418 BULLETIN 19 6, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



the large cypress grove, they are nevertheless found in the smaller 

 grove, and also among the pines. In the former and latter places 

 they are positively known to breed, and there is but little doubt that 

 they also nest in the small grove." 



They were evidently very numerous on the island, for he collected 

 a series of ten males and three females. 



Nesting. — Bryant says: "As early as the middle of February nest- 

 building was in order, the birds selecting the topmost foliage of a 

 cypress, and sometimes the very outer extremity of a horizontal 

 branch," and continues: 



As the result of many days' diligent search, three nests came under my ob- 

 servation, and these were detected only by watching the birds as they collected 

 building material, or by tracing to its source a peculiar, low song, which the male 

 sometimes sings when close to the nest. 



These nests were all found over twenty feet high, and only one could be seen 

 from the ground, and that merely during the intervals when the wind parted 

 the branches. They were placed in the midst of a thick bunch of foliage, and 

 but lightly secured to the twigs. Compact, though not very smooth in structure, 

 they were composed of soft strips of bark intermingled with feathers, bits of 

 moss, fine grass and cocoons. Additional warmth is secured by a quantity either 

 of goat's hair or feathers, and, lastly, a thin lining of goat's hair. Their external 

 measurement is about 70 mm. in height by 90 mm. in diameter, while the internal 

 depth is about 45 mm., and diameter from 35 mm. to 45 mm. The mouth of 

 the opening is smaller than immediately below. 



Eggs. — Quoting furtherlfrom Mr. Bryant's account: 



In color the eggs are white, with a dense wreath of pale yellowish-brown 

 spots encircling the larger end. In some places, these spots appear to be laid 

 over a pale lavender washing, and in one specimen, these fine, almost indistinct 

 dots extend sparingly over the entire surface. They measure in millimeters 

 14 x 11 and 15 x 11. 



T. E. McMullen has sent me the following measurements o* 

 five eggs of the dusky kinglet in his collection: 14.7 by 11.4, 15.2 

 by 11.4, 14.7 by 11.2, 14.5 by 11.2, and 15.2 by 11.4 millimeters. 



Voice. — Mr. Bryant continues: 



In December I found them in full song and as common as in April. * * * 

 Their song is indescribably sweet and musical, and of wonderful power for so 

 small a bird, commencing with a few low, quick notes, as though the singer 

 were merely trying his voice, then bursting into a full animated warble, it ends 

 in a dissyllabic measure, accented on the first syllable, and usually repeated 

 from three to six times. One remarkably fine songster repeated the final dis- 

 syllable eight or ten times. Only once did I hear the metallic click, so common 

 with the Oakland birds in winter, but even then it flowed immediately into song. 



