BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
131 
We mention, in this connection, a very fine nest of this species, which 
has lately come into our possession, through the kindness of Prof. Ever- 
mann, of Indiana. This nest was suspended from a branch of the live 
oak, and was discovered on the fifteenth of April, 1880. It is largely 
composed of down, grass-stems and sj^ears of the same, lichens, mosses, 
vegetable down and cotton, on the outside, and is comfortably lined with 
the down and wool of plants. In structure and composition it resembles 
all other nests of this sj)ecies, but differs therefrom in form and dimen- 
sions. This beautiful fabric measures twenty-two inches in length, and is 
somewhat shaped like an elongated spindle. It is three inches wide in the 
middle, one and a half at the summit, and two and a half at the base. 
The opening is three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and placed fully five 
inches from the top of the nest. From the entrance to the bottom of the 
chamber, the cavity does not perce]3tibly widen, but maintains the width 
at the mouth. This affects the thickness of the walls, which is greatest in 
the middle, and least above. But owing to their elasticity, they can be 
made to conform to the volume of either occupant. The depth of the 
cavity is twelve inches. When we consider the size of this nest, it does 
not seem possible that such diminutive specimens of bird-life could have 
the enterprise and courage to enter into such a gigantic project, and the 
patience and perseverance to carry it to completion. Prof. Evermann does 
not inform us whether it was accomplished by the jjair of occupants, or 
by them with the assistance of others. Even the ordinary structure is so 
wondrously large compared with the individual bulk of the builders, as to 
suggest to the mind of Dr. Cooper the possibility of its being the result 
of the united labors of an entire flock. What would our worthy friend 
say should he meet with another just like the one we have described ? 
We think he would be inclined to attribute it to the labor of several 
flocks, or else imagine it the work of supernatural beings. Such disparity 
as exists between the cyclopean monument before us and the pigmy archi- 
tects thereof, would almost persuade us to one or the other conclusion. 
From information gleaned from the recorded observations of others, 
and from jjersonal knowledge of closely-related species, we incline to the 
