36 THE Of & O.,SEMEANNUAL. 
Report or LYNDS JONES, GrRINNELL, Iowa. 
Merula migratoria, Robin Red-breast. 
Feb. 24, first one; next, Mar. 11, several; common, Mar. 12. 
Found everywhere during migrations, anywhere except in marshes 
while breeding. Nests are as often found under bridges as in 
trees in proportion to the number of bridges. The choice of lo- 
cation, if there is any choice, is in the crotch of a shade tree in 
town, preferably above the walk. ‘This applies also to well- 
travelled wagon roads in the country. 
The nest is almost universally composed of grass and straw 
externally, well bound together by a thick coat of mud, which in 
turn is overlaid, or inlaid with rootlets; the mud shows through 
the rootlets internally but is hidden by the grass and straw exter_ 
nally. Nests are always saddled on to branches of trees or into 
their crotches, but built flatly on timbers of bridges or buildings 
unless so small that the nest can be saddled on. The round poles 
in the roofs of old straw-covered sheds are a good example of the 
last. 
The nest is never on the ground but may be within a few feet 
of it or 60 feet up. 20 feet is the preference in trees; 6 to ro in 
buildings. It may be a few feet above running water, or a mile 
from any stream. Three eggs is the normal set here. The different 
sets vary but little in coloration. The extremes are pale blue and - 
torquois blue. First nest, April 13 last, Jume 15; height of 
season, May 10. 
Crows, jays and chipmunks disturb their nest, as well as wood 
mice. 
Flylocichla mustelina, Wood Annes ns 8? Viceinyaas 
First, May 5, ten; next, May 6; common May g. Found every- 
where during migrations. Its favorite resort is the deep woods, 
usually in close proximity to water. The deep shade of city shade 
trees is also a resort. 
The nest is always in a tree or bush; if a tree, it is saddled on 
to a branch either at its junction with the tree or far out on the 
branch; if in a bush, it is saddled into a thick bunch of brush. 
Nests vary in height from 4 to 10 feet; rarely the latter distance, 
commonly 5 or 6 feet. Oak trees are the preference. 
