EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is usually five; sometimes as few as three. According to Mr. Ernest 

 Ingersoll, a set is sometimes composed of six. 



\\ hen an egg is recently blown, the ground-color has a faint greenish-tinge, which never entirely 

 fades. The markings consist of spots, dots, and speckles of dull reddish-brown, usually distributed over the 

 Avhole surface, though most abundant about the larger end. Some specimens are marked exclusively with 

 dots of a very uniform size; others are marked principally with large spots; but the most common form 

 is a combination of dots and speckles. Although the markings are most abundant at the base, it is only 

 occasionally that they form a well-marked wreath. The deep shell-marks are bluish and purplish tinted. 

 In long-diameter they measure from .55 to .62; in short-diameter from .42 to .49. Average, .46 x .58. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



The nest and eggs together can always be positively identified from the above description. With 

 the eggs alone identification becomes a more difficult matter. — See table. 



EEMAEKS : 



The illustration, Plate XXV, Fig. 2, represents a nest kindly loaned to me by Dr. F. W. Langdon. 

 It was taken from an oak tree by Dr. Langdon, at Madisonville, on the 7th of May, 1878. It contained, 

 at the time, five fresh eggs. It was about twelve feet from the ground, and six feet from the tree-trunk. 

 The diameter of the cavity at the rim is about one and one-fourth inches; an inch below, it is one and 

 three-fourths inches; the depth is one and three-fourths inches. The walls are composed of very fine 

 fibres and shreds, compactly interwoven with little rolls of white and reddish plant-down. It is a beau- 

 tiful specimen of the nest of the species. The eggs show the common sizes, shapes, and markings. 



Yesterday— June 2nd— I discovered a nest, fifty feet from the ground, in a hickory tree standing at the 

 edge of an open woods, upon the bank of a very small stream, not more than twenty yards from a much 

 traveled road. Both birds Avere busily engaged gathering down from the neighboring trees, with which 

 to line their house. Every bird that came to the tree was attacked in such a savage manner that a 

 hasty retreat seemed to be the better part of valor. When a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are seen 

 during the nesting-season, it is good evidence that their domicile is near by, for they never go far from 

 the locality chosen for their home. The discovery of the nest is, however, by no means an easy matter, 

 even when the tree upon which it rests has been pointed out by the uneasy actions and angry squeaks 

 of the birds in their endeavors to drive away the intruder. In fact, if the owners can not be seen o-oino- 

 to and from the nest, there is, ordinarily, but little chance of finding it, owing to its small size and 

 great distance from the ground. 



It has been suggested, that this nest is covered with lichens that it may appear like a natural woody 

 excrescence, and thus, by deluding enemies the safety of its contents is greatly increased. This may be 

 the fact, but I receive the statement with doubt. The lichens and web make such a secure sheath about 

 the walls, that these nests owe much of their strength and firmness to them. I can conceive of nothing 

 better calculated to preserve the shape, to keep the walls dry, and at the same time give strength and 

 lightness, than a lichen covering as found upon this nest and that of the Hummingbird. 



102 



