16 BiiJ.ETix 7 



I peered into the thick branches, and was well repaid, for there reposing 

 on a rather slender bough, about six feet from the ground, was the 

 nest and eggs of this rare little visitor. 



The nest was rather loosely built, although the cup was firmly 

 woven and lined with horse-hairs, which had been brought over a mile 

 by the tiny builders. The outer covering consisted mostly of grass 

 stems, rootlets, and pine needles, fantastically decorated with everlast- 

 ing (Antennaria plantaginifolia) and the down of a small marsh daisy. 

 The nest measured on the outside 3 in. across by 2 in. deep, while the 

 cup measured 2 in. by 1 in. 



The eggs were four in number and resembled those of the gold- 

 finch in shape, being rather pointed at the smaller end, though a trifle 

 smaller. The markings were wreathed about the greater end, and 

 consisted of small blotches, mottlings, and minute dots of black, dark 

 and reddish brown, and a peculiar lilac color (purple). The several 

 colors combined formed an attractive pattern on a delicate cream- 

 colored ground. 



The next day I returned and found the female on the nest, the 

 male did not appear. 



A few days later I received word that the swamp was being cleared. 

 I went at once and on approaching the nest found that the noise of 

 the axes and the men's voices had been too much for the tenants, who 

 had decamped, leaving the then thoroughly chilled eggs to their fate. 



The nest was removed, the eggs carefully blown and both are now 

 in my cabinet, sole proofs that the prairie warbler has at last been 

 found breeding in the Green Mountain State. 



NESTING OF THE PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. 



Miss Bkidcet M. Rooxey, St. Johnsbury. 



On the first Saturday of May, 1911, six little girls invited me to go 

 on a picnic with them. We met some of the school boys who seemed 

 to be interested in the birds. One little chap asked if I could tell 

 him the name of a bird which looked much like a sparrow of some 

 kind, but had a black head and black markings at the throat that looked 

 just like a black bow. I asked him if he knew the chickadee and he 

 said he was sure it was not a chickadee. I told him I would go down 



