140 BIRDS'-NESTS. 



with a superstructure of moss, elaborately lined with 

 hair and feathers. Nothing can be more perfect and 

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

 new one is built every season. Three broods, how- 

 ever, 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 woolen 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 

 horizontal 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 entirely 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 situa- 

 tion, 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 

 pfteu fall to the ground and perish. The other ex- 

 treme among our common birds is furnished by the 

 ferruginous thrush, which collects together a mass 



