,,bird ,,portraits      ,illu/ration3   
,,! ,,song ,,sp>r[                      
,,bird ,,portraits                      
,by ,erne/ ,seton-,?ompson              
,,) ,,descriptive ,,text                
,by ,ralph ,h(fmann                     
,,bo/on                                 
,g9n  ,company                          
,! ,a!num ,press                        
#aija                                   
,,copyright1 #aija                      
,,by ,,g9n  ,,company                   
,,all ,,rights ,,res]v$                 
,,cont5ts                               
,,page                      ,,! ,,song  
,,sp>r[                  #a             
,,! ,,flick]                       #c   
,,! ,,br[n ,,?ra%]                #e    
,,! ,,b>n ,,swall[                  #g  
,,! ,,*imney ,,swift                 #i 
,,! ,,k+bird                     #aa    
,,! ,,baltimore ,,oriole             #ac
                      ,,! ,,wood ,,?ru% 
#ae                      ,,! ,,sc>let   
,,tanag]              #ag               

,,! ,,rose-,,brea/$ ,,grosbeak       #ai
                      ,,! ,,r$/>t       
#ba                      ,,!            
,,ruby-,,?roat$ ,,humm+-,,bird   #bc    
,,bob-,,:ite                        #be 
,,! ,,goldf9*                    #bg    
,,! ,,blue ,,jay                     #bi
                      ,,! ,,br[n        
,,creep]                #ca             
,,! ,,but*] ,,bird                 #cc  
,,! ,,gold5-,,cr[n$ ,,k+let       #ce   
,,! ,,h]r+ ,,gull                 #cg   
,,! ,,*ickadee                    #ci   
,,introduction      ,?is book is call$  
,bird ,portraits because ,mr4           
,seton-,?ompson's  pictures are always  
fai?ful & *>m+ portraits ( ! birds :i*  
he draws4 ,b s9ce a bird's portrait1 no 
matt] h[ accurate1 c %[  its subject 9  
only "o position1 s++1 fe$+1 fly+1 or   
sitt+1  a %ort acc\nt ( "s ( ! ma9 ev5ts
 ( ! bird's life has be5  add$ to ea*   
picture4    ,any "o :o le>ns f su* books
 z ,mr4 ,seton-,?ompson's h[ beset  )   
p]ils is ! life ( e wild creature w take

 ! greate/  pa9s at all times1 &        
especially 9 ! ne/+ season1 n only n  to
 injure or p]secute su* def5seless      
little creatures z our song  birds1 b   
also to protect !m 9 e way4 ,:oev] seeks
 _!  acqua9tance1 9 ! _s ( fri5d%ip1 w  
always be grateful =  ! int]e/ &        
pleasure to be ga9$ f su* fri5ds4    ,( 
! tw5ty birds ^: portraits are "h       
pres5t$1 a majority are  only summ]     
resid5ts 9 ! ,nor!rn ,/ates2 "s visit u 
only 9  w9t]2 a few sp5d ! :ole ye> ne> 
! same spot4 ,! birds :i*  are fir/     
describ$ are ^? t are mo/ closely       
associat$ ) !  return ( spr+2 !n foll[  
^? ^: gay colors & bright songs  give   
mu* ( its *>m to e>ly summ]2 la/ come ^?
 t brave1 ev5  9 ! ,nor?1 ! tempe/s (   
w9t]4                                   
,r4 ,h4                                 
,,bird ,,portraits                      
,,! ,,song ,,sp>r[      ,aft] a sev]e   
w9t]1 :ile sn[ & ice /ill rem9d u ( !   
pa/1  ! ,song ,sp>r[1 m\nt+ to ! top (  
"s bu% or small tree1  repeats 8 *e]ful 

t9kl+ song1 help+1 z ,?oreau says1 to   
crack ! ice 9 ! ponds4 ,few p are s     
unobs]vant z n to  notice ?is bright    
/ra91 aft] ! sil5ce ( w9t]4 ,a          
peculi>ity (  ! song is ! am\nt (       
v>iation %[n by diff]5t individuals &   
(t5 by ! same bird4 ,at almo/ regul>    
di/ances along ! bu%y  roadside1 or ov] 
! h$ge-int]sect$ fields1 "o w meet on ! 
e>ly spr+ morn+s "o ,song ,sp>r[ aft]   
ano!r1 ea* re/rict$ to  8 "p ( ! road or
 field4 ,if "o notices ! songs ( ea*1 x 
is  evid5t t1 ?\gh ! songs h ! same     
g5]al "*1 !re  are almo/ z _m ways (    
beg9n+ a /ra9 z !re are s+]s4  ,moreov]1
 ! same bird has be5 obs]v$ to alt] 8   
song 9 a %ort  space ( "t to two or ?ree
 diff]5t v>iations4 ,probably1 if "o's  
e> 7 acute en\gh1 all birds ( "o species
 w\ld be f\nd to s+  ) slight diff]5ces1
 b few %[ 9 s m>k$ a degree z ! ,song   
,sp>r[ ! t5d5cy to v>iation :i*         
*>act]izes a species4    ,9 e>ly ,april1
 ! ,song ,sp>r[ builds a ne/ ( grass1   
ei!r on !  gr\nd b5ea? a tuft ( grass1  

or "u "s brambles1 or less  frequ5tly a 
few feet above ! gr\nd1 9 a bu% or on ! 
l[] limbs  ( a tree4 ,9 ! latt]         
situation1 twigs are ( c\rse necess>y = 
! support ( ! /ructure4 ,"h aga9 ! bird 
%[s a t5d5cy to  v>y 9 its habits4 ,!   
eggs are f f\r to five 9 numb]1 gre5i%  
:ite1 ?ickly m>k$ ) %ades ( br[n1       
lav5d]1 or purple4  ,sometimes an egg is
 f\nd 9 ! ne/ mu* l>g] ?an ! o!rs2 ?is  
has be5 laid by ! lazy ,c[bird4 ,z !    
l>ge egg receives mo/ w>m?  & hat*es    
fir/1 ! "y ,c[bird soon cr[ds out !     
rightful  occupants ( ! ne/1 & ! p>5t   
,song ,sp>r[s w be se5 lat]1  work+     
busily to fe$ a great homely y\ng/] z   
l>ge z !mselves1  :o w aft]w>ds g (f to 
jo9 a flock ( 8 own k9d4 ,probably  e   
,c[bird has be5 re>$ at ! exp5se ( a    
brood ( "s small  bird1 ,sp>r[1 ,w>bl]1 
or ,vireo4    ,9 ,june1 ! "y ,song      
,sp>r[s are able to take c>e ( !mselves1
  & ! en]getic p>5ts build ano!r ne/ &  
re> ano!r brood4 ,!  brood+ "t is ! *ief
 p]iod ( song1 s t birds t bre$  twice  

s+ lat] 9 ! summ] ?an o!rs4 ,! ,song    
,sp>r['s little  /ra9 may be he>d well  
into ,augu/2 b t[>d ! end ( t mon?  we  
he> f ! cornfields & g>d5s a curi\s1    
husky w>ble1 unlike  ! bright spr+ c>ol 
( ! ,song ,sp>r[1 b nev]!less made by  t
 bird4 ,9 ! fall1 & ev5 dur+ ! w9t]1 a  
w>m bright day  w occasionally induce a 
,song ,sp>r[ to s+ 8 lively spr+ song1  
s t :]e ! ,song ,sp>r[ w9t]s1 ! /ra9 may
 be he>d e  mon? ( ! ye>4    ,9 ! late  
summ] & fall1 ! neglect$ corn]s ( g>d5s 
&  fields1 :]e ! se$s ( we$s & grasses  
(f] an abundance ( food1  are ! favorite
 resort ( ! sp>r[s4 ,! ,song ,sp>r[ may 
be  di/+ui%$ f mo/ ( its relatives by   
its /reak$ brea/1 9 !  middle ( :i* !   
spots g5]ally =m a conspicu\s blot*1 &  
by  its long tail1 :i* x con/antly j]ks 
z x flies4 ,! ,song ,sp>r[  is v retir+1
 & :5 al>m$1 slips into bru% heaps or   
bu%es1  :]e x hides z skillfully z a    
m\se4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,flick]     
,,! ,,flick]      ,! ,flick] is mo/     
belov$ 9 ,m>*1 :5 8 he>ty %\t is "o (  !

 *>act]i/ic s\nds ( ! fir/ w>m days (   
e>ly spr+4 ,!  same week :i* br+s !     
,bluebird & ! ,blackbird he>s ! *e]ful  
song ( ! ,song ,sp>r[ & ! l\d call ( !  
,flick]4    ,?\gh a woodpeck]1 ! ,flick]
 has dep>t$ some:at f ! habits  ( its   
relatives1 sp5d+ consid]able "t on !    
gr\nd1 &  dep5d+ l>gely = its food on   
b]ries & ants4 ,x is (t5 />tl$  f lawns 
& hillsides1 :]e x has be5 ?ru/+ its    
long tongue  into colonies ( black ants1
 seiz+ !m on ! moi/1 bru%y tip4 ,:5  s  
engag$1 ! bird may sometimes be closely 
approa*$1 & a sight (  its plumage is !n
 a revelation to "o :o has se5 f a      
di/ance  only its d>k br[n body & :ite  
rump4 ,! a%y gray nape sets (f a  bright
 r$ pat*2 !re is a h&some black cresc5t 
across ! brea/1  & ! male we>s black    
mu/a*es4 ,! brea/ is h&somely spott$1  &
 ! quills & und]sides ( ! w+ & tail     
fea!rs are gold5  yell[4 ,unless "o c   
/eal up close to a bird1 few ( ^! m>ks  
%[2 b ! ,flick] may always be di/+ui%$  
by 8 size 7he is !  l>ge/ ( our common  

birds except ! ,cr[71 by ! :ite rump1 & 
!  gleam ( yell[ :i* has giv5 him ! "n  
,gold5-w+$ ,woodpeck]4  ,! flight1 too1 
l t ( all ! woodpeck]s1 is *>act]i/ic2  
! w+ /rokes are sl[1 & betwe5 !m ! bird 
drops a little1 s  t its progress is 9  
waves in/ead ( 9 a /raight l9e4    ,all 
! woodpeck]s ne/ 9 holes1 :i* !y *isel  
out ( decay$ or  ev5 live wood4 ,a      
circul> entrance leads to a v]tical     
passage1 &  ?is to a wide *amb] "s      
di/ance bel[4 ,no l9+ ( moss or  fea!rs 
is put 92 ! pure :ite1 ne>ly r\nd eggs  
are laid directly  on ! *ips at ! bottom
 ( ! cavity1 & ! "y birds aft] a  few   
days hang by _! claws to ! side ( !     
hole4 ,"y ,flick]s1  l "y ,humm+-birds1 
are f$ by _! p>5ts ) a liquid food1  :i*
 is pump$ into _! wide-op5$ m\?s1 !     
p>5t's bill be+  ?ru/ f> into ! "y "o's4
    ,! ,flick] is "o ( ! few birds t    
frequ5tly return to ! old  ne/4 ,mo/    
birds1 contr>y to ! common notion1      
in/ead ( refurni%+  ! wea!r-beat5 &     
insecure /ructure into :i* _! la/ ye>'s 

