418 SUNSET ON THE WATER. 



this species in 1878. One found the 12th of June contained 

 young about two days old. The nest was " in the midst of 

 a clump of tall swamp-grass, on the outskirts of a forest 

 where there was a good deal of weedy undergrowth not 

 over two feet high. The nest rested slightly on the ground, 

 and was quite bulky for the size of the bird; the cavity 

 was nearly three inches deep by two inches in width. The 

 structure was composed externally of beech and oak leaves 

 of the preceding year, which seemed to have been care- 

 lessly strewn and stuck in as if to form a barricade around 

 the brim. The lining consisted of fine strips of grape-vine 

 and inner bark of the oak, together with some straws." 

 Several other nests were found in the same locality. 



Wintering in Mexico and Central America, this species 

 has never been reported from New England, except by Mr. 

 Samuels. 



The peculiarities of this strongly marked genus, Helmin- 

 thophaga, are its very sharply-pointed bill, almost like the 

 point of a needle, and without notch or bristles; the exposed 

 nostril, and the rather long-pointed wing. 



Having spent a very profitable afternoon, my company 

 and I leave Strawberry Island for Little Current, about sun- 

 set, our eyes full of the reminiscences of beautiful flowers 

 and our ears full of the songs of birds. The evening is 

 perfectly calm, the scene one of the finest I have ever wit- 

 nessed. In front of us to the west the departing sun is 

 closing behind him his gorgeous and many-colored portal 

 of clouds. In the immense sheet of water of glassy 

 smoothness, every tint of purple, crimson and gold, with 

 the grand arch above, and the tiniest fleece of cloud, are 

 mirrored to the minutest perfection. Away to the right 

 rise the mountains of Lacloche, their grand heights of snowy 



