Home › Volumes › Bird Homes › Notes

Notes — Part 1

The illustrations of nests in this book are from photographs, which, with few exceptions, were taken without disturbing either the nest or its surroundings. In a few instances, such as the nests of the bluebird, downy woodpecker, and crested flycatcher, the branch was cut down, and an opening made in order to show the eggs. The photographs of both young and old birds are from life.

Under the headings of breeding range the reference is only to the United States, and only the land birds that breed in the Eastern States are described. The description of the plumage of each bird is not meant to be very complete; the principal characteristics are given so that the bird may be recognised. No attempt has been made to give the notes or songs of the birds.

The number before the name of each bird is the number adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union check-list, and will save looking through the index when referring to other works on birds.

The book is arranged so that all the birds that build open nests on the open ground are in one chapter, those that build open nests in woods or thickets are in another chapter, and so on. In cases where a bird builds usually in a bush but sometimes in the open fields the description is given under the heading of nests in bushes, etc., and the name of the bird, together with the colour of the eggs, is referred to in its numerical order in the chapter of nests in open fields, etc. Thus, for example, if an arched nest is found in a field or swamp, it will be necessary to look in Chapter III. But it may be the nest of a seaside sparrow, which is rarely arched; in that case you will be referred to Chapter I for the description. All measurements of birds and eggs are given in inches and hundredths.

The sign ?? signifies male, and ?? female.

I must acknowledge my indebtedness to many works, in particular to the following: Frank M. Chapman's "Handbook of Birds," Davie's "Nests and Eggs of North American Birds," H. D. Minot's "The Land Birds and Game Birds of New England," Charles Bendire's "Life Histories of North American Birds, with Special Reference to their Breeding Habits and Eggs," and the A. O. U. check-list of North American birds.