394 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



nests in that locality built mostly in clumps of live oaks scattered over 

 the prairies, also in brush-piles, corners of rail fences, and in fact every- 

 where except on the ground. He has found them as low as six inches 

 from the ground in a low bush, and as high as fifty feet in trees. 



A set of five eggs was taken from the hollow of a live oak in May, 

 1886. The eggs are usually four or five, seldom six. The ground-color 

 varies from pale greenish-blue to dull buffy, marked with spots and 

 blotches of yellowish-brown, russet or chestnut. A great variation 

 exists in the sizes. Specimens in a large series measure as small as 

 .87 x .68, and as large as 1.05 x .80. A common size is .94x .71. 



704. Galeoscoptes carolinensis (LINN.) [12.] 



Catbird. 



Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces, north to about 54 in the interior; west to and in- 

 cluding the Rocky Mountains. Winters in the Southern States, Cuba and Central America to Panama. 



This well known bird breeds throughout its range, nesting in 

 bushes, low trees, or clusters of vines, generally in retired places. It 

 is seldom placed more than ten feet above the ground. Thickets or or- 

 chards are its favorite haunts. The nest is bulky and inartistic, made 

 of dry leaves, twigs, dry grass, and lined with black fibrous roots and 

 grass. 



The eggs are usually four, frequently five, and rarely six. They 

 are plain, deep bluish-green ; average size .95 x .71. 



705. Harporhynehus rufus (LINN.) [13.] 



Brown Thrasher. 



Hab. Eastern United States, west to the base of the Rocky Mountains, north Southern Maine, On- 

 tario and Manitoba. Winters in more Southern States, north to about 37. 



The Brown Thrasher breeds in all suitable localities throughout 

 its range, building its nest in low bushes, or on stumps, in clusters of 

 wild vines and briers, in heaps of brush-wood, and often on the ground. 

 It may be frequently found nesting in the fruit trees of quiet orchards, 

 and in trees situated in unfrequented places. When the nest is placed 

 on the ground where the soil is wet and clayey the eggs become addled ; 

 three instances of this kind have come under my notice, and the eggs 

 have failed to hatch. The same observations have been made by a 

 number of my correspondents. The nests are rather flat, loosely and 

 rudely constructed of twigs, strips of bark, withered leaves, and black, 

 fibrous roots, lined with horse hair and a few feathers. In some sec- 

 tions the Brown Thrasher begins to build in the latter part of April, 

 but more generally in the first half of May. 



The eggs are three or four, sometimes five, in number. Their 

 ground-color varies from white through pale-buff to pale-greenish, and, 

 very rarely, quite a distinct green ; the markings are minute specks of 



