82 IN THE HEMLOCKS. 



the fact was much surprised that such things 

 should happen in his woods without his 

 knowledge. 



These birds may be seen prowling through 

 all parts of the woods at this season, watch- 

 ing for an opportunity to steal their egg 

 into some nest. One day, while sitting on 

 a log I saw one moving by short flights 

 through the trees and gradually nearing the 

 ground. Its movements were hurried and 

 stealthy. About fifty yards from me it dis- 

 appeared behind some low brush and had 

 evidently alighted upon the ground. 



After waiting a few moments I cautiously 

 walked in the direction. When about half 

 way I accidentally made a slight noise, when 

 the bird flew up, and seeing me, hurried off 

 out of the woods. Arrived at the place, I 

 found a simple nest of dry grass and leaves 

 partially concealed under a prostrate branch. 

 I took it to be the nest of a sparrow. There 

 were three eggs in the nest and one lying 

 about a foot below it, as if it had been rolled 

 out, as of course it had. It suggested the 

 thought that perhaps when the cow-bird 

 finds the full complement of eggs in a nest, 

 it throws out one and deposits its own in- 

 stead. I revisited the nest a few days after- 



