no WOOD NOTES AND NEST HUNTING. 



throat after sxich a fine performance. He is a rare 

 minstrel in this woodland, and, indeed, throughout 

 this part of New England, not more than a pair or 

 two appearing or being established in the same 

 locality, which is generally near a stream of water 

 or in the neighborhood of swampy tracts, for these 

 birds are consummate bathers, and love to have 

 houses with convenient bathrooms attached. 



Indeed, he is so full of life and good cheer that 

 he is fairly running over with music ; one is re- 

 minded of the bobolink, which probably is the only 

 bird hereabouts that surpasses him in spinning out 

 his melody to such a joyous length. By his reck- 

 less, imprudent singing he leads me into the 

 thicket and directly to the tree whereon his nest 

 is placed. A small, pliant birch, easily bent by 

 every breeze, supports a mere bunch of sticks that 

 appears to have been lodged in the branches by 

 accident ; and over this rude structure, which he 

 calls his home, he has been tuned to sing its praises. 

 It being such a simple nest, either the male or female 

 must be on guard to prevent the eggs from rolling 

 out. During the period of incubation Nature has 

 told the husband to relieve his wife occasionally of 

 the household services, but has evidently forgotten 

 to bestow one apparently essential quality — that 



