Identifier: camerastudiesofw1911reed (find matches)
Title: Camera studies of wild birds in their homes
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Reed, Chester A, (Chester Albert. 1876-1912
Subjects: Birds Photography
Publisher: Boston : W.B. Clarke Co.
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

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s safe and that theparent birds were busy feeding little ones. They both leftand flew about overhead until they calmed sufficiently toalight on their lookout perches and watch to see what wewere about. As soon as the branch was touched, up flew four headswith wide open mouths the interior of which was blood-redin color,—very difierent from that of the young of otherbirds. They were repulsive little things,—closed eyes, skinlike soft black leather and not a sign of feathers aboutthem.. As soon as they found that no food was forthcoming,they cuddled down in the bottom of the nest and remainedquiet while we were making our preparations. The limbs were weighted with a large stone so as to bringthe nest down to a height of about five feet, all interveningbranches were tied out of the way and the one that shadedthe nest had a string attached so that it could be pulled toone side and let sunlight strike the nest when we wished. After seeing that the picture was satisfactory on the 13 146
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Fig. 125. Sometimes cherries were fed in their whole state,and again they were crushed. 147 ground glass we retired to the other side of the wall. Wefound that we needed no concealment; as long as we wereout of sight from the tree, the Cedar-birds considered itsafe to go to and from the nest without regard to us. Afterthe female had looked the nest over carefully and foundthat we had not harmed the little ones she flew away leavingher mate on guard. Upon her return, the two parents talked matters over afew minutes and then she slyly hopped down, branch bybranch, until she was beside the nest. Although to all ap-pearances she had brought no food, she had a plentiful sup-ply concealed in her throat. Cedar-birds feed their youngby regurgitation; sometimes the food is administered to thelittle ones in a well masticated state and again it may be inthe raw condition. As she stepped to the edge of the nest all the youngheads were elevated and she assumed an attitude of inspec-tion, watching

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