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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 6 •i-. ^ I. jiw inm iwD^wi^iy" linn II 1 1 wmfit0irmmii9 im iiii my i im »mi>t^ ■...Jfeutia... — --| IftiiiiiftifmtiiilitrH AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (bLACK PHASE. ) ARCHIBUTEO I.AGOPUS SANCTI-JOHANNIS. Ttrn NESTS AND EGGS OF III IB North American Birds BY- OLIVER DAVIE Author of "METHOD8 IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY," Etc. THE FIFTH EDITION REVISED, AUGMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED PART II. ORNITHOI.OGICAI. AND OOLOGICAL COLLECTING (The preparation of skins, nests and eg'gs for the cabinet.) COLUMBUS : The Landon Press 1898. Entered according to Act of Cong ress. in the year 1898, by OLIVER DAVIE, In the office of the Librarian of Cong'resR, at Washington, ( ' I "Oh ! why has worth so short a date, While villains ripen gray with time " — Burns, DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF LUCIUS S. WILLSON One of nature's noblemen: My companion in many a woodland stroll, whoae keen eye observed and gloried in the charms of varied pastoral scenes, whose listening ear heard and delighted in the caroling of feathered songsters and the cadence of murmuring streams. His ear caught the music of breezes as they wandered through the boughs of forest trees, and, while striking the tenderest chords on their i^olian harps of russet-brown leaves, in the Autumn of 1882, they muttered to him their last farewell, and whispered something like — Eternity. THE AUTHOR. I r PRRFACR TO FIFTH KDITION. The text of the present edition consistB of the characteristic habits of North American birds, with particular reference to their nesting habits and eggs. Many of these will be found to be almost complete life histories of the species. The KooKraphicul liriiitH of the North American avifauna at the present time Includes all the territory north of the Southern United States boundary, including (Greenland and the peninsula of Lower California, with the islands naturally be- longing thereto. The second edition of the A. O. U. Check-List, 1895, is the classifi- cation which I have followed, inclu ling the new species and subspecies enumerated In the Eighth Supplement. All stragglers or accidental visitors have their respective numbers to the left in brackets. For an explanation of the authority of names. Canon Ij. (page 56) of the A. O. U. Code may be quoted: "The authority for a specific or subspeclflc name is the first describer of the species or subspecies. When the first descrlber of the species or subspecies Is not also the authority, it is to be enclosed In parenthesis; e. g., Turdus mtffratoriua L., or Merula mlgratoria (Lj." The species and subspecies which have been interpolated In this edition are in- dicated by the double asterisk (* ♦). No attempt has been made to describe the birds. For an analytical description of these the reader Is referred to such works as "Key to North American Birds,"* by Dr. Elliott Couee, or "Manual of North American Blrds,"t by Robert RIdgway. While I am indebted to books and periodical literature for a considerable amount of information gleaned from them, my acknowledgments are especially due a large number of active field ornithologists and oologlsts who have kindly placed at my disposal their notes containing original observations In the field on the nesting and eggs of various birds, many of these being the latest discoveries. Others have furnished descriptions of nests and eggs from specimens In their private collections which, In many cases, were otherwise scarcely obtainable, thus bringing the work down to date as nearly as possible. The illustrations are Introduced simply to give the beginner an Idea of the characteristic forms, etc., of the birds, together, often, with their environments. OLIVER DAVIE. Columbus, Ohio, January Jf, 1898. ♦Published by Estes & Laurlat, Hnston. t Published by J. B. LIpplncott Compiiny, F'hilade'.phia. y^ NESTS AND EGGS OF North American Birds. NOTE.— The nomenclature followed in the present edition of this work Is that of the American Ornlthologisi:'' Union Check-ljist.* Thft measurements of tho eggs are given in Inches and hundredths, except In cases wher^ correspondents have furnished the measurements in millimeters. These will be found reduced to inches and hundredths ii. foot notes, as appears in the text of the Western Grebe. 1. WE8TEBN GSEZE. ^chmopho'-us ocvidentalis (Lawr.) Geographic Dis- tribution.— Western North >Nmerica, chiefly the interior, from Mexico and Lowe;' Cali'ornla to Manitoba. Ihis is the largest of the Grebes in North America. Its distribution extendi from Mexico and Lowsi California oa the south, to the State of Washington and the Red River Region on the north, breeding nearly throughout this entire range. A common summer resident at Utah Lake and also at Lake Malheur, in Eastern Oregon, thence eastward to the extensive marshes of Shoal Lake, in Manitoba, tvhere it breeds abundantly. Mr. Edward Stebbins found it breeding in an arm of Devils Lake, North Dakota, in the first part of June, at which time all the eggs were more or less incubated. He estimates the number of nests observed to be about two hundr'^d in un area of an acre and a half. They were built in water three or four feet deep, And were made of reeds and sedges matted together and fastened to the tall, rank grass, so as to float on the surface. It is a remarkable fact that the Grebes cover their nests with weeds and other vegetable matter before leaving them, so that incubation may continue during their absence. The Rev. P. B. Peabody ob- served the Western Grebe nesting among the flags of Heron Lake, Minnesota, on June 2d. Only a few of the nests observed by Mr. Scebbins were covered; the tall grass obstructed the view of the birds, so that when approached they would hurriedly slip off the nests, and leave the eggs exposed. The only birds seen were those in the * Check-Hst it V' Ornithologists' Ualon; 86 Pine street. 'h American Birds, prepared by a Committee of th« American ~ revised edition, 1895. Hqw. York, L. S. Foster, Publisher, 2« NESTS AND EGGS OF vicinity of the nesUi, and they Bwam away with their heads and necks above water, making a kind of cackling noise. In their habits they resimble the Loon, diving or swimming under water with the greatest ease; and, when on the wing, they fly with won- derful rapidity for birds of their nature. The eggs of this speciec are from 2 to 5 in number, ellip- tical oval in shape, very pale bluish green in color; and, like all Grebes' eggs, the surface is stained a light brown, or very much soiled by contact with the decomposed vegetable matter of the nests. Mr, Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, Gala., has a set of 5 eggs in his collection, which were taken at Washoe Lake, Nevada, In the latter part of May. These measure as follows: 59x39, 63x33, 58.0x38, 60::38, 59x29.5 'nun.