortune, says a celebrated naturalist,
+we are able to name the precise day on
+which this unexpected discovery was
+made. The Dutch navigator William
+de Vlaming, visiting the west coast of
+Southland, sent two of his boats on
+the 6th of January, 1697, to explore an
+estuary he had found. There their
+crews saw at first two and then more
+Black Swans, of which they caught
+four, taking two of them alive to Batavia;
+and Valentyn, who several years
+later recounted this voyage, gives in
+his work a plate representing the ship,
+boats, and birds, at the mouth of what
+is now known from this circumstance
+as the Swan River, the most important
+stream of the thriving colony of West
+Australia, which has adopted this
+Swan as its armorial symbol. Subsequent
+voyagers, Cook and others, found
+that the range of the species extended
+over the greater part of Australia, in
+many districts of which it was abundant.
+It has since rapidly decreased in
+number there, and will most likely
+soon cease to exist as a wild bird, but
+its singular and ornamental appearance
+will probably preserve it as a modified
+captive in most civilized countries,
+and it is said, perhaps even now there
+are more Black Swans in a reclaimed
+condition in other lands than are at
+large in their mother country.</p>
+
+<p>The erect and graceful carriage of
+the Swan always excites the admiration
+of the beholder, but the gentle bird
+has other qualities not commonly
+known, one of which is great power of
+wing. The <em>Zoologist</em> gives a curious
+incident relating to this subject. An
+American physician writing to that
+journal, says that the first case of fracture
+with which he had to deal was
+one of the forearm caused by the blows
+of a Swan&#8217;s wing. It was during the
+winter of 1870, at the Lake of Swans,
+in Mississippi, that the patient was
+hunting at night, in a small boat and
+by the light of torches. In the course
+of their maneuvers a flock of Swans
+was suddenly encountered which
+took to flight without regard to
+anything that might be in the way.
+As the man raised his arm instinctively
+to ward off the swiftly rising birds, he
+was struck on his forearm by the wing
+of one of the Swans in the act of
+getting under motion, and as the action
+and labor of lifting itself were very
+great, the arm was badly broken, both
+bones being fractured.</p>
+
+<p>When left to itself the nest of the
+Swan is a large mass of aquatic plants,
+often piled to the height of a couple
+of feet and about six feet in diameter.
+In the midst of this is a hollow which
+contains the eggs, generally from five
+to ten in number. They sit upon the
+eggs between five and six weeks.</p>
+
+<p>It is a curious coincidence that this
+biographical sketch should have been
+written and a faithful portrait for the
+first time shown on the two hundredth
+anniversary of the discovery of the
+Black Swan.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 440px;">
+<img src="images/i_050.jpg" width="440" height="600" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">black swan.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 9em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
+<h2>LIFE IN THE NEST.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 9em;">
+Blithely twitting, gayly flitting<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thro&#8217; the budding glen;</span><br />
+Golden-crested, sunny-breasted,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Goes the tiny Wren.</span><br />
+Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nook is found at last;</span><br />
+Moss and feather, twined together&mdash;<br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home is shaped at last.</span></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 9em;">
+Brisk as ever, quick and clever,<br />
+  Brimming with delight&mdash;<br />
+Six wee beauties, bring new duties,<br />
+  Work from morn to night.<br />
+Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,<br />
+  Nook is found at last;<br />
+Moss and feather, twined together&mdash;<br />
+  Home is shaped at last.<br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 10em;">&mdash;J. L. H.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE SNOWY PLOVER.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/imga1.png" width="93" height="80" alt="A" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>BOUT one hundred species
+are comprised in the Plover
+family, which are distributed
+throughout the world.
+Only eight species are
+found in North America. Their habits
+in a general way resemble those of the
+true Snipes, but their much shorter,
+stouter bills are not fitted for probing,
+and they obtain their food from the
+surface of the ground. Probably for
+this reason several species are so
+frequently found on the uplands instead
+of wading about in shallow ponds or
+the margins of streams. They frequent
+meadows and sandy tracts, where they
+run swiftly along the ground in a
+peculiarly graceful manner. The
+Plovers are small or medium-sized
+shore-birds. The Snowy Plover is
+found chiefly west of the Rocky
+Mountains, and is a constant resident
+along the California coast. It nests
+along the sandy beaches of the ocean.
+Mr. N. S. Goss found it nesting on the
+salt plains along the Cimarron River
+in the Indian Territory, the northern
+limits of which extend into southwestern
+Kansas. The birds are described
+as being very much lighter in
+color than those of California. Four
+eggs are usually laid, in ground color,
+pale buff or clay color, with blackish-brown
+markings. Mr. Cory says the
+nest is a mere depression in the sand.
+He says also that the Snowy Plover is
+found in winter in many of the Gulf
+States, and is not uncommon in Northwestern
+Florida.</p>
+
+<p>When the female Snowy Plover is
+disturbed on the nest she will run over
+the sand with outstretched wings and
+distressing gait, and endeavor to lead
+the trespasser away from it. It sometimes
+utters a peculiar cry, but is
+usually silent. The food of these birds
+consists of various minute forms of life.
+They are similar in actions to the
+Semi-palmated (see <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30523/30523-h/30523-h.htm#Page_6">July</a> <span class="smcap">Birds</span>), and
+fully as silent. Indeed they are rarely
+heard to utter a note except as the
+young are approached&mdash;when they are
+very demonstrative&mdash;or when suddenly
+flushed, which, in the nesting season,
+is a very rare thing, as they prefer to
+escape by running, dodging, and squatting
+the moment they think they are
+out of danger, in hopes you will pass
+without seeing them as the sandy lands
+they inhabit closely resemble their
+plumage in color, and says Mr. Goss,
+you will certainly do so should you
+look away or fail to go directly to the
+spot.</p>
+
+<p>The first discovery of these interesting
+birds east of Great Salt Lake
+was in June, 1886. A nest was found
+which contained three eggs, a full set.
+It was a mere depression worked out in
+the sand to fit the body. It was without
+lining, and had nothing near to
+shelter or hide it from view.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i_055.jpg" width="600" height="448" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">snowy plover.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 21em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+<h2>ONLY A BIRD.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p style="margin-left: 8em;">
+Only a bird! and a vagrant boy<br />
+  Fits a pebble with boyish skill<br />
+Into the folds of a supple sling.<br />
+  &ldquo;Watch me hit him. I can, an&#8217; I will.&rdquo;<br />
+Whirr! and a silence chill and sad<br />
+  Falls like a pall on the vibrant air,<br />
+From a birchen tree, whence a shower of song<br />
+  Has fallen in ripples everywhere.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 8em;">
+Only a bird! and the tiny throat<br />
+  With quaver and trill and whistle of flute<br />
+Bruised and bleeding and silent lies<br />
+  There at his feet. Its chords are mute.<br />
+And the boy with a loud and boisterous laugh,<br />
+  Proud of his prowess and brutal skill,<br />
+Throws it aside with a careless toss.<br />
+  &ldquo;Only a bird! it was made to kill.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 8em;">
+Only a bird! yet far away<br />
+  Little ones clamor and cry for food&mdash;<br />
+Clamor and cry, and the chill of night<br />
+  Settles over the orphan brood.<br />
+Weaker and fainter the moaning call<br />
+  For a brooding breast that shall never come.<br />
+Morning breaks o&#8217;er a lonely nest,<br />
+  Songless and lifeless; mute and dumb.<br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 10em;" class="smcap">&mdash;Mary Morrison.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/imge.png" width="100" height="80" alt="E" title="" />
+</div>
+<p>XTENDING over the Great
+Plains from western and probably
+southern Texas
+northward through
+Indian Territory to Kansas is said to
+be the habitation of the Lesser Prairie
+Hen, though it is not fully known. It
+inhabits the fertile prairies, seldom
+frequenting the timbered lands, except
+during sleety storms, or when the
+ground is covered with snow. Its
+flesh is dark and it is not very highly
+esteemed as a table bird.</p>
+
+<p>The habits of these birds are similar
+to those of the Prairie Hen. During
+the early breeding season they feed
+upon grasshoppers, crickets, and other
+forms of insect life, but afterwards upon
+cultivated grains, gleaned from the
+stubble in autumn and the corn fields
+in winter. They are also fond of
+tender buds, berries, and fruits. When
+flushed, these birds rise from the
+ground with a less whirring sound
+than the Ruffed Grouse or Bob White,
+and their flight is not as swift, but
+more protracted, and with less apparent
+effort, flapping and sailing along,
+often to the distance of a mile or more.
+In the fall the birds come together,
+and remain in flocks until the
+warmth of spring awakes the passions
+of love; then, in the language
+of Col. Goss, as with a view to
+fairness and the survival of the fittest,
+they select a smooth, open courtship
+ground, usually called a scratching
+ground, where the males assemble at
+the early dawn, to vie with each other
+in carnage and pompous display, uttering
+at the same time their love call, a
+loud, booming noise. As soon as this
+is heard by the hen birds desirous of
+mating, they quietly appear, squat upon
+the ground, apparently indifferent
+observers, until claimed by victorious
+rivals, whom they gladly accept, and
+whose caresses they receive. Audubon
+states that the vanquished and victors
+alike leave the grounds to search for
+the females, but he omits to state that
+many are present, and mate upon the
+&ldquo;scratching grounds.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The nest of the Prairie Hen is
+placed on the ground in the thick
+prairie grass and at the foot of bushes
+when the earth is barren; a hollow
+is scratched in the soil, and sparingly
+lined with grasses and a few feathers.
