THE WOOD THRUSH. 



213 



The typical situation for a nest 

 is upon an overarching sapling, as 

 shown in the nearest illustration. 

 To secure a romantic site stability 

 is sometimes sacrificed, and the nest, 

 loosely saddled upon a narrow 

 branch, may be toppled over by the 

 wind or by a careless hand. At other 

 times the nest is securely lodged 

 upon the forks of a horizontal limb 

 or upright sapling, and may prove 

 very durable. 



Upon a foundation of dry 

 leaves are laid grass, fibres, and 

 weed-stems; these are held in place 

 by a matrix of mud or rotton wood, 

 and the nest lined with rootlets or 

 dead leaves. The mud-working 

 must be disagreeable business for 

 such dainty birds. I once came 

 upon a mother mason at her task. 

 Her bill and breast were all be- 

 daubed with mud, and she cut such 

 a sorry figure that she fled precipi- 

 tately upon my approach and would 

 not come back again. 



According to Dr. Jones the same nest is occupied during successive sea- 

 sons, especially if securely placed. Repairs are made each year, and consist 

 either of a new matrix and lining or of the latter alone. He has one in his 

 collection which shows four distinct yearly additions. 



The brooding female is unusually devoted to her eggs, and altho in mani- 

 fest terror of the "infernal machine" thrust up close to her nest, bravely returns 

 to her charge again and again. 



Taken near Circle-dlle. Photo by the Author. 



A TYPICAL NESTING SITE. 



