232 'LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



ing quite superficial. When the nest is place! upon a clifu 

 protected from the weather by overhanging rocks, there is 

 less care bestowed upon its construction. Usually, a slight 

 depression of requisite dimensions is selected, which is 

 lined with dry grasses overlaid by a few mosses. Such 

 nests are elaborated with but little pains. Audubon once 

 discovered a nest in a hole in a rock, on the banks of the 

 Ohio River. It was built of a few sticks and grasses 

 loosely interwoven and placed about two feet from the en- 

 trance to the hole. 



The nest being finished, the female begins almost imme- 

 diately to deposit her eggs. The eggs, in some instances, are 

 laid on consecutive days, but we have positive proofs that 

 sometimes a single day is intermitted, and at other times, 

 even two and three days intervene between each deposit. 

 The entire complement ranges from four to five eggs. 



Incubation is commenced by the female, who, after sitting 

 for a varying period of! time, which ranges from three to 

 four hours, and even five in some instances, resigns her task 

 to the male, who becomes a very patient and faithful sitter. 

 The male enters the nest with alacrity, and after receiving the 

 endearments of her partner, the female quietly retires to a 

 neighboring thicket to refresh herself in the cooling shade, 

 or to partake of food. When not thus engaged, she takes 

 her place close by the nest, ready to obey the summons of 

 her mate, when he should weary of his task. Both parents 

 are exceedingly jealous of their treasures, and will not per- 

 mit the approach of feathered enemies, without chastising 

 them severely for their temerity. In the case of human in- 

 truders, they display considerable spirit, and even exhibit 

 the most reckless daring. The female is certainly more 

 venturesome than her partner, and surpasses him in the 

 most determined pertinacity. In defending their home 

 against an invader, they are seldom heard to utter a single 

 cry, but compensate therefore in fearless actions. The 