home has be5 conv]t$ by sn[1 ra91 & w9d1
 pref] to build a new  "o4 ,! mat]ial is
 ev]y:]e at h&1 & "t is n s preci\s     
be=e ! "y are hat*$4 ,! ,flick]1 h[ev]1 
hav+ built 9 a  /\t limb1 c safely      
return = sev]al seasons to ! same       
cavity1  or1 if ?is becomes insecure1 c 
cut ano!r 9 ! same trunk4  ,bran*es are 
(t5 se5 :]e ?ree or f\r r\nd op5+s %[ ! 
t5em5ts ( sev]al g5]ations ( ^! noisy   
birds4 ,s\? (  ,massa*usetts1 ,flick]s  
g5]ally sp5d ! :ole ye> 9 "o spot1 &  9 
w9t] live l>gely on b]ries2 a favorite  
food at ?is season is !  b]ry ( ! poison
 ivy4 ,9 ! fall1 ! rum *]ry becomes a   
resort  = all fruit-lov+ species4    ,! 
,flick]1 ?\gh n kn[n to raise a second  
brood1 has a second  p]iod ( song1 s t  
we he> aga9 9 ,june ! %\t1 or mat+ call1
  ( ! e>ly spr+ days4 ,besides ?is      
high-pit*$ wick1 wick1 wick1  ! ,flick] 
utt]s1 :5 />tl$1 a curi\s note l worroo2
 a %>p  ti'ou is ! call to its k9d1 & ! 
syllables yuck]1 yuck]1  (t5 accompani$ 
by ludicr\s b[+ ) w+s & tail outspread1 

are  us$ to %[ affection4               
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,br[n ,,?ra%]        
,,! ,,br[n ,,?ra%]      ,! ,?ra%] is !  
fir/ great musician ( ! ye>2 he arrives 
9 !  la/ week ( ,april1 s t 8 song =ms !
 prelude ( ! *orus  :i* is giv5 9 ,may  
by ! true ,?ru%es1 ! ,bobol9k1 & !      
,oriole4 ,!re is a _s1 a brilliancy (   
execution1 & a p[] 9 8  song :i* is     
p]haps m appropriate to e>ly spr+ ?an ! 
ri*1  sweet tone ( ! birds :o take up ! 
/ra9 9 w>m] days4 ,he s+s  :5 spr+1 ?\gh
 assur$1 is n ev]y:]e manife/1 & ! vigor
  ( 8 r++ phrases s]ves to dispel any   
l+]+ d\bt t !  fa9t-he>t$ may yet       
ent]ta94    ,! trees are yet leafless1 &
 ! s+] c be se5 af> (f on !  v topmo/   
twig ( "s hillside tree2 8 long tail is 
held /raight  bel[ him1 8 head is       
up-lift$1 & f 8 full ?roat comes phrase 
aft] phrase1 a succession ( ! mo/ v>i$ &
 app>5tly extremely  difficult notes1   
execut$ ) an ease & full-he>t$ joy :i*1 
to  ! e>s ( _m1 place ! ,?ra%] 9 ! class
 ) ! true  ,?ru%es4 ,l ! song ( all male

 birds1 ! p]=mance is n only  an (f]+ or
 an invitation to ! female1 b also an   
answ] to "s  rival ^: fa9t] notes rea* !
 e> f ! neighbor+ grove4    ,?is la/    
week ( ,april is (t5 "o ( ! mo/         
delightful seasons (  ! ye>1 &          
p>ticul>ly attractive to a beg9n] 9 bird
 /udy4 ,!re  are only a few bu%es 9     
leaf1 & ^? ( a delicate gre52 ! dri$    
leaves "u !m are />r$ ) :ite bloodroot2 
on ! hillsides1  ! purple violet & yell[
 five-f+] are wide op5 9 ! w>m sun1  & 9
 ! woods1 ! mayfl[] & ! hepatica        
surprise ! visitor 9  spots :]e ! late  
sn[ /ill l+]s4 ,! birds are easy to f9d2
  !re is no d5se foliage to hide !m1 & !
 numb] ( species is  /ill s few t _!    
songs & figures are n difficult to      
di/+ui%4    ,! ,?ra%]'s song ceases z y 
approa* him4 ,he slips d[n l a  wr5 to !
 und]gr[?1 :]e1 if y li/51 y he> him    
ru/l+ &  scrat*+ 9 ! dry leaves4 ,if y  
sit d[n ne> by1 y w see him  z he m\nts 
aga9 f "o twig to ! next4 ,8 :ite brea/ 
is  heavily spott$ ) black1 8 head1     

back1 & tail are ( a bright  ruf\s %ade1
 & 8 yell[ eye glitt]s l a snake's4 ,:5 
he is  al>m$1 he puffs l a turtle1 or   
utt]s a note curi\sly l a l\d  smack4 ,!
 :ole air ( ! bird is "o ( vigor &      
intellig5ce4 ,!  sexes are alike 9 size 
& color4 ,by wat*+ pati5tly ne> ! spot  
:]e ! male s+s1 x is (t5 possible to    
surprise ! pair br++  b>k & roots to !  
bu% among ^: roots or /ems ! ne/ is     
wov54    ,x is "o ( ! mo/ delightful    
exp]i5ces 9 ! /udy ( birds ?us  to wat* 
a pair ( birds build+ _! ne/1 to note   
lat] ! lay+  ( ea* egg1 to see ! female 
brood+ till ! ne/l+s are hat*$  & f9ally
 leave ! ne/4 ,"o always heaves a sigh (
 relief at !  la/ mom5t1 = s _m trag$ies
 may put an end to ! /ory4 ,!  female   
,?ra%] is v bold :5 on ! ne/1 & sits    
close till !  visitor1 if he approa*    
quietly1 is )9 a few feet ( h]4 ,%e     
gazes  fix$ly at him ) h] bright eye1 b 
let him draw a /ep ne>] &  %e slips (f  
into ! bu%es4 ,! eggs are f\r or five1  
:iti%1  cov]$ ) _m light br[n m>k+s4    

,! food ( ! ,?ra%] consi/s ( insects &  
fruit4 ,_m l+] 9  ! ,nor? till ! end (  
,octob]1 & sp5d ! w9t] 9 ! ,s\!rn       
,/ates1 :]e ! gr\nd is g5]ally free f   
sn[4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,b>n ,,swall[
                                        
,,! ,,b>n ,,swall[      ,!re is no      
pleasant] sight among birds ?an a family
 ( "y re>$  9 ! neighborhood ( man & (t5
 on "s "p ( 8 h\se itself4  ,visit an   
old f>mh\se2 look ab\t & see h[ _m      
welcome gue/s !  f>m] %elt]s )\t ?\ght (
 pecuni>y pr(it4 ,"u ! wood%$1  on a    
beam1 ! ,phbe has built a ne/ ( moss1 f 
:i* %e flies to  ! b>ny>d to pursue !   
insects t sw>m !re4 ,9 ! v9es on !      
piazza1 ,rob9s & ,*ipp+ ,sp>r[s h re>$  
_! "y4 ,9 ! old  elm ov] ! door1 an     
,oriole has wov5 a ne/ ) ?read twit*$ f 
! clo!sl9e or p]haps purposely laid out 
= h]1 & ! or*>d  %elt]s numb]s (        
species--,bluebirds1 ,woodpeck]s1       
,k+birds1 &  ,*ebecs4 ,( all ^! t5ants1 
h[ev]1 none seem s completely at home  z
 ! swall[s2 none %[ s little conc]n at  

man's pres5ce2 none  take possession s  
coolly ( ! boxes1 ! eaves1 or ! raft]s  
:]e  !y build4 ,_! k9dr$ liv$ ) man1    
ages ago1 9 ,greece & ,rome2  !y h be5  
welcom$ ea* spr+ z h]alds ( a joyful    
season2 _!  dep>ture has be5 wat*$ )    
regret4 ,?\gh !y h b few notes  :i* are 
musical1 yet _! grace1 agility1 &       
swiftness h pass$  into prov]b & song4  
,!re are sev]al species ( swall[1 or    
m>t91 :i* take advantage (  man's       
/ructures 9 or on :i* to place _! ne/s1 
b ! mo/  num]\s1 ! mo/ famili> to p 9   
g5]al1 & p]haps ! mo/  attractive1 is ! 
,b>n ,swall[4 ,?is is ! only species ^: 
out]  tail fea!rs are long & po9t$1 & =m
 ) ! re/ ( ! tail  ! peculi> figure kn[n
 z swall[-tail4 ,! head1 back1 w+s1 &   
tail are all ( a beautiful lu/r\s blue1 
& ! tail1 :5 spread1  %[s l>ge :ite     
spots 9 ! inn] fea!rs4 ,! "u p>ts v>y f 
:iti% 9 immature birds to a ri* *e/nut 9
 fully mature ones1 :o  h also ! ?roat &
 =ehead ( a d>k] r$di% br[n4 ,! bill    
op5s f> back1 s t !re is a wide cavity  

to engulf any insect  :i* may be met 9 !
 ceaseless flight backw>d & =w>d ov]    
grass  & wat]4    ,! ne/ ( ! ,b>n       
,swall[ is famili> to all :o h enjoy$   
life on  a f>m4 ,x is made ( /raws &    
grass1 pla/]$ toge!r ) mud1 &  is plac$ 
on a beam or raft] 9 ! b>n4 ,"o         
hospitable f>m] drove a  horse%oe into a
 beam1 & on ?is l$ge a swall[ built ea* 
ye>4  ,?r\gh ! op5 door or w9d[ ( ! b>n 
! swall[s fly 9 & out1  & up into !     
gloom above1 :]e twitt]+ s\nds tell ( "y
 t  are be+ f$4 ,z soon z ! "y are old  
en\gh1 ! p>5ts urge  !m to fly1 & 9 a   
few days !y become skillful en\gh to    
take food  on ! w+4 ,?is is an extremely
 pretty spectacle2 ! p>5t & !  "y meet1 
& !n fly upw>d = an in/ant1 _! brea/s   
app>5tly  t\*+1 :ile ! food is pass$ f  
"o bill to ! o!r4 ,"o ,july  aft]noon ! 
writ] wat*$ a r[ ( six "y swall[s cl++  
to !  %+les on a b>n ro(1 e m\? gap+ =  
food :5ev] !  p>5ts approa*$4 ,:5 ! fa!r
 br\ght ! food1 ! bird sitt+  ne>e/ him 
got ! m\?ful1 & 9 an in/ant lat] ano!r f

 !  "m4 ,five times 9 succession ?is    
favor$ y\ng/] 0 f$1 :ile  ! o!r five    
seem$ neglect$4 ,b :5 ! little fell[ _h 
all t  he c\ld hold1 he w5t to sleep1 & 
! next wide-op5 m\? receiv$  ! food4    
,:at seem$ at fir/ an unfair arrangem5t 
0 aft] all !  sure/ way to fe$ all      
alike4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,*imney    
,,swift                                 
,,! ,,*imney ,,swift      ,! ,swift is  
univ]sally kn[n z ! ,*imney ,swall[1 f a
 belief  t x belongs to ! swall[ family4
 ,x is1 9 fact1 no relative (  !        
swall[s1 b v ne>ly relat$ to !          
,:ippoorwill &  ,night-hawk4 ,swifts &  
swall[s bo? h long1 p[]ful w+s1 :i*     
enable !m to rema9 = long p]iods on ! w+
 9 a re/less se>*  = insects4 ,sci5ti/s 
!mselves 7 = a long "t misl$ by !       
resemblance 9 ! appe>ance & habits ( !  
two families1 b a  close exam9ation ( ! 
skeleton ( ! two birds has conv9c$      
naturali/s t ! two families desc5d$ f   
diff]5t ance/ors1  b h arriv$ at simil> 
solutions ( ! problem pres5t$ to !m  9  

_! se>* = food4    ,! ,swift builds1 z  
is well kn[n1 9 ! flues ( *imneys4 ,x is
  (t5 se5 9 ,may1 da%+ pa/ ! dead twigs 
( "s tree1 & !n  (f to ! *imney1 :]e !  
twigs are glu$ toge!r & to ! bricks  by 
! help ( saliva secret$ by ! bird4 ,a   
common & di/ress+  exp]i5ce aft] a /orm 
9 summ] is ! discov]y ( ! "y ,*imney    
,swifts at ! wrong end ( ! *imney1--on !
 he>?1 9 o!r words4  ,ev5 9 _! prop]    
place 9 ! *imney1 ! "y birds c make  _! 
pres5ce v well kn[n by beg9n+1 z soon z 
x is light1 an  incessant clamor = food4
    ,! long n>r[ w+s1 ! p[]ful *e/      
muscles1 ! cut ( ! bird's  body1 & ! way
 ! keel is balla/$1 s to speak1 enable !
 bird to  rema9 = h\rs 9 con/ant flight 
)\t app>5tly exp]i5c+ !  lea/ fatigue4  
,swall[s are (t5 se5 re/+ on telegraph  
wires1 b ,i  h nev] se5 a ,swift p]* on 
any support outside a *imney4 ,at night 
& dur+ su* "p ( ! day z is giv5 up to   
re/1 ! bird  supports itself 9 *imneys  
by cl++ to projections or crevices4 ,!  
/iff1 %>p-po9t$ tail fea!rs aid greatly 