+There are from eight to twelve eggs,
+tawny brown, sometimes with an olive
+hue and occasionally sprinkled with
+brown.</p>
+
+<p>During the years 1869 and 1870,
+while the writer was living in southwestern
+Kansas, which was then the
+far west, Prairie Chickens as they were
+called there, were so numerous that
+they were rarely used for food by the
+inhabitants, and as there was then no
+readily accessible market the birds were
+slaughtered for wanton sport.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i_060.jpg" width="600" height="454" alt="image" title="" />
+<span class="caption">lesser prairie hen.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0em;" class="sml"><strong>From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;" class="sml"><strong>Copyrighted by<br /></strong></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 21em;" class="sml"><strong>Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</strong></span>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE NEW TENANTS.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By Elanora Kinsley Marble.</span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 8%;" />
+
+<p>The next day Mrs. Jenny retired into
+the tin pot, and later, when Mr. Wren
+peeped in, lo! an egg, all spotted with
+red and brown, lay upon the soft lining
+of the nest.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&#8217;s quite the prettiest thing in the
+world,&rdquo; proudly said Mr. Wren.
+&ldquo;Why, my dear, I don&#8217;t believe your
+cousin, Mrs. John Wren, ever laid one
+like it. It seems to me those spots
+upon the shell are very remarkable.
+I shouldn&#8217;t be surprised if the bird
+hatched from that shell will make a
+name for himself in bird-land some
+day, I really shouldn&#8217;t.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You foolish fellow,&rdquo; laughed Mrs.
+Wren, playfully pecking him with her
+bill, &ldquo;if you were a Goose your Goslings,
+in your eyes, would all be Swans.
+That&#8217;s what I heard our landlady say
+to her husband last night, out on
+the porch, when he wondered which
+one of his boys would be president of
+the United States.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wren chuckled in a truly papa-like
+manner and pecked her bill in
+return, then fairly bubbling over with
+happiness flew to a neighboring limb,
+and burst into such a merry roundelay,
+one note tumbling over another in
+Wren fashion, that every member of
+the household came out to hear and
+see.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;There he is,&rdquo; cried Pierre, as Mrs.
+Wren left her nest and flew over beside
+him, &ldquo;with tail down and head up,
+singing as though he were mad with
+joy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Such a rapturous song,&rdquo; said
+mamma. &ldquo;It reminds me of two almost
+forgotten lines:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 5em;">
+&lsquo;Brown Wren, from out whose swelling throat<br />
+Unstinted joys of music float.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How well we are repaid for the
+litter they made, are we not?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And sure, mum,&rdquo; said Bridget,
+whose big heart had also been touched
+by the sweet song, &ldquo;it&#8217;s glad I am, for
+sure, that I wasn&#8217;t afther dispossessin&#8217;
+your tinents. It&#8217;s innocent craythurs
+they be, God bless &#8217;em, a harmin&#8217; ov
+no wan. Sthill&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; queried her mistress, as
+Bridget paused.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Sthill, mum, I do be afther wonderin&#8217;
+if the tin pot had been a hangin&#8217;
+under the front porch instead of the
+back, would ye&#8217;s been after takin&#8217; the
+litter so philosophyky like as ye have,
+mum, to be sure.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The mistress looked at Bridget and
+laughingly shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&#8217;s a pretty hard nut to crack,
+Bridget,&rdquo; said she. &ldquo;Under those
+conditions I am afraid I&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; What
+ever admission she was going to make
+was cut short by a burst of laughter
+from the children.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Look at him, mamma, just look at
+him,&rdquo; they cried, pointing to Mr. Wren,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>
+who, too happy to keep still had flown
+to the gable at the extremity of the
+ridge-pole of the house, and after a
+gush of song, to express his happiness
+was jerking himself along the ridge-pole
+in a truly funny fashion. From
+thence he flew into the lower branches
+of a neighboring tree, singing and
+chattering, and whisking himself in
+and out of the foliage: then back to
+the roof again, and from roof to tree.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I know what makes him so happy,&rdquo;
+announced Henry, who, standing upon
+a chair, had peeped into the nest.
+&ldquo;There&#8217;s a dear little egg in here.
+Hurrah for Mrs. Wren!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do not touch it,&rdquo; commanded
+mamma, &ldquo;but each one of us will take
+a peep in turn.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wren&#8217;s bead-like eyes had taken
+in the whole proceeding, and with
+fluttering wings she stood on a shrub
+level with the porch and gave voice
+to her motherly anxiety and anger.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;<em>Dee, dee, dee</em>,&rdquo; she shrilly cried,
+fluttering her little wings, which in
+bird language means, &ldquo;oh dear, oh
+dear, what shall I do?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Her cries of distress were heard by
+Mr. Wren, and with all haste he flew
+down beside her.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; cried he, very nearly
+out of breath from his late exertions.
+&ldquo;Has that rascally Mr. Jay&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No, no!&rdquo; she interrupted, wringing
+her sharp little toes, &ldquo;It&#8217;s not Mr. Jay
+this time, Mr. Wren. It&#8217;s the family
+over there, <em>our</em> family, robbing our
+nest of its one little egg.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Pooh! nonsense!&rdquo; coolly said Mr.
+Wren, taking one long breath of relief.
+&ldquo;Why, my dear, you nearly frighten
+me to death. You know, or <em>ought</em> to
+know by this time, that our landlord&#8217;s
+family have been taught not to do such
+things. Besides you yourself admit
+them to be exceptionally good children
+and good children never rob nests.
+Fie, I&#8217;m ashamed of you. Really my
+heart flew to my bill when I heard
+your call of distress.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wren, whose fears were quite
+allayed by this time, looked at her
+mate scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said she, with fine sarcasm,
+&ldquo;your heart flew into your bill did it?
+Well, let me say, Mr. Wren, that if it
+had been my mother in distress, father
+at the first note of warning, would
+have flown to her assistance with his
+heart in his <em>claws</em>. He kept them well
+sharpened for just such occasions, and
+woe to any enemy <em>he</em> found prowling
+about his premises.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, indeed!&rdquo; said Mr. Wren, &ldquo;I
+presume he would have attacked Bridget
+over there, and the whole family. To
+hear you talk, Mrs. Wren, one would
+think your father was a whole host in
+himself.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And so he was,&rdquo; said she, loftily,
+&ldquo;I have seen him attack a <em>Bluebird</em>
+and a <em>Martin</em> at the same time and put
+them both to flight. An <em>Owl</em> had no
+terrors for him, and as for squirrels,
+why&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Mrs. Wren raised her
+wings and shrugged her shoulders in a
+very Frenchy and wholly contemptuous
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&#8217;m a peace-loving sort of a fellow,
+that you know, Mrs. Wren, deploring
+the reputation our tribe has so justly
+earned for fighting, and scolding, and
+jeering at everything and everybody.
+Indeed they go so far as to say
+we trust no one, not even our kindred.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>
+But mark me, Mrs. Wren, mark me, I
+say! Should any rascally Jay, neighbor
+or not, ever dare approach that
+tin pot over yonder, or ever alight
+on the roof of the porch, I&#8217;ll, I&#8217;ll&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+Mr. Wren fairly snorted in his anger,
+and standing on one foot, doubled up
+the toes of the other and struck it
+defiantly at the imaginary foe.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I dare say!&rdquo; tauntingly said
+Mrs. Wren, &ldquo;you are the sort of fellow
+that I heard little Dorothy reading
+about the other day. You would fight
+and run away, Mr. Wren, that you
+might live to fight another day.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wren lifted one foot and
+scratched himself meditatively behind
+the ear.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Good, <em>very</em> good, indeed, my dear!
+It must have been a pretty wise chap
+that wrote that.&rdquo; And Mr. Wren,
+who seemed to find the idea very
+amusing, laughed until the tears stood
+in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wren smoothed her ruffled
+feathers and smiled too.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Tut, tut, Jenny,&rdquo; said the good-natured
+fellow, &ldquo;what is the use of us
+newly married folk quarreling in this
+fashion. Think how joyous we were
+less than one short hour ago. Come,
+my dear, the family have all left the
+porch, save Emmett. Let us fly over
+there and take a look at our treasure.&rdquo;
+And Mrs. Wren, entirely restored to
+good humor, flirted her tail over her
+back, hopped about a little in a coquettish
+manner, then spread her wings,
+and off they flew together.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wren the next day deposited
+another egg, and the next, and the
+next, till six little speckled beauties
+lay huddled together in the cosy nest.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Exactly the number of our landlord&#8217;s
+family,&rdquo; said she, fluffing her
+feathers and gathering the eggs under
+her in that truly delightful fashion
+common to all mother birds. &ldquo;I am
+so glad. I was greatly puzzled to
+know what names we should have
+given the babies had there been more
+than six.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I hadn&#8217;t thought of that,&rdquo; admitted
+Mr. Wren, who in his joy had been
+treating his mate to one of his fine
+wooing songs, and at length coaxed
+her from the nest, &ldquo;but I dare say we
+would have named them after some of
+our relatives.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, of course,&rdquo; assented Mrs.
+Wren, &ldquo;I certainly would have named
+one after my dear, brave papa. Mrs.
+John Wren says that boys named after
+a great personage generally develop
+all the qualities of that person.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, indeed!&rdquo; sniffed Mr. Wren,
+&ldquo;that was the reason she named one of
+her numerous brood last year after our
+rascally neighbor, Mr. Jay, I presume.
+Certainly the youngster turned out as
+great a rascal as the one he was named
+after.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wren&#8217;s head feathers stood on
+end at once.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;For the life of me,&rdquo; she said tartly,
+&ldquo;I cannot see why you always fly into
+a passion, Mr. Wren, whenever I mention
+dear papa, or Mrs. John, or in fact
+<em>any</em> of my relatives. Indeed&mdash;but
+sh-sh! There&#8217;s one of our neighbors
+coming this way. I verily believe it
+is, oh yes, it is, it <em>is</em>&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; and Mrs.
