Page:Bird-lore Vol 06.djvu/227

 18.; Bird-Lore

desert her charge? Do the ﬁrst-hatched little ones of the brood help their younger brothers in any way ?

22. Can/bird Parnsifirm.—Is the bird ever imposed on by the Cowbird? Particularize each case observed, or does any other species ever lay in this bird's nest? Is the species ever guilty of parasitism of this kind, or does it ever act dishonestly in getting a living?

23. Crimt.—Have the old ones' been known to kill the young by acci- dent or for reason? Or to kill congeners. or to make serious blunders or to suicide, and, if so, how? Or to kill the young of other birds?

24. Young—Give in full their habits,‘food. plumage, comparing them with their parents and with their near congeners. Are they ever fed from the crop of the parents? How old are they when ﬁrst fed? How old when eyes open? 15 there any evidence of a late summer northward migration among them?

25‘ Rl’lﬂfil'l'J.—Whal are their nearest congeners? range. local habitat, changes of plumage, etc

26. ComprﬁfarL—With what species do they most actively come into competition in the struggle for life. and how do they try to overcome them?

Com pate them in

27. Nazuml EnzmieL—Enumerate predatory birds, mammals, reptiles, insects. etc. Also meteorological phenomena, and means employed to combat, elude or withstand in each case.

28. Friends—Have you observed any peculiar friendships formed, as with birds of other kinds, beasts or man?

29.' Dirm::.—What are the diseases the species is subject to? What disease predominates? Since all the individuals are killed in some way, it being improbable that any die of old age. what cause of death is the chief one,—weathet, disease or birds of prey? What means do they take to keep themselves clean and get rid of insect parasites?

3o. dgt.—VVhat age does the species attain? this?

31. Full ll/[igmtiom—Particularize as in spring migration, giving latest appearance. Does it arrive in the spring singly and go in the fall in ﬂocks? Is it ever a winter resident here? In the fall. when leaving us, does it obviously await the full moon, as do some species, or does it await the arrival of other species whose train it follows?

What is the proof of

A LESSON

"Thank! Thank l" Said Nuthatch, overhead. i looked around with opened eyes

At gorgeous earth and glowing skies.

"Thank! Thank! indeed," l softly said. —Euzu:rn DANA.

Wm/W‘ __ ,_, w,