9 support+ x4 ,be=e  ! com+ ( ! :ite    
man1 holl[ trees s]v$ z ! roo/+ &  ne/+ 
places ( ! ,swifts4    ,!re is no bett] 
practice = ! eye ?an di/+ui%+ swall[s  f
 ,swifts1 :5 bo? species are m+l$ 9 !   
air4 ,! ,swift's  flight1 ?\gh v p[]ful1
 sugge/s t ( ! bat1 on acc\nt (  !      
frequ5cy ( ! w+ /rokes2 ! rapid beat+ ( 
! w+s ceases  at int]vals & ! bird      
glides ?r\gh ! air or turns on set w+s4 
,!n ! tw9kl+ flight beg9s aga94 ,!re are
 none ( ^? long  sweep+ /rokes ) :i* !  
,b>n ,swall[ cleaves ! air4 ,! tail  ( !
 ,swift1 :5 ! bird is fly+1 g5]ally     
appe>s %ort &  cig>-%ap$1 or1 if spread1
 x is fan-%ap$1 n =k$ l ! tails  ( all !
 swall[s4    ,! ord9>y note ( ! ,swift  
is a s+le %>p cry1 sl[ly or rapidly     
repeat$2 x is *>act]i/ic ( w>m summ]    
ev5+s :5 ! birds  fly ab\t ! h\ses 9    
twos or ?rees1 pursu+ ea* o!r & utt]+   
?is note /accato4 ,a pretty sight at ?is
 "t is ! ,swift sail+  ) w+s rais$ above
 ! body1 9 ! position ( our common      
pigeon  j be=e alight+2 ! ,swift assumes

 ! same attitude above !  *imney1 pois+ 
a mom5t be=e he drops into ! flue4      
,e>ly 9 ,septemb] ! ,swifts leave !     
,nor?1 & may be se5 high  ov]head fly+  
s\?w>d2 unlike _m ( our small birds1 !y 
migrate  by day1 _! p[]s ( flight       
protect+ !m f ! birds ( prey  :i* are   
su* a m5ace to ! small] birds4          
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,k+bird              
,,! ,,k+bird      ,! swall[s & swifts   
sp5d h\rs on ! w+1 turn+ to ! "r or  to 
! left1 upw>d or back1 9 pursuit ( w+$  
insects4 ,_m o!r  birds1 notably ! w>bl]
 family1 take occasional flights aft] "s
  insect :i* !y h />tl$ f ! leaves4 ,!  
habits ( ano!r  l>ge family ( birds1 !  
,flycat*]s1 are a compromise betwe5 ^!  
two me?ods ( obta9+ food4 ,select+ "s   
po/ ( obs]vation1 su*  z a dead limb1 a 
f5ce1 or ! /alk ( a /\t we$1 !y wait    
pati5tly1 keep+ a %>p wat* ( ! air ab\t 
!m4 ,at sight ( an  insect fly+ ne>1 !y 
fly out 9 pursuit4 ,if "o is ne> en\gh  
to  ! bird1 a click ( its bill w ann\nce
 ! fate ( ! insect4 ,!  ,flycat*]s !n   

return to ! same or a neighbor+ p]*4    
,! family is n1 on ! :ole1 v            
good-humor$2 9 fact1 !y might  ju/ly be 
accus$ ( irritability & pugnacity4 ,!   
,k+bird1 9  p>ticul>1 ! head ( ! h\se1  
is not$ = 8 con/ant attacks on  any w+$ 
creature t approa*es 8 ne/4 ,x mu/ be   
admitt$1  h[ev]1 t :5 ne/+ "t is ov]1 he
 lives v peaceably )  8 neighbors2 b    
:ile ! female is brood+ ! eggs or "y1 ! 
excit$ cry ( ! male is con/antly he>d1 &
 e ,cr[ t comes  9 sight is pursu$1     
sometimes = a mile4 ,! ,k+bird gets     
above 8  victim & d>ts d[n at its head2 
! ,cr[ c be se5 w9c+ at ea*  vici\s jab 
( ! bill4 ,"o or two obs]v]s h actually 
se5 !  ,k+bird ride on ! ,cr['s back =  
"s di/ance4 ,! ,k+bird has a  pat* ( r$ 
conceal$ "u ! black fea!rs ( 8 cr[n2 :5 
he is  angry or excit$1 ^! r$ fea!rs    
blaze out4 ,!y are v r>ely  se5 by m51 b
 ,i imag9e ! ,cr[s see !m (t5] ?an !y l4
    ,apple trees 9 old or*>ds are       
favorite ne/+ places ( ! ,k+bird1  & no 
pa9s are tak5 to conceal ! ne/4 ,x is   

compos$ ( twigs  loosely laid toge!r1 & 
(t5 fe/oon$ ) :ite /r+s or !  dry1      
woolly heads ( ! m\se-e> ev]la/+4 ,!    
inside ( ! ne/  is neatly l9$ ) fea!rs1 
horsehair1 or roots1 & conta9s f  ?ree  
to five :ite eggs spott$ ) br[n4 ,!     
,k+bird is "h f  ! fir/ ( ,may to ! fir/
 ( ,septemb]1 b l all /rictly           
insectivor\s birds1 x mu/ sp5d ! w9t] f>
 to ! s\?w>d4 ,!  bird's only notes are 
! %rill cries1 kipp]1 kipp]1 giv5 s+ly  
or quickly repeat$4 ,9 spr+ ! birds (t5 
m\nt to a consid]able  height1 utt]+ ?is
 cry cont9ually1 & app>5tly attempt+1 by
  ?is exhibition1 to express ! emotion  
common to all creatures at ?is  p]iod ( 
! ye>4    ,! ,k+bird is a v satisfactory
 bird to beg9n]s2 ! color patt]n  is s  
m>k$ & ! bird is s fond ( expos$        
situations t x is  se5 & recogniz$ )\t  
difficulty4 ,except ! ,c$>bird1 ^: tail 
is tipp$ ) yell[1 ,i "k no o!r small    
bird ( ! ea/]n ,unit$  ,/ates ^: tail   
fea!rs are all tipp$ ) a regul> edge (  
light  color4 ,! ,k+bird is ! bird mo/  

commonly se5 f a c> w9d[2 9  almo/ e    
field1 ! mulle9 /alks or wire f5ces w   
display "o  or m individuals1 _! :ite   
brea/s or black & :ite tails  %[+       
conspicu\sly 9 ! l&scape4    ,! ,k+bird 
has (t5 be5 accus$ ( de/roy+ honeybees4 
,ev5  all[+ t individuals occasionally d
 "s damage 9 ?is way1 !  good s]vices ( 
! race 9 de/roy+ h>mful insects f>      
outweigh  ^! injuries1 & ! rem$y is to  
drive ! bird away f ! hives1  n to kill 
x4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,baltimore     
,,oriole                                
,,! ,,baltimore ,,oriole      ,! arrival
 ( ! ,orioles 9 ! fir/ week ( ,may m>ks 
= _m  p ! return ( spr+4 ,! males come  
fir/ & take possession at  once ( our   
/reets & g>d5s1 call+ f ! elms1 or da%+ 
into  ! *]ry trees :ite ) blossoms4 ,!  
females arrive a day or two  lat]1 & !  
"w ( h\se-hunt+ beg9s soon aft]4 ,9 !   
selection  ( a ne/+ site1 ! judgm5t ( ! 
female alone is naturally all[$  to h   
entire weight4 ,! male is politely      
anxi\s1 fly+ f twig to  twig1 z if      

recomm5d+ !m2 b ! female kn[s t %e mu/  
sit  = days ov] h] preci\s eggs1 & be   
swung by all mann] ( /orms1  9 :atev]   
situation %e f9ally selects2 %e means1  
!re=e1 to be  sure be=e %e builds4    ,!
 numb] ( trees on :i* hang two ne/s1 "o 
evid5tly old] ?an  ! o!r1 is v          
noticeable1 & probably means t ! same   
pair  return to ! same tree to build4   
,_m p h an idea t birds  use ! same ne/ 
9 successive ye>s1 b x does n seem      
likely t  su* a skillful ar*itect z !   
,oriole w\ld pat* up ! old ne/1  :5 ) a 
few days' labor %e c build a new "o1    
clean & /rong1  & v likely improv$ by h]
 =m] exp]i5ce4 ,! mat]ials us$  = !     
con/ruction ( ! ne/ are t\gh1 fibr\s    
/rips = !  framework1 & s(t] mat]ials = 
! l9+4 ,! female (t5 comes  to !        
clo!sl9e & twit*es out "s ?reads1 & %e  
is v  ?ankful = tw9e or simil> mat]ial  
hung out :]e %e c f9d x4  ,l[ell1 :o    
lov$ ! ,oriole next aft] ! ,bobol9k1    
hung out  gay-color$ ?reads = 8 birds1 &
 0 rew>d$ ) ! sight ( a  brilliant ne/4 

,! female builds at fir/ a framework (  
/rong mat]ial1 :i* is  atta*$ to !      
sev]al twigs on :i* ! ne/ hangs4 ,%e    
actually ties  knots ( ?is mat]ial ) h] 
long %>p bill1 ?ru/+ ! end (  ! ?read   
?r\gh a loop1 !n rea*+ ov] & pull+ x    
tight4  ,trag$ies sometimes occur dur+  
?is process1 ! bird becom+  entangl$ 9  
h] own ?read & *ok+ or />v+ to dea?4 ,a 
bit (  com$y is sometimes se5 :5 !      
,oriole1 return+ to h] half-f9i%$  ne/1 
cat*es a ,summ] ,yell[-bird 9 ! act (   
/eal+ "s ( !  mat]ial4 ,aft] ! frame is 
complet$1 ! ,oriole works f inside1     
weav+ ! web f side to side4    ,by      
,june1 ! "y hat*1 & n[ ! male1 :o has   
hi!rto _h an easy  "t1 becomes v busy   
br++ food to ! "y4 ,9 a few days1 !y    
become old en\gh to cry = x v vigor\sly1
 & ?is !y d s  incessantly t _!         
peet-teet becomes "o ( ! *>act]i/ic     
s\nds ( e>ly summ]4 ,by ! middle (      
,july1 ! "y leave ! ne/1  & !n = a week 
or two ! :ole family are met ) 9 !      
c\ntry  lanes1 ! *ildr5 resembl+ _! "m 9

 color1 b easily  di/+ui%$ by _! %ort   
tails & ! g5]al d[ny look ab\t !  head4 
,! male suff]s an eclipse dur+ midsumm]2
 8 *e]ful :i/le is no  long] he>d1 & we 
%\ld ?9k t he _h already left = !  ,s\?1
 did he n resume 8 /ra9 9 ,augu/4 ,9    
fact1 he has be5  m\lt+2 b1 unlike !    
,tanag]1 he replaces 8 bright fea!rs by 
o!rs z gay1 & be=e he leaves u1 he is z 
bright z :5 he came4  ,! wild *]ry trees
 are n[ a favorite resort = ! :ole      
family2  b by ! fir/ ( ,septemb]1 !y    
leave ! ,nor!rn ,/ates & return  to     
,c5tral & ,s\? ,am]ica1 :]e !y lead a   
c>eless life till !  approa* ( spr+     
rem9ds !m ( ! village elms a ?\s& miles 
away4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,wood ,,?ru%
                                        