* Three sets ia my collection, two of five eggs find one of four, taken Ijy Mr. Stecbins, measure: 2.32x 1.58, 2.40xl.'i7, 2.50xl.b3, 2.46x1.58, 2.48xi.60; r..l4xl.48, 2.27x1.54, 2.30 2.28x1.58, 2.28r.l.53; 2.44xl.P2, 2.37x1.47, 2.52x1.44, 2.'.5xl.47. The bird known as probably the female of JE. occidentalis.Z its habitat is given as The bird and its eggs are 1. Wbstbrn Grbbb. Zl.68 Clark's Grebet i WeKtem North America, chiefly along the Pacific coant recorded as averaging smaller than types of occidentalic. 2. B.OLB(ELL'S GBEBE. Colymbus liolbosUii (Relnh.) Oeog. Dlst.— North. America at large, including Greenland. Also Eistern Siberia, and southward to Japan. Breeds in high latitudes, migrating south in winter. In the large bodies of wator, the little baycus and sloughs, rivers and gras£:y pools from Northern Maine to Greenland ; from t;.. HoRi-ED Grebe. ♦Summer Birds of a No ihern Ohio Marsh: Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. Vol. ITI. pp. 220-232. t Birds of the Northwest, p. 732. i The Birds of Ontario, beiriK a list of Birds observed in the Province of Ontario, with an Account of their Habits, Distribution, Nests, Eggs, etc. By Thomas Mcllwraith, Super- intendent of the Ontario District for the Migration Committee of the American Orni- thologists' Union. Published by the Hamilton Assocation. Hamilton: A. Lawson & Co., Printers, 18R6. See also new revised edition, 1S94. William Briggs. Toronto publisher. u 4 NBSTa AND EGGS OP In most of the States and Territories west of the Mississippi River, this species breeds more or less abundantly in suitable localities, and its breeding range is al- most as extensive as its habitat. It has been found nesting in the grassy lagoons of I'exas, In the fresh water ponds of California, the pools and sloughs of Eastern Oregon, the alkali lakes of Colorado, Kansas, and the Territory of Wyoming, in the little inlets of the larger bodies of water in the Dakotas and in Minnesota, thence northward to the inland waters of British America. This Grebe, in common with the others, is justly noted for its expertness in diving and swimming, and, liKe all true divers, is awkward on land. From the posterior position of the legs these birds sta^d almost upright, so that they have more the air of a small kangaroo than of a bird. Its general breeding habits are like others of the family, nesting, however, in more open situations, in flags and rushes, or upon a floating foundation in shallow water. In the absence of the bird the eggs are covered with debris. The habit of covering the eggs among the Grebes is either for the purpose of concealing them from enemies, such as Hawks and Gulls, or that upon the artificial heat, produced by the decayed vegetation, they are more or less dependent for the hatching of their eggs. When thus covered, the birds are known to remaiil away from their nests during the entire daytime. The eggs of this species are four to eight in number, and in Minnesota, the Dakotas and Wyoming, they are deposited in the first part of June. They are elongated in shape, bluish white in color, but soon become soiled by the wet material of the nest. The measurement of eight eggs, collected in the marshes of Red Lake, Minnesota, on the 7th of June, are as follows: 1.79x1.21, 1.75x 1.20, 1.73x1.25, 1.70x1.15, 1.80x1. '^3, 1.79x1.25, 1.73x1.20, and 1.73x1.18. A set of four eggs from North Dakota has a decidedly buff ground color instead of the usual bluish white. /, 5. ST. DOMINGO OBEBE. Colymbus dominicus Linn. Geog. Dist. — Texas and Southern California, southward through Tropical America to Paraguay, Includ- ing the West Indies. Here is the smallest of our Grebes. It has a breeding range extending from the Valley of the Rio Grande soirthward into the tropical regions, nesting in the wild berbage of the lakes and ponds of Mexico and Central America, in many of the islands of the West Indies, and the sloughs of the immense level, tropical plains and pampas of South America. Its entire life is spent in the water, and it possesses the same aquatic habits peculiar to all the Grebes. Dr. James C. Merrill was the first to establish the claim of this species as belonging to our North American fauna. He found it a rather common resident in Southwestern Texas. On May 16, 1877, he found several nests, undoubtedly belonging to this species, in a salt marsh a few miles from Fort Brown. "They were made of water plants and pieces of reeds slightly fastened to one or two tule stalks, and forming a wet, floating mass. No eggs were obtained."* The eggs are described as a "pale, ihalky, greenish white," with the usual discolorations. They vary in size from 1.26 to 1.60 long by .86 to 1.00 broad. 6. PIED-BILLED OBEBE. Podttymhus podiceps (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— British Provinces southward to Brazil, Buenoa Ay res, and Chili, including the West Indies and the Bermudas, breeding nearly throughout its range. • Notes oh thj Ornithology of Southern Texas, being a list of Birds observed in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas, from February, 1876, to June, 1878. By James C. Merrill. Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. Vol. I, pp. 118-173. NOJtTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 6. PiB-BiLLBD Grebes and Nest. 6 ySSTB AND E0G8 OF Thlck'biUed and Carolina Grebe, Pied-biU Dabchlck, Dipper, Water-witch, 'Deyil-diver." and "Hell-diver" are some of the names applied to this Grebe. Most of these refer to its wonderful powers of disappearance under water, and by one or more of these names it is known to every boy who has wandered with a gun along any of our creeks and rivers. It is a common bird throughout itb^ range. The nest of the Dabchlck is a little floating island of decaying rushes, reeds or grass, mixed with mud aud debris brought up from the bottom of the slough or reedy pool in which it is built The structure is fastened to the flags and aquatic plants; these are pulled down and piled upon each other till the nest rises two or three inches above the water. Mr. A. M. Shields informs me that in the neighborhood of Los Angeles, Gala., this species is very abundant — any lake or pond without the presence of two or three little Grebes seems very barren indeed. It nests about the middle of May. The number of eggs laid by this species ranges from six to nine; the complement, however, is usually seven, and their average size is 1.72x1.17. Five specimens se- lected from five sets exhibit the following dimensions: 1.68x1.19, 1.70x1.18, 1.73x1.18, 1.74x1.17, 1.70x1.17. In Kansas, in the latter part of May, a number of nests were found containing from flve to ten eggs each.