IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) / ^ '^ V 1.0 I.I 1^ V- IIIM IIIIM M 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1 6 4 6" ► Hiotographic Sciences Corporation \ 4. ip \ \ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^9) V ^^, ^^^\ -aifcKMiJfcWIUMil 1 1 . m nMWi- iuijii|ni.m^BMJwiii '-tf'u ;,^?gyp'w*rwr'g^i^? 59?!!:^ i^s r % C/a Q. &>■ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques -"**^'*"-'-«"*A'b v.\ >y PREFACE. The unprecedented interest manifest in the ('elightful study of Birds, their nests and (,'t;s has, within the past few years called forth uimerous worlts on the subject, and the Icrature of the study has vastly increased, especially in this country, where the ticid is omparatively new. The present publication is an entirely new df!icc, ilj3i. 8 vo pp. i — 94. w '•/». Iformit Thiush — iivi.ch iciii.A unai.asc^ hai.i.a.si. Hliiish jjreen iinspottt'l ; four; .()2 by .62, r'. Nests |)Iaccil on tl»e grnuiul. v.. N, a 7. American Kobiu — miki i.A MKiKATOKiA. (ireenish-blue; five or six 1.18 by .Hi. Nfsts placed in trees, bushes, c>n fences and stumps, an( anywhere for convenience. N. a la. Western Robin — mkrui.a MKiKAToKiA I'KoriNyUA. V-V.V,'^ '" "i> collection, so far as 1 can discern, do not differ from those of the Mast em variety, . , w. N. A !). Varied Uobin — iiKsiM:Rn(icm.A N.icviA. I-ight blue, marked anc spotted will) umber brown ; four; I.I3 by .Mo. Nests placed in bushes, H. t 10. Sajje Thru.sh— oKKtJSCOi'TKs montanus. Hright jjreenish -blue marked with spots of deep olive brown and blotches of lifjht lilac; I. by .74. Nests placed in low bushes. (See notes.) P.O. 11. Mockinjjbird — mimi's I'oi.YriLorru.s. Light greenish-blue, market with blotches of yellowish brown, russet, chocolate and purple; four tt six; .99 by .75, <•, Nests usually jilaced in thickets and low bushes. s. u. s VI. Catbird — (iAi.KOScoi'TES cakolinensis, Hiuish-green ; four or five; .97 by .69, v. Nests placed in low bushes and thickets. u. s ;. 13. Krown Thrasher — haktorhyncuus rukus. Greenish-white, thickly marked with reddish brown dots, usually more numerous at the larger end four to six; 1.05 by .81. Nests placed in low bushes, briars, etc., some times on the ground. e. u. s l.'lrt. Mexican Hrown Thrasher — hakporiiynci.'us rufus i.ongirostris, Hardly distintjuishable from the preceding species; four to six; 1.13 by .79 Nests placed in clusters of briars, etc. Lower Rio Oraiule 14. Saint Lucas Thrasher — iiarpokuvnchu.s cinereus. Greenish-white, marked with spots of mingled purple and brown, and yellowish brown ; 1.12 by .yj. Nests placed in low trees, shrubs, cactus plants, etc. l.tjwer Cat 15, Curve -billed Thrasher — harporhynchus curvirostris. Light green, thickly covered with fine brown spots; five; i.!2 by .80. Nests placed in shrubs. w«,t. Tex«», Mexico \h(i. Palmer's Thrasher — harporhynchus curvirostris palmeri I'ale blue, sprinkled with dots of yellowish-brown ; three; i. '16 by. 85 Nests placed in low bushes. Ari.ona. '•Si^«'^/;;V, l^»;'•■"■« ''*;'.^^ niiiisli green lul. K. N. A jIuc; five or six lit! stumps, am N. A. I'Ik'^s ill m> i-^c of tlie ICast w. N. A. ic, marked anc aced in bushes, p. c. f,'reenisli-bliie, liglit lilac; i. by }•. c. ish-blue, marked purple; four to I low bushes. S. V. s green; four or ^. K(;G CIIIXK LIST OK NORTH AMERICAN lUKIXS. 37. Black - crested Titmouse — i.ophophanes atrocristatus. Clear white, with spots and blotches of reddish-brown, forming a confluent ring at the large end; four; .76 by .59. Nests in natural cavities of hollow limbs. s. u. s. 40. Mountain Chickadee — parus montanus. Pure white, some are marked with spots of reddish-brown; five; .63 by .49. Nests in holes of decayed trees. p. c. 41. Black -capped Chickadee — parus atricapillus. White with rosy blush, speckled all over, but most thickly at the larger end, with reddi.sh- brown spots; five or si::; .58 by .47. Nests in holes and decayed stumps of trees. E. N. A. 41a. Long tailed Chickadee — p.arus atricapillu.s septentrionalis. Dull-white, uniformly covered with fine markings and .small blotches of red and reddish-brown, with few dots of purplish; five to eight; .60 by .50. Nests in decayed stumps and hollow trees. w. u. s. 42. Carolina Chickadee — parus carolinensis. Pure white, uniformly sprinkled with blotches of reddish-brown; five to .seven; .60 by .50. Nests in holes of decayed stumps and hollow trees. s. u. s. 45. Hudsonian Chickadee — parus iiudsonicus. White, marked with reddish-brown spots, form.ing a ring around the larger end; .56 by. 47. ' Nests in hollow stumjxs of trees. n. "e. n. a. 47. Least Tit — psai.triparus minimus. Pure white; five to nine; .55 by .43. Nests placed in the branches of small trees. w. u. s. 50. Yellow-headed Tit — auriparus elavicI'ps. Pale blue, with nu- merous small brown spots, chiefly near the larger end ; four; .60 by .44. Nests built in trees. w. u. s. 5L White bellied Nuthatch — sitta carolinensis. Roseate tinge, cov- ered with spots of reddish-brown, with a slight tin^je of purple; four; .80 by .62. Nests in hollows of decayed trees. e. u. s. olrt. Slender-billed Nuthatch — siTTA carolinensis aculeata. Creamy white, speckled and blotched with reddish brown, sometimes over the whole surface but chiefly at the largei end; five or six; .78 by .62. Nests in holes of trees. iv c. to Rocky Mts. 52. Red-bellied Nuthatch — sitta canadensis. Ro.seate tinge, thickly covered with spots of reddish: four to six; .60 by .48. Nests in dead stumps of trees. ■ ' ■:*, l',. ' N. a. <*mh»ja:»iy<« wWfg "■^■ii i»^i-.i^»ilf ^»*tWff»»;t(. « ■>lf»l»»H»frwjfi'^-tj3'*»'*W'*"'**^-f*'"" "y^*"'— <*n' J- -^ "■'f^i^^^ f *•«• 1 .ns. iiSTATUS. Clear a confluent ring [ivities of hollow s. u. s. white, some are Nests in holes of p. c. White with rosy id, with reddish- decayed stumps E. N. A. iiEPTENTRIONALIS. mail blotches of to eight; .60 by w. u. s. white, uniformly ^en ; .60 by .50. s. u. s. lite, marked with end; .56 by .47. ' N. "E. N. A. five to nine; .55 w. u. s. blue, with nu- four; .60 by .44. w. u. s. oseate tinge, cov- )urple; four; .80 E. U. S. !LEATA. Creamy letimes over the '8 by .62. Nests V. C. to Rocky Mts. ate tinge, thickly Nests in dead -; -.■■--' N. A. V.C.V, (IIIXK. LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN HIRDS. o.'}. lirown headed Nuthatch — sitta pusilla. White, very thickly sprinkled with reddish-brown dots; they appear almost a uniform choco- late color; rounded oval ; four to six; .60 by. 50. Nests in dead stumps of trees. s. u. s. .■) 1. Pigmy Nuthatcji— sitta pygM;T:a. Crvstalline-white, more or less thickly covered with red spots, most numerous at the larger end; seven; .63 by .45. Nests in the cavities of old trees. p. c. .")."). Brown Creeper — certhia kamiliaris rufa. Grayish - white, sparsely sprinkled with reddish-brown; five to nine; .55 by .44. Nests within scales of loose bark. ' N. A. .")(). Cactus Wren — campvlorhyncmus brunneicapillus. — White, thick- ly covered with rich salmon-colored spots; giving a beautiful ca.st to the surface; four; .94 by .63. Nest, purse-shaped, usually placed in the branches of a cactus. s. w. u. s. iJT. Saint Lucas Cactus Wren — campylorhynchus affinis. Similar to those of the preceding species. <-'-'p= s^' Lucas. 58. Rock Wren — .salpinctes ousoletus. Crystalline White, sprinkled with distinct reddish-brown dots, usually forming a ring around larger end; four to eight; .70 by .62. Nests in a rift of rocks. w. u. s. i)9a. White-throated Wren — catherpes mexicanus conspersus. Crys- talline white, covered with large blotches of leddish or cinnamon-brown; four; .80 by .60. Nests in crevices of old walls. M. u. s. ()(). Carolina Wren— THRVOTHORUS LUDO\fjciANUS. Reddish-white, thick- ly spotted with various shades of reddish brown ; five to seven; .74 by .60, 7'. Nests in barns, sheds, or in cavities of old logs. e, u. s. 61. Bewick's Wren — thrvomanf-S bewicki. Thickly covered with reddish-brown, almost concealing the white ground; seven to nine. Nests anywhere, in boxes, holes, fence-posts, etc. (See notes.) s. u.'S. Californian Bewick's Wren — thryomanes bewicki spilurus. p. c. Gl«. Same markings as those of the preceding species. (51/;. Texan Bewick's Wren— thryomanes bewicki leucogaster. Hardly distinguishable from the two preceding species. s. Border u. s. (),'}. House Wren— troglodytes aedon. — WJiite, thickly dotted with fine spots of reddish-brown, with a light tinge of purple; seven to nine; .61 by .55, V. Nests in hollow trees, boxes, etc e. u. s. 10 ec;g cnL;cK list ok north amkrican birds. (iSa. Western House Wren — troglodytes aedon parkmanni. Same markings as those of the preceding species. Nesting habits same, w.u.s. 65. Winter Wren — anortiiura troglodytes hyemalis. White, spot ted with a bright, reddish-brown, with markings of purple; five; .65 by .48. Nests under roots of trees, hollow logs, etc. n. a. G7. Long billed Marsh Wren — tki.matodytes pai.ustrls. Thickly- marked with brown spots so as to appear of a uniform chocolate color six to nine; .65 by .50. Nests in low bushes. N. a as. Short-billed Marsh Wren — cistothorus stellaris. Pure white nine; .60 by .45. Nests in high grass ir bushes. E. u. s 71. American Titlark — anthus ludovicianus. Dark chocolate color, indistinctly marked with numerous small lines and streaks of black; four or five. Nests placed on the ground. n. a. 73. Sprague's Titlark — neocorvs spraguel White, minutely dotted with grayish purple, .so as to appear of a uniform color; four or five; .87 by .6^. Nests placed on the ground. N. u. s. 74. Black-and white Creeper — mniotilta varia. Creamy-white, spot- ted and blotched with reddish, chiefly at the larger end; three to seven. Nests placed on the ground. e. N. A. 75. Prothonotary Warbler — protonotaria citrea. Clear; lustrous white; in .some, spots and dottings of dull brown, with markings of pale lavender over the entire surface; in others, bold blotches of reddish-brown, thickly laid on, especially around the larger end ; in some instances almost obscured; five to seven; .70 by .52. Nests in holes of trees. s. E. u. s. 77. Worm-eating Warbler — helminthothekus vermivorus. White, rather sparsely dotted with reddish-brown; four; .74 by .62. Nests placed on the ground. e. u. s. 70. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler — helminthopiiaga pinus. White, with .small red spots, forming a ring around the larger end, and a few spots are scattered over the whole surface; four or fi.ve; .70 by .54. Nests placed on the ground. . . -- ; e. u. s. 81. Golden-winged Warbler — helminthophaga chrvsopteka. Crys- tal-white, with a few bright reddish brown spots around the greater end; three or four; .65 by .52. Nests on or near the ground. e. u. s. 83. Lucy's Warbler — helminthophaga lucite. Crystal white, spotted chiefly around the larger end with fine dottings of purplish-red; four; .5^ by .45. Nests between the loose bark and dead trunks of trees. ^ai. DS. iKMANNi. Same ts same, w.u.s. s. White, spot pie; five; .65 by N. A. STRis. Thickly chocolate color; , N. A. "y^"; IS Pure white; E. U. S. : chocolate color, :s of black; four N. A. minutely dotted four or five; .87 N. U. S. *amy-white, spot- three to seven. E. N. A. Clear, lustrous markings of pale of reddish-brown, : instances almost rees. s. E. u. s. nvoRUs. White, , by .62. Nests E. U. S. \ PINUS. White, r end, and a few five; .70 by .54. E. U. S. YSOi'TEKA. Crys- the greater end ; I. E. U. S. stal white, spotted ish-red; four; .5^ of trees. Cai. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN MUDS. s-',"iwfs™-'ri»7*?ftv»?*of>-»- ^ 11 84. Virginia's Warbler— helminthoimiaga virgini.e White, with roseate tinge, profusely spotted with numerous small blotches and dots of purpli-sh-brown and lilac, forming a ring around the larger end; four; .64 by .47. Nests on the ground. ' . Soulhcm Ponimi dT llic MldiUe province, U. S S.j. Nashville Warbler — hei.minthophaga ruficapilla. White, sprinkled with light reddish-brown specks, most thickly at the large end; four; .60 by .50. 'Nests on the ground. >: ^ >; •• .;';- * < .., .- ^- ^- ^■ 80. Orange-crowned Warbler — helminthophaga celata. White, marked with spots and blotches of reddish-brown, thickly about the larger end; four to six; .65 by .47. Nests placed on the ground. n. a. 87. Tennessee Warbler — helminthophaga peregrina. White, with numerous small dots and points of reddish-brown and slate; .68 by .50. Nests on or near the ground. E. N. A. 88. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler — parula Americana. Finely sprinkled on a white ground with reddish brown dots, chiefly at the larger end, in some forming a ring; four and five; .63 by .49. Nests in trees and bushes. , ; ,•■ - ^■■'';^, .:'^^\. -'-.:■ s"":"-"-'-'-'::: C'i^''^'^-'-^-' ^ ^' ^' 93. Summer Yellow Bird ; Yellow Warbler— uendrceca ^I'Stiva. Light green, with dots and blotches of light purple, brown and lilac; four; .62 by . 50, v. Nests in trees and bushes. ^ N. a. 94. Black throated Blue Warbler— den drceca c^erulescens. White, with a ring of brown and lilac dots, and blotched at the larger end, with minute spots scattered over the entire surface; four or five; .62 by .45. , ; ; . \ ;' ,■ :_■ E. u. s.' 95. Yellow-rump Warbler— dendrceca coronata. White, blotched and spotted with different; shades of brown and purplish; four to six; .72 by . 54. Nests in bushes. N. a. 96. Audubon's Warbler— dendrceca aududoni. Pinkish-white, with red markings chiefly about the larger end ; .70 by . 50. Nests in small trees and bushes. ^^' ^- ■*• 97. Black-and-yellow Warbler— dendrceca maculosa. Creamy-white, blotched sparingly over with large spots of lilac and umber; .62 by .51. Nests in low spruce. e. n. a.. 98. Cerulean Warbler — dendrceca c.'ERULEA. Dull creamy-white, more or less thickly covered with blotches of reddish-brown; five; .60 by .47. Nests in high trees. e. u. s. x:- .-,^' 12 kch; check list ok north amkkican hikds. i {)!t. Chestnut sided Warbler — nENHKUXA pennsylvanica. Rich creamy- white, and beautifully spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with purple and purplish-brown; three or four; .65 by .49. Nests in shrubs, e. u. s. 100. l},iy brea.sted Warbler — hendrceca c.astanea. Hluish-green, thickly spotted with brown, usually with a ring of blotches of brown and lilac at the larger end; four to six; .69 by. 51. Nests in trees. k. n. a. 101. lilack-poll Warbler— i)KNDR(KCA striata. White, spotted with lavender, dark purple, lavender and reddish-brown; five; .72 by .50. Nests in thick spruce trees. e. n. a. 102. Hlackburnian Warbler — oendrcfxa bi.ackburni^. White, spot- ted chiefly at the larger end witii reddish-brown and lilac; four; .65 by . 