File:Birds and nature (1906) (14565864577).jpg

Identifier: birdsnature31906chic (find matches)
Title: Birds and nature
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds Natural history
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Mumford, Publisher
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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veredwith dainty lichens which frequently givethe nest a glistening effect. The insideof the nest is lined with fine grass, feath-ers and vegetable down. While build-ing the nest the birds as a rule will notbe disturbed by the presence of a humanbeing, but keep right on working un-mindful of his presence. Occasionally,however, a pair of birds will scold theintruder until he leaves the vicinity. Thefemale appears to be the superintendentof construction, trying the nest fre-quently as it progresses. In shaping andforming the nest the bill is used much asa potter uses his fingers in shaping thevessel of clay. Great pains is taken bythese birds in the construction of theirnest not only for its utility but for itsornamentation as well. The eggs arefour or five in number and are greenishor bluish-white with fine spots of brown.They are almost round, being a triflelonger than wide, the length being abouthalf an inch. After the nesting season is over thebirds become comparatively quiet and no
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FROM COL. A. W. CARTER 139 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. (Polioptila caerulea)y^ Life-size. COPYRIGHT 1900, BY A. W. MUMFORD. CHICAGO late in August or early in September theyleave for their winter home in the south.The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a valu-able insectivorous bird, destroying thous-ands ofnoxious insects. Some of theseit captures on the wing in the manner ofthe flycatchers, and in doing this workit is fully as adept. This bird shouldbe encouraged to build its nest in the vicinity of farms, and the farmer shouldprotect both the bird and its nest andeggs. No one who has not enquiredcarefully into the matter can imagine ofwhat incalculable value these little feath-ered songsters are to farmers and agri-culturists. Let us, therefore, do our bestto protect them. Collins Thurber. PICTURES IN CRYSTAL Fine as mist the rain-drops fell.The breeze was a dreamy murmur; But ere the dawn, oer hill and dellSwept song of a cunning rover: Old earth lay dreaming of May, I know; So I have a lesson t

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