J.o6 CouES, Ncs.ting of the Prairie Warbler. [October 



birds — the males at any rate — seemed to seek the shade of the 

 larger pines bordering the clearing where the nests were placed, 

 as we heard many singing from the neighboring woods while 

 we were rambling through the scrub. 



From among the large number of nests taken I select for 

 description five which illustrate the variations in construction 

 and situation, adding some remarks on the behavior of the birds 

 as they were robbed of their pretty homes in the necessary in- 

 terests of science. 



Nest No. I. This is evenly placed upright in the triple prong 

 of a low laurel bush, about two and a half feet from the ground. 

 From among twelve nests, it is the only one symmetrically 

 placed in a crotch, the others being all irregularly supported by 

 twigs either branching at varying angles from a main stem, or, as 

 in some cases, coming to the support of the nest from a difierent 

 part of the bush. It is composed chiefly of dandelion down, in 

 which are woven a few thin straws and dry leaves. It is lined 

 with very fine bits of straw and a little horsehair. The brim is 

 firm and smooth, as is the rule with the nests of the Prairie 

 Warbler, but a little higher on one side than elsewhere, and is 

 evenly turned of the same materials as the lining. The inside 

 measurement is just about one and three quarters inches both in 

 depth and in width. It contained four fresh eggs. The birds 

 quickly returned after flushing, and while I was wrapping the 

 eggs in cotton, preparatory to removing them with the nest, 

 both parents hopped about very near me, showing apparently 

 little anxiety for the fate of their treasures. 



Nest No. 2 is particularly neat and compact, with an eyen and 

 exceptionally firm brim. It is made almost entirely of dandelion 

 down, closely felted, and further secured with a few straws, and 

 is stuccoed over outside with small dry leaves. The inside is 

 copiously lined with red cowhair, making a marked color con- 

 trast with the other materials. It was placed about five feet 

 from the ground, and fixed rather lightly in an irregularly three- 

 pronged crotch, being further fastened to a spray of blackberry 

 bramble which passed under it and between its side and one of the 

 prongs of the crotch. The owners of this nest seemed much more 

 concerned at the rifling of their home than the first pair, and 

 fluttered close about my head, incessantly reiterating a single 

 sharp note of distress. The nest contained four eggs. 



