106 BULLETIN 196, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



saddled on the branch, the nest was cemented to the branch with mud. 

 Every nest observed had dead leaves or leaf skeletons tucked into the 

 bottom. The nest is loosely lined with fine dark rootlets. Inside, the 

 nest measures 2 inches deep and 3K inches wide. 



The nest is usually fixed in a fork in saplings or undergrowth, but 

 some were found saddled on horizontal branches. Several nests were 

 found in shade trees near houses. Nests ranged from 6 to 50 feet 

 from the ground. The average height of 15 nests was 10 feet. 



Nesting materials varied considerably with the availability of 

 materials. Where paper was in abundance much was used. In some 

 nests more leaf skeletons were used than in others. One nest con- 

 tained many weed stalks because they were available. The outside 

 depths of nests varied greatly with their location. On a horizontal 

 branch the nest was shallow, to fill a crotch it was deep. 



I was not fortunate enough to observe the entire construction of a 

 nest. In one case building a blind frightened a pair from its chosen 

 site while a nest was under construction. In another instance I found 

 a deserted, partially built nest, so that the progress could be traced. 

 In one instance a pair was observed to start the nest. Five days later 

 it was finished and the first egg was laid. 



There seems to be little choice in selecting the kind of tree, shrub, or 

 vine used. The following list is a summary of 14 nests: one nest each 

 in basswood, juneberry, birch, locust, and a grapevine; two nests each 

 in maple, witch-hazel, and hawthorn; and three nests in elms. 

 Many references state that many kinds of trees are used. 



Territories used in 1936 and 1937 were used also in 1938. In one 

 case a pair built in the identical spot it had used the year before, since 

 I had removed the old nest after nesting was over. 



I have no evidence of this species ever using the same nest a second 

 time or a second season. 



The only reference to the fact that the wood thrush nests on the 

 ground is in the "Key for Identifying Bird's Nests," prepared by 

 Helen Blair (1935). Mary H. Benson, a former student at Alleghany 

 State Park Nature Camp, has informed me that a wood thrush's nest 

 was found on the ground there and that Aretas A. Saunders photo- 

 graphed it. 



A wood thrush's nest, after being used by a family, is a well-worn 

 and sorry -looking abode. Pieces of loosened lining are removed by 

 the adults so that finally there is little left; bits of the rim break off 

 leaving it quite irregular; bits of feather sheaths from the young are 

 found on the bottom despite the immaculate care given the nest by 

 the adults. 



The time of nesting is probably determined by the character of the 

 food of the young and also the concealment of the nesting site and 



