Chapter VI 



NOTES 



THE illustrations of nests in this book are from photographs, 

 which, with few exceptions, were taken without disturbing either 

 the nest or its surroundings. In a few instances, such as the nests 

 of the bluebird, downy woodpecker, and crested flycatcher, the 

 branch was cut down, and an opening made in order to show the 

 eggs. The photographs of both young and old birds are from life. 



Under the headings of breeding range the reference is only 

 to the United States, and only the land birds that breed in the 

 Eastern States are described. The description of the plumage 

 of each bird is not meant to be very complete ; the principal char- 

 acteristics are given so that the bird may be recognised. No 

 attempt has been made to give the notes or songs of the birds. 



The number before the name of each bird is the number 

 adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union check-list, and 

 will save looking through the index when referring to other works 

 on birds. 



The book is arranged so that all the birds that build open 

 nests on the open ground are in one chapter, those that build 

 open nests in woods or thickets are in another chapter, and so on. 

 In cases where a bird builds usually in a bush but sometimes in 

 the open fields the description is given under the heading of nests 

 in bushes, etc., and the name of the bird, together with the colour 

 of the eggs, is referred to in its numerical order in the chapter of 

 nests in open fields, etc. Thus, for example, if an arched nest is 

 found in a field or swamp, it will be necessary to look in Chapter 

 III. But it may be the nest of a seaside sparrow, which is rarely 

 arched ; in that case you will be referred to Chapter I for the de- 

 scription. All measurements of birds and eggs are given in inches 

 and hundredths. 



The sign $ signifies male, and ? female. 

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