BIRDS OF THE MIDDLE STATES. 
3 
hoi’izontal branch of an oak, and held in position by two nearly vertical 
branches of the same tree. It was placed at a height of nearly twenty 
feet above the ground, and consists almost exclusively of fibres of the long 
greenish-yellow lichens which constitute so conspicuous a feature of the 
trees of that locality, in their sylvan retreats. Externally, besides a few 
fine rootlets, there is noticeable much white wrapijing-string, which relieves, 
in a great degree, the monotony of the fabric. Internally, there is the 
same green moss-like lichen. The cavity is heautifully symmetrical, and 
measures about three inches in width, and nearly two inches in depth. 
The external diameter is five inches, and the height, two inches. The nest 
is most elaborately finished, and is evidently the Avorkmanship of superior 
mechanics. The Plate represents it three-fourths the natural size, placed 
ujron an ajiple branch. 
Another fabric which the Avriter possesses, and Avhich Avas obtained in 
June, 1871, in GermantOAvn, Pa., was saddled upon the horizontal bi-aneh 
of an apple-tree. It is rather firmly and compactly built, and is composed, 
exteriorly, of stems of the common timothy, fine rootlets, dried leaves of the 
mullein, and green leaves of the apple, Avhich are held together by broad 
strips of colored rags, bits of lint, and divers strings, the latter constituting 
a prominent feature. Interiorly, there is a lAi’omiscuous lining of flo\A'er- 
hearing stems, fragments of strings, fine roots of grasses, fibres of linen, and 
tendrils of some species of cucurbitaceous jAlant. The nest is about four 
and a half inches in external- diameter, and nearly three in height. The 
cavity is three inches wide, and two and a half inches deep in the middle. 
This last model of architecture, as already remarked, Avas placed uiAon 
the limb of an apple-tree, near its extremity, and barely at a distance of 
fifteen paces from an occupied dAvelling. The rags, etc., AAdiich form such 
a prominent feature of the outside, Avere purposely furnished by an inmate 
of the house. When first proffered, it AA^as thought that the birds AA'ould be 
sloAV to perceive the use to Avhich they could be put, but not so, for they 
entered into the idea AA'ith the most praiseAvorthy alacrity. And CAmn after 
the materials AA-ere no longer supplied, they Avould repeatedly fiy to the 