+Wren wrung her toes, and cried <em>cheet,
+cheet, cheet</em>, and <em>dee, dee, dee</em>! in a truly
+anxious and alarming manner.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">[to be continued.]</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p>
+<h2>SUMMARY.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+
+<p>Page 46.</p>
+
+<p><strong>LEAST BITTERN.</strong>&mdash;<em>Botaurus exilis.</em></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Temperate North America, from the
+British Provinces to the West Indies and South
+America.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;In the thick rushes, along the edge of
+the water, bending down the tops of water grass
+and plaiting it into a snug little nest, about two
+or three feet above the water.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Three or five, pale bluish or greenish-white.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 50.</p>
+
+<p><strong>BALDPATE.</strong>&mdash;<em>Anas americana.</em></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;North America from the Arctic
+ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;On the ground in marshes, of grass
+and weeds, neatly arranged and nicely hollowed;
+usually lined with the down and feathers from
+its own breast.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Eight to twelve, of pale buff.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 54.</p>
+
+<p><strong>PURPLE FINCH.</strong>&mdash;<em>Carpodacus purpureus.</em>
+Other names: &ldquo;Purple Grosbeak,&rdquo; &ldquo;Crimson
+Finch,&rdquo; &ldquo;Linnet.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Eastern North America, breeding
+from Northern United States northward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;In evergreens or orchard trees, at a
+moderate distance from the ground. Composed
+of weed-stalks, bark-strips, rootlets, grasses, all
+kinds of vegetable fibres, and lined with hairs.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Four or five, of a dull green, spotted
+with very dark brown, chiefly about the larger
+end.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 58.</p>
+
+<p><strong>RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.</strong>&mdash;<em>Melanerpes
+carolinus.</em> Other name: &ldquo;Zebra Bird.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Eastern United States, west to the
+Rocky Mountains, south to Florida and Central
+Texas.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;In holes in decayed trees, twenty or
+thirty feet from the ground.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Four or six, glossy white.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 63.</p>
+
+<p><strong>SAW-WHET OWL.</strong>&mdash;<em>Nyctale acadica.</em> Other
+name: &ldquo;Acadian Owl.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Whole of North America; breeding
+from middle United States northward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;In holes, trees, or hollow trunks.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Four to seven, white.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 67.</p>
+
+<p><strong>BLACK SWAN.</strong>&mdash;<em>Cygnus atratus.</em></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Australia.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;On a tussock entirely surrounded by
+water.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Two to five.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 71.</p>
+
+<p><strong>SNOWY PLOVER.</strong>&mdash;<em>Aegialitis nivosa.</em></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Western North America, south to
+Mexico in winter, both coasts of Central
+America, and in western South America to
+Chile.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;On the ground.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Three, ground color, pale buff or
+clay color, marked with blackish-brown spots,
+small splashes and fine dots.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Page 75.</p>
+
+<p><strong>LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.</strong>&mdash;<em>Tympanuchus
+pallidicinctus.</em></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Range</span>&mdash;Eastern edge of the Great Plains,
+from western and probably southern Texas
+northward through Indian Territory to Kansas.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nest</span>&mdash;On the ground in thick prairie grass,
+and at the foot of bushes on the barren ground;
+a hollow scratched out in the soil, and sparingly
+lined with grasses and a few feathers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>&mdash;Eight to twelve, tawny brown.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34294-h.htm or 34294-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/9/34294/
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_013.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_013.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35189ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_013.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_020.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_020.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd3cbd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_020.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_027.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_027.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94c47ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_027.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_033.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_033.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa37044
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_033.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_044.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_044.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9671684
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_044.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_050.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_050.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd623be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_050.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_055.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_055.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8c462b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_055.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/i_060.jpg b/34294-h/images/i_060.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf877a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/i_060.jpg
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imga1.png b/34294-h/images/imga1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f9e6c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imga1.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imge.png b/34294-h/images/imge.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b533a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imge.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imgi.png b/34294-h/images/imgi.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ccbf01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imgi.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imgo.png b/34294-h/images/imgo.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50bf194
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imgo.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imgp.png b/34294-h/images/imgp.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63f71dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imgp.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imgt.png b/34294-h/images/imgt.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14e0211
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imgt.png
diff --git a/34294-h/images/imgz.png b/34294-h/images/imgz.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9deaf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294-h/images/imgz.png
diff --git a/34294.txt b/34294.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a03f75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1743 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Birds Illustrated by Color Photography [February, 1898]
+       A Monthly Serial designed to Promote Knowledge of Bird-Life
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2010 [EBook #34294]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                       BIRDS.
+         ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
+         ================================
+         VOL. III. FEBRUARY, 1898. NO. 2.
+         ================================
+
+
+
+
+GILBERT WHITE AND "SELBORNE."
+
+
+I suppose that a habit of minute observation of nature is one of the
+most difficult things to acquire, as it is one which is less generally
+pursued than any other study. In almost all departments of learning and
+investigation there have been numberless works published to illustrate
+them, and text books would fill the shelves of a large library. Thoreau
+in his "Walden" has shown an extremely fine and close observation of the
+scenes in which his all too short life was passed, but his object does
+not seem at any time to have been the study of nature from an essential
+love of it, or to add to his own or the world's knowledge. On the
+contrary, nature was the one resource which enabled him to exemplify his
+notions of independence, which were of such a sturdy and uncompromising
+character that Mr. Emerson, who had suffered some inconvenience from his
+experience of Thoreau as an inmate of his household, thought him fitter
+to meet occasionally in the open air than as a guest at table and
+fireside. There is a delicious harmony with nature in all that he has
+written, but his descriptions of out-of-door life invite us rather to
+indolent musing than to investigation or study. Who after reading Izaak
+Walton ever went a-fishing with the vigor and enterprise of Piscator?
+Washington Irving allowed his cork to drift with the current and lay
+down in the shadow of a spreading oak to dream with the beloved old
+author.
+
+In White's "Natural History of Selborne" we have a unique book indeed,
+but of a far more general interest than its title would indicate. Pliny,
+the elder, was the father of natural history but to many of us Gilbert
+White is entitled to that honor. To an early edition of the book,
+without engravings, and much abridged, as compared with Bohn's,
+published in 1851, many owe their first interest in the subject.
+
+Mr. Ireland in his charming little "Book Lover's Enchiridion," tells us
+that when a boy he was so delighted with it, that in order to possess a
+copy of his own (books were not so cheap as now) he actually copied out
+the whole work. In a list of one hundred books, Sir John Lubbock
+mentions it as "an inestimable blessing." Edward Jesse, author of
+"Gleanings in Natural History" attributes his own pursuits as an
+out-door naturalist entirely to White's example. Much of the charm of
+the book consists in the amiable character of the author, who
+
+    "----lived in solitude, midst trees and flowers,
+    Life's sunshine mingling with its passing showers;
+    No storms to startle, and few clouds to shade
+    The even path his Christian virtues made."
+
+Very little is known of him beyond what he has chosen to mention in
+his diaries, which were chiefly records of his daily studies and
+observations, and in his correspondence, from which the "history" is in
+fact made up. From these it is evident that his habits were secluded and
+that he was strongly attached to the charms of rural life. He says the
+greater part of his time was spent in literary occupations, and
+especially in the study of nature. He was born July 18, 1720, in the
+house in which he died. His father was his first instructor in natural
+history, and to his brother Thomas, a fellow of the Royal Society, he
+was indebted for many suggestions for his work. It is also to his
+brother's influence that we owe the publication of the book, as it
+required much persuasion to induce the philosopher to pass through the
+ordeal of criticism, "having a great dread of Reviewers," those
+incorrigible _betes noires_ of authors. His brother promising himself to
+review the work in the "Gentleman's Magazine," White reluctantly
+consented to its publication. The following short abstract from the
+review will show its quality, as well as suggest a possible answer to
+the current question propounded by students of the census.
+
+"Contemplative persons see with regret the country more and more
+deserted every day, as they know that every well-regulated family of
+property which quits a village to reside in a town, injures the place
+that is forsaken in material circumstances. It is with pleasure,
+therefore, we observe that so rational an employment of leisure hours as
+the study of nature promises to become popular, since whatever adds to
+the number of rural amusements, and consequently counteracts the
+allurements of the metropolis is, on this consideration, of national
+importance."
+
+It is to be feared, however, that many stronger influences than this of
+the study of nature will be necessary to keep the young men of the
+present day from the great cities. Indeed, modern naturalists
+themselves spend the greater part of their lives at the centers of
+knowledge and only make temporary sallies into the woods and fields to
+gather data. White was a noble pioneer. The very minuteness--almost
+painful--of his observation required him to occupy himself for days and
+weeks and months with what to the average mind would seem of the
+slightest importance. As an example of his patient investigation, his
+famous study of the tortoise may be given. It was more than thirty years
+old when it came into his possession, and for many years--perhaps
+twenty--we find White watching the habits of the interesting old
+reptile, until, we may assume, he knew all about him and his species.
+
+There are over three hundred and fifty different species of animals and
+birds treated by White, most of them exhaustively; the beech tree, the
+elm, and the oak are described and watched from year to year; and the
+geology and fossil remains of Selborne district are presented. We have
+daily accounts of the weather, information of the first tree in leaf,
+the appearance of the first fungi and the plants first in blossom. He
+tells us when mosses vegetate, when insects first appear and disappear,
+when birds are first seen and when they migrate--and a thousand other
+things; all in a style of such simplicity, united with rare scholarship,
+that it is well worth the attention and imitation of students of the
+English language. White was educated at Oxford. He had frequent
+opportunities, 'tis said, of accepting college livings, but his fondness
+for his native village made him decline all preferment. To this we owe
+"Selborne" of which Dr. Beardmore, a distinguished scholar, made the
+prophetic remark to a nephew of White's: "Your uncle has sent into the
+world a publication with nothing to attract attention to it but an
+advertisement or two in the newspapers; but depend upon it, the time will
+come when very few who buy books will be without it."
+
+The village was far less attractive than our imaginations would depict
+it to have been, and the traveler who would "view fair Selborne
+aright," according to a contemporary writer, should humor the caprices
+of the English climate and visit it only when its fields and foliage are
+clothed in their summer verdure.
