1 6 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



braces butterflies and moths, the larvae of Anisop- 

 teryx vernata, Eufitchia ribearia, Gortyna zece, 

 Colias pkUpdice, Pieris rapcc, P. brassiccB, with the, 

 images of the same, besides earth-worms and ant. 



The nest is generally built according, to our 

 experience, upon the horizontal branch, and oc- 

 casionally within the crotch of some species of 

 Pinus, at an elevation of less than two feet above 

 the ground. We have taken nests at an elevation 

 of fifteen feet above the soil ; but rarely. 



A normal structure is described as being chiefly 

 composed of decayed djeciduous leaves closely 

 aggregated, as if combined while in a humid 

 condition; the entire fabric assuming consider- 

 able firmness and compactness. It then pre- 

 sents the appearance of paste board that has 

 been soaked and compressed until thoroughly 

 dried. These are intermingled and strensithened 

 by a few dried sticks, and lined with a layer of 

 fine roots and grasses. In lieu of the dried im- 

 pacted leaves, a deposit of mud is occasionally 

 used. 



After careful analyses of several nests, we are 

 satisfied that the above description which is sub- 

 stantially that of Dr. Brewer's as given in "North 

 American Birds," needs somt! modification. But 

 in the language of one of our best ornitholo(.>-ists, 

 " the horizon of one man is at the best very limited, 

 and many ornithological facts occur that are not 

 dreamed of in his philosophy." 



Our dissections of many nests clearly show 



