366 FRANCIS H. HERRICK 



Chebecs. — A pair of chebecs took a great quantity of the 

 white yarn and shredded white cloth which was offered them 

 and built an extraordinary nest. In its completed state it 

 resembled a great white tassel, for not only was it conspicuous, 

 but a trail of streamers led from field to tree. The nests of 

 this species are both neatly molded within and smoothed with- 

 out, and although man}^ times the quantity of material needed 

 was used in this instance, the smoothing process was attempted 

 and in a peculiar manner. Standing in the cup of the nest 

 and bending down, the chebec drew alternatingly right and 

 left side of head and neck in one continuous movement over 

 its outer surface as one would strop a razor; turning and re- 

 peating the movement the outer wall was thus " ironed " over 

 and over again. From one to two minutes were commonly 

 spent in the molding and smoothing processes. 



Chipping Sparrows. — The chipping sparrow, as already noticed, 

 builds a fragile and insecure nest, but molds a perfect cup, 

 which is often composed entirely of hair. The molding and 

 turning movements are practiced with great persistence and 

 resemble those of other species studied. The behavior of the 

 pair, from the time when the nest is nearly ready until incu- 

 bation begins, has been watched in a number of cases, and it 

 suggests the chain-like character of all their instincts. After 

 molding, the female would drop to the ground, and with 

 wings spread and a-quiver, twittering the while, she would 

 await the approach of the male. Copulation was always per- 

 formed by the male when on the wing, and quickly repeated; 

 thereafter the female would at once repair to her completed 

 nest, sit in it for a few minutes and then fly off. In the course 

 of over two hours these actions were repeated four times, and 

 again at eight o'clock of the follo^^ing day they recurred, the 

 female always going promptly to her nest and remaining in 

 it for about three minutes. At such times she would occasion- 

 ally make a few molds, but was never seen to add anything 

 to the structure. Behavior of this character was continued 

 until the appearance of the first egg which was laid before 4.50 

 A. M. After leaving the nest the female dropped to the ground, 

 quivering and twittering as before, but there was no approach 

 of the male, although the pair was presently seen foraging for 

 food. After laying her second egg this bird came oft' her nest 



