Vol XVI 



Warren, The Canada Jay. 



the zero mark would have no effect on the eggs it was to receive, 

 as long as the mother brooded over them. The small twigs grow- 

 ing from the cluster of branches in which the nest was built gave 

 it a rough appearance from below, but they served the purpose of 

 secure supports and as a screen for concealment. As there were 

 dozens of similar masses of limbs in the trees all about, a good 

 observer might pass underneath this tree a score of times, and 

 never see the nest, though but a few feet above his head. 



The four eggs were laid between the 14th and 18th inclusive, 

 and incubation fairly started on the 19th. The measurements, 

 carefully taken, were as follows: .83 X 1.18, 82 X 1.16, .84 x 1.16, 

 and .83X 1. 17. They were placed with the small ends all point- 

 ing in and made a pretty sight on a background of feathers of 

 various colors. The eggs were very uniform in color, having a 

 ground of greenish gray when fresh, the whole finely dotted and 

 spotted with slate and brown with obscure blotches of light lav- 

 ender. The bulk of the markings were grouped about the large 

 end, forming a distinct circle of larger markings than on the 

 balance of the egg, the lavender being more obscure and tending 

 to run together. 



From the time the nest was first discovered plans were being 

 formulated to obtain the most good from my rare fortune. When 

 I climbed the slender swaying tree and looked at the completed 

 set of beautiful eggs in the deep feather lined pouch whose edges 

 nearly met striving to protect the treasures from the frigid 

 weather and yet colder human avarice, I will confess the evil 

 spirit possessed me for a moment and I longed to secure these 

 gems for my hoard, yet better judgment soon dispelled these evil 

 thoughts. Pity for the poor birds who had begun to trust me, and 

 a desire to allow Nature to further reveal her hidden secrets to 

 me, overcame the narrow cravings of the egg hunter and opened 

 the way to experiences never to be told in any language I can 

 hope to command. Were it not that my camera caught these 

 pictures, the scenes would have remained undescribed. 



The circumference of the tree in which the nest was placed, 

 1 if ft. from the base, a point just opposite the nest, was nine 

 inches, and but four inches five feet above this point. Less than 

 three feet from this tree was a dead spruce, slightly smaller, on 



