236 BIRDS OF THE ROCKIES 



nest set in plain sight in a pine bush. One would have 

 thought so shy a bird would make some attempt at 

 concealment. It was a well-constructed domicile, com- 

 posed of grass, twigs, and moss, but without mortar. 

 The shy owner was nowhere to be seen, nor did she make 

 any outcry, even though I stood for some minutes close 

 to her nest. What stolidity the mountain birds dis- 

 play ! You could actually rob the nests of some of them 

 without wringing a chirp from them. On two later 

 visits to the place I found Madame Thrush on her nest, 

 where she sat until I came quite close, when she silently 

 flitted away and ensconced herself among the pines, 

 never chirping a syllable of protest or fear. In the 

 bottom of the pretty crib lay four deep-blue eggs. 

 Afterwards I found one more hermifs nest, which was 

 just in process of construction. In this case, as in the 

 first, no effort was made at concealment, the nest being 

 placed in the crotch of a quaking asp a rod or so above 

 the trail, from which it could be plainly seen. The 

 little madame was carrying a load of timbers to her 

 cottage as we went down the trail, and sat in the nest 

 moulding and putting her material in place as I climbed 

 up the steep bank to inspect her work. Then she flew 

 away, making no demonstration while I examined the 

 nest. 



Having eaten our breakfast at the miner's cabin, my 

 youthful companion and I mounted our " gayly capari- 