* This species, like other Grebes, during the process of incubation, conceals its eggs with a covering of weeds and other vegetable material during the day, "and they are uncovered at dusk by the bird, who incubates them until the morning sun relieves her of her task." f I 7. LOON. Utinator imber (Gunn.) Geog. Dlst. — Northern part of Northerm Hemisphere. In North America breeds from the Northern States northward; ranges In winter south to the Gulf of Mexico. The Loons are large, heavy birds, with flattened bodies and rather long necks; the legs are placed far back in the body, giving them great propelling power in the water. They are the most expert of all divers, disappearing beneath the water at the flash of a gun. The present species is known as the Great Northern Diver. In North America it is found from the Atlantic to the Paciflc, breeding from about latitude 42" northward to within the Arctic circle. Mr. Nelson states that this Loon is less common oh the shores of Bering Sea than either the Red or the Black-throated , species, but is far from rare at most places.t Mr. W. A. Davidson found the Loon nesting in the marshes of the Detroit River. Mr. Edson A. McMillan informs me that they aro quite common in the lakes of the Adirondack mountain region during the brcedinc season, which is about the flrst part of June. Here they breed on the islands occupied as breeding grounds by the American Herring Gull, Larus argen- tatus amithaonianus. He says that of nine different Loons' ncst3 which he examined, • none of them contained material of any kind; they were simply hollows in the sand where the eggs were deposited. In Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin and other lo- calities the birds are known to build a roughly-formed hollow of sticks, weeds, sod and water grass. Mr. Andreas T. Hagerup in his "Birds of Greenland." cays that he obtained from the Greenlanders eggs of this species in July ai:d August. The Loon's eggc aro very dark-colored, of an olivaceous brown, sometimes olivaceous • •Omlthologrist anla Qologist," a monthly magazine devoted to the study of Birds, i tbelr Nesta and Eggs. Volume X, p. 165. Published by Frank B. Webster, Hyde Park, Mass. t Report upon Natural History Cqllections made In Alaska between the years 1877 and 18S1 by Edward W. Nelson. Edited by Henry W. Henshaw. Prepared under the di- rection of the chief signal officer. No. Ill, Arctic Series of Publications issued in con- nection with the Signal Service, U. S. Army, with 21 Plates. Washington: Government Printing Office, 18S7. . NORTH ASitSRlVAN BIRDS. 7. Loon. drab, spotted and blotched with a very dark brown. In shape they are narrowly oval, occasionally very much lengthened. The number Ibid is two, sometimes three; in size they vary from 3.40 to 3.90 long by 2.10 to 2.38 broad. Two eggs in my possessioa collected by Mr. McMillan measure 3.63x2.26, 3.44x2.26. 8. TELLOW-BILLir LOON. Vrinator adamsii (Gray.) Qeog. Dist.— West- ern Arctic America and Northeastern Asia. This species is also known as the White-billed Loon. The bill is of a light yel- lowish color, and the general dimensions of the bird are greater than those of the last species. Less is known concerning the life history of this species than any of the Loons. The type specimen was secured on the Alaskan side of Bering Strait by Dr. Adams, of the British Navy, during the search for Sir John Franklin, and since that time, beyond ^he fact that the bird ranges over most of the circumpolar main- lands, little has been added to its history. It was first described in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London for 1859. Mr. John Murdoch (1885) records this Loon as a regular summer visitor at Point Barrow, and it probably breeds, though the «ggs were never found. L, M. Turner (1886) says that it occurs sparingly at Saint Michael's. Mr. Nelson (1887) states that it is not a rare summer resident in certain localities about the head of Kotzebue Sound. The nesting habits and the eggs of this species are, in all probability, similar to those of the common Loon. Vrinator articus (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — North- In North America migrating south in winter 9. BLACK-THBOATED LOON. em part of the Northern Hemisphere, to the Northern States. The Black-throated Diver is a bird which is more or less common in the northern regions of the globe. It breeds commonly throughout the interior of Norway and Sweden, and far up into Lapland. In most parts of the British Islands this Loon If 8 NB8T8 AND EQOS OF considered of rare occurreiice. On the little iplands of the fresh water lochs, fron\ the middle portion of Scotland northward to the islands beyond John O'Groat's House — the Orkney and Shetland — this species is known to breed as well as on the Hebrides on the west coast. In North America it occurs as far soutli as the United States. On the Pacific coast it is replaced by the next species, U. paciflcus. Accord- ing to Nelson this Loon is very common all along the American shore of the sea about Kotzebue Sound, and they are also numerous on the large streams and marshes of the interic. and the eggs have been taken at Fort Yukon. Like all the Loons, its home is on the water; it is awkward and almost helpless on land. Its progress under water has been estimated to be not less than eight miles an hour. Mr. Nelson says that the eggs are usually placed on some small islet in a secluded pond. There is no attempt to make a nest, and frequently the eggs lie in a spot washed by water when the wind blows from the right quarter. In spite of this the young are duly hatched. Two eggs are deposited, of a dark olive, blotched with black spots which are generally confluent about the larger end, very frequently they are crowded into a black patch at the very apex of the larger end, elongated in shape, but occasion- ally somewhat oval. Extremes in size are 3.08x1.95 and 2.75x1.76. Twelve sets, selected from forty-six sets of this species' eggs are in Mr. Crandall's collection. They were collected in various parts of Sweden, Lapland and Finland. These show an average measurement of 3.32x2.06. 