BIRDS'-NESTS. 135 



dubon gives of the nest of the bald eagle. There is 

 evidently a little confusion on both sides. 



The eagle, in all cases uses one nest, with more or 

 less repair, for several years. Many of our common 

 birds do the same. The birds may be divided, with 

 respect to this and kindred points, into five general 

 classes. First, those that repair or appropriate the 

 last year's nest, as the wren, swallow, bluebird, great- 

 crested flycatcher, owls, eagles, fish-hawk, and a few 

 others. Secondly, those that build anew each season, 

 though frequently rearing more than one brood in the 

 same nest. Of these the phcebe-bird is a well-known 

 example. Thirdly, those that build a new nest for each 

 brood, which includes by far the greatest number of 

 species. Fourthly, a limited number that make no 

 nest of their own, but appropriate the abandoned nests 

 of other birds. Finally, those who use no nest at all, 

 but deposit their eggs in the sand, which is the case 

 with a large number of aquatic fowls. Thus the com- 

 mon gull breeds in vast numbers on the sand bars or 

 sand islands off the south coast of Long Island. A 

 little dent is made in the sand, the eggs are dropped, 

 and the old birds go their way. In due time the eggs 

 are hatched by the warmth of the sun, and the little 

 creatures shift for themselves. In July countless num- 

 bers of them, of different ages and sizes, swarm upon 

 these sandy wastes. As the waves roll out they rush 

 down the beach, picking up a kind of sea gluten, and 

 then hasten back to avoid the next breaker. 