,,! ,,wood ,,?ru%      ,x is difficult  
to speak )\t en?usiasm ( ! song ( a     
,?ru%4 ,he  seems :olly to outclass all 
o!r birds4 ,:5 a ,rose-brea/$ ,grosbeak1
  no mean s+] z our birds g1 has f9i%$ 8
 song1 let a ,wood ,?ru%  utt] b a      
phrase ( 8 /ra91 & ! ,grosbeak's w>ble  

seems  commonplace4 ,except ! ,?ru%es1  
we h few birds ^: song appeals  to !    
imag9ation z human music does4 ,we li/5 
curi\sly to ! songs  ( ! o!rs1 criticise
 !m or comm5t on !m1 z we d on a        
l&scape2 b let a ,?ru% s+ & we fall into
 a rev]ie1 recall+  sad1 t5d]1 or solemn
 ideas & associations4    ,! ,wood ,?ru%
 & ! ,ve]y1 or ,wilson's ,?ru%1 are !   
common  ,?ru%es ( all b ! nor!rn "p ( ! 
,nor!rn ,/ates4 ,9 !  m\nta9s1 ! ,h]mit 
,?ru% is f\nd4 ,?is bird is g5]ally     
consid]$  sup]ior ev5 to ! ,wood ,?ru% 9
 ! purity & solemnity ( its  cad5ces4 ,x
 has "o great advantage ov] its rival2 x
 s+s on  m\nta9 sides 9 cle>1 /ill air1 
s t ! f9e/ vibrations ( its  voice come 
to ! e> ) p]fect di/9ctness4 ,! song ( !
 two  ,?ru%es is readily di/+ui%$ by    
li/5+ = ! phrase  ee-o-lee'1 ) :i* !    
,wood ,?ru% regul>ly op5s 8 *ant4 ,!    
,ve]y has receiv$ its "n 9 imitation (  
its song1 :i* resembles  ! syllables    
ve7e-ury1 ve7e-ury1 ve7e-ury1 ea* phrase
 l[] 9  ! scale ?an ! prec$+4    ,!     

,wood ,?ru% arrives 9 ! ,nor!rn ,/ates 9
 ,may1 & unlike !  ,ve]y1 :i* is        
/rangely sil5t on its fir/ arrival1 !   
male ,wood  ,?ru% ann\nces 8 pres5ce on 
! morn+ ( 8 arrival1 by *ant+  f "s l[  
limb 8 beautiful flute-l notes4 ,9 !    
,middle ,/ates1  x is a common & almo/  
famili> bird1 build+ 9 ! g>d5s ev5 (    
l>ge t[ns2 b 9 wild] regions1 x pref]s  
copses1 groves ( "y  trees1 & rocky     
gl5s1 p>ticul>ly if !re is a /ream ne>  
by4 ,by  ! end ( ,may ! pair h f9i%$ _! 
ne/1 :i* resembles t  ( ! ,rob91 b is   
(t5 compos$ ( less co>se mat]ial & is   
g5]ally plac$ 9 ! =k ( a sapl+4 ,! birds
 (t5 take little  tr\ble to conceal x1  
sometimes plac+ x close to a woodl& pa?1
  & ! pass]-by becomes aw>e ( its       
ne>ness by he>+ ! h>%1  anxi\s *att] ( !
 p>5ts4 ,! f\r eggs are blue l !        
,rob9's4  ,! ,rob9 is1 9 fact1 a ne>    
relative ( ! ,?ru%es1 & !  relation%ip  
is %[n n only by ! %ape ( ! body & !    
bill1  b by ! spott$ brea/ :i* ! "y     
,rob9s assume ) _! fir/  plumage4 ,9 !  

,middle ,/ates1 ?is relation%ip seems to
 h be5  recogniz$1 z ! ,wood ,?ru% is   
!re commonly call$ ! ,wood ,rob94       
,:ile ! female is brood+ ! eggs1 ! male 
may be he>d day aft]  day f "s favorite 
p]*1 n too ne> ! ne/4 ,! e>ly morn+  & !
 late aft]noon are ! favorite times =   
all ! ,?ru%es1 b  on cl\dy days or 9 !  
cool %ades ( deep woods1 !y s+ all day4 
,occasionally ! song ceases = sev]al    
days4 ,"s calamity has  befall5 ! ne/2 a
 squirrel or "s o!r m>aud] has robb$ !  
pair1 & !re are no m outp\r+s ( joy1    
till ) r5ew$  c\rage !y select "s saf]  
spot & build aga94 ,9 midsumm]1 !       
,?ru%es become v sil5t4 ,occasionally we
 come ^u a gr\p fe$+  9 ! *]ry or       
viburnum bu%es1 b few are se5 aft]      
,augu/1 & by  ,novemb] !y are 9 !       
tropics4 ,only ! ne/ fill$ ) sn[ rem9ds 
u ( ! pair1 ^: return 9 ,may we await ) 
impati5ce4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,sc>let
 ,,tanag]                               
,,! ,,sc>let ,,tanag]      ,9 ,s\?      
,am]ica1 ! ,tanag]s =m a l>ge family1 b 

!y s5d to !  m nor!rn ( our ,ea/]n      
,/ates only "o repres5tative1 !         
well-kn[n ,sc>let ,tanag]4 ,a sight (   
?is spl5did bird prop]ly1  !re=e1       
sugge/s ! tropics4 ,! ,tanag] is        
consid]$ a r>e bird1  b x c always be   
f\nd 9 suitable situations1 & 9 c]ta9   
p>ts  ( ! c\ntry is really a common     
bird4 ,oak groves are ! favorite  resort
 ( ! bird1 & s9ce x does n (t5 visit our
 doory>ds1  ev5 9 migration1 & s9ce we1 
z a p1 d n (t5 visit oak  groves1 !     
sight ( a ,tanag] rema9s = mo/ p a r>e &
  exhil>at+ exp]i5ce4 ,! bird1 too1 is (
 a r sluggi%  disposition1 s t ev5 if we
 visit ! spot :]e a pair are ne/+1  !y  
display only a r languid curiosity4 ,!  
call-note us$ by bo?  sexes is well wor?
 le>n+1 = by its means our att5tion is  
(t5  attract$ to a pair :i* we %\ld     
o!rwise ov]look2 x consi/s (  two       
syllables1 resembl+ ! syllables ts*ip1  
ts*urr1 utt]$ 9 a  ho>se voice4 ,! song 
( ! male is su* z a ,rob9 ) a cold might
  produce4    ,ei!r because ! ,tanag]   

bre$s g5]ally at "s di/ance f man1  or  
because he consid]s t 8 brilliant color+
 w make up =  o!r defici5cies1 ! bird   
has nev]1 z f> z ,i "k1 done mu* to  w9 
! affection ( bird lov]s4 ,!y h         
en?usia/ic praise = 8  coat1 b little to
 say ( 8 mann]s4 ,a /ory :i* ,wilson    
tells ( a  male ,tanag] is1 h[ev]1 a    
wor?y exception to ?is /atem5t4 ,wilson 
f\nd a "y bird :i* _h fall5 out ( ! ne/ 
&1 hav+ br\ght  x home1 put x into a    
cage ) "s ,orioles4 ,!y altoge!r        
neglect$  ! orphan1 & z x refus$ to be  
f$ by ,wilson1 ! latt] 0 ab\t  to return
 x to ! woods1 :5 a male appe>$ & tri$  
to ent] !  cage4 ,f9d+ ?is impossible1  
he w5t (f1 b return$ ) food &  f$ ! "y  
"o = ?ree or f\r days4 ,at la/1 he %[$ s
  unmi/akably 8 desire = ! release ( !  
"y "o t ! own]  set x free1 & ! two flew
 (f rejoic+4 ,if ?is ,tanag] 0 a type  (
 8 k9d1 ! species ne$ n fe> !           
application ( ! prov]b1  ,h&some is t   
h&some does4    ,tanag]s arrive e>ly 9  
,may1 & may !n be easily obs]v$1 z !    

trees are n yet 9 full leaf4            
,occasionally1 9 cold /orms1 all birds  
seem to keep ne> ! gr\nd1 & on su*      
occasions ,tanag]s are  sometimes se5   
fe$+ on ! gr\nd itself1 _! spl5did      
colors  %[+ to wond]ful advantage4 ,!   
female is a v pla9 p]sonage4  ,olive    
gre5 above & gre5i% yell[ bel[1 ) dull  
br[ni% w+s1  is a comb9ation ( color t  
s]ves v well to keep h] conceal$  among 
! leaves4 ,! ne/ is sometimes plac$ 9   
or*>d trees or ev5  9 l[ bu%es1 b       
frequ5tly 9 tall oaks4 ,x is loosely    
built ( /raw  & twigs1 & conta9s1 by !  
end ( ,may1 f ?ree to f\r eggs ( a      
light gre5i% blue1 m>k$ ) br[n & lilac4 
,! "y are f$ on  insects ga!r$ f !      
leaves4 ,by ! end ( ! summ]1 ! male     
m\lts 8 bright r$ fea!rs & comes out 9 a
 suit resembl+ t  ( ! female1 b he keeps
 8 black w+s & tail4 ,! :ole family1    
clo!d 9 ^! inconspicu\s colors1 migrate 
s\?w>d & rema9 9  ! tropics till !      
foll[+ spr+4    ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,rose
 ,,brea/$ ,,grosbeak                    

,,! ,,rose-,,brea/$ ,,grosbeak      ,to 
see a ,grosbeak = ! fir/ "t gives a     
/ud5t ( birds almo/ !  same feel+ (     
exaltation z ! fir/ sight ( a ,sc>let   
,tanag]4 ,if  "o %\ld he>1 9 ! %ade     
trees ab\t ! h\se1 a ,rob9 s++  mu* fa/]
 & ) a ri*] voice ?an ev] be=e1 &1 aft] 
pati5t  se>*1 f9d ! twig :]e ! bird 0   
s++1 "o's fir/ ?\ght  w\ld probably be1 
,"s escap$ cage bird f ! tropics4 ,!    
head  ( ! male ,grosbeak is black1 !    
tail & w+s black & :ite1 b  9 ! c5t] ( !
 :ite brea/ is a triangle ( pure rose1  
c>ri$ 9  "s individuals f> d[n ! brea/4 
,:5 ! bird flies1 ! :ite  pat*es 9 ! w+s
 h a peculi> effect1 l a circle ( :ite4 
,!  l>ge1 almo/ mon/r\s bill1 n only    
acc\nts = ! bird's "n1 b  expla9s :y he 
is put into ! same family ) ! sp>r[s4 ,8
  nature1 too1 is em95tly practical1 z a
 sp>r['s %\ld be2 a  favorite food is ! 
potato bug4    ,8 mate lacks ! black &  
rose1 b h] beak betrays h]4 ,%e is n  a 
p>ticul>ly int]e/+ bird1 & does n ev5 h 
! cr$it (  excell5ce 9 h\sehold matt]s1 

at any rate z f> z build+ h] ne/  is    
conc]n$4 ,x is made ( a few co>se twigs 
loosely laid toge!r1--a  little plat=m  
?r\gh :i* ! eggs sometimes %[ f bel[1 & 
f :i* "o w\ld ?9k !y mu/ c]ta9ly fall   
(f4 ,! ne/ is  plac$ 9 a bu% or l[ tree1
 & conta9s ?ree or f\r gre5i% blue      
eggs1 ?ickly m>k$ ) r$4 ,! "y are out 9 
,july1 & ?\gh a  few ,grosbeaks are     
occasionally se5 9 ,septemb]1 mo/ ( !m h
  already left = ! tropics by ! end ( ! 
summ]4 ,! same joy\s  week ( ,may :i*   
br+s ! ,?ru%es1 ,bobol9ks1 & ,orioles   
br+s  !m back aga94    ,j z a k ( !     
ho>se note ( ! ,tanag] w (t5 betray  !  
pres5ce ( t spl5did bird1 s an          
acqua9tance ) ! %>p  click1 l t ( a pair
 ( %e>s1 :i* ! ,grosbeaks make1 w  (t5  
attract ! /ud5t & rew>d him ) a sight ( 
! beautiful  rosy brea/4 ,grosbeaks s+ =
 a long "t on "o p]*1--n on !  upp]mo/  
spray ( ! tree1 z t o!r tropical sp>r[1 
! ,indigo  bird1 loves to d1 b1 l !     
,tanag]1 on "s bran* well inside !      
canopy ( leaves4 ,9 ! fir/ weeks ( ,may1

