64 



THE ARCHITECTURE OF BIRDS. 



Nest of the Bulfinch (Pyrrhula vulgaris, BHISSON). 



The celebrated American mocking-bird (Orpheus 

 polyglottus, SWAINS.) makes its nest of similar ma- 

 terials, though it would appear from the description, 

 as well as from Audubon's beautiful figure, to be a 

 more substantial structure. "The precise time," 

 says Wilson, " at which the mocking-bird begins to 

 build his nest, varies according to the latitude in 

 which he resides. In the lower parts of Georgia 

 he commences building early in April ; but in Penn- 

 sylvania rarely before the 10th of May ; and in New- 

 York and the states of New-England still later. 

 There are particular situations to which he gives 



