Part 16

But the hard-working osprey has an enemy, who makes it his business to rob him. The way the fish hawk gets his food is to dive for it. He hovers over the water till he sees a fish near the surface that suits him. Then he closes his wings and dives like a shot. He plunges in often over his head, and seizes the fish in his claws or talons. Then he rises, and shaking off the water flies toward his family, with their dinner.

But then appears the robber, the bald eagle, I'm sorry to say, who prefers stealing his food to hunting for himself. He rushes furiously at the fish hawk, who is obliged to drop his load to defend himself. Then the eagle seizes it, often before it reaches the ground, and flies off, while the osprey goes back to his fishing.

But the osprey is learning something, like the rest of the birds. On the shore of New Jersey there is a place where men fish with great nets, and bring in hundreds of fish every day. The birds have noted how much better men are at their trade of fishing than they are. So they have thought out an easier way to get food than to dive for it. Perhaps they got the hint from the eagle.

Wherever the fish hawks got the idea, it is now the common custom for them to sit on the poles that hold the net and wait. When it is drawn up filled with flopping fish, each bird dives down and secures one for himself. And he takes time to choose, too. If there is one of a kind he particularly likes, he goes for that one.

Fish hawks, like other birds, are very fond of their little ones. A gentleman who had been traveling in the West told me this little story. He, with a party who were wandering over a wild part of the country, accidentally set fire to a bit of woods on the shore of Lake Superior. On one of the trees was a fish hawk's nest with young birds. As soon as the smoke began to spread, the old birds grew uneasy, and circled about their tree, going often to the nest.

The men who had done the mischief, and who had then taken to their boat, were noting the spread of the fire. They watched the birds to see what they would do. When the fire at last reached their tree, the loving parents turned with one accord, plunged down into the nest, and all perished together. They could easily have saved themselves, but they could not desert their nestlings.

FOOTNOTE:

[28] See Appendix, 27.

XXXV

THE SCAVENGER FAMILY

(_Cathartidæ_)[29]

THIS is one of the most useful of bird families. But it is not very pleasant to meet, for the work it has to do makes it rather repulsive to us.

The vultures are scavengers. They dispose of vast quantities of carrion and other offensive matter. In doing this they make it possible for people to live in places where they could not live without the service of these birds.

The common vulture in the United States is the TURKEY VULTURE, or TURKEY BUZZARD. He is a large bird, with head and neck bare of feathers. In shape and size he is a good deal like a turkey. He is a familiar bird all over the country, except in New England and other northern parts, and is usually seen soaring about in the air, looking for food. Beautiful and graceful he looks away up against the sky. He sails around as if he weighed nothing, with wing feathers spread at the tip like fingers. But he is not so pretty when he comes to the ground, for he is very clumsy and awkward in getting about.

The turkey buzzard nests almost anywhere; he is not at all particular--on the ground, in a hollow stump, or tree. The young are comfortably dressed in white down, but they are not pretty. They are as awkward as their parents, and have a way of hanging their heads as if they were ashamed of themselves. That is not the reason, however; their work is something we could not do without. It is because they are too weak to hold themselves up.

I once saw a funny sight. A party of eighteen or twenty great buzzards had come to the ground to get their dinner. They were all very busily engaged just the other side of a fence, so that I could not see them at their feast.

Suddenly a mockingbird that I was watching flew over and alighted on the fence. He stood there a minute, looking sharply down at them, and flirting his tail in a saucy way. All at once, to my great surprise, he gave a loud cry and flung himself down right among the great birds.

I was frightened. I thought one peck from one of their strong beaks would kill the little fellow. But instead of that, the whole party of buzzards flew up in a panic, as if they were afraid of him. Then the mockingbird, who looked like a midget beside them, hopped back upon the fence, and burst into a loud song of victory. He knew the turkey buzzard better than I did. No one likes to get very near this bird, so very little is known about his ways.

FOOTNOTE:

[29] See Appendix, 28.

APPENDIX

CHARACTERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK

NOTE.--_These characters, though correct, are untechnically given, and are such as may be observed on the "bird in the bush" while the added hints on habits, etc., will be found helpful in identification._

1. Turdidæ: THRUSHES.

Medium size; bill shorter than head, straight or nearly so; bristles (hair-like feathers) at corner of mouth; wings rather pointed, and longer than tail; tail-feathers wider towards the end, the whole somewhat fan-shaped. Young in first feathers speckled and streaked, very different from the adults. Sexes nearly alike (except robin, varied thrush, and bluebird). (Ridgway.)

