IN THE CATSKILLS 



The only nest like the hummingbird's, and com- 

 parable to it in neatness and symmetry, is that of 

 the blue-gray gnatcatcher. This is often saddled 

 upon the limb in the same manner, though it is 

 generally more or less pendent; it is deep and soft, 

 composed mostly of some vegetable down covered 

 all over with delicate tree-lichens, and, except that 

 it is much larger, appears almost identical with the 

 nest of the hummingbird. 



But the nest of nests, the ideal nest, after we 

 have left the deep woods, is unquestionably that of 

 the Baltimore oriole. It is the only perfectly pensile 

 nest we have. The nest of the orchard oriole is in- 

 deed mainly so, but this bird generally builds lower 

 and shallower, more after the manner of the vireos. 



The Baltimore oriole loves to attach its nest to 

 the swaying branches of the tallest elms, making no 

 attempt at concealment, but satisfied if the position 

 be high and the branch pendent. This nest would 

 seem to cost more time and skill than any other 

 bird structure. A peculiar flax-like substance seems 

 to be always sought after and always found. The 

 nest when completed assumes the form of a large, 

 suspended gourd. The walls are thin but firm, 

 and proof against the most driving rain. The 

 mouth is hemmed or overhanded with horse-hair, 

 and the sides are usually sewed through and through 

 with the same. 



Not particular as to the matter of secrecy, the 

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