Bird lore - Project Puffin

The Chipping Sparrow IS3
mained in the nest and for a few days afterward. A summary of a day with
them will probably give the best idea of the work done by the male, also an
index to the almost unsatiable appetite of the fledgling. We chose July 7,
four days before the young
left the nest, for this purpose.
One of our party arrived
at 3.50 A.M. to find the birds
already astir about the
second nest, the female
going about quietly while
the male gave vent to his
feelings in song which was
cut short a half hour later
by a chirp from the nestling
that sent him scurrying off
to the garden in search of
food. The young received
the first portion of its break-
fast at 4.30.
Beginning at 3.50 a.m.
and ending at 7.15 p.m.,
this bird-day comprised
CHIPPING SPARROW AT NEST
fifteen hours and twenty-five minutes. By the end of the hour following the
first feeding, the young had been fed eighteen times, and a decrease in the
number of feedings per hour followed until the low mark of four was reached
during the noon hour and again at the end of the period terminating at 3.30
p.m. a decided increase began at the close of this period and was maintained
up to 7.15 when the fledging received its last visit and food for the day. The
MALE CHIPPING SPARROW FEEDING HIS ONLY YOUNG