Food: insects, earthworms, and sometimes fruit.

These birds are all singers and build rude nests. Found usually on the lower part of trees in the woods (except robin and bluebird) or on the ground, where they get most of their food.

2. Sylviidæ: KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS.

This family is divided into two subfamilies.

KINGLETS: Very small; bill slender, much shorter than head, straight to near tip, then slightly curved; bristles at corner of mouth; wings longer than tail; tail slightly forked, feathers pointed; legs long; claws much curved. Young without markings on head. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects.

Very small, active, musical birds, usually found flitting about in trees.

GNATCATCHERS: Very small and slim; bill slender and short, nearly as long as head, notched at tip; bristles at corner of mouth; wings shorter than tail and rounded; tail long and moderately graduated, feathers rounded; legs rather long; toes small. (Ridgway.)

Active, beautiful nest builders, found in the tops of trees. Insectivorous.

3. Paridæ: NUTHATCHES, TITMICE, etc.

This family is divided into three subfamilies.

NUTHATCHES: Smaller than English sparrow; bill sharp, pointed, higher than wide, about as long as head; bristles over nostrils; wings pointed; tail very short, nearly even, feathers soft; legs stout. (Ridgway.)

Parents nearly alike; food, insects.

Found on the trunks and large limbs of trees.

TITMICE: Usually smaller than English sparrow; bill stout, conical, shorter than head; nasal feathers turned forward; tail longer than wing. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Parents alike, and young the same. No noticeable change of plumage with season.

WREN-TITS and BUSH-TITS: Very small; bill short and conical; tail rounded. Sexes alike.

4. Certhiidæ: CREEPERS.

Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender and curved downward; wings rather pointed, long as tail; tail graduated, stiff, with long, sharp-pointed feathers; claws long and strongly curved. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found circling tree trunks.

5. Troglodytidæ: WRENS and MOCKING THRUSHES.

This family is divided into two subfamilies.

WRENS: Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender, sometimes long and arched; no bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail usually held up. (Ridgway.)

Parents and young alike. Food: insects. Singers. Found near the ground.

MOCKING THRUSHES: Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, mostly rather long; bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail longer than wings; appear like thrushes; fine singers. (Ridgway.)

Sexes nearly alike. Food, insects and fruit. Some of them found in bushy borders of woods, some about gardens and houses, and others in various places.

6. Cinclidæ: DIPPERS.

Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, shorter than head; wings short, stiff and rounded; tail shorter than wings, soft and square; claws strongly curved; plumage soft and compact; body stout, thickset. Sexes alike. (Coues.)

Food: water insects and larvæ. Found in and about the brooks of the Rocky Mountains and other mountains of the West.

7. Motacillidæ: WAGTAILS and PIPITS.

Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, cone shaped, nearly as high as wide, at base; short bristles at corner of mouth; wings rather long and pointed; tail narrow and slightly forked; legs rather long; hind claw very long, sharp and slightly curved. (Ridgway.)

Sexes alike. Food: insects. Found on the ground, where they walk, and wag their tails.

8. Mniotiltidæ: WARBLERS.

It is almost impossible to characterize this family, there are so many varieties. With few exceptions they are very small and beautifully colored birds, sexes unlike, and changes of plumage with age and season. Some are found in the tops of trees, some on bushes, and some on the ground. Food: insects. (Coues.)

9. Vireonidæ: VIREOS.

Generally smaller than an English sparrow, and more slender; bill notched in both mandibles; tail rather short, nearly even, of narrow feathers; front toes more or less united. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Constant singers. Sexes alike and young the same, without spots or streaks. Some found in trees in the woods, and others about towns where English sparrows are not too numerous.

10. Laniidæ: SHRIKES.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill powerful, tip hooked and notched; wings short, rounded; tail long and much graduated. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects, small mammals, and sometimes birds. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found on outside of low trees, fences, telegraph wires, and peaks of roofs.

11. Ampelidæ: WAXWINGS, etc.

Somewhat larger than an English sparrow; bill short, broad and rather flat; head with pointed crest; wings long and pointed; tail short, narrow, even; legs of moderate length. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects and fruit. Sexes usually alike. Found in trees in woods and in shade and orchard trees.

