Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
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be Green-eyes. This is the first time he has come to me from the
nest.
Brown Eyes came out of the glade, and as both remained near me
and were seen under the same light conditions, it was possible to
compare their various points under favorable circumstances.
No difference in general coloration can be seen with certainty.
G.E. may be slightly lighter, and gives the distinct impression of
being slightly smaller; but much depends upon how they are carry-
ing their feathers at the moment.
At present (whether it is a constant difference remains to be
seen) Brown-eyes carries her wings more compactly folded, so that
their tips meet above the tail coverts.
G.E.'s wing tips are carried lower than the base of the tail so
that they both can be seen below the tail when the bird is seen
in partial profile somewhat to the rear.
G.E.'s superciliary stripe is more prominent. (See note 3, Ap. A)
One bird was in full song before sunrise this morning.
As far as can be seen at the present time, the nest is used for
thinking purposes only, its use being impartially apportioned be-
tween the two birds. It looks almost big enough inside for two; but
it seems that they do not both have to think at the same time.
10:30 A.M. Went out and stood at the south side of the glade
without moving about to see what would happen. Neither bird in sight.
Soon B.E. came out of the glade, began walking about my feet, "talk-
ing." In about a minute she was joined by her mate. As I made
no sound, they appeared to be somewhat mystified, walking around me
and occasionally looking up at my face and talking. This continued
for several minutes. I then fed them, and when the food was gone,
got quickly to the nest and sat in the crotch of the old oak look-
ing down into the empty nest.