144 ANNOTATED LIST OF 



209. Cistothoms palustris (Wn.s.). 725. 



Long-billed .Marsh u r n. 



One taken at Utica, September 23d, 1880. This bird is very 

 common and breeds plentifully on the marshes of the Seneca River, 

 where we have observed it. Its peculiar habit of building several 

 nests for every one occupied, has been noted by others ; and while 

 we kept no accurate record, our experience is that the number of 

 unoccupied nests is at least six or eight for every occupied one. 

 It would seem probable, from the notes above, that this strange 

 custom is also practiced by its sprightly little cousin, the Winter 

 Wren. 



210. Certhia familiaris americana (BONAP.). 726. 



Brown Creeper. 



A not uncommon migrant. Seen on several occasions in the 

 vicinity of Holland Patent during the breeding season. A sum- 

 mer resident in Herkimer and Hamilton Counties. Breeds. A 

 nest was taken by C. F. Carpenter, C. E., in Hamilton County, 

 about twenty miles northeast of Wilmurt P. O., Herkimer County, 

 N.. Y., July 28th, 1875. The nest was in a heavy forest, concealed 

 behind a piece of bark which had been partly torn loose from the 

 side of a spruce tree, about six feet from the ground, but which 

 still remained attached to the tree by the upper end. 



Mr. Carpenter describes the nest as " made of soft downy ma- 

 terials, including feathers and such soft materials as you will find 

 in a squirrel's nest. The whole bulk not larger than your fist." 

 It contained three young birds with down only in tufts upon them, 

 and two addled eggs, white, thinly marked with fine reddish dots 

 or spots, and measuring respectively .60 x .47, and .59 x .47 inches. 

 Such situation, under a loose piece of bark, is the usual if not the 

 invariable one for the nest of this species, as all nests found have 

 been so placed. (Recorded, Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, 

 Vol. VI. page 183.) 



211. Sitta carolinensis LATH. 727. 



White-breasted Nuthatch. 



A common resident. Breeds. 



