ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE NESTS AND EGG OF BIRDS OF OHIO V2, JONES 1886

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE NBSTS AND BGG OF BIRDS OF OHIO WITH TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS BY MRS N E TEXT BY HOWARD JONES CIRCIvEVILLK, OHIO, U 1886 S A JONES, A.M., M D, Copyrighted by GENEVIEVE ESTELLE JONES and ELIZA J SHULZE Text printed by ROBERT CLARKE & CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO Plates printed by THE KREBS LITHOGRAPHING CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO TO THE MEMORY OF IVriSS OKNBVIKVK KSXHIvLK JOKKS ^mz icxltcatij tlxiB iooTi MRS N E HOWARD JONES JONES PREFACE, In presenting and Eggs of Birds of Ohio," we ask that to the public "Illustrations of the Nests be received with due consideration of the circumstances attending drawn and colored by one accidentally the most part, been prepared, from first to And medicine and surgery painstaking work, may it in part, to particularize and also to merit or demerit lies somewhat who possess all who have been connected with its covers within After entirely many may and eggs as necessary, the nests whenever make possible, these text prepared to work with the pencil specimens should be fresh, rather in earnest text, but were issued as Part Miss Shulze was, Plate I to at this time, in the The part had but reached Jones was taken ill nests Shulze, soon arranged J was further agreed It The young artistic schooling I, ladies The that, so far These points had done some thing to be first XV V and Miss Jones Plate IL were then colored^ and the few subscribers These having by Miss Shulze, and Plates IV, VI, and II, I, and III, with who had been obtained by sending prospectus of the proposed work to such persons as could be heard 1879 the the outlines of the plates were to be produced by lithography a?s been printed successfully, were followed by Plates III and accompanying Miss Eliza than be taken from his cabinet After some weeks of practice, Miss Shulze produced Plate of these order that whatever of a series of plates illustrating by Dr Howard Jones and brush, but neither had received any All progress, be illustrated should be collected and arranged by Dr Jones, and, acquired was the drawing upon stone, by Miss Jones, interests, in its authors was agreed that the drawing and coloring should be done and many others having been decided, the work was begun XV its its be properly placed preliminai'ies, it by themselves, and the nor out of place in us as it, of Ohio birds, and, with the assistance of an intimate friend, a plan of work in the field of regard to the successes and discouragements attending in In 1877, Miss Genevieve Estelle Jones determined to and eggs the task, and the text has been now, after eight years of labor, having brought to conclusion this costly and not be uninteresting to those give credit to to have, for plates odd hours as could be spared from an active practice at such last, called The publication its it of This first their a short part was sent out in July, mountains of Pennsylvania for the summer, coloring and drawing the subscribers, and encouraging comments were being received, when Miss with typhoid fever, and, after a lingering sickness, died on the 17th day of August, aged thirty-two years Miss Shulze hastened home at the announcement, and for some weeks no decision could be arrived at as to the future of the work mother of Miss Genevieve, should Under progress, Miss this new Shulze being employed make to went smoothly, and a speedy completion satisfactory, in April, 1880, Dr to E Jones N" assumed Dr N E Jones condition was arranged that Mrs N E Jones, the it with the coloring, and the publication should proceed as before assist After some months Miss Shulze assigned future Finally her interest in the book, past and all expenses, and again all For some time every the drawings upon stone of the lithographing was work made the expected, when, for reasons thing- entirely Miss Shulze withdrew from the undertaking Again the publication was brought to a halt, but not being willing at this stage to abandon it, Mrs N E Jones determined to the drawing as well as the coloring, and, after some delays, the work began to Owing grow Miss Xellie D Jacob, of a well-known artist Kate Gephart, amount to the great of Circleville, Columbns, 0., of labor, was soon found that assistance would be needed, and was engaged was employed with her brush of Circleville, plates, excepting II, and to color the eggs, IV, VI, X for nearly a III, V, VII, VIII, I, were done by her as text, representatives of originally credit is During her association XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and XIX All the Plate VI, with the exception skill Howard begun, has been continued by Dr every species of given, Miss later, still and XV, were drawn by Mrs N E Jones, and the patterns egg and over a number of years, have furnished the sources, and KlipjDart, After Part VIII, the eggs were painted by Miss Jacob from the originals, with the greatest patience, faithfulness and The nests, year for all the coloring, together with the greater part of the coloring itself, after of the eggs, Miss Josephine later, gave valuable assistance in coloring with the work, Miss Shulze drew Plates remaining it many nests of Ohio Jones birds, and A cabinet containing notes extending field Wherever information has been derived from