490 Wayne, Nest and Eggs of Wayne's Warbler. [q^i. 



female and, if possible, find the nest. About 4 o'clock P. M. on 

 April 18 I discovered a female, and with the aid of Mr. Moessner, 

 who watched her closely, we saw thfe bird make a long flight and 

 apparently stop in or near a live oak tree. We hastened to the 

 spot, and finding no trace of her began to lose heart, when Mr. 

 Moessner called my attention to a minute, dark spot on the termi- 

 nal end of a live oak limb among numerous twigs which were 

 branching in every direction. I then suggested to him to throw 

 some small sticks near the nest so as to startle the bird, if the 

 minute object was, in reality, the nest. This he did, and after some 

 dozen ineffectual efforts succeeded in striking the limb, which at 

 once caused the sitting bird to leave. 



The nest, as I have said, was built in a live oak tree and on the 

 end of a horizontal branch among twigs which radiated in every 

 direction, and was absolutely concealed, being about thirty-eight 

 feet above the ground. I of course made an attempt to secure 

 the prize at once, although I knew the nest was inaccessible without 

 rope or some other material for assistance, as there were no limbs 

 above or beneath that upon which the nest was situated, and, 

 although I tried, my attempt proved a failure. On April 21 I 

 went again with Mr. Moessner, he bringing about 200 feet of 

 Manila rope with which to draw in the limb to another live oak 

 tree about twelve feet away, which I climbed, and after I had 

 adjusted the ropes over the limb, which he was then to draw in to 

 me, I requested him to go slowly, but the limb yielded only a 

 little, although considerable pressure was exerted. Sad to relate, 

 without a moments warning, the limb snapped off and the four 

 fresh eggs that the nest contained were dashed to fragments on the 

 ground. My hopes were likewise shattered, and I would have 

 gladly fallen in order that the eggs might have been saved! 



The nest, which is a beautiful object, is small and compact, 

 measuring If inches in height by l\ inches in depth. It is con- 

 structed of strips of fine bark and weed stems, over which is wound 

 externally the black substance that invariably is present in the 

 lining of the nests of Bachman's Warbler (Vermivora bachmani). 

 The interior of the nest is chiefly composed of a beautiful ochra- 

 ceous buff substance, doubtless from the unfolding leaves of some 

 fern, and a few feathers. The remnants of the eggs were sorrow- 