+
+                          --CHARLES C. MARBLE.
+
+
+
+
+A FRIEND OF BIRDS
+
+
+It is told of George H. Corliss, the famous engine builder of
+Providence, R. I., that when building a foundry at the Corliss works,
+some Blue Birds took the opportunity to build in some holes in the
+interior framework into which horizontal timbers were to go. The
+birds flew in and out--as Blue Birds will--and went on with their
+housekeeping, until in the natural course of things the workmen would
+have evicted them to put the apertures to their intended use of
+receiving timbers. But Mr. Corliss interfered and showed how the
+particular aperture the birds were occupying could be left undisturbed
+until they were done with it, without any serious delay to the building.
+So the pair came and went in the midst of the noise of building and
+brought up their little family safely, and after they had flown away,
+and not until then, that particular part of the framework was completed.
+
+At another time, Mr. Corliss was working on a contract with the city of
+Providence to supply a steam pumping apparatus, power house and all,
+at Sockonosset, and the time was short, and there were forfeitures
+nominated in the bond for every day beyond a a specified date for its
+completion.
+
+The power house was to be upon virgin soil where were rocks and
+trees--little trees growing among rocks. In blasting and clearing the
+necessary place for the foundations of the building, a Robin's nest was
+discovered in a little tree within the space where the upheavals were to
+be made. When Mr. Corliss knew this he had the work transferred to the
+other side of the square or parallelogram around which the digging and
+blasting were to go, saying that it was just as well to do the other
+side first.
+
+But it proved that when the workmen had got clear around and back to the
+Robin's tree, the young birds were still not quite ready to fly. This
+called for a new exercise of an inventor's power of adapting means to a
+worthy end. Looking at the little tree with its nest and little birds
+high in the branches he bade the men support the tree carefully while it
+was sawed through the trunk a little above the ground, and then carry it
+in an upright position to a safe distance and stick it into the ground
+with proper support.
+
+The Robin family continued to thrive after this novel house-moving and
+all flew away together after a few more days.
+
+
+
+
+QUEER DOINGS OF A CRANE.
+
+
+A writer on "Animal Helpers and Servers" gives a remarkable account of a
+tame Crane, communicated by Von Seyffert. Von Seyffert had a pair of
+tame Cranes which soon lost all fear of man and of domestic animals, and
+became strongly attached to the former. Their life in a German village,
+in which agriculture was the sole employment and the communal system of
+joint herding of cattle and swine and driving them together to the
+common pasture prevailed, was very much to their taste. They soon knew
+all the inhabitants in the place and used to call regularly at the
+houses to be fed. Then the female died and the survivor at once took as
+a new friend a bull. He stood by the bull in the stall and kept the
+flies off him, screamed when he roared, danced before him and followed
+him out with the herd. In this association the Crane learned the duties
+of cowherd, so that one evening he brought home the whole of the village
+herd of heifers unaided and drove them into the stable. From that time
+the Crane undertook so many duties that he was busy from dawn till
+night. He acted as policeman among the poultry, stopping all fights and
+disorder. He stood by a horse when left in a cart and prevented it from
+moving by pecking its nose and screaming. A Turkey and a Game Cock were
+found fighting, whereon the Crane first fought the Turkey, then sought
+out and thrashed the cock. Meantime it herded the cattle, not always
+with complete success. The bovines were collected in the morning by the
+sound of a horn and some would lag behind. On one occasion the Crane
+went back, drove up some lagging heifers through the street and then
+frightened them so much that they broke away and ran two miles in the
+wrong direction. The bird could not bring them back, but drove them
+into a field, where it guarded them until they were fetched. It would
+drive out trespassing cattle as courageously as a dog and, unlike
+most busybodies, was a universal favorite and pride of the
+village.--_Cornhill Magazine._
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                LEAST BITTERN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE LEAST BITTERN.
+
+
+Throughout the whole of temperate North America and tropical America to
+Brazil, this, the smallest of the Bittern family, is a well-known bird,
+but being a nocturnal species, inhabiting the almost inaccessible swamps
+and boggy lands that are covered with a dense growth of canes, reeds,
+and rushes, it is seldom met with. Mr. Davis calls it an extremely
+interesting little bird, of quiet, retiring habits. In some places as
+many as a dozen or twenty pairs breed along the grassy shores of a small
+lake or pond. The nest is placed on the ground or in the midst of the
+rankest grass, or in a bush. It is often placed on floating bog, and is
+simply a platform of dead rushes.
+
+This bird has many odd habits. When standing on the edge of a stream,
+with its neck drawn in, it is often taken for a Woodcock, the long bill
+giving it this appearance. It is so stupid at times that it may be
+caught with the hand.
+
+The Least Bittern is usually seen just before or after sunset. When
+startled it utters a low _gua_, and in daylight flies but a short
+distance, in a weak, uncertain manner, but at dusk it flaps along on
+strong easy wing, with neck drawn in and legs extended.
+
+The eggs of this species are usually from two to six in number, and of a
+pale bluish or greenish-white. If approached while on the nest, the
+female generally steps quietly to one side, but if suddenly surprised,
+takes to flight.
+
+The Least Bittern is known by many local names. In Jamaica it is called
+Tortoise-shell Bird and Minute Bittern, and in many localities Little
+Bittern.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "All Nature is a unit in herself,
+    Yet but a part of a far greater whole.
+    Little by little you may teach your child
+    To know her ways and live in harmony
+    With her; and then, in turn, help him through her
+    To find those verities within himself,
+    Of which all outward things are but the type.
+    So when he passes from your sheltering care
+    To walk the ways of men, his soul shall be
+    Knit to all things that are, and still most free;
+    And of him shall be writ at last this word--
+    'At peace with nature, with himself, and God.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE BALDPATE DUCK.
+
+
+"There seem to be as many Ducks as there are Owls," remarks Bobbie.
+"This fellow is called Baldpate, but he's not bare on top of his head
+like Gran'pa, at all."
+
+"No, his head is feathered as well as any Duck's head," replies mamma.
+"I remember hearing him called the Widgeon, I think."
+
+"Yes, that's what it says here, the American Widgeon, a game bird, you
+know, mamma."
+
+"Yes, its flesh is very delicious, almost as good as the Canvas-back."
+
+"Oh, but these Baldpates are cunning fellows," exclaims Bobbie,
+continuing his reading, "It says they are fond of a certain grass plant
+which grows deep in both salt and fresh water, but they don't dive for
+it as the Canvas-back and other deep water Ducks do."
+
+"Well?" says mamma, as Bobbie stops, his lips moving, but uttering no
+sound.
+
+"I stopped to spell a word," explains Bobbie. "It says they closely
+follow and watch the Canvas-back and other Ducks, and when they rise to
+the surface of the water with the roots of the plant in their bills, Mr.
+Baldpate quickly snatches a part, or all of the catch, and hurries off
+to eat it at his leisure."
+
+"A mean fellow, indeed," remarks mamma, "but he has no reason to guide
+him, as you have, you know."
+
+"Indeed I _don't_ know," quickly says Bobbie. "You remember that story
+about the imprisoned Duck that had its leg broken and was put under a
+small crate, or coop, to keep it from running about? Well, some of the
+other Ducks pitied the little prisoner and tried to release him by
+forcing their necks under the crate and thus lifting it up. They found
+they weren't strong enough to do that, and so they _quacked_, and
+_quacked_, and _quacked_ among themselves, then marched away in a body.
+Soon they came back with forty ducks, every one in the farm yard. They
+surrounded the crate and tried to lift it as before, but again they
+failed. Then they _quacked_ some more, and after a long talk the whole
+of them went to one side of the crate. As many as could thrust their
+necks underneath it, and the rest pushed them forward from behind. A
+good push, a strong push, up went the crate a little way, and out
+waddled the little prisoner. I want to know if they didn't reason that
+out, mamma?"
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                BALDPATE DUCK.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE BALDPATE.
+
+    We would have you to wit, that on eggs though we sit,
+      And are spiked on a spit, and are baked in a pan,
+    Birds are older by far than your ancestors are,
+      And made love and made war, ere the making of man!
+                                            --ANDREW LANG.
+
+
+There is much variation in the plumage of adult males of this species
+of Widgeon, but as Dr. Coues says: "The bird cannot be mistaken under
+any condition; the extensive white of the under parts and wings is
+recognizable at gun-range." The female is similar, but lacks the white
+crown and iridescence on the head.
+
+The Baldpate ranges over the whole of North America. In winter it is
+common in the Gulf states and lower part of the Mississippi Valley.
+Cooke says it breeds chiefly in the north, but is known to nest in
+Manitoba, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, and Texas.
+Throughout the whole of British America, as far north as the Arctic
+ocean, it is very abundant. In October and April it visits in large
+numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both sea coasts of the
+northern United States, and is much sought by hunters, its flesh being
+of the finest quality, as when in good condition it cannot easily be
+distinguished from that of the Canvas-back. It is regarded by hunters as
+a great nuisance. It is not only so shy that it avoids the points of
+land, but by its whistling and confused manner of flight is said to
+alarm the other species. During its stay in the waters of the
+Chesapeake, it is the constant companion of the Canvas-backs, upon
+whose superiority in diving it depends in a large degree for its food,
+stealing from them, as they rise to the surface of the water, the tender
+roots of the plant of which both are so fond--_vallisneria_ grass, or
+wild celery. The Baldpate is said to visit the rice fields of the south
+during the winter in considerable numbers. It winters in the Southern
+states, Mexico, and the West Indies. In the north, the Widgeon exhibits
+a greater preference for rivers and open lakes than most of the other
+fresh-water Ducks.
