little friends arrive, and force themselves upon the attention of even the most indifferent by their brilliant 
dress and joyous notes. This life of song begins with the egg, and only he who has traced every step, 
from the ovum to the full-fledged young, and from the full-fledged young to adult, and then forward to 
the egg again, knows its history. 
The importance of oological study as the first step to ornithological lore is perfectly apparent. In 
their eggs the birds center their whole existence. They work unceasingly and intelligently for a place 
where they can lay them, and often, having laid them, guard them with their lives. Thus the nest, 
aside from its expression of ingenuity, skill, and patience, becomes an exponent of character. Different 
species have different ideas of happiness and of safety. What to one bird is a fine location for a home, 
is by another passed by with indifference. From the sandy house of the Bank Swallow to the homely 
nest of the Eagle, are nests of varying grades of beauty in location and proficiency in architecture, each 
attesting to the skill and intelligence of its builders by its position and workmanship. More space than 
has ever been given to this subject might well be devoted to it. As no single observer can hope to 
record all the interesting facts connected with the home-life of even the commonest species, we can only 
obtain perfect life-histories by the compilation of the accumulated writings of numerous observers, 
extending over many years and many places. The task is as great as it is instructive. 
The conditions of civilization, besides dominating to a marked degree the number of resident species, 
also affects their general habits and methods of nidification. Striking instances of changes of the latter 
kind are seen in the nests of the Phoebe Bird, Cliff Swallow 7 , White-bellied Swallow, and Chimney Swift, 
and the English Sparrow may be mentioned as the most familiar example of changes in habits and in 
mode of subsistence. Originally its style of architecture was as characteristic as that of other species of 
the same family, which has undergone little change, while intimate association with man has so affected 
it that it now builds at every season of the year, in any convenient place, and of any accessible material ; 
and, instead of feeding as formerly, it now 7 obtains its subsistence almost entirely from the streets, after 
the manner of chickens and ducks. Besides effects of this kind, resulting from semi-domestication, changes 
in the building habits of species take place, due to differences in the climate and topography. Of course, 
in an area as small as Ohio, alterations of this kind are not so well marked as in larger divisions of 
land. Still they exist to a greater or less extent. The season of the year, as regards to dampness or 
dryness, or as regards the abundance or scarcity of certain materials, also influences the construction of 
bird-homes. Birds are not slow 7 in finding and appropriating that material which seems to them adapted 
to their purpose, and often they utilize in their buildings materials which in one year are plentiful, but 
which in another year may be entirely absent. Several years since, a strange plant louse infested many 
of the forest trees, especially the maples. The Red-eyed Yireo soon discovered that these little bugs 
contained under their scaly shells balls of silken thread, and at once they decorated and strengthened 
their pensile nests till they resembled balls of cotton in their snow r y whiteness. In damp, cold seasons, 
many birds construct much warmer and more compact nests than in warm, dry seasons; and in sheltered 
positions less material is generally used than in unprotected spots. The Robin builds in March or April 
sometimes, if a well-protected site can be found, and uses double the amount of material that it would 
later in the season, as if jierfectly conscious that extraordinary efforts are necessary to protect the eggs 
from the cold. The Turtle Dove lays upon the ground early in the year, selecting a low, warm piece 
of land, as if to protect her eggs from the cold air during the night. Another circumstance, perhaps, 
has its influence also. At the period of the year referred to, the trees have not put forth their leaves, 
and, consequently, can offer no protection and concealment to the nest. All the general rules which 
govern birds in the construction of their homes are subject to exceptions, caused by local circumstances. 
These frequently distort the original type of nest, so that the characteristics which usually suffice to 
determine its species are wanting. Besides certain evident, specific marks, every nest show's more or less 
XXVlll 
