12 THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 



which to answer. Let it be further studied. 



From the foregoing svimmary of notes it will be seen that if 

 much that is new is to be learned, eggs and nests must be examined 

 and studied with reference to the seasons and weather. None of 

 the questions are satisfactorily answered in any work on orni- 

 thology, nor will, they be until a number of pains-taking ob- 

 servers band themselves together in a way like our Committee, 

 and work with a purpose and will. Why may not we solve 

 these problems and carry off whatever honor attaches to the 



deed. 



NESTING. 



704 — Catbird, Galeoscoptes carolinensis. 



SITUATION OF NEST. 



Of the 47 nests examined by Mr. Bums, at Berwyn, Pa., 37 

 were in briars, iS in upright fork of a sapling or tree, 2 out on 

 a branch of a tree; 34 were close to water, 13 some distance 

 from water ; 43 in thickets, 4 close to dwellings ; highest 8 feet, 

 lowest 2 feet ; averaging 4 feet. 



Mr. Ely, at Perrineville, N. J., has found the largest number 

 in briars and thickets. He mentions one found in the fork of an 

 apple tree as a very unusual situation. 



Mr. Bowers, at Columbia, Pa., examined 3 nests, all of which 

 were in blackberry bushes, 4 to 5 feet up. 



Mr. Jacobs, at Pittsburgh, Pa., finds a large majority of nests 

 in clumps of briars in neglected fields. He also speaks of one 

 " placed among the overhanging roots on the bank of a stream 

 and another in the top of a water elm, fifteen feet up." This is 

 very unusual. Normal height 3 feet. 



Mr. Strong, at Wauwatosa, Wis., says, "Nests are in low 

 bushes, etc., near the ground, in thickets and secluded places." 



At Grinnell, Iowa, upwards of a hundred nests have been ex 

 amined ; one was in a lilac bush 20 rods from a dwelling, all the 

 rest in briars, thorn-trees or thick brush. Occasionally nests are 

 found in shade trees in town, but never in evergreen or any such 

 tree. It is almost true that "where there is a gooseberry bush 

 there you may find a Catbird's nest," Thorn trees come in next 

 in preference. Here where there is so little water, nests are in- 

 differently near or remote from water. The highest nest was 6 

 feet, lowest i 1-2 feet, average 3 feet. 