+
+The favorite situation of the nest is remarkable, for while the other
+Ducks--except, perhaps, the Teal, according to Mr. Kennicott--choose the
+immediate vicinity of water, he found the Baldpate always breeding at a
+considerable distance from it. Several of the nests observed on the
+Yukon were fully half a mile from the nearest water. He invariably found
+the nest among dry leaves, upon high, dry ground, either under large
+trees or in thick groves of small ones--frequently among thick spruces.
+The nest is small, simply a depression among the leaves, but thickly
+lined with down, with which after setting is begun, the eggs are covered
+when left by the parent. They are from eight to twelve in number, and
+pale buff. The food of the Baldpate consists of aquatic insects, small
+shells, and the seeds and roots of various plants.
+
+The call of this bird is a plaintive whistle of two and then three notes
+of nearly equal duration. Col. N. S. Goss states that, as a rule,
+Widgeons "are not shy, and their note, a sort of _whew, whew, whew_,
+uttered while feeding and swimming, enables the hunter to locate them in
+the thickest growth of water plants."
+
+
+
+
+WOOING BIRDS' ODD WAYS.
+
+
+Of all the interesting points on which Mr. Dixon touches in his
+"Curiosities of Bird Life," perhaps none is more remarkable than the
+strange antics in which some birds indulge, especially at the pairing
+season. With what odd gestures will a smartly dressed Cock sparrow, for
+instance, endeavor to cut a good figure in the eyes of his demure and
+sober-tinted lady-love!
+
+To a similar performance, though with more of dignity and action about
+it, the Blackcock treats his wives, for, unlike the better conducted
+though often much calumniated sparrow, he is not satisfied with a single
+mate. One of the most characteristic of spring sounds on Exmoor, as
+evening darkens, or, still more, in the early hours of the morning, is
+the challenge of the Blackcock. In the month of April he who is abroad
+early enough may watch, upon the russet slopes of Dunkery, a little
+party of Blackcock at one of their recognized and probably ancestral
+meeting-places, by one of the little moorland streams, or on the wet
+edge of some swampy hollow. Each bird crouches on a hillock, in the
+oddest of attitudes--its head down, its wings a-droop, its beautiful
+tail raised--and utters at intervals strange, almost weird notes,
+sometimes suggestive of the purr of a Turtle-dove, and sometimes more
+like the cry of chamois.
+
+Presently an old cock, grand in his new black coat, will get up and
+march backward and forward with his neck stretched out and his wings
+trailing on the ground. Now he leaps into the air, sometimes turning
+right round before he alights, and now again he crouches close upon his
+hillock. It is said that in places where black game are few a single
+cock will go through all this by himself, or at least with only his
+wives for witnesses. But if there are more cocks than one, the
+proceedings generally end with a fight. Where the birds are numerous the
+young cocks, who are not allowed to enter the arena with their elders,
+hold unauthorized celebrations of their own.
+
+There are many birds which thus, like higher mortals, have their fits
+of madness in the days of courtship. But there are some, such as the
+spur-winged Lapwing of La Plata, which are, like the lady in the song,
+so fond of dancing, especially of what the natives call their serious
+dance, meaning a square one, that they indulge in such performances all
+the year, not in the daytime only, but even on moonlight nights. "If,"
+says Mr. Hudson, who tells the story, "a person watches any two birds
+for some time--for they live in pairs--he will see another Lapwing, one
+of a neighboring couple, rise up and fly to them, leaving his own mate
+to guard their chosen ground, and instead of resenting this visit as an
+unwarranted intrusion on their domain, as they would certainly resent
+the approach of almost any other bird, they welcome it with notes and
+signs of pleasure. Advancing to the visitor, they place themselves
+behind it; then all three keeping step, begin a rapid march, uttering
+resonant drumming notes in time with their movements; the notes of the
+pair behind them being emitted in a stream, like a drum roll, while the
+leader utters loud single notes at regular intervals. The march ceases;
+the leader elevates his wings and stands motionless and erect, still
+uttering loud notes, while the other two with puffed-out plumage, and
+standing exactly abreast, stoop forward and downward until the top of
+their beaks touch the ground, and, sinking their rhythmical voices to a
+murmur, remain for some time in this posture. The performance is then
+over and the visitor goes back to his own ground and mate, to receive a
+visitor himself later on."--_London Daily News._
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                PURPLE FINCH.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE PURPLE FINCH.
+
+    "The wind blows cold, the birds are still,
+           And skies are gray."
+
+
+Purple Grosbeak, Crimson Finch, Strawberry Bird, and Linnet are some of
+the common names by which this bird of bright colors, sweet song, and
+sociable disposition is known. It is very numerous in New England, but
+is found nesting regularly in the northern tier of states, North and
+South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., northward, and it is
+said to breed in northern Illinois. In Nova Scotia it is exceeding
+abundant.
+
+Robert Ridgway says he first made the acquaintance of the Purple Finch
+at Mt. Carmel, in mid-winter, "under circumstances of delightful memory.
+The ground was covered with snow,--the weather clear and bright, but
+cold. Crossing a field in the outskirts of the town, and approaching the
+line of tall, dead rag-weeds which grew thickly in the fence corners, a
+straggling flock of birds was startled, flew a short distance, and again
+alighted on the tall weed-stalks, uttering as they flew, a musical,
+metallic _chink, chink_. The beautiful crimson color of the adult males,
+heightened by contrast with the snow, was a great surprise to the
+writer, then a boy of thirteen, and excited intense interest in this, to
+him, new bird. On subsequent occasions during the same winter, they were
+found under like circumstances, and also in 'sycamore' or buttonwood
+trees, feeding on the small seeds contained within the balls of this
+tree."
+
+Dr. Brewer says that the song of the Purple Finch resembles that of the
+Canary, and though less varied and powerful, is softer, sweeter, and
+more touching and pleasing. The notes may be heard from the last of May
+until late in September, and in the long summer evening are often
+continued until it is quite dark. Their song has all the beauty and
+pathos of the Warbling Vireo, and greatly resembles it, but is more
+powerful and full in tone. It is a very interesting sight to watch one
+of these little performers in the midst of his song. He appears
+perfectly absorbed in his work,--his form is dilated, his crest is
+erected, his throat expands, and he seems to be utterly unconscious of
+all around him. But let an intruder of his own race appear within a few
+feet of the singer, the song instantly ceases, and in a violent fit of
+indignation, he chases him away. S. P. Cheney says that a careful
+observer told him that he had seen the Linnet fly from the side of his
+mate directly upward fifteen or twenty feet, singing every instant in
+the most excited manner till he dropped to the point of starting. The
+Yellow-breasted Chat has a like performance. See Vol. II of BIRDS, p.238.
+
+The nest of the Finch is usually placed in evergreens or orchard trees,
+at a moderate distance from the ground. It is composed of weed-stalks,
+bark strips, rootlets, grasses, and vegetable fibres, and lined with
+hair. The eggs are four or five in number, dull green, and spotted with
+dark brown.
+
+Study his picture and habits and be prepared to welcome this charming
+spring visitant.
+
+
+
+
+THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+
+    A little Woodpecker am I,
+      And you may always know
+    When I am searching for a worm,
+      For tap, tap, tap, I go.
+
+
+Oh yes, I am proud of my appearance, but really I am not proud of my
+name. Sometimes I am called the "Zebra Bird," on account of the bands of
+white and black on my back and wings. That is a much prettier name, I
+think, than the Red-bellied Woodpecker, don't you? Certainly it is more
+genteel.
+
+I know a bird that is called the Red-eyed Vireo, because his eyes are
+red. Well, my eyes are red, too. Then why not call me the Red-eyed
+Woodpecker? Still the Woodpeckers are such a common family I don't much
+care about that either.
+
+In the last February number of BIRDS that saucy red-headed cousin of
+mine had his picture and a letter. Before very long the Red-cockaded
+Woodpecker will have his picture taken too, I suppose.
+
+Dear, dear! If all the Woodpeckers are going to write to you, you will
+have a merry time. Why, I can count twenty-four different species of
+that family and I have only four fingers, or toes, to count on, and you
+little folks have five. There may be more of them, Woodpeckers I mean,
+for all I know.
+
+Speaking about toes! I have two in front and two behind. There are some
+Woodpeckers that have only three, two in front and one behind. It's a
+fact, I assure you. I thought I would tell you about it before one of
+the three toed fellows got a chance to write to you about it himself.
+
+I am not so shy and wary a bird as some people think I am. When I want
+an insect, or worm, I don't care how many eyes are watching me, but
+up the tree I climb in my zigzag fashion, crying _chaw-chaw_, or
+_chow-chow_ in a noisy sort of way. Sometimes I say _chuck, chuck,
+chuck_! The first is Chinese, and the last English, you know. You might
+think it sounded like the bark of a small dog, though.
+
+I am fond of flies and catch them on the wing. I like ripe apples, too;
+and oh, what a _good_ time I have in winter raiding the farmer's corn
+crib! I have only to hammer at the logs with my sharp bill, and soon I
+can squeeze myself in between them and eat my fill. I understand the
+farmer doesn't like it very much.
+
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKER.
+
+
+"Zebra Bird" is the name by which this handsome Woodpecker will be
+recognized by many readers. Some regard it as the most beautiful of the
+smaller species of its tribe. As may be seen, the whole crown and nape
+are scarlet in the male. In the female they are only partly so, but
+sufficiently to make the identification easy. A bird generally of
+retired habits, seeking the deepest and most unfrequented forests to
+breed, it is nevertheless often found in numbers in the vicinity of
+villages where there are a few dead and partially decayed trees, in
+which they drill their holes, high up on a limb, or in the bole of the
+tree. When engaged in hammering for insects it frequently utters a
+short, singular note, which Wilson likens to the bark of a small dog. We
+could never liken it to anything, it is so characteristic, and must be
+heard to be appreciated. _Chaw, chaw_, repeated twice, and with vigor,
+somewhat resembles the hoarse utterance.
