AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 229 



webs and bits of paper and were securely fastened to the forked twigs 

 of some graceful saplings with green awnings of oak leaves to shelter 

 them from sun and rain. 



When we passed, the owners of the nests were absent, though we 

 heard a resonant calling in the tree tops, "Here I am! Hear me, see, 

 see?" Within three of the nests were four white eggs, spotted at the 

 larger end with brown. The fourth nest contained, in addition to the 

 four white eggs, a much larger dull white egg thickly covered with 

 brown spots. Shall I tell you what we did then? We robbed the nest! 

 We took the larger egg from its soft bed, and ruthlessly crushed it 

 upon the ground. Can you tell why? It seems strange that such wise 

 little birds do not in some way remove the egg, or at least, refuse to 

 own the usurper which emerges from the shell. 



Upon our return at twilight, four little matrons were on guard, with 

 the tiny eggs warmly cuddled beneath the feathers of their breasts. 

 We did not venture near enough to cause them any uneasiness, but 

 could see from the pathway the dainty raised heads, with slender bills 

 pointing directly upward, and sharp eyes watching against any harm 

 which might assail their little homes. Who will name these birds, and 

 who will explain the presence of the larger egg in the nest? 



NUMERICAL ENIGMA. 



My 6-2-3-12-15 is a color. 

 My 4-13-14-5-16-17 is a bird. 

 My 1-7-2-9 is part of a bird. 

 My 8-10-3-11 is a useful mineral. 



My whole is the name of a useful bird composed of 17 letters. 



Russell S. Adams, 



St. Johnsburg, Vt. 



My 11-14-2-5-14-15 is what you are. 

 My 5-6-3 is what two boys often make. 

 My 6-11-14-3-14 is a girl's name. 

 My 12-6-13-13 is a boy's nickname. 

 My 1-3-3-4-5-7 is a British province. 

 My 6-8-5-6-7-8 is a race which is disappearing. 

 My 8-10-6-13 you have upon your right hand — five of them. 

 My 1-2-8-5-13-14 gives light at night. 

 My 9-14-14-5 grows in our garden. 

 My 12-14-7-3 also grows in the garden. 

 My 12-11-14-4-5 is good for food. 



My 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15 is a bird which wears a necklace 

 upon its yellow breast. 



