ORNITHOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES 225 



There were three eggs in the nest, all of a dull gloss- 

 less white, and rather pointed at one end. The shells were 

 thin and had small striations or corrugations running from 

 the middle to the small end. They measured 21 x 14.5; 21 

 x 14.5; 20 x 14.5 mm. 



VARIED STREAKED FLYCATCHER 



Empidonomus varius varius (Vieillot) 



Though the eggs of this species have been collected, no 

 description of the nest has been given. The genus Empi- 

 donomus is very closely allied to Tyrannus, so one would 

 expect corresponding nests. They proved to be somewhat 

 similar, but the nest of Tyrannus though rather a shabby 

 affair, was much more specialized than that of the bird in 

 question. In Tyrannus the nest hollow was cup-shaped and 

 well lined with grass, and the whole structure was more 

 skillfully put together with a more careful gradation of 

 material. 



A nest of the varied flycatcher was taken on April 20, 

 from one of the outer branches of a small dead guava tree. 

 At first sight it appeared to be merely a weak flimsy plat- 

 form of twigs fashioned like the nest of a dove and placed 

 in an exposed position. If the parent birds had not been 

 seen, it might easily have been taken for the nest of a dove. 

 It was built in a small fork and was partly supported by a 

 dead branch that grew close by. Every puff of wind caused 

 it to sway and shake, and it was difficult to believe that it 

 would not soon fall to pieces. The basic material was small 

 twigs and vine stems. In the center was a shallow depres- 

 sion for the eggs, which was lined sparsely with coarse stems 

 of a common weed that grew hereabouts. The depth of the 

 depression was 2 cm. and the whole platform was 13 cm. in 

 diameter, by 8 cm. in height. 



There were two eggs in the nest, one of wjiich was in- 

 fertile. Measurements averaged 23 x 16 mm. 