+
+Prof. D. E. Lantz states that this species in the vicinity of Manhattan,
+Kansas, exhibits the same familiarity as the Flicker, the Red-headed and
+Downy Woodpeckers. About a dozen nests were observed, the excavations
+ranging usually less than twenty feet from the ground. One nest in a
+burrow of a large dead limb of an elm tree was found May 12, and
+contained five eggs. The birds are very much attached to their nests. If
+the nest is destroyed by man or beast, the birds almost immediately
+begin excavating another nest cavity for the second set, always in the
+vicinity of the first nest, often in the same tree.
+
+In its search for food, the "Zebra Bird," regardless of the presence of
+man, climbs in its usual spiral or zigzag manner the trees and their
+branches boldly uttering now and then its familiar _chaw, chaw_, darting
+off occasionally to catch a passing insect upon the wing. Its flight is
+undulating, and its habits in many respects are like those of the
+Red-headed, but it is not so much of an upland bird, or lover of berries
+and fruits, and therefore more respected by the farmer. In contest with
+the Red-head it is said to be invariably vanquished.
+
+The North American family of Woodpeckers--consisting of about
+twenty-five species--is likely to be brought together in BIRDS for the
+first time. We have already presented several species, and will figure
+others as we may secure the finest specimens. Occasionally a foreign
+Woodpecker will appear. About three hundred and fifty species are known,
+and they are found in all the wooded parts of the world except Australia
+and Madagascar.
+
+
+
+
+A FORCED PARTNERSHIP.
+
+
+A pair of Robins had made their nest on the horizontal branch of an
+evergreen tree which stood near a dwelling house, and the four young had
+hatched when a pair of English Sparrows selected the same branch for
+their nest. When the Robins refused to vacate their nest, the Sparrows
+proceeded to build theirs upon the outside of the Robin's nest. To this
+the Robins made no objection, so both families lived and thrived
+together on the same branch, with nests touching. The young of both
+species developed normally, and in due time left their nests. The branch
+bearing both nests is now preserved in the college museum.--_Oberlin
+College Bulletin._
+
+
+
+
+WHAT IS AN EGG?
+
+
+How many people crack an egg, swallow the meat, and give it no further
+thought. Yet, to a reflective mind the egg constitutes, it has been
+said, the greatest wonder of nature. The highest problems of organic
+development, and even of the succession of animals on the earth, are
+embraced here. "Every animal springs from an egg," is a dictum of Harvey
+that has become an axiom.
+
+In an egg one would suppose the yolk to be the animal. This is not so.
+It is merely food--the animal is the little whitish circle seen on the
+membrane enveloping the yolk.
+
+We hope to group a number of eggs, to enable our readers to compare
+their size and shape, from that of the Epyornis, six times the size of
+an Ostrich egg, down to the tiny egg that is found in the soft nest of
+the Humming-bird. This gigantic egg is a foot long and nine inches
+across, and would hold as much as fifty thousand Humming-bird's eggs.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAW-WHET OWL.
+
+    "The Lark is but a bumpkin fowl;
+      He sleeps in his nest till morn;
+    But my blessing upon the jolly Owl
+      That all night blows his horn."
+
+
+A curious name for a bird, we are inclined to say when we meet with it
+for the first time, but when we hear its shrill, rasping call note,
+uttered perhaps at midnight, we admit the appropriateness of "saw-whet."
+It resembles the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed.
+
+Mr. Goss says that the natural home of this sprightly little Owl is
+within the wild woodlands, though it is occasionally found about farm
+houses and even cities. According to Mr. Nelson, it is of frequent
+occurrence in Chicago, where, upon some of the most frequented streets
+in the residence portion of the city, a dozen specimens have been taken
+within two years. It is very shy and retiring in its habits, however,
+rarely leaving its secluded retreats until late at eve, for which reason
+it is doubtless much more common throughout its range than is generally
+supposed. It is not migratory but is more or less of an irregular
+wanderer in search of food during the autumn and winter. It may be quite
+common in a locality and then not be seen again for several years. It is
+nocturnal, seldom moving about in the day time, but passing the time in
+sleeping in some dark retreat; and so soundly does it sleep that
+ofttimes it may be captured alive.
+
+The flight of the Saw-whet so closely resembles that of the Woodcock
+that it has been killed by sportsmen, when flying over the alders,
+through being mistaken for the game bird.
+
+These birds nest in old deserted squirrel or Woodpecker holes and small
+hollows in trees. The eggs--usually four--are laid on the rotten wood or
+decayed material at the bottom. They are white and nearly round.
+
+In spite of the societies formed to prevent the killing of birds for
+ornamenting millinery, and the thousands of signatures affixed to the
+numerous petitions sent broadcast all over the country, in which women
+pledged themselves not to wear birds or feathers of any kind on their
+hats, this is essentially a bird killing year, and the favorite of all
+the feathers is that of the Owl. There is an old superstition about him
+too. He has always been considered an unlucky bird, and many persons
+will not have one in the house. He may, says a recent writer, like the
+Peacock, lose his unlucky prestige, now that Dame Fashion has stamped
+him with her approval. Li Hung Chang rescued the Peacock feather from
+the odium of ill luck, and hundreds of persons bought them after his
+visit who would never permit them to be taken inside their homes prior
+to it. So the Owl seems to have lost his ill luck since fair woman has
+decided that the Owl hat is "the thing."
+
+The small size of the Saw-whet and absence of ears, at once distinguish
+this species from any Owl of eastern North America, except Richardson's,
+which has the head and back spotted with white, and legs barred with
+grayish-brown.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAW-WHET OWL.
+
+
+"Whew!" exclaims Bobbie. "Here's another Owl. I never knew there were so
+many different species, mamma."
+
+Mamma smiled at that word "species." It was a word Bobbie had learned in
+his study of BIRDS.
+
+"The _Saw-whet Owl_," said she, looking at the picture. "A good looking
+little fellow, but not handsome as the Snowy Owl in the June number of
+BIRDS."
+
+"He _was_ a beauty," assented Bobbie, "such great yellow eyes looking at
+you out of a snow bank of feathers. This little fellow's feet have on
+black shoes with yellow soles, not white fur overshoes like the _Snowy
+Owl's_."
+
+"His eyes glow like topaz, though, just as the others did," said mamma.
+"Let us see what he says about himself.
+
+"As stupid as an Owl. That's the way some people talk about us. Then
+again I've heard them say, 'tough as a b'iled owl.' B'iled Owls may be
+tough, I don't know anything about that, for I have been too shy and
+wary to be caught.
+
+"I had a neighbor once who was very fond of chickens. He was a Night Owl
+and said he found it easy to catch them when roosting out at night. Well
+he caught so many that Mr. Owl grew very fat, and the farmer whose
+chickens he ate, caught, cooked, and ate him. His flesh, the farmer
+said, was tender and sweet. So, my little friends, when you want to call
+anything 'tough,' don't mention the Owl any more.
+
+"A foreigner?
+
+"Oh, my, no! I'm proud to say I am an American, and so are all my folks.
+A branch of the family, however, lives way up north in a region where
+they sing 'God save the Queen' instead of the 'Star Spangled Banner.'
+They call themselves English Owls, I guess, because they live on British
+soil.
+
+"Do I sing?
+
+"Well, not exactly. I can hoot though, and my _Ah-ee, ah-ee_, _ah-oo,
+ah-oo_, has a pleasant sound, very much like filing a saw. That is the
+reason they call me the Saw-whet Owl. My mate says it doesn't sound that
+way to her, but then as she hasn't any ears maybe she doesn't hear very
+well.
+
+"You never see me out in the day time, no indeed! I know when the mice
+come out of their holes; I am very fond of mice, also insects. I like
+small birds, too--to eat--but I find them very hard to catch.
+
+"Don't you?"
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                SAW-WHET OWL.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+THE BLACK SWAN.
+
+
+I advise you little folks to take a good look at me. You don't often see
+a Black Swan. White Swans are very common, common as white Geese. I only
+wish I could have had my picture taken while gliding through the water.
+I am so stately and handsome there. My feet wouldn't have shown either.
+
+Really I don't think my feet are pretty. They always remind me when I
+look down at them of a windmill or the sails of a vessel. But if they
+hadn't been made that way, webbed-like, I wouldn't be able to swim as I
+do. They really are a pair of fine paddles, you know.
+
+There was a time when people in certain countries thought a Black Swan
+was an impossibility. As long as there were black sheep in the world, I
+don't see why there shouldn't have been Black Swans, do you?
+
+Well, one day, a Dutch captain exploring a river in Australia, saw and
+captured four of the black fellows. That was way back in sixteen hundred
+and something, so that one of those very Black Swans must have been my
+great, great, great, _great_ grandfather. Indeed he may have been even
+greater than that, but as I have never been to school, you know, I can't
+very well count backward. I can move forward, however, when in the
+water. I make good time there, too.
+
+Well, to go back to the Dutch captain. Two of the Swans he took alive to
+Dutchland and everybody was greatly surprised. They said "Ach!" and
+"Himmel," and many other things which I do not remember. Since that
+time they say the Black Swans have greatly diminished in numbers in
+Australia. You will find us all over the world now, because we are so
+ornamental; people like to have a few of us in their ponds and lakes.
+
+They say that river in Australia which the captain explored was named
+Swan river, and Australia took one of us for its armorial symbol. Well,
+a Black Swan may look well on a shield, but no matter how hard you may
+pull his tail-feathers, he'll never scream like the American Eagle.
+
+
+
+
+THE BLACK SWAN.