10. PACIFIC LOON. Vrinator pacificus (Lawr.) Geog. Dist.— Pacific Coast of North America, south in winter to Cape St. Lucas and Guadalupe Island. As its name implies, the Pacific Diver is confined to the West, and the above habitat clearly indicates its range. Mr. Murdoch mentions it as very common at Point Barrow. It breeds in the Arctic regions — on the islands in the lakes and bays of Alaska — in the marshes of the Yukon River, and it has been found breeding in considerable numbers at Fort Anderson. It breeds commonly in the innumerable lakes and ponds of the Near Islands. Alaska,* accoruing to Turner. The nest of this Loon is made in a decayed mass of vegetation similar to a Grebe's nest, and often it is a mere hole in the turf in which the eggs are deposited. Sometimes the depression is found to be scantily lined with feathers. One hundred and five nests observed by Mr. MacFarlane, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, contained no more than two eggs each.t The eggs are described as having a ground color, varying from a deep amber to a pale greenish-gray and in size measuring from 2.95 to 3.25 long by 1.85 to 2.00 in breadth. 11. BED-THBOATED LOON. Urinator lumme (Gunn.) Geof. Dist— North- ern part of Northern Hemisphere, migrating southward in winter nearly across the United States. This beautiful little Loon breeds in high latitudes. It is also a bird of the Old World, where its breeding range is about the same as that of the Black-throated Diver. It is not an uncommon summer resident of New Brunswick, and it breeds in company with the common Loon in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the islands of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf. In the large lakes and ponds of Mani- toba it is a tolerably common summer resident, and particularly in the Red River Talley. From these places northward to Alaska, and in the Arctic regions it breeds * This group forms the westernmost portion of the Aleutian chain; they are so designated because they lie nearest the Asiatic Coast. T Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's Water Birds, Vol. II, p. 457. NORTH AMERti^AN ItlltltS. 9 more or less abundantly in all suitable places. It ia common during the summer months in Greenland. In Labrador it breeds in the first part of June; In Hudson Strait, eggs maybe collected from the middle of June to the middle of July. Through- out Alaska, Mr. Nelson says, the present bird is by far the most abundant species of Loon. From the first of June until the first of July fresh eggs may be found. The nesting sites chosen are identical with those of the Black-throated species. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar says that on the islands and along the coast of Labrador this species nests on the edge of the smaller ponds, these often being mero pools of sur- face water. The birds make no nest, but deposit their eggs in a bare hollow space on the ground, usually not over a foot from the water's edge.* Two eggs are laid, and the color varies from deep reddish-brown to grayish-green, sparsely spotted with brownish-black. In size they vary from 2.6G to 3.00 long by 1.70 to 1.^5 broad. A set of two eggs collected by J. N. McFadden, on Resolution Island, Hudson Strait, June 18, measure 2.74x1.78, 2.72x1.81. Two sets of eggs collected by Mr. Pope near Anti- costa Island, at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, measure as follows: 2.90x1.81, 2.88x 1.75; 2.98x1.76, 2.90x1.70, respectively. These are in the writer's collection. 12. TUFTED PUFFIN. Liiiula rlnliata (Pall.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific, from California to Alaska, and from Japan to Bering Strait. Accidental on the coast of Maine. A curious bird with a parrot-like bill, hence the name of Sea Parrot which is applied to all the Puflfin. This species breeds on the islands along the Pacific coast, from the Farallons northward to the islands of Bering Sea. Its general color is black, with a conspicuous white face mask, long, floating yellow ear-tufts, bent like the horns of a ram; the legs are red, the beak is red and green, making altogether a grotesque looking creature. The birds deposit their single egg in crevices of rocks; a burrow is often dug in the guano, which has for ages accumulated on these islands; sometimes a few pieces of weeds are found in the bottom of the cavity, but often no material is used as a nest lining. Mr. C. Barlow, who has made a careful study of the birds on the Farallons, says that the nest of this species is usually at the end of natural burrows in the granite cliffs; the cavities vary in length from two (o five feet. At one place they are found depositing their eggs in little depressions behind the rocks; the eggs being generally out of sight of the passer byf Mr. W. O. Emer- son, who has collected extensively on the Farallon Islands, says that one of the birds may always be seen at the entrance of their nesting places on guard duty; they are among the most noisy of the sea birds, always screaming while out on the rocks, and constantly "growling" while in their burrows. Fresh eggs may oe collected in the middle of June. Mr. Emerson informs me that he has taken fresh eggs and young birds in the latter part of July. One pair will rear two or three birds in a season. The eggs have a ground color varyiut^' from a pure white to a yellowish buff. Some have a circle of lilac markings about one or both ends. Eggs will be found in a large series having tan colored spots over the entire surface; others have lines and zigzag markings, while some seem to be immaculate, but upon close examination deep-lying shell markings are noticeable. Four eggs measure 2.87x1.88, 2.83x1.86, 2.84x1.86, 2.82x1.89. In a paper entitled "Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands,":): based principally upon Mr. Emerson's "matchless collection of birds and eggs, and his ♦ Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, p. 2. t A few Notes on the Tufted Puffin Jn The Oologist, Vol. XI, p. 35S. t Read before the California Academy of Sciences, December 19, 1887. 10 NEBTB AND MOOS OF U. TOFTED POFFIKS AND NeSTINO BcKROW. n, : yoRTn AMERICAS' liiRDa. a notes regarding them," the author, Mr. Walter E. Bryant, says: "I have carefully measurod r.fty Puflln's eggs, which nvorago 70.2x48.4 mm.* The iDdivlUual propor- tionH of riglit ogga, showing the greatest and smallest extremes of both diameters, are Slx.'iO. 77x48, 74x50, 71.5x51, 71x4G, 05.5x45, 64x50. 63.5x50 mm."t s 13. PUFFIN. Fratcn-ula arctlra (Linn.) Geog. Dlst.— Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. Breeding on the North American coast from the Ba^^of Fundy northward, south in winter to Long Island, and casually farther. The Common PuGlo is found exclusively in the waters of the Atlantic, breeding on the oasiern coast of North America from Maine to Greenland. In Europe it breeds from Great Britain to thn northern coast of Norway. The nest is made in a burrow in the earth, dug by the birds. Far north thousands breed in the fissures of rocky cliffs and in the sides of bluffs; tv.o birdj are often found sitting, each on its egg, in the same burrow. The eg~s are deposited late in June and in July. Mr. Frazar found these birds abundant on the coaet of Labrador. An island of two or three hundred acres in extent was covered with Puffln burrows; about a thousand nests examined contained one egg each, while In a dozen others there were but two eggs to a nest. The greater part of these were plain, dull white; others were mora or I ss thickly spotted with obscure chocolate and reddish brown markings; a num- ber had distinct brown spots, blotches and tracings, such as are seen in the Murre eggs. ^ The sizes range from 2.25 to 2.85 in length by 1.45 to 1.85 in breadth. 13a. LABOE-BILLED PUFFIN. Fratcrcula arctica fllacialla (Temm.) Oeog. Dlst— Coasts and islands of the Arctic Ocean, from Spitzbergen to BaflEln's Bay. This bird, a subspecies, is like the last, but greater in size, the bill ^arger and differently shaped. It breeds in the far north, on the islands of Baffin's Bay and along the coast of Greenland — nesting in the same manner as arctica. The eggs are not distinguishable. According to Mr. Ridgway they average larger than P. arctica.^ 14. HOBNEO PUFFIN. Frakrcula cornlculata (Naum.) Geog. Dlst. — Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kurile Islands to Sitka. The Horned Puffln breeds on the bleak rocky islands of the polar seas. It is found along the coast of Alaska, is common in the Northern Pacific Ocean and on nearly all the islands of Bering Sea. Mr. Nelson states that this bird breeds abundantly on the Near Islands, but is not resident there. They are resident from the Aleutian chain south, but are summer residents thence north. They are equally abundant along both shores of Bering Sea, and south they are found on the coast of California and that of Japan. They also occur on the Commander Islands. Thousands of them breed on every rocky Island, and whenever a vessel nears land in that region the clumsy form of the Puffln soon becomes a familiar sight. It takes its name from the slender, upright horns on the upper eye-lids. The term "horns," however, is regarded by some as misleading. In the living bird the horns are said to be only soft, flexible caruncles or wattles. The nest-holes of this species are in the deep, narrow interstices of rock's, seldom within the reach of a man's arm, and, except in the absence of the bird, it is hazardous to attempt to rob the nest. Like the Tufted Puffln, Lunda cirrhata, it often inflicts a severe wound with its powerful bill. The • 2.76x1.90 Inches. t3.19xl.?7, 3.03x1.89, 2.81xL97, 2.81x2.01, 2.79x1.81, 2.6&a.77, 2.66xLW, SbMxlJW inches. i Ornithologist and Oologist Vol. XII, pp. 2-3. {Manual North American Birds, p. 11. 12 NESTS AND EOOS OF 14. HoKNKu Puffin, Male, Summer. K HoRNKD Puffin, Adult, Winter Plumaoi 14 HoRi«BD Puffin, Young Male, Winter. NOUTll AMEKIVAN BIKUti. 13 nest cavltleB are llneu with graBii, mosi, etc. A ilnirle egg ii laid, which Is oblong- oval In shape, pure white in color and the shell Is rough, measuring 2.74x1.84, 10. BHINOCEBOB AUKLET. Cerrohlnca monornata (Pall.) Oeog. Dlst— Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific, from Ix>wer California (resident) to Japan. On the Islands of the Pacific coast, from Washington northward, the Horned- billed Auk Is said to breed, and was thought to breed on Islands farther south. It Is nocturnal in Its habits, remaining throughout the daytime in crevices among the rocks and burrows in the ground, where it deposits its single egg. This is similar to the egg of the Horned Puffin— dull, chalky white, with discoiorationB and faint shell markings of obscure purplish-gray. Sizes range from 2.66 to 2.90 long and by 1.80 to 1.90 broad. Mr. Rldgway gives the size as 2.70x1.82. 16. OABSIN'S AUKLET. I'tychoramphus aleuticua (Pall.) Oeog. Dlst.— Pn< clflc coast of North America, from the Aleutian Islands to San Diego, breeding south- ward to the FarallouB. Mr. Emerson found this species abundant on the Farallons. It is nocturnal in its habits, flying and roving about during foggy, stormy or moonlight nights, but never at dusk. After dusk, however, they come out of their holes in the rocks all over the island, and can be beard calling to one another their peculiar notes, rhcc- rlc-kcc, (Iu:c-rk-kerican Birds. H. R. Taylor editor and publisher. As- sociated with Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. Office: Alameda. Cal. t An Ornithological Paradise. Some observations gleaned from a sojourn in the famous Farallon Islands. By C. Barlow, Santa Clara. Cal.; In The Museum, a Journal de- voted exclusively to research in Natural Science. Published by Walter P. Webb, Alb*on. N. Y., Vol. I, pp. 38-44. 14 NEBTS AVD £009 OF 17. Pakoqubt Auklbt, Fbmalb Adult, Summer. Like a number of other species, the Paroquet Auklet has a strong preference for deep water and the islands situated in it. "It feeds at sea, flying out every morning, returning In the afternoon to its nest and mate." The bird is known also by the name of Pug-nosed Auk. It is distributed irregularly throughout the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, being quite common on the Prybilof and Aleutian Islands in the breeding season, which begins about the middle of May. During the cruise of the Corwin in 1881 Mr. Nelson found the Paroquet Auldet breeding in ex- treme abundance on the Islands in Bering Strait, and great bunches of them were brought on board by the Eskimo. Large numbers of eggs were easily secured. For its nesting place this Auk selects a deep crevice in the face of some cliff; the cavity is often winding, and it is sometimes exceedingly difficult to obtain the eggs. Even on islands where hundreds of these birds are found breeding some of the cavities cannot be opened, except by the means of dynamite or blasting powder, which, if used, would destroy the eggs. A single egg is deposited on the bare surface of the cavities; it is generally an oblong-oval shape with rounded ends, chalk-white or bluish in color, and the shell rough. The average size is 2.12x1.46. Eggs taken on the Seal Islanda by Elliott measured from 2.25x1.50 to 2.35x1.45. 