50. Nests in trees and bushes. e. n. a. 103. Yellow-throated Warbler — oenorckca dominica. Grayish-white, with fine dottings of pale lilac and brown scattered thinly and evenly over the entire surface; four; .69 by .53. • Atlantic u. s. lOG. Golden-cheeked Warbler — DEM)R(ECACHRVSorARiA. Clear white, evenly covered with fine but distinct spots of light reddish-brown, in some so faint that the surface appears white; .73 by .54. Nests in trees. s.u.s. 107. l^iack-throated Green Warbler — dendkceca virens. White, blotched and dotted with reddish and purplish-brown, more numerous about larger end; three or four; .70 by .50. Nests in high trees. e.u.s 111. Pine creeping Warbler — DENDRa-;cA pinus. Bluish-white, with subdued tintings of the shade of purple, on tllis are distributed dots and blotckes of dark purplish brown, and with lines of almost black; four; .72 by .55. Nests in pine trees. E. n. A. 113«. Yellow Red-poll Warbler — dendro'xa palmarum hypochrvsea. Yellowish-white, with a blending of blotches of purple, lilac and red- dish-brown, chiefly about the larger end; four; .70 by .55. Nests on the ground at the edge of a swampy thicket. , AiUmic u. s. 114. Prairie Warbler — dendrceca discolor. White, spotted with lilac, purple and umber; three to five; .68 by .48 Ne.sts in low bushes. E. u. s. 115. Golden-crowned Thrush — .siURUS auricapii.lus Creamy white, marked with dots and blotches of red and reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end; four to five; .85 by. 55. Nests on the ground. t. n. a. 116. Small-billed Water Thrush — siurus n^evius. Clear, crystal white, more or less marked with lines, dots and dasheS of varying shades of 111! mm KGG CHECK LIST OF NOKTU AMERICAN HIRDS. 13 , Rich creamy- id, wilh purple irubs. E. u. s. Bluish green, ; of brown and es. E. N. A. e, spotted with e; .72 by .50. E. N. A. . White, spot- ic; four; .65 by E. N. A. Grayish white, md evenly over ■ Atlantic U. S. \. Clear white, -brown, in some in trees. s.u.s. auENS. White, more numerous h trees. e. us uish-white, with ibuted dots and black; four; .72 E. N.A. M HYPOCHRYSEA. ;, lilac and red- Nests on the Atlantic U. S. ;, spotted with Nests in low E. u. s. Creamy white, n, chiefly at the id. V:. N. A. !ar, crystal white, irying shades of umber brown and lilac, more numerous around the larger end; four to six; .76 by .58. Nests on the ground. K- n. a. 117. Large-billed Water Thrush— siURUs motacilla. White, with a tleshy tint, with blotches of dark umber and fainter sub markings of pale lavender about the larger end, while over the entire surface are thickly sprinkled dotting of reddish-brown ; six ; .74 by .60. The favorite nesting place is among the upturned roots of a fallen tree. e. u. s. 119 Kentucky Warbler— OPORORNis Formosa. Glossy white, spotted and speckled with reddish-brown and lilac, chiefly at the larger end; four; .72 by .53. Nests on the ground. e. u. s, 120. Mourning Warbler— geotiilvpis phii.adelphia. Light flesh color, uniformly speckled with fine brown specks; .75 by .55. Ne.sts on the ground. ' ' ^- ^- ^• 121. Macgillivray's Warbler — geotiilypis macgiixivrayi. Pinkish- white, marked and spotted with purple, lilac, reddish-brown and dark l)rown, approaching black; four or five; .70 by .50. Nests on or near the ground. ^^'- ^'* ^• 122. Maryland Yellow-throat— geothlypis trich as. Clear crystalline white, dotted and blotched around the greater end with purple, reddish- brown and umber; four to six; .70 by .52, 7'. Nests on the ground in swampy places. ^- ^z 123. Yellow-breasted Chat— icteria virens. Glossy-white, with spots of reddish-brown, pretty evenly distributed, sometimes forming a ring around the greater end; .90 by .68. Nests in small trees or bushes in thickets. - - ■" ' ^' ' \' , . - •■ '■■, e. u. s. 123rt. Long-tailed Chat— icteria virens longicauda. Markings same as those of the preceding species; from .95 to i.oo in length, average breadth . 70. Nesting habits same. High central Plains <>f U. S, to the Pacific. 124. Hooded Warbler— myiodioctes mitratus. White, tinged with flesh color, spotted with red, with a few markings of subdued purple; three or four; .70 by .50. Nests in bushes and low trees. ' e. u s. 125. Black-capped Yellow Warbler— myiodioctes pusillus. White, dotted with reddish brown, chiefly at the larger end; four. Nests in low bushes or on the ground. ■ ' " e. u. s. '125rt. Pileolated Warbler — myiodioctes pusiixus pileoi.atus. Dull- whitish, thickly freckled wilh dark, rusty-brown ; four and five; .60 by .50. Nests on the ground or in lo\/ bushes. P. c. ■}-S^l'$k't£i*W^'^^'-^^. ■«^^~*i*)»«i5 14 VX'.C. CIIF.CK LIST OF NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS. 127. Canadian Flycatching Warbler— mviodioctes canadensis. White, beautifully marked with dots and small blotches of blended brown, purple and violet, varying in shades and tints in a wreath around the larger end ; li*'e; .68 by .52. Nests on the ground, or in a tussock of ^rass in a swamp. E. N. A. 128. American Redstart — setophaga kuticii.i.a. Grayish-white, dot- ted and blotched with brown, lilac and purple; four; .66 by .49. Nests in low branches of trees. k. n. a. I.'}'). Red-eyed Vireo — vikeosvi.via oi.ivacea. Sparsely sprinkled on a pure white ground with fine dark, reddish brown dots chiefly at the larger end; four or five; .yS by .60. Nests in trees, height ranging from ten to fifty feet. E. n. a. 13f>. Warbling Vireo — vikeosvi.via (JIi.va. Spotted and sometimes blotched at the larger end with brown and reddish-brown on a clear white ground — sometimes over the surface will be found small specks of reddisli- brown ; five; .70 by .56, 7\ Nest in trees, same as the Red eyed, e.n a. 13i)rt. Western Warbling Vireo — virkosvi.via gii.va sw.mnsoni. I'^ggs in my collection are the .same as those of the preceding species. Nests the same, e.xcept in materials used. p. c. 14(». Yellow-throated Vireo — lamvireo flavifkons. White, marked with spots of rosy brown; four; .82 by .62, f. Ne.sts in low branches of trees. e. u. s. 141. IMue headed Vireo — lanivireo solitarius. White, less crytal- line than the other Vieros, pretty uniformly spotted over the egg with dark red and reddish-brown ; five ; . 76 by . 5 I . Nests in trees. u. s. 142. Black-capped Vireo. vireo atricapillus. Spotless dull white, ovoid in shape; three or four; .66 by .52. Nests in low bushes. 'I'exas and Mexico. 143. White eyed Vireo — vireo noveboracensis. Spotted with fine dark-pur[)le and reddisli-brown on a clear white ground, chiefly about the larger end; five; .85 by .65. Nests in low bushes and saplings. e. u. s. 144. Hutton's Vireo— vireo muttoni. White, delicate blush-color before blown, with minute dots of reddish-brown, more numerous toward the larger end; four; .70 by .50, r'. Nests in trees and bushes. cal. 145. Bells Vireo — vireo I'.elli. Pure white, sparingly spotted with fine red dots distributed around the larger end; four; .62 by .57, t'. Nests in trees and bushes. .Ci l, ^ Missouri .-md Eastern Te.\.->s. of si sp( to i:; ; F.GG CHFXK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 15 DENSis. White, . brown, purple he larger end ; : of ^rass in a E. N. A. yish-white, dot- y .49. Nests in K. N. A. .'ly sprinkled on ;fly at the larger Awx from ten to v.. N. A. and sometimes on a clear white )ecks of reddish- id eyed. E.N A. MINSONI. l^ggS species. Nests p. c. White, marked low branches of E. U. S. hite, less crytal- er the egg with trees. u. s. otless dull white, jushes. Texas and Mexico, potted with fine rhiedy about the plings. E. u. s. icate blush-color numerous toward )ushes. CAI-. igly spott'ed with by .$7, X'. Nests isouri and E.istern Tcx.is. 146. Least Vireo — vireo i-usiu.us. Cry.stalline white, speckled with red and reddish-brown., markings being very minute and scarcely dis- cernible in some, in others very distinctly marked; four; .67 by .55. Nests in low bushes and small trees. s. w. u. s. 148. Great Northern Shrike — laniu.s horeai.is. Light grcenish- [;round, marbled and streaked with blotches of obscure- purple, clay color, and rufous brown; four or five. Nests in irces. n. n, a. 149. Loggerhead Shrike — lanius t.unoviaANUs. Light grayish, blotched and spotted with obscure yellowi.sh and light brown and purplish- gray more or le.ss confluent; five or six; 1.05 by .76. Nests in thorn trees, hedges and tangled briers, nest very large and massive South > .iantic nnd Uiilf State*. 149rt. White -rumped Shrike — laniu.s LUOOvciANUS excuhitorides. Kggs in my collection, obtained in California, arc not distinguishable from' those of the Loggerhead Shrike. In that State they nest in alders, live oak and orange trees. Missouri plains and fur counirien to p. C. 150. ^Iorthern Wax wing; Bohemian Wax-wing — ampelis garru- i.us. Greenish-slate or stone color, spotted with a dark brown, with deep violet shading, .70 by .67. Nests and eggs of this species are said to differ with those of the Cedar Wax- wing only in size, and the breeding habits are the same. Northern parts of both continents. Seen in U. S. only in severe winters, except along the great lakes. loL Cedar Wax- wing — ampelis cedrorum. Varying from a light slate to a deep shade of stone-color tinged with olive, marked with blotches and spots of a dark bi'own and purple, almost black; five; .85 by .65, V. Nests in trees. n. A. lo2. Purple Martin — progne subls. Pure white, oblong-oval, pointed at one end; five or six; .97 by .68, v. Nests in the deserted excavations of woodpeckers, in cavities' of dead limbs of sycamore and walnut trees, nnd in boxes. - . N. A. \:A, Cliff Swallow — petrochelidoN lunifrons. White, marked with dots, blotches and points of reddish-brown chiefly about the larger end, less elongated than those of the Barn Swallow, but the markings of the two are hardly distinguishable; five; .78 by .60, v. Nests under the eaves of buildings, against a vertical or overhanging rock. The nest is retort shape, made of mud. N. A. 154. Barn Swallow — hirundo erythroga.stra. White, marked with spots and blotches of bright reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end ; four to six; .78 by .56, f. Nests in the interior of a barn, in caves, crevices of rocks, under the sides of wooden bridges. ;. . n. a. "^^^r VAU, CIIWK LIST OK NORTH A.MK.KICAN IlIKDS. '':^f:* M' l'»r>. White-bellied Swallow — TAciivciNErA bicoi.ok. White, nnspot ted, oblong-oval; four to nine; .81 by .53. t'. Nests in the old excava lions of woodpeckers or natural cavitief of dead trees, uhuaily in the ■*vicinity of water. u. s. l')(J. Violet green Swallow — taciiycineta tiiai.ahhina. Pure white; four to six; .Ho by. 50. Nestin;,' habits same as those of the preceding species. • Rocky Mountnint to P. C lo7. Bank Swallow — cotii.e kih.vkia. White; four to six ; o»al ; .72 by .47. Nests in holes dug near the level of the ground in the perpen- dicular face of a bank. n. a. loH. Rtiugh-winged Swallow — .stei.gidoitekvx .sekkipunnis. Immac- ulate white; five or si.x; .75 by .53. Nests in crevices between stones in walls and arches of bridges, usually over running water. u. s. 101. Scarlet Tunagcr — i'VKAN(j.\ kuijka. Greenish-blue, blotched and spotted with a reddish or rufous-brown, more or less confluent, In some chiefly at the greater end; two to five; .90 by .65. Nrsts placed in forest trees. e. u. s. Ui'2. Western Tanager — hvranua luix)V1ciana. I-ight bluish-green, speckled chiefly at the greater end with markings of unibct, intermingled with a few dots of lilic; three or four; .95 by .65 Nests in trees. w. V. s. 13(). He|)atic Tanagcr — pvkanga hepatic/,. Pale light green,' some] spyingly marked over the entire egg with large blotches of purplish- brown, others are thickly covered with doltings of the same hue; .90 by I ,78,^. iSfests and eggs said to resemble tho.se of the Summer Redbird. Arixnnn. KU. Summer Redbird— pyranga /Kstiva. Bright light emerald green, spotted, marbled, dotted and blotched wiih various shades of lilac, brovvnish-puiple, and dark brown; three; .90 by .68, 7'. Nests in trees. (See notes.) • s. u. s. lH(i. Pine Grosbeak — pinicola en'Ucleatok. Light slate colored ground with a marked tinge of greeniih, broadly marked and plashed with faint, subdued cloudy patches of browni.>h-purple and sparingly spotted, chiefly at the larger end with blackish-brown and dark purple; three or four; 1.02 by .70. Nests in bushes. u. a. 168. Purple Finch — cakpouacls purpureus. Pale erne raid -green, spotted with very dark blown, chiefly about the gicatcr end; four to six; .75 by .62. Nests in firs, spruces and cedar-trees. u. s. «|t»v'. «*»■:. 1 IDS. Whit«:. imspot n the old excava s, usually in the u. s. lA. Pure white; of the precedinij Kooky Mountaiiin to P. C to six; o»al; .72 nd in the pcrpen- N. A. iFiiNNis. Immac- between stones in u. s. ilue, blotched and :onflucnt, in some Nrsts placed in E. U. S. ight bUiish-grcen, ibet, intermingled s in trees. W. V. s. light Ri eon,' some tches of purplish- same hue; .90 by mmcr Redbird. Ariznn.'i. jht emerald-green, shades of lilac, Nests in trees. s. u. s. ate colored ground plashed with faint, ;ly spotted, chiefly hree or four; I.02 u. A. Ic emerald-green, r end ; four to six ; u. s. EGO CHECK I.IST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 17 KiHtt. California Turplc Finch — carhopacus puki'Lkels cai.ifornicus. White, with a scarcely perceptible shade of bluish, with a few lines and (lots of black or dark brown about the larger end, blunted oval; four to si.x; .73 by .55. Nests similar to the preceding species. f. c. !(){>. Cassin's Purple Finch — CARPonAcus ca.ssini. Light blulsh- ^reen, dotted around the larger end with slate, lilac and blackish-brown; four; .82 by .63. Nests in bushes and trees. Hecky Mnunlnin* nnd Colorncin Vollty. 170. House Finch — cakpodacus frontalis. Pale blue, marked chiefly iit the larger end with specks and lines of blackish-brown; six; .85 by .65. Ne.sts in all sorts « ' nooks about buildings, in hay stacks, and on limbs of trees. ' Rocky Mounl»in« »i) p. C. nOrt'. Crimson House F-inch— cakpodacus frontalis rhodocolits. Hluish-whitc, marked with spots and lines of a dark brown or black; five; .So by .60. Nesting habits same as those of ihe preceding species. (Sec notes. ) *-"' 172. American Cro.ssbi!l — loxia curvirostra Americana. Greenish white, with irregul.«r si)0ts and dottings of lavender-brown, varying in shade, vvith a few heavy surf.ice spots of dark purple-brown; four; .75 by . 56. Nests in fir trees. ^ N. N. a. 17.'?. White-winged Crossbill — loxia leucoptera. "Pale blue, the l.irggr end rather thickly spattered with black and ashy lilac"; .80 by .56. Nesting habits resemble those of the preceding species. n. n. a. 17J>. Common Redpoll — ii<:GiOTHUS linaria. Pale bluish green, .speck- led chiefly in a wreath around the larger end with rusty brown, varying in sliad-'c; four or five; .65 by .54. Nests in low trees and bushes, e. n. a. 181. American Goldfinch — astragalinus tristi.s. Bluish-white, unspot- ted, sharply pointed at one end; five; .65 by .52. Nests in trees in July. M. a. 182. Green-backed Goldfinch — astragalinus psaltria. Greenish- while, sliarply pointed at one end; four or five; .60 by. 50. Nests in trees, same as the common G(Jdfinch. Rocky Mountains. N. Mexico, CaHfomiw' 182fl!. Arizona Goldfinch — astragalinus psaltria arizon^e. Eggs .same color as those of the preceding, but slightly smaller. Nidification similar Amonn. 