ig2 



THE CONDOR 



Vol IX. 



yards from the shore of Barr I^ake, a body of water covering about 1000 acres, but 

 was on ground that was always drj^ and of the same nature as the prairie land 

 farther removed from the water. 



The female bird after flushing, flew about 50 yards and lit on a bunch of soap- 

 weed, where it stayed while the nest was being examined. It did not exhibit any 

 particular uneasiness further than an occasional chirp, and made no demonstration. 

 The four pure white eggs immediately attracted our attention and as we did 

 not have a collecting gun with us at the time we left the nest intending to return 

 and collectlthe birds. In the afternoon we returned and carefully approached the 



nest, but the female must 

 have heard us and slipped 

 away thru the thick brush, 

 as she was not on the nest 

 nor did we catch sight of 

 her. Upon our return, 

 about an hour later, the 

 bird flushed from between 

 us when we were within 

 two feet of her. During 

 all three of our visits to the 

 nest we had occasionally 

 heard the delightfully 

 sweet, liquid, tho subdued 

 song of the male, but had 

 not seen him; but as the 

 female left the nest she flew 

 directly to the soapweed 

 mentioned before, and was 

 there joined by the male. 



Between our first and 

 second visits reference to 

 text books had satisfied us 

 that the bird could be no 

 other than the Cassin Spar- 

 row {Peiiccea cassiiii) and 

 consequently a new breed- 

 ing record for the state and 

 the second record of the 

 species occurring within 

 the state boundaries. It 

 was therefore with a mixed 

 feeling of regret and exul- 

 tation that we collected the two birds, photographed and then removed the nest and 

 eggs, thus putting an end to the pretty family picture. 



The eggs, as has been mentioned, were pure crystalline white with an un- 

 usually high polish for sparrow's eggs, more pointed than is usual for eggs of this 

 family, and measure .76x. 55, .81x. 58, .77x. 57 and .79x.57 inches. On blowing, 

 twp proved to be perfectly fresh and two showed very slight blood veins. Mr. H. 

 G. Smith, who prepared the birds, states that both were in badly worn plumage, 

 and the abdomens of both birds were entirely bare of feathers, a fact which might 

 possibly indicate that this was a second set, 



SITE (at x) of cassin sparrow's nest, near DENVER, 

 COLORADO 



