704: | Nesting Place of Empidonax. ZOE 
air. Berberis repens is also found here and is common through the 
entire Rocky Mountain system. Pachystima myrsinites carpets the 
ground under taller shrubs, almost concealing its tiny purple flow- | 
ers by its glossy leaves. Ceanothus Fendleri is common in open 
spots on rocky slopes, but Ceanothus ovatus is less often met with. 
These low plants with small clusters of white flowers do not begin 
to compare in beauty with their California relatives. 
These observations have been confined chiefly to the valleys and 
cafions of the Mancos and Animas rivers. Undoubtedly there are 
many other shrubs which I have never seen’ that ought to be no- 
ticed, but from a careful comparison of Mr. Brandegee’s descrip- 
tive ‘‘Flora of Southwestern Colorado’’ with my own observations, | 
I think that I have included those that have the widest distribution. 
DENVER, COLO. 
UNUSUAL NESTING PLACE OF AMPIDONAX | 
HAMMONDI. 
BY DR. -J..G... COOPER, 
The tendency to seek the protection of human habitations during 
the season of nest-building is well known to characterize many 
kinds of birds of very different families, and in other respects, dif- 
ferent habits. The motive impelling them to seek shelter in human 
habitations for their progeny is, doubtless, a feeling of greater 
safety there, both from the weather and from living enemies, than 
they can find elsewhere. 
Wild birds seem to have no fear of man until they have learned 
by experience that he is sometimes dangerous, and visitors to lonely 
islands tell wonderful tales of the tameness of the birds, both on 
their nests and off of them. 
There are also other motives for choosing houses to nest in. Such 
species as have been accustomed to building in caves and hollow 
trees find the best substitutes for such homes in or around houses. 
Others find their food most abundant in the gardens or orchards, | 
and sometimes may be attracted by the flies and other insects, such _ 
as spiders, which nearly all feed to their young, even if unnoticed 
at other seasons. 
It has been observed also that in some Eastern States whee the ; 
killing of small birds is forbidden in populous districts, the birds _ 
soon find out where such laws protect them and flock to the country 
