18 NESTS AND EGGS OF N. A. BIRDS. 



The nest was an oblong flat structure, containing only a very slight 

 depression. It was very rudely constructed externally of coarse sticks 

 quite loosely put together; the inner nest is made of finer materials 

 of the same. The base of this nest was 12 inches long, and 7 in 

 breadth ; the inner nest is circular, with a diameter of 4)^ inches. 

 The eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, one end being a little less 

 obtuse than the other. In length they vary from 1.15 to 1.12 

 inches, and in breadth from .84 to .82 of an inch. They are of a 

 uniform blue color, similar to the eggs of the common Robin ( Tur- 

 dus Migratorius) only a little paler or of a lighter tint. In the total 

 absence of markings they differ remarkably from those of all other 

 species of the genus." — Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's N. A. 

 Birds, vol. i, p. 48. 



18. harporhynchus graysoni. 

 SOCORRO THRASHER. -- 



FAMILY Cinelidae.— Dippers. 



19. cinclus mexicanus. 

 AMERICAN WATER OUZEL. 



"This interesting bird inhabits exclusively the mountainous 

 portions of North America west of the Mississippi from Alaska 

 south to Guatamala. *"•■■"* In the British Possessions specimens 

 have been procurred on Frazer's River, at Fort Halkett, and at 

 Colville. At the latter place Mr. J. K. Lord states that a few 

 remain and pass the winter. They are found among the mountain 

 streams of Vera Cruz, and probably throughout Mexico, and no 

 doubt may be met with in all the highlands between these extreme 

 points. " This bird," adds Dr. Cooper, "combines the form of a 

 sandpiper, the song of a canary, and the aquatic habits of a duck. 

 Its food consists almost entirely of aquatic insects, and these it 

 pursues under water, walking and flying with perfect ease beneath 

 a depth of several feet of water. *** Its song is described as 

 remarkably sweet and lively, in modulation resembling somewhat 

 that of the Hnrporhynchus rufus, but much less powerful, though 

 sweeter in effect. *** 



A nest of this bird obtained by Mr. J. Stevenson, of Hayden's 

 Expedition, in Berthoud's Pass. Colorado, is a hemisphere of'very 



