/ 
ft rare species. April 2Sth., 1887, I went to examine nest that had i>oen located some 
days before in a dead maple but found the tree prostrate. A woodchopper discov¬ 
ering the home of a “Great Indian Hen,” felled the tree, thus destroying my much 
coveted prize. The cavity contained four broken eggs. 
On May 21st. of the same year I found a nest, containing four young birds and 
one addled egg, in a live maple within a quarter of a mile of the town of Wayncs- 
burg. 
After a long search on May fith.. ISiW, I succeeded in finding a nest in the dead 
top of a living maple on the outskirts of one of our large forests. At first I thought 
the hole deserted, so broken and blackened was the dead wood surrounding the 
entrance, but a careful examination through my Hold-glass disclosed the telltale 
feathers adhering to bark near entrance. Hounding on the tree had not the cITcct 
of bringing the old bird out nor did she leave the nest until I was within reach of 
cavity, when apparently in great alarm she fluttered out. and giving vent to those 
shrill, ear piercing cackles, disappeared In the gloom of the forest. The nest con¬ 
tained one addled egg, one young bird and the shell from which It had just made 
its exit. This shell was in two pieces which I carefully Joined, and now have, in 
my collection, a specimen that was once the cradle of an embryotlc pilr-nltm. which 
is to-day, perchance, roving from wood to wood or hiding in some secluded nook 
where human footsteps seldom fall. 
Melanerpes erythrncepbn’n*. Rkd-iieadfd Woodpecker.— Rather common 
about newly cleared tracts, and is likewise found nesting in the sycamores along 
the streams and in orchards. Four to six eggs are laid, usually five. Average nest¬ 
ing date May 2.7th. 
Melanernes carolinus. UKn-nr.u.iKn Woodpecker.—A common i|>coies, 
nesting usually in live trees. When the birds discover an intruder near their neat, 
they become much distressed, and will often come quite close while watching the 
annihilation of their home. Three and fotir eggs have been found by me. 
Colaptes auratns. Fucker. —Abundant everywhere excepting the deeper 
forests. Eggs live t > ten. usually six. Excavation generally In main trunk of de¬ 
caying tree. During migration in Spring and Fall this species Is very partial to 
woods. Average nesting date May 2Hth. 
Antrostomus vociferns. Whip-poor-wii.i..— Common. Nmn tiers can be heard 
every night. They are particularly noisy during May and June. Always two eggs. 
Average date June 1st. Woods where under-growth is thin. 
NOTE. — Tiif. Nioht ii wvic,( f*Vorrfel/c* rirylnf'tnn*). doubtless, should have a 
place in this list as I have occasionally noted a straggler throughout ttie season. 
A farmer friend told me he onee found two Whip-poor-will eggs, which were 
much darker colored than any of the eggs of that species I had in my collec¬ 
tion. These, which lie described as having a “mottled brown appeaiance,” were, 
no doubt eggs of (Vv>rdet f ea virgininnujt. 
Chaetura pelaglca. Chimney Swift.— Abundant. As far as 1 am aware these 
birds nest only in chimneys. Four to five eggs are laid. 
Trochilus colabris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.— Abundant, nesting In 
the cool shady grove and woods. The sugar maple is its favorite tree. The Ruby- 
throat returns year after year to its old haunts in the ahady nook. Here, on top of 
a slender twig, it constructs its neat little nest of cottony substance, spiders’ web 
and lichen. I have observed Isith birds at work on the nest. The female, how¬ 
ever, does the greater part of the work. On a few occasions I have found the nest 
built on an old last year’s one. Two eggs are laid and these not always on consec¬ 
utive days. The female, however, does not begin to incubate the eggs until the 
laying is completed. Average date for fresh eggs, June 1st. Earliest record May 
21st. 
