2 54 
General Notes. 
The nest was built in a low, thick spruce which stood on the edge of a 
swamp, near a brook. It was’ placed on a horizontal branch at a height 
of about three feet, and was well concealed by the clusters of densely- 
imbricated needles above. Externally it measures 5 inches wide by 2.50 
inches deep; internally 1.80 by 1.50 inches. The walls in places are 1.50 
inches in thickness. The main body of the structure is composed of 
Usnea moss, weed-stalks, and dry grasses, closely matted and protected 
outwardly by coarser stalks and a few dead spruce twigs. The lining is ' 
of slender, black moss-stems (which curiously resemble horse-hair), 
cows’-hair, and a few feathers. The whole affair is remarkably solid and ! 
bulky for a Warbler’s nest. 
The eggs are white, with brown specks scattered over the general surface 
of the shell and numerous spots and blotches of reddish-brown and laven- I! 
der about the larger end. They measure respectively .75 X .56, .76 X .56, 
and .75 X .57. 
2. Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. — The Pine Grosbeak was 
apparently rare among the Magdalens for Mr. Frazar met with only five 
individuals, four of which were secured. The first pair, taken June 18, 
on Amherst Island, evidently had a nest among some low spruces, for 
both birds showed unmistakable signs of anxiety when the spot was ap- 
proached, and the female proved, on examination, to be incubating. The 
female of the second pair, shot June 29, on Grindstone Island, had laid 
all her eggs but one, which, although in the oviduct and of full size, was 
unfortunately without a shell. Mr. Frazar searched long and carefully 
for both nests but without success. 
Our knowledge respecting the bi'eeding of this Grosbeak, as found in ! 
America, is so very imperfect that the above data are both interesting.and 
valuable. The inference is that the eggs are laid late in the season, a fact 
which the analogy furnished by kindred species would scarcely have I 
suggested. 
3. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Mr. Frazar met 
with these Crossbills on all the islands of the Magdalen group, where they j 
were among the most abundant of the land birds. At the time of his 
arrival (June 6) they had already collected in large flocks which were 
composed chiefly of young birds and females, a company of fifty or 
more often containing only one or two males in red plumage. The 
latter were also found' singly, and from the fact that such individuals were 
often in full songMr. Frazar inferred that they might still be in attendance 
on sitting mates, or unfledged young. The average development of the 
numerous young birds collected would indicate, however, that the regular 
breeding-season was somewhat earlier, although none of them could have 
been hatched much before the middle of May. Assuming, then, that the 
past season was not an exceptionally late one, the proper time to look for- 
fresh eggs in this locality would be not far from May 1. 
As I can find no detailed description of the first plumage of this species 
I append the following : — 
Juv., first plumage ($, Magdalen Islands, June 14, 1882. M. A. Fra- 
zar). Entire plumage of head and body thickly streaked with dull black 