12. Hirundinidæ: SWALLOWS.

About the size of an English, sparrow; bill short, flat, and very broad at the head; mouth opens back nearly to the eyes; wings long and scythe shaped; tail forked; legs short; feet weak; plumage compact and usually lustrous. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes usually alike, and young a little different. Found in flocks, in the air, on roofs or fences or telegraph wires, sometimes on trees.

13. Tanagridæ: TANAGERS.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill conical, notched, bristles; wings longer than tail; tail of moderate length, somewhat notched; legs rather short. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes unlike. Found on trees in the woods.

14. Fringillidæ: FINCHES.

Mostly about the size of an English sparrow, some smaller, some larger; bill short, high, and strong, turned down at the back corner; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)

Seed and insect eaters. Found everywhere--on trees, bushes, on ground, in woods, fields, and about houses.

15. Icteridæ: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, etc.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill straight or gently curved; mouth turned down at corners; tail rather long and rounded; legs rather short. Includes birds of very different habits. (Ridgway.)

Food: seeds and insects. Sexes generally unlike. Found everywhere, on trees, in marshes, in woods. Many gregarious, found in flocks, some except in nesting season, and others all the year round.

16. Corvidæ: CROWS and JAYS.

Larger than a robin. There are two subfamilies.

CROWS: Bill longer than head; wings long and pointed; tail rather short and even.

JAYS: Bill shorter than head; wings short and rounded. (Ridgway.)

Food: almost everything--seeds, fruit, sometimes eggs and young birds. Found in woody places.

17. Alaudidæ: LARKS.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill short, conical, frontal feathers extend along the side; wings pointed; claw on hind toe very long and nearly straight. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. Found on ground in fields and roads.

18. Tyrannidæ: FLYCATCHERS.

Mostly larger than an English sparrow; bill broad, flattened, curved downward at end, and notched at tip; bristles along the gape; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)

Entirely insectivorous. Found in woods and fields and about houses.

19. Trochilidæ: HUMMINGBIRDS.

Our smallest birds; bill slender, sharp, and straight, usually longer than head; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet small and weak; claws curved and sharp. (Ridgway.)

Food: tiny insects and the honey of flowers. Sexes unlike. Found about flowers.

20. Micropodidæ: SWIFTS.

About the size of an English sparrow; bill very small, triangular, much broader than high, without bristles; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet weak; tail very short, ending in stiff spines; plumage compact. (Ridgway.)

Food: entirely insects. Sexes alike. Found in the air or inside chimneys or hollow trees.

21. Caprimulgidæ: GOATSUCKERS.

Larger than a robin; bill very short; gape enormously long and wide; mouth open to behind the eyes; wings long; plumage soft. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. One species found in the edge of woods, and another species about towns.

22. Picidæ: WOODPECKERS.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill usually straight, pointed or chisel-shaped at tip; tongue extensile and except in one species barbed at point; tail stiff and feathers pointed at tip for a prop; toes, except in three-toed species, two forward and two backward for climbing. (Ridgway.)

Insectivorous. Sexes unlike. Found on trees (except one species) in woods or orchards.

23. Alcedinidæ: KINGFISHERS.

Usually larger than a robin; bill long and straight; tongue small; head large, crested; wings short; legs small; outer and middle toe united half their length. (Ridgway.)

Food: fishes. Sexes slightly unlike. Found by water.

24. Cuculidæ: CUCKOOS.

Larger than a robin; bill narrow and high, rather long and curved downward; wings long; tail long, soft, and rounded; toes in pairs. (Ridgway.)

Insectivorous. Sexes alike. Found on trees.

25. Bubonidæ: OWLS.

Mostly larger than a robin, a few smaller; bill hooked; eyes directed forward and surrounded by radiating feathers; plumage soft and lax; feathers beside forehead often stand up like ear tufts; legs usually feathered; feet sometimes feathered. (Ridgway.)

Sexes alike. Flesh eaters. Usually nocturnal. Most species found in holes in trees or old buildings.

26. Strigidæ: BARN OWLS.

Much larger than a robin; bill hooked; eyes very small; triangular-shaped eye disk; tail emarginate; claws sharp and strong; very downy plumage. (Ridgway).

