34 Bulletin of the 



this height seldom exceeds five inches. The interior varies but little from 

 1% inches in depth by 1^ in width. The nest is a firm, compact structure 

 composed of various plant and bark fibres and flexible grass stems, lined 

 with fine grasses, weed and bark fibres and an occasional horse hair. The 

 exterior is often tastefully ornamented with vegetable down, spider silk, 

 etc., but there is no attempt at interior decoration beyond a few feathers, 

 those of Tanager, Indigo and Goldfinch being eagerly secured because of 

 their brilliant colors. A very beautiful nest looked like a snow ball stuck 

 in a sapling crotch and could be seen a long distance through the woods. 

 The exterior was almost entirely composed of cotton dumped from a collect- 

 ing box two weeks previous. 



The first sets consist of four eggs, rarely more or less, but if these are 

 destroyed a new nest is constructed as soon as possible and another set 

 deposited, which rarely exceeds three eggs, and very often but two. As is 

 the case with many species, locality influences the number per set. Of eight 

 nests found in Springfield Township, Oakland County, three contained five 

 eggs and one of the two sets from Greenfield Township, Wayne County, 

 consisted of that number. All the remaining sets were noted in Grosse 

 Pointe Township, and not one contained more than four eggs, with the 

 exception of a nest with seven, but this was a case of two birds occupying 

 the same nest. When found one female was upon the nest and the other 

 perched close beside it. They were equally demonstrative of anxiety as I 

 ascended the tree. The eggs were in two layers and slightly incubated. 

 Being of two distinct types there was no difficulty in separating them into 

 sets of three and four. This was not a case of polygamy, as both males 

 were present. All four were living in perfect harmony and understanding, 

 which is remarkable from the fact that the males are inclined to pugnacity 

 and fiercely attack all intruders of their kind that invade their chosen 

 territory. I have often regretted that lack of time prevented my watching 

 this establishment and have wondered how the duties of incubation were 

 shared and if so many young could have reached maturity in such a small 

 nest. 



The time of nesting is influenced by the season. During favorable 

 years I have found eggs on May 15. The present season has been the 

 most backward in my experience and of the twenty nests found on May 

 29 but seven contained eggs and none complete sets. 



If I recollect correctly, Ernest H. Short, writing in the Oologist some 

 ten years ago, speaks of frequently finding Cowbird's eggs in the nest of 

 the Redstart. This is contrary to my experience, only two cases coming 

 under rny notice. From the time a nest is finished until the set is complete 

 most birds remain near the nest no longer than is necessary to deposit one 

 egg. This is not so of the Redstart. The female is ever in the vicinity 

 and always on the watch, and being fearless undoubtedly attacks and drives 

 away this parasitic pest. More than once has a Cowbird dashed by me 

 with several Redstarts in pursuit. 



