2 
NESTS AND EGGS OE 
branches and dark green foliage, is, of all our forest-trees, pre-eminently 
fitted to receive, support, and conceal the nest ; when the latter, the a])ple 
is accorded the preference. 
Having chosen the locality, the birds waste no time in idleness, but 
apply themselves to the task of building, with the most commendable zeal 
and perseverance. Each bird has its allotted part of the work to perform : 
the duty of the male being to collect the materials; that of the female, to 
shape and fix them in their proper places. Occasionally the latter, when 
not thus occupied, accompanies her partner in his frequent journeys, and 
assists in collecting and bringing in his load. The time employed in the 
labor of construction, making due allowances for recreation and rest, is 
between five and six days. 
In form, the typical structure is nearly hemispherical, and presents a 
rather neat and elegant appearance. It is compactly made, and, in the 
generality of instances, exhibits anything but bulkiness. In position, it 
rests upon the horizontal limb of a tree, or is wedged in among several 
upward-growing branchlets, at elevations varying from three to twenty feet. 
During the period of nidification, almost any substance, having the 
requisite flexibility and strength, is in demand ; consequently, the materials 
of composition are as varied as they are numerous, and depend in a great 
measure upon the environment. In thickets, small twigs, stems of grasses, 
dried leaves, lichens, and the tendrils of the vine, make up the bulk of the 
structure ; but in places situated in close proximity to houses, wrapping- 
twine, strips of rags, and such other substances as are ready prepared and 
accessible, are utilized. The lining is generally fine roots of grasses, bits 
of string, flower-stalks, lichens and tendrils. The cavity seldom exceeds 
three inches in width, and scarcely two and a half in depth ; while the 
external diameter varies from four and a half inches to five ; and the 
height, from two and a half to three. 
The specimen which we have figured, and which may be regarded 
as typical in its character, was obtained in the vicinity of Bridgeton, 
N. J., in the summer of 1878, and was neatly erected upon the hori- 
