143 



It had been used for many years, and he was told 

 that the eagles made it a sort of home or lodging- 

 place in all seasons. This agrees with the descrip- 

 tion which Audubon 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 phoebe-bird is a well-known 

 example. Thirdly, those that build a new nest for 

 each brood, which includes by far the greatest num- 

 ber of species. Fourthly, a limited number that 

 make no nest of their own, but appropriate the aban- 

 doned 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 common 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 

 ire dropped, and the old birds go their way. In due 

 time the eggs are hatched by the warmth of the sun, 

 %nd the little creatures shift for themselves In July 



