398 BULLETIN 196, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



early as April 4 ; on this occasion the bird was gathering bits of green 

 moss from a decayed log, which would indicate the earlier stage of 

 construction; and we have a record of unfledged young in the nest 

 on May 17. We also have a record of a nest with eggs as late as 

 August 1; but we are of the opinion that the great majority of the 

 birds nest, in this locality, between the middle of May and the middle 

 of July ; and there is little doubt that many raise two broods of young 

 during the season. 



"It is partial to certain types of coniferous trees in which to place 

 its nest, those whose limbs have a decidedly drooping foliage ; evidently 

 this is not only for concealment, but it affords protection from the 

 elements. The nest may be located at various heights, the nests 

 that I have found ranging from 9 to 45 feet above ground; and we 

 have no doubt that many are placed even higher, in which case they 

 would be difficult to detect. In the larger trees the nest will be 

 placed quite near the extremity of the limb, making it very difficult 

 to secure; but on occasions a nest is found in some tree of small size, 

 not far from the trunk and at but little height above ground." 



He describes a nest found on June 8, 1912: "This nest was at a 

 height of 14 feet, on the under side and near the extremity of one of 

 the lower limbs of a good-sized fir tree, situated on the edge of a 

 large open space in the forest. It was attached to four very small 

 drooping twigs that grew from one of the laterals of the main branch, 

 the sides of the nest being firmly bound thereto. In shape it is 

 somewhat round, excepting its upper surface, and is made outwardly 

 of small pieces of green moss and lichens, much of the latter being 

 used in the bottom; with both of these materials are interwoven 

 bits of fine dead grasses and fir and hemlock needles, all firmly bound 

 by plant fibers of a soft character and some spider webs; the walls 

 are three-quarters of an inch in thickness; the top of the nest at the 

 opening is somewhat arched over or constricted, as if its edges were 

 drawn together. The interior has a thick lining of the softest of 

 vegetable .fibers, into which- are neatly woven many downy feathers 

 of small size. Outside height 3 inches, outside diameter 3K inches; 

 inside diameter 1% inches, diameter at the opening 1 inch, and depth 

 inside 1% inches." 



Nests described by others were, in the main, similar to the above. 

 They have been found at lesser and at greater heights from the ground 

 than the figures given by Mr. Rathbun; Dawson and Bowles (1909) 

 say "from eye-level to fifty feet." What few nests I have seen are 

 less globular than those of the eastern bird, flatter on top and more 

 open at the top. Some nests are lined with cow's or deer's hair, 

 or with the feathers of various small birds or of grouse or even poultry. 



Eggs. — The set of eggs laid by the western golden-crowned kinglet 



