NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 435 
bushes or scrubby alders, usually overhanging the water. Sometimes 
anest is found placed on the ground, or rather in a tussock of grass, 
but in such instances the meadow or swamp is comparatively dry, and 
not subject to inundations. 
We cannot be too deliberate in forming conclusions on the habits 
of any animal, and our decisions must be made from numerous obser- 
vations. What would Mr. Endicott say if I should affirm that the 
Dusky Duck tage obscura) — which is oel a ground nester — 
builds in ae trees? yet Mr. George A. Boardman found one with 
her nest full f eggs in such a position; or that a Chipping Sparrow . 
(Spizella saa nests in bushes? I have known it to; or that the 
uffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) lays in deserted crow’s nests? I 
have heard of three instances; or that the Towhe Bunting (Pipilo 
meet nests inlow trees? it has been found to do so at 
uld say, and so would any one, that I should not judge 
ae one or two occurrences. — E. A. SAMUELS, Boston. 
EGGS or Inpigo Brrp.— Dr. T. W. Brewer, in the NATURAL- 
Ist for May, doubted that any a eggs of the Indigo Bird 
(Cyanospiza cyanea) have yet been found. I have several specimens 
Compare the eggs with your description, when I found that I had be- 
mace sent you some specimens marked in a similar manner. I think 
present set is rather more sprinkled than any I ever found.” — E. 
å. SAMUELS. UELS, Boston 
A SNAKE-LIKE CATERPILLAR. most extraordinary instance of 
imitation I ever met with [on the Amazon] was that of a very goal 
caterpillar, bra stretched itself from amidst the foliage of a tre 
wale e day examining, and startled me by its Piian 
to a small a e. The first three segments behind the head rs 
dilatable at the will of the insect, and had on each side a large b 
Pupilated spot, which resembled the eye of the reptile; it was a or 
Sonous or viperine species mimicked, and not an innocuous or colum- 
bine snake; this was proved by the imitation of keeled scales on the 
crawn, which was p recumbent feet, as the caterpillar 