 :5 birds ( _m species  are mat+1 two & 
sometimes ?ree male ,grosbeaks may      
occasionally be  se5 pursu+ ea* o!r1 _! 
:ite w+ b>s & spots mak+ a %[y  contra/ 
to ! black4 ,! victor 9 ! /ruggle !n    
returns to !  tree ne> ! female1 & p\rs 
out a song ( unusual vigor &  sweetness4
 ,9 ,may1 ! ,grosbeak visits ! blossom+ 
fruit trees1  snipp+ (f ! petals & !    
undevelop$ fruit4 ,suspicion has  !re=e 
fall5 on him1 b x is n[ believ$ by ! be/
 au?orities  t ?is budd+ is n sev]e     
en\gh to injure ! tree or ! crop  (     
fruit4 ,nor mu/ we =get to ?r[ into !   
o!r balance ! result  ( 8 labors 9 !    
potato field4    ,:5 ! adult male       
,grosbeak m\lts 9 summ]1 ! rose on !    
brea/  becomes dull]1 & ! black on !    
head & back is almo/ entirely  replac$  
by br[n4 ,l ! ,tanag]1 h[ev]1 he reta9s 
8 black w+s  & tail1 & may ?us be       
di/+ui%$ f ! br[n-w+$ "y  males4        
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,r$/>t               
,,! ,,r$/>t      ,almo/ a f\r? ( ! birds
 usually se5 by a good obs]v] 9 a       

morn+'s walk 9 ,may or ,june1 belong to 
a family kn[n z ,w>bl]s4 ,if  !y 7      
really z musical z _! "n sugge/s1 p     
might "k  !m bett]2 b ev5 z x is1 _!    
colors are (t5 s bright t  ! birds well 
repay "o :o takes ! tr\ble to make _!   
acqua9tance4 ,p]haps ! be/ kn[n ( !     
family is ! ,yell[  ,w>bl]1 n to be     
confus$ ) ! ,goldf9*1 f :i* ! abs5ce  ( 
! latt]'s black cap1 w+s1 & tail w      
di/+ui% x4 ,!  ,ov5-bird1 ^: l\d        
tea*-er1 tea*-er1 tea*-er is s common a 
s\nd 9 dry woods 9 summ]1 is ano!r memb]
 ( ! ,w>bl] family4  ,! gaye/ ( !m all1 
h[ev]1 9 mo/ p>ts ( our c\ntry1 is !    
,r$/>t4 ,8 coal black head1 ) bright    
orange pat*es at !  %\ld]s1 & yell[i%   
b&s across ! w+s & tail1 sugge/ a       
m9iature ,oriole4    ,! ,r$/>t is a     
spl5did bit ( color2 9 ,cuba he is kn[n1
 accord+  to ,mr4 ,*apman1 z ,c&elita1 !
 little tor*4 ,black & orange is a  n   
uncommon comb9ation ( color among birds1
 & nev] fails to be  effective4 ,!      
,r$/>t1 moreov]1 makes ! mo/ ( 8 color  

by  keep+ bo? w+s & tail spread1 s t !  
yell[ & orange is  con/antly display$4  
,he flits f "o twig to ano!r1 spread+ 8 
little black-&-yell[ fan1 fly+ out1     
turn+ 8 black head &  gl[+ %\ld]s t[>d  
"o1 & cont9ually utt]+ a little song1  n
 mu* 9 itself1 & only full ( mean+ &    
association to !  bird's fri5ds1 to :om 
x sugge/s leafy %ade ne> brooks 9 !     
summ] heat4    ,! "n ( ! family to :i* !
 ,r$/>t belongs ne$s1 p]haps1 a  ^w (   
explanation4 ,x simply means t our      
,w>bl]s are relat$ to a  family (       
,european birds :i* h well e>n$ _! "n1  
s9ce !  family includes ! ,night+ale &  
"o or two o!r birds almo/ z  musical4 ,!
 "n ,r$/>t1 too1 is ,engli%1--/>t com+ f
 !  ,anglo-,saxon ^w = tail4 ,x 0 appli$
 9 ,engl& to a bird ) a  r$ tail1 & s9ce
 our bird has bright color 9 ! tail1 !  
"n 0  transf]r$ to x by ! ,engli%       
settl]s4    ,_m ( ! ,w>bl]s frequ5t !   
?ick woods & are little notic$2  !      
,r$/>t1 h[ev]1 (t5 builds 9 ! trees or  
%rubb]y ab\t !  h\se1 p>ticul>ly if a   

brook or pool af=d an abundance (       
insects4  ,9 ! crot* ( a sapl+ or on a  
limb1 ! female places a pretty ne/      
built ( b>k & s(t mat]ials4 ,! female   
resembles ! male 9 !  patt]n ( color1 b 
! black is replac$ by gray1 & ! orange  
by a  fa9t yell[i% %ade4 ,males only "o 
ye> old resemble ! female s  closely t !
 %>p little song (t5 seems to proce$ f !
 bill  ( a female2 9 reality x is a "y  
male t is s++1 "o n yet  arriv$ at !    
full spl5dor ( 8 future gay plumage4    
,! ,r$/>t is (t5 victimiz$ by ! ,c[bird1
 & "o feels !  imposition m ke5ly 9 its 
case ?an 9 t ( almo/ any o!r  bird1 = we
 "k t ! big clumsy ,c[bird is be+ re>$  
at !  exp5se ( a :ole family ( ^! pretty
 w>bl]s4    ,! ,r$/>t comes e>ly 9 ,may 
& /ays ?r\gh ! summ]4 ,"s are  se5 ev5 z
 late z ,octob]1 b ^! are1 v likely1    
birds :i*  h br$ f> ,nor?1 :]e ! late   
summ] did n p]mit !m to re>  _! "y s    
e>ly z our own birds4    ,illu/ration3  
,,! ,,ruby-,,?roat$ ,,humm+-,,bird      
,,! ,,ruby-,,?roat$ ,,humm+-,,bird      

,! re/less activity & g5]al appe>ance ( 
! ,humm+-bird make  "o almo/ hesitate to
 believe t x is really a bird & n a     
brilliant tropical insect4 ,x possesses 
no song2 few p see x  except on ! w+1 & 
its ne/ is s r>ely f\nd t to mo/ p  !   
bird is m]ely a sudd5 app>ition1 se5    
hov]+ ov] a fl[]1 its  ruby ?roat sp>kl+
 9 ! sun4 ,:5 ! ,humm+-bird's ne/ is    
discov]$1 x turns out to be a /ructure z
 delicate & r>e z its  little ar*itect4 
,x is (t5 fix$ on a li*5-cov]$ twig1    
frequ5tly  9 or*>ds1 b z (t5 on tall =e/
 trees4 ,to ! outside ( !  ne/1 bits (  
gray li*5 are fa/5$1 s t at a di/ance ! 
ne/  is mi/ak5 = a knob ( ! twig itself4
 ,! eggs are always two1  ridicul\sly   
small1 l pea beans4    ,! ,humm+-bird is
 n a good fa!r4 ,he neglects all !      
dome/ic  duties1 be+ r>ely se5 ne> ! ne/
 aft] x is complet$4 ,!  female br+s up 
! two "y birds unaid$1 fe$+ !m by ?ru/+ 
h] long bill into _! gap+ m\?s & pump+  
food into _!  ?roats4 ,! process has be5
 describ$ z a frightful-look+ act4  ,!  

food ?us adm9i/]$ to ! "y consi/s1      
probably1 (  s(t-bodi$ insects1 = :5    
,humm+-birds visit fl[]s1 x is n  only  
to ga!r honey1 b also to capture !      
small] honey-ga!r]s4    ,_m *>m+ /ories 
h be5 told ( ! fe>lessness ( !          
,humm+-bird4 ,x _h (t5 be5 obs]v$ t     
birds f$ f fl[]s  held 9 ! h&1 b x      
rema9$ = ,mrs4 ,s\le to make artificial 
trumpet-v9e fl[]s1 & by fill+ !m ) sug> 
wat]1 to provide a  daily fea/ = h]     
,humm+-bird neighbors4 ,?\gh ! birds are
 v  irritable & pugnaci\s :5 wild1      
frequ5tly attack+ ea* o!r )  ! %rill    
squeaks :i* are _! only notes1 yet1 9   
captivity1 !y  prove v g5tle & almo/    
affectionate4 ,! ,humm+-bird has        
discov]$ ano!r me?od ( obta9+ ! sweet   
liquor :i* x loves4  ,! ,sapsuck]1 or   
,yell[-belli$ ,woodpeck]1 is 9 ! habit (
 drill+  r[s ( small holes into ! maples
 ( ! nor!rn =e/s1 & suck+  out ! sap :i*
 fills ^! little wells4 ,_m insects are 
attract$  to ! sweet fluid1 & !         
,humm+-birds also come z un9vit$ gue/s  

to ! fea/2 s t :ile ! ,woodpeck] is     
dr9k+ on "o side (  ! tree1 butt]flies1 
bees1 wasps1 & ,humm+-birds are flutt]+ 
ab\t ! o!r4    ,by ! end ( ,septemb]1 ! 
season = honey ga!r]s is ab\t ov] 9  !  
,nor?1 & ! w+s :i* c support ! little   
body = s _m  seconds 9 front ( a fl[]1  
n[ take x s\?w>d to ! tropics1  :]e !re 
are always fl[]s4 ,x is n until ,may1 n 
until ! r$  blossoms ( ! ,japan qu9ce   
are op51 t ! ,humm+-birds return4    ,! 
,ruby-?roat$ ,humm+-bird is ! only      
species f\nd on ! ,atlantic  coa/2 !    
female1 h[ev]1 lacks ! ruby ?roat1 & is 
sometimes  tak5 = ano!r species4        
,humm+-birds se5 at dusk1 if caught1 w  
prove to be1 n birds b cle>-w+$ or      
,humm+-bird mo?s4 ,9 ,s\?  ,am]ica1     
h[ev]1 !re are ov] f\r hundr$ diff]5t   
species (  ,humm+-birds4 ,a museum case 
full ( ^! is a m>vel ( beauty &  int]e/2
 ! iridesc5t colors ( _! gorgets1 or    
?roat-pieces1 !  v>iety ( %apes :i* _!  
bills assume1 ! developm5t ( _!  ?roat &
 tail fea!rs1 give "o ! impression ( a  

%[ case full (  fanta/ic jewels4        
,illu/ration3 ,,bob-,,:ite              
,,bob-,,:ite      ,bob-:ite1 unlike !   
majority ( our birds1 does n migrate    
s\?w>d  9 w9t]2 ! :ole covey1 unless !y 
are kill$1 sp5d ! :ole ye>  ne> ! spot  
:]e !y 7 born1 fe$+ on ! fall5 gra91    
se$s1  & v>i\s k9ds ( fruit4 ,9 h>d     
w9t]s1 !y become v tame1 &  if f$       
regul>ly1 come to ! b>ny>d almo/ l      
p\ltry4 ,mo/ p  are only too famili> )  
?is bird1 b n z he looks 9 life4 ,!n  he
 is full ( en]gy & _s2 8 pure :ite ?roat
 %[s aga9/ !  black ( 8 head1 & 8 ri*   
r$di% br[n w+s are ready to c>ry  him (f
 ) a :irr t />tles "o4 ,= "o t we see   
alive1 we  see a ?\s& hang+1 bloody &   
b$raggl$1 9 ! m>kets4 ,few  p :o become 
really acqua9t$ ) ,bob-:ite1 :o see him 
sitt+  on a /one wall call+ 8 "n1 or see
 8 mate hurry+ h] little  ones ov] !    
road into ! blackb]ry v9es1 w c>e to    
make ano!r  meal (f 8 little body4 ,we  
mu/ consid] n only ! wrong1 if we       
ackn[l$ge x to be "o1 done to !         

