Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/159

 My Experience with a Blue-headed Vireo By EMILY R. LYMAN ON June 30, 1905, during my summer vacation among the Pocono Mountains, I was so fortunate as to be taken to the spot which had been selected by a pair of Blue-headed Vireos for their building operations. Their nest was firmly suspended from one of the lower branches of a small red maple, about six feet from the ground. The maple stood on the edge of the wood, twenty feet from the public road, where the con- stant passers-by in no wise disturbed the birds. Near by a cottage was being built, about which workmen were continually hauling and hammer- ing; the noise, apparently, never annoying the birds. I had been told that the female, while sitting upon her nest, had per- mitted herself to be gently stroked upon the back, by a bird-lover who had visited her. I felt sure that I, also, could gain her confidence, and enter into friendly relations with her. I determined never to pry into her nest, nor to disturb her in any unnecessary way. My sole aim was to make her feel that she need not fear me. I began my overtures by walking slowly and silently toward her; my arm slightly extended, my hand closed, my forefinger held out) upon the end of which I had placed crumbs of cracker and hard-boiled egg mashed together. When standing directly under the nest I could just reach up to it, holding my finger within an inch or two of the little mother's head. There I awaited her pleasure. The first time I offered the food she seemed surprised, but not much startled; for she flew off her nest, only to return in a few moments, to eat ' from the branch, where I had placed it, the morsel which she had refused from my finger. I repeated the experiment two or three times, when, gain- ing in confidence, the bird ate directly from my finger. I continued feeding her for quite a while, sometimes twice a day; nearly always finding her upon the nest, willing to indulge in an extra luncheon. I have not made any account of the male, for my business was not with him; I think he was doing all that was required of him, and in my absence, no doubt, was a devoted mate. Occasionally he would make known his presence, and in answer to his call his wife would join him. My affec- tion was for his better half, for such I believe she was. Not only did I continue feeding her for days, but I emulated Mr. Tor- rev's example, got out my old-fashioned silver teaspoon, from which I offered the Vireo dame a liquid mixture of water, cracker and egg. This she daintily partook of, while leaning over the edge of her nest to get it;_ rather preferring, I imagine, a plainer table, that of the accustomed finger. Upon one occasion, she seemed particularly happy and confident. While I, a creature large enough to have crushed her in an instant, stood by her (123)