he comes back to the old place, year after year. He likes the top of a
stout tree to build in. It needs to be stout, for he makes a very big
nest, and adds to it every season. It generally kills the tree, if it is
not dead when he begins. If there are no trees to be had, or if there
are too many birds for the trees at hand, some of them will nest on the
ground, for they like to keep near their friends. The nest is made of
sticks and all the rubbish the birds can collect. Such things are found
as an old broom, a boy's sail-boat, a rag doll, and others as absurd.
The young fish hawk is a pretty little fellow in white down. He is three
or four weeks in the egg, and a long time in the nest, and is helpless a
good deal longer. He is fed on fish like his parents. For this bird
deserves his name; he is a fisherman, and always takes his food from the
water. Fortunately he usually selects the poorer kinds of fish, which
men do not care to eat, and so he is not called an enemy by the
fishermen.
But the hard-working osprey has an enemy, who makes it his business to
rob him. The way the fish hawk gets his food is to dive for it. He
hovers over the water till he sees a fish near the surface that suits
him. Then he closes his wings and dives like a shot. He plunges in often
over his head, and seizes the fish in his claws or talons. Then he
rises, and shaking off the water flies toward his family, with their
dinner.
[Illustration: AMERICAN OSPREY OR FISH HAWK]
But then appears the robber, the bald eagle, I'm sorry to say, who
prefers stealing his food to hunting for himself. He rushes furiously at
the fish hawk, who is obliged to drop his load to defend himself. Then
the eagle seizes it, often before it reaches the ground, and flies off,
while the osprey goes back to his fishing.
But the osprey is learning something, like the rest of the birds. On the
shore of New Jersey there is a place where men fish with great nets, and
bring in hundreds of fish every day. The birds have noted how much
better men are at their trade of fishing than they are. So they have
thought out an easier way to get food than to dive for it. Perhaps they
got the hint from the eagle.
Wherever the fish hawks got the idea, it is now the common custom for
them to sit on the poles that hold the net and wait. When it is drawn up
filled with flopping fish, each bird dives down and secures one for
himself. And he takes time to choose, too. If there is one of a kind
he particularly likes, he goes for that one.
Fish hawks, like other birds, are very fond of their little ones. A
gentleman who had been traveling in the West told me this little story.
He, with a party who were wandering over a wild part of the country,
accidentally set fire to a bit of woods on the shore of Lake Superior.
On one of the trees was a fish hawk's nest with young birds. As soon as
the smoke began to spread, the old birds grew uneasy, and circled about
their tree, going often to the nest.
The men who had done the mischief, and who had then taken to their boat,
were noting the spread of the fire. They watched the birds to see what
they would do. When the fire at last reached their tree, the loving
parents turned with one accord, plunged down into the nest, and all
perished together. They could easily have saved themselves, but they
could not desert their nestlings.
FOOTNOTE:
[28] See Appendix, 27.
XXXV
THE SCAVENGER FAMILY
(_Cathartidæ_)[29]
THIS is one of the most useful of bird families. But it is not very
pleasant to meet, for the work it has to do makes it rather repulsive to
us.
The vultures are scavengers. They dispose of vast quantities of carrion
and other offensive matter. In doing this they make it possible for
people to live in places where they could not live without the service
of these birds.
The common vulture in the United States is the TURKEY VULTURE, or TURKEY
BUZZARD. He is a large bird, with head and neck bare of feathers. In
shape and size he is a good deal like a turkey. He is a familiar bird
all over the country, except in New England and other northern parts,
and is usually seen soaring about in the air, looking for food.
Beautiful and graceful he looks away up against the sky. He sails
around as if he weighed nothing, with wing feathers spread at the tip
like fingers. But he is not so pretty when he comes to the ground, for
he is very clumsy and awkward in getting about.
The turkey buzzard nests almost anywhere; he is not at all
particular--on the ground, in a hollow stump, or tree. The young are
comfortably dressed in white down, but they are not pretty. They are as
awkward as their parents, and have a way of hanging their heads as if
they were ashamed of themselves. That is not the reason, however; their
work is something we could not do without. It is because they are too
weak to hold themselves up.
I once saw a funny sight. A party of eighteen or twenty great buzzards
had come to the ground to get their dinner. They were all very busily
engaged just the other side of a fence, so that I could not see them at
their feast.
Suddenly a mockingbird that I was watching flew over and alighted on the
fence. He stood there a minute, looking sharply down at them, and
flirting his tail in a saucy way. All at once, to my great surprise, he
gave a loud cry and flung himself down right among the great birds.
