Notes on the Different Birds. 
157 
not nest. The bird also builds, however, deep in the woods, but 
there generally near running water. The nest is usually placed 
in a fork of the trunk or of a branch. Of 27 nests 20 were 
near dwellings, 7 in woods (6 over water). 18 were in trees, 6 
of these in woods over water, from 4 to 36 feet (3 in willow, 3 
in maple). 12 on upland (7 in poplar, 4 in fruit trees, 1 in oak), 
from 4 to 30 feet, (3 from 4-6, 5 from 8-10, 3 from 12-16, 1, 30 
feet). 3 were in bushes 3 feet from ground. 6 under cover of 
roofs from 2 to 5 feet from ground. 4 of these were in fences, 1 
in a wood-pile, 1 in a pile of boards. Number of eggs 4, some¬ 
times 3. At least two broods. In 1882 I found the first egg in 
a nest May 1, but the birds most certainly have had eggs ear¬ 
lier in other nests than those examined by me. In 1883, first 
eggs April 26 to 30. M. of eggs from nine nests. L. 28-32. 
B. 19-22. In 1882 a single one was seen near the house Feb. 
26. One in the same place the 28th. None again before March 29, 
when many appeared. April 19, two were occupied in building 
near the house. Large flocks were still seen the day after. In 
autumn the first large flock Sept. 24. Quantities Sept. 30 to 
Oct. 9. Most on the last and foregoing day. Oct. 10, a cold 
northwest wind blew and none were seen. Considerable many 
Oct. 22 to INov. 1. The last Nov. o. In 1883, a single one near 
the house March 22. One again April 2. Two the day after. 
More and more the following days. 
183. Sialia sialis (Linn.). XX Breeds in great numbers, 
mostly in holes in trees, particularly such as have been used by 
woodpeckers. The nests I saw were 6-30 feet above the ground 
or water. 12 nests examined. The bird begins to build late in 
April or early in May, but I cannot say when the first eggs were 
laid. Two pairs built in our bird-boxes near the house. April 
28, 1882, one was engaged in building. May 6, 1883, there was a 
nest nearly finished in one of our bird-boxes. It was destroyed. 
May 24, found a nest with 4 somewhat incubated eggs. Number 
of eggs 3-4. Two broods. In 1882 first eggs laid in the boxes 
May 31. In 1883 first egg in same place June 1. June 19, when 
there were 4 eggs in one of the boxes, a squirrel got two by 
thrusting his paw into the hole. The third was pushed to one 
