NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 249 
ated nearly in the centre; corresponding very well to the bung- 
hole of an ale cask. The irregular floor of this hollow was slightly 
smoothed with a large mass of twigs; the finer at the surface, and 
intermingled with hair, feathers and grass. The bottom of the 
nest was about a foot below the lower edge of the opening. Once 
since 1863, the pigeon hawks have occupied this tree; and twice 
since, the sparrow hawk. During the other five seasons, I did not 
visit the locality, or, at least, have no notes of having examined 
the tree, but seeing no pigeon hawks elsewhere, doubt if they have 
occupied the locality since 1865. Should they reappear during 
the coming spring, I shall endeavor to secure birds and eggs to 
settle the question of the species I have designated ‘ pigeon” 
hawk. 
“The nest with eggs, discovered February 22d, 1865, in an 
elm tree” was more properly on the tree, but so sheltered by a 
curious twisting and overlapping of branches, that its situation 
would incline one not conversant with the bird’s habits, to believe 
that it usually built within the body of a tree, rather than upon 
the branches or in an open situation. 
Dr. Brewer very truly states, “ the horizon of one man is at the 
best very limited, and many ornithological facts occur that are not 
dreamed of in his philosophy.” Indeed, considering the influ- 
ence that circumstances surrounding an individual must exert, I 
feel surprised at times at the apparent regularity of habits; but 
have nevertheless given up every text book as an infallible expo- 
nent of the manner of this or that animal’s life. I have re- 
corded many instances of peculiarity in bird nesting which I 
have hesitated to publish, as they might to others seem to border 
on the Munchausen order of narratives; but when they occur to 
others, to my knowledge, then I am ready to corroborate, by giv- . 
ing similar cases as occurring in my own experience. As a sam- 
ple of what seems really incredible, and yet was witnessed by 
myself, I will mention that I once saw a pair of wrens drive 
off a pair of song sparrows from their nest which was just fin- 
ished, cover it with a leaf from a Pawlonia, which they fastened by 
Perforating it with the ends of the upper twigs of the nest, and then 
cut a hole in the leaf for an entrance. In a few days the leaf with- 
ered, became brittle, and finally was broken up and seattered ; and 
the wrens reared a brood of seven in an open nest. Curious as 
such instances may be, they have no instruction in them, that I 
