292 THE BIRDS 
them breeding sparingly in our Canadian zone near Moun- 
tain Lake. They are a bird of the intermediate foliage 
also, placing their nests from five to thirty-five feet above 
ground, usually in some conifer bush or tree, composing 
it of twigs, fine rootlets and grasses, lined with fine black 
rootlets. The eggs, numbering four usually, are laid about 
June ist. They are a dull white, finely spotted with a 
light reddish-brown, and fainter markings of lavender. 
Size, .64x.49. A few migrate through Tidewater Vir- 
ginia about May ist to 5th; also again the first week in 
September. The insects taken by our breeding birds can 
not be taken as any great factor in their decrease, though 
the migratory birds undoubtedly play a greater part in 
helping to keep many in check. 
