1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 387 



Several others were noted in willow thickets farther down the 

 creek. The six nests examined contained eggs as follows: 5, 6, 

 2, 3, 6, and 5 (probably the sets of two and three were incom- 

 plete). In one set collected there was a notable difference in 

 degree of development of the eggs, one being fresh and the others 

 in various stages of incubation, possibly indicating that more 

 than one day elapses between the successive depositions, and that 

 incubation commences as soon as the first egg is laid. One of 

 the sets collected June 10 was in a late stage of incubation. The 

 nests were fairly close together, and some were built almost over 

 the stream while others were built 150 feet away from it. They 

 were not well concealed. The blackbirds congregated in a flock 

 of a dozen or more and scolded continuously while we were in 

 the vicinity. 



Carpodacus cassini Baird 

 Cassin Purple Finch 



Distribution. — Occurred rather commonly above 7000 feet 

 altitude in the mountains. 



Habits. — Two individuals were observed feeding in the foliage 

 of a quaking aspen at 7500 feet altitude. Especially cold morn- 

 ings seemed to drive the birds to slightly lower altitudes. Purple 

 finches were in full song at the head of Big Creek June 24. They 

 continued singing until about the last of July, when they became 

 very quiet and correspondingly inconspicuous. Our observations 

 with regard to the singing powers of the young males in the 

 dull plumage of the first winter accord with those of Ridgway 

 (1877, p. 457), who asserts that they sing almost if not quite 

 as vigorously and sweetly as those in the adult livery. On several 

 occasions purple finches were heard singing while in flight. 



A nest was found June 26 in a Pinus flexilis near the head 

 of Big Creek. The tree itself was surrounded by a grove of 

 quaking aspens. The nest was located five feet from the trunk 

 of the pine on the slender twigs of a branch thirty feet above 

 the ground. Sticks and greenish yellow lichens had been used 

 in its construction. The lining consisted of shreds of bark and 

 sheep's wool. The structure was rather frail and loosely built. 

 The depth of the cavity was 30 mm. (l^ic inches), its diameter 



