380 Roberts, Colony of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. [oct k 



in place. 18th. Empty; a little wet material still being added to rim in 

 places; fine lining being put in. Female makes great ado, much worried 

 and utters rolling, squeaking and croaking notes. 19th. Empty. 20th. 

 One egg. 21st. Two eggs. 22d. Three eggs. 23d. Four eggs, one much 

 lighter than others. 24th to June 3d inclusive. Four eggs. June 4th. 

 Three young birds and one egg. 5th. Four young birds. 6th. Not 

 visited. 7th and 8th. Four young birds. 9th. Empty; nest pulled 

 somewhat loose from fastenings. 



Nest III. May 13th. Female working on nest. 14th. Walls incom- 

 plete; nearly dry; shallow and appears abandoned; no fresh material. 

 loth and 17th. Same condition. 18th. One or two damp strands lying 

 on nest but no repairs. 19th to 21st. Abandoned and in ruin. 



Nest IV. May 14th. Nearly ready for lining; still building upper part 

 of walls; upper one-third wet; a few large flat pieces of reed leaves forming 

 bottom inside as though for foundation of lining, loth. About same in 

 morning; at 6 p. M. a few wet strips added to rim on west side, woven 

 around stems and hanging down into nest almost to bottom. 16th. Not 

 visited. 17th. Appears deserted. 18th. Abandoned and going to ruin. 

 21st. Same. 



Nest V. May 14th. Ready for lining, a little of which has been placed; 

 wet nearly throughout, but this nest is among thickly standing reeds so 

 that it is protected from sun and wind and would not dry as rapidly as 

 more exposed nests. 15th. Completely lined, fine reed-tops around upper 

 edge; nest still damp and soggy but lining dry. 16th. Not visited. 17th. 

 Empty; dry and firm. 18th. Empty; in good condition; female close 

 by with bit of reed in bill. 19th. One egg; fine lining at rim has been 

 added since yesterday. 20th. Two eggs. 21st. Three eggs. 22d. 

 Four eggs. 23d to 31st inclusive. Four eggs. June 1st. One young bird, 

 three eggs. 2d. Three young birds, one egg. 3d. Three young birds, 

 one egg. 4^h. Three young birds, one egg; pin- feathers starting on one 

 bird. 5th. Three young birds, one egg. 6th. Not visited. 7th. Empty; 

 no soiling or disarrangement of nest. 



Nest VI. May 14th. Still in early stage of construction, little more 

 than framework; wall open to bottom on two sides, built up about three- 

 fourths way around. 15th. Wall completed and first coarse bottom- 

 lining and one or two strands of fine lining placed; female in nest when 

 approached. 16th. Not visited. 17th. Completed and quite dry 

 around top ; body still damp and soft. A nicely lined nest, the edge thick 

 and well built of reed-plumes. 18th. One egg. 19th. Two eggs. 20th. 

 Three eggs. 21st. Four eggs, female on nest. 22d to 30th inclusive. 

 Four eggs; female found on nest 27th and 30th. 31st. Two young birds 

 and two eggs; female on nest. June 1st. Three young birds and one egg. 

 2d. Four young birds ; female on nest ; she made a great hue and cry and 

 called the neighbors around till the reeds were full of them — mostly 

 females. 3d. Four young birds. Jfli. Empty; inside of nest spotted 

 with blood. 



