168 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



except on the outer web and towards the base, the third with a white spot on the 

 end, the rest, except the middle, very slightly tipped with white; the bill and legs 

 are black. 



Length, nine and fifty one-hundredths inches; wing, four and fifty one-hun- 

 dredths; tail, five inches; iris, light-yellow. 



This bird is so exceedingly rare in New England, that it 

 can scarcely be regarded otherwise than as an accidental 

 visitor; and Massachusetts is certainly its northern limit. 



Mr. Allen, before referred to, says that it has been known 

 to breed in Springfield several times within five years, and 

 in 1860 two pairs nested there. In June, 1860, he found 

 a nest containing three freshly laid eggs, incubation not 

 having been begun: the locality was a sandy field, growing 

 up to pitch-pines, in one of which the nest was placed, 

 about three feet from the ground; the pair was secured 

 with the nest and eggs. 



As I have had no opportunities of observing the habits 

 of this beautiful songster, I will give the very interesting 

 description by Wilson. He says, 



" The precise time 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, 

 nut in Pennsylvania rarely before the 10th of May ; and in New 



