Page:Condor12(2).djvu/22

72 THE CONDOR ?oL. XlI the distinction here is very slight. Eighteen of these specimens were collected by myself and the sex carefully determined, so there can be no doubt on that score. I wish to thank Mr. H. H. Lane for his kindness in sending me the series in the University of Oklahoma for examinaiion. In the locality of which I speak, the canyons were about three hundred and twenty feet deep, with outcroppings of gypsum rock from bottom to top, with a strong salt stream running at the bottom. The only fresh water for miles was a spring on the ridge, a quarter of a mile above the head of the canyon. The can- yon walls, and gulches leading to the canyons, were studded with clumps of bushes, mostly dog-wood, scrub-oak and similar shrubs, forming ideal cover for vireos, of which Vireo belli was not uncommon. On one occasion the nest of a Bell Vireo was found in the same bush with that of a Black-cap. The nesting habits of the Black-cap are unlike Bell's, in that it always builds in the center of a bush or rather in a clump of bushes instead of on the outer edge, slips away upon the approach of an intruder, and if singing or scolding in a bush, you may depend upon it, that the nest is nowhere near. I cannot remember of finding a nest in a clump of bushes from which the male was singing. His song is clear and bell-like and is never to be mistaken if one comes to know it. The nest resembles Bell's in appearance and structure, and is usually about eighteen inches from the ground, hanging from a forked twig. The eggs are four in number and pearly white, unmarkt. When blown, they resemble a small woodpecker's egg. Cowbirds frequently lay in the Black-caps' nests, and on one occasion a nest was found containing two eggs of the Black-cap and three of the Cowbird. The former were discolored and had the appearance of being deserted. I watcht the nest nearly an hour and as no bird appeared, I finally took it. They do not build over water, but they have no choice as to the lay of the ground. Nests were found at the'bottom of canyons, and steep canyon walls, up- lands, and little draws leading to the canyons. They nested in jack-oak, dog- wood, wild plum, China berry and like shrubs. No matter where the nest was built, on bottom lands, or ravines, the bush in which it was placed was always above high ? water mark. I had a splendid opportunity to observe this as the high- est water ever known in this locality, occurred while I was campt there in the canyons. Although nests are usually placed in sheltered spots, many had their eggs shaken out by a severe storm. About fifty such cases were observed and the birds immediately went to work to repair the damage, and take up their family duties again. The Black-cap is a restless little thing, and rarely stays in one place'long enough for a shot, or to be observed. The song is composed of many notes, one resembling the Wood Thrush in miniature. and when disturbed it can hardly find time to scold. The female is much shyer than the maIe and one seldom gets a glimpse of her unless concealed near her nest. In one case a female allowed me to approach within two feet of her nest without being alarmed, but when I carefully tried to cover her with my hand, she slipped away without a sound. Upon exam- ination I found that the eggs were just hatching. Male and female share alike in the duties of providing for the young, but in no case have I seen the male sit upon the eggs or assist in building the nest. I was fortunate enough to watch the construction of one nest from start to finish. The weaving was accomplisht after the fibers had all been attacht to the forked twig, and hung down like a fringe. The female would dart down from a nearby twig, catch the end of a fiber in her bill, fly up to the opposite side of the fork,