278 KNOWING BIRDS THROUGH STORIES 



Ordinarily they are cautious. They fly in droves, often 

 circling several times to make sure all is safe before alight- 

 ing; but when once they are convinced all is well, they 

 pour down all in a heap. Then they scatter and begin 

 feeding. 



They nest on a low horizontal limb, preferring an apple 

 tree. They build the nest largely of coarse grass, lining 

 it with finer grass and tie it to the limb securely. They 

 lay four purplish white eggs speckled with black, more so 

 at the larger end. 



When the nest is disturbed they are seldom seen, as they 

 quietly slip away at the first approach of danger and re- 

 main away till the danger is past. 



