124 TIlE CONDOR VoL. XI While searching for the undiscovered eggs of the Large-billed Sparrow, May 4, 1908, I took a few high steps to break my way thru a tangled mass of weeds and was surprised to see rise.near my right knee, a California Black Rail. Examination of a dense growth of Salicornia amblgua brought to light a well concealed nest with one whole and three smasht eggs. An egg-smeared boot explained the un- fortrotate destruction of what would have proved a valuable addition to any oological collection. Incubation had commenced in each egg of this small set. This nest, as well as an empty one found in a similar location at a distance of a few hundred feet, was placed from ten to twelve inches above the mud. Having flusht birds directly from two nests, I imagined I'should have no difficulty in securing a series of specimens if searcht for diligently; time has shown the fallacy of that idea. Extensive field experience thruout this and several other states, warrants the writer in claiming that there is no bird whose nest is more difficult to find than an occupied nest of the species under consideration. Some of our small leathered denizens of the forest effectually conceal their homes in bewildering foliage of tall trees, but the nesting site can usually be located by a sharp-eyed and patient collector watch- ing the birds during building operations. The California Black Rails inhabit such dense vegetation, in which an abundance of nesting material is close at hand, that work could be carried ou at a distance of six feet without one's being aware of the fact. Twenty-five special collecting trips to this colony by the undersigned, has resulted in only one bird and three sets of eggs; on each occasion two to six hours was spent in amost pains- taking search for specimens. I have seen but ten birds. Five of them were flusht by a young man and his dog; one was captured by the same party seiziug it with his hand as it endeavored to escape from the dog by running, and the others were flusht by myself. The dog would point the Rails and as they glided away beneath the weeds, would follow along sniffing rapidly. On catching sight of a little fugitive skulking from one shadowy retreat to another, he would bite at it, in one instance nabbing out most of the tail feathers. These biting acts seemed to be of a playful nature and reminded one of a cat playing with a captured mouse. The salt weeds of this marsh are of an evergreen character and perennial, vary- ing little from season to season. Old clumps of Salicornia become more or less matted down, forming an ideal retreat for this secretive little bird. A favorite nesting site is oue formed by an old top-heavy weed falling over a growth of previ- ous years in such a way as to leave a shelf-like space between the layers of stems and foliage. Away from the glaring sun on such a platform, is concealed a flimsy nest of fine dry weed stems. These weeds are too brittle to admit of weaving, and fall apart on being lifted from the sustaining platform. Nests that are built on the ground are sometimes as much as two inches thick in the center. Even the best constructed nests partially fall away on removal from the supporting weeds and earth. By sewing a round piece of paper to .the bottom and making many stitches thru the balance of a nest, one can preserve about three-fourths of the original material. Of course the natural shape of a sewed specimen is changed, render- ing it unsatisfactory to the careful student of nature. An excellent way of taking fragile nests of this character from the ground reasonably free of stones, is to remove a good sized piece of earth containing the nest and surrounding vegetation. An example of my method is shown in one of the photographs accompanying this article. This nest was obtained in the following manner. The cover and bottom were removed from an eight-by-twelve-inch wooden candy box; strips of tin having one edge bent at a right-angle, were attacht with small nails to each end and one side of the box, at proper distance to form a groove-like runway for the bottom to