1S2(^. Mexican Goldfinch — astragalinus psaltria mexicanus. Simi- lar to the eggs of Lawrence's Goldfinch. Nesting habits about the same. (See following species.) Mexican side of the valley of the Rio OranUe, C*l. » 1.. V-*'' '■■ '1- >*• 18 EGG CHECK LIST OK NORTH AMERICAN IHRDS. ■' ■■J.. 183. Lawrence's Goldfinch — ahtkaciAMNih lavvkkncki. Pure white; four or five; .62 by .46. Nests built in trees. caiiromb 185. Pine Goldfinch — ciirvsomitris imnus. Light green, spotted chiefly .^t the larger end with markings of a light rusty-brown ; oblong- oval; four; .71 by. 50. ' k. a. IHH. Snow Hunting — pi.ecti on the ground. N. A. WICHEN.SIS ALAU- iting habits the w. u. s. h-white, marked ish and purple- arger end ; four ; tJ. s. JONl'INI.S. KggS hose of the pre- w. u. s. EGG CHFCK LIST OK NORTH AMERICAN HIRDS. 19 !!»«. Yellow-winged Sparrow— coTURNicuiAT: pas.skrInus. Clear crys tilline-whitc, dashed and marked witli bold markings of reddish brown, tliiefly about the larger end, rounded oval; four to six; .75 by .60. Nests nil the ground. » u. s. I!>}». Hcnslow's Sparrow — coiuknicui.us hknsi.owi. White, blotched iiiul speckled reddish brown, the color becoming more confluent at the greater end; four to six; .76 by .60. Nests and eggs similar to Yellow- winged Sparrow. K. i-. s. 201. Sharp-tailed Finch — ammodkomi'.s caudacutl's. l-ight green, tliickly sprinkled over the entire egg with fine rusty-brown dots, .some- limes forming a confluent ring around the greater end; five; .75 by .59, AlUntic Coimt, U. S. 202. Seaside Finch — ammopromus maritimus. Grayish-white, spot- ted and blotched with reddish brown, the blotches are distributed over the entire egg; five; .88 by .68. Atiamir c:o«.t, u. s. 2(»4. Lark Finch — ciioNnKSTKS (jrammica. Grayish or soiled-white, spotted with very dark brown, marked with zigzag, straight and wavy lines of blackish, as in the eggs of .some of the orioles; four or five; .85 by .65. Nests on the ground. Ohim.. Ihe l-aiiric-OreRonloTcxn-i. 204rt. Western Lark Finch — chondksth.s gkammica strkjata. Same as the preceding species; four to six. < (See notes.) w. u. .s. 20f). White-crowned Sparrow — zonotkiciiia leucophrvs. Pale bluish - i;rcen, thickly .spotted, especially about the larger end, with reddish-brown and lighter markings of an obscure purplish-brown; four; .92 by .70. Nests on the ground. e. n. a. 207. Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow — zonotkichia gambei.!. Biu- lish-green, thickly spotted with reddish-brown with lighter markings of purplish-brown. In some, confluent about the larger end; four to six; .84 by .67. Nests on the ground. Rocky Mountains m t>. c. '207a. Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow — zoNOTKicntA gambeli INTERMEDIA. Similar to tho.se of the two preceding species. Nesting habits the same. Middle Province of U. S., north to Alask.i. 20s. Golden-crowned Sparrow — zonotrichia coronata. Light green, with markings of reddish and golden-brown, the whole surface pretty uni- formly flecked in .small and welldi.stributed blotclies — nowhere numerous lor confluent, resembling those of the White-throated Sparrow; four; .81 by .65. Nests on tlje ground. p. c. 10 KCiC. CHKCK LIST OF NORTH AMKKICAN IIIKOS. 200. While throntcil Sparrow — zonotrichia Ai.nicoi.i.is. Talc f^rctn inh-whlte, more or less thickly spotted witii rusty brown ; four to seven; .87 by .6X. Nests on the ground. k. n. a. 210. Tree Sparrow — sri/Ki.r.A Montana. Kipht Rrcen, flecked with minute markings of reddish brown, distributed with great regularity, but so sparsely as to leave the ground distinctly visible; four to five; .85 by .65. Nests on the ground or on low bushes and breeds in high Arctic regions. n. a. '2\\. Chipping Sparrow — .simzkm.a domestica. Bluish-green, sparsely spotted with purptisii and blackiih brown, sometimes in a circle about the larger end ; fouror'five; .70 by. 54,7'. Nests in trees and bushes. n. A. 211a. Western Chipping Sparrow — .spi/.klla ik)MK.stica arizoN/1«:. Kggs in my collection do not seem to differ essentially from those of the preceding species. Nesting habits the same, Ari««» 212. Clay colored Sparrow — sim/ella pal .ida. Light gr«?cn, scantily and sharply speckled with sienna and other r.ch shades of brown, dotting chiefly confined to the larger end, with a s^jcck here and therr over the general surface; three and four; .62 by .50. Nests in trees, shrubs or in tufts of Wecdi). I'pper M'Kiouri iind high ctniral pUiiiK in the Sankairhewan roiiniry. 21. 'J. K(cwer's Sparrow — spizeixa bkkweki. Bluish-green, blotched in scattered markings of golden-brown, more conspicuous than in those of the Chipping Sparrow ; four ; . 70 by . 50. Kocky Monntainfi «f v. s. 10 p. t . • 214. Field Sparrow — spizei.i.a I'Usili.a. Whilish clay-color, marked more or less fully with blotches of reddish- brown; in some these markings are scattered, in others confluent about the larger end; five; .68 by .42. Nests on the ground or in low bushes. e. u. s. 217. Black Snowbird — junco iiykmai.is. Creamy ycilowi.sh - white, marked with spots of reddish brown, or pale chocolate, confluent around the larger portion of the egg; four or five; .75 by .60. All the species of Snowbirds are said to lay similar eggs. Nests on the ground in moun- tainous regions. e. u. s. 218. Oregon Snowbird — junco oregonus. Greenish - white, marked about the larger ehd with fine dots of^ reddish-brown ; four; .75 by .60. Nesting habits same as those of the preceding species. p. C.of U S. to Bocky Mis. 224. Black-throated Sparrow — ampiiisimza hilineata. Pure white, with a slight tinge of blue, rounded-oval; .73 by .58. Nests in sage bushes. V^illey i>r Kill Craride and Oil*. IS. I'alc fjrccn ; four to seven ; E. N. A en, flecked witli t regularity, but to five; .85 by- Is in high Arctic N. A. li-green, sparsely I circle about the i buslies. N. A. ^STICA ARIZON^K. om those of the Ariionii It grrfcn, scantily f brown, dotting id there over the •ce!», shrubs or in .- Saakairhewan country. igrccn, blotched i than in those of iiintainii of II. S. 10 P, I'. ty-color, marked e these markings five; .68 by .42. E. U. S. yellowish - white, confluent around All the .species ground in moun- E. U. S. h- white, marked four; .75 by .60. U. of U S. to Biicky Mt.i. , Vine white, with in sage bushes. y of Kio ('iraride and (lila. EOa CIJKCK I.IHT OK NORTH AMKKIC AN HIRr>f4. •il 'l'2iS. liell's Sparrow— AMi'iiisi'i/.A iiki i.i. JJght greenish blue, iriarkcd with reddish purple spots, diflfering in intensity of shade ; four. Nests in bushes. Snuihcrti CjliforiiiH f .il Valla v of ilila and Coloraiki. ■1'1'ui. Saj,'cbush Sparrow — am»'Hisi'i/.a hm 1.1 nevadknsis. I-ight nrcenisli, marked ull over with very fine dots of a reddish-brown,- around tlic larger end a ring of confluent blotch'*} of dark purple and lines of (l.iikcr brown; almost black;. Ho by .60. Nests on the ground or low bushes. Miilillir Prnvlnct of V. 8. 220. H.ichman's Finch— pkuc/I-wV /I'Imtivai.is. ^ I'ure white; .74 by .60. Nests on the ground. (;enr«ia-rioriJa. ■22«. Cassin's Sparrow — peuc.iia cas.sini. Same as those of the pre- ceding species, but smaller. Nesting habits also similar, but the nest is' sometimes placed in bushes. s>ut)ifrii miiIui* Province-iaxan. 221). Rufous- winged Sjiarrow — fel'C/KA cari'Ai.is. I'ale green, un- spotted; four; .73 by .5H. Nests in bushes a few inches from the ground. Arixotwi. 2."K). Kufou.s-Cf owned Sparrow— i'UEcvI':a kueiceps. Pure wliite; three or four; .Hy by .65. Nests on the ground. Coati of c»i. 231. Song Sparrow — mei.ospiza kasciata. Varying from a grecnisli or pinkihh-wi>ite to light bluish-green, more or less thickly spotted with (lark reddish brown ; five; .82 by .60. Nests on the ground and in low bushes. ..... E. u. s. 2.'{lrt. Mountain Song Sparrow — melo.sI'IJ'.a fasciata Pali.ax. Bluish- white, blotched with reddish brown ; .85 by .63. Nesting habits iden- tical with the preceding. Kotky Mountain H.gion. '2:ill>. Hecrmann's Song Sparrow — mei.osfi/a kasciata iieermanni. Tale blui«h-ash, covered with blotches of reddish-brown; four; .88 by .70. average larger than those of the common Song Sparrow, the nesting habits are similar. Southern California. 2.'{1<-. Califoinian Song Sp.nrrow — mei.osimza fa.sciata samuelis. Darker and considerably larger than those of A/, fascitata. Co;i»t recion of Cal. 233. Swamp Sparrow — melospiza halu-stkis. Light green, sometimes light clay, marked and blotched with reddish and purplish-brown .spots, varying in size and number, occasionally forming a confluent ring around the greater end; five; .78 by .60. Nests on the ground or in a tu.ssock of rank-grass, in a low, damp place. e. n. a. ,i'iA!iMiii!iMu'i.a»jyia«iaat;!«'taja»j:^!^^ 22 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 1 #^-. 2o4. Lincoln's Finch — mei.osimza i.incolni. Greenish-white, more or less thickly spotted and blotched with different shades of reddish brown, often so numerous and confluent as to partially conceal the ground; .74 by .56. Nests on the grounti. Breeds from Wisconsin and Northern New York, northward. n. a. 2.')'). Fox-colored Sparrow — passerella iljaca. Light bluish-white, thickly spotted with a rusty-brown, often so fully as to conceal the ground, oblong; four or five; ,92 by .70. Nests in low bushes or on the ground. K. N. A '2lVn-. Slate colored Sparrow — hassereu.a iX-IACa schistacea. Light green, blotched and marked chiefly at the larger end with golden-brown spots; four; .80 by .67. N^sts in bushes and small trees. Mulitle region ol U. S 237. Chewink ; Towhec — piimi.o ekvthrophthalmus. White, thickly spotted and blotched with light ashy and reddish-brown, rounded oval; four to six; .98 by .79. Nests on the ground in a depres.sion, rarely in trees and bushes. e. u. .s 238. Northern Towhce — pipilo maculatus arcticus. White, so thickly covered with fine dots of umber brown, intermingled with paler markings of lavender and neutral tints that the ground is hardly dis- tinguishable, oval; 1. by .70. Nesting habits similar to those of the OreCeding species. High Central Plnlns of Upper Missouri, Yellowstone and Platte. 238rt. Spurred Towhee — pipilo maculatus megalonyx. Greenish- white, speckled with reddish-brown; four or five; i. by .70. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species. Southern coast of Cai 238^. Oregon Towhce — pipilo maculatus oregonus. Greenish-white, very generally and profusely dotted and spotted with fine markings of reddish and purplish brown. More roundtid-oval than eggs of this genus generally are; .95 by .80. Nests on the ground or in bushes. Coast of Oregon and W.ishingtnn Ttr. 23J). Green-tailed Towhce — pipilo chlorurus. White, with a bluish tint, profusely dotted with pinkish-drab, .sometimes .so thickly distributed as to give the egg the appearance of a uniform color, or as an unspotted pinkish-drab, and again more sparsely diffu.scd, nearly oval. Nests on the ground and in bushes. Middle Province, u. s. 240. Canon Towhec — pipilo fu.scus mesoi.ecus. Similar to those of the California lirown Towhee. Nesting habits also similar. Valley bf Upper Kio CJrande. 3S. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. -white, more or reddish brown, lie ground; .74 11 and Northern N. A. ht bluish-white, ceal the ground, • on the ground. K. N. A ISTACEA. Light h golden-brown :es. Middle region o( U. S. While, thickly , rounded oval; ession, rarely in E. u. .s ;s. White, so glcd with paler i is hardly dis- to those of the Yellowstone and IMatte. Greenish- Nesting «!YX. r .70. Southern Coast of Cal Greenish-white, ine markings of ^gs of this genus shes. on and Washington Ter. ite, with a bluish lickly distributed as an unspotted tl. Nests on the Middle Province, U. S. nilar to those of lilar. y \3f Upper Kio Grande. ■IWa. Saint Lucas Hrown Towhee — riPiLo ruscu.s albigula. Light blue, with markings, dots, dashes and lines about the larger end of a deep, dark shade of purplish-brown, .so dark as sometir^ies to be undistingui.sha- blo from black; .95 by .72. Nests on the ground and in thickets. Cape St. I.ncas. •IM)/). Californian Brown Towhee — iMi'H.o kuscls ckissai.is. Light blue, spotted and blotched with varying shades of dark and light purple, in some the color is not distinguishable from black, except in a strong liijlU; .98 by .75. Nests in trees and bushes. (.See notes.) Coast of Cai. •J41. Abcrt's Towhee — iMrii.o aiskkti — Bluish-white, with brown spots an'i streaks in a ring near the larger end, varying in number;' i. by .70. Nests in small trees and clustering bu.shes. Base i.r uocky Mts. in New Mexico. •li'l. Cardinal Gro.sbeak — cakdinalis \ iKCiixiAXUs. White, generally thickly marked with spots of ashy or reddi.sh-brown and faint lavender tints, sometimes so thickly marked that little of the ground is seen. They resemb',- very clo.sely the eggs of the common Cowbird; four, i. by .So. Nests in trees and bushes. e. u. s. •lA-la. Saint Lucas Cardinal — cakdinai-Is viKciiNiANL's KiNEUS. Kggs and nesting habits similar to those of the preceding .species. Capest. i.ucas. ■J4.'5. Te.xan Cardinal — pvrkhuloxia .si.nlata. Chalky - white, with blotches of a light umber-brown and a number of indistinct markings of purple; the spots vary greatly in size and distribution; four; i. by .80. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding. Valley of tile Rio Cirande of 'J'exas. 244. Rose breasted Grosbeak — zamelodia ludoviciana. Greenish- white, more or less spotted over the entire .Surface with blotches of red- dishbrown; four; i. by .75, 7: Nests in trees, on the edge of woods, or on the bank of a stream. E. N. a. 24"). Black headed Gro.sbeak — zamei.ouia MKi.AxocEi'HAr.A Bluish- ,t,neen, blotched and sprinkled with markings of reddish and rusty-brown, more numerous about the larger . end, oblong-oval; four; I. by .68. Nests in trees. (See Notes.) ■ > nigh central Plains from Yellowstone to I'acific. 24(5. Blue Grosbeak— r.uiK.\*cA c.krui.ea. Light blue, when blown; when e.xpo.sed to light a little while fades into a dull white, oval; four; .98 by .62. Nests in low trees. (See Notes.) I'. S. Southerly from .Atlantic to Pacific. 248. Indigo Bunting — f'Assekina cvanea. White, with a bluish tinge unspotted, or rarely thinly dotted with brown; four or five; .75 by. 58. Nests in low bushes. (See Notes ) E. u. s.' 24 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. ! I)'* 24!». Lazuli Huntiii,-. ,'," -'■'■' Florida. 278/;. Bronzed Grackle — qui.scalus purpureu.s .kneus. Light green- ish or smoky blue, with irregular lines, dots, blotches and scrawls distribu- ted over the surface; four to six; 1.13 by .83. Nests in bushes and high trees. - ^ - ^'■":-:iy. ":-t'-\it.: 'fVi'-'i"' Mississippi region of U. S. 280. American Raven — corvu-S cora.x carnivorlus Light green, wkh dots and blotches of purple and purplish-brown, in some chiefly at the larger end, in othei-s .scattered over the entire egg; six; 2. by 1.30. Nests hi trees, sometimes on high rocks. . , ,,^. . n. a. 28L White-necked Raven — coRVUs cryptoleucu.s. Light green, marked with fine dots of purple, brown and lilac; four to six; 1.85 by 1.25. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species. Valley of the Rio Grande and flila 282. Common Crow — coRVU.s i-rugivorus. Light sea green, more or less thickly spotted and blotched with dark-brown, almost blacif, with purplish reflections; the.se are chiefly about the larger end. but great vari- ations exist both in ground-color and markings; four to six; 1.50 by 1.15. Nests in trees. y, g_ -1 I )S. