100 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV U 
Peculiar Nesting Site of Anthony Towhee. — On April 25, 1914, a friend called my 
attention to a nest placed in the topmost box of a stack of berry boxes that were stand- 
ing on a bench in his barn. At the time, the nest contained two partly incubated eggs of 
the Anthony Towhee ( Pipilo crissalis senicula). The bird usually entered the barn 
through a door near the nest, but when this was closed it entered through a window fully 
ten feet from the nest. For some reason the nest was deserted after the eggs were 
about half incubated. This is the first instance where 1 have found this bird nesting 
otherwise than in a tree or bush. — Wright M. Pierce, Claremont, California. 
The House Finch as a Parasite. — -Close observation of some of our commonest birds 
often leads to the discovery of some trait not hitherto ascribed to the species. The 
practice of making use of the nests of others in which to deposit their eggs is common 
to many of our North American birds. Among the cowbirds and cuckoos this practice 
Fig. 39. Nest and eggs oe Anthony Brown Tow- 
hee IN STACK OF BERRY-BOXES 
Photo by W. M. Pierce. 
is so well known as to need no comment. Certain of the gallinaceous fowls, such as 
pheasants, partridges, quail, etc., occasionally deposit their eggs in nests of others of 
their own or allied species. 
The waterfowl are represented in this class, many species leaving their eggs to the 
care of other birds. Thus eggs of the Ruddy Duck, the Redhead, the Shoveller, and 
others, are frequently found in the nests of other ducks, and coots. Many of the Rap- 
tores make use of the deserted nests of crows, ravens, magpies, and others suited to 
their needs. The sparrow hawks, smaller owls, and numerous species of wrens, chick- 
adees, titmice, etc., use old woodpecker holes. 
But as far as I know, the Linnet, or House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis ) 
is unique among the Fringillidae as a parasite. I first encountered the species under 
consideration as leaving its eggs to the care of a foster-parent in April, 1908. A nest of 