Food: mice and other small mammals. Sexes alike. Exclusively nocturnal. Found in barns and deserted buildings.

27. Falconidæ: HAWKS AND EAGLES.

(There are several subfamilies.)

Mostly very large birds; bill strongly hooked; eyes directed sideways; eyelids with lashes; toes never feathered. (Ridgway.)

Carnivorous and insectivorous. Sexes usually alike, but female larger.

28. Cathartidæ: AMERICAN VULTURES.

Large as a turkey, one species much larger; whole head and sometimes neck bare of feathers; eyes prominent; tail rounded. (Ridgway.)

Food: carrion. Found sailing about in the air.

INDEX

References to the FIRST BOOK are indicated by ~1~; those to the SECOND BOOK by ~2~.

Affections, ~1~, 78-82.

Air-sacs, ~1~, 92, 94.

Alaudidæ, ~2~, 131, 202.

Alcedinidæ, ~2~, 170, 203.

Ampelidæ, ~2~, 63, 200.

Arrival in spring, ~1~, 3, 4.

Attraction and Protection of Birds, ~1~, 131-135.

Audubon, John James, ~1~, 60.

Auks, ~1~, 110.

Barn Owl Family, ~2~, 185, 204.

Beak, ~1~, 95-97.

Blackbird, Brewer's, ~2~, 113.

Blackbird, Crow, ~1~, 72; ~2~, 110.

Blackbird, Red-winged, ~2~, 94; portrait, ~2~, 94.

Blackbird Family, ~2~, 94, 201.

Blackbirds, ~1~, 3, 126, 129.

Bluebird, arrival, ~1~, 3; getting food for young, 17; teaching young to fly, 37, 38; feeding, 50; ~2~, 5; portrait, ~1~, 38.

Bobolink, nest of, ~1~, 9; one of the first birds to stop singing in summer, 47; the fall migration, 61, 62.

Bob-white (quail), ~1~, 44, 59.

Body, shape of, ~1~, 91.

Bolles, Frank, his pet owl, ~1~, 101, 116; his story of a heron, 103, 104.

Bones, ~1~, 92, 94.

Books about birds, ~1~, 142-144.

Brooding, ~1~, 13-16.

Bubonidæ, ~2~, 178, 204.

Bunting, Towhee, _or_ Chewink, ~1~, 76, 77; ~2~, 84; portrait, ~1~, 76.

Bush-Tits, ~2~, 198.

Butcher-birds, ~2~, 59.

Buzzard, Turkey, ~1~, 50, 51; ~2~, 194.

Canary, ~1~, 20, 57, 81.

Caprimulgidæ, ~2~, 155, 203.

Cardinal, ~1~, 69, 132; ~2~, 88; portrait, ~2~, 90.

Catbird, food of, ~1~, 49, 126; jerking the tail, 113; ~2~, 37, 125; portrait, ~2~, 36.

Cathartidæ, ~2~, 194, 204.

Cave-dwelling Family, ~2~, 30, 199.

Cedar-bird, feeding young, ~1~, 19; story of affection for young, 78; usefulness to man, 126, 129; ~2~, 63; portrait, ~1~, 126.

Certhiidæ, ~2~, 27, 198.

Chat, Long-tailed, ~2~, 53.

Chat, Yellow-breasted, ~2~, 52; portrait, ~2~, 52.

Chewink, ~1~, 76, 77; ~2~, 84; portrait, ~1~, 76.

Chickadee, defending eggs, ~1~, 11, 12; getting food for young, 18; as an eater of insects' eggs, 68, 126; affection for young, 78; ~2~, 22; portrait, ~2~, 22.

Chickadee, Mountain, ~2~, 22.

Chickadees, ~2~, 22.

Chuck-will's-widow, ~2~, 157.

Cinclidæ, ~2~, 42, 199.

Color in feathers, ~1~, 120. _See also_ Plumage.

Cormorant, ~1~, 94.

Corvidæ, ~2~, 117, 202.

Cowbird, ~2~, 51, 98.

Creeper, Brown, ~2~, 27; portrait, ~2~, 28.

Creeper Family, ~2~, 27, 198.

Creepers, ~2~, 19.

Crop, ~1~, 93.

Crossbill, American _or_ Red, ~2~, 91.

