Showing the Western Grebe and the smaller Grebe. Note the young Grebe riding on its mothers' back. Another parent is covering its eggs preparatory to leaving the nest. Range of both these species: Western North America. Habitat Group in the American Museum of Natural History.] The love of the beautiful seems to be innate; that is, born in us. And the birds appeal to this in at least two ways: First, on account of the beauty of their songs, and second, on account of the beauty of their plumage. [Illustration: SCREECH OWL The Screech Owl feeds largely upon mice and other destructive rodents. Range: Eastern North America.] Among the birds that have especially beautiful songs are the Thrushes, which include the Robin and the Bluebird, the finest singer in this family probably being the Hermit Thrush. In the Southern States there is no more popular singer among the birds than the Mockingbird. But it should be remembered that a bird's song cannot be separated from the associations which it calls up in one's memory. So that the performance of an ordinary songster may be more pleasing to one than that of some finer one because of youthful associations. [Illustration: SAND HILL CRANES IN FLORIDA Unlike the Herons, these birds fly with neck fully extended. Their loud, resonant trumpeting is as characteristic as the honking of Wild Geese. Range: North America. Habitat Group in The American Museum of Natural History.] [Illustration: GREAT HORNED OWL Rabbits constitute a favorite food when available. Poultry and other birds are also destroyed by this owl. Range: Eastern North America.] It seems to be a general law of nature that the finest songsters have the plainest coats. [Illustration: BROWN PELICANS IN FLORIDA The Pelicans nest in colonies, and the young feed from the parents' throats. Range: Gulf coast of U. S. and southward. Habitat Group in The American Museum of Natural History.] [Illustration: EGRETS: PARENT BIRDS]