She completed the nest in about a weeks time,
without any aid from her mate, who indeed appeared but seldom in her
company and was now become nearly silent. For fibrous materials she
broke, hackled, and gathered the flax of the asclepias and hibiscus
stalks, tearing off long strings and flying with them to the scene of
her labors. She appeared very eager and hasty in her pursuits, and
collected her materials without fear or restraint while three men were
working in the neighboring walks and may persons were visiting the
garden. Her courage and perseverance were truly admirable. If watched
to narrowly, she saluted with her usual scolding, tshrr, tshrr, tshrr,
seeing no reason, probably, why she should be interrupted in her
indispensable occupation.
"Though the males were now comparatively silent on the arrival of
their busy mates, I could not help observing this female and a second,
continually vociferating, apparently in strife. At last she was
observed to attack this second female very fiercely, who slyly
intruded herself at times into the same tree where she was building.
These contests were angry and often repeated.
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