niE RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 



271 



exaniinatii)!! sl'.nws it lo l)e rather an asscmlilage nf all sorts n\ soft substances, 

 vegetable downs, cottmis from the pnss}' willows and eottonwood trees, 

 weathered anients. hair, tine grass (in abundance), with occasional strange 

 inclusions, such as s])ider-egg cases, dried llower-stalks, .and the like. The 

 lining is exclusively of feathers, those from the breast of the Robin being 



Takcti near S'eu'port. 



KUBVS r..\SKi;Ti-ui,. 



Pholo by PiUisnii and Bozclcs. 



most in evidence. A few of these curled up from under the neatly turned 

 brim, .so as to jKirlly conceal the contents: but only a little cft'ort w.ts required 

 to obtain a perfect view of the eggs from above. 



I counted the glowing pile, slowly, calmly, as a luiser counts his gold 

 when the bolts are shot — twice to make sure — one, two. three, * * * ;,/;,(- 

 the last one being thrown in on to]) of the heaj) for good measure. 



The eggs were marvelously fresh, insomuch that in blowing them Air. 

 Bowles coa.xed seven of the nine volks out unbroken thru the mere needle- 



