-7 1:2 Farley, The Alder Flycatcher in Alassachusetts. Toct. 



species. The nest was three and one-half feet from the ground 

 in a clump of the swamp rose {Rosa Carolina L.) , being one 

 foot below the top of the bush. The nest is large, representing 

 the extreme in size. Its inside depth is two and one-eighth 

 inches ; outside depth, three inches ; outside diameter, three and 

 three-eighths inches ; inside diameter, one-half inch less. It is 

 composed of fine grasses and strips of Asc/epias, the latter woven 

 into the body of the structure as well as wound about the outside 

 and over the rim. It is deeply-cupped and thickly- walled, with 

 rim slightly curving over and in on one side. The lining is 

 composed .of the finest of hair-like, dried, yellow grasses. A 

 pretty effect is obtained by the use of a very delicate grass which, 

 projecting above the rim, shows the finest of tassels. 



The nest is mainly supported by a single long fork in which 

 it is suspended basket-like. An additional slight but practically 

 fictitious support is lent by a third slender shoot springing inde- 

 pendently from the ground, the nest being tied in the flimsiest 

 manner possible to a very small sprig of the same. The long 

 fork in which the nest hangs is formed by the main stem of the 

 rose bush and a long slender upright branch springing therefrom 

 at three feet from the ground. There is a space of two and one- 

 half inches between the parting of this fork and the lowest out- 

 side point of the nest hanging therein above. A very fine twig 

 from the long, slender branch runs directly up beneath the nest 

 and helps to horse it up. The nest is strongly tied on one side 

 to the main stem and two twigs springing therefrom. On the 

 opposite side the long slender branch and one twig supply two 

 additional points of support, there being in all, therefore, five 

 main points of contact from which the structure hangs. A basket- 

 like effect is obtained and this is enhanced by the profuse use of 

 Asc/epias on the outside of the nest, this being in fact the chief 

 material used in its construction. This nest has in common with 

 all others that I have seen the usual, characteristic, loose, unfin- 

 ished, even ragged, appearance outside and below. But the long 

 grasses and especially the fibrous strips of Asclepias hang or 

 string down in the present case in unusual quantity and length. 

 Much of this reaches down six inches below the nest. Some of 

 it extends down for one foot. A studied air of disarrangement, 



