58 Bulletin of the 



greens. The eggs were often deposited in the regulation nest built in a 

 hollow, but it was not unusual to find eggs laid on the bare wood pf the 

 hollow, and I have found many deposited in this manner. It is not unusual 

 for a species to change its habit in nesting and I have found marked varia- 

 tion from the normal in over thirty species, and a regular acceptance of the 

 change in several species. For instance — the barn swallow, eave swallow, 

 phoebe and chimney swift have all adopted the means at hand so-to-speak 

 as furnished by man, and have radically changed their nesting sites. The 

 changes resulting from the effects of civilization are marked in many birds 

 and a book might be written on the subject. 



Kalamazoo, Mich. Morris Gibbs, M. D. 



A SET OF FOUR EGGS OF THE MOURNING DOVE. 



Speaking of the eggs of the Mourning Dove (Zcnaidura macroura) Davie 

 (Nest and Eggs of N. A. Birds p. 188) says: "Two white eggs are laid, there 

 are exceptional cases, however, where more are deposited. Mr. Morris has 

 a set of three. Mr. L. Jones, of Grenell, Iowa, writes that he has a set of 

 four. Mr. P. W. Smith, of Greenville, 111., records several sets of three and 

 four, two sets taken from old robin nests." From this it would seem that 

 four is an unusual number. It was very good fortune to find a set of this 

 number in Oakland County on May 13, 1899. The nest was seven feet from 

 the ground on the horizontal branch of an apple tree. I believe this set 

 was the compliment of a single bird, as all in the set were under the same 

 stage of incubation — all being fresh. 



Detroit, Mich. Fred C. Hubel. 



A BITTERN EPISODE. 



It happened May 3rd, 1002, in Springfield Township, Oakland County, 

 and in a meadow bordering a large marsh of rushes. Our editor was on 

 his way to a Flicker's nest, some fifteen feet up a willow stub, and our secre- 

 tary was seated upon the railroad track viewing proceedings with an ex- 

 pression akin to sarcasm. I was beside the latter, but as indications suggested 

 a probability of the Flicker ascension being accomplished in about .five hours, 

 I allowed my gaze to wander. An incongruity to harmony in scenic affect 

 arrested my attention. It was a Bittern standing motionless in the long 

 meadow grass. Had he been in the marsh I would have let him stand, but 

 there was something unusual in his position, and 1 proceeded to investigate. 

 Not a muscle did he move until I was within some thirty feet, when he sud- 

 denly lowered his head in my direction with neck extended and mandibles 

 apart and uttered a distinct hissing noise. He held his ground until only a 

 few paces separated us, then took wing and retired into the marsh. I made 

 directly for the vicinity he vacated, and what was half anticipated proved a 

 reality. So skillfully concealed was madam that her head and neck were 

 invisible, and only a small patch of her back was without covering. A glance 

 showed conclusively the artistic work of her mate, for she could not have 

 executed the network of grass blades that lay close about her form. I tapped 

 her on the back and she instantly stood up to be grasped by legs and neck. 

 Seated upon the ground and partly concealed behind the flapping wings of a 

 large bird I doubtless presented a spectacle of interest, anyhow, great com- 



