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266 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 
branch, generally of a tree in the orchard; sometimes in a 
cedar or other tree in a pasture or wood. It is con- 
structed of stalks of weeds, long fine roots, grass, grape- 
vine bark, and leaves: it is 
deeply hollowed, and lined with 
fine roots, horsehairs, and fine 
grass. One specimen in my col- 
lection is partly composed of 
strips of twine and thread, 
which are woven together in a 
very neat and compact man- 
ner, and interlaced with iu- 
merous fine roots and weeds. 
The eggs are usually four or 
five in number: they are laid 
about the twentieth of June, 
ah an and a second litter often in Au- 
Upper fig., Red-eyed Vireo. gust. They are of a light-bluish 
or clay-white color, with a slight purple tint, and are marked, 
more or less thickly, with distinct spots of black, and more 
obscure spots of purplish-brown: the appearance of these 
latter spots is as if they were “beneath the surface of 
the shell.”’ Dimensions of five eggs collected in New 
Hampshire: .86 by .64 inch, .86 by .63 inch, .86 by .60 
inch, .80 by .62 inch, .80 by .60 inch. A great number of 
specimens from different localities do not exhibit any great 
variations from these measurements. 
_ There is a great deal of ill feeling manifested towards 
this well-known bird by the farmers, on account of its occa- 
sionally helping itself to a few cherries or other small fruits. 
Its valuable services in the orchard and nursery seem to be 
overlooked, and its life is often forfeited for this little weak- 
ness. But if the farmer will observe it in its insect-destroy- 
ing labors, watch it as it devours caterpillar after caterpillar, 
or draws from its lurking-place the larva of some injurious 
‘insect, he will come to the conclusion, as many have already ° 
