A MIDSUMMER PRINCE. 237 
The nest being done, the female begins to deposit her 
egos on the successive day, and continues laying one each 
day until four or five are laid. The eggs are pointed oval, 
0.90 by 0.60 of an inch in dimensions, grayish-white, with 
a roseate tinge in fresh and transparent specimens, and va- 
riously marked with blotches and irregular lines, like pen 
scratches, of purplish-brown. On the day following, incu- 
bation begins, and the eggs hatch at the end of about fif- 
teen days, bringing it to the middle of June. 
The courage and devotion of the parents in defence of 
their nests are known to every ornithologist. They expose 
themselves fearlessly to danger rather than desert their 
charge, and call upon heaven and earth to witness their 
persecution. I remember one such instance. I discovered 
a nest with eggs in a sycamore on the banks of the Yantic 
River, in Connecticut. In trying to examine it I roused 
the ire of the owners, who showed the most intense anger 
and dismay. Enjoying this little exhibition, I did all I 
could to terrify the fond parents without harming them ag 
all, and then quietly watched the result. The birds flew 
close about the nest, screaming and uttering a loud roll- 
ing ery like a policeman’s rattle, which very soon brought 
plenty of sympathetic and curious friends. <A cat-bird 
ventured too near, and was pounced upon by the Baltimore 