18. CRESTED AUKLET. Symorhynchus crtstatcllus (Pall.) Geog. Dist— Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kadiak and Japan northward. The crested or Snub-nosed Auk, like the last, inhabits the coasts and islands of the north Pacific. On the islands of Bering Sea its breeding season extends from May to August. This little bird has a beautiful crest on the forehead of twelve to twenty feathers; it is about two inches long, and curls gracefully forward upon the bill. Its nesting habits are like those of the C. psittaculus. Mr. Nelson says: "This strangely ornamented bird has a range almost identical with that of the preceding species, and I do not recall a single instance in which the Paroquet Auklet was seen in any numbers where the present species was not found. A few were observed in the passes near Unalaska in May, and the 13th of June a single pair were seen off the Seal Islands. This bird breeds plentifully on the Near Islands, but does not winter there. They also breed on the Commander Islands." He further records that in Bering Strait and about Saint Lawrence and Saint Matthew's Islands this species and C. psittaculus are found in equal abundance. They choose the same 18. Orested Auklet, Summer. i I NORTH AMK/ilVAN lilJWS. IS nesting sites, and each lays a single wliite egg upon tlie bare rocli or ground in crevices. On the Fur Seal Islands they also breed in great numbers, occupying the cliffs with the other aults. They arrive in May and deposit their eggs deiep down in the crevices. The eggs taken on these islands are chalky white, and measure 2.31s:l. 61 largest, and 2.06x1.50 smallest. 19. WHISKERED AUKLET. SymorJiynchus Pyynwua (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— • Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Unalaska thi lugh the Aleutian chain to Kamtschatka. From what is known of this species it appears that its general habits are simi- lar to those of the Least Auklet, but ii is far from being as common. Another name by which it is known is Red-nosed Auk, the bill in adult birds being of a deep ver- milion, tipped with bluish. A tuft of filamentous feathers on the head curves for- ward so' that it hangs directly over the bill. According to Nelson the species is un- known from the Fur Seal Islands and we have no knowledge of its numbers and dis- tribution in the Aleutian chain. It breeds abundantly on Near Islands, but it does not winter there. It also breeds on the Commander Islands. -white or taken on i&. WHISKSRBO AUEbBT. Itb Whiskered Auklet, Adult, Vale, Winter. is. Whiskered Auklit, Adult, Fbmalk, Summbx. ill .f \ I 16 NB8T8 AND B0Q8 OF most abundant." so. Least Auklet, Ad- ult, Malb, Summbr. 20: LEAST AUEIiET. Symorhynchus puaillus (Pall.) Oeog. Dist.— Coasts and Islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward to Bering Strait. Nelson says: "Of all the water fowl of Bering Sea this trim little bird is the Like the Paroquet and Crested Auklets, this species has a great preference for the deep western half of Bering Sea, ex- cept along the Aleutian chain. Mr. Nelson does not think they breed north of the strait, except on some of the cliffs on the Siberian shore. By the 1st to the 6th of June they arrive in great numbers on these islands, and begin to lay. It is said to be comically in- different to the proximity of man, and can be ap- proached almost within an arm's length before •taking flight, sitting upright and eyeing one with great wisdom and profound as- tonishment. Dr. Coues says: "This curious little bird, the smallest of all the Auks, and one of the least of all water birds, inhabits the coasts and islands of the North Pacific, resorting to favorite ureeding places by millions, with 8. psittnculus and 8. cristatellus. The nesting is similar, the single egg being laid in the rece&ses of rocky shingle over the water; size 1.55x1.12."* The bird is not known to come soutll so far as the Uclted States. 21. ANCIENT MUBBELET. Synthliboramphus antiqiius (Gmel.) Geog. Dist. — Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward. Accidental in Wisconsin. The Black-throated Guillemot, or Murrelet, is found in fhe North Pacific Ocean, breeding on the islands and along the coasts from Sitka northward. It breeds in abundance on Near Islands, where a few are resident. On the Commander Islands they also breed. N^sts that have been found of this species were in holes in banks, or in bnn'ows in the ground, similar to those used by thd Fork-tailed Petrel. On some of the islands of Bering Sea, however, the birds are known to deposit their eggs in the crevices of cliffs. A single egg is laid, pale buff in color, with small longitudinal markings, somewhat subdued, of lavender* jgni and light brown. Sizes range from 2.15 to 2.50 long by 1.40 to 1.55 broad. 22. TEMMIC1..2 MITBBELET. Synthliboramphus wumizuaume (Temm.) GeOf . Dist. — Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Japan and (Washington I) northward. The Japanese Murrelet, according to the best evidence at hand, is not entitled to a plrce in the avifauna of North America. Mr. Ridgway remarks that it Is "very doubtfully American." Mr. Nelson in his "Birds of Alaska" says: "The present species has been credited to the northwestern coast of Am'^rica. and I mention it hero merely to r;all attention to the fact that no explorer has ton:id it in the region covered by this paper." It has since been eliminated from the A. O. U. Check List.f 23. HABBLED ICUBBELET. Brachyramphws marmoratua (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— -Coast and islands of the North Pacific; on the American coast from San Diego northward, and breeding as far south as Vancouver Island. This is another of the diminutive Murres confined to the Pacific Ocean. There seems to be little known concerning its nidification, but its nesting habits and eggs • Key to North American Birds, p, 809. t Cf. Stejneger, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. IX, 1886, p. 524. I NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 17 are said to resemble those of the Ancient Murrelet, 8. antiquus. They are ovate In shape, ground color buffy, marked with various shades of brown. Size, 2.14 x 1.42. 