THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
339 
Sturnella neglecta — (Aud.) 
Western Meadow Lark. Nest neatly made of grass stalks, and lined with 
fine roots. Usually placed on a sloping bank in a hollow in the ground, about 
five the usual number of eggs laid. Taken on the Spokan prairie, in May. 
Icterus bullocHL — (Bon.) 
Bullock’s Oriole. Builds a hanging nest, very neatly made, often several in 
the same bush. I saw one tree on the Shasta plains literally covered with the 
nests of these orioles, it was a sight curious and pretty; the tree was an oak and 
growing perfectly alone and isolated, from even a bush, on the great sandy desert, 
near mount Shasta in Oregon; a tiny spring bubbled up near it through the sandy 
soil, and these birds I suppose from sheer want of a place to erect their homes, had 
taken possession of this tree. The dazzling livery of orange and black, shone out 
in bright relief, and contrasted prettily with the green leaves and grey garb of this 
lone tree in the wilderness; from five to six. eggs are usually laid. Taken at the 
Balls in July. 
Corvus caurinus.-*- (Baird.) 
Fish-crow of Oregon.—North-west Fish-crow. Ketires from the coast 
into the interior to breed, constructs a very large nest of dead sticks in a low tree 
or a thorn bush, and domes it over like the magpie, the inside being smoothly 
plastered with mud; lays from five to six eggs. I believe these eggs were first 
brought home by myself. Taken on Sumass prairie on the banks of the Fraser 
Biver in June. 
Pica Jiudsonica .— (Bonap.) 
Magpie. Begins building very early. I took eggs from a nest near the 
Snake Biver in May before the snow had left; nest exactly like our own 
species, from ten to twelve eggs usually laid. Taken on the little Spokan 
Biver bank. 
Tetrao obscums. —(Kech.) 
Dusky Grouse. This grouse selects a kind of covered or hollow place under a 
projecting rock for its nesting establishment. A pit is scratched in the earth and the 
eggs laid on the bare ground; they begin laying early in April, from nine to twelve 
eggs being usually the number sat on; the chicken leave the nest as soon as 
hatched, and follow the hen; she usually takes them on to a dusty hill side, near 
some mountain bourn, that comes dancing down the rocky ravine, tarrying here and 
there to rest in a tiny pool, a drinking font of natures own contriving. Taken 
in May near the Spokan Prairie. 
Long-billed Curlew. Seldom lays more than two eggs, these are placed in 
a hollow on the open prairie amongst long grass, nothing is used in making a nest, 
not even dry grass. Taken on the Spokan Prairie in June. 