Crossbill, White-winged, ~2~, 92.

Crossbills, ~1~, 97; ~2~, 91.

Crow, American, punishing a young one, ~1~, 37; sleeping in flocks, 59, 60; story of an affectionate, 80; usefulness to men, 126; ~2~, 40, 117.

Crow Family, ~2~, 117, 202.

Cuckoo, Black-billed, ~2~, 174.

Cuckoo, California, ~2~, 174.

Cuckoo, Yellow-billed, ~2~, 174; portrait, ~2~, 174.

Cuckoo Family, ~2~, 174, 203.

Cuculidæ, ~2~, 174, 203.

Dipper, American, ~2~, 42; portrait, ~2~, 42.

Dipper Family, ~2~, 42, 199.

Down, the first plumage, ~1~, 15, 21, 22, 115.

Ducks, ~1~, 97, 115.

Eagle, Bald, ~2~, 189, 192.

Ears, ~1~, 102-104.

Eggs, beauty of, ~1~, 11; the mother's care, 11, 12; incubation and hatching of, 13-15.

Eyes, ~1~, 100-102.

Falconidæ, ~2~, 188, 204.

Feathers, first appearance on the young bird, ~1~, 22; of the wing, 109-111; of the tail, 112, 113; the various kinds of, 114, 115; expression of emotions by, 116; the birds' care of, 116, 117. _See also_ Plumage.

Feet, ~1~, 92, 105-108.

Finches, ~2~, 82, 201.

Fish, birds and dead, ~1~, 86, 87.

Flicker, method of feeding young, ~1~, 18; food of, 85, 127; color markings, 121; ~2~, 161; portrait, ~1~, 86.

Flicker, Red-shafted, ~2~, 161, 162.

Flycatcher, Least, ~2~, 136.

Flycatcher, Shining Crested, ~2~, 67.

Flycatching Family, ~2~, 135, 202.

Flying, ~1~, 93.

Food, ~1~, 48-55; in winter, 67-69, 134; in its relation to the welfare of man, 125-130.

Frigate-bird, ~1~, 110.

Fringillidæ, ~2~, 80, 201.

Geese, ~1~, 98, 99.

Gizzard, ~1~, 93.

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, ~2~, 16.

Gnatcatchers, ~2~, 198.

Goatsucker Family, ~2~, 155, 203.

Goldfinch, American, ~1~, 14; story of canary and, 20; change of color, 26; food, 54; flocking, 71; ~2~, 82; portrait, ~1~, 26.

Goldfinch, European, ~1~, 79.

Goldfinch, Willow, ~2~, 84.

Grackle, Bronzed, ~2~, 112.

Grackle, Purple, ~2~, 112.

Grackles, ~2~, 110.

Grosbeak, Black-headed, ~2~, 88.

Grosbeak, Cardinal, ~1~, 69, 132; ~2~, 88; portrait, ~2~, 90.

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted, ~2~, 86; portrait, ~2~, 86.

Grosbeaks, ~2~, 86.

Grouse, ~1~, 58, 59, 110.

Grouse, Ruffed, ~1~, 111.

Gullet, ~1~, 93.

Gulls, ~1~, 101.

Hawk, American Sparrow, ~2~, 189; portrait, ~2~, 188.

Hawk, Fish, ~2~, 190; portrait, ~2~, 192.

Hawk and Eagle Family, ~2~, 188, 204.

Hawks, food of, ~1~, 52, 53, 126, 127; asleep, 59; beaks of, 97; eyesight of, 101; feet of, 106.

Heligoland, ~1~, 101.

Heron, Great Blue, ~2~, 114.

Herons, food of, ~1~, 53, 127; bills of, 97; story of the hearing of a heron, 103, 104; usefulness to man, 127.

Hirundinidæ, ~2~, 69, 201.

Humming Family, ~2~, 143, 202.

Hummingbird, Anna's, ~2~, 149.

Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, absence of male from nest, ~1~, 16; method of feeding young, 18; ~2~, 144; portrait, ~1~, 18.

Hummingbirds, ~1~, 15, 98.

Icteridæ, ~2~, 94, 201.

Identification, ~1~, 137-141.

Indigo-bird, ~1~, 47; portrait, ~1~, 46.

Instinct, ~1~, 83.

Intelligence, ~1~, 83-87.

Japan, ~1~, 131.