I was frightened. I thought one peck from one of their strong beaks
would kill the little fellow. But instead of that, the whole party of
buzzards flew up in a panic, as if they were afraid of him. Then the
mockingbird, who looked like a midget beside them, hopped back upon the
fence, and burst into a loud song of victory. He knew the turkey buzzard
better than I did. No one likes to get very near this bird, so very
little is known about his ways.
FOOTNOTE:
[29] See Appendix, 28.
APPENDIX
CHARACTERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES
MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK
NOTE.--_These characters, though correct, are
untechnically given, and are such as may be observed
on the "bird in the bush" while the added hints on
habits, etc., will be found helpful in
identification._
1. Turdidæ: THRUSHES.
Medium size; bill shorter than head, straight or nearly so; bristles
(hair-like feathers) at corner of mouth; wings rather pointed, and
longer than tail; tail-feathers wider towards the end, the whole
somewhat fan-shaped. Young in first feathers speckled and streaked, very
different from the adults. Sexes nearly alike (except robin, varied
thrush, and bluebird). (Ridgway.)
Food: insects, earthworms, and sometimes fruit.
These birds are all singers and build rude nests. Found usually on the
lower part of trees in the woods (except robin and bluebird) or on the
ground, where they get most of their food.
2. Sylviidæ: KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS.
This family is divided into two subfamilies.
KINGLETS: Very small; bill slender, much shorter than head, straight to
near tip, then slightly curved; bristles at corner of mouth; wings
longer than tail; tail slightly forked, feathers pointed; legs long;
claws much curved. Young without markings on head. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects.
Very small, active, musical birds, usually found flitting about in
trees.
GNATCATCHERS: Very small and slim; bill slender and short, nearly as
long as head, notched at tip; bristles at corner of mouth; wings shorter
than tail and rounded; tail long and moderately graduated, feathers
rounded; legs rather long; toes small. (Ridgway.)
Active, beautiful nest builders, found in the tops of trees.
Insectivorous.
3. Paridæ: NUTHATCHES, TITMICE, etc.
This family is divided into three subfamilies.
NUTHATCHES: Smaller than English sparrow; bill sharp, pointed, higher
than wide, about as long as head; bristles over nostrils; wings pointed;
tail very short, nearly even, feathers soft; legs stout. (Ridgway.)
Parents nearly alike; food, insects.
Found on the trunks and large limbs of trees.
TITMICE: Usually smaller than English sparrow; bill stout, conical,
shorter than head; nasal feathers turned forward; tail longer than wing.
(Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Parents alike, and young the same. No noticeable change
of plumage with season.
WREN-TITS and BUSH-TITS: Very small; bill short and conical; tail
rounded. Sexes alike.
4. Certhiidæ: CREEPERS.
Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender and curved downward; wings
rather pointed, long as tail; tail graduated, stiff, with long,
sharp-pointed feathers; claws long and strongly curved. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found circling tree
trunks.
5. Troglodytidæ: WRENS and MOCKING THRUSHES.
This family is divided into two subfamilies.
WRENS: Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender, sometimes long and
arched; no bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail usually held
up. (Ridgway.)
Parents and young alike. Food: insects. Singers. Found near the ground.
MOCKING THRUSHES: Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, mostly
rather long; bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail longer
than wings; appear like thrushes; fine singers. (Ridgway.)
Sexes nearly alike. Food, insects and fruit. Some of them found in bushy
borders of woods, some about gardens and houses, and others in various
places.
6. Cinclidæ: DIPPERS.
Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, shorter than head; wings
short, stiff and rounded; tail shorter than wings, soft and square;
claws strongly curved; plumage soft and compact; body stout, thickset.
Sexes alike. (Coues.)
Food: water insects and larvæ. Found in and about the brooks of the
Rocky Mountains and other mountains of the West.
7. Motacillidæ: WAGTAILS and PIPITS.
Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, cone shaped, nearly as high
as wide, at base; short bristles at corner of mouth; wings rather long
and pointed; tail narrow and slightly forked; legs rather long; hind
claw very long, sharp and slightly curved. (Ridgway.)
Sexes alike. Food: insects. Found on the ground, where they walk, and
wag their tails.
8. Mniotiltidæ: WARBLERS.
It is almost impossible to characterize this family, there are so many
varieties. With few exceptions they are very small and beautifully
colored birds, sexes unlike, and changes of plumage with age and season.
Some are found in the tops of trees, some on bushes, and some on the
ground. Food: insects. (Coues.)
