114 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
base cousisting of a platform of small 
sticks and twigs, mostly of the white sage, 
which are laid on a snfHciently strong pine 
branch and generally as far out as possilile. 
On this the nest proper is placed, wliich is 
composed of dry grasses, vegetable fibres, 
hyjjnum moss, and the fine inner bark of 
the westeni juniper uniperus occidenta- 
lis.) These various materials are well in¬ 
corporated togetlier and fastened to the 
branch and pine needles on which it is 
placed, and makes a warm and comfortable 
structure. The outer diameter of the only 
nest measured by me (that is, the compact 
portion of it) was eight and one-half inches; 
inner diameter, foiir and one-half inches ; 
depth inside, three and one-half inches; 
outside, five inches. As a rule the nests 
were well concealed from view below, and 
almost invariably placed on or near the ex¬ 
tremity of a live limb at various heights 
from the ground. 
Isolated clumps of pine trees growing 
near the edges of the forests or mountain 
valleys, as well as among juniper or moun¬ 
tain mahogany groves, seemed to be the 
favorite localities frecpiented by these birds 
during the breeding season; in fact, I have 
scarcely ever noticed them any distance in 
the forest unless there were frequent open¬ 
ings, small valleys, etc., interspei-sed with 
timber. These birds appear to raise but 
one brood during the season, although they 
commence breeding early enough to raise 
two or even three nests easily enough, 
and in the ^^cinity of Fort Harney they 
disappear about the end of May or early 
in Tune, gathering about that time in con¬ 
siderable flocks, and are not seen again till 
about October. They probably spend the 
Summer months in the higher mountain 
regions in tlie vicinity. 
At all other times a social, inquisitive 
and exceedingly noisy bird, the Clarke’s 
Crow during the breeding season is ex¬ 
actly the reverse. In vain one may watch 
and listen to hear their usual and by no 
means musical call note, “ chfuir, chaar,” 
[Vol. 7-No. 15 
which so easily betrays their presence at 
other times. I have listened m vain and 
)eeu disapjjoiuted. Their whole character 
seems to have undergone a sudden radical 
transformation. They remain perfectly si¬ 
lent, seem to hide and would scarcely be 
noticed, even where comparative!}’ abun¬ 
dant. unless closely looked after. 
They are certainly most devoted parents, 
sometimes even allowing themselves to be 
captured rather than leave the nest. Their 
habits otherwise are sufficiently well known, 
and I have nothing new to add thereto. 
Large-billed Water Thrush. 
My private collection contains not only 
my best work and the finest specimens I 
can procure, but also those which have 
associations connected with them that I 
wish to remember. A pair of this species 
{Sinrus rnotacilla) holds all the above hon¬ 
ors. May 11, '77, while five miles west of 
Proridence, in a place known as the Snake 
Dens, I saw a pair of Water Thrushes run¬ 
ning around on the stones in the bed of a 
pretty brook that rushes between rocky 
banks. On a nearer approach they flew to 
the top of the opposite bank, giving at in¬ 
tervals their sharp chip. I shot one from 
the top of a large rock, and going to the 
place found no bird, but just back of 
where it had been was a crevice loosely 
filled with leaves. I pulled out a lot and 
finding no bird arose to leave, Imt imme¬ 
diately decided not to give up so quickly 
and returned to work, and took out all the 
leaves I could reach, and among the last 
the bird, which I dropped into my basket 
without putting into a paper contrar}’ to 
my usual custom, .\fter trnm]nng about 
two hours and having several birds. I sat 
down to put them in papers. Had made a 
cornuco]iia and tipped the bird s head back 
preparatory’ to sliding him in, when for the 
first time I noticed what I had. I had 
made the actpiaintance of this species at 
Mt. Carmel. Ill., when collecting there w’ith 
E. W. Nelson in ’75. but had thought un- 
