Nov., 1920 NESTING OF THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER IN BERKELEY 201 
the brooding bird was partially screened from above by an overhanging branch. 
The nest was firmly ensconced on top of a cluster of twelve cypress cones, the 
main limb itself at this point being insufficient, as it was only one-half inch 
in diameter. The foundation of the nest consists of dead bare cypress twigs 
and a few dry grass stems. It is lined with fine dry pine needles, stiff fibrous 
rootlets, and horsehair. The outside dimensions of the nest are 6x614x214 
inches (15.3x16.5x6.5 cen- 
timeters) and the inside 
dimensions, 314x3%4x11, 
inches (9.0x9.5x3.8 centi- 
meters). The four eggs 
measure 23.0x16.5, 22.5x 
16.9, 22.2x17.0 and 22.6x 
17.0 millimeters, respect- 
ively. The ground color 
of the eggs is normal for 
the species, being light 
ochraceous-salmon, but 
the markings of the eggs 
are odd. Instead of being 
wreathed about the larger 
end with clusters of fairly 
well defined spots, all four 
egos have a single heavy 
splotch or smudge, six by 
ten millimeters in extent 
in one case, on one side or 
surface of the egg, while 
the opposite surface is 
practically unmarked. 
These splotches are light 
vinaceous-drab, fading 
about the edges to cinna- 
mon-rufous (these color 
names from Ridgway, 
1912). The-~set appears 
either very handsome or 
plain according to the po- 
sition of the eggs when 
viewed. When first ob- 
the 
Fig. 39. THE NEST WAS FIRMLY ENSCONCED ON TOP OF : 1 
A CLUSTER OF TWELVE CYPRESS cones. Ir was Served in the nest 
PLACED THIRTY INCHES FROM THE TIP OF A SLENDER plain aspects of the eggs 
UPPER BRANCH OF THE EROKEN-TOPPED CYPRESS. were most in view. 
A bare dead branch of a nearby eucalyptus was the favorite perch of the 
pugnacious male, and his duty seemed to be quickly to put to rout any luckless 
bird that happened to come within twenty-five feet of the nest. Excreta picked 
up below this favorite perch were found to consist almost entirely of chitinous 
remains, mandibles and elytra, of insects, chiefly beetles. The dried remains 
of several blow-flies were found on the edge of the nest, crumbs fallen, as it 