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN HIRDS. 27 HHAI.US. Dull' Jark brown; in others smaller, e; 1. by .72, t'. al i'laiiis to ihe Pacific e gray or rusty, ; 1.30 by .90. uerica— Kastern Texas. ish ■ drab, some rgular lines and , tall reeds and d (Jiitf Slates of N. A greenish-white, , in some chiefly brown, these are les of the same Coast of United States. :us. Similar to labits similar. Florida. 5. Light green- scrawls distribu- 5 in bushes and isaissippi region of U. S. Light green, 1 some chiefly at six; 2. by 1.30. N. A. Light green, to six; 1.85 by jecies. .he Rio Grande and Clila sea green, more Host blaclf, with d, but great vari- ix; 1.50 by 1.15. u. s. •I'^'la. Florida Crow — corvus fruoivorus i-LORiiiANUfv Similar to those of the Common Crow. Nesting habits similar. s. Florida. •2H2/;. Northwestern Fish Crow — corvu.s frugivorus caurinus. Dark }^icen, thickly marked with dark brown and olive; four or five; 1.60 by 1.10. Nests in trees. ' Northwestern Coa«t U. S. 283. Fish Crow-r-coRvus ossikragus. Resemble tho.se of the Com- mon Crow; five or six; 1.35 by 1. 10. Nests in trees. Atlantic coa»t. 28o. Maximilian's Nutcracker; Pinon Jay — gymnocitta cvanoce- riiALA- Greenish white, spotted everywhere with small blotches of light brown and purple, in some a faint reddi.sh tinge; four; 1.25 by .87. Nests in high trees. Rocky Mountains of Colorado. 28G, biack billed Magpie — pica rustica hudsonica. Grayish-white, with a yellowish, tinge, spotted dashed and dotted with markings of pur- plish or violet-brown; five to nine; 1.35 by i.,7'. Nests in small bushy trees. The nest is dome-shaped. (See Notes.) n. n. a. 287. Yellow-billed Magpie. — pica nuttalli. Light drab, so thickly marked with fine cloudings of an obscure lavender color as nearly to conceal the ground and to give the egg the appearance of an almost violet-brown; six; 1. 20 by. 92. Nests similar to the Black-billed Magpie., (See Notes.) cai. 289, Blue Jay — cvANOcrrrA cristata. Brownish-olive and occasion- ally olive-drab, thickly spotted \yith olive-brown ; five; i.ioby.85. Nests in trees and bushes. e. n. a. 290. Steller's Jay — cyanocitta stelleri. Pale green, marked with small olive-brown spots; five to seven; 1.22 by .90. Nests in trees or bushes. Pacific Coast of N. A. 290<-. Long-crested Jay — cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha. Light green, with fine markings of dark olive-brown and lighter cloudings of purplish or violet-brown; six; •1.30 by .91. Nests in trees and bushes. Rocky iMountains of U. S. 29L Florida Jay — aphelocoma floridana. Light blue, sparingly sprinkled with rufous and blac'-. ^'^^ spots being larger and more numer- ous towards the larger end ; three to five; 1. 15 by .65. Nests in trees or bushes. Fia. 292. Woodhouse's Jay — aphelocoma woodhousei. Light bluish- green, marked with reddish-brown specks, thickest at the larger end, rounded-oval; four; i. 06 by .80. Nests in tangled thickets. Rocky Mountains and Middle Province U. S. '.-Jlilfev:. 28 KGd CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN Bn7rt. White-headed Jay — perisoreus canadensis capitaus. Gray ish-white, marked with dots and blotches of slate and brown. The mark- ings arc larger, more confluent, and not so distinct as in the eggs of the Canada Jay; three to five; 1. 12 by .86. Nests in trees. Rocky .Mountains— Colorado. 300. Shore Lark— eremophila alpestris. Light drab, thickly and uniformly spotted with various .shades of brown; four or five; .95 by .62. Nests on the ground. n. a. 30L Scissor-tailed Flycatcher— milvui.us I'ORFICATUS. White, marked with a few dark red spots and occasionally of an obscure purple, chiefly at the larger end; four; .84 by .60. Ne.sts in trees. (See Notes.) Middle Americ.i .ind open portions of Texas. 303. Gray Kingbird — tvrannus dominicensis. Creamy-white, marked with large blotches and spots of purple, reddish-brown and dark purplish- brown; four; 1.02 by .71 Nests in trees. fit'^* 304. Kingbird; Bee Martin— tyrannus carolinensis. White, with a more or less roseate tinge, marked with blotches of purple, brown and reddish-brown; five and six; ..95 by .70. Nests in tree.,. n. a. 306. Western Kingbird — tyrannus verticalis. Same as those of the preceding species. Nesting habits similar. Westem Province u. s. 307. Cassin's Kingbird — tyrannus vociferans. White, with a fleshy tint, marked with large, scattered reddish-brown and umber blotches; four; .93 by .70. Nests in trees. v.iiiey of tiiia, southern cii 312. Great-crested Flycatcher — myiarchus crinitus. Remarkable for their coloration, having a ground of buffy-brown, streaked longitudi- nally by lines and markings of purple and darker brown ; four to six ; i by .75- purpo.se 313. Ash throated I'Mycatcher — myiarchus cinerascens. B-iffy brown, with a pinkish hue, the markings are more oblong plashes of irregular Nests in the natural cavities of trees and boxes put up for the E. N. A. E(]G CIIKCK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN IlIRDS. 30 irk sea-green, lie larger end; : Notes.) ific Province of U' S. ly. with a yel- r end with dots , of an obscure E. N. A. •iTALis. Gray n. The mark- the eggs of the Mountains— Colorado ab, thickly and /e; .95 by .62. N. A. White, jnarked purple, chiefly ; Notes.) pen portions of Tex.is. -white, marked 1 dark purplish- Flor'ja. White, with pie, brown and N. A. fie as those of /estern Province U. S. te, with a fleshy tnber blotches ; of (lila, Southern Cal Remarkable ;aked longitudi- four to six; i. s put up for the E. N. A. s. li"i fly brown, lies of irregular shape, and there are more and larger blotches of a light purplLsh brown than in the eggs of the Great-crested Flycatcher; .95 by. 72. Nests in holes of trees. co..h. of cai. .■Jl'). Phti-'be Hird; I'ewee — savoknis kuscus. Pure white, .sometimes sparsely spotted with reddish-brown at the larger end ; five; .80 by .60. Nests in stone culverts, bridges, under the roofs and against the walls of old houses and barns.- Nest is composed of mud, twigs and feathers. E. u. s. .'JK). Say's Pewee — savoknis savi. White; four; .80 by .62. Nest- iiit; habits similar to those of the PluL-be Bird. Missouri and Hiijii Central Plains to Pacific. ;n7. Black Pewee — savoknis nigricans. Pure white, occasionally dotted with reddish-brown as in the case of the common Pewee; five; .75 by .60. The nesting habits are the same. Cai. •UH. Olive-sided Flycatcher — contopls hokeams. Creamyvvhite, marked about the greater end with a confluent ring of purple, lavender, and brown spots, resembling tho.se of the Wood Pewee; four; .82 by .62. Nests usually in evergreen trees. Temperate n. a, :VH). Wood Pewee — contopus viken.s. Creamy-white, with a ring of lavender and purplish or reddish brown, in confluent spots near the larger end; four; .75 by .52. Nests in trees. u. u. .s. .i2\. Western Wood Pewee — contopus kichakdsoni. Similar to those of eastern .species; three is the usual number. Nesting habits similar. High central Plains to Pacific. ■]'2'2. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher — empidOnax flaviventkis. Rosy- white tint, spotted with a light shade of brown; four; .68 by .52. Nests on or near the grounds j^ ^ ."524. Acadian Flycatcher — empidona.v acadicus. Light yellowLsh- buff, with a decided flesh-color tint when fresh, sparsely spotted with light brown ; two to four. Nests in trees. (See Notes. ) k. u. .s, .'52"). Little Flycatcher — empioonax pusillu.s. White, with a fleshy tinge, marked with reddish-brown and faint slate colored blotches at the larger end ; four; .75 by . 52. Nests in trees. H\^h central Pi.,ins to p.,cific. :{2.")rt. Traill's Flycatcher — empioonax pusiilus tkailli. Cream or buff, marked with blotches of reddish-brown, in same there are only small dots sprinkled over the surface; three; .70 by. 50. Nests in small trees or bushes. (See Notes.) j,- ^ g »D EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMKRICAN HIRDS. '.V2iy. Least Flycatcher — kmpidonax minimus. Pure white, unspotted; four; .62 by .50. Nests in small saplings. k. n. a. ;{'27. Hammond's Mycatcher — emhiponax iiammondi. White; four; .70 by .50. Nests in smnll bushes. w. u. s. .'528. Wright's Flycatcher — emi-idona.x obscurus. White, unspotted; three; .73 by .60. Nests in small trees. ^ Middle Province u. s. lili'i. Ruby-throated Hummingbird — trociiilu.s coi.uiikis. Pure white, nearly spherical ; two ; .50 by .35. The eggs of ^11 the Hummingbirds are alike in color and shape. Nests in trees. n, a. Ka«t of Rocky Mt^. IVM. Black chinned Hummingbird — trocuilus alexan'Dri. White; two; .51 by .32. Nests in trees. Coa»t uf Californi.! southward. ."537. Costa's Hummingbird — calyktk cost/K. While; two; .49 by .32. Nests in trees. Mexico and Soulhcm Cailfonii.. :V,iS. Anna's Hummingbird — calypte ann^k. White; two; .60 by .41. Nests in trees. Mexico and Coast Region of Culiforni.! ;J30. Broad-tailed Hummingbird — .selasfmorus hla'iycercus. White; two; .55 by .35. Nests in trees and bushes. Middle i-rovince u. s. .■)40. Rufous Hummingbird— sELAsi'HORUs kufus. White; two; .45 hy .33- Nests in trees and bushes. west Coast of n. a. . ;}41. Allen's Hummingbird — selasphorus alleni. White; two; .50 by -SS- Nests in trees and bushes. coast of caiifcmia .351. Chimney Swift — ch^;tura pelasgica. Pure white; four to six; •75 by .50. The nest is made of twigs broken from trees by the bird while on the wing; these are glued together and to the side of the chimney by saliva of the bird. Jt is a neat, basket-like structure. e. v. s. 353. Chuck-will'swidow — anthro.stomus carolinensis. Clear crystal- white, marked over the entire surface with blotches of dark purplish brown and cloudings of a grayish-lavender, with occasional markings of raw umber-brown; two; 1.44 bv 1.06. Eggs laid in a depression of the ground. South Atlantic and Cnlf States. 354. Whip-poor-will — caprimulgu.s vociferus. Clear cream-white, spotted, marbled and irregularly marked with purplish-lavender,' min gled with reddish-brown ; two; 1.25 by .88. Eggs laid in a, depression of the ground. e. u. s. ..,s s. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 81 lite, unspotted; E. N. A. White; four; \V. U. S. lite, unspotted; Middle I'roviiice U. S. lis. Pure white, Hummingbirds V. Eait of Rocky Ml-, iNDRi. White; Calirornia Southward. j; two; .49 by id Southern ("ailfiiriii;i. two ; . 60 by . 4 1 . t Region of CaUforniu ;ercus. White; Middle Province U. S. /hite; two; .45 West Coast of N. A. A^hite; two; .50 Coast of Califcrni:i. te; four to six; >y the bird while the chimney by E. U. S. s. Clear crystal )f dark purplish- nal markings of epression of the tlantic and Uulf States. :ar cream-white, li-lavender, min- in a, depression E. V. S. .'155. Poor-will— PiiAL/»':NOP'rii.us nuitalli. White, unspotted ; two ; 1.05 by .80. Nests on the ground. ♦ High Cemral Plains to Pacific. ;{.')7. Nighthawk — cii()RnEii.K.s popktle. Grayish, thickly mottled uilh varied tints of darker gray, slate and yellowish-brown; two; 1.30 by • 90. Hggs laid on the ground, in a slight depression. ■• ^ u. s. ;j")7rt. Western .Nighthawk — ciiokoeiles •popetue menkyi. Clay- color, with small spots and cloudings of yellowish-brown, mingled with lilac; two; i.:!5 by .92 Kggs laid in a depression of the ground, w.n.a. n'iH. Texan Nighthawk— chordeilhs acutipennis te.\ensis. Gray- ish, or thickly marked on a white ground with small irregular conlluent ' spots, which are a blending of black, umber and purplish-gray; two; 1.18 by .89. Kggs laid on the ground in a .slight depression. Ilasins of ilie Kio (irande, (iila. ,'J.")9. Ivory-billed Woodpecker — cami'EI'IIII.u.s principalis. Crystal- white; four or five; 1.35 by .95. Nests in cavities of dead trees, exca- vated bv the birds. southern Atlantic and (lulf St.nes. ;}()0. Hairy Woodpecker— picus vn.i.osus. • Pure, crystal-white; fi^e or six; i. b'y .72. Nest excavated in trunks of trees, sometimes in the trunk of an apple tree. n. a. 3()1. Downy Woodpecker — Picis i-uhe.scens. Glistening white; four or five; .75 by .62. Nest excavated in the trunk of a small dead tree, often in the dead limb of an apple tree, or in a post or rail of a fence. (See Notes.) .,^ . ^ ^ h. u. s. .'{02. Rcd-cockaded Woodpecker — picus querulus White, le.s:; glossy than those of the other species; four; .95 by .70. Nests in holes of decayed trees. s. u. s. ;}(};}. Texan Sapsucker — picus scal\ris. White, not so glossy as those of the Downy; four; i. by .75. Nesting habits same. s. u. s. .'}()(). White-headed Woodpecker — xknopicus ai.I!OI..'VRVATUS. Pure, cry;.talline-white, more than usually oblong-oval for a Woodpecker; five; ■99 by .74- Nests in cavities of tall, dead trees or stumps. Oregon and Cai. :',{)!. Black backed Three-toed Woodpecker — picoide.s arcticus. I'ure ivory-white; four to six; .91 by .72. This bird is said to excavate caviiies in live trees for nesting purposes _ N. N. a. 369. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker — sphyrapicus vakius. Glos.sy white ; 82 EGG CHECK LIST OF NOI.TH AMERICAN BIRDS. MA' U .- four to six; .95 by .70. The nest of thi» bird is excavated in some hi^;li dead tree. ' k. N. a. 371. I'ileated Woodpecker; Logcock — iiylotomus imi.eatus. ' Glis- tening; white; six; 1.25 by 1. 02. The nesting place is excavated by the bird in a large limb or trunk of a high tree, either living ov dead. (Sec Notes.) Timber region! of N. A, 372. Red bellied Woodpecker — cknturus caroi.inus. White; five; 1.05 by .85. Nest excavated in the dead limb or trunk of a high tree. E. U. S. 375. Redheaded Woodpecker — MKr.ANEKrKS krvthrocephalus. Glossy white; five; i.io by .85,7-. Ne;>ts excavated in a dead limb or trunk of a tree, frequently excavated in living wood. Temperate n. a. 370. Lewis's Woodpecker — mklanerpes torquatus. Crystalline white; five; 1. 10 by. 90. Nesting habits similar to those of the Red- headed Woodpecker. w. a. 377. Californian Woodpecker — melanektes eormicivoRus dairdi. White; four or five; 1.12 by .90. Nest excavated in the body of a high tree. t . . j« 7" . P. c. 378. Yellow-shafted Flicker — colai»tes auratus. Glossy white; five to seven; 1.09 by .88. Nest excavated in a dead trunk, usually at a con- siderable height. E. N. A. 378i>. Red shafted Flicker — coi.aptes auratus mexicanus. Pure glossy white; five to seven ; 1. 10 by .88. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species. w. N. a. 382. Belted Kingfisher — cervi.e alcvon. Clear shining white, nearly spherical ; five to seven ; 1.30 by 1.05. The nest is an excavation in the face of a high bank of a stream or in the side of an artificial excavation. North and Middle America. 383. Texan Kingfisher — cervi.e Americana cabanisi. Pure crystal- white; five to seven; 1.06 by .61. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species, R'o Grande region of Texas, 385. Road-runner ; Chapparral Cock — geococcvx californianus. Dirty-white; two to six; 1.59 by 1.20. Nests in trees, usually in the low branches of a cactus. Middle Texas, New Mexico and Cilifornia. 