(.W EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. Ill 



task is accomplished, often making a deep excavation in a 

 single night where the bank is soft and sandy. These holes 

 vary in direction and depth ; some being less than four feet, 

 while others are more than fifteen feet deep ; some being 

 straight, and others turning either to the right or to the left, 

 before terminating into the enlarged space which is construc- 

 ted for the eggs. The time spent in constructing a burrow 

 varies from two to three and even to four days, and depends 

 upon the character of the soil and the depth of the excavation. 

 In most cases, the eggs are placed upon the bare sand ; but, 

 in many instances, we have known them to be' deposited in a 

 warm and cosy nest constructed of dried grasses and feathers, 

 which necessarily protect them from the humidity of the 

 ground. In 18^5, Dr. Brewer discovered a nest of this 

 species along-side of a carriage path on Mt. Washington, 

 about one mile from any water shallows. Another nest was 

 found in a sand bank in the midst of the village of Hingham. 

 near to a dwelling, and quite remote from water. During 

 the dav, the authors of the latter nest were very cautious and 

 retiring, seldom venturing from home, but were known to 

 be continually moving backwards and forwards at night, as 

 evidenced by their loud rattling cries. When with young, 

 these nocturnal excursions are rather frequent. So strongly 

 attached are these birds to the scenes of former associations, 

 that they have been known to visit them year after year. 

 We have known nests to be robbed, and the builders to re- 

 turn and commence operations anew. 



Mr. Dall cites a curious fact in the history of this species. 

 On one occasion, he witnessed a male-bird engaged in dig- 

 ging holes by the side of his nest, which were two feet in 

 depth and eight inches in diameter, apparently for no other 

 purpose than that of pleasure or occupation. They were 

 always abandoned as soon as constructed. Once, he entered 

 one of these burrows, to eat a fish which he had captured. 



The eggs are laid as soon as the nest is completed. They 

 are laid to the number of six, one on each consecutive day. 



