IN THE CATSKILLS 



tion to the stream of vehicles that was constantly 

 passing. It was a wonder to me when the birds 

 could have built it, for they are much shyer when 

 building than at other times. No doubt they 

 worked mostly in the morning, having the early 

 hours all to themselves. 



Another pair of blue grosbeaks built in a grave- 

 yard within the city limits. The nest was placed 

 in a low bush, and the male continued to sing at 

 intervals till the young were ready to fly. The 

 song of this bird is a rapid, intricate warble, like 

 that of the indigo-bird, though stronger and louder. 

 Indeed, these two birds so much resemble each 

 other in color, form, manner, voice, and general 

 habits that, were it not for the difference in size, 

 the grosbeak being nearly as large again as the 

 indigo-bird, it would be a hard matter to tell 

 them apart. The females of both species are clad 

 in the same reddish-brown suits. So are the young 

 the first season. 



Of course in the deep, primitive woods, also, are 

 nests; but how rarely we find them! The simple 

 art of the bird consists hi choosing common, neu- 

 tral-tinted material, as moss, dry leaves, twigs, and 

 various odds and ends, and placing the structure on 

 a convenient branch, where it blends in color with 

 its surroundings; but how consummate is this art, 

 and how skillfully is the nest concealed ! We occa- 

 sionally light upon it, but who, unaided by the 

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