from point to base, and besides the ordinary spots, there are about the crown several large irregular 

 blotches, which have the appearance of being faded. The remaining four eggs are very much alike, being- 

 marked sparingly from point to base with the minutest speckles, some of which are beneath the surface, 

 while at or about the base occur small blotches and spots, which either form a ring or make a group at 

 the axis. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 

 See Table. 



REMARKS : 



J. Warren, in "Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club," Vol. I, pages 6 and 7, says: "The first 

 authentic nest found in this section of the country (Massachusetts) was that collected by Mr. C. J. Maynard, 

 June 1*2, 1869, and admirably described by him on page 100 of the "Naturalist's Guide." This nest was 

 placed on a slightly elevated tuft of moss, near a swampy thicket, within a short distance of a travelled 

 road, and contained four eggs, and also one of a Cow Bird (Molothrus pecoris), which were within a few 

 clavs of hatching. Since this nest was found there have been no others taken, to my knowledge, until 

 the past year, when three were discovered; one each by my friends, E. B. Towne, Jr., and W. W. Eager, 

 who have kindly allowed me to use their notes, and the third by my brother and myself. 



"We were out collecting on the afternoon of June 8th, 1875, and while passing through a strip of swampy 

 land on the outskirts of a small Avood, flushed a bird from under a plant known as 'Skunk Cabbage' 

 (symplocarpus fbetidus). 



"Upon searching we found the nest concealed by the large leaves of the plant. It was raised about 

 two inches above the wet ground by dead oak and maple leaves, which were quite damp. The owner 

 soon came back, and hopping excitedly from branch to branch of an alder thicket, a few yards away, 

 almost continually uttered a sharp chirp of alarm, betokening her strong dislike to the intruders; but, 

 strange to say, her mate did not make his appearance, although we could hear him distinctly zee-zee-zeeing 

 a few rods away. As it was fast growing dark, and feeling satisfied she had laid her set, we shot her. 



"The nest, which closely resembles that of the Maryland Yellow-throat (Greothlypis trichas), is composed 

 outwardly of dry oak and maple leaves, interspersed with long strips of the outer bark of the grape 

 vine; and is lined with fine fibrous shreds of the same reddish tint, interwoven with one or two very 

 small pieces of dry grass. The measurements are as follows: Height, 2.75 inches; width, 4.25; diameter 

 inside, 2.30; depth inside, 1.60. 



"The eggs are three in number, two pure white; the third sparsely spotted on the larger end, and 

 measured respectively, .69 x .53, .68 x .51, and .65 x .49 



"The following is an extract from Mr. Towne's Journal: 'While out collecting early in the morning 

 of the 29th day of May, 1875, as I was walking up a hillside through small white birches, saw a Golden- 

 winged Warbler within twelve feet of the muzzle of my gun ; was about to shoot, when I noticed a small 

 straw or dry blade of grass in her mouth. The thought of finding her nest induced me to watch closely. 

 She soon flew and alighted in the centre of an old cart path. I went to the spot and was delighted on 

 finding in the center of a small tussock of grass the commencement of a nest. Went to the place the 

 next day and saw the female at work; did not go again for two days, when there was one egg. On June 

 5th I took the nest with four fresh eggs. By creeping up carefully and putting my hand over the nest, 

 succeeded in catching the female. Saw the male soon after, but he was exceedingly shy.' 



"In structure the nest closely resembles mine, but is a little narrower and deeper inside. It measures 

 in height, 3.00 inches ; width, 3.80; diameter inside, 1.90; depth inside, 2.00. The eggs are white, faintly, 

 spotted with red on the larger end, and measure .72 x .52, .70 x .56, .70 x .48, and .68 x .58 inches." 



244 



