plaster and the lining are invariably the same in every locality and position. The nests average about 

 four inches in internal diameter, the external diameter about six inches ; the depth of cavity varies from 

 one and one-half to two and one-half inches. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is from three to tive, usually four. They are ''Robins-egg blue" in color, 

 very constant in shade, and have quite a glossy shell. They measure from 1.00 x .71 to 1.20 x .86, 

 average 1.12 x .80. They are deposited daily or CA^ery other day, and are incubated in fourteen days. 

 Occasionally spotted and white eggs are reported as being found, but such eggs are rare. 



DIFFERENTIAL rOINTS: 



It may be stated as a rule, that this nest is the only one having a mud plaster and measuring from 

 three and one-half to four and one-eighth inches in internal diameter, Avhich contains a lining of bleached 

 blades of grass. The nests of the "Wood Thrush and Bronzed Grackle may be similar in every other 

 particular. The egg can not always be distinguished from that of the Wood Thrush, without other data 

 than size and color. The e^ix of the Catbird is CTcencr, and the eo-o-g of the Hermit Thrush and Wilson's 

 Thrush are much smaller. Outside of the Thrush familv there are no e^'o-s that resemble the Robin's, 

 without it is an unmarked egg of the Bronzed Grackle. 



EEMARKS : 



The nest illustrated was taken on the 19th of May, 1879, from a small elm-tree growing in a field 

 near a road. It rej^resents the ordinary position, size, and materials of construction ; the foundation contains 

 bat little material, this consists of weed-stems and mud ; the superstructure is composed of finer weed- 

 stems, fibres, grasses, a few chicken-feathers, and the usual plaster of mud.; the lining is of blades of 

 grass, which are very unevenly distributed. 



After the Robin has safely reared her first brood, and freed herself from their care, about a week 

 or ten days elapses before oviposition is again begun. If a new home is to be built, a limb upon the 

 same tree that contained the former nest, or upon one in the near neighborhood, is selected for the site, 

 and as much care and pains are taken in its construction as in the first one; but matters are frequently 

 compromised by simply placing a new lining in the old structure. The mother-bird is, by close observers, 

 said to build the nest unassisted by her mate. The male may now and then bring a stick or straw, but 

 she does not permit him to take an active part either as architect or builder. 

 ft- Great attachment is exhibited by the Robin to locality, of which many interesting stories might be 



related. The following incident, while illustrating this attachment to place, also shows to some degree 

 that faculty which in birds is called instinct, but which, in a higher order of animals, is by courtesy 

 termed reason. A Robin built her nest, the last Aveek in March, upon a high shelf in one of the halls 

 of a county fair-grounds ; when discovered it contained two eggs. At this time there was snow upon the 

 ground. The brood M^as raised in safety, and later a second nest was built in the fork of a maple-tree 

 near by. The following year, being curious to know whether the Robins would again occupy the sheltered 

 shelf for the early nest, and resort to the tree when this protection was no longer required, I made 

 a visit to the hall about the first of April, and sure enough, there was a new nest filled with fresh 

 eggs. This brood Avas reared without accident, and no sooner Avere the parents relieved of their offsprino*, 

 than a second nest Avas placed in the same tree as that occupied the previous year. It is Avorthy of 

 remark, that the nests built upon the shelf differed someAvhat in their construction from those in the 

 tree; the former contained paper, rags, and coarse Avrapping-thread in abundance, making A^ery bulky and 

 untidy, but Avarm homes, Avhile the latter Avere of the usual materials and quite neat in appearance. 



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