other facts with the exception of the article upon the Quail, beginning at "Remarks," written by Dr X, E Jones, and several references to the finding of the nests of some of the water-birds in the Montezuma Marshes, taken from MSS by From to its commencement in 1878 work has been to the present time, 1886, this steadily progressing an end, subject to the interruptions named, and such others as have been caused by sickness, and minor circumstances which would necessarily its Dr Lloyd Smith advancement arise during a period of years, to temporarily interfere with Aside from the entertainment and instruction accompanying the study of birds in their homes, and the delineation of their vjirious styles of architecture, has been a great pleasure to us it continue to completion an undertaking so unfortunately interrupted at almost also field, been a satisfaction to us to know that, however poor our efi^orts, its very beginning we were breaking ground which, with the cultivation of time, will yield a rich and beautiful harvest Numerous to It has in a new publications, varying in merit from the productions of Wilson and Audubon to the small octavo of but a few pages, have appeared at different times, giving the j^lumage of the birds of Xorth America, together habits as the Avriters were familiar with, but in all the mass of ornithological was only occasionally that nests and eggs were figured vi Superficial literature up descriptions of nests and Avith to such 1878, it eggs were generally appended to Until very recently, the biography each species, but farther than this nothing had been done of even these descriptions, with but few exceptions, made little advance from the original text of the ornithological pioneers The study plumage and ordinary habits of the connection with their nests and eggs put them in inaccessible places difficult, or, there is All endeavor to hide their nests, or, not to conceal them, to if common This makes the finding of nests of even almost impossible is birds, but there fact, easy compared to the study of birds in is There are many cabinets in the state with complete sets of resident no cabinet containing specimens of the nests and eggs of each of these species is no cabinet that approaches completeness This is the nests would way occupy, and the frailness and destructibility of both not easily overcome, and account qualifications, are largely for the the amount want which of space The and eggs nests a work devoted to nests and eggs, aside from of issuing In accounted for partly by reason of the natural difficulties accompanying their collection, and partly because of the large the birds sometimes very not difficult to discover, at times unattainable; while with birds that are rare, the finding if of their nests of birds obstacles in and of business artistic apparent neglect of this important part of ornithological literature In the present work, the plates have, in nearly every instance, been drawn from fresh nests collected for the purpose by Dr Howard Jones, and, together with the eggs, they have in The exceptions factorily identified and depicted so as to best are mentioned under " Remarks." illustrate with of much of their accompanying to their variety and beauty; their attractions show be had to to the nests, in full and out lights have alike been avoided, especially full size, in nature much adds so where of their size picturing the eggs produce plates which will show every thing precisely as it we this, of the nest, a position in satis- by presenting them poor advantage, but the only one in which a true conception Deep shadows and high have endeavored in which obstructs the view, but by drawing them in the eggs, To accomplish exactness every detail of structure foliage, been Both nests and eggs are have often deti^acted from the beauty and picturesqueness of both: stripped cases all is, and can We give, at close range, a correct idea of the original, rather than a set of highly-colored drawings suited only for framing As far as possible, the nests Circleville and eggs figured have been gathered This gives to them an especial value, for, in the immediate neighborhood being constructed under the same conditions, as nearly as possible, the vai^iations of architecture existing between the different species expi'essed than if they had been built in much differing geographical parts of the nests illustrated were taken from places at a distance from was necessitated by the rarity or absence some birds breeding in Ohio, the nests of which other hand, some nests and eggs have been obtained which have for the first plentiful, while time been added to the some designated in the text list as it more correctly Some State may common may There are, of the never be secured again which in time may in future become rare and this undoubtedly, has not been possible to find; of summer-residents, Vll is where the majority were obtained, but of the birds in the designated locality and eggs of on the Several birds years become finally disappear entirely The conditions of civilization will account for to the birds themselves well aware Warbler, ; but for we know for instance, woods or the publication were avoided list of are common summer in collections ; for others summer-residents contained in this book visitors, ever brought to a close ; Some class, omissions, we must look incomplete, is birds, the but we have been unable Imperfections of this to we are