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo — coccvzus americanus. Light bluish- green, fading upon the least exposure to light; two to five; 1.12 by .83. Nests in trees or in clusters of briars or bushes. n. a. east of Rocky Mts. :'si5SfertS^.Sfe=#^S;#:'- ■;aKS;iS^«iSte»&s»ffii*«'*.--i>:-=f:^ )S. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 88 ;d in some high E. N. A. ■II-EATUS. Glis- ccavcTted by the or dead. (See imber regioni of N. A. White; five; ' a high tree. E. U. S. iTIIKOCEI'HALUS. a dead limb or _,, Temperate N. A. IS. CrystaUinc .se of the Red- w. A. IVORUS nAIKDI. 1 the body of a p. c. assy white; five usually at a con- E. N. A. ■ : : ; ^.'- ,, E. U. 8. 'M)'2. Carolina Parakeet — conurus carolinen.sis. It is said the eggs of this species are greenish white and about the size of those of the com- mon Turtle Dove. Nests in the natural cavities of trees. .South Atlantic and Uulf Slatei. .'{1)4, American Barn Owl — aluco flammeus americanus. White; tiirce to six; 1.80 by 1.25. Nests in the cavities of trees, crevices of rocks and nooks of buildings. N. A. .■5J>5. American Long-eared Owl — asio americanus. White, ellipti- cal; four or five; 1.55 by 1.30,7' Nests on the ground, in low bushes or i:i trees; sometimes an old Hawk's or Crow's nest is occupied. (See Notes.) Temperate N. A, IVM). Short-eared Owl — ASio accipitrinus. White, ell'ptical; four or five; 1.50 by 1.25. Nests on the ground, or in low bushes. In some localities excavates short burrows in banks. N. A. ;597. Barred Owl — strix nebui.osa. White, oval; three or four; 2. by 1.65. Nests in natural cavities of trees or on the branches, sometimes ill a deserted Hawk's or Crow's nest. » ' • , N. A. ;J99. Great Gray Owl — ulula cinerea. Pure white, surface very smooth; three or four; 2. by 1.60. Nests in trees. The nest is com- posed of sticks and lined with feathers. N. N. A. -100. Richardson's Owl — nyctale tengmalmi richardsoni. White, surface very smooth; four or five; 1.28 by 1.06. Nests in holes of trees, s. u. s. 40L Saw-whet Owl — nyctale acadica. White, chalky in appear- ance, nearly elliptical; four;" 1.21 by .95. Nests in holes of trees. Temperate N. A. 402. Little Screech Owl — scops asio. Pure white, nearly round ; five to seven; 1.38 by 1.19. Nests in a hollow trunk or in a decaying apple tree. N. a. 402^. Texan Screech Owl — scops asio maccalli. Same as those of the preceding species and the nesting habits the same. Western and Southwestern N. A. 406. Great Horned Owl — bubo virginianu.s. Pure white, quite spherical ; three or four^, 2. 30 by 2. Nests in ^the natural cavities of trees or on the branches, sometimes occupy the deserted nest of a hawk. E. u. s. -'■-r-^SS'fr' j.V^>; ,* 84 EGO Cni'CK LIST OF NORTir AMERICAN lURDS. ■l(>r»1':a. Pure white, nearly round ; four to seven; 1.22 by 1.05. Nests placed in holes in the ground, but they are not always excavated by the birds, as the name would indicate. w. u. .s. tTJ. White Gyrfalcon — iiii'.RorAi.co r.VKi'Ai.co candican.s. Varying,' from a creamy white to yellowish brown, profusely sprinkled with reddish- browh of varying shades, usually so den.se as to almost conceal the ground color; two to four; 2.45 by 1.75. Nests in rocky cliffs. n. n. a. ■11. "5. IVairie l*'alcon — niKKOi-Ai.to mexicanus I'Oi-VAr.Rus. Cream or pinkish-white, marked with blotches of chestnut and reddish brown, more or less confluent at either end; two to four; 2.25 by 1.75. Nests placed on rocky cliffs. w. N. A. 414. American I'cregrinc Falcon; Duck Hawk — kaico pkrkorinus Ni*:vius. CJeamy white to reddish brown, spotted, dotted and blotched with reddish-brown and chocolate of varying shades, sometimes so thickly covered as to obscure the ground; two to four; 2.25 by 1.75. Nests placed on rocky cliffs. n. a. 417. Pigeon Hawk — .icsalon coi.umharius. Varying from a whitish to a deep reddish-brown, spotted, dotted and blotched irregularly and usually very thickly with reddish-brown of varying shades; four to six; 1.80 by 1.25. Nests on rocky cliffs, branches and in holes of trees, n. a. 420. Sparrow Hawk — tinnunculus si'ARVErius. Reddish, or light buff, blotched and dotted with light and dark brown, at times confluent enough as to conceal the ground; five; 1.35 byi.13. Nests in holes of trees, either iij natural cavities or those made by woodpeckers. n. a. 423. Caracara luigle — J'OLydorus ciiekiw.\v. Ycllowish-whife or creamy, blotched, spotted and sprinkled with reddish-brown of varying shades; two to four; 2.40 by 1.90. Nests in trees and bushes. Middle America— Southern border of 17, S. ■ri'***,^^. i '^ i ;"«.VfiV^-^-ft*-W>t.-.%^,*"*S?h*>'T*^ ^tf\fi¥tn'<*t^'^:^. ■ ,'^i*s»i;^ EGG CHECK UST OF NUKTIt AMF.KtCAN HIKDii. S5 iTici's. Same are the uamc. on^j, with very [jliiccd on the N. N. A. sphcric.ll ; six jranchcs. N. N. A. Pure white, in holes in the he name would vv. u, s. ANs. Varying d with reddish- real the ground N. N. A. us. Cream or ih brown, more Nests placed w. N. A. :0 PERKOKINUS I and blotched imes so thickly ly 1.75. Nests N. A. from a whitish irregularly and 3; four to six; )f trees, n. a. iddish, or light times confluent :sts in holes of :ers. N. A. lowish-whiffe or own of varying ishes. luthern border of 17. S. 4'J5. American Osprey; I'ish Hawk — i-andion iialiaktus cakoi.i- m:nsu«. Yellowish or creamy-white, spotteil and blot hcd witli reddish- liiown and undier, so thickly at the larger end as to completely obscure the ground; three or four; 2.40 by 1.70. Neats in trees. (See Notes.) N. A. I'2(). Swallow-tailed Kite — ki.anoidks koki icati's, White, or green- ish-white, spotted and blotched with brown anti unibcr of varying shades; . four to six; 1.90 by 1.50. Nests in high trees. s. u. s. [21. White tailed Kite — elanus glaucus. Dull creamy-white, thickly lilotchcd, dotted and tinged with deep chestnut, in soine almost com- pletely covering the whole ground, near spherical; four; 1.64 by 1,"/. Nests placed in high trees. (Sec Notes. ) rmpici Americ*. ■\'1H. Mississippi Kite — itTiNiA sui»c/!';rui.ka. (Ircenish white, thickly spotted with deep chocolate brown and black; two or three; 1.52 by 1.30. Nest placed in trees. , s. u. s. 4"J{). Kverglade Kile — rostkhamu.s .sociaiums pi.umhkus. Bluish- white, spotted and blotched irregularly with brown and umber of varying shades; one or two; 1.65 by 1.45. Nests in bushes. Went Indiei rniil Southern Florida. 4'M). Marsh'Hawk — ciKcus iiudsonius Greenish-white, either immac- ulate or faintly spotted with pale brown or lilac, rather oval; four to six; 1.80 by 1.42. Nest placed on the ground. n. a. 4.'J1. Cooper's Hawk — accipitek cooi-eri. Pale bluish-white, usually spotted with pale reddish-brown; two to four; 1.94 by 1.56. Nest placed in high trees. Temperate n. a. 482. Sharp-shinned Hawk — accipiter fuscus. Bluish-white, coarsely spotted and blotched with chestnut and umber of varying shades, spheri- cal; 1.45 by 1. 15. Nest.placed in trees, sometimes on rocks. n. a. 433. American Goshawk — astur atricapii.i.us. Bluish-white, some- times faintly spotted with yellowish-brown; three or four; 2.30 by 1.80. Nest placed in trees. 11. a. , n. u. s. 434. Harris's Hawk — antenor unicinctus harrisi. White, with a yellowish tinge, sometimes marked with light dashes of yellowish-brown and dottings of purplish-drab; three to five; 2.13 by 1.69. Nest placed in low trees. Middle or Northern Tropical America, S. U. S. 436. Red-tailed Havi'k — buteo borealis. BUiishvvhite, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of varying shades; three to four; 2.40 by 2. Nest placed in high trees. N. a. ■. *li*^.** ^-.■^^■-:'\.' ■ '^1 «4l , '•> 4 jiMi,.iliiiiJi'ifi>i!ii^ti''iJ'ii>'i'.W'i EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. ' 436(^. Western Red-tail — buteo uorealis calurus. Dirty bluish- white, marked more or less over the entire surface with dashes, lines and blotches of a light tint of brown, mixed with lighter purplish-brown. These markings run with the length of the egg t two to four; 2.25 by 1.79. Nest placed in trees. w. N. a. 439. Red-shouldered Hawk — buteo lineatus. Bluish-white, spotted and blotched irregularly with brown and umber of varying shades; three or four; 2.20 by 1.75. Nest placed in high trees. u. s. 4iida. Red bellied Hawk — bUTEO lineatus elegans. Dingy-white, with a brownish tinge marked with blotches of an umber color; these look as though they were hastily brushed over lengthwise of the egg; three or four; 2. by 1.79. The nest is placed in tall trees. w. u. s. 442. Swainson's Hawk — buteo swainsoni. Yellowish white, spotted and blotched irregularly and rather faintly with reddish-brown, with occa- sional markings of purple; four to six; 2.30 by 1.75. Nest placed in trees or bushes. / ': . '' ^- u. s. 4-13. Broad-winged Hawk — buteo pennsylvanicus. Grayish or dirty- white, spotted and blotched with light umber, reddish, yellowish and pur- plish-brown, with a dull shading approaching black; three or four; 2.09 by 1.61. Nest placed in trees. e. n. a. 447. American Rough-legged Hawk — archibuteo lagopus sancti- jOHANNis. Yellowish-white, with faint markings and blotches of a pur- plish-brown, over these are diffused confluent blotches of russet-brown ; four; 2.10 by 1.74. Nests in trees and on rocks. ,, n. a. 449. Golden Eagle — aquila chrysaetus canadensis. Creamy or dirty- white, occasionally immaculate, but usually spotted and blotched with pale reddish'brown, sometimes there is added a faint tinge of purple, nearly spherical ; three; from 2.65 to 3. in length by from 2.35 to 2.15 in breadth. Nests on the shelves of steep and rocky cliffs. N. A. 461. Bald Eagle; Gray Eagle — halmcetus leucocephalus. Ashy or dirty-white, unspotted ; two to four. They measure about three inches by 2.75. Nest is usually placed in high trees, sometimeF on rocky cliffs. N. a. 453. Californian Condor — pseudogryphus californianus. Pale green- ish-blue, unspotted; two or three; 4.40 by 2.50. Nests on the ground or on the bare rocks of solitary peaks. w. N. A. / 454. Turkey Buzzard — cathartes aura. Creamy or yellowish-white, variously blotched and splashed with different shades of brown and usually EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. a?7 Dirty bluish- les, lines and rplish-brown. ur; 2.25 by w. N. A. hite, spotted shades; three u. s. Dinjjy-white, ir; these look egg; three or w. u. s. hite, spotted n, with occa- laced in trees ; w. u. s. yish or dirty- wish and pur- or four; 2.09 E. N. A. lOPUS SANCTI- hes of a pur- russetbrown ; N. A. Creamy or blotched with ;e of purple, 2.35 to 2.15 N. A. [ALUS. Ashy t three inches n rocky cliffs. N. A. 3. Pale green- the ground or w. nT A. llowish-white, n and usually showing other smaller spots of lavender and purpli;,hdrab ; two; 2.65 by 1.85. Nests on the ground, on rocks, in hollow trees and stumps, and in old buildings. u. s. 455. Black Vulture; Carrion Crow-CATHARISTA atrata. Yellowish or creamy-while, blotched and spotted with very dark brown and umber; two; 3. by 2. 10. Nests on the ground or in old logs. Tropical and w.irmer portion of Amcric.i. 456. Band tailed Pigeon — columba fasciata. White; two; 1.50 by I. 19 Nests on the ground. . ' 0 J:;.l,i Pacific Province of u. s. 457. Red billed Pigeon — columba krythrina. Creamy -white; two; 1. 18 by .90. Nest in trees, stumps and sometimes on the ground. Lower Rio (irande and Mexico. 458. White crowned Pigeon — columba lf.ucocehiiala. Opaque- white; two. Nests in trees, high or low, according to circumstances. Southern Keys of Florida, 459. Passenger Pigeon — FXTOPt^TES migratorlx. White; two; 1.45 by 1.05. Nests in trees, usually breeds in vast communities. n, a. 400. Mourning Dove — zenaidura carolinensis. Pure white, ellipti- cal; two; 1.05 by .86. Nests in trees, on stumps, rocks, and on the ground. ''•"<' '\\:iiV ■■- ' .■■:''■ -;'/;■'■..;'•■:'■.• ■'^' '•■; %' u. s. 402. Zenaida Dove — zenaida amabilis. White; two; 1.30 by .90. Nests on the ground or in bushes or trees. ;*;,; i .- !' vS Florida Reys. 404. White-winged Dove — melopelia leucoptera. White, oval; two; 1.35 by .92. Nests in trees and bushes. s. u. s. 405. Ground Dove — cham^pelia passerlna. Bright white or creamy, slightly more pointed at one end than the other; two; .85 by .6^. Nests usually in lo\/ shrubs. South Atlantic and Gulf Coast. 400. Scaled Dove — scardafella inca. White; two; .91 by .70. Nests in trees and bushes. Rio Grande Vaiiey. 407. Key West Dove — geotrygon martinica. Pure white; two; about the size of the White-crow ned Pigeon. Nests on the ground or low bushes. . Key West, Fla. 408. Blue-headed Dove — starscenas cyanocephala. Pure white, sur- face very smooth; two; 1.40 by 1.08. Nests on the ground or in trees or bushes. West India Islands— Key West, Fla. 409. Chachalaca; Texan Guan — ortalls vetula maccalll Dirty- white; six to eight; ^.35 by 1.65. Nests on the ground. Valley of the Rio Grande. r^ IP EGG CHRCK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN RIRDS. 470. Mexican Turkey — meleagris gallopavo. E-ggs and nesting habits similar to the common Wild Turkey. Mexico. 470a. Wild Turkey — meleagris gallopavo Americana. Dark buff or cream color, thickly sprinkled with rusty-brown or umber spots; ten to fifteen; 2.35 by 1.87. Nests on the ground. e. u. s. 471. Dusky Grouse — canace obscura. Pale cream-color, marked with small round spots of reddish-brown; these are more numerous towards the greater end; six to ten; 1.95 by 1.45. Nests on the ground. Rocky Mt. region of U. S 4711). Richardson's Grouse — canace obscura richardsoni. Cream- color, marked with small dots of reddish brown, similar to those of the Dusky Grouse; six -to ten; 1.75 by 1.35. Rocky Mts. of BritUh Anieric, 472. Canada Grouse; Spruce Partridge — canace canadensis. Fawn- color, irregularly spla.shed with different tints of brown; eight to fourteen; 1.72 by 1. 21. Nests on the ground. British Amenci—North-m U. S 473. Ruffed Grouse — bonasa umbellus. Dark cream color, some- times faintly blotched with a darker .shade of the same; seven to twelve; 1.60 by 1. 15. Nests on the ground. e. n. a. 473(^, Oregon Ruffed Grouse — bon.\sa umbellus sabinei. Dark cream-color, unspotted; si.x to fourteen. Nests on the ground. (See Notes.) Rocky Mts. to Pacific Coast of Oregon. 474. Willow Ptarmigan — lagopus albus. Cream color, tinged with reddish shading, marked with large, confluent blotches of dark chestnut; ten to sixteen ; 1.85 by 1.20. Nests on the ground. Arctic America, 475. Rock Ptarmigan — lagopus rupestris. Deep reddish-cream color, nearly covered by blotches of reddish chestnut; four to eight; 1.63 by 1. 18. Nests placed on the ground, Arctic a. 477. Prairie Hen — cupidonia cupido. T ; :ht-clay or dark tawny, brown; sometimes, not always, sprinkled with brown; eight to twelve; 1.75 by 1.25. Nests on the ground. Prairiecoumry of u. s. 478a. Common Sharp-tailed Grouse — PEOia-XEXES phasianellus col- umbianus. Light clay to a dark rusty-brown, generally not" marked, but frequently speckled with fine dottings of darker brown; ten to fifteen; 1. 