File:Birds and nature (1903) (14727708076).jpg

Identifier: birdsnature131903chic (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: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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erament the Redbreast is somewhatfickle and vacillating. This character isevident even in its nesting habits. Though bold and pugnacious, it doesnot appear that the males often give bat-tle to each other for possession of amate. Their solitary habits would pre-clude such battles. But once they haveselected a breeding locality and built theirhome, they exhibit much resolution andin a most determined manner resist theintrusion of all other birds. Many stories have been written to il-lustrate the sagacity and intelligence ofthe Redbreast. One tells of an individualwhich, during a winter, fed regularly at acertain house. One day he found a spar-row feeding there. Vehemently attack-ing the intruder, he drove it away. Thesparrow, however, called several of itsrelatives and with their assistance drovethe Redbreast from the food. Not to beconquered, the Redbreast, on the follow-ing day, brought with him a crow whosestrong beak was much too formidable aweapon for the little sparrows and they I
Text Appearing After Image:
FROM COL. CHI, ACAO. SCIENCES, - 553 COPYRIGHT 1903, av A. W. MUMFOBD. CHiCASO ROBIN REDBREAST. (Erithacus rubecula). ys Life-size. were routed. From that time the Red-breast and the crow held the field againstthe sparrows. The pugnacious character of the Red-breast is well illustrated by the followingincident; A gentleman once placed astuffed Robin by a window, to whicha live pensioner of the same species waswont to come. The living bird flewagainst the glass with great force andwith full intent. Here he could not domuch more than to exhibit his anger. Butwhen the bird effigy was placed outside,at it went the live Robin, pecking at itseyes and plucking out its feathers, in amost savage manner. Though far from neighborly, the maleis always very, attentive to its mate. Heseldom leaves her for any great length oftime and never goes very far from thevicinity of his home. With his sweetvoice he is constantly encouraging herwith song during the whole period thatshe is sitting on the eggs.

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