76 THE CONDOR , Vol. XXIII 
under our observation were in this same belt, a bit of description thereof seems 
advisable. Beginning at the mouth of a small stream this belt, perhaps one hun- 
dred yards in width, extended along both sides of the stream for some three hun- 
dred yards, to where the latter made a sharp turn into an open portion of the 
meadows in which only willows grew. Not far distant the forest of the mountain 
slopes extended to the meadow to within a few rods of the above described timber 
belt, and in one of the nearest trees of this forest the ninth nest was discovered. 
Such close sitters were the birds that all the nests were discovered purely by 
sight. Two of them were looked for because of the birds’ actions toward other 
birds in the vicinity, the first nest found having given us an intimation of where 
to look for others. 
The favorite nesting site is very clearly shown in the accompanying illustra- 
tion, all the nests having been collected (in most cases after the young had left 
them) for photographic purposes. Whether in a tamarack (lodge-pole pine) or 
in an aspen, the only two kinds of trees in which nests were found, every nest dis- 
covered by us was upon an under limb near where it forked from a larger one 
above, the latter giving good protection, not only from the sun, snow and rain, 
but, as well, from the too inquisitive eyes of would-be marauders. In elevation 
from the ground the nests varied from fourteen to thirty feet, and in distance 
from the main tree trunk, from four to ten feet. 
It was noticed that when females were disturbed from their nests they 
showed much more apprehension for their eggs than, later on, for their young. 
Nevertheless, they were much concerned over the latter also and would resume 
brooding even when a person remained within a foot or so of the nest. In one 
instance, when a nest containing eggs was being collected, a rope was passed over 
a higher branch for the purpose of balancing the long, protecting limb, just be- 
low which the nest was placed, and to assist in lowering it to the ground. The 
bird remained upon the nest during the proceeding until it was actually being 
lowered. At one stage the hmb turned until the nest was at an angle of about 
forty-five degrees, but by fluttering her wings the bird succeeded in maintain- 
ing her position thereon. Evidently ornamentation of the nest begins with the 
laying of eggs, as a female was observed busily engaged in this occupation, al- 
though the eggs were perfectly fresh. 
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE 
Unusual opportunities were offered by this very abundant species (Myvo- 
chanes richardson richardsom) for the study of its nest-building activities, 
which, in several instances, were conducted under most favorable conditions fox 
the observer. One female, gathered its building material by pecking small bits of 
bark from the branches of a dead willow, which was but a few yards from the 
large yellow pine in which the nest was placed. At times small bits of this ma- 
terial could be distinguished in the bill of the busy bird, while at other times 
nothing was discerned, the presence of such only being evidenced by the opera- 
tions of the bird upon its return to the nest. Meantime the male perched in the 
near vicinity, or darted after its prey, sometimes perching in, or darting from, 
the very tree in which the nest was being constructed. 
Another pair built three nests in rapid succession, each of which was watched 
daily, often many times in a day. Number one was discovered on June 4 at a 
very early stage, a mere lump of material saddled upon a small dead limb of an 
aspen and about twelve feet from the ground. A heavy storm, on the night of 
