30 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
deposit her eggs, at the rate of one a day, until the full number of five 
has been laid. Incubation follows on the day of the last deposit, and con- 
tinues for fifteen days. This business devolves wholly upon the female. 
AVhile she is thus engaged, the male is not idle, but stands guard over 
the nest, or ventures off in quest of food for himself and companion. 
Should the nest he assailed, both parents seek, by the most piteous cries 
and remonstrances, to drive, off the offending party. In case of pillage, 
they ke«ily feel the injustice, and for several days bewail their misfortune. 
But they soon recover their usual spirits, and j^repare to remedy the dis- 
aster. So tenacious are they of a chosen locality, that the same jiair has 
been known to build as many as three nests in the same bush, after 
having been robbed twice. 
The parents show the most intense affection for their progeny. Day 
after day they watch over their helpless infancy with a devotion somewhat 
akin to that which a human mother manifests toward her child. Their 
slightest desire is a law, which is obeyed with cheerfulness and alacrity. 
AVhen food is in demand, they j)rove themselves to be willing providers, 
each jDarent vying with the other in p>atience and fidelity. AVhile one is 
absent in quest of food, the other remains at home to j)rotect them from 
danger, the labor being accomplished by turns. Earthworms, caterpillars, 
fresh-water larvae, flies and mosquitoes constitute their earliest fare. But 
later, beetles, butterflies, and various kinds of fruits help to swell their 
hitherto very extensive dietary. AVhen about fourteen days old, the young 
leave the nest, but are not yet prejiared to earn their own living. This 
requires an additional period of twelve days. Brood-raising being over, 
both young and old continue in the old haunts, until near the time of 
departure, when they collect in small flocks, and take up their southward- 
bound journey. 
A tyjDical nest of this species is somewhat irregular in shape, and 
rather coarsely and rudely built. It is composed of stubble and broad 
grasses variously intermingled, and lined with soft meadow grass. The 
dimensions vary according to locality. Several nests before us, from New 
