(,4 PACIIMC COAST WllWlNA [No. i. 



solid, oloscly-lVltc'd structure. TIk" bottom and sides arc substantially 



tonncd ot" a mixturt.- of mud. and wet, partlN-dCcomnoscd i;rasses 

 and moss. 'iMic amount ol" mud \aries in dilTcrcnt nests, and in some there is 

 scarcch' anv, but the \arious \eiictable materials are always incorporated wlieii 

 wet. so that alter the structure dries, the walls and rim are very firm like piipit)- 

 ))iiu/i(\ W'lien iinished tlie nest presents a neatly-moulded cup-sliapeil cavity, 

 with an inner linins; of line dry j^rasses. The measurements of a typical nest are 

 as l'olh)ws: Inside iliameter, 3. Js; depth. 2.2^. Outside diameter. 6.30; depth, 4.50. 

 The wcii^iits ot" the dr\ nests var\- from one halt" to one pound, deiiendiii"; on 

 the amount of nuid in their composition. The earliest ci^t;' of the X'aried Thrush 

 was found on June Jiul, and on the 4th a fresh set of three ei;>;s was taken; on 

 tlie (ith a set of foui, incubation slight. The latter seemed to be the average date 

 of completion of the full set of eggs, although a slightly incubated set of four eggs 

 was taken as late as the J^rd of June. Of four sets of four each taken on the 

 I ith, one was fresh, and in three incubation was well adxanced. 1 secured elexen 

 sets of the eggs of the X'aried Thrush. There are two sets of tliree, seven sets ot 

 foui-, and two sets o{ li\e eggs each, 44 eggs in all. This series exhibits remark- 

 able unil'oiinilN in si/e anil coloring. 'iMie gnnnul color is nile blue, tlie exact 

 tintxarving somewhat, probal)l\- due to the ililVercnt terms o{ incubation and ex- 

 posure to light. The eggs are rather sparsel\' but e\enl\- dotted and spotted with 

 burnt umber and seal brow n, w ith similar-si/.ed shell-markings of ecru ilrab and 

 \ inaceous tints. The eggs of one set show larger blotchy markings of raw umber. 

 One egg is almost without markings, thus resembling a robin's. There is a slight 

 tendeiu\v toward a congregatiim of the markings at tlic larger eiuls in some cases. 

 In sliaiH- the eggs vary between mate and short-ovate. 'I'he axerage measure- 

 ments of the It eggs are i.iSx.S|. 'Plie largest egg measures !.J4x.S.S; tlie small- 

 est. 1.10X.S3. In si/e aiul grouiul coloi the eggs of the X'aried Thrush closely 

 resemble those of the California Thrasher, but the spottings are fewer, finer and 

 much darker. Taking every character into consideration, the X'aried Thrushes" 

 eggs ajipear unique, ami not to be confuseil with those of au\- North American 

 bird which 1 lia\e examined. The nati\e name tor t liis species is ls.i.\n-a-/,hoor'uk. 



Cvaiirii(/(i siitiica (l.inn.). 

 Ri'O-sror'riin Hi.r 1: ru ui> \i\ 



1 met with this species in the vicinity of Cape HU)SSom on July 3. '90. The lo- 

 calitv was the sitle of a ravine between two hills of the lirst range, about a mile 

 back of the Missiitn. This hillside was of a gentle slope, and was clotheil with 

 thick patches of dwarf willows one to two feet in height. 1 was tramj^ing along 

 the bed of the ra\-ine when 1 heard a harsh note, entirely untamiliar to me, from 

 the brusli a little to my right. 1 starteil up the slope si) as to be in more open 

 grinnul ami get a better view, when 1 caught a miMuent's glimiise t)f tlue author of 

 the strange note, as he flew hurriedly close along the grtnnul to a distant bush. 

 The note ami bearing i>f the bird reminded me more of tiiosc of a wren, ami not 

 until 1 hnally had the bird in hand did 1 have any idea of its identity. By hiding 

 and making squeaking noises 1 succeeded in attracting the bird within range, and 

 secured it. It hail an insect in its bill, and so 1 judged there must ha\e been a 

 nest in the vicinitv. lUit after waiting a long time 1 failed to see or hear an>- 



