BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 301 
and early in April, but the mature males, to a considerable 
extent, still in their winter plumage, and are often unrec- 
ognized on that account. A few usually remain all winter, as 
here and there from all the timbered sections of the state | am 
informed of their presence. 
Dr. Hvoslef, of ‘Lanesboro, near the southern state line, re- 
ports them present in different years, January 16th, February 
4th, March 8th, and December 19th, but in small numbers. On 
the Red river near Pembina, one or two individuals are known 
to remain in the vicinity of where they breed. I can recall no 
winters in fifteen years during which a few have not been seen 
between Minneapolis’ and Lake Minnetonka, fourteen miles 
west. Mr. Wasnburn found them ‘‘quite common throughout 
the Red river valley and at Mille Lacs lake.” They are re- 
ported from Duluth and St. Vincent by several observers. I 
found them in Grant county in November, as well as many other 
widely separated localities. . 
Although here in considerable numbers so early they do not 
begin to nest until the very last of May and into June. Dr. 
Hvoslef, a careful and very conscientious observer, says, ‘‘Sept. 
12th I found a nest with five eggs in incubation.” This sug- 
gests the possibility of a second brood in exceptional cases, as 
it is well known that ordinarily they breed but once. The 
males require two years, or rather two winters to mature their 
plumage. And ever afterwards they undergo a change from 
their summer to their winter dress about the middle of Sep- 
tember, when the yellow is gradually exchanged for olive- brown, 
which obliviates the sexes. In April begins a resumption of 
the summer decorations, which is completed in May. Gregari- 
ous, a number of families usually living in a single locality, the 
males are found together, during the nidifying season, in 
such numbers as to lead the uninitiated to suppose them 
alone to represent the species. Their nests are uniform 
in pattern, but consist of a considerable range of materi- 
als employed in their structure. In some sections, after 
the strips of bark, which form the framework, are securely 
fastened to the twigs of a wild plum or other similar tree, or 
occasionally even a strong, rank weed, it is covered with lichens 
cemented together with saliva for the outside finish and lined 
with various soft materials. In other localities I find the strips 
of bark woven into a neat, firm structure with no lichens or 
saliva atall. Eggs, four, bluish-white, oval in form. 
