1SS7.I Allen, Nesting of the Pine Finch in Southern New York. 2 8 Cj 
ation, and after the second day I noticed that nothing seemed to be 
added to the structure, and my fears that they had abandoned it 
proved true. Still the birds were about, and the female was 
often observed with bits of nest-material in her bill. A little 
patient watching disclosed the fact that a new nesting-site had 
been chosen, — this time the extremity of an upper branch of a 
neighboring Norway pine, about thirty-five feet from the ground, 
and about the same distance from the much frequented piazza of 
the house. As it was on the side of the tree toward the house, 
and nearly on a level with the windows of my room, I had a fine 
opportunity of watching the industrious little architects, although 
the nest itself was completely hidden from view by the dense 
pine needles in which it was placed. 
of this series. We reached Tarpon 'Springs ea’ny’ofi’' rjarrudy 
morning. As a result of this five weeks’ cruise I had collected 
in all about two hundred and fifty birds, which have already been 
spoken of in detail. 
At Tarpon Springs I learned that J. H. Batty was at Trouble 
Creek, a point six miles north of here, and later the men who 
had killed birds for him there, told me that he bought all the 
birds they could kill for him, except White Ibises. These included 
the more common of the smaller land birds, which were appar- 
ently as desirable as the water species. He took all Hawks and 
Owls, and also the Florida Quail. The prices paid for these 
birds in the flesh ranged from ten cents up to as high as seventy- 
five cents, and even a dollar for some kinds, such as the Great 
Blue Heron. 
The facts I have presented in these papers have been mainly 
derived from my personal observation, and I have carefully 
avoided giving any information supplied from outside sources 
unless I felt sure that it was to be relied upon. 
It is scarcely necessary to draw any conclusions or inferences. 
This great and growing evil speaks for itself. I have the name 
and addresses of some fifty dealers in various towns in Florida 
and the principal cities of the country. Merchants in New York 
and other centres are buying every month the skins and plumes 
of Florida birds. The price paid for such material, notwithstand- 
ing the efforts made to create sympathy for the birds, and a feeling 
against using the feathers for hats and other decorative purposes, 
. . IS 
