File:Nests and eggs of American birds (1880) (14562076220).jpg

Identifier: nestseggsofameri00inge (find matches)
Title: Nests and eggs of American birds
Year: 1880 (1880s)
Authors: Ingersoll, Ernest, 1852-1946
Subjects: Birds Birds Birds
Publisher: Salem, Mass., S.E. Cassino
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
k um-ber. These markings are laid on very iiTegularly: in somespecimens scarcely anything but a confused rim about the buttappears; in others a few scattered blotches; in others sparseand diffused dots; while occasional examples are almost or quiteimmaculate. The size and shape also are highly variable, thelength ranging from .74 to .55 of an inch and the breadth from .58to .48. All sizes and forms occur in the same nest. In Dr.Brewers collection the largest eggs are from Kansas and thesmallest from Georgia; but this no doubt is mere accident. Itis rare to find a nest w^ithout one or more eggs of the cow-bird in it; but never, Audubon thought, in the nests of the secondbrood. Incubation is said to devolve wholly upon the female, and tocontinue about ten days. During this time the male is assiduousand affectionate in the collection of food for his mate and guard-ing her safety. Relying upon the admirable concealment of theirhome for protection, the birds rarely show any open solicitude
Text Appearing After Image:
Plate xiv. 98. GEOTHLYPIS PHILADELPHIA. Mourning Warbler. 99. GEOTHLYPIS MACGILLIVRAYI. McGillivrays Warbler.100. ICTERIA VIRENS. Yellow breasted Chat. lOT. MYIODIOCTES MITRATUS. Hooded Warbler (two figs.). 102. MYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS. Blaek-cap. 103. MYIODIOCTES CANADENSIS. Canada Flycatcher. 104. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA. Redstart. THE MO UBNING GR 0 UND WAEBLEB. 15 7 until it is discovered. Then they will make the most vehe-ment demonstrations of alarm and distress, flying about the in-truder and fearlessly approaching him to within a few feet. Dr.Brewer was surely in error when he declared that they rarely,if ever, have more than one brood in a season. All experience,from Massachusetts southward, is opposed to him. When theyoung are hatched they are treated with tender care by bothparents, being fed upon the larvae of small beetles and moths,and various flies. The young are able to leave the nest in abouttwelve days, but are not left wholly to shift for themselves, fora week longer. If t

Note About Images