2 54 General Notes. 



The nest was built in a low, thick spruce which stood on the edge of a 

 swamp, near a brook. It was placed on a horizontal branch at a height 

 of about three feet, and was well concealed bj the clusters of densely- 

 imbricated needles above. Externally it measures 5 inches wide by 2.50 

 inches deep; internally i.So by 1.50 inches. The walls in places are 1.50 

 inches in thickness. The main body of the structure is composed of 

 Usnea moss, weed-stalks, and dry grasses, closely matted and protected 

 outwardly by coarser stalks and a few dead spruce twigs. The lining is 

 of slender, black moss-stems (which curiously resemble horse-hair), 

 cows'-hair, and a few feathers. The whole aftair is remarkably solid and 

 bulky for a Warbler's nest. 



The eggs are white, with brown specks scattered over the general surface 

 of the shell and numerous spots and blotches of reddish-brown and laven- 

 der about the larger end. They measure respectively .75 X .56, .76 X .56, 

 and .75 X .57- 



2. Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. — The Pine Grosbeak was 

 apparently rare among the Magdalens for Mr. Frazar met with only five 

 individuals, four of which were secured. The first pair, taken June iS, 

 on Amherst Island, evidently had a nest among some low spruces, for 

 both birds showed unmistakable signs of anxiety when the spot was ap- 

 proached, and the female proved, on examination, to be incubating. The 

 female of the second pair, shot June 29, on Grindstone Island, had laid 

 all her eggs but one, which, although in the oviduct and of full size, was 

 unfortunately without a shell. Mr. Frazar searched long and carefully 

 for both nests but without success. 



Our knowledge respecting the breeding of this Grosbeak, as found in 

 America, is so very imperfect that the above data are both interesting and 

 valuable. The inference is that the eggs are laid late in the season, a fact 

 which the analogy furnished by kindred species would scarcely have 

 suggested. 



3. Loxia leucoptera. Wjiite-wincjed Crossbill. — Mr. Frazar met 

 with these Crossbills on all the islands of the Magdalen group, where they 

 were among the most abundant of the land birds. At the time of his 

 arrival (June 6) they had already collected, in large flocks which were 

 composed chiefly of young birds and females, a company of fifty or 

 more often containing only one or two males in red plumage. The 

 latter were also found singly, and from the fact that such individuals were 

 often in full song Mr. Frazar inferred that they might still be in attendance 

 on sitting mates, or unfledged yovmg. The average development of the 

 numerous young birds collected would indicate, however, that the regular 

 breeding-season was somewhat earlier, although none of them could have 

 been hatched much before the middle of May. Assuming, then, that the 

 past season was not an exceptionally late one, the proper time to look for 

 fresh eggs in this locality would be not far from May i. 



As I can find no detailed description of the first plumage of this species 

 I append the following: — 



Jtiv., first plumage ($. Magdalen Islands. June 14, 1S82. M. A. Fra- 

 zar). Entire plumage of head and body thickly streaked with dull black 