24. KITTLITZ'S MURRELET. Brachyramphm kiUlitzii (Brandt.) Geog. Dist. — Kamtschatka and Aleutian Islands, east to Unalaska. Mr. Nelson took the first specimen of this bird in Unalaska Harbor the last of May, 1877. The birds were in company with S. antiqinis and B. marmoratus. Their habits appeared to be the same. In "Contributions to the Natural History of Alas- ka" page 121, Turner says: "A single specimen of Kittlitz's Guillemot was obtained April 24, 1879, at Iliuliuk village on Unalaska Island. It was the only one seen in that locality. The native who brought it to me asserted that this species is abund- ant throughout the year at Sannakh Island. They breed there, laying a single, pure white egg. The nest is placed among the roots of the large tussocks of grass on the edges of bluffs and cliff ledges. I observed several of these birds to the westward of Unalaska Island. They are not rare on iVmchitka Island and in the neighbor- hood of the Old Harbor, on Atkha Island." . , , 25. XANTUS'S MTJRRELET. Brachyramphm hypoleticits Xantus Geog. Dist. — Coasts of Southern California to Cape Saint Lucas. There appears to be no literature describing the nesting habits and eggs of this Murrelet. The bird is stated to breed on the coast of Southern California, from San Diego southward. . 26. CRAVERI'S MURRELET. Brachyrarprthua cravcri (Salvad.) Geog. Dist — Island of Natividad, Gulf of California. Craveri's Murrelet, of plain dark, slaty plumage above, and entirely pure white beneath, breeds on the islands at the southern portion of Lower California, in the vicinity of Cape St. Lucas. It nests in burrows in the ground, and its general hab- its in all respects are said to be the same as those of S. autiqiuis. It deposits a single egg, which is ovate in shape, of a yellowish or buff ground color, thickly dotted, sprinkled and marked with blackish-brown. Average size 2.03 x 1.40. 27. BLACK GUILLEMOT. Cepphvs grylle (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts of Northern Europe, south to Denmark and British Islands; coast of Maine, south in winter to Philadelphia; Newfoundland. (?) In Europe this species breeds from the northern coasts of the British Islands to the Arctic Ocean. In Greenland, according to Hagerup,it breeds incolonies of from two to thirty pairs, among the precipitous cliffs along the sea shore.* It is resident on the north coast of Ireland. Breeds commonly on the Hebrides, Orkneys and other islands on the coast of Scotland. A very common species along the entire coast of Norway. In North America it breeds on the islands off the coast of Maine; on Grand Manan and other smaller Islands it is foimd in countless numbers kbout the middle of June, depositing its eggs in the nooks and crevices of rocks, and in all sorts of places which offer shelter above high water mark. The eggs are laid on the bare surface of the rock, with no attempt at nest building. So skillful is th'< bird in hiding away its eggs ihat they are sometimes found hidden away in subter- ranean caves. f Two, and rarely three eggs are laid, and, they are indistinguishable from those of the following spoctes, but average larger. * The Birds of Greenland. By Andreas T. Hapreriip. Translated from the Danish by Frlmann B. Arngrimson. Edked by Montague Chamberlain. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1891. t Bee "Notes on Some of the Birds of Grand Manan," by C. H. Andros, Ornithologist •ad Oologlst, Vol. XII, pp. 179-180. 18 NSaTS AND BOGS OF 28. MANDT'S GXTILLEMOT. Cepphua tnandtii (Licht.) Geog. Dist.— Arctic regions of both continents; south on the Atlantic coast of North America in winter to New Jersey, breeding to Hudson's Bay and Labrador; Alaskan coast, south in win- ter to Norton Sound. The Sea Pigeon, as it is called, breeds abundantly on the coast and Islands of the North Atlantic. It is very abundant from Labrador and Hudson's Bay north- ward, nesting in the holes and crevices of rocks, often in the most inaccessible places. The eggs are laid in June and July. The usual complement is two, often three. These vary from white to a pale greenish-white, light drab, yellow or buff, marked irregularly with spots and blotches of different shades of brown and black, thickest at the great end, where they are usually almost a confluent ring; they are oval or olliptical in form; size about 2.30x1.55, bxit, like nearly all eggs in a large series, there is a great variation in the size, shape, and also in the style of mark- ings, etc. 20. FIGEON GUILLEMOT. Cepphua columba (Pall.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, southward from Bering Strait to Northern Japan and Southern California. On the Pacific coast of North America this species is found breeding from San Nicholas Island northward to the islands of Bering Sea. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger says that it is a very common bird on Bering and Copper Islands; its eggs v/ere col- lected at the latter place June 16th.* Mr. Taylor says: "The Pigeon Guillemot (so like a Guillemot and so like a Pigeon) is found in rathev limited numbers [on the Farallons.] Most interesting are these pretty, graceful birds looking so petite and modest among an army of clamoring Gulls. I believe the questioned statement that they gather small stones for a nest is true, in most instances. I noted the flat stones and pebbles about their eggs often and they did not appear to be accidental."! Mr. Emerson says egg-laying on the Farallons begins about the first of May, or shortly after, and continues into July. Two eggs is the number laid, and they are deposited in the crevices of rocks or in dark nooks under boulders, often near the water's edge. If the eggs are taken the foolish bird will lay again in the same place. The favorite resting place of these birds is on the rock just above the foaming surf, where they sit in pairs and "converse" with one another in low whistling notes. In a large series of eggs the ground color varies from light pearl gray to greenish-blue; their general shape is like that of the Gulls' eggs, rounded oval at the large end and point- ed at the smaller. The markings are of two shades Oi. lilac; in some they are thickly spread over the entire surface; in ethers they form a circle about the larger end. Mr. Bryant gives the average measurment of twenty-five sets of two eggs each in. Mr. Emerson's collection as, 61.6 by 41.4 mm.| Extremes in size, 66.5 by 41.5, 58.5 by 41 millimeters. § 30. MUBBE. Uria troile (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Coast and islands of the North Atlantic, southward on the coast of North America in winter to Southern New Eng- land; breeding from Nova Scotia northward. ... • Bulletin of the United States National Museum. No. 29. Results of Ornithological Explorations in the Commander Islands and Kamtschatka. By Leonhard Stejneger, t In Nidologlst, Vol. I, p. 19. t 2.43x1.62. 5 2.62x1.63, 2.30x1.61, JJORTH AMERICA}} BIRDS. 