individual quail ^: life has  be5 tak51 
b ! dang] t ?reat5s 8 :ole race4 ,!     
*e]ful  ,bob-:ite is already a mu* r>]  
s\nd ?an x us$ to be1 & !  bird has _m  
o!r dang]s to cont5d aga9/ besides !    
pot-hunt]'s  gun4    ,! greate/ p]il t  
besets quail 9 ! ,nor? is ! occasional  
midw9t] blizz>d1 foll[$ by int5se cold4 
,! quail at night huddle  close toge!r  
on ! gr\nd1 _! tails t\*+ & _! heads    
po9t+ out 9 a circle4 ,aft] a great /orm
 9 a rec5t w9t]1 !  melt+ sn[ expos$ a  
circle ( quail1 surpris$ & buri$ by !   
sn[1 l ! p ( ,pompeii buri$ "u ! fall+  
a%es4    ,9 ,may1 ! male beg9s to :i/le 
! two or ?ree cle> notes :i*  h be5     
translat$ into ,bob-:ite1 or ,m wet4    
,?is call is n  only a summons to !     
female1 b also a *all5ge to o!r males2  
if  "o hides ne> by & imitates ! :i/le  
accurately en\gh1 a sudd5  flight w     
sometimes br+ ! angry bird directly to !
 spot4 ,!  surprise ( ! visitor is !n   
amus+ en\gh4 ,/one walls1 f5ces1 !  l[  
limbs ( trees are favorite p]*es = !    

male1 & 8 *e]ful  call has long be5 a   
famili> s\nd 9 f>m+ c\ntry1 f           
,massa*usetts s\?w>d4    ,! ne/ is plac$
 9 "s tangle ( blackb]ry v9es1 along !  
edge (  a field1 & is a sight wor? a    
long j\rney to see4 ,! pure :ite  eggs1 
(t5 z _m z fifte51 are laid close toge!r
 9 su* a mann]  t ! little body ( !     
female may cov] & w>m !m all4 ,:5 !  "y 
are hat*$1 !y are cov]$ ) d[n1 & run at 
once1 l  *ick5s1 & unlike ! little bl9d 
nak$ "y :i* we see 9 !  ne/s ( song     
birds4 ,!y foll[ _! "m ?r\gh ! tangl$   
grass  or l[ bu%es1 fe$+ on fruit &     
insects1 & lat] on ! gra9 9  ! /ubble   
fields4 ,! :ole family keep toge!r1 ev5 
:5 ! "y  are able to c>e = !mselves4 ,:5
 !y he> any dang] approa*+1  !y keep    
close to ! gr\nd1 rely+ on _! br[n      
color+ to  conceal !m4 ,if ! dang] comes
 too ne>1 !y are (f 9 half a doz5       
directions1 ov] walls & bu%es1 com+     
quickly to e>? aga9 :5  !y see "s %elt]+
 cov]t4 ,!n1 aft] an int]val1 "o he>s a 
note some?+ l a gu9ea h5's1 issu+ f     

diff]5t p>ts ( !  field4 ,guid$ by ^!   
s\nds1 ! :ole covey reassemble4         
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,goldf9*             
,,! ,,goldf9*      ,n ! mo/ sull5 sky   
nor ! bitt]e/ cold seems to disc\rage   
,goldf9*es4 ,!y are always *e]ful &     
affectionate1 keep+ toge!r  = ! great]  
"p ( ! ye> 9 l>g] or small] flocks1 :i* 
call  to ea* o!r1 if sep>at$1 by notes z
 sweet z ^? ( a ,can>y4 ,9  summ]1      
,goldf9*es f9d an abundance ( food 9 !  
se$s ( _m  species ( plants1 b 9 w9t]   
also _m rema9 ev5 9 ! ,nor!rn  ,/ates1  
se>*+ *e]fully among ! dry we$s &       
grasses1 &  utt]+ _! sweet notes4 ,_m p1
 h[ev]1 d n notice !m at  ?is season1 = 
:5 w9t] comes ! head & body ( ! males ( 
?is species1 z ( _m o!rs1 lose ! bright 
black & yell[ :i*  m>ks !m s di/9ctly 9 
summ]1 & are clo!d 9 dull br[ni%  %ades4
 ,ab\t ! fir/ ( ,april1 "o notices "h & 
!re 9 a flock  a male t %[s a few bright
 yell[ fea!rs1 & by ano!r mon?1  !y h   
m\lt$ _! w9t] dress & are z gay z ev]4  
,9 ! spr+ & e>ly summ]1 ! ,goldf9*es are

 extremely musical1  sp5d+ h\rs 9 utt]+ 
a simple b pleas+ song4 ,sev]al males n[
  engage 9 :at seems to be a musical    
conte/1 fly+ out f a tree &  circl+ ab\t
 ) set w+s1 all ! "t keep+ up a cont9ual
  /ra94 ,:5 fly+ ?r\gh ! air at a       
consid]able height1 !y g 9  long curves1
 & utt] dur+ ea* undulation ?ree or f\r 
simple  notes4 ,z !y seem con/antly to h
 bus9ess 9 "o "p or o!r (  ! c\ntry1 !  
wave-l flight & *>act]i/ic notes become 
a  common feature ( ! summ] l&scape4    
,?\gh ! ,goldf9*es are "h all w9t]1 !y  
delay ne/+ till v  mu* lat] ?an ! o!r   
resid5t birds2 ! ,*ickadees h _!  fir/  
brood already out 9 ! _w by ! "t !      
,goldf9*es  det]m9e on build+4 ,! female
 is a mode/-color$ little body1 z is    
(t5 ! case :]e ! male is bright4 ,! pair
 g5]ally build 9  ,july1 & *oose "s ?ick
 leafy tree1 (t5 a maple or popl>1 &    
!re1 on a limb at a consid]able height f
 ! gr\nd1 con/ruct a  v neat ne/1 deep &
 cup-%ap$1 built ( f9e mat]ials & l9$  )
 d[n f plants l ! ?i/le4 ,"h five or six

 blui% :ite  eggs are laid1 & :5 9 ano!r
 mon? ! "y ,goldf9*es beg9 to  fly1 x is
 at once evid5t f _! %>p1 insi/5t cry+4 
,z !  call+ ( ! "y ,orioles is a m>k (  
late ,june1 s ! notes ( !  "y ,goldf9*es
 become associat$ ) ,augu/4             
,goldf9*es are v fond ( ! se$s ( _m k9ds
 ( composite  fl[]s2 !y bite holes 9    
unripe d&elion heads & take out !  se$s2
 ?i/les are ano!r favorite food1 & a r[ 
( sunfl[]s  plant$ 9 ! g>d5 w n fail to 
attract !m4 ,9 w9t]1 besides  ! se$s (  
we$s1 !y fe$ on bir* se$s1 scatt]+ !    
scales ov]  ! sn[1 & !y ev5 pull out !  
se$s ( ! pit* p9e1 :5 !  scales beg9 to 
loos5 t[>d spr+4    ,no bird has        
liveli]1 m *e]ful ways ?an our ,goldf9*1
 & none  becomes a great] favorite4 ,p  
are (t5 at consid]able pa9s to  remove !
 d&elion plants f _! lawns2 if ! gay    
fl[]s  !mselves d n repay "o = _!       
pres5ce1 _m w\ld c]ta9ly  all[ !m to    
rema9 9 ord] to h ! pleasant spectacle1 
9 summ]1  ( a flock ( yell[ ,goldf9*es  
scatt]$ ab\t ! grass & fe$+  on ! se$s4 

,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,blue ,,jay          
,,! ,,blue ,,jay      ,mo/ p are        
surpris$ :5 !y fir/ le>n t ! ,blue ,jay 
is a  ne> relative ( ! ,cr[4 ,! diff]5ce
 9 color is c]ta9ly m>k$1  b 9 o!r ways 
! resemblance is /rik+4 ,nei!r bird c   
utt]  its mo/ *>act]i/ic note )\t       
ge/iculation4 ,wat* a ,cr[ f a  c> w9d[ 
:5 ! caw is inaudible1 & ! b[+ & op5+ ( 
! w+s are all ! m noticeable4 ,! motions
 :i* ! ,jay makes  :5 scream+ are n s   
well kn[n1 z ! s\nd g5]ally comes f  a  
scre5 ( leaves4 ,bo? birds are ?ieves & 
seem to reli% _!  ?iev+ life2 bo? c live
 on almo/ any food2 bo? are he>tily hat$
  by _! neighbors 9 bird _w4 ,! ,jay is 
m bitt]ly dete/$ by  ! o!r birds ?an !  
,cr[4 ,he is himself suspici\s1 & at !  
approa* ( a hawk1 owl1 or man1 w>ns !   
woods by 8 cries4 ,besides  ! ord9>y    
djay1 djay1 ! l\d scream s famili> 9 !  
autumn  woods1 ! ,jay has o!r cries2 a  
note l a :eelb>r[ turn+ on an  ungreas$ 
axle1 a high scream exactly l !         
,r$-%\ld]$ ,hawk's1  & su* a v>iety (   

less] notes t "o nev] is surpris$ to f9d
  t any unusual s\nd he>d 9 ! woods is  
produc$ by ! ,blue ,jay4    ,?\gh "o ( !
 noisie/ ( birds :5 pursu+ an intrud]1 !
 ,jay  has le>n$ to slip ?r\gh ! trees  
)\t a s\nd1 & conceals its  bright blue 
& :ite 9 a rem>kable way4 ,a pair (     
,jays may be ne/+  9 "s ev]gre5 9 our v 
g>d51 & unless we happ5 to see !  female
 slip into ! tree1 we may rema9 entirely
 unaw>e ( _!  pres5ce4 ,! ne/ is r\ghly 
con/ruct$ ( twigs & roots1 & is  plac$ 9
 a tree f six to tw5ty feet f ! gr\nd4  
,on a l9+ (  f9] roots are laid f\r or  
five br[ni% or gre5i% eggs1 spott$  )   
yell[i% br[n4 ,! "y are hat*$ by !      
middle or end (  ,june4    ,! ,jay 9    
spr+ is und\bt$ly a reprobate4 ,he _c   
resi/ !  temptation to sneak ?r\gh !    
trees & bu%es1 & :5 he f9ds a  ne/ (    
eggs tempor>ily left by its own]1 to    
?ru/ 8 %>p bill  ?r\gh ! %ells2 ev5 "y  
birds are dev\r$4 ,9 ! autumn1  h[ev]1 !
 ,jay is a he>ty1 op5 fell[1 noisy &    
int5t on acorns  & *e/nuts4 ,! woods r+ 

