34'4 " LIFE-HISTOiyES OF BIRDS 



which is reared a superstructure of coarse weeds 

 and grasses. The lining is made of soft meadow 

 grasses. In size it equals the nest of Turdus mi- 

 gratorius. 



Besides lowlands, its most usuaK places of build- 

 ing, we have known instances where uplands have 

 been chosen for this essential purpose. From 

 four to five eggs are deposited in a nest, at the 

 rate of one/^r diem. Oviposition follows the day 

 after the nest is completed. On the day subse- 

 quent to depositing the last t.'g^, sometimes on the 

 identical day, the female begins the trying duty of 

 incubation which devolves exclusively upon her. 

 While she is thus occupied, the male exercises a 

 close watch over her, and provides her with neces- 

 sary food. The period of incubation is about 

 fourteen days. When with young, both parents 

 are unusually attentive and vigilant. On the 

 approach of human beings, the male endeavors by 

 a little stratagem of his own to divert the intruder- 

 from the real situation of his nest, by assuming an 

 air of distress which is rendered more genuine b}' 

 a kind of mournful click, which he utters with 

 astonishing rapidity. Two broods are reared in 

 a season. In about fifteen days after being 

 hatched, the young are able to leave the nest; and 

 in eleven or twelve days more, are prepared to feed 

 themselves; but they continue with the parents 

 long after they are able to shift for themselves. 

 Their food consists of the larval Phalcenida: men- 

 tioned above, Liimbriais tcrrcstris, plant-lice, dip- 



