NESTS AND EGGS OF SOME CALIFORNIAN BIRDS. 21 



nest, March 25, 1889 (set No. 881, coll. W. E. B.) This 

 was discreetly left undisturbed until I could be shown 

 to the spot a few hours later. The nest was loosely 

 woven in a clump of "cat-tails" {Typha) one metre 

 above running Avater. It is composed outwardly entirely 

 of dry leaves of the "cat-tail," and thinly lined with 

 fine fiber and a few horsehairs. It measures externally (as 

 nearly as can be determined from its rough shape) not less 

 than 150 mm. in height by about 115 mm. in diameter. The 

 receptacle is about ^b mm. in depth, with a diameter at the 

 top of 50 mm. The general appearance is almost identical 

 with some song sparrows' nests. When taken the eggs were 

 cold and the birds absent, although the female was seen 

 when it was first found. In size the eggs are larger than 

 any other North American yellow-throat, measuring 19x15; 

 19^5 X 15; 19.5x14.5; 19.5x14.5 millimetres. They are 

 white, with shell spots and dots of lilac-gray and a few sur- 

 face spots and pencillings of black. There is but little 

 variation from this pattern in the markings of the other sets 

 mentioned later. 



The Mexican boys were emphatically instructed that what- 

 ever nests were found they were to be left until I could be 

 shown to the place. The same day that Mr. Brandegee 

 found the set of four, a bright little fellow came to camp 

 with the information that he had found a nest containing 

 three eggs. This was in quite similar situation to the other, 

 but placed not more than half a metre high. On March 27 

 the nest and eggs were taken, incubation having commenced. 

 The nest is of the same material as used in the other, but is 

 smaller exteriorly. This set (No. 880, coll. W. E. B.) meas- 

 ures 19.5x15.5 mm. with each egg. 



On March 28 I found a third nest in a heavy growth of 

 " cat-tails " near the outer edge of the clump, and placed 

 one and one-half metres high. This nest, like the others, 

 is composed of " cat-tail " leaves, but is lined almost exclu- 

 sively with black horsehairs, so few being used that they do 



