74 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF IOOTH MERIDIAN. 



TROGLODYTID^E (the Wrens). 



14. Troglodytes aedon, Yieill., var. parkmanni, Aud. Parkman's Wren. 



Very abundant, inhabiting the undergrowth of the streams. I found 

 a pair building May 23. Nearly a month later a nest was obtained, 

 built in a small stub. The hole was nearly filled up with a mass of 

 twigs, in the center of which was left a deep cavity, lined with sheep's 

 wool and feathers. It contained but a single egg. This was white, cov- 

 ered with tine reddish-brown spots. 



15. Telmatodytes palustrls (Wils.),jpaZw^fe)Za,Baird. Long-billed Marsh- 

 Wren. . 



This species was numerous among the reeds of the alkali ponds in 

 this vicinity. June 23, they were apparently just laying, as two nests 

 were found, each containing but one egg. This species is one of the 

 very few that seems never to vary in the modeling of its curious nest. 

 These are always nearly spherical balls of tightly-woven rushes, a small 

 hole being left in the side as an entrance, and thickly lined inside with 

 down and feathers. 



SYLVICOLID^ (the Warblers). 



16. Helminthophaga celata (Say.) Orange-crowned Warbler. 



Met with but on one or two occasions. Shows a preference at this 

 season for the scrub-covered mountain-sides. A male was taken in an 

 aspen-grove at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. The song is short, but 

 spirited, and consists of a few trills, ending with a rising inflection. 



17. Dendroica cvstiva (Gm.) Yellow Warbler. 



Not uncommon among the deciduous trees of the streams. Several 

 nests placed in bushes were obtained, and showed a general similarity 

 in structure to the usual style. One, however, made of sheep's wool and 

 hempen material, lined with fine grasses and feathers, has more the ap- 

 pearance of a flycatcher's nest. Except that it is thicker and more 

 carefully made, it might be mistaken for that of Empidonax pmillus. 

 The ground-color of the eggs taken in the West is pure white, and lacks 

 the greenish tinge which is characteristic of all eastern specimens I have 

 ever seen. 



