Jan., 1905 | 
THE CONDOR 
17 
a bunch of dead grass and composed of the same material and a few hairs. Both 
parents approached me closely while at the nest. 
The disparity between the abundance of the thick-billed sparrow {Passer el la 
iliaca megarhyncha) in the Big Trees region and the number of nests that one can 
note in a week’s observation is very striking. One nest only was found, this be- 
ing at Gardner, elevation 4800 feet on June 8. It was placed in a small cedar two 
feet above the ground and contained three eggs in which the incubation was al- 
most completed. The nest materials used were stems, dry grass, and fine inner 
bark. The sitting bird was very tame and all but allowed me to touch her with 
my hand. The fact that the male kept close to the nest and sang lustily most of 
the time makes it all the more remarkable that the breeding habits of this species 
have been comparatively so little studied. We were compelled to leave Gradner 
before the eggs were hatched. 
( To be concluded.) 
NR. WILLIAM DUTCHER 
We take pleasure in being able to publish the portrait of Mr. William Butcher, 
chairman of the A. O. U. Committee on the Protection of North American Birds, 
and chairman of the National Committee of Audubon Societies. For a number of 
years Mr. Butcher has been untiring and effective in his efforts to gain better pro- 
tection for North American birds. His success, in the face of innumerable diffi- 
culties, is well known to all ornithologists and bird lovers. Mr. Butcher’s earlier 
work was especially concerned with the birds of Tong Island, N. Y. 
With this issue of The Condor the series of portraits of American ornitholog- 
ists will be discontinued. In the editorial column will be found an announcement 
of interest. 
