166 
N£STS AND EGGS OF 
From what has been written, it is evident that the desire for food 
seems uppermost in the thoughts of these birds from their first arrival — 
usually in March or April — until pairing commences. In its gratification, 
the female is the equal of her lord. Such being the case, it is unreason- 
able to expect any great degree of familiarity and friendship to exist 
betAveen the sexes. They, therefore, dwell apart. Accident sometimes 
brings them together, but beyond a silent recognition, they evince no 
greater regard. Thus affairs continue for a month, and even for a longer 
period of time, Avhen they suddenly come to a most glorious end by the 
assumjAtion of connubial relations. Nothing remarkable or impressive indi- 
cates the coming of this event. The male seems to meet his partner 
unawares, makes overtures of love in his own strange fashion, and becomes 
at once her uninfiuenced choice. And thus the story is ended. 
Without further ado, the Avedded couple prepare for the duties of 
house-keeping. Usually they are spared the trouble of searching for a 
home. Especially is this the case Avith old birds, Avbo have only to visit 
the scenes of other years to find a domicile awaiting occupancy. A little 
repairing of the galleries leading thereto, as well as the cosy, interior 
chamber, and the place soon Avears an aspect of cheerfulness and comfort. 
But Avhere these structures do not exist, they are excavated at great pains 
in the sides of ponds, streams, or cliffs contiguous to Avater. A very com- 
mon place, in the latitude of Philadelphia, is in sandy, railroad cuttings. 
Dry, elevated grounds, beyond the reach of inundations, are ordinarily 
chosen, although there may be exceptions to the rule. 
These burroAvs are the results of the alternate labors of the sexes, who 
Avork Avith diligence and rapidity until the task is accomplished, often 
making a deep excavation in a single night, Avhen the bank is soft and 
sandy. The directions and depths of these holes vary: some being less 
than four feet, while others are more than fifteen feet deep; some being- 
straight, and others turning either to the right or to the left before termi- 
nating in the enlarged chamber Avhich is constructed as a place of deposit 
for the eggs. The time spent in the formation of a burrow do23ends upon 
