EGGS : 



The usual complement of eggs seems to be three; but the number varies from two to four, and 

 jierhaps even five. They measure in long-diameter from .90 to 1.10; in short-diameter from .68 to .78. 

 The largest egg in fifteen sets is 1.08 x .78; the smallest, .90 x .69. The average is .99 x .73. The 

 ground-color of the shell is white, sometimes faintly tinted with green, rusty-brown, or yellow, and is 

 either glossy or dull. The markings consist of blotches, spots, and speckles. Several eggs before me 

 are spotted and speckled with light yellowish-brown so thickly as to conceal the ground-color. Several 

 others have only a few bold blotches of rich brown interspersed with a few well-defined specks, and deep 

 shell-marks of a lavender tint. Between these extremes various combinations of blotches — often drawn 

 out into broad lines which run lengthwise with the shell — spots, and speckles of numerous shades of 

 brown exist. Sometimes the marks are all more or less confluent over the entire shell, and almost con- 

 ceal the ground-color. Sometimes they are confluent only at the base, the rest of the shell being spar- 

 ingly marked; and again they are distributed over the entire egg, and not confluent. Usually, the deep 

 shell-marks are not conspicuous, though occasionally they outnumber the surface-marks. The eggs of the 

 Redbird difl'er among themselves more than those of any other species. Even eggs from the same set 

 are so vai'iously marked, and such different shapes and sizes, that it is often hard to believe them to 

 have been laid by the same bird. On this account, amateurs have often questioned the veracity of col- 

 lectors from whom they have purchased unbroken sets. 



DIFFERENTIAL POIIiTS: 



As a rule, the cavity of the Redbird's nest is larger in diameter and not so deep as that of the 

 Chat, and its foundation and supei'structure lacks the dead leaves so abundant in the latter; but the 

 lining is the same. Extremes of each might easily be confounded. The eggs, too, are often very similar 

 in size, shape, and markings, to those of the Chat; but the brown in the former is rarely, if ever, quite 

 so red. The egg of the Cowbird, when laid in this nest, can be distinguished from those which properly 

 belong to it by the darker shade of the markings, and also by the color of the yelk, which will always 

 be found to differ in hue from the others, as the yelks of each set are generally of a uniform tint. 



REMARKS: 



The illustration was drawn from a nest taken May 20, 1880, from a low branch of a young haw- 

 tree {Cratmgus spathidata). It represents the average nest in size, position, and materials of construction. 

 The eggs show the usual sizes, shapes, and markings. 



The Redbirds, in the winter, sometimes assemble in small flocks, and remain in thickets near by a 

 suitable fcod-supply. They are also at this season seen in pairs, but Avhether the same relationship 

 is continued during the summer I am unable to say. They are very fond of corn, which they readily 

 peck from the ear with their stout bills. Being delightful songsters in captivity, the country lads set 

 box-traps with a figure-four, and bait them with corn. Many birds are taken by this means every winter, 

 and sold in the neighboring towns for twenty-five cents a piece, or as much more as can be had for them. 

 During the summer, they visit the towns and farm-yards, and become quite tame. In the woods in Southern 

 and Central Ohio, they nest abundantly. At the sight of man, the female sits upon her eggs closely; if 

 driven off, she flies silently away, and will suffer her nest to be robbed without a cry. But when the 

 young are hatched, she becomes much bolder, and will defend them to the last. After they are large 

 enough to leave the nest, the male seems to take especial interest in them. When one of the young is 

 caught, both parents will follow the captor long distances. The male is really a bold bird. When 

 wounded, he scratches and pecks the hand that holds him, and exhibits a bravery and muscular strength 

 that one would little suspect in so small a body. 



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