9. Vireonidæ: VIREOS.
Generally smaller than an English sparrow, and more slender; bill
notched in both mandibles; tail rather short, nearly even, of narrow
feathers; front toes more or less united. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Constant singers. Sexes alike and young the same, without
spots or streaks. Some found in trees in the woods, and others about
towns where English sparrows are not too numerous.
10. Laniidæ: SHRIKES.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill powerful, tip hooked and notched;
wings short, rounded; tail long and much graduated. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects, small mammals, and sometimes birds. Sexes alike, and
young the same. Found on outside of low trees, fences, telegraph wires,
and peaks of roofs.
11. Ampelidæ: WAXWINGS, etc.
Somewhat larger than an English sparrow; bill short, broad and rather
flat; head with pointed crest; wings long and pointed; tail short,
narrow, even; legs of moderate length. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects and fruit. Sexes usually alike. Found in trees in woods
and in shade and orchard trees.
12. Hirundinidæ: SWALLOWS.
About the size of an English, sparrow; bill short, flat, and very broad
at the head; mouth opens back nearly to the eyes; wings long and scythe
shaped; tail forked; legs short; feet weak; plumage compact and usually
lustrous. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes usually alike, and young a little different. Found
in flocks, in the air, on roofs or fences or telegraph wires, sometimes
on trees.
13. Tanagridæ: TANAGERS.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill conical, notched, bristles; wings
longer than tail; tail of moderate length, somewhat notched; legs rather
short. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes unlike. Found on trees in the woods.
14. Fringillidæ: FINCHES.
Mostly about the size of an English sparrow, some smaller, some larger;
bill short, high, and strong, turned down at the back corner; wings and
tail variable. (Ridgway.)
Seed and insect eaters. Found everywhere--on trees, bushes, on ground,
in woods, fields, and about houses.
15. Icteridæ: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, etc.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill straight or gently curved; mouth
turned down at corners; tail rather long and rounded; legs rather short.
Includes birds of very different habits. (Ridgway.)
Food: seeds and insects. Sexes generally unlike. Found everywhere, on
trees, in marshes, in woods. Many gregarious, found in flocks, some
except in nesting season, and others all the year round.
16. Corvidæ: CROWS and JAYS.
Larger than a robin. There are two subfamilies.
CROWS: Bill longer than head; wings long and pointed; tail rather short
and even.
JAYS: Bill shorter than head; wings short and rounded. (Ridgway.)
Food: almost everything--seeds, fruit, sometimes eggs and young birds.
Found in woody places.
17. Alaudidæ: LARKS.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill short, conical, frontal feathers
extend along the side; wings pointed; claw on hind toe very long and
nearly straight. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. Found on ground in fields and roads.
18. Tyrannidæ: FLYCATCHERS.
Mostly larger than an English sparrow; bill broad, flattened, curved
downward at end, and notched at tip; bristles along the gape; wings and
tail variable. (Ridgway.)
Entirely insectivorous. Found in woods and fields and about houses.
19. Trochilidæ: HUMMINGBIRDS.
Our smallest birds; bill slender, sharp, and straight, usually longer
than head; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet small and weak;
claws curved and sharp. (Ridgway.)
Food: tiny insects and the honey of flowers. Sexes unlike. Found about
flowers.
20. Micropodidæ: SWIFTS.
About the size of an English sparrow; bill very small, triangular, much
broader than high, without bristles; wings long and pointed; legs short;
feet weak; tail very short, ending in stiff spines; plumage compact.
(Ridgway.)
Food: entirely insects. Sexes alike. Found in the air or inside chimneys
or hollow trees.
21. Caprimulgidæ: GOATSUCKERS.
Larger than a robin; bill very short; gape enormously long and wide;
mouth open to behind the eyes; wings long; plumage soft. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. One species found in the edge of
woods, and another species about towns.
22. Picidæ: WOODPECKERS.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill usually straight, pointed or
chisel-shaped at tip; tongue extensile and except in one species barbed
at point; tail stiff and feathers pointed at tip for a prop; toes,
except in three-toed species, two forward and two backward for climbing.
(Ridgway.)
Insectivorous. Sexes unlike. Found on trees (except one species) in
woods or orchards.
23. Alcedinidæ: KINGFISHERS.
Usually larger than a robin; bill long and straight; tongue small; head
large, crested; wings short; legs small; outer and middle toe united
half their length. (Ridgway.)
Food: fishes. Sexes slightly unlike. Found by water.
