THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 29 



The bii'd, when approached, would .quietly slide off the nest 

 and keep out of the way, as long as I was near, returning as 

 soon as I left. 



The number of eggs in each, with one exception, was four. 

 The one exceptional set contained thi-ee, incubation commenced. 

 The average size of the eggs is .86x62. 



The nest before me is a fair sample. It is built of oak leaves, 

 grasses and bark, lined with black rootlets. The outside diameter 

 is 5 1-3 inches by 3 1-2 inches in depth. The inside diameter is 

 3 inches, with a depth of i 3-4 inches. It is well put together 

 and looks as if it were built for service. 



It is my experience that the Cow Bunting does not deposit its 

 eggs in the nests of the Wilson's Thrush. 



Have never been able to find the nest of the Wood Thrush 

 until this season. Passing through a small piece of woods last 

 June, I saw a nest that appeared to be nailed to the trunk of a 

 tree, about 8 feet up. On closer inspection, found nest sup- 

 ported by some small 'twigs growing from trunk. 



I went up to investigate the nest and the birds flew about 

 making quite a fuss. The nest contained four eggs. 



The birds acted far different than the Wilson's Thrush, being 

 full of fight and flying to within a few feet of my head and then 

 shooting off in another direction. I had a good chance to ob- 

 serve them. 



In the same piece of woods, inside of two hours, I found three 

 more nests of the same species. Were all placed in the same 

 position, against the trvmk of a tree, respectively 5, 8 and" 12 feet 

 from the ground. Each nest contained four eggs, averaging 

 .99X.74. 



The outside of the nest is composed of dried leaves, stems, 

 some pieces of newspaper, and an old snake skin ; then comes a 

 thin shell of rotten wood, reaching to the top of the nest. It is 

 then very sparingly lined with fine black roots. The outside 

 measurements are 5 inches in diameter and 2 1-2 inches deep. 

 Inside diameter 3 1-4 inches by i 3-4 inches in depth. This is a 

 fiiir sample of all the nests examined. 



I find fully as much to stud}' in the nests as in the eggs and 

 think that more interest should be taken in the study of nests, 

 than is at present done. 



