W NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. ^07 



and other .situations which seemed to be entirel}^ unsuited to such 

 a purpose. 



Very few materials were transported to compose the nest. 

 The bird had simply formed a short cylindrical passage in the 

 moss in siiit, and made an enlarged cavity at the inner end, 

 wherein were deposited the eggs. This was sparingly lined with 

 a small number of feathers together with a few bits of 

 grass and fibre. Several pieces of twigs were neatly 

 set in the outside lower part of the entrance, probably 

 for the purpose of strengthening that portion. 



As before mentioned, I had taken one of the eggs on May 

 22nd, and on the da,y now in consideration (June 5th) it was found 

 that there were five still remaining, making a total of six. A 

 description of the one taken on May 22nd, is typical of them all. 

 It is white, speckled with reddish-brown ; the spots round the 

 larger end being of greater size than elsewhere, and they also 

 enlarge, but very slightly, at tlie smaller extremity. These 

 specks and spots are mostly somewhat irregular in form, being 

 occasionally oblong or like very short dashes. Size of egg, .64 x .51 

 of an inch. In another specimen the specks are more decided in 

 colour, and there are some fair- sized spots on the sides as well 

 as the ends. 



I trust that the descriptions I have given of this nest and eggs, 

 will serve to show any slight diflference from, or similarity to 

 specimens from other places. For this purpose notes from new 

 localities are always desi<lerata to the generalizing naturalist. 