Cerulean find must necessarily their exist but faults of the opposite class have been studiously Trusting that we shall be judged upon the merits of what we have done, rather than criticised what we have omitted, we place "Illustrations public of these changes contains the nest or eggs of no species not fully identified it nests, either in the if That the some And if of the Nests and Eggs discriminating and learned ornithologists find in shall be satisfied with our labor CiRCLEVILLE, 0., Auffitst 1, 1886 vin it more of Birds of to praise Ohio" before the than to condemn, we INTRODUCTORY The about 220 miles; and 38°, 25', and extreme breadth from north its The remaining one-third been limit 42° north northern its western extension its nearly all the other the into 3°, 30' is There is From grain in country level its allotted time, and in the fall, some in not so severe as is more uniform also is is under cultivation prairies, but these have scarcely 1,400 feet above the sea, extends in a much is In the southern counties the winter tempei'ature it west from Washington, the north-east corner of the extending Chillicothe and westward, while to the east and south are rolling country and borders of the lake, while colder, is Its southern limit reaches two parts, the uppermost of which drains into Lake State into Ohio River border extreme length its 40,000 square miles of this plowed up, and now are annually sowed south-westerly direction, dividing the west to There were naturally a few small chiefly woodland is east about 210 miles Its eastern latitude About two-thirds 7°, 50' is to south is State a low water-shed, the greatest elevation of which Erie, From State of Ohio embraces about 40,000 square miles habitually dies Cleveland to consideriible size northern, but along the when spring comes, Plere, places, the foliage hills of the in from before it comes frosts to remain Lake arrive Erie forms a concave line at the northern border of the State, and, as would be expected of such a large body of water, exerts great influence as regards temperature, not only but also upon its Some shore thought we would expect birds make their The marks the largest, the southern boundary situated in Mercer and here, which, found at if it contains, upon all, first to occur further south There are no natural large bodies of water and small streams summer abode upon the islands which in the State, but Ohio River, flows Auglaize Counties, contains is the artificial a decided influence upon the JNTorth of it for part of its course St most water, having an area to flow to the lake, and south of and Of these lakes which, together with the Ohio Canal, running from Cleveland bii^d life of abundantly supplied with large in a westerly direction There are several line it the interior counties Portsmouth, with its Mary's reservoir, of 17,000 acres, reservoirs, exerts the water-shed numerous streams several large rivers and a multitude of creeks hasten to the Ohio The Muskingum, the Hocking, and the Miami Rivers are the largest and most important of the southern tributaries The county of Pickaway, from which the majority of nests and eggs illustrated have Scioto, the been taken, is a nearly square, level piece of land, situated a little south of the center of the State about twenty-two miles long by twenty miles broad, and through the middle of running nearly north and south, is the trough of the Scioto River acres of fertile corn land, under fine cultivation rises, a level plateau, which a similar rise valleys much barley, and a similar plateau by two creeks exist, of considerable timber, but no very large tracts rye, overflowed oats, size, but the plateau which flow now remain to is is chiefly sowed in County, much larger, The ground under met and ground gradually with is On the west, divided into small of the county contains cultivation, blue-grass maize and broom-corn, the IX is The land the river buckwheat, broom-corn, and timothy, clover, and annually, this valley, the three miles or more, the margin of to extends to the rolling country of Fairfield two-thirds, This valley comprises thousands of Going eastward out of and at a distance varying at different points from one-half eastern its It is grows The corn, valley, wheat w^hich wheat and other grains is bein^- principally grown on the higher several localities is in standing in quite still The common sycamore and Such pruneval condition its Wild Turkey, once extremely the Ruffed Grouse, but the years timber, while greatly thinned from The plateaus its original abundance, tracts are now frequented by has not been seen plentiful, for nearly fifteen trees are the oak, hickory, ash, walnut, maple, cherry, buckeye, and, in the bottoms, The underbrush Avillow principally hazel, blackberry, briers, is pawpaw, haw, and various kinds of saplings Although the county contains no hills, surface its is of the relieved monotony the valley of the Scioto and the valleys of the numerous creeks which traverse than the largest containing less Several small ponds, it add variety and increase perceptibly the number acres, also fifteen ground by of level of summer-resident birds The climate of Pickaway County, situated, as an average of that of the entire State month seldom affords many spring-like with snow, the ponds contained Frequently even miles muddy occurs, and once, within ten on the 26th of j'^ears, of ice for May the week first shows of April the