34 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
But things cannot long remain in this state. Their favorite flowers 
must soon wither and decay, and with their timely death, must inevitably 
come the disappearance of an easy and luxurious means of subsistence. 
The tooth of aj^petite will then grow dull, and other thoughts and scenes 
invite their attention. Exj^erience has taught us that the falling of the 
blossoms of the horse-chestnut and tulip-tree foretell the time of mating. 
This important business is j^erformed without the least semblance of 
show. The sexes tired, as it were, of the riotous and luxurious lives they 
have been leading, come together by mutual agreement, and enter into 
matrimonial relations. This being accomplished, they sej^arate for a brief 
period, and each proceeds to scour the country for miles around in quest 
of a suitable tree in which to locate. When one is selected by either bird, 
the other is summoned to the spot to talk over, in true bird-language, the 
merits thereof. Should the parties differ as to the advantageousness of the 
site, no quarrelling or bickering is indulged in, but, in the most friendly 
manner, they se2:>arate, and renew the search until one is found Avhich 
gives satisfaction. 
Having decided upon a locality, the birds are now ready to commence 
building. This takes place between the flrst :md the tenth of June in the 
Middle States, about the tenth in XeAv England, and as early as the fourth 
in the Southern Atlantic and Gulf States. The situations chosen vary 
considerably. Sometimes high, o^^en Avoods are selected ; again, Ioav, dense 
thickets ; but, more frequently, an orchard close-by a human dAvelling, or 
an isolated tree in the midst of a laAvn. Occasionally, the birds have been 
knoAvu to build in trees along travel-Avorn thoroughfares. A case in jAoint 
came under our notice in the summer of 1872. While returning home 
one day, Ave Avere surprised to see a female fly from her nest in a maple- 
bongh, only a feAV feet above our head. The nest Avas immediately exam- 
ined, and found to contain a pair of young birds. iSTot wishing to disturb 
the hap 2 )iness of the family, Ave permitted it to remain intact. On visiting 
the sjAOt a Aveek or ten days aftenvard, it Avas found to be empty, the birds 
either having matured and floAvn away, or else had been killed by some 
