Page:Bird-lore Vol 05.djvu/143

 130 Bird —Lore

of the decoratlons of his sex, had been shot away, and shot-scars had spoiled the symmetry of other parts of his plumage. The other two were large and beautiful birds. bred in the park. The iridescent emerald of their heads and necks and their immaculate shining collars made them incomparably more conspicuous than the smaller wild bird. Nevertheless. all their efforts were in vain, while the occasional pitiful attempts of the handicapped suitor to spread an imaginary tail and declare his everlasting devotion prevailed. He was accepted, and the pair were inseparable until the nest was ﬁnished and the duck began sitting on her eleven eggsi Turning from the birds in the collection to our wild native birds which make the park their home, or pay it frequent visits, we find much of interest in their changed habits and dispositions The sight of so many birds ﬂying unharmed in the ﬂying cages or walking about their ranges or swimming on the various ponds undisturbed, although in close proximity to man, is fraught with signiﬁcance to the quick perceptions of wild birds.

large and small. Their keen perceptions and superior powers of intellie gencc tell them that such unwanted altruisic conditions must oﬁer advantages.

The almost immediate recognition of their security in the park is re- markable, and birds which seldom show themselves within sight of civiliza- tion have come again and again. and exhibited a tameness which deceives many people into thinking they must he escaped birds. The honored visie tation of Canada Geese will long testify to the truth of this. Wild sea Gulls quite often drop from their loose ﬂocks passing overhead, and conA sort for a few days with their wing-clipped kindredi When they leave, the young Gulls which have been hatched in the park usually accompany them. but return in a few hours to their home and Hock. Ducks, Herons and Hawks show as quick a realization of their immunity from danger in the park.

Green Herons creep like feathered phantoms among the branches of the trees overhanging the water, while Great Blue, and Black-crowned Night Herons. forgetting all shyness. Clamher over the arches of the big ﬂying cage in broad daylight. and in sight of hundreds of people. peering down at their brethren inside and uttering envious quawks as they see the bountiful repast of fish and shrimps prepared for those fortunate Ones.