80 by 1.30. Nests on the ground. Pbins and Prairies of u.s ■479. Sage Cock — centrocercus uropiiasianus. Light greenishjdrab to a drab shaded with buff, thickly freckled with small rounded spots of reddish-brown and dark chestnut; ttn t6 fifteen; 2.20 by 1.50. Nests on the ground. (See Notes.) fa I s and nesting Mexico, A. Dark buff ■ spots; ten lo K. U. S. color, marked ore numerous )n the ground. y Mt. region of U. S iSONi. Cream- 3 those of the I. of British America. )ENsi3. Fawn- ht to fourteen ; ;rica — North-rn U. S. m color, some- ren to twelve; E. N. A. \BiNEi. Dark ground. (See cific Coast of Oregon. r, tinged with dark chestnut; Arctic America, reddish-cream to eight; 1.63 Arctic A. ir dark tawny, ght to twelve; rairie coimlry of U. S. SIANELLUS COL- of marked, but ten to fifteen; IS and Prairies of U. S. it greenishidrab unded spots of [.50. Nests on EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 80 480. Hob-white; American Quail — ortvx virginiana. Pure white; "ifteen to twenty-five, usually about eighteen; pyriform ; 1.18 by. 98. Xcsts on the ground. '^y^''r:;\LS'~S-^^:. ■:'':■.-:, ?:.:■, I. ^- ^- S- 48(trt. Florida Quail — oktv.x virginiana kloridana. Same as those of the preceding species. Nesting habits the same. , ./ , fib. 4(S()/;. Texan Quail — ortv.x virgin'IANA texana. Same as those of I '//XlUllVia, but slightly sm.Tller. Smitliem lexnsand V^illtyof the KioC.rande. 481.' Mountain Quail — okeoktvx picta. Cream color with a reddish tint; six to twelve; 1.47 by i. 12. Nests on the ground. Washingtnn Territory, Oregon — Coast region of Cal. 482. Californian Quail — i.ophoktv.x caiU'Oknica. Creamy white, marked with scattered spots of chestnut-brown, golden-red and sometimes light-drab; four to sixteen ; I. 21 by .91. Nests on the ground. Pacific Province U. S. 48.'}. Gambel's Quail — lopuoktvx gambeli. Creamy-white, marked with spots of chestnut-red; twelve to seventeen. 1.25 by i. Nests on the ground. - Colorado Valley of U. S. 484 Scaled Quail — caui.ipepla squamata. Creamy-white, speckled with dots of grayish ov drab, sometimes reddish; six to twelve; 1.38 by ,98. Table-lands of Mexifo and V'alley of Kio Grande of Texas. 48G. Great White Heron; Wurdcmann's Heron — ardka occiden- TAi.is. I-ight bluish green, somewhat elliptical, unspotted; two to three; 1.82 by 2.40,7'. Nests in trees. I'lic n.-,ts, like all those of the heron family, are loosely arranged with sticks. Fia. 487. Great Blue Heron — akdha in.RoniA.s. Greenish-blue, un-;pot- ted, varying from elliptical to oval in firm; 2.70 by i.68,t'. The nests of this species are placed in high trees or bushes, usuall\- sycamores, along livers or in retired swamps. In localities d-.-stitute of trees the nest is 5*» to four; 1.92 ntic and Gulf States. C^arying from ; three to six; 1. Temperate N. A. :ted, elliptical; ;s or grass. u. s. te, sometimes r two; 2.72 by ntic and Gulf States. i and blotched ; two or three ; ntic and Gulf States. ed with white on the ground or accidental in U. S. \\ blue, unspot- low bushes. U- s. , spotted and or three, 2.50 tntic and Gulf States. 507. American Oystercatcher — n/f;MATOPU.s pali.iatus Creamy or white, spotted and blotched irregularly with varying shades of brown, rather oval; two to four; 2. 15 by i.5o,7'. Kgg.s laid in a hollow on the ground. Atlantic Coast— Fla. ')()!). Turnstone — stkepsilas interpres. Greenish -ash, spotted, blotched and dotted irregularly and thickly with yellowish and umber- brown, pyriform; two to four; 1.60 by 1.18,7-. Hggs placed on the f[rOUnd in a depression of the soil. .. Sca coasts of nearly all countries. 513. Black-bellied Plover — squatarola helvetica. Brownish-drab or clay color, thickly marked with spots and blotches of brownish-black, often confluent and sometimes very irregular at the greater end, pyriform ; four; 2. by 1.40,7'. Eggs placed in a depre.ssion of the soil. n. a. ')15. American Golden Plover — charadrius uominicus. Deep choco- late-brown, spotted and blotched irregularly with confluent markings of varying shades of brown ; two to four. Nest composed of a few leaves within a natural cavity of the ground. This bird breeds in the arctic re- gions. : '. . ■ ^^ N. A. 516. Killdeer — oxvechus vocikerus. Drab or clay-color, thickly spot- ted and blotched with blackish-brown and umber, small end quite pointed, as is usually the case with all eggs of birds of this order ; four ; i . 50 by i . 1 2, 7'. Eggs placed in a depression of the ground. N. a. 517. Semipalmated Plover — iEGiALiXES semipalmatus. Varying from greenish to yellowish-ash, spotted, blotched and dotted with varying shades of brown, pyriform; two to four; 1.25 by .93, 7>. Nests in a natural cavity oftheground. v- n. a. 520. Piping Plover — .^foiALiTES melodus. Clay or creamy-brown, marked nearly uniformly all over, but sparsely, with small, blackish-brown dots and specks, but no spots or irregular lines. The dottings are sometimes extremely fine, mere points, mingled with a few obscure shell-markings of lilac and lavender ; four or five ; i . 20 by i . , 7-. Nests in a depression of the ground. u. s. 522. Wilson's Plover — ochthodromus wilsonius. Creamy, finely and thickly spotted with black, dark and umber-brown — some of the spots are very obscure, as it were on the inside of the shell, pyriform; four; 1.76 by 1 . 28. I fail to see lines or scrolls of any kind on ,the surface of this egg as some authors hav ed. Nests in a slight depression of the ground. (See Notes.) E. N. a. 42 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. tea. t • r)2.'{. Mountain Plover — podasocys montanus. Greenish brown, finely and thickly dotted with very dark brown and black, pyriform ; two to four; 1 .40 by 1 . 10, T'. Nests in a ilcprcssion of the ground. K. N. a. 520. American Woodcock — imuioiikia minor. Creamy or biiff, irreg- ularly and thickly spotted with pale, reddish-brown of varying shades; four; 1.65 by no, 7'. Nests in a depression of the ground. k. n. a. r>2(Jrt. Wilson's Snipe — cali.inacio media wilsoni. Varying from a grayish-olive to greenish-brown and yellowish-ash, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, umber, and sometimes with lines of black; three or four; 1.55 by i. lo. Nests on the ground. N. a. .'527. Red-breasted Snipe; (iiay Snipe — macrokiiamphus gri.seu.s. The eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from thpse of I Vvilson's Snipe; four; 1.62 by 1.12. Ne.sts on the ground. N. A. ~)2i). Knot; Robin Snipe — tkinca canutu.s. Varying from greenish to yellowish-ash, dotted irregularly, with different shades of umber and reddish-brown, pyriform; four; 1.32 by .98. Nests in a hollow of the EfrOUnd. ' ■^^' iv ;. Northern Hemisphere. 530. Purple .Sandpiper — ah(jUATEI.i.a maritima. Clay color, .shaded with olivaceous, with large and distinct markings of rich umber-brown of different depths of intensity all over the shell, but most numerous as well as largest on the greater half, pyriform; three or four; 1.40 by i. Nests hi a hollow of the ground. N. A. 537. Paird's Sandpiper — actodrom.^s hairui. BufT or clay-colored, spotted and blotched with varying shades of chestnut-brown ; four; 1.30 by '.90, 7'. Nests in a hollow of the ground. n. a. 538. Least Sandpiper — actouromas Mi.NUTii.r.A. Creamy or buff-color, spotted and blotched irregularly and thickly with different shades of brown ; three or four; .95 by .75. Nests in a depression of the ground. N. A. 541. Semipalmated Sandpiper — ereu.nktes pu.sillu.s. Variable shade of drab, dotted and blotched with brown of varying .shades, pyriform; four; 1.22 by .83. Nests in a depression of the ground. N'. a. 542. Sanderling — calidris arenaria. Ashy or greenish-brown, spot- ted and blotched with brown of different shades, pyriform; four; 1.35 by .72. Nests in a depression of the ground. lempcrateregionsof n. a. 543. Marbled tiodwit — li.mosa kucda. Creamy or buff, spotted and blotched, rather sparcely, with yellowish brown of varying shades, long oval; four; 2.25 by 1.45, i-. Nests in a hollow of the ground. n. a. ^^§Slfi*»; -ri-i ivi?4#lp%il^^^;r' 'i^^^^^fis^&Sa ■ irown, finely two to four; K. N. A. )r bnff, irreg- ihades; four; K. N. A. ying from a md blotched ck ; tliree or N. A. iRisEUS, The rom thpse of N. A. om greenish [ umber and ollow of the hern Hemisphere. olor, shaded ber-brown of crous as well Dy I. Nests N. A. clay-colored, "our ; 1 . 30 by N. A. or buff-color, les of brown : nd. N. A. ariable shade riform; four; Js. A. brown, spot- bur; 1.35 by ite regions of N. A. spotted and shades, long 1. N. A, .■)4"). Hudsonian Godwit — mmosa ii/1;mastica. Heavily shaded olive drab, almost as dark as in a Loon's egg, obscurely spotted and blotched with dark brown ; three or four; 2.15 by 1.38. Nests in a depression of tlie ground. N, 1:. N. A. .■j48. Greater Yellow-legs; Tell-tale — TOTANUS Mi'.r.ANor.KUCL's. Grayish- white, marked with spots of dark brown, varying in intensity of shade, together with obscure sjiell markings of lilac. The rnarkings are over the Liitire surface, but more numerous at the larger end; four; 1.75 by 1.25. \estS in a hollow of thegrOUnd. ,»: . Wcsicm Hemisphere. 54}>. . Yellow legs — toianus flavii-es. Varying from a clay to buffy or creamy color, sometimes light-brown, the markings are bold and heavy, with great diversity of heavily splashed blotches of chocolate, umber-brown and blackish, these being chiefly at the larger end and sometimes confluent. Paler shell markings are also numerous and noticeable; four; 1.65 by 1.20 Nests in a hollow of the ground. Westen. Hemisphere. ").■)(). Solitary Sandpiper — khvacophilus solitarius. Light drab, marked with spots of brown, .some quite dark, no\vhere confluent; two to four; 1.40 by i. 10. Nests in a hollow of the groimd. Wesicm Hemisphere. .552. Willet — svmi'HKMia semitai-MATA. Varying from a brownish olive to a greenish or grayish-white, marked with bold spots of various shades of umber brown, with ob.scure shell-markings. They are less pointedly pyriform than the eggs of the smaller Tattlers and Sandpipers; four; 2. by 1.45. Nests in a depression of the ground. Temperate n, a. T)')."). Hartram's Sandpiper; iMeld Plover — baktkamia longicauda. Pale clay or buff, thickly spotted with umber and yellowish-brown; four; 1.75 by 1.28. Nests in a depression of the ground. N. A, 5J3(j. Buff-breasted Sandpiper — tryngitk.s rueescens. Clay color of various shades, sharply spotted and blotched with rich'umber-brown, point- edly pyriform ; iour; 1.45 by 1.05, 7: Nests on the ground in a .slight de- pression. N. A. T)")?. Spotted Sandpiper — tringoides macularius. Of a creamy, buff or clay color, blotched, spotted and dotted with blackish-brown; four; 1.34 by .92. The nest of this Sandpiper is built on the ground, usually in the shelter of high weeds or grass on a sandy island or border of a cultivated meadow, near water. n. y\ '>o8. Long-billed Curlew — numenius i.ongirostris. Clay or buff in color, marked with umberof different shades, in the buffy-tinged .specimens 44 EGO CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. rather tending to chocolate, not so pyriform as those of the smaller waders ; four; 2.45 by 1.S5, ,-■. Nests on the ground in a slight depression, u. s. 5')}). Hudsonian Curlew — numenius hudsonicus. Ashy-yellow, the markings arc large and bold, of different shades of chocolate and umber brown. The eggs of this species can only be distinguished from the following species by their larger size; four; 2.28 by 1.60, f. Nests in a depression of the ground. n. a. 560. Eskimo Curlew — numenius uoreams. Varying from yellowish- ash to greenish-brown, spotted and blotched with bold markings of umber and brown of varying shades; i.f;5 by 1.30, v. Nests in a depression of the ground. , North nnd Middle Americi ")(!;}. Red Phalarope — hhai.aropus fulicarius. Greenish or yellowish- ash, blotched and spotted with brown of various shades. The eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of the following species; four; 1. 1 5 by .85, v. Nests on the ground in a slight depre.ssion. Northern Hemisphere' r)G4. Northern Phalarope — i.ohii'es hvpe.rboreus Greenish or yellow- ish ash, thickly blotched with varying shades of brown; two to four; 1.08 by .82, V. Nests on the ground in a slight depression. Northern Hemisphere 5(5'). Wilson's Phalarope — steganopus wilsoni. Ashy-yellow, usually coarsely spotted and blotched with brown of varying shades; two to four; 1.20 by .90, V. Nests on the ground in a depression. N. a. o(!6. American \vocet — recurvirostra Americana. Varying from a dark olive to buff, uniformly spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades, pyriform; three or four; 2. by 1.35, v. Nests on the ground in a .slight depression. ' ' . " ^ • u. s. 5fi7. Black-necked Stilt — himantopus mexicanus. Brownish-olive, spot- ted, blotched and lined quite thickly and irregularly with brownish black of varying shades, pyriform ; three or four. The eggs appear large for the size of the bird; 1.58 by 1.20. Nests on the ground in a .slight depres- sion. ' u. s. 569. Red breasted Rail — rallus elegans Varying from a dull white to cream or pale buff, sparsely dotted and spotted with t eddish-brown and lilac, oval; .six to ten; 1.66 by 1. 10. Nests on the ground in marshy places. u. s. 571. Clapper Rail — rallus longirostris crepitans. Pale buffyyel- low, dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and lilac, oval; eight; 1.65 by 1.05. Nests on the ground in marshy places. Middle and Southern Const, U. .S. '■ik^^^H^.^iA'' •w& EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 4A laller waders ; ssion. u. s, '-yellow, the : and umber the following' a depression N. A. Ti yellowish- >gs of umber depression of t Middle America or yellowish- ' eggs of this the following depression. them Hemispheri' 0 four; 1.08 hern Hemisphere :llow, usually two to four; N. A. trying from a rious shades, nd in a slight • u. s. ih-olive, spot- ownish black large for the slight depres- u. s. 1 a dull white ih-brown and d in marshy u. s. lie bufifyyel- ; eight; 1.65 Lithern Coast, U. S. ■)72. Virginian Rail — kam.us viRfJiNiANUs. Cream or buff, sparsely spotted with reddish brown and obscure lilac ; eight; 1.25 by 95, 7'. Nests on the grour.d in marshy places. ■; ', v u. s. ')74. Sora Rail — i'okzana Carolina. Grayish or drab, spotted with reddish-brown, oval; six to ten; 1.20 by .90. Like all the others of this family the nest is placed on the ground in marshy places. Tcmp^rau n. a. 57'). Little Yellow Rail — porzana noveuoracensis. Rich buffy- l)rown, marked at the larger eiid with a cluster of reddish brown dots, oval; 1.15 by .85. Nests on the ground in marshy places. k. n. a. ')7(). Little Hlack Rail — porzana jamaicensis. Cieamy-white, sprinkled all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, oval; six to eight; 1.05 by .80. Nests on the ground in marshy places. Midillc and .Southern St.-ites on the Atlantic. r)78. Purple Gallinule — ionornis martinica. Creamy, finely and rather sparsely dotted with chestnut-brown and umber, rather elliptical ; six; 1.70 by i.I5,t'. Nests in marshy places on the ground in tall sh or yellow ■ trasses and weeds South Atl.inlic and liwlf Slates. 