64 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
izontal fork, usually not more than fifteen feet from the ground. In the 
manner of its attachment it resembles the nests of the Vireos, being 
fastened by the brim while the bottom is unsupported. In structure, 
however, it is very different. It is composed almost entirely of small 
stems and tops of the grass commonly known here as ‘‘ roller-grass.”’ 
These are loosely thrown together forming a shallow cup bound to the 
fork with spider’s web. When just finished they present a very slovenly 
appearance, considerable quantities of the grass hanging from the peri- 
hery of the nest, so that it looks like a tuft of hay, caught by the limb 
from a load driven under it. Ifthe weather is damp this material soon 
falls off in the wind and the body of the nest becomes more compact. 
Frequently the nest is so thin that the eggs may be counted from below. 
The eggs vary from two to four, and I have often seen nests with 
a single egg well advanced in incubation, or a single young bird, and 
believe from the position of the nest, towards the end of along horizontal or 
declining limb, that eggs frequently fall from it when shaken by the wind. 
They are of a light yellowish-buff color, with a decided flesh colored tint 
when fresh, and rather sparsely spotted with light brown. They measure 
-78 by .56. 
The Acadian Flycatcher is a favorite nurse of the Cow-bird; most 
nests contain one egg of this parasite, and I have seen as many as four. 
On one occasiou I saw a Cow-bird in the effort to deposit her egg in this 
nest, turn out all the eggs, the twig on which the nest was placed yieldmg 
to her weight.” 
325a. Himpidonax pusillus trailte. 
Traill’s Flycatcher. 
The following on the nesting habits of this bird is taken in part from 
my article which appeared in the ‘‘ Ornithologist and Oologist,” for May, 
1882: 
‘‘ The locality usually selected as a nesting site by this species is in 
a thick growth of alders bordering a stream. The nests are scarcely ever 
placed higher than eight feet from the ground, in most cases about four. 
In nearly all instances they are built in an upright fork. The nests have 
a strong resemblance to the usual structure of the Yellow Warbler, but 
probably lack in compactness and neatness. ‘The external or greater por- 
tion of the nest iscomposed of hempen fibres, internaliy lined in true Fly- 
catcher style with fine grasses. In some, however, there is a slight lining 
of horse-hair and of the down from the milk-weed or thistles. A typical 
nest measures two and a half inches in height and three in diameter, with 
a cavity one inch and a half in diameter and two inches deep. In nearly 
