BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
41 
Should a situation which seems eligible be discovered by either 23arty, the 
other, by a j^eculiar signal, is called to the sj^ot, and the advantages 
thereof carefully discussed. If satisfactory, it is accejrted, and building 
oj^erations commenced. Otherwise, the search is commenced anew, and 
continued until one is obtained which is mutually pleasing. But where 
the birds are unmolested, the same localities are ^^I’obably selected on each 
return of the breeding-season. The situation generally chosen is a small 
thicket with a dense growth of underbrush, or a high jhece of ground 
overrun by brambles, and dotted by jjatches of fern. Latterly, nests have 
been frequently found in clumjDS of tall grass, in fields once swamjiy in 
character. 
In New England, the locality usually chosen is a low, dense woods, 
thickets of briers and bushes near streams of water, or the “scrub,” which 
is a low or bushy “ growth ” of trees, chiefly of oaks and birches, occur- 
ring in dry, hilly lands once occiqned by j^ines. In the extreme northern 
limits of its range, dry ujolands, near the edges of woods, or high tracts 
covered with a low brushwood, are used, rather than low or moist grounds, 
as was the case in some sections at the time when AVilson wrote. The 
love for such situations doubtless gave rise to the appellation of “ Swamp 
Ilobin,” which is generally ajqjlied to this species in Pennsylvania. 
When jjlaced within a thicket, or in the borders thereof, the nest is 
either built in a depression of the ground, usually beneath a bunch of 
grass, in a j^ile of old brush or fagots, or on a slight jjrominence sur- 
rounded by tall, graceful ferns. AVithin a concavity, the structure is made 
to jjroject slightly above the margin thereof, and is artfully concealed from 
the gaze of intruders by dry leaves. So completely is it hidden, that all 
efforts to find it frequently 2)roAm unavailing. 
The work of building is entered into with diligence and alacrity, each 
bird collecting and adjusting the materials as it thinks best. AVhile thus 
engaged — which is usually from sunrise to sunset, allowing the necessary 
time for foraging and rest — the architects seldom, if ever, get at outs, but 
