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168 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 
except on the outer web and towards the base, the third with a white spot on the 
end, the rest, except the middle, very slightly tipped with white; the bill and legs 
are black. 
Length, nine and fifty one-hundredths inches; wing, four and fifty one-hun- 
dredths; tail, five inches; iris, light-yellow. 
This bird is so exceedingly rare in New England, that it 
can scarcely be regarded otherwise than as an accidental 
visitor; and Massachusetts is certainly its northern limit. 
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Mr. Allen, before referred to, says that it has been known 
to breed in Springfield several times within five years, and 
in 1860 two pairs nested there. In June, 1860, he found 
a nest containing three freshly laid eggs, incubation not 
having been begun: the locality was a sandy field, growing 
up to pitch-pines, in one of which the nest was placed, 
about three feet from the ground; the pair was secured 
with the nest and eggs. 
As I have had no opportunities of observing the habits 
of this beautiful songster, I will give the very interesting 
description by Wilson. He says, — 
“The precise time at which the Mocking-bird begins to build 
his nest varies according to the latitude in which he resides. In 
the lower parts of Georgia, he commences building early in April, 
but in Pennsylvania rarely before the 10th of May; and in New 
