56 TWENTIETH CENTTTBY CLASSICS 



ous manner, with, swollen throat, head thrown back, de- 

 pressed tail end tremulous wings, a picture of happiness 

 and content. A sprightly, pleasing, warbling, flippant 

 and voluble song, but, to my ear, not remarkably musical. 

 Outside from their song and interesting ways, they arc 

 valuable in the destruction of injurious insect life, and 

 are in no way harmful; and, for these reasons, suitable 

 boxes are or should be placed in the porches, and nailed to 

 the outbuildings, for their reception. 



Their nests are placed in holes in trees, logs and stumps, 

 and about dwelling houses, in boxes, etc., entering out- 

 houses through crevices and knotholes in fact, most any- 

 where (I once found a nest in the skull of a buffalo) ; 

 loosely constructed of sticks, weeds, etc., filling the cavi- 

 ties, leaving a small opening for entrance; within the 

 rubbish they construct an inner nest, composed of finer 

 material, lining the same with feathers, fur, and most any 

 soft,' warm substance. Eggs seven to nine, .64x.49; 

 ground color white to pinkish white, but so thickly dotted 

 with, specks of reddish brown and a few purple markings 

 that the white is concealed; in form, oval. 



VII. BROWN THEASHER. 



Harporhynchus rufus (LINN.). 



Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the 

 State; not uncommon in the western portion. Arrive the 

 last of March to middle of April; begin laying early in 

 May. The bulk leave in September and October, a few 

 remaining until late in the fall. 



HABITAT. Eastern United States; north to southern 

 Maine, Ontario and Manitoba ; west to the Rocky Moun- 