+
+
+Australia is the home of the Black Swan, and it is invested by an even
+greater interest than attaches to the South American bird, which is
+white. For many centuries it was considered to be an impossibility, but
+by a singular stroke of fortune, says a celebrated naturalist, we are
+able to name the precise day on which this unexpected discovery was
+made. The Dutch navigator William de Vlaming, visiting the west coast of
+Southland, sent two of his boats on the 6th of January, 1697, to explore
+an estuary he had found. There their crews saw at first two and then
+more Black Swans, of which they caught four, taking two of them alive to
+Batavia; and Valentyn, who several years later recounted this voyage,
+gives in his work a plate representing the ship, boats, and birds, at
+the mouth of what is now known from this circumstance as the Swan River,
+the most important stream of the thriving colony of West Australia,
+which has adopted this Swan as its armorial symbol. Subsequent voyagers,
+Cook and others, found that the range of the species extended over the
+greater part of Australia, in many districts of which it was abundant.
+It has since rapidly decreased in number there, and will most likely
+soon cease to exist as a wild bird, but its singular and ornamental
+appearance will probably preserve it as a modified captive in most
+civilized countries, and it is said, perhaps even now there are more
+Black Swans in a reclaimed condition in other lands than are at large
+in their mother country.
+
+The erect and graceful carriage of the Swan always excites the
+admiration of the beholder, but the gentle bird has other qualities not
+commonly known, one of which is great power of wing. The _Zoologist_
+gives a curious incident relating to this subject. An American physician
+writing to that journal, says that the first case of fracture with which
+he had to deal was one of the forearm caused by the blows of a Swan's
+wing. It was during the winter of 1870, at the Lake of Swans, in
+Mississippi, that the patient was hunting at night, in a small boat and
+by the light of torches. In the course of their maneuvers a flock of
+Swans was suddenly encountered which took to flight without regard
+to anything that might be in the way. As the man raised his arm
+instinctively to ward off the swiftly rising birds, he was struck on his
+forearm by the wing of one of the Swans in the act of getting under
+motion, and as the action and labor of lifting itself were very great,
+the arm was badly broken, both bones being fractured.
+
+When left to itself the nest of the Swan is a large mass of aquatic
+plants, often piled to the height of a couple of feet and about six feet
+in diameter. In the midst of this is a hollow which contains the eggs,
+generally from five to ten in number. They sit upon the eggs between
+five and six weeks.
+
+It is a curious coincidence that this biographical sketch should have
+been written and a faithful portrait for the first time shown on the two
+hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Black Swan.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                BLACK SWAN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+LIFE IN THE NEST.
+
+
+    Blithely twitting, gayly flitting
+      Thro' the budding glen;
+    Golden-crested, sunny-breasted,
+      Goes the tiny Wren.
+    Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,
+      Nook is found at last;
+    Moss and feather, twined together--
+      Home is shaped at last.
+
+    Brisk as ever, quick and clever,
+      Brimming with delight--
+    Six wee beauties, bring new duties,
+      Work from morn to night.
+    Peeping, musing, picking, choosing,
+      Nook is found at last;
+    Moss and feather, twined together--
+      Home is shaped at last.
+                            --J. L. H.
+
+
+
+
+THE SNOWY PLOVER.
+
+
+About one hundred species are comprised in the Plover family, which are
+distributed throughout the world. Only eight species are found in North
+America. Their habits in a general way resemble those of the true
+Snipes, but their much shorter, stouter bills are not fitted for
+probing, and they obtain their food from the surface of the ground.
+Probably for this reason several species are so frequently found on the
+uplands instead of wading about in shallow ponds or the margins of
+streams. They frequent meadows and sandy tracts, where they run swiftly
+along the ground in a peculiarly graceful manner. The Plovers are small
+or medium-sized shore-birds. The Snowy Plover is found chiefly west of
+the Rocky Mountains, and is a constant resident along the California
+coast. It nests along the sandy beaches of the ocean. Mr. N. S. Goss
+found it nesting on the salt plains along the Cimarron River in the
+Indian Territory, the northern limits of which extend into southwestern
+Kansas. The birds are described as being very much lighter in color than
+those of California. Four eggs are usually laid, in ground color, pale
+buff or clay color, with blackish-brown markings. Mr. Cory says the nest
+is a mere depression in the sand. He says also that the Snowy Plover is
+found in winter in many of the Gulf States, and is not uncommon in
+Northwestern Florida.
+
+When the female Snowy Plover is disturbed on the nest she will run over
+the sand with outstretched wings and distressing gait, and endeavor to
+lead the trespasser away from it. It sometimes utters a peculiar cry,
+but is usually silent. The food of these birds consists of various
+minute forms of life. They are similar in actions to the Semi-palmated
+(see July BIRDS), and fully as silent. Indeed they are rarely heard to
+utter a note except as the young are approached--when they are very
+demonstrative--or when suddenly flushed, which, in the nesting season,
+is a very rare thing, as they prefer to escape by running, dodging, and
+squatting the moment they think they are out of danger, in hopes you
+will pass without seeing them as the sandy lands they inhabit closely
+resemble their plumage in color, and says Mr. Goss, you will certainly
+do so should you look away or fail to go directly to the spot.
+
+The first discovery of these interesting birds east of Great Salt Lake
+was in June, 1886. A nest was found which contained three eggs, a full
+set. It was a mere depression worked out in the sand to fit the body. It
+was without lining, and had nothing near to shelter or hide it from
+view.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                SNOWY PLOVER.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+ONLY A BIRD.
+
+
+    Only a bird! and a vagrant boy
+      Fits a pebble with boyish skill
+    Into the folds of a supple sling.
+      "Watch me hit him. I can, an' I will."
+    Whirr! and a silence chill and sad
+      Falls like a pall on the vibrant air,
+    From a birchen tree, whence a shower of song
+      Has fallen in ripples everywhere.
+
+    Only a bird! and the tiny throat
+      With quaver and trill and whistle of flute
+    Bruised and bleeding and silent lies
+      There at his feet. Its chords are mute.
+    And the boy with a loud and boisterous laugh,
+      Proud of his prowess and brutal skill,
+    Throws it aside with a careless toss.
+      "Only a bird! it was made to kill."
+
+    Only a bird! yet far away
+      Little ones clamor and cry for food--
+    Clamor and cry, and the chill of night
+      Settles over the orphan brood.
+    Weaker and fainter the moaning call
+      For a brooding breast that shall never come.
+    Morning breaks o'er a lonely nest,
+      Songless and lifeless; mute and dumb.
+                              --MARY MORRISON.
+
+
+
+
+THE LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.
+
+
+Extending over the Great Plains from western and probably southern
+Texas northward through Indian Territory to Kansas is said to be the
+habitation of the Lesser Prairie Hen, though it is not fully known. It
+inhabits the fertile prairies, seldom frequenting the timbered lands,
+except during sleety storms, or when the ground is covered with snow.
+Its flesh is dark and it is not very highly esteemed as a table bird.
+
+The habits of these birds are similar to those of the Prairie Hen.
+During the early breeding season they feed upon grasshoppers, crickets,
+and other forms of insect life, but afterwards upon cultivated grains,
+gleaned from the stubble in autumn and the corn fields in winter. They
+are also fond of tender buds, berries, and fruits. When flushed, these
+birds rise from the ground with a less whirring sound than the Ruffed
+Grouse or Bob White, and their flight is not as swift, but more
+protracted, and with less apparent effort, flapping and sailing along,
+often to the distance of a mile or more. In the fall the birds come
+together, and remain in flocks until the warmth of spring awakes the
+passions of love; then, in the language of Col. Goss, as with a view to
+fairness and the survival of the fittest, they select a smooth, open
+courtship ground, usually called a scratching ground, where the males
+assemble at the early dawn, to vie with each other in carnage and
+pompous display, uttering at the same time their love call, a loud,
+booming noise. As soon as this is heard by the hen birds desirous of
+mating, they quietly appear, squat upon the ground, apparently
+indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals, whom they
+gladly accept, and whose caresses they receive. Audubon states that
+the vanquished and victors alike leave the grounds to search for the
+females, but he omits to state that many are present, and mate upon the
+"scratching grounds."
+
+The nest of the Prairie Hen is placed on the ground in the thick prairie
+grass and at the foot of bushes when the earth is barren; a hollow is
+scratched in the soil, and sparingly lined with grasses and a few
+feathers. There are from eight to twelve eggs, tawny brown, sometimes
+with an olive hue and occasionally sprinkled with brown.
+
+During the years 1869 and 1870, while the writer was living in
+southwestern Kansas, which was then the far west, Prairie Chickens as
+they were called there, were so numerous that they were rarely used for
+food by the inhabitants, and as there was then no readily accessible
+market the birds were slaughtered for wanton sport.
+
+ [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
+                LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.
+                Copyright by
+                Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NEW TENANTS.
+
+BY ELANORA KINSLEY MARBLE.
+
+
+The next day Mrs. Jenny retired into the tin pot, and later, when Mr.
+Wren peeped in, lo! an egg, all spotted with red and brown, lay upon the
+soft lining of the nest.
+
+"It's quite the prettiest thing in the world," proudly said Mr. Wren.
+"Why, my dear, I don't believe your cousin, Mrs. John Wren, ever laid
+one like it. It seems to me those spots upon the shell are very
+remarkable. I shouldn't be surprised if the bird hatched from that shell
+will make a name for himself in bird-land some day, I really shouldn't."
+
+"You foolish fellow," laughed Mrs. Wren, playfully pecking him with her
+bill, "if you were a Goose your Goslings, in your eyes, would all be
+Swans. That's what I heard our landlady say to her husband last night,
+out on the porch, when he wondered which one of his boys would be
+president of the United States."
+
+Mr. Wren chuckled in a truly papa-like manner and pecked her bill in
+return, then fairly bubbling over with happiness flew to a neighboring
+limb, and burst into such a merry roundelay, one note tumbling over
+another in Wren fashion, that every member of the household came out to
+hear and see.
+
+"There he is," cried Pierre, as Mrs. Wren left her nest and flew over
+beside him, "with tail down and head up, singing as though he were mad
+with joy."
+
+"Such a rapturous song," said mamma. "It reminds me of two almost
+forgotten lines:
+
+    'Brown Wren, from out whose swelling throat
+    Unstinted joys of music float.'
