8 Mr. W, Brewster on the 



other lias a single small round spot of a deep golden brown 

 colour. This will not rub off under a free application of 

 water and as much friction as I have dared to use; but 

 nevertheless I am inclined to consider it merely some acci- 

 dental stain. 



The character of these nests^ their position, and the colour 

 of the eggs which one of them contained are all alike unex- 

 pected. One would have predicted that the bird would prove 

 to be a ground-builder, that its nest would be closely con- 

 cealed, and that the eggs would be distinctly spotted ; all of 

 which goes to show how very idle any speculation in such 

 cases is likely to prove. In respect to the eggs, it is possible 

 that they may be normally spotted. If always immaculate, 

 they will be unique in this respect among the eggs of North- 

 American Sylvicolid<B. This point probably requires further 

 investigation, but in a general way the mystery hitherto en- 

 veloping the breeding of Swainson's Warbler may be said to 

 be ended. The thanks of ornithologists at large are cer- 

 tainly due Mr. Wayne for his important services in this con- 

 nexion, services performed at no small risk to health, if not 

 to life itself; for the Southern canebrakes reek with malaria, 

 and mocassin snakes are dangerous neighbours. But in 

 spite of these obstacles the life-history of the interesting 

 bird has been worked out nearly to the end, and the pages 

 that remain to be added are comparatively few and unim- 

 portant. — Forest and Stream, July 9, 1885. 



Shortly after the publication of my first article on this 

 subject, Mr. Wayne sent me two more nests of Swainson's 

 Warbler, taken respectively June 27 and June 30, 1885. 

 The first was built in a cane, over a pool of stagnant water, 

 at a height of about five feet ; the second, also in a cane, was 

 at a height of at least eight feet, and over clear running 

 water. The females of both nests were shot, thus rendering 

 identification absolute. 



The second nest was " found when the birds had just 

 begun work, and I watched them repeatedly at their labours. 