grass summer the temperature is often excessive, the mercury Fahrenheit The hottest and dryest month of the year is August In the springs reaching in the shade from 90° to 98"" In June and July an uncomfortably cold wave dominates occasionally for days, necessitating a evening to keep their occupants warm houses in the this Usually, however, the frogs begin their croaking, and the turtles emerge from meadow the March, though of first be taken as and the river was gorged with great blocks winter quarters, about the last of March, and by the green about may near the center of the State, In 1885, on the 7th of March, the ground was covered days snow is, usually reckoned from the is ice a foot thick, April in gTound was frozen hard their Spring it The same months often witness in the fire heavy rains, causing the rivers and creeks to overflow, and consequently greatly dam^aging the crops of the low land These extremes temperature and of many the young of killing rain-fall The this kaleidoscopic period is not produced, is common ; is who The is is climates, the most delightful season of the The being feather during summer while at intervals of a few years bitter cold and heavy snow storms are experienced clothing — welcome with outstretched hands the tribe of feathered residents They hardships of the time 28°, must be the storm, first first we nevertheless flowers warm the year of air of suffer How much They spring froni these slumber to the monotonous sighing of the At forest are exposed trees warm severe dearer to the to all labor for months during day-time for a scanty sustenance, while stiffened with cold, they use and the snow blockades the Surrounded by every necessity and many luxuries, having withstand cold and to is Alternating freezing and thawing weather with snow usually of considerable severity houses and suitable often to tropical winter, occasionally very mild, so mild that ice sufficient for thoroughfares of the town and country hardy and wet not only cold daily changes Avrought in leaf and the these times the mercury falls below zero, having once recently reached winters, and the bii^ls, beauty by any climate of the world in moved by not the beginning with September, fall, whole year, and probably can not be surpassed indeed a mental sluggard, among even the parents themselves, accustomed species, but either die or are driven south play havoc at the night, Do you wonder, kind reader, that April should bring joy to hearts of our resident birds The Smithsonian Catalogue these 292 have been breed in the State is, residents The North American Birds, published in found at various times within the limits of Ohio however, very residents are counted, to 1st of 171 species which The much smaller, species which amounting are rear their young here found These to may may 1881, contains 76i species; The number but 129, or, if of species of which the probable summer- be divided into at least four classes or may not winter elsewhere —SummerPSJ : Plate XLI PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS-Cliff Cliff* Swallow, Swallows arrive in Central Ohio about the beginning of the third week in April, and remain end of the first week in September The nest is constructed the last of May or the first until about the of June, or even later if the season is cool Two and rainy broods are frequently reared LOCALITY: The are placed on nests projecting timber that will are to the outside of a barn afford shelter or other building, under the Only occasionally are they be found under the eaves of an old barn in the country observed them, but Dr J M Wheaton has seen them upon an old In built in eaves or under some town Generally they no other situation mill, and also have I ever under the eaves of a railroad depot at Georgesville POSITION The is adapted in size and shape to the place selected Sometimes it is fastened to a sino-le and that perpendicular; but generally the side of the barn and the roof, or the projecting end of a rafter, off'er two surfaces to which it is attached Sometimes it is even attached to three or four planes, and often the nests are so crowded together that a common wall divides two interiors The dis- nest surface, tance from the ground depends upon the building selected I have seen nests under a roof so low that they could easily be reached, and again, under the gable end of the highest barn MATEEIALS: The nest is constructed of mud alone No straw, grass, or hair is worked into it, as in the nest of the Barn Swallow The clay, however, is collected in a similiar manner, and from similiar places, and is worked in the same Wcxy, pellet after pellet being laid, one upon another, the construction progressing from the surface of sui^port toward the doorway that strength which is The natural to the clay of which it structure is made even when detached, any thing but the gentlest handling nests measure in will when complete It is difficult to is frail, possessing only detach them whole, and crumble and break them width between four and a half and ^yq and a half inches; four inches, and in antero-posterior diameter between four and six inches in height The between three and walls are thin, one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch, thus leaving a large cavity within, the floor of which lined with a few straws, and sometimes feathers or wool irregular on account of the positions chosen two inches, and differs much in The externak The