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 114 Bird - Lore

The male sang much, but seldom fed his young. Whenever he did descend with food he was inclined to linger at the nest. and block the path of his more active mate, who was eager to brood. With querulous notes the impatient female would then peck and pull at his neck-feathers, until he seemed to take the hint, and move away.

On the day following there was a steady downpour of rain until midv afternoon. but, to our surptiSe. the brooding was frequently interrupted. Once we noticed that, as the male approached with an insect. the female

FEMALE RED-EYED VIREO INSERTINC moi) INTO THE THROAT OF A YOUNG sum

began to twitter and shake her wings. Thus, division of labor sometimes reaches this stage; the little hen broods, while the cock purveys the food. At other times when the male announced his presence, the female would utter a rolling chirp, and with vibrating wings retire before her mate, who performed the routine duties of feeding. but seldom entered the nest. Again she would give chase with drooping and quivering wings, as if to take the insect from him. but in this she did not succeed. Such actions are commonly witnessed. during the period of sexual activity. in many birds, and their meaning: is not far to seek. The noisy celebration of the Fourth