) 8 l\d screams1 z he travels  ?r\gh !m 
) 8 companions4 ,x is amus+ at ?is      
season to  obs]ve !m obta9+ *e/nuts1 a  
favorite food4 ,!y drive _!  p[]ful     
bills into a nut & wr5* x out ( ! burr1 
!n fly (f  ) x to a conv5i5t limb &     
hamm] x op54 ,_m ,jays sp5d !  entire   
w9t] 9 ! nor!rn woods1 subsi/+ on nuts1 
b ! l>ge  numb]s obs]v$ 9 ! fall are    
evid5ce t _m o!rs are mov+  s\?w>d1 :]e 
food is m pl5ty4    ,jays & squirrels   
are curi\sly associat$2 bo? live 9 !    
autumn &  w9t]1 innoc5tly en\gh1 on nuts
 & acorns2 bo?1 9 spr+1 poa* on  ! eggs 
& "y ( birds4 ,"o becomes fond ( ea* (  
^! rascals  9 spite ( 8 und\bt$         
villanies1 & is glad t ?\gh nei!r       
,squirrel nor ,jay is protect$ by law1 &
 9 "s /ates bo? are  con/antly p]secut$1
 nei!r seems to be dim9i%+ 9 numb]s4    
,9 ,europe1 ! ,cr[ & ! ,jay h sev]al    
relatives1 _m ( :om1  su* z ! ,magpie1  
,rook1 & ,jackdaw1 %>e ! family         
*>act]i/ics4  ,!y are all ?ieves1 cl[ns1
 & impud5t fell[s1 & yet w91 if n       

affection1 yet a c]ta9 degree (         
good-humor$ tol]ation4    ,illu/ration3 
,,! ,,br[n ,,creep]                     
,,! ,,br[n ,,creep]      ,9 ! b&s (     
little birds :i* 9 w9t] visit ! trees   
ab\t !  h\ses1 !re are (t5 ?ree diff]5t 
species1 all ( :i* f9d _!  food on !    
trunks or l>ge limbs ( trees1 b by su*  
diff]5t  me?ods t a /udy ( _! habits is 
n only int]e/+ b also  extremely        
in/ructive4 ,! little ,d[ny ,woodpeck]1 
l all its tribe1  hit*es up ! trunk or  
along ! upp] side ( ! limb1 us+ its     
/iff tail fea!rs z a support1 & hold+ on
 to ! b>k by its two  pairs ( %>p claws4
 ,! ,nu?at*1 ) a %ort weak tail1 & toes 
arrang$ z 9 all song birds1 ?ree 9 front
 & "o beh9d1 has !  toes1 h[ev]1 spread 
s wide t x c climb head d[nw>d1 ov]1    
"u1 or ar\nd ! limb4 ,lea/ kn[n ( ! ?ree
 is ! ,br[n  ,creep]4 ,x1 too1 has ?ree 
toes 9 front & "o beh9d1 b al?\gh  n    
relat$ to ! ,woodpeck]s1 x has develop$ 
/iff & po9t$ tail  fea!rs4 ,x !re=e cl+s
 to ! b>k 9 an upright position1 & x    

commonly beg9s at ! bottom ( ! tree &   
works /eadily upw>d1  (t5 9 a spiral4   
,dur+ ! w9t] mon?s1 ! ,br[n ,creep]     
probably visits e  village /reet & e    
city p>k 9 ! ,nor!rn ,/ates1 b z x is  j
 ! color ( ! wea!r$ b>k & moves close to
 x1 x escapes  ! notice ( ne>ly e "o4   
,if "o le>ns to di/+ui% ! f9e  wiry     
note1 & wat*es ! tree f :i* x proce$s1  
"o sees !  bird flutt] to ! base ( a    
neighbor+ tree & beg9 aga9 its  /eady   
asc5t4 ,:5 two birds are toge!r1 !y     
sometimes indulge 9 a  v pretty flight1 
& tumble 9 ! air l pigeons4 ,z a rule1  
h[ev]1 ! ,creep] is solit>y1 &1 9 ?is   
respect1 (f]s a m>k$  contra/ to its    
companions & relatives1 ! sociable      
,*ickadees &  ,k+lets4    ,! eyes ( a   
,creep] are s ne> ! b>k :i* x is        
inspect+1 t  x is n /range t x f9ds food
 :]e we %\ld look 9 va94 ,x  has1       
besides1 a v long curv$ bill :i* w rea* 
into crevices 9  ! b>k1 & be=e ! end ( !
 w9t]1 x has und\bt$ly /ripp$  ! trees (
 a l>ge proportion ( ! dormant insects &

 _! eggs1  especially z1 l ! o!r w9t]   
birds1 x seems to h a v  regul> beat1   
visit+ ! same gr\ps or r[s ( trees e    
day4 ,few  birds are s /rictly arboreal 
z ! ,creep]s4 ,! writ] has only once    
se5 "o alight on ! gr\nd1 :5 ! bird flew
 to a little /ream to  ba!4 ,9 ! ice    
/orms :i* occasionally clo! e trunk &   
limb  ) a glassy cov]+1 ! ,creep] has to
 conf9e itself to ! leew>d  side ( !    
trees4 ,occasionally ! ,creep]1 on      
acc\nt ( its practice  ( beg9n+ at !    
bottom ( ! trunk1 flies to a spot on !  
tree  bel[ ! b& ( t>r$ pap]1 :i*        
protects ! %ade trees f !  visits ( !   
cank]-worm mo?4 ,on rea*+ ! b&1 ! bird  
makes a  circuit ( ! trunk1 9 a va9     
attempt to f9d a passage4 ,x is bett]   
provid$1 h[ev]1 ?an ! w+less mo?s1 & :5 
! circuit has  be5 made1 a %ort flight  
c>ries x ov]4    ,9 ,april1 ! ,creep]   
leaves its w9t] qu>t]s = ! ,nor?1 &     
jo9s _m o!r species 9 ! great spruce    
=e/s ( nor!rn ,new  ,engl& & ,canada4   
,occasionally1 on w>m morn+s be=e its   

dep>ture1  ! male indulges 9 a little   
song1 ( ! ?9ne/ quality imag9able4  ,:5 
! pair rea* _! nor!rn home1 !y hunt = a 
crevice "u  "s great flake ( loose b>k1 
& !re con/ruct _! ne/4 ,! b>k  ( trees1 
!re=e1 furni%es ! ,creep] ) a cradle at 
bir? & a  home = ! re/ ( its life4      
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,but*] ,,bird        
,,! ,,but*] ,,bird      ,e "o :o obs]ves
 ! habits ( birds soon notices )        
a/oni%m5t ! regul>ity ) :i* !y return   
ea* summ] to !  same spots to bre$4 ,?is
 is p]haps n s /range 9 ! case (  bre$+ 
birds2 !y may be s fa/idi\s 9 _!        
selection ( food or  ( a ne/+ site t    
only a few places suit !m1 or ! spot :]e
  !y br$ "o ye> may appeal to _!        
affection & s be select$  aga94 ,x is no
 less evid5t & m rem>kable t birds t    
sp5d  only ! w9t] 9 our neighborhood (t5
 h z well def9$ a home z  ^? t sp5d !   
summ]4 ,e autumn1 ab\t ! fir/ (         
,novemb]1  if "o looks c>efully at !    
topmo/ twigs ( ! small trees t are      
scatt]$ ab\t ! edges ( "s m>%1 ! eye may

 f9ally cat*1  p]*$ on ! v top1 ! figure
 ( a plump gray bird1 ) black  w+s &    
tail1 ab\t ! size ( a ,rob94 ,its tail  
(t5 moves z if  ! bird 7 balanc+ itself4
 ,a ne>] view w\ld %[ t its bill  0 /\t 
& slightly hook$1 l a hawk's4 ,among    
song birds1 x is  our l>ge/ regul> w9t] 
visitor1 & w rema9 ne> ! same spot  till
 ! end ( ,m>*1 :5 x retires nor?w>d to  
bre$4 ,! same  trees s]ve ye> aft] ye> z
 look-out po/s2 no d\bt ! bird  rememb]s
 :]e to f9d ! fatte/ mice & gras%opp]s4 
,! ,but*] ,bird1 or ,%rike1 is "o ( !   
few birds t seem to h  develop$ a s5se (
 humor4 ,i h se5 x attack & drive (f    
birds  f> l>g] ?an itself1 app>5tly out 
( simple mis*ief4 ,x (t5  indulges 9 a  
succession ( /range noises1 "s ( :i*    
resemble !  song ( ! ,catbird1 b ! :ole 
p]=mance is int]sp]s$ )  *uckles1       
squeaks1 & h>% s\nds1 or int]rupt$ by a 
grat+ cry1 s  t x c make no pret5se to  
be call$ melodi\s4 ,x seems sometimes  z
 if ! bird 7 simply amus+ itself4    ,= 
a :ile y w reg>d ! ,but*] ,bird z a     

good-natur$1  good-look+ fell[2 x is n  
till y f9d1 ne> its po/ (  obs]vation1  
mice or birds jamm$ into ! crot*es (    
twigs1 or  discov] a ?ornbu% decorat$ ) 
gras%opp]s & cat]pill>s1 t  y recall    
c]ta9 unpleasant reports ab\t its "*4   
,:5 y  f9ally see x da% into a flock (  
sp>r[s & he> _! scree* (  t]ror1 or see 
x te> out its victim's bra9s ) t hook$  
bill1  y w und]/& its hawk-l habit (    
sitt+ :]e x c survey  its :ole doma94 ,!
 ,hawks clut* _! prey 9 _! curv$ talons1
  & !n te> x ) _! beak4 ,! ,%rike's     
claws are nei!r curv$  nor p[]ful1 s t x
 is evid5t t x w$ges its victims into   
=k$ twigs or impales !m on ?orns1 s t x 
c !n te> (f  portions to dev\r4 ,b :y x 
s (t5 leaves !m uneat5 7!  practice (   
?us display+ its w>es has e>n$ ! bird   
its "n7 has  nev] be5 satisfactorily    
expla9$4 ,p]haps ! bird means to return 
to  !m 9 times ( sc>city1 b !y are s (t5
 left uneat5 t x  seems probable t x has
 =m$ ! habit ( hunt+ & hang+ up  its    
game1 (t5 ) no ?\ght ( eat+ x4    ,!    

,but*] ,bird has (t5 be5 p]secut$ = !   
de/ruction (  small] birds2 x seems f>  
wis] to protect x1 n only 9 ord] to     
pres]ve s int]e/+ a bird1 b because     
birds =m s small a p]  c5t ( its food4  
,9 ! spr+ & fall1 x lives v l>gely on   
insects1 & ?r\gh\t ! w9t]1 mice =m a    
l>ge "p ( its diet4  ,!re is always     
dang] ( blund]+ :5 man int]f]es 9 !     
conc]ns  ( nature1 & if he once         
ext]m9ates any creature1 x is beyond 8  
p[] to re-create x4    ,illu/ration3 ,,!
 ,,gold5-,,cr[n$ ,,k+let ,,& ,,br[n     
,,creep]                                
,,! ,,gold5-,,cr[n$ ,,k+let      ,!     
,gold5-cr[n$ ,k+let is1 next to !       
,humm+-bird1 almo/ our  smalle/ bird1 & 
x frequ5ts ?ick ev]gre5s s cont9ually t 
x  is r>ely se54 ,!re is little 9 its   
voice & habits to attract  att5tion1 &  
its activity & re/lessness are s con/ant
 t we  r>ely cat* sight ( ! bit ( color 
:i* x possesses1--! cr[n  :i* ! little  
k+ c>ries4 ,b if we tra9 our e> s t x   
cat*es e f9e natural s\nd1 no matt] h[  

trifl+1 we become  aw>e "s crisp w9t]   
day ( a ?9 see1 see1 see1 (t5 repeat$  f
 "s h$ge1 or gr\p ( or*>d trees4 ,if we 
wat*1 our eye w  cat* sight ( "o or two 
t9y creatures1 flitt+ re/lessly among ! 
twigs1 keep+ _! w+s 9 almo/ con/ant     
motion1 ev5 :5 n  actually fly+4 ,!     
g5]al color ( ! bird is a %ade kn[n 9 ! 
books z olivace\s1 b ! effect outdoors &
 at a di/ance is a d>k  gray2 across !  
w+s !re are little :iti% b>s1 & ov] !   
head  d>k l9es enclose ! little         
cr[n1--yell[ 9 ! female1 orange 9 !     
male4    ,if we succe$ 9 attract+ !     
,*ickadees to our trees1 by ty+ up      
bones1 ! ,k+lets (t5 come 9 _! company1 
b _! little bills  are too weak to pick 
at ! froz5 gri/le1 & !y m]ely glean f  !
 twigs & buds4 ,! little scale insects1 
! eggs ( mo?s &  spid]s1 all mann] (    
m9ute objects1 are detect$ by _! %>p    
eyes  & seiz$ by _! skillful little     
bills & tongues4 ,at night1 !  b&       
retires to "s ?ick ev]gre5 h$ge or      
grove1 ready ! next  morn+ to resume _! 

