44 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



porches; against the wall of a railroad station, easily accessi- 

 ble to passengers ; and under the projecting ledge of a window- 

 sill, in full view of the occupants of the domicile. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, we have discovered nests in 

 similar situations. The most frequent places of resort for 

 the purposes of nidification, are the piers of bridges. 

 porticoes, overshoots, wagon-sheds, and empty dilapidated 

 spring-houses. A rather singular situation came under 

 our observation during the month of May, i8y6. The nest 

 alluded to, was placed upon the centre of a flat stone under- 

 neath an overhanging bank. 



The nest is the work of both birds, who labor with com- 

 nendable dilligence and zeal until the fabric is constructed. 

 The time required for the completion of the task, ranges 

 from five to six days. The utmost harmony and good- 

 nature prevail during the entire period. 



It is the commonly received opinion that birds of the 

 same species uniformly build their nests of the same mate- 

 rials, in the same situation and manner, even though they 

 inhabit different climates. This, however, is not invariably 

 the case, as a few observations will clearly show. On the 

 A vVest Branch of the Susquehanna, a few years ago, we pro- 

 cured nests of the Phoebe Bird, which, in si/e, structure, and 

 materials, might have been taken for nests of species entirely 

 distinct from the one under consideration. As these nests 

 w r ere built upon the horizontal beams of a wagon-shed, they 

 would seem to require less compactness of structure, than 

 in more exposed situations. 



The typical nest is composed, externally, of fine roots, 

 grasses, fine mosses, and hairs, and is held together, and 

 to the object to which it i$ attached, by pellets of mud. In- 

 teriorly, there is a warm and cosy lining of meadow grasses, 

 lint, hairs, and, occasionally, feathers and wool. By meas- 

 urement we obtain the following dimensions: Diameter 

 Irom side to side, 3 1-2 inches, depth, 3 inches; diameter of 

 cavity, 2 1-2 inches, making the thickness of the lateral 



