164 



the hands of Mr. Ernest IngersoU for illustration of his work on the 

 "Nests and Eggs of American Birds," his original set having been 

 placed where it was not available for the purpose. The remaining 

 four measure, respectively, -79 X '65 ; -80 X -65 ; -80 X '64 ; -80 X -65. 

 The nest presents an internal diameter of 2-70 inches; internal depth, 

 1-40 inches. In this set the eggs are as described by Mr. Brewster, 

 but the markings form a distinct circle about the larger end. In the 

 'preceding set the markings are more uniformly distributed, but are 

 most distinct at the great end. May 27, 1879, another nest was found, 

 which contained five young birds nearly full-fledged. Visiting it a 

 few days later, I found the old birds present, but the young had left 

 the nest, but, though not seen, were still in the neighborhood, as was 

 plainly indicated by the actions of the parents, which manifested the 

 utmost concern at my presence ; fluttering, and dragging themselves 

 over the leaves with wings extended in a seemingly helpless fashion, 

 they endeavored to lead me away from the spot. This nest was built 

 far under the jutting margin of the stream; also tributary to a larger 

 one. It was only discovered by my having actually placed my hand 

 upon the young birds while exploring in search of the nest. 



Of the six nests above enumerated, three were found under the 

 projecting margins of small brooks, near their anastomoses with 

 larger streams, two at the side of a spring close to a large brook, 

 and one on an island in the middle of a large stream. It would seem, 

 from the circumstance that the Water Thrush usually builds away 

 from the large stream, that its sagacity leads it to select for its 

 nesting site a position less liable to endanger the lives of its progeny 

 by subsequent accidents of storm and flood. The Accentor sometimes 

 builds very early. I am confident that the eggs taken by myself do 

 not represent the earliest period of its nestling, since I have shot 

 specimens containing full-sized ova in their oviducts as early as 

 May 1st. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of twenty-two specimens: 

 length, 6-28; stretch, 10-45; wing, 3-23; tail, 2 14; bill from nostril, 

 •39; gape, -70; tarsus, -91; middle toe, -58; its claw, -17. 



45. Geothlypis trichas, {Linne). Maryland Yellow-throat. 

 A common summer resident; breeds. Arrives early in May (11, 1874; 

 10, 1875; 8, 1876; 8, 1877; 4, 1878; 8, 1879), and remains till the middle 

 of October. 



The Yellow-throat deposits its eggs late in May. I found two 

 nests, each containing four eggs, as early as May 24, 1878. The nest 

 is generally placed among thick bushes — frequently in a small cedar 

 — , or suspended in a tussock of rank grass ; in form it is deep, and 

 purse-shaped. One found in a wet meadow, was built over a little 

 stream, or watercourse, being suspended to the interlaced grasses 