entrance is commonly generally outlines of the nests are often varies in diameter from construction in different nests Usually the one and a half to Ordinarily, the opening is in the lower half of the structure, and has a slight projecting rim below, which increases at the top so as to form a little roof, thus ofi'ering additional shelter from beating wind and rain 141 Sometimes this projection is : wanting entirely; at others, increased in size until measures several inches, it which case the in Such long bottle-necked entrances are the exception nest resembles a retort the eaves of a very large high barn, eight miles from Circleville, a colony of Cliff Swallows Under have nested distant is it and here every nest has a beautiful bottle-necked entrance for several years; A few miles another colony, and, after some years search, I have been unable to find in their habitation a is single nest of the bottle-neck struction in neighboring have seen but In shape was similar it to the eggs, Rarer any apparent cause colonies without It contained one have observed Several times I pattern and was evidently just as difference in style of con- this still the nest without a roof is I and not broken by accident finished, lower half of the ordinary nest EGGS: The complement of the first set 53 X 76; 58 the largest, 56 The usual size is about x 86 The ground-color speckles, and occasionally small blotches, of in often four, long-diameter from 74 to The 55 x 80 smallest The marks 87, consist quite The rarely six of thirty-six The markings pure white is five, various shades of brown, sometimes nearly black, but usually between these extremes the greatest number commonly six; They measure second set contains but two or three diameter from 50 to or four, five, is and in shortspecimens of spots light, is and sometimes are not very abundant; the base contains Frequently they form a wreath, though they are rarely confluent DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: fied Even The the most exceptional nests are characteristic of the species, and can always be at once identi- Barn Swallow; eggs, however, resemble very closely those of the ferentiation is Avith individual eggs or regard to the nest, it sets, may it is impossible to determine certainly to which may be species detected, but they belong In be further remarked, that the species under consideration builds out-doors, Barn Swallow builds while the so closely, in fact, that dif- In a large number of specimens small differences never satisfactory in-doors Both species frequently occupy the same building REMAIiKS The nest illustrated XLI on Plate entrance facing the side of the barn specimen in typical away flying The was not cinnati earliest history of the Cliff until four years later that From this and, in the Swallow United to represented peering from is Ohio seen, is from the ground, the the entrance, just before the middle one being the by Audubon commonest form In 1815 he killed several, but much has since been learned far West, this primitive location it is is still possible used occasionally they may have There built is no record of here as in the West Until the present century these birds were scarce, and, while distributed throughout the were only to be met with here and there at great distances and increased suitable building sites, But civiliza- they have greatly multiplied no apparent cause, a colony will desert a locality where they have built for years, never to return when they have taken possession of a site, no amount of annoyance can persuade them When disturbed they show great uneasiness, flying in circles about the intruder and snap- the other hand, abandon ping their it Before civilization afforded suitable nesting places, the species built against rocky tion having decreased their enemies On feet nests from different colonies, as a time they have apparently increased in numbers, and States, their colonies With in of was ten he discovered their nests in Newport, just across the river from Cin- nests in such a locality in this State, although and Northeast It was selected from dozens The female and shape June, 1882 built The eggs represent the types usually about their history cliffs, size It was it bills in angry manner The winter season 142 loosens their nests, and they fall to the ground >^g-s o pw / : : : Plate XLIL THRYOMANES BEWICKI-Bewick's Wren This species Avas discovered and named in the year 1821 by Mr Audubon, but nothing was known of its breeding habits until 1844 According to *' North American Birds," Mr, Baird, in this year, discovered its nest and eggs Mr Quick, of Brookville, Indiana, found a nest and eggs at that phace a few am aw^ire it has never been found nesting in Ohio until the present season years ago, but so far as I There are reasons (1882) summer infrequent and dej^arture is The summer to suspect that resident, but, if so, it the southern portion of the state this species in has escaped observation Where observed, its is not an time of arrival about the same as the House Wren's, and two or three broods are reared darino- the following notes are compiled from various authorities state as well as for tliose in which the bird is and are doubtless correct for this plentiful LOCALITY Barns, stables, and out-houses of every description are frequented for nesting hollow trees, fence-rails, and similar places are also selected at times The country is Stumps, brush-heaps, preferred