372 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



as the many nests which we have examined, inclu- 

 ding many in our collection, with one or two 

 exceptions, were of a decidedly pensile character, 

 uniform in composition, and suspended from slen- 

 der branchlets after the fashion of Icterus balti- 

 more. The exceptional nests were placed 

 between the forked branches of trees. These 

 nests with .but two exceptions have been found 

 upon apple and pear trees in close proximity to 

 the residence of man ; the others were built on the 

 confines of forests at considerable distance there- 

 from. It is probable that in earlier times this 

 species was as timid and suspicious as others that 

 might be cited, and as time advanced, gradually 

 lost its timidity. Familiarity with man, the result 

 of long experience, doubtless, taught it to regard 

 him irk the light of a friend. In the fact that nests 

 are occasionally found on the borders of immense 

 thickets, we ' have a hint to its past history. In 

 our opinion, reserve, timidity, and distrust were 

 then the leading elements of its character, as 

 familiarity, a certain degree of boldness, and con- 

 fidence are traits which now stand prominently 

 forth. 



A typical nest is 2 */ inches in diameter, and 4^ 

 in depth. It is pouch-shaped and attached to the 

 slender twigs of an apple or a pear tree in such a 

 manner as to be readily swayed to and fro by* a 

 gentle breeze. It is built of the soft and flexible 

 leaves of a species of Poa, neatly and compactly 

 woven together, and lined with narrower leaves of 