579. Florida Gallinule — gaklinula galeata. Creamy or brownish- bufT, rather thickly spotted with brown and umber, oval; eight to ten ; 1.78 by 1.25,7'. Nests on the ground in marshy places among the tall grasses. (See Notes.) .' u s., southerly. 580. American Coot — eui.ica Americana. Clay or creamy-white, uniformly and finely dotted alt over with specks of dark-brown and black- ish, oval; six to twelve; 2. by 1.25. The ne.st of the Coot is placed on floating vegetation or on the ground in marshy places. Kmire temperate n a 58L The Limpkin — aramu.s pictus. Ashy yellow, lined, .sprinkled, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and umber, rather elliptical; ten to fifteen; 2.35 by 1.78. The nest of this bird is placed on bushes which overhang water. Florida and Wcst indies. 582. Whooping Crane — grus Americana. Light brownish drab, sparsely marked, except at the greater end, with larj,^- irregular spots of a pale dull chocolate brown and obscure shell-markings, elliptical; the shell is very rough, is covered with numerous elevations like little warts; two; 3.90 by 2.62,7'. Nests on the ground in marshy places. Temperate n a. 583, Sandhill Crane — grus canadensis. Ashy-ytliow, spotted and blotched with reddish-brow n. of the same general character as those of the preceding species, rather elliptical; 3.42 by 2. 15,7-. This bird con.structs its nest in shallow water by heaping up a mass of mud, roots, grass. ••.«, 4S K(;(; CIIK( K LIST ()!• NOKTII AMKKICAN BIRDS. weeds, etc., forniin}; a conical |)ile which is elevateil about six inches above the water. Weium u. s, n., r»8."i. American I'^lamin^jo — i'iki'Nicoptkki's kl'UHK. Whit<; externally, but of a bluish tinj;e wiieii the surface is scraped off. The shell is thick and rather rou^ih ; the ^a-ner.il !••::;; is clon-r.ited ; two; 3. j; by 2. 15..-. The nest is a mass of earth, sticks and other material scooped up form the immediate vicinity, to the heir di r 1 1 HR "'i' V i" -'lullirrii |inrlioll» nf U. S, .")S.s. Whislliny Swan— oi.dk .xmkkica.nls. — Uirt\' white, oval; si.\- to ten; 4. by -;.50,t'. Ne.sts placed on the ground in ni;n.-hy places, lirecds only in the far North. .,;.*, ' ' N. a. ')8}>. Trumpeter Swan — oi.ok huccinahju. Diity-wliitc, oval ; si,\- to ten; 4.05 by :;.5o. Nests placed on the j^round in marshy places. Breeds from low.i ami Dikota northward (chiefly Mississijipi Valley). ii!)l. Snow (ioose— c iiK\ iivi'KRiiOKEUS. \'cllowish -white, elliptical; five to eifjht; 2.85 by 1.(^3. Nests placed on the },n-ound in marshy places. Uieeds in lii.i;li latitude. N. a. .")[»;',//. .American White fionted (loose — anskh AtniFRONs r.A.viHKi.i. Dull greenish jellow. with obscure darker tints, elliptical; six to ten; 3, by 2., 7'. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places. Breeds in the far North. • ■ - \V ' T" //^^ Vii:/-';-- ' '^■'^■ oJM, Canad.i Goose— iiKRNict.A canadensis.- Dirty-white, elliptical; six to ten; 3.43 by 2.28. Nests jjlaced on the j^-round in marshy places. Breeds in the L'nited States and further north. N. A .■){>'). Brant — kkknu i.a hhk.nta. Diri} -white, elliptical; six to ten; 2.75 by 1.85,7'. Nests |)laced on the j^round in marshv places. I'.itri'pe .ind N. .A (501. Mallard--ANAS iiosca.s. Greenish-brown,' tlliptical; six to en; 2.35 by 1.75,7'. The nest of the Mallard is placed on the ground in a clump of weeds or grass near water. N. a. 602. Black Mallard — anas ohscuka. Greenish brown, elliptical; six to ten ; 2.35 by 1.75. Nestiu|jj habits same as those of preceding species. .Vthtiitic t'uast of 5i A. ()04. Gadwall — ciial 1 klasmus .stkepekus. Clay or creamy bufT. ellip tical ; \ to ten; 2. by 1.45,7'. Nests placed on the ground in tall weeds or grass near water. .A. EG(; CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN IIIRDS. 47 it six inclus Wcmern U. S., Il< to externally, sliell is thick ,17 ijy 2I5.'- \ up form tile iiollow at the Ititiidc. oval; six to ir-li)' places, N. A. oval ; six to ar^liy places. Valley). te, elliptical; nil in marshy N. A. )N.S r.AMHKr.l. six to ten ; 3, lirecds in the N, A. te, elliptical; larshy places. X, A ; six to ten ; es. I'Uirupe .ind X. A 1 ; six to en ; .' i>round in a N. A. elliptical; six -•(linjr species. lantic C"ua.7. Baldpate — makkca amkkicana. I'ale buff; eight to twelve; 2. by 1.50,7'. The nest of the American Widgeon is built on the ground in tall ^'rass or weeds, near water. n. a. <»(t8. Shoveller— SJ'ATL' LA clvi'KATa. (Jreenish gray, elliptical; six to ten; 2. 10 by L50.?'. Nests built on the ground in marshy places. N. a. <{(M». Blue winged Teal — yuEKguKDUiA discoks. Greenish or buff, elliptical; six to ten. Ne.sts built on the ground, among rushes, near water. n. a. «)1(). Cinnamon Teal — guKKguKDULA cvANOfTKKA. Creamy- white or pale bufif; six to twelve; L75 by LJO.!'. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places. w. n. a. HV2. Green-winged Teal — nkition carolinknsis. Greenish or buff, elliptical; six to ten; 1.90 by L3o.r', Nests built on the ground among tall grass or weeds, near water. n. a. (Jl.'i. Wood Duck; Summer Duck — al\ si'on.sa. I'ale brown or green- ish-buff, elliptical; six to ten; 2. by 1.50. This duck nests in holes of trees and thfe nest is composed of grass, weeds, feathers, etc. Breeds in suitable places throughout United States. n, a. ()14. Scaup Duck— FUi.ix MARiLA. .Ashy green, elliptical; six to ten; i.35 by L70.7'. Nests built on the ground in marshy places. n. a. ()1."). Little Blackhead— FULi'x afkinls. Ashy-green, elliptical; six to- ten; 2.25 by i.6o,'<: Nests placed on the ground in marshy places. N. A. «)](). Ring-billed Blackhead — kulix cor.i.AKis. Ashy green, elliptical; six to ten; 2.^0 by l62,7'. Nests built on the ground near water. Breeds in the far North. m_ a. <»17. Canvas-back- .i:tm VI A VALLi.sxiiRiA. Greenish-buff, elliptical; six to ten; 2 50 by 1.70.J'. Nests placed on the ground near water. X,A. (>1«. Redhead — .kthvia a.mkkicana. Creamy whfte. elliptical; six to ten; 2.20 by 1.65.7-. Nests on the ground in tall gra.ss and weeds, x. a. f. 49 VA.i. tllKCK LIST OF NORTH AMKKICAN UIRDS. (Il'.i Marrow's (ioUlcn-cye — ci.ancjl'I.a isi anhka. AshyKrcrn, cllipti cal; six to ten; 2.40 by 1.70,7-. The nest of this diici< is placed in holo of trees. , ?»• \ (i'jo. • Anierk'aii Golden eye — n ANori.A fUAUcuM ami.kuana. Ashy ^jreen. .spherical; .six to ten; .'.3; by 1.75..-. The nest, like that of the preceding species, is placed in the holes of trees. N. A (i-il. Hutterball; Uufflchead— d.Asnii.A Ai.iiioi.A, Varying from bull to a creamy white or jjrayish olive, elliptical; six to twelve; 1.75 by 1.25,7'. Nests in the hollow of a dead tree. . ^ N. A. <»2'J. liarleciuin Duck— iii.stkionicu.s .minutl's. (Ireenish-yellow, ellip tical; six to ten; J l>y 1.30,7'. Nests on the {;round near waier. Nnrilierii Sr.itnmi (if N(irlh«rn Hcniii<|>li.:rc ()'i;l. Long tailed Duck; Old Stpiaw — iiAKKiiDA (Facialis. (Ireenish a.sh, elliptical; .six to ten; 2.10 by 1.50.^. Nests on the ground in marshy places. Nnnhen. M.rmi.pl>er< it'll. Common i;ider— somaikkia moi.i.issima. Ashy green, ellipti cal; six to ten; 2.85 by 1.98,7'. Nests on the ground near water, n. n. a, (i'Hl King I'.idel- — so.matkkia sri:iTAiiii.is. Dirty-green, elliptical; six to ten; J. 60 by 1.75,7'. Nes' -»n the ground near water. ..^ Arctic regiumi of Niirtlierii Hemijpherc (i.'M). American Scoter— w.dkmi a amkkicana. Tale yellow, oval; six to ten; 2. by i.fKJ.r'. Nests on the grounil near water. N. a. iilVi: American Velvet Scoter — mki.anktta vki.vktina. Dirty cream color, oval; six to ten; 2.60 by 1.80,7', Nests on the ground near water. Kiiropc iiiul Anioric (i'Mi. ^^urf Duck — pkiionetta pkk.spicii.i.ata. (ireenish buff, elli|)tical; six to twelve; 2.25 by i.6o,r'. Nests on the ground near the water. .Sea tnMit (if \. A (».'$(;. American Sheldrake — .mkkiuj.s mIcucjan.skk amickicanus. PaU buff, oval; six to ten; 2.80 by 1.75,7'. Nests in holes of trees. N. A (J.'JT. Red breasted Sheldrake— MKKciu.s skkraiou. Cireenish-browii oval; .six to twelve; 2.50 by 1.72,7-. Nests on the ground in tall gra.ss and weeds near water. • Ndiihcm Himisiihcn «);i8. Hooded Sheldrake — i.oi-iionvTKs CLci i.i.atus. White, splierical; six to ten; 2.10 by 1.70,7-. Nests placed in the holes of trees. N. a. (i'.VJ. Frigate Pelican — tacuypetks aquila^ Hluish or greenish-white. |)S. iiyKrecn, cllipti i placed in hole-, N, A. IKIlANA. Ashy like that of the N. A iij'inj; from bull wclvc; 1.75 by N. A. ish-ycllow, cllip r water. r Niirlharn Hcminplurc Alls, (ireenish 1 the yrouiul in Norlhcni Hemi«phert ly green, ellipti • water, n. n. a. en, elliptical ; six f Nortlierii Meniisjiher yellow, oval ; six N. A. <,\. Dirty cream ound near water. Kuropc and Anioric; ;h buff, elliptical r the water. .Sea coiiHt of N, A ICKICANLS. l'al( r trees. N. A (jreenish-browi), )und in tall grass Noiihcm Hi'inispltcrr White, spherical; trees. N. a. >r greenish -white. FiiC CHFXK LIST OF NORTH .\MKKI( AN HIRHS. 40 lovcfcfd with a white calcareous deposit, ratlier elliptical; one or two; •82 by 2. Ne.sts in trees or on the ground. Smilh Alliinlir unil <>iil) rtia. American White IVlican — i'K.i.kcani s KRvrtiKomn nciiis. White, covered with a calcareous deposit, oval; one or two; 3.15 by 2.20,?'. Nest.s on the ground near the water. The nest is simply a low mound of dirt scraped together by the bird. n. a. KM Mrowi\ Pelican — HEr.KCANUs I'u.scus. White, covered with a white cilcareous deposit, oval; two; 2.80 by i.cSo.r'. Ne.st is a bulky structure placed in trees or on the groimd. The birds congregate in tiiou.sands and select particular localities for breeding grounds, and will return year after .year to the same place. They breed abundantly on Indian Kiver, i-'lorida. S'lmh Ati.miii nnf N. A. (i4.'l. Double-crested Cormorant — imiai.acrocokax imi.oimius. Green- ish blue, oval; three to four; 2.25 by 1.35,7'. Nests on rocky cliffs. N. A. (It.'Jrt. I'lorid.i Cormorant — I'Hai.ackocorax hiiophis fi-oridanus. (ireenish-blue, oval; two to four; 240 by 1.40,7'. Nests on rocky clififs ,Uld in dead trees. Soml, Atlantic anj CnlfStales, (>4!>. American An.iinga; Snake liird — I'l.ons .vniiinha. Hluish or (lark greenish-white, oval; three to five; 2.15 by 1:12, v. Nest placed in tiocs. Kiesli walcrH of Siiiith Atlantic .mil Ciiilf State"i. (».■)(). Gannet — :Sri.A iiassana. Greenish blue, covered with a calca- reous, deposit, oval; 3. by 1 So,<'. Nests on rocky cliffs. Atlantir const of N. A. (>."»*2. Booby Gannet — sui.a i.KucoeiAsTUA. Greenish-blue, oval; one or two; 2.25 by 155,7'. I^ggs usually placed on the naked ground or rock.' Soiitti Atlantic anil (iiilf Stales of U. S. (ir>4. Yellow-billed Tropic Hird — phakthon ilavirostris. Chalky- white, usually very thickly spotted with reddish-chocolate of varying shades, oval; one; 2. i 5 by 1.55,7'. Nest placed in holes of rocks. I'ropical reitions of the Atlantic seas. <».')»». Black Skimmer — rhynchoi's nigra. Yellowish-white, spotted uid blotched rather coarsely with brown, umber'i and lilac of varying sh.ides, oval; two or three; 1.65 by 1.35,7'. I'-ggs placed on the ground in sand)' places. l-ron. T.:>»as to New Jcrsc *. 50 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. .:. n. a. (ilii. Laughing Gull — larls atricilla. Varying from bluish-white to greenish ash, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying shades, oval; three or four; 2.10 by 1.62,7'. Nests on the ground in sandy places. ^ Texas to Ma»s. (>7o. Bonaparte's Gull — larus philadelphm:. Varying from green- ish to brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber, and lilac of various .shades, oval; three or four; 1.40 by 11 5.7'. Nests on the ground or rocky cliffs. . ^ n. a. 077. Sabine's GuUr—XEMA sabinel Deep greenish-brown, obscurely spotted and blotched with darker shades of the same, oval; two; 1.45 by 1.05,7'. I'^ggs placed on the ground in sandy places. Nova scotia, northward. 679. Gull-billed Tern — sterna anglica. Varying from yellowish'buff to greenish, spotted and blotched with yellowi.sh-brown and lilac, cal; three or four; 1.78 by 1.32,7'. Kggs laid on the ground in sandy places. E. u. s. r, spotted and shades, oval; • Arctic regions. V^arying from ;ind sprinkled bur; 2.95 by rctic seas, Lahrailcr. ying from a with reddish- 2.95 by 2.25. Atlantic, Labrador. 1 bluish-white n and lilac of Nests on the N. A. MITHSONIANUS. with brown, 1; three; 2.80 Iky. N. A. I from bluish- lilac of various ground or on N. A. bluish-white to lilac of varying the ground in Texas to Mans. ig from green- lilac of various the ground or N. A. 3wn, obscurely two; 1.45 by va Scotia, nortliward. I yellowish-buff ind lilac, o^al; n sandy places. E. U. S. 11 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. SI <}80. Caspian Tern — sterna caspia. Varying from white to greenish- buff, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of different shades, oval ; three or four; 2.70 by i.85,7'. Kggs laid on the ground in sandy places. Coast of N. J. <;81. Royal Tern — sterna regia. " Varying from white to greenish- buh', spotted and blotched with brown, umber, and lilac of varying shades, with an occasional tinge of yellow, rather pyriform; tyvo to three; 2.72 by 1.72,^'. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy places. Atlantic coast nf the Southern and Middle States. 683.. Cabot's Tern — sterna cantiaca acuflavida. Varying from white to buff, spotted and blotched with brown, umber, bluish and red- dish, oval; 2.05 by 1.28,7'. Kg^.: laid on the ground in sandy places. Texa.s to Fla. <>85. Forster's Tern — sterna forsteri. Varying from nearly pure white and pale green to warm brownish-drab, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac, oval; three to four; 1.70 by 1.25,7'. Kggs laid on the ground in marshy places. n. a. ()8G. Common Tern — sterna fluviatilis. Varying from greenish to deep brown, spotted and blotched with brown, blackish and lilac, oval; three to four; 1.50 by 1.10,7'. Nests placed on the ground in sandy places. (See Notes.) iM.rope, e. n. a. (587. Arctic Tern — sterna macrura. From nearly pure white to deep brown, spotted and blotched with chocolate-brown, umber, and lilac of varying .shades, oval; 1.50 by 1. 10,7'. Kggs laid on the ground in sandy places. Coast of New F.ngland States to the Arctic Seas. G88. Roseate Tern — sterna iiougalli. Varying from greenish to deep brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac, oval; 1.45 by i.io,7'. Nests on the ground in sandy places. (See Notes.) Fla. to New York. (j90. Least Tern — sterna antillarum. Buff, spotted and blotched irregularly with brown, umber, and lilac of various shades, with an occa sional tinge of yellowish, oval; three or four; 1. by .78,7'. Nests on the ground in sandy places. Temperate n. a. 691. Sooty Tern — sterna fumginosa. Pinkish-white, spotted and blotched with a rich reddish-brown, tinged with lilac, oval; two or three; 1.95 by 1.50,7'. Eggs placed on the ground in sandy place.s. Texas to Fla. 693. Black Tern — hvdrochelidon lariformis surinamensis. Vary- ing from brown to greenish, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac, i| m 'li ^ EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. pyriform ; three; 1.30 by .95,7'. I'-ggs placed on tlie ground on islands of decaying vegetation. Jireeds at large in North America. n. a. ()9<"). Noddy Tern — anous .sroi.iurs. Ashy yellow, .spotted and blotched with pale chocolate-brown and lilac, oval; two or three; 1.8s by 1.45.7-. Nest placed in trees. Tex.isi,. n., <1J(H. Richard.son's Jaeger — .stercorakiu.s crepidatus. Deep yellow ish or greeni.shbrown, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of varying shades, oval; two or three; 3. 