24. Cuculidæ: CUCKOOS.
Larger than a robin; bill narrow and high, rather long and curved
downward; wings long; tail long, soft, and rounded; toes in pairs.
(Ridgway.)
Insectivorous. Sexes alike. Found on trees.
25. Bubonidæ: OWLS.
Mostly larger than a robin, a few smaller; bill hooked; eyes directed
forward and surrounded by radiating feathers; plumage soft and lax;
feathers beside forehead often stand up like ear tufts; legs usually
feathered; feet sometimes feathered. (Ridgway.)
Sexes alike. Flesh eaters. Usually nocturnal. Most species found in
holes in trees or old buildings.
26. Strigidæ: BARN OWLS.
Much larger than a robin; bill hooked; eyes very small;
triangular-shaped eye disk; tail emarginate; claws sharp and strong;
very downy plumage. (Ridgway).
Food: mice and other small mammals. Sexes alike. Exclusively nocturnal.
Found in barns and deserted buildings.
27. Falconidæ: HAWKS AND EAGLES.
(There are several subfamilies.)
Mostly very large birds; bill strongly hooked; eyes directed sideways;
eyelids with lashes; toes never feathered. (Ridgway.)
Carnivorous and insectivorous. Sexes usually alike, but female larger.
28. Cathartidæ: AMERICAN VULTURES.
Large as a turkey, one species much larger; whole head and sometimes
neck bare of feathers; eyes prominent; tail rounded. (Ridgway.)
Food: carrion. Found sailing about in the air.
INDEX
References to the FIRST BOOK are indicated by ~1~; those to the SECOND
BOOK by ~2~.
Affections, ~1~, 78-82.
Air-sacs, ~1~, 92, 94.
Alaudidæ, ~2~, 131, 202.
Alcedinidæ, ~2~, 170, 203.
Ampelidæ, ~2~, 63, 200.
Arrival in spring, ~1~, 3, 4.
Attraction and Protection of Birds, ~1~, 131-135.
Audubon, John James, ~1~, 60.
Auks, ~1~, 110.
Barn Owl Family, ~2~, 185, 204.
Beak, ~1~, 95-97.
Blackbird, Brewer's, ~2~, 113.
Blackbird, Crow, ~1~, 72; ~2~, 110.
Blackbird, Red-winged, ~2~, 94;
portrait, ~2~, 94.
Blackbird Family, ~2~, 94, 201.
Blackbirds, ~1~, 3, 126, 129.
Bluebird, arrival, ~1~, 3;
getting food for young, 17;
teaching young to fly, 37, 38;
feeding, 50; ~2~, 5;
portrait, ~1~, 38.
Bobolink, nest of, ~1~, 9;
one of the first birds to stop singing in summer, 47;
the fall migration, 61, 62.
Bob-white (quail), ~1~, 44, 59.
Body, shape of, ~1~, 91.
Bolles, Frank, his pet owl, ~1~, 101, 116;
his story of a heron, 103, 104.
Bones, ~1~, 92, 94.
Books about birds, ~1~, 142-144.
Brooding, ~1~, 13-16.
Bubonidæ, ~2~, 178, 204.
Bunting, Towhee, _or_ Chewink, ~1~, 76, 77; ~2~, 84;
portrait, ~1~, 76.
Bush-Tits, ~2~, 198.
Butcher-birds, ~2~, 59.
Buzzard, Turkey, ~1~, 50, 51; ~2~, 194.
Canary, ~1~, 20, 57, 81.
Caprimulgidæ, ~2~, 155, 203.
Cardinal, ~1~, 69, 132; ~2~, 88;
portrait, ~2~, 90.
Catbird, food of, ~1~, 49, 126;
jerking the tail, 113; ~2~, 37, 125;
portrait, ~2~, 36.
Cathartidæ, ~2~, 194, 204.
Cave-dwelling Family, ~2~, 30, 199.
Cedar-bird, feeding young, ~1~, 19;
story of affection for young, 78;
usefulness to man, 126, 129; ~2~, 63;
portrait, ~1~, 126.
Certhiidæ, ~2~, 27, 198.
Chat, Long-tailed, ~2~, 53.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, ~2~, 52;
portrait, ~2~, 52.
Chewink, ~1~, 76, 77; ~2~, 84;
portrait, ~1~, 76.
Chickadee, defending eggs, ~1~, 11, 12;
getting food for young, 18;
as an eater of insects' eggs, 68, 126;
affection for young, 78; ~2~, 22;
portrait, ~2~, 22.
