The Audubon Societies 255 



Among the more or less complicated nests of altricial birds, we find two 

 general types: the so-called "statant" nest (stationary or standing, built up 

 from a foundation) and the more complicated "pensile" nest (hanging, sus- 

 pended from a support). 



Nests of the statant type may be placed upon the ground, in bushes, upon 

 the branches of shrubs or trees, or upon beams, shelves, or other artificial 

 foundations. Those of the first kind are usually loosely put together, often 

 without much regard to attachment, so far as the outer part is concerned, 

 though usually containing a well-formed inner cup. 



The nests of the Towhee, Meadowlark, Swamp and Vesper Sparrows are 

 familiar examples of ground-nesting species. It is interesting to notice the loca- 

 tions of ground nests, for, quite contrary to expectation, one may find such 

 nests by the roadside, in open pastures, and other apparently unprotected 

 places. While ground-nests of this kind may often be easily detached from 

 and, in fact, may seem to have little if any point of attachment to the ground 

 upon which they rest, it is not unusual to find them rather strongly built into 

 the hollow or tuft of grass where they are placed, showing care on the part of 

 the builder with reference to the site selected and the permanence of the nest. 



Other loosely-constructed nests of the statant type resemble platforms, 

 and are usually made of small twigs or sticks, such as the nests of the Cuckoos 

 and Herons; or are more bulky, like the nests of Crows and Hawks. 



Statant nests of a more finished kind may be found in bushes or on the 

 branches of trees. The Catbird makes an extremely shapely nest of twigs 

 interwoven with leaves and grasses ; at times, neatly rounded, both on its inner 

 and outer sides; at times less perfectly formed on the exterior, though almost 

 invariably showing a smoothly twined lining of rootlets. 



The nests of the Robin and Wood Thrush and Phoebe are made solid and 

 of nice contour by means of mud, although much variation occurs in the 

 amount of mud used by different individuals of these species. 



Perhaps no more exquisite structures can be found in our native bird 

 architecture than the lichen-covered cradles of the Wood Pewee and Ruby- 

 throated Hummingbird. It would be difficult to draw a line of distinction 

 between these bird-cradles and those of the Vireos and Orioles, so far as 

 artistic finish is concerned. 



A freshly built Vireo's nest, hoary with lichens and spiderwebs, seen in 

 the dewy air of early morning, is truly an object of great beauty; but the 

 amount of this decoration varies considerably among individuals, so that 

 one need not be surprised to detect differences in workmanship in these 

 cradles, which at first sight seem all of one pattern and finish. 



The loosely woven and rather shallow hammock of the Acadian Flycatcher 

 is particularly interesting with regard to the method of its attachment and its 

 decoration. Although from beneath one may look up through the meshes of 

 the nest and see the eggs and young, I venture to state that the Acadian's 



