132 BIRDS'-NESTS. 



exquisite than the interior of one of these nests, yet a 

 new one is built every season. Three broods, however, 

 are frequently reared in it. 



The pewees, as a class, are the best architects we 

 have. The king-bird builds a nest altogether admir- 

 able, using various soft cotton and woollen substances, 

 and sparing neither time nor material to make it sub- 

 stantial and warm. The green-crested pewee builds 

 its nest in many instances wholly of the blossoms of 

 the white-oak. The wood pewee builds a neat, com- 

 pact, socket-shaped nest of moss and lichens on a hori- 

 zontal branch. There is never a loose end or shred 

 about it. The sitting bird is largely visible above the 

 rim. She moves her head freely about and seems en- 

 tirely at her ease, — a circumstance which I have never 

 observed in any other species. The nest of the great- 

 crested flycatcher is seldom free from snake skins, 

 three or four being sometimes woven into it. 



About the thinnest, shallowest nest, for its situation, 

 that can be found is that of the turtle-dove. A few 

 sticks and straws are carelessly thrown together, hardly 

 sufficient to prevent the eggs from falling through or 

 rolling off. The nest of the passenger pigeon is equally 

 hasty and insufficient, and the squabs often fall to the 

 ground and perish. The other extreme among our 

 common birds is furnished by the ferruginous thrush, 

 which collects together a mass of material that would 

 fill a half-bushel measure ; or by the fish-hawk, which 

 adds to and repairs its nest year after year, till the 

 whole would make a cart-load. 