12 by 1.55,7'. Kggs placed on the ground. ("".TstofU.S. from \cw VurU northwest «>9J). I. ong-tailed" Jaeger — .stercokarius parasiticus. Deep yellowish brown, spotted, blotched and lined with reddish brown and umber of •varying shades, pointed oval; two or three; 2. 15 by 1.50,7'. Kggs placed on the ground. Arrticseacmist orAnierir.1. 70"). Fulmar Petrel — fulmarls c;i.aciai.is. Pure white, shell very brittle, elliptical; one; 2.75 by 2.,t. I'lggs placed in holes of rocky cliffs. Northern Atl.intir. 712. Dusky Shearwater — PurriNis auijuuoni. Pure white, elliptical, one; 1.S5 by 1.25,7'. I'-ggs placed in holes of cliffs. souihem cn^t of ii. s 721. Stormy Petrel; Mother Carey's Chicken — procellaria pelagica. White, obscurely dotted with reddish brown en the larger end, elliptical; one; 1. 10 by .75,7'. I'^ggs placed in holes of cliffs. Atlantic Occin, ll.inks of NewfnundUixl. 722. Wilson's Petrel — oceanites oceanica. Chalky white, occasion- ally spotted with purpli.sh, sometimes in a ring around the larger end, elliptical; one; 1. 10 by. 80. Nests in burrows. Atlantic coast. 723. Leach's Petrel — cvmo:;h()rka leucorrhoa. Chalky-white, dotted finely on the larger end, often in a ring, with purplish-red and lilac, ellip tical; one;. 1.25 by .90. Nests in burrows. (See Notes.) Atlantic (oast from Mass. to llaflln's Hay. 731. American Red-necked Grebe — pooiceps hoi, holm. Greeni.sh or yellowish-white, oval; eight to ten; 2.05 by 1.35,7'.' Nest is placed in a swamp or marsh near water. inr countries, Atlantic st.ntcs. 732. Horned Grebe — dvtes auritu.s. Uniform yellowish cream color, ovoidal; four to six; 1.85 by i.20,7'. Nest is placed near the water's edge of some pond or marsh, sometimes on floating debris. n. a. IS. EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN HIRDS. 53 jund on islands a. N. A. ^ spotted and three; 1.815 by Texas let Kli Deep yellow and umber of js placed on the 11 New N Drk northwest Deep yellowish I and umber of •'• I'-gK'' placed tic seacnust of Atncrira. .'hite, shell very is of rocky cliflfs. Nmthern Atlantic. white, elhptical , Sonthern Coast of U. S ,L.\RIA PKI.ACilCA. :r end, elliptical ; Ranks of NewfounilUnil. white, occa.sion- the larger end, Atlantic Coast. Iky-vvhite, dotted 1 and lilac, ellip ;s.) >m Mass. to Haflin's Hay. LI. Greenish or ist is placed in a oimtries, Atlantic States. wish cream color, near the water's Is. N. A. lli'Ha. American Kared Grebe — dytks nigkicoli.is caiifoknicus. I'aint yellowish-white, usually become stained by the habits of the bird and nature of the nest, texture of shell quite smooth, ovoidal ; three; 1.75 by i.25,t'. Nest is constructed of a large quantity of grass placed among leeds and tall grasses near water. They breed in colonies. w. N. a. 7;i5, Thick-billed Grebe — podilvmhus podiceps. Yellowish white, ovoidal; five; 2.17 by 1.45,7'. Nests placed in marshy places, .sometimes on floating vegetation. Atlantic states, rc.\as and New Mexico, Clalifornia and Oregon. T.'Jt). Loon — coi.vMiiUS roKyuAru.s, Olivaceous brown, sometimes olivaceous-drab, spotted and blotched with very dark brown, almost ex actly oval, occasionally very much lengthened; two or three; 3.50 by _'.25,7'. Nests in the neighborhood of large lakes and ponds, on some low i.sland or in meadows, where the bird collects a large pile of grasses, sods and weeds in which it forms a hollow about sixteen inches in diameter and four or five deep. N..rtlieni Hemi.sphere. 7."58. Hlack-throated Uivcr — cor.YMUUs ain, as I have bird in Texas, quarters about of May. The ong road-sides th, 1880, near istitution, was It is a very lets, pieces of luilt of catkins ets of a light- ter 2^. The nly one brood The eggs are leasure .75 by i thinly dotted irely the case. jorgonio Pass, 5 composed of lump of weeds totted, and are d — probably a tively: .81 by ;rn States. 4t Lpril, when the im fills the air. in May. Mr. Nehrllng says that near Houston, Texas, the nest is commonly placed in blackberry-bushes, and in the almost impenetrable hedges of the Chero- kee-rose (Rosa lan'igata). In the more western part of Texas, he says, he discovered nests usually in the larger peach-gardens. It was placed from two to ten, sometimes twelve feet from the ground, and is built of plant-stems, fine grasses, spider-webs and bark-strips, lined with finer grasses or very fine rootlets. Almost all the nests obtained near West Vegua, Lee County, were built of plant-.stems, grasses, rootlets and large pieces of snake skins, lined with fine grasses and the inner bark of trees. Some nests are small, others are large and bulky. The eggs are five, sometimes only four. They have a dull or bluish white ground color, and are marked with dark and reddish-brown spots, especially at the larger end. They rear one, sometimes two broods in a season. 2(54. Stunulla tuglecta. ' , , ' Western Meadow Lark. i^. < »;' • .,- . This Lark is found in the United States west of the Mississippi. It breeds abundantly in California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Col- orado. Nesting habits similar to those of the Kastern Lark. Four eggs before me, collected in California, measure as follows: 1.08 by .86, 1.09 by .86, 1.05 by TJ, 1.05 by -TJ. They are of an oblong-oval shape, the ground white, sparingly spotted with purplish and reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end. The mottling is much finer than in the eggs of the Kastern species. 269. Icterus ciuullalus. Hooded Oriole. The Hooded Oriole is essentially a Mexican species, though it also ^ extends northward into Texas at the Rio Grande, and into Southern Cali- fornia and Arizona. 'To Prof. fi. W. Evermann belongs the credit of first finding this beautiful Oriole breeding farther north than any one before had found it. Dr. Cooper, who had given it more study than any other ornithologist, informs him that he had never found the bird or its nest so far north as San Buenaventura, Cal. Prof. Evermann writes me that he found it breeding quite numerously as far north as San Buenaventura, and that it was observed breeding at Santa Barbara, thirty miles farther up the coast, though it was not so common as in Ventura County. He found the first full set of egps about May ist. The average number of eggs is ' five. The nests, he states, were suspended in sycanriores generally, often in live oaks. These are usually from five to fifteen feet from the ground. They are composed of grass which has been picked while yet green, so 4 fla EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMKRICAN HIRDS. ;i-,;-' that the nest is usually of a bripht straw color. The eggs vary somewhat in shape, some being obtuse and more spherical, others more pointed and oblong. They have a beautiful white ground, marbled, blotched and dotted with large dashes and irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown and black, chiclly at the larger end. A complement of four typical eggs, col Iccted by I'rof. Kvermann near Santa I'aula, Cal., April 13, 1881, measure as follows: .94 by Mt, .(;4 by .64, .y2 by .63. .89 by .63. •JHll. Pica nistiiii Uudionica. '*' Mlack billed Magpie. ' The American Magpie has an extended western distribution from Arizona on the south to Alaska on the northwest, and is found from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast. It is common throughout the central region of Oregon and VVashington Territory. Hreeds abundantly in Color- ado. Hcgiiis building in April. The nest is an elaborate affair placed in the fork of a small, bushy tree, and it is said, never a pine, from six to fifteen feet from the ground, composed externally of sticks ingeniously wedged together. Upon this is a layer of clay one half or three cpiartersof an inch in thickness, which, being applied soft and well worked in, becomes very hard, and binds the structure firmly together. It is lined with hair feathers, etc. Rising from the walls of the nest is a dome of twigs and sticks very ingeniously and securely woven together, with a hole in one side forming a shelter for the bird while setting. There are, .sometimes, two openings opposite each other, evidently to make room for the long tail of the bird. The eggs, according to some authors, vary from five to nine in number. Their ground-color is a grayish white, or light gray with a yellowish tinge spotted with blotches, dottings and dashes of purplish or violet-brown. _,. 287. Pita Xidtalli. Yellow-billed Magpie. Confined exclusively to California; breeds abundantly, and begins nesting about the first of April. Nest constructed similar to that of the preceding species. The eggs have a ground color of light drab so thickly marked with fine cloudings of an obscure lavender color as nearly to con- ceal the ground, and to give the egijs the appearance of an almost violet brown. A set of six eggs in my collection, collected in Wheeler Canon, near Santa Paula, Cal., exhibit the following measurements: 1.31 by .89, 1.28 by .89, 1. 31 by .89, 1.32 by .89, 1.30 by .88, 1.28 by .90. 2!);J. Aphdocoma Californica. " California Jay. The California Jay is a Pacific Coast species, occurring from the Col ary somewh.ii e pointed and blotched and c, brown and ical eggs, col- 1881, measuiL- iribution from and from the ut the central ntly in Color- r placed in the 1 six to fifteen ioiisly wedged "sof an inch in nes very hard, hair feathers, tid sticks very side forminfj two openings it of the bird. ic in number, 'ellowish tinge let-brown. !, and begins to that of the Irab so thickly nearly to con- almost violet heeler Canon, : 1. 3 1 by .89, .90. from the Col- KOG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMKKICAN lURDS. M I r II I J 1 _L !■ , I. [ ' I , I J I. ■■ I I I 11— UP! I iimbia River southward to Cape St. Iiicas. It is not found in the interior it any considerable distance from the coast. The nest is usually j)laccd 111 a low tree or bush. It is large and stro:^^', built of twigs, roots anil grass. The eggs are from three to five, of a dark sea-green, marked with luimerous pale brown bloidus, chiellv iit the larger end. A complement ■ >f four eggs in my collection, collected near Santa Paula, March 2i), iHSi, e.\hibit the following dimensions: 1,03 by .7.S, i.oS by .Ki, i,o)S by .81, 1.03 by .iSt. »; • •'ini. Milvtiliis foifuaiiis. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. This bird is quite common on the prairies of Southern Texas. They nest in trees at heights v.irying from six to twenty feet. The nest is com- po.sed externally of small sticks, and lined with fine, .soft grasses. They measure about two and one half inches in height, and nearly five in exter- nal diameter; the cavity is two inches deep and three wide. The eggs are from three to five in number, of a rounded oval shape, tapering at one end. The ground color is white, marked with a few large dark red spots, and occasionally of an obscure purple, chiefly at the larger entl. I'our typical eggs in my collection, collecteil in Comal County, Tpxas, May 30, i.SHr, measure as follows: .,S7 by .70, .87 by .67, .91 by .69, .^'^'j by .68. 324. liiitpidouax acadiciis. ■'•?:» Acadian I'lycatcher. ^*' I (juote the following from Dr. VVheaton's excellent " Report on the llirds of (^hio " : "Abundant summer resident from May to September. Ikeeds. Fre- ([uents woodland, and is seldom seen far from its breeding spot except when migrating, when it is a frequent visitor in the gardens of this city(Columbus), often remaining .several dajs. The favorite retreats of this bird are beech woods of considerable extent. Here ihej- are found perched on the lower branches of trees, or higher uj) on the border of a glade. Dark woods are preferred to high, open, mixed woodland. In such localities they form a striking feature in the bird fauna. Their ordina.y note is a sharp, quick, lauw Warbler, but il or greater por- ined in true Fly- is a slight lining itles. A typical n diameter, with ieep. In nearly all cases three eggs is the usual complement, rarely four, and in a great many in varying stages of incubation. The ground color of the eggs is extremely variable. In some it is of a cream, in others approaching buff. In four sets before me there is a .striking variation in the distribution of the markings. They are usually marked, chiefly at the larger end, with large blotches of red and reddish-brown. This, however, is only charac- teristic in one of these sets, while in the others the markings are simply very small dots sparingly sprinkled over the surface ; in some these dot- tings are scarcely visible, giving them the appearance of an almost un- spotted surface. Six eggs exhibit the following measurements: .72 by •55. .70 by .53, .70 by .52, .64 by .53, .69 by .52, .70 by .53. There is scarcely any perceptible difference between the eggs of Trai'Ui and those of Acadtcus. The western eggs of Tmilli probably have a darker ground, and the spots are more vivid, but I do not believe any one can tell them apart with certainty. . . , 361. Picus piibescens. Downy Woodpecker. Mr. Thomas M. Earl while on a collecting trip succeeded in obtaining a set of this species in Green County, Ohio, May 10, 1884. He found the nest constructed in the favorite haunts of this very cunning little climber — in the decayed limb of an apple-tree, some ten feet from the ground. What is remarkable concerning the nesting place was, that just above the entrance of the nest another hole had been excavated and then filled with a hickory nut. Ic appeared as though it was the first hole and did not, for some reason, piove satisfactory and was deserted. But how the hickory nut got there is a question, as there was no reason to believe that it had been pi? red there by a human hand. The first excavation was as fresh as the one just below it. The eggs are of a pure glossy white, usually four in number. The four eggs collected by Mr. Earl measure respectively: .75 by .62, ."j-j by .62, .73 by .61, .73 by .62. I fail to find the eggs of this bird so large as many authors have quoted them. 371. Hylotomus pileattis. Pileated Woodpecker; Logcock. The nest of the Pileated Woodpecker is an excavation dug out by the bill of the bird in a large limb or trunk of a high tree either living or dead. The eggs are of a rounded oval shape, glistening white, unmarked, Mr. Gilbert Siddell, who spent the greater portion of the summer season (1884) in Clinton County, Illinois, examined a large number of the nesting 66 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. places of thi'^ species. The nests as he found them were situated at an , average height of about twenty-five feet, and were usua.ly excavated in the main trunk of a dead hicl