straws. One nest before me is exce^^tionalj in that it has a well-markecl foundation of rather coarse 

 weed-stems, and measures in external depth five and one-half inches. 



Within the dingy and loosely interwoven walls of the nest is commonly a bright and clean lining, com- 

 posed of slender blades of nicely bleached grass, and split and round grasses, orderly arranged, and form- 

 ing a smooth and elastic covering to the walls of the cavity. There is but little art displayed in the 

 structure, being so poorly made that the early fall winds blow it from its supports. 



The diameter of the cavity of the nest varies from two and three-eighths to two and three-fourths 

 inches; the average is about two and one-half inches. The depth of cavity varies from one to one and 

 three-fourths inches; usually it is about one and one-half inches. The external diameter varies from four 

 to five and one-half inches; and the external depth, from two and one-half to five and one-half inches, 

 being ordinarily about three and one-half inches. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs in every set I have seen has been three. There is, however, good author- 

 ity for the statement that as many as four or five are sometimes laid. Mr. Ridgway, in Indiana, found 

 three to be the usual number. The ground-color of the shell is light bluish-green, varying in purity and 

 shade in diff'erent specimens. The markings consist of blotches, spots, and speckles of yellowish-brown, 

 distributed over the whole egg. About the crown there is generally a slight confluence of the marks form- 

 ing a faint wreath. The blotches and dots have ragged outlines, and less color at their edges than in 

 the center. The deep shell marks are dull-purplish. The variations that occur are of a nature not easily 

 described, consisting more in minute differences in tints, than in any marked characteristics. 



The eggs vary in long-diameter from .85 to .93; and in short-diameter, from .61 to .70. The average 

 specimen measures about .88 x .68. The dimensions here given are taken from five sets. 



DIFFEEENTIAL POINTS : 



A typical nest is so characteristic that it can be readily recognized from the position, materials, and 

 measurements. The eggs resemble closely those of P. rubra, and can not always be distinguished from 

 them. Usually they measure less in long-diameter, and are not so pointed, the ground-color is not as brio-ht 

 greenish-blue, and the markings are duller. The nest and eggs together can not be mistaken for that of 

 any other species if the description of each is considered. 



EEMARKS : 



The nest illustrated on Plate XXXIV was found May 30th, 1881, in a hickory tree, in the woods 

 referred to above. In position, size, shape, and materials it is an average specimen, as they occur in 

 Central and Southern Ohio. The eggs figured represent the average and extremes, in size, shape, ground- 

 color, and markings. The center egg being the most typical one. 



The nest of the Summer Redbird is hard to find, even when the tree in which it is placed has been 

 located, as it can most always be by a little patience. If there is a Summer Redbird in the woods in 

 which you are, he is pretty sure to see you before you do him, and will at once give the alarm note to 

 his mate, and endeavor to scold you from the premises. Excepting the Yellow-breasted Chat, he is the 

 greatest scold in the woods. His voice is not harsh and loud, on the contrary, it is low and mellow, but 

 there is in it a plaintiveness which expresses, plainer than words could do, the irritation of the bird, and 

 his hearty wish that the intruder was out of his way. The female sits so closely upon her nest that the 

 hand can almost be placed upon her before she will fly. When driven from her eggs she usuallv flies 

 away silently, and hides among the foliage, but if she has young she will defend them bravely. She^utters 

 the same cry as the male when disturbed. 



120 



