JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59 



thickly coated birds in the tiny nest made an interesting picture. 

 They grow so rapidly that the thick coat of down is not conspicuous 

 after the first few days. I presume the thick natal down on newly 

 hatched birds and the unusual strength indicate great vigor in the 

 Chipping Sparrow. — Cordelia J . Stanwood, Ellsworth, Me. 



Why Woodpeckers and Chickadees are Prone to Use 

 Cedar and Poplar Trunks as Nesting Sites. — The "knot" 

 in resinous trees remains sound much longer than the trunk. From 

 this fact has arisen the old saying, "as tough as a pine knot". 

 There are no "knots" in cedar and poplar trees, merely knot holes. 

 These knot holes have suggested to birds from time immemorial 

 good nesting sites. Two sets of Chickadees this year (1910) began 

 excavating dead fir stumps. Soon such a deadly array of spear 

 points bristled at them down the sides of the cavity that they gave 

 up work on those stumps in despair. — Cordelia J. Stamvood, Ells- 

 worth, Me. 



Late Nesting Hermit Thrush. — The following observation 

 on the eggs and young of the Hermit Thrush, owing to the late- 

 ness of date, I thought might be of special interest. The nest and 

 three eggs were discovered about July 15th, under a small witch- 

 hazel bush near the edge of the woods, about twenty-five feet from 

 my camp at East Pond, Oakland. They were not approached again 

 until July 22nd, when the young had hatched. The nest was not 

 approached again till Saturday, July 29th, after the heavy storm. 

 All three young birds were found dead on the ground about a foot 

 from the nest, and each one appeared to have been pecked or eaten 

 either in the head or the side of the breast. This, however, may have 

 been done by some worm or beetle. They had not been dead more 

 than a few hours. I wonder if the old bird would desert them, or if 

 the drenching, driving rain would have killed them under her wings. 

 This is the second family of Hermit Thrushes hatched on our 

 grounds this year. The other was about one week earlier in hatch- 

 ing. — C/ias. M. Lamprey, Oakland, Me. 