Chickadee, Mountain, ~2~, 22.
Chickadees, ~2~, 22.
Chuck-will's-widow, ~2~, 157.
Cinclidæ, ~2~, 42, 199.
Color in feathers, ~1~, 120.
_See also_ Plumage.
Cormorant, ~1~, 94.
Corvidæ, ~2~, 117, 202.
Cowbird, ~2~, 51, 98.
Creeper, Brown, ~2~, 27;
portrait, ~2~, 28.
Creeper Family, ~2~, 27, 198.
Creepers, ~2~, 19.
Crop, ~1~, 93.
Crossbill, American _or_ Red, ~2~, 91.
Crossbill, White-winged, ~2~, 92.
Crossbills, ~1~, 97; ~2~, 91.
Crow, American, punishing a young one, ~1~, 37;
sleeping in flocks, 59, 60;
story of an affectionate, 80;
usefulness to men, 126; ~2~, 40, 117.
Crow Family, ~2~, 117, 202.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, ~2~, 174.
Cuckoo, California, ~2~, 174.
Cuckoo, Yellow-billed, ~2~, 174;
portrait, ~2~, 174.
Cuckoo Family, ~2~, 174, 203.
Cuculidæ, ~2~, 174, 203.
Dipper, American, ~2~, 42;
portrait, ~2~, 42.
Dipper Family, ~2~, 42, 199.
Down, the first plumage, ~1~, 15, 21, 22, 115.
Ducks, ~1~, 97, 115.
Eagle, Bald, ~2~, 189, 192.
Ears, ~1~, 102-104.
Eggs, beauty of, ~1~, 11;
the mother's care, 11, 12;
incubation and hatching of, 13-15.
Eyes, ~1~, 100-102.
Falconidæ, ~2~, 188, 204.
Feathers, first appearance on the young bird, ~1~, 22;
of the wing, 109-111;
of the tail, 112, 113;
the various kinds of, 114, 115;
expression of emotions by, 116;
the birds' care of, 116, 117.
_See also_ Plumage.
Feet, ~1~, 92, 105-108.
Finches, ~2~, 82, 201.
Fish, birds and dead, ~1~, 86, 87.
Flicker, method of feeding young, ~1~, 18;
food of, 85, 127;
color markings, 121; ~2~, 161;
portrait, ~1~, 86.
Flicker, Red-shafted, ~2~, 161, 162.
Flycatcher, Least, ~2~, 136.
Flycatcher, Shining Crested, ~2~, 67.
Flycatching Family, ~2~, 135, 202.
Flying, ~1~, 93.
Food, ~1~, 48-55;
in winter, 67-69, 134;
in its relation to the welfare of man, 125-130.
Frigate-bird, ~1~, 110.
Fringillidæ, ~2~, 80, 201.
Geese, ~1~, 98, 99.
Gizzard, ~1~, 93.
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, ~2~, 16.
Gnatcatchers, ~2~, 198.
Goatsucker Family, ~2~, 155, 203.
Goldfinch, American, ~1~, 14;
story of canary and, 20;
change of color, 26;
food, 54;
flocking, 71; ~2~, 82;
portrait, ~1~, 26.
Goldfinch, European, ~1~, 79.
Goldfinch, Willow, ~2~, 84.
Grackle, Bronzed, ~2~, 112.
Grackle, Purple, ~2~, 112.
Grackles, ~2~, 110.
Grosbeak, Black-headed, ~2~, 88.
Grosbeak, Cardinal, ~1~, 69, 132; ~2~, 88;
portrait, ~2~, 90.
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted, ~2~, 86;
portrait, ~2~, 86.
Grosbeaks, ~2~, 86.
Grouse, ~1~, 58, 59, 110.
Grouse, Ruffed, ~1~, 111.
Gullet, ~1~, 93.
Gulls, ~1~, 101.
Hawk, American Sparrow, ~2~, 189;
portrait, ~2~, 188.
Hawk, Fish, ~2~, 190;
portrait, ~2~, 192.
Hawk and Eagle Family, ~2~, 188, 204.
Hawks, food of, ~1~, 52, 53, 126, 127;
asleep, 59;
beaks of, 97;
eyesight of, 101;
feet of, 106.
Heligoland, ~1~, 101.
Heron, Great Blue, ~2~, 114.
Herons, food of, ~1~, 53, 127;
bills of, 97;
story of the hearing of a heron, 103, 104;
usefulness to man, 127.
Hirundinidæ, ~2~, 69, 201.
Humming Family, ~2~, 143, 202.
