BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 301 



and early in April, but the mature males, to a considerable 

 extent, still in their winter plumage, and are often unrec- 

 ognized on that account. A few usually remain all winter, as 

 here and there from all the timbered sections of the state I am 

 informed of their presence. 



Dr. Hvoslef, of Lanesboro. near the southern state line, re- 

 ports them present in different years, January 16th, February 

 4th, March 8th, and December 19th, but in small numbers. On 

 the Red river near Pembina, one or two individuals are known 

 to remain in the vicinity of where they breed. I can recall no 

 winters in fifteen years during which a few have not been seen 

 between Minneapolis and Lake Minnetonka, fourteen miles 

 west. Mr. Washburn found them "quite common throughout 

 the Red river valley and at Mille Lacs lake. " They are re- 

 ported from Duluth and St. Vincent by several observers. I 

 found them in Grant county in November, as well as many other 

 widely separated localities. 



Although here in considerable numbers so early they do not 

 begin to nest until the very last of May and into June. Dr. 

 Hvoslef, a careful and very conscientious observer, says, "Sept. 

 12th I found a nest with five eggs in incubation." This sug- 

 gests the possibility of a second brood in exceptional cases, as 

 it is well known that ordinarily they breed but once. The 

 males require two years, or rather two winters to mature their 

 plumage. And ever afterwards they undergo a change from 

 their summer to their winter dress about the middle of Sep- 

 tember, when the yellow is gradually exchanged for olive-brown, 

 which obliviates the sexes. In April begins a resumption of 

 the feummer decorations, which is completed in May. Gregari- 

 ous, a number of families usually living in a single locality, the 

 males are found together, during the nidifying season, in 

 such numbers as to lead the uninitiated to suppose them 

 alone to represent the species. Their nests are uniform 

 in pattern, but consist of a considerable range of materi- 

 als employed in their structure. In some sections, after 

 the strips of bark, which form the framework, are securely 

 fastened to the twigs of a wild plum or other similar tree, or 

 occasionally even a strong, rank weed, it is covered with lichens 

 cemented together with saliva for the outside finish and lined 

 with various soft materials. In other localities I find the strips 

 of bark woven into a neat, firm structure with no lichens or 

 saliva at all. Eggs, four, bluish- white, oval in form. 



