EGGS: 
The complement of eggs is usually five; sometimes as few as three. According to Mr. Ernest 
Ingersoll, a set is sometimes composed of six. 
When an egg is recently blown, the ground-color has a faint greenish-tinge, which never entirely 
fades. The markings consist of spots, dots, and speckles of dull reddish*brown, usually distributed over the 
whole surface, though most abundant about the larger end. Some specimens are marked exclusively with 
dots of a very uniform size; others are marked principally with large spots; but the most common form 
is a combination of dots and speckles. Although the markings are most abundant at the base, it is only 
occasionally that they form a well-marked wreath. The deep shell-marks are bluish and purplish tinted. 
In long-diameter they measure from .55 to .62; in short-diameter from .42 to .49. Average, .46 x .58. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 
The nest and eggs together can always be positively identified from the above description. With 
the eggs alone identification becomes a more difficult matter. — See table. 
REMARKS : 
The illustration, Plate XXV, Pig. 2, represents a nest kindly loaned to me by Dr. P. W. Langdon. 
It was taken from an oak tree by Dr. Langdon, at Madisonville, on the 7th of May, 1878. It contained, 
at the time, five fresh egg's. It was about twelve feet from the ground, and six feet from the tree-trunk. 
The diameter of the cavity at the rim is about one and one-fourth inches; an inch below, it is one and 
three-fourths inches; the depth is one and three-fourths inches. The walls are composed of very fine 
fibres and shreds, compactly interwoven with little rolls of white and reddish plant-down. It is a beau- 
tiful specimen of the nest of the species. The eggs show the common sizes, shapes, and markings. 
Yesterday — June 2nd — I discovered a nest, fifty feet from the ground, in a hickory tree standing at the 
edge of an open woods, upon the bank of a very small stream, not more than twenty yards from a much 
traveled road. Both birds were busily engaged gathering down from the neighboring trees, with which 
to line their house. Every bird that came to the tree was attacked in such a savage manner that a 
hasty retreat seemed to be the better part of valor. When a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are seen 
during the nesting-season, it is good evidence that their domicile is near by, for they never go far from 
the locality chosen for their home. The discovery of the nest is, however, by no means an easy matter, 
even when the tree upon which it rests has been pointed out by the uneasy actions and angry squeaks 
of the birds in their endeavors to drive away the intruder. In fact, if the owners can not be seen going 
to and from the nest, there is, ordinarily, but little chance of finding it, owing to its small size and 
great distance from the ground. 
It has been suggested, that this nest is covered with lichens that it may appear like a natural woody 
excrescence, and thus, 'by deluding enemies the safety of its contents is greatly increased. This may be 
the fact, but I receive the statement with doubt. The lichens and web make such a secure sheath about 
the walls, that these nests owe much of their strength and firmness to them. I can conceive of nothing 
better calculated to preserve the shape, to keep the walls dry, and at the same time give strength and 
lightness, than a lichen covering as found upon this nest and that of the Hummingbird. 
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