NESTING HABITS OF OUR BIRDS 67 



nesting Catbird year after year. Does the same pair ever return 

 again and again to one place? Who will answer this question? 

 The eggs are somewhat smaller than, and of a similar color to, 

 those of the robin — bluish. The young birds appear in June and 

 are fledged before July. The Catbird is comparatively quiet 

 whenever any one approaches its nest. 



Brown Thrasher. 

 Toxostoma rufum. 

 The Thrasher's nest is built as often on the ground as it 

 is in hedges or bushes. The bird may be easily observed while 

 sitting on its speckled eggs, which are large and never more than 

 four in number. The nesting-season is in May and June, the 

 bird being in song until the young are fledged. This species suffers 

 more than any other of our song birds from bird-fanciers, who 

 esteem it as our most gifted singer. 



White-breasted Nuthatch. 

 Sitta carolinensis. 

 Holes in trees are chosen by the Nuthatch as its nesting- 

 place. May is the month in which the young are fledged. Previous 

 to the appearance of the brood, the old birds are not much in 

 evidence. Unless a nest is located by the observer, he may think 

 they have migrated in order to rear their young; for this species 

 sometimes disappears for many days. 



Chickadee. 

 Penthestes atricapillus . 

 The Chickadee is a bird of the deep woods, seldom visiting 

 smaller woods or groves. A trip to the country in spring would 

 likely afford one the pleasure of finding a nesting Chickadee. When 

 the bird is found, watch it for a while and you will soon discover 

 the nest. Probably a cavity in a rotting fence-post will be used 

 for the purpose. If you can see into this cavity, you will find 

 many eggs or young birds, for the Chickadee always has a large 

 family. 



Bluebird. 



Sialia sialis. 



Few birds are more interesting during the nesting-season 



than the beautiful Bluebird. Like the House Wren, the Bluebird 



always builds in a cavity. I once saw a pipe standing end-wise 



