Identifier: birdsnature841900chic (find matches)
Title: Birds and nature
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds Natural history
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Mumford, Publisher
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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the bordersof a small pond, where they can com-mand a good view of the vicinity. In thecenter of this they hollow out a space ofabout six or eight inches in diameter, andsimply line it with the grass they havematted down. In this nest are laid fourpyriform eggs of a greenish white, or alight olive brown ground color, markedwith large, irregular blotches or brown-ish black and faint purple; the eggs areimmense for the size of the bird, beingabout two inches in length by one andone-half in width. The illustration faithfully portraysthree birds taken at Millers, Indiana, onthe beach of Lake Michigan. The colorof the legs, which are obscured by theshadow of the body, is a pale, slaty blue. Though the Willets are restless andnoisy birds, they are much less so, and,indeed, quite unconscious of their sur-roundings when nesting. Regardingtheir habits at this time, Dr. Coues hastold us that if they become thoroughlyalarmed by too open approach, particu-larly if the setting bird be driven from
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■ J g tDS N ft (U ^; csj r — 149 her nest, there is a great outcry, violentprotest and tumult where there wasquietude. Other pairs, nesting near by,join their cries till the confusion becomesgeneral. But now, again, their actionsare not those they would show at othertimes; for, instead of flying ofif with theinstinct of self-preservation, to put dis-tance between ^hem and danger, they areheld by some fascination to the spot, andhover around, wheeling about, flying in circles a little ways, to return again, withunremitting clamor. They may be onlytoo easily destroyed under such circum-stances, provided the ornithologist canlay aside his scruples and steel himselfagainst sympathy. It is to be hoped that all the States,frequented by the Willets, will enactproper legislation which will amply pro-tect these interesting waders. Frank M. Woodruff. Autumn once more begins to teach; Sere leaves their annual sermon preach; And with the southward—slipping sun Another stage of life is done.

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