BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
17 
in the writer’s collection, which Avas built in the summit of a common 
swamp maple, occupies a A^ery anomalous position. It is placed within a 
crotch formed by four nearly upright, slightly diAmrgent branches, and 
is secured by long, flexible grasses from the nest, AA^apped tightly around 
the tAvigs. Another specimen, from GermantoAAm, Pa., is made to dangle 
from the end of a pine-branch. A peculiarity about the latter nest is the 
strained jAOsition AAdiich the four branches to AAdiich it is fastened are made 
to assume. The main twig, Avhich is also the thickest (being about three- 
fourths of an inch in diameter) shows eAudence of haAdng been forced 
from a horizontal position to one that is almost A’ertical. The latter is 
really the best authenticated case AA'e have seen of the truly pensile style of 
nest. In most instances these structures are but partially suspended, being 
supported from beneath by j^rojecting branches. 
In flAm or six days from the time of the assumption of matrimonial 
relations, the nest is started, and through the united efforts of both birds 
for the jieriod of a Aveek, is brought to completion. Although nidification 
usually commences about the 20th of May, from some inexjfficable cause 
or other, this essential business is often deferred until the middle of June 
and, occasional!}', as late as the beginning of August. But in the latter 
case, the birds are undoubtedly prevented by A'arious accidents from carry- 
ing out their designs earlier in the season. In the building of a home, 
either the male collects the materials, and the feuiale weaves them into a 
nest, or the converse is the case. 
There is little variety noticeable in the materials that compose the 
nest. The generality of domiciles Avhich we have seen from Texas, 
Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Penn.sylvania, and seA'eral of the AVestern 
States, have no lining, but are entirely constituted of one substance — a 
flexible kind of grass or reed. In a feAV cases Ave have discovered a 
slight lining of vegetable aa'ooI, doubtless plucked from the young and 
tleveloping fronds of various species of ferns. Bits of yarn, down of seeds, 
and animal avooI, liaA'e been mentioned by A'arious observers as occasional 
linings. 
