BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
25 
stems and rootlets. The external diameter is four and a half inches, and 
the thickness about one and three-fourths. The cavity is three inches 
wide, and one and a half inches deep. In the engraving it is shown the 
natural size. 
Before drawing this part of our subject to a close, we cannot permit 
the occasion to j)ass without giving a brief descri|3tion of one more nest 
which was obtained in June, 1880. It was j^laced upon the horizontal 
limb of an apjjle-tree, at an elevation of about ten feet from the ground. 
The peculiarity of this structure is the large number of carpet rags which 
dejjend therefrom. In most cases they extend from ten to fourteen inches 
beyond its lower border, thus contrasting very markedly with the dark 
stems and rootlets that make up the bulk of the exterior. Was this 
arrangement the result of blind chance, or were the rags placed there for 
some sj^ecial j3urpose? 
The building of a home occupies the birds from four to live days. 
Did the builders work continuously at it from sunrise to sunset, the period 
of nidification would be considerably shortened. But such is not the case. 
They seem to have no regular hours for labor, but only work as it suits 
their convenience. The duty of the male is to collect the materials; that 
of the female, to arrange them in suitable places. The nest being com- 
pleted, scarcely a day passes before the first deposit is made. Subsequent 
deposits are made on eonseculive days until the full complement is reached, 
when the female on the day following the last extrusion, takes the nest, 
and continues thereon, with brief intervals of intermission, for a period of 
thirteen or fourteen days, when her labors are repaid by the appearance 
of a nest-full of tiny fledglings. While she is thus occupied, the male 
acts the part of a dutiful and faithful husband, guarding her from danger, 
and supplying her with the choicest and most savory articles of food. 
When not foraging, he may be seen upon the topmost bough of the tree 
upon Avhich the nest is j^laced, dii-ectly above his mate, on the constant 
lookout for danger. Should an enemy aj^j^roach, he immediately gives v’ent 
to his dis23leasure by a few shrill twitterings, elevates his crest, and then 