Hummingbird, Anna's, ~2~, 149.
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, absence of male from nest, ~1~, 16;
method of feeding young, 18; ~2~, 144;
portrait, ~1~, 18.
Hummingbirds, ~1~, 15, 98.
Icteridæ, ~2~, 94, 201.
Identification, ~1~, 137-141.
Indigo-bird, ~1~, 47;
portrait, ~1~, 46.
Instinct, ~1~, 83.
Intelligence, ~1~, 83-87.
Japan, ~1~, 131.
Jay, Blue, learning to fly, ~1~, 31, 32;
storing food, 54;
story of a mischievous, 55, 56;
usefulness to man, 126; ~2~, 113, 121;
portrait, ~2~, 122.
Jay, Steller's, ~2~, 126.
Jays, ~2~, 117, 202.
Kindness of birds to one another, ~1~, 74-77.
Kingbird, ~1~, 14, 129; ~2~, 113, 136;
portrait, ~2~, 136.
Kingbird, Arkansas, ~2~, 140.
Kingfisher, Belted, ~2~, 170;
portrait, ~2~, 170.
Kingfisher Family, ~2~, 170, 203.
Kingfishers, ~1~, 21, 115.
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned, ~2~, 14;
portrait, ~2~, 14.
Kinglet and Gnatcatcher Family, ~2~, 14, 197.
Language, ~1~, 43-47.
Laniidæ, ~2~, 59, 200.
Lark, Desert Horned, portrait, ~2~, 132.
Lark, Horned, ~2~, 131.
Lark, Old-Field. _See_ Meadowlark.
Lark, Prairie Horned, ~2~, 131.
Lark, Shore, ~2~, 131.
Lark Family, ~2~, 131, 202.
Legs, ~1~, 92, 105, 107, 108.
Magpie, American, ~2~, 126;
portrait, ~2~, 126.
Magpie, Yellow-billed, ~2~, 126.
Magpies, ~2~, 117.
Martin, Purple, ~2~, 72.
Meadowlark, ~1~, 45, 119, 121; ~2~, 97, 100;
portrait, ~2~, 100.
Meadowlark, Western, ~2~, 102.
Meadow Starlings, ~2~, 100.
Micropodidæ, ~2~, 150, 202.
Migration, ~1~, 61-68.
Mniotiltidæ, ~2~, 49, 200.
Mocking Thrushes, ~2~, 34, 199.
Mockingbird, ~1~, 45; ~2~, 9, 34, 195.
Motacillidæ, ~2~, 46, 199.
Moulting, ~1~, 25, 26, 118.
Neck, ~1~, 92.
Nests, situations of, ~1~, 9;
materials of, 9, 10;
building of, 10;
seldom used more than once, 10, 11.
Nighthawk, ~1~, 107; ~2~, 158;
portrait, ~2~, 158.
Norway, ~1~, 131.
Nuthatch, European, ~2~, 21.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, ~2~, 20.
Nuthatch, Slender-billed, ~2~, 18.
Nuthatch, White-breasted, ~2~, 18;
portrait, ~1~, 96.
Nuthatch and Chickadee Family, ~2~, 18, 198.
Nuthatches, ~1~, 18, 96, 98.
Observation, ~1~, 137-141, 145.
Oil, ~1~, 117.
Oriole, Arizona Hooded, ~2~, 108.
Oriole, Baltimore, nest of, ~1~, 9, 95; ~2~, 104;
portrait, ~1~, 10.
Oriole, Orchard, ~2~, 107.
Orioles, getting food for young, ~1~, 18;
teaching young to fly, 33, 34;
food of, 50;
affection for young, 78;
usefulness to man, 129; ~2~, 104.
Osprey, American, ~2~, 190;
portrait, ~2~, 192.
Ostrich, ~1~, 24.
Ostrich, South American, ~1~, 24.
Ouzel, Water, ~2~, 42;
portrait, ~2~, 42.
Oven-bird, ~2~, 52.
Owl, American Barn, ~2~, 185.
Owl, Barred, ~1~, 101.
Owl, Burrowing, ~2~, 182.
Owl, Florida Burrowing, ~2~, 182.
Owl, Screech, ~2~, 180;
portrait, ~2~, 180.
Owl Family, ~2~, 178, 204.
Owls, ~1~, 35;
food of, 52, 53, 127;
ears of, 103;
feet of, 106;
usefulness to man, 126, 127.
Paridæ, ~2~, 18, 198.
Penguin, ~1~, 72.
Petrel, ~1~, 110.