222 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Nidification commences from the i5th to the 

 2Oth of May, continues for a period varying from 

 six to seven days, and is the joint labor of the 

 sexes. The nest is suspended from a forked twig, 

 and is generally occupied by the female before its 

 completion ; the external improvements, in the 

 shape of mosses and lichens, being adjusted by 

 the male, whilst she is engaged in oviposition. 

 When he is not employed in beautifying her domi- 

 cile, his time is varied by capturing winged and 

 creeping insects, which like a faithful and devoted 

 husband he carries to his partner. Occasionally, 

 he seeks to relieve the irksome duties by the vol- 

 untary offering of a song. He is exceedingly 

 jealous and will not permit any intrusion upon his 

 premises without venturing the full force of his 

 vengeance upon the rash intruder. 



Sometimes the nest is so completely enveloped 

 with mosses and lichens, as to present at a dis- 

 tance, the appearance of a moss-grown protu- 

 berance, which must assuredly be protective in its 

 tendency. It is fastened to its supporting sur- 

 faces by a combination of materials, such as 

 spiders' webs, the thread of cocoons, ingeniously 

 interwoven, and with an intermingling of mosses 

 and lichens which constitute the exterior of the 

 nest, and which are held together and strengthened 

 by strips of bark of the grape-vine. Internally, 

 there is a lining of fine stems, and bark of grape- 

 vine; occasionally horse-hair. The nest is sym- 

 metrical and well-made, measuring four inches in 