busy r\nds4 ,9 ,april1 ! male is mov$ to
  utt] a simple little song1 & by ! end 
( ! mon? ! :ole  company move to !      
spruce =e/s ( ! ,nor?1 n to return to u 
until ! next ,septemb]4    ,9 ! ,nor!rn 
,/ates1 ! ,gold5-cr[n$ ,k+let is ! only 
species  t rema9s all w9t]1 b f ,virg9ia
 s\?w>d its c\s91 !  ,ruby-cr[n$ ,k+let1
 is associat$ ) x2 9 summ]1 /range to   
say1  ! m ,s\!rn w9t] species goes f>!r 
,nor? ?an !  ,gold5-cr[n$1 bre$+ f      
nor!rn ,ma9e to ! frigid zone4 ,a few   
ye>s ago1 no eggs or ne/ ( ei!r ,k+let  
_h be5 describ$1 b  :5 !y 7 at la/      
discov]$1 !y prov$ z da9ty z ! little   
build]s !mselves4 ,! ne/ is globul>1 )  
an entrance 9 ! upp]  "p2 x is plac$ 9 a
 ?ick mass ( spruce twigs & compos$ (   
hang+ moss1 ornam5t$ ) bits ( dead      
leaves1 & l9$ *iefly  ) fea!rs4 ,9 su* a
 ne/1 z _m z n9e eggs are (t5 laid2     
imag9e ! little ,gold5-cr[n brood+ 9 ?is
 b[]4    ,l "s ( ! ,w>bl] family1 !     
,k+let does n let an insect  escape1    
?\gh x %\ld take w+ be=e x c\ld be      

seiz$4 ,! bird1  too1 has w+s1 & d>ts   
out aft] its prey4 ,9 w9t]1 x (t5 hov]s 
"u ! piazza ro(s1 or ! l9tels ( ! b>n   
door1 & :ile 9  ! air1 picks (f ! eggs  
or *rysalids t h be5 hidd5 9 !          
crevices4 ,occasionally "o ( ! birds1 9 
its eag]ness to seize "s  attractive    
morsel1 flies %>ply aga9/ a w9d[pane4   
,no d\bt x is  ! "p ( a ?rifty h\sehold]
 to sweep out ! insects f 8  piazza ro(1
 b !re are "s1 l ,l[ell1 wise en\gh to  
leave a few  decay$ limbs on _! apple   
trees = ! ,woodpeck]s1 a pat* or s (    
we$s = ! ,sn[birds1 & a *rysalis or two 
= ! hungry ,k+lets  9 w9t]4             
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,h]r+ ,,gull         
,,! ,,h]r+ ,,gull      ,all w9t]1 a     
travel] along ! sea%ore sees ! great    
gray gulls  :eel+ gracefully ?r\gh ! air
 ) out/ret*$ w+s1 float+  lightly on !  
wat]1 or sitt+ 9 long l9es or compact   
masses on !  b>s or flats :i* are expos$
 at l[ tide4 ,! h>bors ( all !  nor!rn  
seacoa/ cities are visit$ 9 w9t] by     
numb]s ( ^!  birds1 con/antly on ! wat* 

= any bits ( refuse :i* may be  ?r[n f !
 :>fs or vessels1 or br\ght d[n by !    
tides or  curr5ts4 ,_! long & p[]ful w+s
 make ! flight ( ev5 s heavy  a bird a  
sight beautiful to wat*1 & ! wat] looks 
des]t$ :5 !  motion & color :i* ! gulls 
furni% is abs5t4 ,b x is n to !  eye    
alone t ! birds appeal4    ,! ceaseless 
activity ( ! gulls 9 pursuit ( float+   
refuse &  _! inord9ate appetite make !m 
invaluable scav5g]s2 )\t !m1  ! refuse  
dump$ into ! wat] w\ld return at ea*    
tide to pollute  ! %ore4 ,no idea c be  
=m$ ( ! value ( ! s]vice p]=m$  by !    
gulls1 till "o sees ! c\ntless ?rongs   
:i* hov] ov] !  dump+ gr\nds 9 ! l[]    
,new ,york ,bay1 await+ ! arrival ( !   
sc[s ) ! refuse f t city4 ,z ! buzz>ds &
 vultures are  protect$ 9 all w>m       
c\ntries = _! s]vices 9 dev\r+ c>rion1  
s ought ^! scav5g]s ( ! nor!rn seas to  
be gu>d$ f  p]secution4    ,! adult     
,h]r+ ,gull 9 full plumage has pure :ite
 und]p>ts1 head  & tail1 b a gray       
mantle1 z x is t]m$1 is spread ov] !    

w+s4  ,"y birds1 h[ev]1 %[ _m %ades (   
br[n1 & atta9 ! :ite  only aft] a ye> or
 two4 ,! small1 elegantly built birds1  
kn[n along  ! seacoa/ z ,mack]el ,gulls1
 are n /rictly gulls1 b t]ns4 ,!y  may  
be kn[n by _! =k$ tails & by _! black   
caps4 ,x is !y  t hov] scream+ ov] !    
wat]1 con/antly d>t+ d[n to /rike  at   
fi%4    ,gulls bre$ commonly along !    
coa/ ( ,ma9e & f> nor?w>d4 ,great       
colonies occupy a small area1 & a visit 
to _! bre$+ places is a  m>vel\s        
exp]i5ce4 ,at ! approa* ( an intrud]1 ! 
p>5ts rise  f _! ne/s & circle ab\t     
ov]head1 utt]+ ho>se cries1 till  ! air 
is full ( _! :eel+ =ms4 ,! d[ny "y squat
 9 !  grass or bu%es till ! dang] is    
pa/4    ,bo? gulls & t]ns h long be5    
p]secut$ = _! s(t :ite &  gray plumage1 
:i* is covet$ = ! adornm5t ( wom5's     
hats4 ,z !  de/ruction ( ! birds on !   
isl&s :]e !y are bre$+ w\ld  soon de/roy
 ! :ole race1 ef=ts are be+ made by !   
lov]s (  birds to protect ! birds on all
 ! s&y po9ts or rocky isl&s  :]e !y re> 

_! "y4    ,gulls h wond]ful p[]s (      
flight1 & "s species (t5 foll[  ocean   
/eam]s = days1 fly+ con/antly ab\t !    
vessel's /]n1  wat*+ = bits ( food :i*  
may be ?r[n ov]bo>d4 ,:5 an object  is  
spi$ ! :ole flock d>t ^u x1 & x soon    
disappe>s among !  cr[d ( /ruggl+ birds4
    ,9 ! ,ea/]n ,/ates gulls are always 
associat$ ) ! sea1 b 9  ! ,mississippi  
valley c]ta9 species are f\nd on !      
prairies1 :]e  !y foll[ ! pl\gh to seize
 ! upturn$ insects4    ,illu/ration3 ,,!
 ,,*ickadee                             
,,! ,,*ickadee      ,?r\gh\t ! w9t]1 b&s
 ( small birds visit ! or*>ds &         
ornam5tal trees ( e village & f>m1      
glean+ dormant insects &  _! eggs f !   
twigs & b\ghs4 ,! be/ kn[n memb] & !    
lead]1 app>5tly1 ( ! company is !       
,*ickadee4 ,!re are g5]ally  ab\t half a
 doz5 ( ^! birds toge!r1 possibly !     
p>5ts &  "y ( ! prec$+ summ]4 ,! :ole   
company are r>ely 9 sight at  any "o "t2
 "s are 9 "o tree1 "s are fly+ to !     
next1 "o  p]haps is on ! gr\nd4 ,!re is 

a con/ant int]*ange ( lisp+  call-notes1
 :i* break into excit$ gurgles1 & !     
famili> tee1  dee1 dee1 dee1 :5 some?+  
excites _! al>m or curiosity4 ,x is  n  
h>d to di/urb _! composure2 !y come m   
easily ?an almo/  any o!r bird to !     
squeak+ s\nd t bird /ud5ts make to      
attract  ! att5tion ( birds4 ,"o fluffy 
head aft] ano!r pit*es into !  tree     
ne>e/ ! p]=m]2 !n1 by %ort /ages1 !     
bolde/ comes  ne>] to ! /range sight &  
s\nd1 (t5 )9 arm's l5g?4 ,:5  _!        
curiosity is appeas$1 !y return to _!   
exam9ation ( !  twigs & bran*es1 or1 if 
/>tl$ by a sudd5 movem5t1 !y dive into  
! ne>e/ cov]4    ,_! positions :5 fe$+  
on sl5d] twigs are extremely graceful1  
& _! agility surpris+4 ,:5 ga!r+ sunfl[]
 se$s1 ( :i*  !y are extremely fond1 !y 
cl+ to ! "u surface ( ! droop+  head &  
pick till !y loos5 ! se$4 ,!n !y fly ) x
 to a  bran* & hamm] x op54 ,a favorite 
w9t] food is ! b]ry ( !  poison ivy4 ,by
 ty+ a bone or a piece ( suet to !      
bran*es ( trees  ne> ! h\se1 n only     

,*ickadees b o!r birds z well w be      
attract$ to ! spot1 & w become regul>   
w9t] visitors4 ,!y are  by no means     
conf9$1 h[ev]1 to villages & f>ms4 ,(t5 
z we pu%  ?r\gh ! deep sn[s ( ! w9t]    
=e/s1 ! only s\nd w be !  di/ant lisp ( 
?is h>dy bird4    ,besides ! notes he>d 
s commonly 9 w9t]1 ! ,*ickadee has a    
p5sive & extremely g5tle :i/le1 :i* x   
utt]s :ile sitt+  motionless1 & (t5] 9  
spr+ ?an at o!r seasons1 ?\gh x may  be 
he>d 9 e mon? ( ! ye>4 ,x consi/s ( two 
notes1 an exact  int]val ap>t1 & ea*    
acc5t$4 ,x is (t5 mi/ak51 especially 9  
e>ly spr+1 = ! song ( ! ,phbe1 b x may  
be di/+ui%$ by  its purity & sweetness4 
,x is easily imitat$ by :i/l+1 & !  bird
 w (t5 answ]1 or ev5 fly t[>d ! p]son   
:i/l+1 &  survey him ) a/oni%m5t4    ,x 
is g5]ally believ$ by p :o see ! bird   
only 9 w9t] t  ! ,*ickadees retire      
nor?w>d 9 spr+2 x is true t !y !n no    
long] frequ5t ! y>ds & g>d5s1 b 9 !     
woods & retir$  or*>ds _m a pair h      
excavat$ "s decay+ bir* or apple /ump1  

& aft] l9+ x w>mly ) moss & fea!rs1     
provid$ amply =  ! cont9uance ( _! race2
 sometimes z _m z n9e eggs are laid4  ,9
 w9t]1 ! birds sp5d ! night 9 holes1 n  
necess>ily ! same  9 :i* !y 7 br$4      
,sev]al writ]s h m5tion$ in/ances ( !   
extreme boldness ( ?is  bird2 ,mr4      
,*apman has _h a ,*ickadee p]* on 8 h&4 
,"o c easily  imag9e x1 b we d n ne$ su*
 a m>k ( confid5ce to feel /rong        
affection = ?is companionable &         
w9t]-lov+ bird4                         
,,transcrib]',s ,,notes       #a4       
,sil5tly correct$ simple spell+1 gramm>1
 & typographical      errors4   #b4     
,reta9$ ana*roni/ic & non-/&>d spell+s z
 pr9t$4   #c4 ,enclos$ italics font 9   
und]scores4   #d4 ,! t]m 7e-ud5otes an  
e-u ) a ,triple ,inv]t$ ,breve ov]      
! *>act]s4