to the town POSITION: The nest usually rests upon an horizontal mortise-hole, or habit as the some snug little nook into surface, wd:iich and is, almost invariably, placed in a box, can, the birds can creep, having in this respect the same House Wren MATERIALS Sticks, straws, bark, rootlets, leaves, strings, paper, rags, wool, hair, cobweb, combinations and propoi^tions, are the materials of construction made principally of straws poultry-yard and in The cavity is and small the lining sticks; is and feathers, in various The foundation and superstructure usually composed of soft are feathers from the generally open above, measuring in diameter about two and one-fourth inches depth about one and seven-eighths inches The external dimensions vary with situation EGGS: The complement to 68, and of eggs varies in short-diameter from 48 to ,54 with reddish-brown, sparingly about the point confluent forming a wreath They measure in long-diameter from 60 A common size is 49 x 64 They are spotted and speckled but plentifully toward the crown, where the marks are often from four to six or seven The deep shell-marks are purplish DIFFERENTIAL POINTS The nest and eggs of Bewick's Wren resemble very closely some specimens of the House Wren's in 143 and shape, and, except size nest alone it would he in size, approach even closer from uncovered nests difficult to distin^-uish Normal specimens neaidy so thickly marked of each of hut the T melon, ei;-o-s are not The House Wren, be always differentiated can The Wren those of the Great Carolina to however, sometimes lays eggs very similar to typical eggs of Bewick's Wren REMAEKS: The and eggs represented on Plate nest XLII were taken May Chillicothe and Londonderry road, nine miles from the former place day and except at the place mentioned above, having store away grain and hay, in to In one of these above search of a House Wren's hand-hewed oak timbers answered the place ground-floor, four large I straws and small sticks Its history is as follows: few leisure moments, a 1882, from a barn near the 17th, an entered I At nest observed a mortise-hole, about seven feet high, and from Supposing this be a House Wren's home, to finding four eggs, drew the nest fron^ the As liole I it my put I points columns of supporting the barn, unused old different Upon on the for the floor protruding a few finger into it, and, did not expect to be in the neighborhood again, I When I saw the nest and its conmust be an exceptional specimen or that it belonged to some other species Up to this time no bird had appeared to claim it, so I retired to a secluded place and waited all the time I could spare, but the owner did not return I then searched the premises around the barn, and was had decided tents, I at once to take concluded it even with an incomplete set of eggs it Wrens which gratified at finding a pair of builders of the nest my in revisited the barn, and, to hand my So I thought belonged I the left delight, found a the S[)ecies T hevoich, and the probable to Three weeks place with a doubtful specimen new and similar nest in same the later I mortise-hole, and a Wrens near by I had a good view of them, and convinced myself that the birds before me were not House Wrens, but were- Bewick's Wrens As the nest was yet empty, I left it determined to go back again in ten days prepared to shoot its occupant, in order to satisfy myself perfectly as to the pair of species At the proposed time I returned with and broken eggs upon the floor, left did I see Again, later, to it is into consideration, I be cast upon have its I inquiry I learned some children had that returned to the spot, but the objects of no positive evidence that the nest and eggs figured be It is true, I had never seen a upon the nest either of the birds supposed therefore, to Upon my the locality, or at least could not be discovered Now, while there I firmly believe gun, and was greatly disappointed at seeing the nest and no Wrens about just a few days before destroyed the home search had my it am to live Bewick's that of Bewick's is Wren up be Bewick's Wrens authenticity, and that it may I am time, nor But, taking every thing quite positive of the identity of the specimen illustrated appear in the present work, although to this Wren, well awjire that, I have not hesitated, by some, a doubt may be considered only an exceptional example of the nest and eggs of the House Wren 144 -e.^ Pl.XLIIL ASTRAGALINUS TRISTIS AMERICAN SOLDFINCH Plate XLIIL ASTRAGAUIVUS TRISJIS-American The American is Goldfinch, Lettncebircl, Thistlebird, or Yellowbird, as this species a permanent resident of the State, but The nest is the usual time Goldfinch it is more abundant in constructed between the fifteenth of June and summer than the Exceptionally the nest with eggs has been found in last winter in The of July May and varionsly called, is month latter is also in September LOCALITr: In the countr}^, a small the edge of a woods, tall weed growing the usual site for the nest is the garden shrubbery sections bush, or tree, In towns in a cultivated field, along a road, or about it is Uplands and valleys arc both frequented commonly built The birds are having small creeks or spring-branches, and, accordingly, the nest to is in a shade-tree or in particularly partial to be looked for in such localities positio:n" The may : nest is commonly placed be in various other positions tact with supporting branches