THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 63 



where the same nest has been made to answer for several 

 broods, would be almost herculean, and is therefore sel- 

 dom attempted. A few of the upper articles only are 

 removed, and others put into their places. The same 

 site is thus made available for several years, and is only 

 deserted when no longer fitted for duties of incubation 

 and brood- raising. 



When the ivy is taken possession of for nesting and 

 roosting purposes, for it must be remembered that there 

 is a decided preference for this vine as evidenced by the 

 hundreds of birds that avail themselves of its shelter, 

 there is good reason for believing that the same nest is 

 occupied until it becomes so rotten and time-worn as to 

 drop from its moorings, when the unfortunate owners 

 are compelled to construct another. Like the robin, the 

 sparrow always makes the necessary repairs to its home, 

 which have been rendered necessary by the war of 

 elements to which it has been subjected. But, in the 

 generality of cases, it is otherwise with the robin ; it 

 follows the example of its great brotherhood of birds in 

 constructing a new nest on each recurrence of the nest- 

 ing-season. 



The labors of nidification being accomplished, but 

 little time is wasted in celebrating this remarkable 

 event. The birds seem actuated by the most intense 

 desire to obey the controlling instinct of their being, the 

 chief aim of their transitory existence. Consequently, 

 oviposition commences on the day succeeding nest-com- 

 pletion. The eggs are deposited not oftener than one 

 a day. The ordinary complement is not less than 

 four, nor more than five. Incubation immediately 

 succeeds oviposition, in the majority of instances, and is 

 never later than the day following the last deposit. It 



