large enough to admit my forefinger and protected above by a sort 
of hood which extended out over it from the roof^ Leading direct- 
ly from under this hood was a well-worn run-way five or six 
inches long, over which the short living grass had been loosely 
but skillfully interwoven so as to form an effective, and at the 
same time inconspicous screen* 
Upon getting dovm on my knees and peeping into the entrance 
under the hood, I saw at once that this nest was certainly that 
of a bird ,for the interior was roomy and carefully finished 
while the bottom had that unmistakeable saucer shape common to 
nearly all birds nests* The lining was of coarse dry grass 
blades neatly arranged* Apparently the nest /^as just completed 
for there were no eggs, or signs that young had been hatched* 
The lowere half of the nest closely resembled that of a Carolina 
\ 
or Virginia Rail but v/as a size smaller* 
