.VOTES AND QUERIES. 461 



Many visitors saw this unique nest with its superbly-embel- 

 lished occupant, but not one would leave it until his vocabulary 

 of best adjectives was exhausted. Like those of the previous 

 year, this little fellow, too, suddenly outgi-ew his home, and sat 

 on its edge, preening his feathers, vibrating his wings, and looking 

 excitedly at the moving leaves and passing birds. He left the 

 nest Sept. 7th. 



Early in July, 1885, a third nest was found in process of 

 building in the same tree, but too high for observation except 

 through a glass. 



I will trouble you with but one item concerning this nest. A 

 male bird came once and sat near, when the female immediately 

 joined him, remained a minute, and returned to the nest, when 

 the male flew away. During my presence this is the only time 

 that a male bird approached either of the three nests, or was 

 seen at all in the vicinity. 



The nests were procured in fair condition, and are alike in 

 construction. The outer covering is of lichens, used only for 

 concealment, since they are but attached to the nest proper by a 

 material resembling cobweb, but less elastic. The real texture 

 of these nests, as identified by undoubted authority, consists of 

 the cottony tufts of willow and dandelion seeds mainly, the 

 willow coma predominating. 



Many persons could not see the nests when a few feet away, 

 even though the exact locations were pointed out ; hence its 

 perfect concealment may be readily imagined. The diameter of 

 the nest is one inch, and its weight fifteen grains. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



The use of the word " feral." — I desire to protest against the use of 

 a word which, as a scientific adjective, is becoming settled with a sense it 

 has no right whatever to bear, if classical correctness be worth taking 

 into account. This is the word " feral," as signifying that the creature to 

 which it is applied has either escaped from domestic conditions, or represents 

 the wild stock of a domesticated animal. I am the more moved to call 

 attention to it at the present time, because it has just been given a place 

 in the " Ornithologist's Compendium," or Glossary, in Mr. Eidgway's 

 'Nomenclature of Colours,' &c. A reference to auy Latin dictionary will 



