NEST in holes of stumps or dead trees, usually poplar or white birch, seldom more than 20 feet up; constructed of bits of pine bark, lined with fine grass and entrance encircled with a ring of fir gum or pitch! Here's a chance for the question mark. Is it done with the idea of keeping out "ghosties and ghasties and things that go boomp i' the nicht," discouraging ants or intended to glue bird enemies fast?

EGGS, 4 to 8, grayish white, spotted with red brown around large end.

North America. Breeds in Canadian zone from upper Yukon valley, southern Mackenzie, central Keewatin, northern Quebec, and New Foundland south to Minnesota, Michigan and Massachusetts. In Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains to California, Arizona and New Mexico. In Alleghenies to North Carolina. Winters from southern Canada south to Lower California, New Mexico, Arizona and the Gulf coast.

One of the commonest of our northern birches, growing in heavy woods with branchless 2 foot trunk to 80 feet but branching from the base in open situations. Don't tackle the latter for fire wood with the idea of splitting them — they're as cross grained as some scientists — I know, for I've mixed with them both!

Range from Canada, west to Iowa, Indiana and Illinois, south to western Florida.