+
+"How well we are repaid for the litter they made, are we not?"
+
+"And sure, mum," said Bridget, whose big heart had also been touched
+by the sweet song, "it's glad I am, for sure, that I wasn't afther
+dispossessin' your tinents. It's innocent craythurs they be, God bless
+'em, a harmin' ov no wan. Sthill--"
+
+"Well," queried her mistress, as Bridget paused.
+
+"Sthill, mum, I do be afther wonderin' if the tin pot had been a hangin'
+under the front porch instead of the back, would ye's been after takin'
+the litter so philosophyky like as ye have, mum, to be sure."
+
+The mistress looked at Bridget and laughingly shook her head.
+
+"That's a pretty hard nut to crack, Bridget," said she. "Under those
+conditions I am afraid I----" What ever admission she was going to make
+was cut short by a burst of laughter from the children.
+
+"Look at him, mamma, just look at him," they cried, pointing to Mr.
+Wren, who, too happy to keep still had flown to the gable at the
+extremity of the ridge-pole of the house, and after a gush of song, to
+express his happiness was jerking himself along the ridge-pole in a
+truly funny fashion. From thence he flew into the lower branches of a
+neighboring tree, singing and chattering, and whisking himself in and
+out of the foliage: then back to the roof again, and from roof to tree.
+
+"I know what makes him so happy," announced Henry, who, standing upon a
+chair, had peeped into the nest. "There's a dear little egg in here.
+Hurrah for Mrs. Wren!"
+
+"Do not touch it," commanded mamma, "but each one of us will take a peep
+in turn."
+
+Mrs. Wren's bead-like eyes had taken in the whole proceeding, and with
+fluttering wings she stood on a shrub level with the porch and gave
+voice to her motherly anxiety and anger.
+
+"_Dee, dee, dee_," she shrilly cried, fluttering her little wings, which
+in bird language means, "oh dear, oh dear, what shall I do?"
+
+Her cries of distress were heard by Mr. Wren, and with all haste he flew
+down beside her.
+
+"What is it?" cried he, very nearly out of breath from his late
+exertions. "Has that rascally Mr. Jay----"
+
+"No, no!" she interrupted, wringing her sharp little toes, "It's not Mr.
+Jay this time, Mr. Wren. It's the family over there, _our_ family,
+robbing our nest of its one little egg."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense!" coolly said Mr. Wren, taking one long breath of
+relief. "Why, my dear, you nearly frighten me to death. You know, or
+_ought_ to know by this time, that our landlord's family have been
+taught not to do such things. Besides you yourself admit them to be
+exceptionally good children and good children never rob nests. Fie, I'm
+ashamed of you. Really my heart flew to my bill when I heard your call
+of distress."
+
+Mrs. Wren, whose fears were quite allayed by this time, looked at her
+mate scornfully.
+
+"Oh!" said she, with fine sarcasm, "your heart flew into your bill
+did it? Well, let me say, Mr. Wren, that if it had been my mother in
+distress, father at the first note of warning, would have flown to her
+assistance with his heart in his _claws_. He kept them well sharpened
+for just such occasions, and woe to any enemy _he_ found prowling about
+his premises."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said Mr. Wren, "I presume he would have attacked Bridget
+over there, and the whole family. To hear you talk, Mrs. Wren, one would
+think your father was a whole host in himself."
+
+"And so he was," said she, loftily, "I have seen him attack a _Bluebird_
+and a _Martin_ at the same time and put them both to flight. An _Owl_
+had no terrors for him, and as for squirrels, why----" Mrs. Wren raised
+her wings and shrugged her shoulders in a very Frenchy and wholly
+contemptuous manner.
+
+"I'm a peace-loving sort of a fellow, that you know, Mrs. Wren,
+deploring the reputation our tribe has so justly earned for fighting,
+and scolding, and jeering at everything and everybody. Indeed they go so
+far as to say we trust no one, not even our kindred. But mark me, Mrs.
+Wren, mark me, I say! Should any rascally Jay, neighbor or not, ever
+dare approach that tin pot over yonder, or ever alight on the roof of
+the porch, I'll, I'll----" Mr. Wren fairly snorted in his anger, and
+standing on one foot, doubled up the toes of the other and struck it
+defiantly at the imaginary foe.
+
+"Oh, I dare say!" tauntingly said Mrs. Wren, "you are the sort of fellow
+that I heard little Dorothy reading about the other day. You would fight
+and run away, Mr. Wren, that you might live to fight another day."
+
+Mr. Wren lifted one foot and scratched himself meditatively behind the
+ear.
+
+"Good, _very_ good, indeed, my dear! It must have been a pretty wise
+chap that wrote that." And Mr. Wren, who seemed to find the idea very
+amusing, laughed until the tears stood in his eyes.
+
+Mrs. Wren smoothed her ruffled feathers and smiled too.
+
+"Tut, tut, Jenny," said the good-natured fellow, "what is the use of us
+newly married folk quarreling in this fashion. Think how joyous we were
+less than one short hour ago. Come, my dear, the family have all left
+the porch, save Emmett. Let us fly over there and take a look at our
+treasure." And Mrs. Wren, entirely restored to good humor, flirted her
+tail over her back, hopped about a little in a coquettish manner, then
+spread her wings, and off they flew together.
+
+Mrs. Wren the next day deposited another egg, and the next, and the
+next, till six little speckled beauties lay huddled together in the cosy
+nest.
+
+"Exactly the number of our landlord's family," said she, fluffing her
+feathers and gathering the eggs under her in that truly delightful
+fashion common to all mother birds. "I am so glad. I was greatly puzzled
+to know what names we should have given the babies had there been more
+than six."
+
+"I hadn't thought of that," admitted Mr. Wren, who in his joy had been
+treating his mate to one of his fine wooing songs, and at length coaxed
+her from the nest, "but I dare say we would have named them after some
+of our relatives."
+
+"Why, of course," assented Mrs. Wren, "I certainly would have named one
+after my dear, brave papa. Mrs. John Wren says that boys named after a
+great personage generally develop all the qualities of that person."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" sniffed Mr. Wren, "that was the reason she named one of
+her numerous brood last year after our rascally neighbor, Mr. Jay, I
+presume. Certainly the youngster turned out as great a rascal as the one
+he was named after."
+
+Mrs. Wren's head feathers stood on end at once.
+
+"For the life of me," she said tartly, "I cannot see why you always fly
+into a passion, Mr. Wren, whenever I mention dear papa, or Mrs. John, or
+in fact _any_ of my relatives. Indeed--but sh-sh! There's one of our
+neighbors coming this way. I verily believe it is, oh yes, it is, it
+_is_----" and Mrs. Wren wrung her toes, and cried _cheet, cheet, cheet_,
+and _dee, dee, dee_! in a truly anxious and alarming manner.
+
+[TO BE CONTINUED.]
+
+
+
+
+SUMMARY.
+
+
+Page 46.
+
+#LEAST BITTERN.#--_Botaurus exilis._
+
+RANGE--Temperate North America, from the British Provinces to the West
+Indies and South America.
+
+NEST--In the thick rushes, along the edge of the water, bending down the
+tops of water grass and plaiting it into a snug little nest, about two
+or three feet above the water.
+
+EGGS--Three or five, pale bluish or greenish-white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 50.
+
+#BALDPATE.#--_Anas americana._
+
+RANGE--North America from the Arctic ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba.
+
+NEST--On the ground in marshes, of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and
+nicely hollowed; usually lined with the down and feathers from its own
+breast.
+
+EGGS--Eight to twelve, of pale buff.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 54.
+
+#PURPLE FINCH.#--_Carpodacus purpureus._ Other names: "Purple Grosbeak,"
+"Crimson Finch," "Linnet."
+
+RANGE--Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States
+northward.
+
+NEST--In evergreens or orchard trees, at a moderate distance from the
+ground. Composed of weed-stalks, bark-strips, rootlets, grasses, all
+kinds of vegetable fibres, and lined with hairs.
+
+EGGS--Four or five, of a dull green, spotted with very dark brown,
+chiefly about the larger end.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 58.
+
+#RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.#--_Melanerpes carolinus._ Other name: "Zebra
+Bird."
+
+RANGE--Eastern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, south to
+Florida and Central Texas.
+
+NEST--In holes in decayed trees, twenty or thirty feet from the ground.
+
+EGGS--Four or six, glossy white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 63.
+
+#SAW-WHET OWL.#--_Nyctale acadica._ Other name: "Acadian Owl."
+
+RANGE--Whole of North America; breeding from middle United States
+northward.
+
+NEST--In holes, trees, or hollow trunks.
+
+EGGS--Four to seven, white.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 67.
+
+#BLACK SWAN.#--_Cygnus atratus._
+
+RANGE--Australia.
+
+NEST--On a tussock entirely surrounded by water.
+
+EGGS--Two to five.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 71.
+
+#SNOWY PLOVER.#--_Aegialitis nivosa._
+
+RANGE--Western North America, south to Mexico in winter, both coasts of
+Central America, and in western South America to Chile.
+
+NEST--On the ground.
+
+EGGS--Three, ground color, pale buff or clay color, marked with
+blackish-brown spots, small splashes and fine dots.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page 75.
+
+#LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.#--_Tympanuchus pallidicinctus._
+
+RANGE--Eastern edge of the Great Plains, from western and probably
+southern Texas northward through Indian Territory to Kansas.
+
+NEST--On the ground in thick prairie grass, and at the foot of bushes on
+the barren ground; a hollow scratched out in the soil, and sparingly
+lined with grasses and a few feathers.
+
+EGGS--Eight to twelve, tawny brown.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography
+[February, 1898], by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34294.txt or 34294.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/9/34294/
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer, some
+images courtesy of The Internet Archive and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/34294.zip b/34294.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18095f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34294.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8dd0c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #34294 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34294)