01- KASTKRX PENNSYLVANIA. r><> 



lo\v. At times, they are neatly and prettily made out of 

 the blossoms of the hickory-tree. 



In the vicinity of Philadelphia two styles of nests occur. 

 The one is loosely yet prettily built, as Mr. Jackson says, en- 

 tirely of the blossoms of the hickory. The bottom is some- 

 times moderately compact, and, at others, the materials are 

 so loose, that the eggs are seen through the interstices. The 

 second style of nest is composed entirely of the fine stems of 

 various grasses compactly and firmly interwoven, and made 

 to embrace in a curious manner the bifurcated twig between 

 which it is deposited. The external diameter measures 

 about 4 inches, and the thickness less than i 1-2 inches. 

 The cavitv is a trifle less than 21-2 inches at the rim, and 

 3-4 of an inch in depth. 



A rather curious structure is described by Dr. Brewer in 

 the work entitled " North American Birds." which was dis- 

 covered by George O. Welch, Esq.. in the vicinity of Indi- 

 anapolis. Indiana, which we do well to give in this connec- 

 tion. This nest was a double structure. The basis was 

 largely composed of dried stems, with an intermingling 

 of the withered blossoms of divers herbaceous plants. Up- 

 on this was reared a superstructure of long, wiry stems of 

 grasses, rather rudely interwoven. This nest measured 4 

 inches in diameter, and 2 in height. The cavitv was 2 

 inches wide at the rim. and less than i inch deep. 



On the completion of her home, the female on the ensu- 

 ing day, deposits her first egg. The operation is continued 

 daily until the entire complement of three is deposited. Dur- 

 ing the intervals of her absence from the nest, advantage is 

 taken thereof by the female Cow-Bird, who is ever on the 

 lookout, to deposit her own egg to be left to the mercv of a 

 stranger. I Jut these unsolicited favors are not as freelv be- 

 stowed upon the present species, as upon other species. Per- 

 haps, the situations in which these Fl\ catchers are accustom- 

 ed to nidificate, not being often resorted to by the Cow-Bird, 

 mav account for the fewness of her visits thereto. Or, the 



