plainly some peculiar individual trait. This is often overlooked, each species of bird being considered as 
a unit, or as made up of a number of individuals of exactly similar disposition and skill. To a person 
unaccustomed to observe, each quail of a flock is a quail, nothing more nor less ; but to an acute 
ornithologist each one has a character, a disposition, and habits, which, while being quail-like, are in 
certain points distinctive of the individual itself. In the construction of the nest these small differences 
go to make variations under exactly similar conditions. Generally, every species of bird has a certain 
plan as regards location, position, and construction of its nest, and upon this plan each individual 
elaborates within certain limits prescribed by inherited ideas or bounded by its skill as an artisan. It is 
not to be expected of an intelligence equal to that of a bird’s that the same blind plan will always be followed 
in the construction of a habitation. Time, place, opportunity, and special conditions which seem to the 
builder to afford extra safety or comfort to the offspring, will, certainly at times, be embraced, causing 
departures from the stereotyped specific forms. If a species has been accustomed to build upon the ground, 
the nest is, under ordinary circumstances, to be found in such a location ; but if the season happens to 
be very rainy, so that the soil becomes unfit for the nest, the birds living in the district so affected 
will surely build in some low bush or tree, or leave their usual haunts for higher and dryer ground. The 
Brown Thrasher and Cliewink furnish common examples of this adaptability to prevailing conditions. 
All birds in this, and other ways too numerous to particularize, are continually avoiding that which seems 
to be dangerous, and taking advantage of what seems to add to their own safety and that of their 
offspring. Another factor which influences the nest is experience. While each individual is endowed with 
an amount of inherited skill sufficient for the construction of a specific form of nest, practice adds to or 
develops this to a considerable degree. The first nest of a pair of birds is seldom as good as succeeding 
ones, every thing considered. So well recognized is this that it is a common remark among collectors, 
when an exceptionally well constructed nest is found, “ This is the work of an old bird.” 
The most constant factor about a nest of a given species is its internal diameter. Each specific 
form is a given dimension, which is nearly as uniform as the size of the birds themselves, whatever 
may be the location, position, and materials. Of all its parts the lining of a nest is the most invariable. 
The Robin lines her nest with blades of grass; the Wood Thrush uses rootlets; the Chipping Sparrow, 
hair; the Shrike, feathers; and so on through the list. Many birds lay their eggs directly upon the 
ground, or in some natural or artificial cavity, without any of the labor of nest-building. Some collect at 
a suitable site a few sticks, blades of grass, or a few leaves, as the case may be, and, upon these deposit 
their eggs, while there is one species which has never been known to build a nest or incubate, but habitually 
lays its eggs in the nest of some little bird, to be hatched and cared for by its foster parents. Our 
Cuckoos occasionally resort to this same practice; and several other birds, while not going to this extreme, 
disgrace their tribe by expelling from a nest its rightful owners and then possessing it for their own use. 
The Turtle Dove occasionally places a few sticks in the deserted nest of a Robin or other bird and claims 
it as her home. The Wren may take the abandoned nest of the Oriole or Cliff Swallow in which to rear 
her young. And often the Great Horned Owl will utilize an old Hawk’s nest. Numerous other instances 
might be mentioned to illustrate the want of industry of species, or of individuals of a species. 
The largest nests in the State are those constructed by the birds of prey — the Eagle, the Osprey, 
and the Hawk. The smallest nest is that of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The former, while 
very conspicuous, are exceedingly difficult to procure on account of their inaccessible location. The latter 
is generally situated within easy reach, but its diminutive size and its protective covering make it 
equally difficult to obtain. Between these extremes of architecture are all grades in size and accessibility. 
For convenience, nests may be divided into three divisions : A. — Nests situated above the ground. B. — 
Nests situated upon the ground. C. — Nests situated in the ground. A typical nest may be considered 
as having three parts: 1st, Foundation; 2nd, Superstructure; 3rd, Lining. The first is composed of the 
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