346 NORTH AMERICAN IJIRDk 



rock, only a few feet from tlio o^oiind. It measured four and a half inches 

 in (lianu'ter and three in heij^lit. The cavity was nearly thrive inches wide 

 and one and a half deep. Its base was constructed of layers of tine leaves, 

 strips of bark, roots of plants, and other miscellaneous materials. Tlie 

 <j:reat mass of the nest itself was made up of tine mosses closely interwoven, 

 and stren«^thened by an intermixture of tirmcr plant tibres. Tlie whole was 

 carefully and softly lined with strips of the inner bark of various deciduous 

 shrubs, tine roots, and finer j^^rasses. Tlie semicircular nests are usually 

 placed out of reach of tho weather under some jirojecting shelter. 



Wilson states that they often nest in eaves, and occasionally in an open 

 well, five or six feet down, among tne interstices of the side-walls. Nuttall 

 has known them to nest in an empty kitchen. 



Their attachment to a locality, when once chosen, is remarkable, and is 

 often persevered in under the most discouraging circumstances. In one in- 

 stance, Nuttall states that a nest was built in the boathouse at Fresh Pond, 

 Cand^ridge, — a place so common as to be almost a thoroughfare. Although 

 with its young brood this nest was torn down by ruttian hands, the female 

 innnediately built a new one in the same spot, and laid five additional eggs. 

 This was lined with the silvery shreds of a manilla rope, taken from the 

 loft over the boathouse. 



Besides the common call-note, from which these birds derive their name, 

 they have, during the love-season, a low twittering song with wliicli tliey 

 entertain their mates, but which is heard only when the birds are in com- 

 pany, and for a brief season. 



The flight of the Pewee is an alternation of soaring and a succession of 

 light fluttering motions, more rapid when pursuing its prey than in its 

 ordinary movements. Its crest is usually erected when it is in motion, or on 

 the lookout for insects. 



Mr. Audubon found these birds in full song in Florida during the winter, 

 and as lively as in spring, but met w ith none breeding south of Charleston. 

 Thov leave Louisiana in Feliruarv, and return to it in October. Thev feed 

 largely on berries, esj)ecially during the winter, and Mr. ]\Iaynard found 

 some in the spring of 18G8 with hawthorn berries in their stomachs. 



The eggs of the Pewee measure .80 of an inch in length and .60 in breadth. 

 They are of a rounded oval shai)e, pointed at one end and much larger at the 

 other. Their ground-color is a pure bright white, and generally unspotted ; 

 but a certain proportion, one set in every five or six, is distinctly marked 

 witli reddish-brown dots at the larger end. 



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