42 
N£STS AND EGGS OF 
labor with a purpose, and in the best of spirits. The time thus spent has 
never been known to exceed three days. 
So little variation is manifested in these structures, that sjiecimens 
from the Southern States resemble those from the Eastern, JNIiddle and 
Western sections so closely, as to he readily identified by persons of the 
least experience in such matters. 
A typical nest is mainly composed of the leaves of deciduous trees, 
twigs, grass and roots, on the outside, and is lined with the inner fibres 
of the wild grape-vine, or with fine stems of grasses. The drawing rep- 
resents it as being constituted of the stems of grasses, with a slight inter- 
mixture of leaves and roots, and as having a lining of reddish-brown .stems 
of the same. It measures four and a half inches in extreme diameter, and 
two and a half in height. The internal diameter is two and three-fourths 
inches, and the depth of cavity one and a half. 
Oviposition commences on the day succeeding the completion of the 
nest, and proceeds at the rate of one egg daily, until the entire comple- 
ment is deposited. Incubation closely follows, usually a day or two after 
the last egg is laid. This is undoubtedly the exclusive task of the female 
for a period of thirteen days. Diligent and close watching has failed to 
show that the male takes any direct part in this important business. 
Although seemingly averse, or unaccustomed to this kind of work, he does 
not fail to contribute his share to the success of the undertaking. While 
his wife is engaged in sitting, he is an ever watchful and cautious hus- 
band. Unlike many other species, he does not make himself too conspic- 
uous, but stations himself some distance from the nest, for fear of revealing 
its whereabouts, and only ventures into the neighborhood at certain regular 
periods, to receive the commands of his patient little house-wife, or to 
administer to her bodily Avauts. Though shy, these birds often seem 
saucy ; and, Avhile one person complains of their chirruping to and start- 
ing his horse, another claims that, on the discovery of their nest, they 
express their grief so impudently as to arouse his indignation. But 