an upright crotch, formed by two or more small branches; in It MATERIALS it however, alwa3'S situated so that the base and sides are in con- is, Its distance being about the usual height when in a but from the ground varies from three tree, and four feet when to thirty feet; ten feet in a bush : Grasses, fibres, straws, weed-stems, catkins, bits of leaves, cobweb, and similar materials, varving in different and with the taste localities of the builders, make up grasses are securely wrapped around the supporting branches the Fine material with plant-down from the thistle or milk-w^eed, and other soft vegetable The ture horse-hairs structure eter is lining are is used neat and Wool, cozy by two and one-half or smaller exterior one generally a The soft, cotton, compact layer cavity and seven-eighths inches is in of downs, compose the superstruc- and plant-down sometimes, ; and threads are occasionally used when obtainable Externally in height, of slender fibres The fibres, web, and the same kind, together foundation it also, The complete ordinarily measures about three and one-fourth inches in diam- but the position chosen sometimes necessitates a considerably larger qnite uniform, rarely varying diameter, or more than more than one-eighth one-fourth of an inch from of an inch from one and one-half inches in depth EGGS: The complement freshly blown, is of eggs is commonly slightly bluish-green five, tinted sometimes four or six The shell is unmarked, and, Mdien In time the tint fades some, but a tinge of 145 it always : Marked eggs have been remains from 60 to in long-diameter DIFFERENTIAL The 67, and in short-diameter from 50 to 56 They measure exceptional A frequent size is about 63 x 52 POIISTTS: by the characteristics given above As that are unmarked, and, as none of these have exactly the same and eggs, when together, can be nest must be considered very reported, but such there are but few eggs of similar size easily identified normal eggs of tint of shell as the Goldfinch's, recognition of this species is attended with little difficulty See Table REMARKS The nest illustrated Plate XLIII was taken on spring-branch, near a public road was about four It terials The The ternally, it center one is measures a cavity, however, is commonest the from the ground feet The pattern little covered with catkins, and within nest more both it in is to quarrels of the and, until ; is mating are over, and the nest during a single season tionate cage-birds istics J'oung is and often wade about thoroughly that is the same, at times and the bleakest day their song flowers and is life is of always balmy Day after day they return spring approaches, the flocks become larger and of, As soon as the each pair attends strictly to family If their nest is robbed or destroyed another bright and sprightly, and is laid make very tame and all places December happy and breezes, at fly On remarkable is by affec- cheerful that season, As for account, birds, accompanied by their young any thing but constancy of these The proiiiinent notes are May puts no more expression into birds have endeared themselves it the barren trees chirp of the Sparrow 146 them than to seem welcome and suggestive me of as ; wild and frozen ground have hushed voices but the melancholy whistle of the Gherrybird, the croak of the Nuthatch, or the cold • will visit the young are strong enough, flocks are soon as Especially does when selecting an hour at a time, occasionally wetting themselves so The sunniest day this warm months, Three or four times a day the same birds resumed by the old of the Goldfinch is not all for half with difficulty they can and the same roving The song are very fond of the seeds In the wild state they are very fond of bathing during the their chosen bath, foi'med, from various constructed, but, unless molested, only one set a little creek or spring-branch with sandy bottom it They before eating seriously thought are Ex- have, at difterent times, raised several, and have in each found the same character- I well marked The flight they continue gregarious and nomadic is generally built, and, sometimes, even a third pail' As home and young duties, being greatly attached to their each bills little devoured of June, last and ma- position compactly lined with a thick layer of thistle-down is which they crack with their stout an accessible pod, until every seed more numerous a typical specimen in diameter and depth than the average weeds, or flying through the air in their characteristic wave-like of the sunflower, and shapes generally ob- flocks of Goldfinches are occasionally seen seeking food During the winter months small The It contained five eggs nests, as representing the various sizes eggs figured were selected from several served late in July, 1880, from a large thistle, beside a all and shivering ... place "Illustrations public of these changes contains the nest or eggs of no species not fully identified it nests, either in the if That the some And if of the Nests and Eggs discriminating and. .. Buzzard, the Wild Turkey, and the Osprey lay the largest eggs of any of the Birds found at present in Ohio, and the Hummingbird lays the smallest The former average about 1.90x2.60, The number of eggs... multitude of creeks hasten to the Ohio The Muskingum, the Hocking, and the Miami Rivers are the largest and most important of the southern tributaries The county of Pickaway, from which the majority of