THE CEDAR-BIRD 123 



the nest, but, still suspecting all is not right, 

 quickly darts away again. Then they both to- 

 gether come, and after much peeping and spy- 

 ing about, and apparently much anxious consul- 

 tation, cautiously proceed to work. In less than 

 half an hour it would seem that wool enough 

 has been brought to supply the whole family, 

 real and prospective, with socks, if needles and 

 fingers could be found fine enough to knit it up. 

 In less than a week the female has begun to de- 

 posit her eggs, — four of them in as many days, 

 — white tinged with purple, with black spots on 

 the larger end. After two weeks of incubation 

 the young are out. 



Excepting the American goldfinch, this bird 

 builds later in the season than any other, its 

 nest, in our northern climate, seldom being un- 

 dertaken till July. As with the goldfinch, the 

 reason is, probably, that suitable food for the 

 young cannot be had at an earlier period, 



I knew a pair of cedar-birds, one season, to 

 build in an apple-tree, the branches of which 

 rubbed against the house. For a day or two be- 

 fore the first straw was laid, I noticed the pair 

 carefully exploring every branch of the tree, the 

 female taking the lead, the male following her 

 with an anxious note and look. It was evident 

 that the wife was to have her choice this time ; 



