226 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



ceals the eggs within ; often, the latter are readily discerned 

 protruding above the marginal line of the nest. 



The nidification of this species differs very materially from 

 its kind, and approximates that of Cathartes. Various ac- 

 counts are given thereof, some of which are too comprehen- 

 sive in their details, while others are certainly grossly 

 exaggerated. Audnbon's description is certainly in accord 

 with the facts. He says that the nest is composed of k ' dry 

 grasses * * * pretty regularly and compactly disposed, 

 especially in the interior, on which much care appeared to 

 be bestowed. No feathers or other material had been used 

 in its construction, not even a twig." This description 

 compares quite favorably with that of Dr. Cones in " Birds 

 of the North West." In Concord, Dr. H. R. Steel found 

 a nest on the margin of a pond, which was furnished with 

 a lining of feathers and fine grasses, as recorded by Dr. Brewer. 

 But the finest structure of which we have seen any descrip- 

 tion, is given by the last-cited authority, in the work entitled 

 ''North American Birds." This nest was placed on a low 

 ground which was covered with clusters of sedges. It was 

 composed entirely of dry sticks, circularly arranged, and 

 "finished off or topped out with small branches of pine- 

 boughs." The depth was insufficient to conceal the egg.*- 

 from view. It was built entirely of sticks, not a single 

 feather being utilized in its structure, nor scattered around. 

 It was six inches in thickness, one inch of which being of 

 fine boughs. 



The nest being completed by the joint labor of both birds. 

 the female begins to oviposit. The ordinary complement 

 of eggs varies from four to five, and is deposited on con- 

 secutive days, at the rate of a single ovum per day. Incu- 

 bation immediately succeeds. The female is the first to 

 occupy the nest. After sitting for a definite period, which 

 seldom varies in length, she vacates the nest for her mate 

 who is always within calling distance. The latter contributes 

 an equal share of time to this essential business. While the 



