SOMK birds' nests. 21 1 



flycatcher was heard in the orchard, he wondered where 

 the new nest would be placed, and went to hunt for it. 

 Having looked the trees over, he failed to find a new nest. 

 Where was the little mother at last found brooding ? On 

 the old nest. The third summer found the wood-pewee 

 back ; she tried the old nest for a few days, but it was so 

 shaky that she abandoned it, and built a new one in the 

 next tree. 



I/ast summer, this same friend, discovered a humming- 

 bird's abode in one of his apple trees, and then watched 

 the rearing of her brood. What a rare chance to observe ! 

 It reminds me of Torrey's description of the humming-bird 

 babies, of the size of bumble-bees, which he watched one 

 summer. It will be interesting to learn from our orchard 

 owner whether the humming-bird does use the same nest 

 this year. Did such a thing ever happen? 



Well, I have wandered from my cedar-bird's nest. It 

 began on Sunday, June 21. It was one of those quiet, 

 sweet, warm, delicious mornings, when the day of rest 

 pervades the spirit with true repose. You can see the 

 trees and shrubs expand beneath* the sun's rays ; bees and 

 other insects are making music with their busy wings. 

 Our two bird neighbors, dressed apparently alike, in Quak- 

 er garb, were first seen inspecting a bit of twine on the 

 pear tree, where a long time before, had hung a bit of 

 suet. Several times, one of the birds made vigorous at- 

 tacks on the string. He would hang, by his beak, to the 

 end of the twine, and swing for several seconds, like a 

 pendulum, trying to dislodge it. Giving up the attempt, 

 they both made onslaughts on the grape vine, each strip- 

 ping long ribbons, from six to eight inches in length. We 

 watched to see where the material was being carried. 



They flew directly north toward the elm, bordering the 

 street, and then by remarkable cunning, turned each time 

 at right angles to the first course, entering our pear tree. 



