Key to Birds' Nests 



By Dr. Arthur A. Allen 

 Ithaca, N. Y. 



A. On the ground or in tussocks of grass I 



AA. In the ground (in burrows) II 



AAA. Above ground, in bushes or trees, on cliffs, 

 or about buildings. 



B. Hanging or semi-pensile nests Ill 



BB. Not hanging. 



C. In holes in trees or in bird-boxes IV 



CC. Not in holes. 



D. Containing sticks' or large twigs V 



DD. With no sticks. 



E. Felted nests of cottony materials... VI 

 EE. Not felted. 



F. Containing an inner layer of mud. . VII 

 FF. With no mud. 



G. Covered with lichens VIII 



GG. With no lichens. 



H. Mostly of bark, fibers and 

 rootlets, with or without 

 horsehair lining IX 



HH. Mostly of grasses, rootlets, 

 straws, and leaves, usually 

 with horsehair in the lining. 



J. Not spherical X 



JJ. Spherical nests XI 



I. On the Ground or in Tussocks of Grass: These 

 nests are seldom found except when occupied, and 

 then can be identified by the birds. Only a list 

 will be given. See also spherical nests. 



In Fields: Bobolink, Bob-white, Field Sparrow, 

 Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Killdeer, 

 Meadowlark, Nighthawk, Pheasant, Savannah 

 Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Sandpiper, Ves- 

 per Sparrow. 



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