NESTS AND NEST-BUILDING IN BIRDS: PART II 



FRANCIS H. HERRICK 



Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 



EIGHT FIGURES 



CONTENTS 



4.' Analysis of Increment Nests on the Basis of Behavior. Position of the Nest. 

 Uniformity in Selection of Nesting Site. Do Birds in Nesting seek " the 

 Protection of Man? " Individual Change in Nest Site. Size of the Nest. 

 Double, Compound or Superimposed Nests. The Materials of Nests and their 

 Method of Arrangement. Appropriation of Nest Materials illustrated. 



5. Variations in the Nests of Certain Birds. Variation in the Red-eyed Vireo. 

 Variation in the Wood Pewee. Variation in Hummingbirds' Nests. 



The descriptive literature of birds' nests, which is extended 

 to great length, is chiefly concerned with their size, position, and 

 general environment, as well as with the kinds of material used 

 in construction. When certain species are considered the re- 

 corded variations in respect to most of these characters are both 

 numerous and striking. 



The highest order of constructive effort exhibited by modern 

 birds is embodied in the increment nests of either statant or 

 pendent types. Thousands of species, many of which represent 

 the highest existing order of Passeres build more or less elab- 

 orately after this general fashion, according to their specific 

 modes. 



We shall first attempt to give a general analysis of increment 

 nests in order to ascertain their more uniform and more impor- 

 tant characteristics from the standpoint of behavior, as well 

 as to determine the significance of the variations to which they 

 are subject. No pretense is made of offering more than a sug- 

 gestive outline, for seldom has it happened that all the conditions 

 under wiiich a given nest was built w^ere even approximately 

 known. 



4. ANALYSIS OF INCREMENT NESTS ON THE BASIS OF BEHAVIOR 



In considering the behavior characteristic of the builder in 

 any species of birds, the following marks of the finished nest 

 have special significance: (i) The form and dimensions of 



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