Jan.; 1919 THE SOLITAIRES OF SHASTA 19 
a sunny hillside. The nest is a very slimsy affair composed entirely of needles 
of the white-bark pine, with a front porch, or skirting, of pine and fir twigs. 
The needles have no coherence, and merely line thickly a hollow made in the soil 
under the full protection of a rock, and behind a partial screen of dwarf manza- 
nita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis). Hollow of nest 4 inches across by 2 deep. 
Skirt, which was saved and wrapped separately, about 4 inches wide. Female 
only flitted back and forth restlessly and uncomplainingly, alighting for the 
most part on one and another of the tiny fir saplings. Eggs about half ineu- 
bated. 
V150/3-16 Townsend Solitare; alt. 7500; July 19, 1916: Bert had made the 
location six days ago, Thursday, July 13, but the nest at that time had no lining, 
Fig. 4. TOWNSEND SOLITAIRE ON NEST AT BASE OF SHASTA Fir. 
and he was skeptical of results in the time allowed. The nest was a straight find 
on lis part, on the basis of birds seen in the neighborhood and manifestation of 
desire for mating on the part of the female. Nest under rock on sloping hillside 
in deep woods. Shasta firs up to five feet in diameter in immediate neighbor- 
food and snow all around, the nearest bank fifteen feet away. 
As we approached, this evening at six, the bird was sitting tightly, so we 
suppose the set to be complete. Certainly this is quick work from a nest without 
a vestige of grass six days ago! Nest in triangular, receding cranny, with earth 
floor ten inches deep under cover, six inches wide at middle of nest. Nest proper 
3% inches wide; 1%4 deep. Twigs covered with blackbeard moss for skirt, some 
