layer of rootlets, extending well to the rim. The diameter of the cavity varies from three to three and 

 three-fourths inches; average three and one-half. The depth of the cavity varies from one and three- 

 fourths to two and one-fourth inches ; average one and seven-eighths. The external diameter of the nest 

 is usually hetAveen six and seven inches, but sometimes it is a foot or more. Nests upon the ground 

 usually lack the sticks of the foundation, otherwise they are similar. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs may be three, four, or five. The ground-color of the shell is either white 

 or greenish. The marks consist generally of speckles, sometimes of dots or blotches, of light cinnamon- 

 brown, distributed pretty uniformly and thickly over the entire egg. Occasionally the speckles are more 

 abundant about the croAvn than elsewhere. The quantity of markings varies from a number of blotches 

 and dots, so far separated as to give a good view of the ground-color, to a confluent mass of speckles. 

 A set of four eggs collected last May is exceptional in that each egg has a well defined wreath about its 

 point. There is not, however, as a rule, much departure from the common ptittern in the color or quan- 

 tity of the markings. The surface of the shell is sometimes polished and sometimes very dull. Eggs 

 from the same set are always very similar. In long-diameter they vary from .93 to 1.18 ; and in short- 

 diameter from .72 to .82. The ordinary size is about 1.03 x .78. Of forty specimens the longest meas- 

 ures 1.18 X .76, the shortest .93 x .80. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



The nest and eggs together can always be identified with certainty. The nest alone sometimes re- 

 sembles closely that of the Blue Jay; between the two, there are frequently no points of difi'erence that 

 can be described. Still a practiced eye can readil}^ distinguish one from the other. The eggs, although 

 they bear a general resemblance to those of many other birds, are, when normal, easily identified by their 

 size and shape, together with the color and pattern of their markings. 



REMAEKS : 



The nest illustrated was built the second week in May, 1881, in the fork of a haw-tree, at the edge 

 of a thick woods. The materials of construction consist of sticks, weed-stems, old leaves, and rootlets, as 

 described above. The external diameter of the structure is, on account of the position, a little less per- 

 haps than usual. The diameter of the cavity measures three and five-eighths inches; the depth of cavity 

 one and three-fourths inches. The eggs represent the various sizes, shapes, and markings commonly 

 seen. The middle egg being an average specimen. 



The female sits upon her eggs closely, and will suffer herself to be almost touched by the hand be- 

 fore she Avill fly. If driven from her nest she utters a peculiar alarm note, which at once summons her 

 mate, who proves to be as big a scold as herself. If the nest contains young instead of eggs, both birds 

 become exceedingly troubled, and solicitous for their safety; and exhibit in the highest degree, feelino-, 

 sympathy, and love for their offspring. The nestlings can be easily raised by hand, if not taken too 

 young. In the fall following their birth, the males, when caged, begin to sing. At first in low, sub- 

 dued tones, as if in doubt as to their ability to get the notes correctly. Day by day they become surer 

 of themselvesj and their song increases in loudness until some gloomy morning in midwinter, unexpect- 

 edly, the melody in all its perfectness is developed, rivaling in sweetness and variety that of the free 

 bird singing to his mate and the rising sun, from the top branch of some friendly tree. How do these 

 solitary prisoners, taken in early childhood from their homes and deprived of the inspiration which na- 

 ture in woods and fields might incite, learn first to lisp, and then to speak, with unerring accuracy, the 

 language of their parents? Answer me this. 



114 



