392 ^ NESTS AND EGGS OF 



rounding grasses are sometimes formed into an arch like the arch-way 

 of the Meadow Lark's nest. 



The eggs are four or five, of a grayish-white, minutely speckled 

 with purplish-gray ; size .87 x .67. 



701. Cinclus mexicanus Swains. [ 19.] 



American Dipper. 



Hab. Mountainous portions of Western North America, from the Yukon Valley south to Northern 

 Central America (Guatemala). 



The American Water Ouzel, a grayish, slate-colored bird, which 

 has the aquatic habits of a duck and the tilting movements of a sand- 

 piper, inhabits exclusively the mouutainous portions of Western North 

 America. It is resident as far north as the valley of the Yukon River. 

 It is never found near still water, frequenting only wild, forcible moun- 

 tain streams, cascades, eddies and swift currents. Mr. Frank M. Drew 

 beautifully says that the birds " are the very embodiment of a moun- 

 tain torrent — bustling and energetic ; and their song is like crystallized 

 spray. Sweet, sparkling and vivacious, taken with its surroundings, I 

 do not know of any bird-song which surpasses it." 



The nest is variously situated, but alwaj's near water in a nook or 

 crevice, on shelving rocks, among roots of trees, often where the water 

 sprays keep the outside damp. It is a beautiful ball of soft green moss, 

 measuring about seven inches by ten, and is usually dome-shaped, with 

 a small, round hole in one side for an entrance ; within it is strongly 

 arched over with leaves and grasses and supported by twigs, and all 

 cemented with mud. 



The eggs are three to five in number, plain, pure white, and average 

 1. 00 X .70. The eggs are usually deposited in the latter part of May or 

 in June. A set of four eggs in my cabinet taken June 10, 1880, in San 

 Juan county, Colorado, offers the following measurements: i.oix.73, 

 .99X.72, 1.00X.70, 1.01X.72. Mr. Norris has two sets; one of four 

 eggs, taken June 4, 1881, in Clear Creek Canon, Colorado; sizes .99X 

 .74, 1.00X.73, 1.01X.74, I.OIX.73; the other set, consisting of three 

 eggs, was collected by Mr. William Cooper, near Santa Cruz ; these 

 measure 1.05 x .71, 1.04X.71, i.oi x.70. 



702. Oroscoptes montanus (Towns.) [10.] 



Sage Thrasher- 



Hab. Sage-brush regions of Western United States, from the western part of the Great Plains to the 

 Pacific; in winter south into Mexico. 



Erroneously called Mountain Mocking Bird, for it is exclusively an 

 inhabitant of the sage-brush region of the West, and is partial to the 

 lower portions of the country, though not infrequently met with in the 

 open mountains. It nests in low bushes, especially the sage and cactus, 



