Bird-Lore (1-15) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ...by curio hunters, I am unable to say. In critically scrutinizing the massive top of the tree with my glasses, I discovered an Oriole's nest of the present season, and, greatly to my astonishment, their migration to the South a month before; and why should this lone mother bird thus delay her going and linger about the empty nest? Presently, I thought the key to the mystery was mine, for with the aid of the glasses a bird with its neck entangled in the loosely woven horse-hairs of the upper rim of the nest, was made out dangling in the air, but the thick yellow leaves so obstructed the view it was impossible to make out to what species it belonged. The fact of the presence of the female naturally caused me to imagine that her mate had come to his death in this tragic manner, and that her devotion and loyalty chained the bereaved mate to the spot where their summer joys had been shared together. My mind was filled with the pathos of the tragic event in the lives of the beautiful birds, and my heart overflowed with sympathy for the lone, faithful watcher beside the empty nest. The nest was hung to the highest branch of the tree, and I was unable to secure it the following day when I procured the old nest occupied by the Sparrows; but, on the 20th, a couple of adventurous tree trimmers captured the trophy and placed it in my hands, and what was my chagrin and disgust to discover that the dead bird hanging by the neck was a male English Sparrow. He had become "a hanging bird" but not an Oriole. The feeling of pity and sympathy which had filled my heart, underwent a sudden revulsion, and one of satisfaction that the highway marauder, in attempting to destroy the happiness of a home, had met with a just retribution, took its place. But...