Dee. 1886.] 
sectarian ; many an interesting article out- 
side of his particular field did he secure by 
his indefatigable labors, and without his 
aid, and more than that his valued friend- 
ship, we would fail in our endeavors. 
Knowing as we do his high standing as an 
expounder of Blackstone, and interpreter 
of the immortal Bard, we deem it a sacred 
privilege to call him friend; and from the 
knowledge to be obtained from his fine 
oological collection, it is a source of con- 
gratulation that he identifies himself with 
this magazine. 
The entomological science is outside of 
our scope ‘of labor, and all credit for suc- 
cess in that department must be given to 
those in charge, and of which we retain 
but pleasant memories. 
For all that has been good and worthy 
of approval in the past volume we beg to 
be accredited to our associates, and what- 
ever has fallen below the standard we will 
take the responsibility, hoping to still im- 
prove toward a shining goal. With such 
a past harmonious friendship between those 
in charge, and appreciation from our read- 
ers, when viewed from our standpoint, we | 
can answer back to the publisher's wish in 
January for a “glorious sunset in '86,” 
with December's cry in the affirmative. 
Some Notes on the Eggs of Leconte’s 
Thrasher. 


BY HARRY G. PARKER, CHESTER, PENN. 

The eggs of Leconte’s Thrasher (Harporhyn- 
chus redivivus lecontei), have been so seldom 
found, and there are so few authentic sets in col- 
lections, that it becomes a matter of interest to 
know the whereabouts of such sets, with such 
additional items bearing upon the subject as may 
be obtained. With a view to presenting such 
facts, I have had recourse to the notes of Mr. F. 
Stephens, of San Bernardino, California, and of 
Mr. R. B. Herron, of Colton, California,—the two 
gentlemen who have had the best opportunities 
of studying the habits of this bird, and who have 
collected the majority of the sets that have been 
taken. To both of. these gentlemen I wish to re- 
turn my best thanks for information received 
from them. 
AND OOLOGIST. 

185 
I cannot do better than give Mr. Stephens’ 
notes entire, and in his own language: 
‘“At your request, I have looked over my note 
books for data of eggs of Harporhynchus rediviwus 
lecontei taken by me. They are as follows : 
“No. 1. A set of three eggs found March 29, 
1884, near Agua Caliente, Cala., in the western 
end of the Colorado Desert. The nest had been 
abandoned, but I have no doubt of its identity. 
This is the set mentioned on page 357 of The 
Auk for October, 1884. It is in the collection of 
Mr. R. M. Mitchell, Apopka, Florida. 
“No. 2. A set of two eggs, in an advanced 
stage of incubation, taken April 8, 1885, near 
Agua Caliente. Parent seen to fly from the nest 
and joined by its mate; ¢@ shot. One egg 
smashed in blowing, the other (in poor condition) 
is in my possession. 
“No. 3. A set of three nearly fresh eggs, taken 
near Cabazon, Cala., May 7, 1885. Parent seen 
to fly from the nest. This set is In the collection 
of Mr. B. F. Goss, Pewaukee, Wis. 
‘“No. 4. A set of four eggs, Agua Caliente, 
22d of March, 1886. Parent seen to fly from nest. 
Set and nest in U. 8. National Museum. 
“No. 5. A set of three eggs taken near the 
same place, March 30, 1886. Parent seen to fly 
from nest. Nest and set in National Museum. 
“Nos. 6 and 7. Two. sets taken in April, 
1886, and sent to Mr. G. Frean Morcoru, Chicago, 
Ill., in whose collection they now are. 
“These comprise all the eggs of this species 
that I have taken, but I have seen several nests 
containing young, and many old disused nests. 
“Owing to the climate in the localities fre- 
quented by this species, and the greater part of 
the nests being made of dry twigs, the nests re- 
main in position many years. The lining being 
of more perishable material soon decays, and lies 
matted in the hollow of the nest. The usual situ- 
ation of the nest is from two to four feet from 
the ground, in the midst of a challa cactus, a 
bush-like cactus growing some five or six feet 
high, and often quite dense. One would suppose 
the mass of thorns would be a thorough protec- 
tion, yet the little Harris squirrel (Tamas harrisc), 
sometimes robs the nests of this and other species 
placed in such cacti. While I have seen a very 
few old nests of H. redivivus lecontet in other 
plants, (one in a mezquite, and one in a turpen— 
tine tree,) such cases are exceptional. 
“So far as I know, the only persons who have 
taken authentic eggs of H. redivivus leontet are 
Mr. Holterhaff, R. B. Herron, Dr. E. A. Mearns, 
Mr. W. G. Wright, and myself. 
“Mr. Wright’s two nests were as follows: A 
set of three eggs, taken in 1885, and sent to the 
