OF VICTORIA. 195 



appreciable effect. It would be like Mrs. Partington trying 

 to keep back the Atlantic Ocean with a mop. The fields of 

 nature are, however, patrolled by a feathered police, whose 

 function it is to keep this destructive insect in check, and if 

 man does not interfere with these friendly watchmen locust 

 plagues will be much fewer, and less destructive when they 

 do occur, while the ravages of ordinary seasons will be kept 

 at a minimum." 



Nest. — Placed high or low in a tree, and composed of 

 sticks and twigs and lined slightly with softer material. 

 The open nest is a bulky one. Figured above is a nest 

 photographed from a buggy in a swamp, the nest being in 

 Polygonum. 



Eygs. — Four or five to a clutch ; greenish appearance, 

 with blackish-brown or brown spots and blotches. Length, 

 1-5 inches; breadth, 1 inch. 



