Robin Carrying Water to Young
Journal
Condor
Volume
28
Issue
5 (September-October)
Year
1926
Pages
244
Section
From Field and Study
Online Text
Robin Carrying Water to Young
On July 15, (Planeeticus migratorius propinquus) standing on Vol. XXVIII 1926, I noticed a Western Robin a water pan which was placed beneath a dripping faucet. The bird's mouth was held wide open, for the day was over 100 degrees in the shade. It took a few swallows of water, then suddenly dipped its beak in-the water and flew up into an acacia tree nearby. There its nest-was situated, containing young robins. It didn't pause in its flight but flew straight to the nest, and I believe that it was carrying water to its young. It made repeated trips from the nest to the water pan, always flying rapidly and straight to the nest. However, on returning to the water it flew more slowly.
James L. Ortega
Yountville, California, July 17, 1926
