26 Tue Birps Asout US. 
Pembina, Dakota, Dr. Coues found fresh eggs on June 9, and in 
Southern Colorado Mr. Henshaw took them on the 19th. Except in 
the far north, where its breeding is delayed until midsummer, it no 
doubt brings up two broods in a season, Audubon and Wilson Flagg 
speak of the nest as being built on mounds of sticks and grass, in the 
darkest part of the woods, and say that it is made to resemble the 
surrounding objects ; while Nuttall and others write that it sometimes 
chooses bushes and low trees. ‘These situations are exceptional, for 
the nest is almost invariably placed unsupported upon the ground.”— 
ERNEST INGERSOLL. 
Quite unlike the wood-thrush, while it is content to 
stay all summer south of New England, it does not 
sing as well as when farther north. Itis rather mopish, 
and if we had only those of the Middle States to con- 
sider, it would not be considered a success. In its 
habits generally the bird does not differ from the 
others of its family. All are insect-eaters, and this 
one fact should insure them freedom from all inter- 
ference on our part. We hear at times of the de- 
struction of fruit as a reason for persecution, but 
reasoning with people that make such remarks is 
useless. 
Still another, a smaller but more richly-colored 
thrush, is the Hermit, or, as known northward, the 
Swamp Robin. It is thought by very many that this 
is our finest song-bird, and no praise bestowed by 
enthusiastic admirers upon it has by others been con- 
sidered excessive. Its song is not unlike that of the 
wood-thrush, but richer, more flute-like and dreamy. 
There is one point in the consideration of these 
brown, speckle-breasted thrushes, and that is that the 
difference in vocal power among individuals is very 
marked. While, comparing species with species, it is 
