218 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



character, that of the Scarlet Tanager, but is far louder, better 

 sustained, and more musical. It equals in strength that of the 

 Eobin, but is uttered more hurriedly, is more "wiry," and much 

 more continued. 



The food of this bird consists to a great extent of hornets, wasps, 

 and bees, on which account it is to a greater or less extent known 

 to farmers as the "Bed Bee-bird." 



The nest is usually placed near the extremity of a horizontal 

 branch of an oak tree (preferably a white or post oak), alongside 

 the edge of a wood, trees standing by a roadside being frequently 

 selected. The height at which it is placed varies, usually from 

 twelve to twenty feet above the ground, although the writer found 

 one which was not more than four and a half feet, and another 

 which was nearly thirty feet up. Its average elevation is such that 

 a man standing upon the seat of a wagon could easily reach, either 

 with his hand or whip, the majority of them. The nest is a thin 

 and shallow but very firm structure, composed of loosely interwoven 

 wiry grass-stems, often with the seed panicles attached, and is so 

 thin that the eggs can almost always be seen by one standing 

 underneath the nest. The eggs are usually three in number, and 

 are similar in color and markings to those of the Scarlet Tanager, 

 but somewhat larger. 



In the extreme northern portion of the State, according to Mr. 

 Nelson, it is "a rare summer visitant," there being "but few records 

 of its occurrence." 



At Mount Carmel the dates of arrival noted by me were April 

 20 to 29, and at Wheatland, Indiana, April 18 to 23. At 

 the latter place a specimen was seen October 10, 1882, which is the 

 latest date of its stay that I have recorded. 