Jay, Blue, learning to fly, ~1~, 31, 32; storing food, 54; story of a mischievous, 55, 56; usefulness to man, 126; ~2~, 113, 121; portrait, ~2~, 122.

Jay, Steller's, ~2~, 126.

Jays, ~2~, 117, 202.

Kindness of birds to one another, ~1~, 74-77.

Kingbird, ~1~, 14, 129; ~2~, 113, 136; portrait, ~2~, 136.

Kingbird, Arkansas, ~2~, 140.

Kingfisher, Belted, ~2~, 170; portrait, ~2~, 170.

Kingfisher Family, ~2~, 170, 203.

Kingfishers, ~1~, 21, 115.

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned, ~2~, 14; portrait, ~2~, 14.

Kinglet and Gnatcatcher Family, ~2~, 14, 197.

Language, ~1~, 43-47.

Laniidæ, ~2~, 59, 200.

Lark, Desert Horned, portrait, ~2~, 132.

Lark, Horned, ~2~, 131.

Lark, Old-Field. _See_ Meadowlark.

Lark, Prairie Horned, ~2~, 131.

Lark, Shore, ~2~, 131.

Lark Family, ~2~, 131, 202.

Legs, ~1~, 92, 105, 107, 108.

Magpie, American, ~2~, 126; portrait, ~2~, 126.

Magpie, Yellow-billed, ~2~, 126.

Magpies, ~2~, 117.

Martin, Purple, ~2~, 72.

Meadowlark, ~1~, 45, 119, 121; ~2~, 97, 100; portrait, ~2~, 100.

Meadowlark, Western, ~2~, 102.

Meadow Starlings, ~2~, 100.

Micropodidæ, ~2~, 150, 202.

Migration, ~1~, 61-68.

Mniotiltidæ, ~2~, 49, 200.

Mocking Thrushes, ~2~, 34, 199.

Mockingbird, ~1~, 45; ~2~, 9, 34, 195.

Motacillidæ, ~2~, 46, 199.

Moulting, ~1~, 25, 26, 118.

Neck, ~1~, 92.

Nests, situations of, ~1~, 9; materials of, 9, 10; building of, 10; seldom used more than once, 10, 11.

Nighthawk, ~1~, 107; ~2~, 158; portrait, ~2~, 158.

Norway, ~1~, 131.

Nuthatch, European, ~2~, 21.

Nuthatch, Red-breasted, ~2~, 20.

Nuthatch, Slender-billed, ~2~, 18.

Nuthatch, White-breasted, ~2~, 18; portrait, ~1~, 96.

Nuthatch and Chickadee Family, ~2~, 18, 198.

Nuthatches, ~1~, 18, 96, 98.

Observation, ~1~, 137-141, 145.

Oil, ~1~, 117.

Oriole, Arizona Hooded, ~2~, 108.

Oriole, Baltimore, nest of, ~1~, 9, 95; ~2~, 104; portrait, ~1~, 10.

Oriole, Orchard, ~2~, 107.

Orioles, getting food for young, ~1~, 18; teaching young to fly, 33, 34; food of, 50; affection for young, 78; usefulness to man, 129; ~2~, 104.

Osprey, American, ~2~, 190; portrait, ~2~, 192.

Ostrich, ~1~, 24.

Ostrich, South American, ~1~, 24.

Ouzel, Water, ~2~, 42; portrait, ~2~, 42.

Oven-bird, ~2~, 52.

Owl, American Barn, ~2~, 185.

Owl, Barred, ~1~, 101.

Owl, Burrowing, ~2~, 182.

Owl, Florida Burrowing, ~2~, 182.

Owl, Screech, ~2~, 180; portrait, ~2~, 180.

Owl Family, ~2~, 178, 204.

Owls, ~1~, 35; food of, 52, 53, 127; ears of, 103; feet of, 106; usefulness to man, 126, 127.

Paridæ, ~2~, 18, 198.

Penguin, ~1~, 72.

Petrel, ~1~, 110.

Pewee, Western Wood, ~2~, 142.

Pewee, Wood, ~1~, 47; ~2~, 136, 140.

Phainopepla, ~2~, 67.

Phœbe, ~1~, 35; ~2~, 136.

Picidæ, ~2~, 160, 203.

Pigeons, ~1~, 79, 80.