19 Like all of the Auks, Mui'i-es and Puffins, this species is eminently gregarious, particularly in the breeding season. It is found in great numbers throughout the Arctic Ocean and on nearly all the islands north of Asia, Europe and America. On this side of the Atlantic it breeds from Nova Scotia northward. Tens of thousands of these birds congregate to breed on the rocky islands, depositing and incubating their single egg close to one another on the shelves of the cliffs. The birds sit side by side, and although crowded together, never make the least attempt to quarrel. Clouds of birds may be seen circling in the air over some huge, rugged bastion, form- ing a picture which would seem to belong to the imagination rather than the realis- tic. They utter a syllable which sounds exactly like miirrc. The eggs are so numer- ous as to have commercial value, and they are noted for their variation in ground color and markings. They vary from white to bluish or dark emerald-green In ground color; occasionally unmarked specimens are found, but they are usually handsomely spotted, blotched, lined in various patterns of lilac, brown and black over the surface. In some the markings are confused zigzag lines that look like hieroglyphics. The eggs are Inrge for the size of the bird, measuring from 3. to 3.50 long by 1.95 to 2.10 broad; pyrl-form in shape. 30rt. CALIFORNIA MUBBE. Uria troile calif ornica (Bryant.) Geog. Dist. — Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding from California north to the Pry- bilof Islands. Mr. Emerson says that the California Murre is the most common sea fowl on tho Farallon Islands, and they do not seem to diminish In number, not^ '> -tandin^ 30a. California Murrbs on the Faralloms, (From TJie Nidologitt.) the wholesale destruction of their eggs for commercial purposes. The birds begin to lay by the middle or latter part of May. Fresh eggs can be found as late as Au- gust. This is due. more or less to the many robberies to which the birds are sub- jected, and they are compelled to lay several times before they are left undisturbed by the eggers. So telling is the effect due to constant laying that the eggs deposited 20 NB8TS AND EQOS OF V I fc in the latter part of the season are perceptibly smaller. Mr. C. Barlow also states that this species greatly exceeds in numbers any of the birds inhabiting the Faral- lon; they nest on the cliffs in rookeries, usually near the summits of the peaks. For years their eggs have been collected for the San Francisco markets where they are used by bakeries in the manufacture of all kinds of pastry.* According to Mr. Bryant the number of eggs marketed for the last few years has averaged from one hundred and eighty thousand to two hundred and twenty-eight thousand. In 1886 two men who were left on Sugar Loaf, collected one hundred and eight thousand eggs. The Western Gull, Larus occidcntalis, is another enemy of this Murre; It carries off and devours both eggs and young. So it would seem that the chances for the Murre to rear its young and launch them into the deep, blue sea, where they can take care of themselves, are not very favorable, yet these birds are found in countless numbers on the islands of the Pacific coast. Mr. Bryant, in his excellent paper.t says: "The gulls pick a Murre's egg up bodily and carry it away In their ca- pacious mouth, but do not stick their bill into it to get hold, as is stated by some writers, whose observations must have referred to the eggs already broken by the gulls or eggers." This species lays a single pear-shaped egg on the bare rock, often on the narrow shelves of cliffs, where the bird has just room enough to sit, and if un- molested will rear two or three young in a season. Like the eggs of the last species, they show a wonderful diversity of color and markings; the ground color is white, buff, greenish of several shades, yellowish, and cinnamon. They are either unspotted cr blotched or streaked with zigzag markings of brown and black. They measure fvom 3.50 to 354 long by 1.90 to 2.05 broad; occasionally as small as 2.05 in length I'y 1.45 in breadth. Mr. H. A. Taylor says: "The California Murre, the repre- sentative birds of the islands, lay their colored, pear-shaped eggs on bare rock on the steepest crags, in caves and almost everywhere, save on the few low flats near the shore, where many Western Gulls ctoose to build their nests of coarse Farallon weeds, and in the hollow spaces under certain boulders the Pigeon Guillemot lays her two eggs."t 31. BBUNNICH'S HUBBE. Uria lomvia (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts and telands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean, south on the Atlantic coast of North America to New Jersey. Breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence north- ward. This species has the same general habits and characteristics as the common Murre, Vria troile. Its distribution in the breeding season is about the same, and the eggs are indistinguishable. It is an abundant bird on the islands of the North Atlantic. We can now. for the first time, add this bird to the avifauna of Ohio. A mounted specimen before me, was captured alive by Mr. R. T. Stewart in a field near Fair Haven, Preble county, Ohio, December 19th, 1896. The bird was kindly identi- tlfied for me by Mr. Charles W. Richmond, Assistant Curator of Birds in the National Museum. He states that a wave of these uirds was scattered, by a storm which oc- curred about the above date and Prof. E. L. Moseley reports two specimens being shot at Put-in-Bay and two at Sdndusky on December 19th. 31a. PALLAS'S MUBBE. Vria lomvia ana (Pall.) Geog. Dist. — Coast and islands of the North Pacific and Western Arctic Ocean. The great "egg bird" of the North Pacific, swarming at its breeding places on the rocky islands and shores in myriads. Its habits and nesting are the same as thosd of the foregoing, the eggs averaging larger, 3.21x2.01. ... •The Museum, I, p. 38. - : t Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands. t "A Trip to the Farallons" in The Kldologlst, Vol. I, pp. 17-19. NORTH AMERxkIAN BIRDS. 21 -Coast and 32. BAZOB-BILLED AUK. Alca torda Linn. Geog. Dist.— Coasta and islands of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the North American coast to Southe-n New England. " .' Ti. Razor-billed Auk is abundant on the coasts and Islands of the North At- lantic and iome parts of the Polar seas. The R^zor-biUed Auk Is about eighteen inches long, with a pointed tail and flatly compressed bill; the plumage is brownish- blackaboveand white beneath, the black bill having awhite curved lineand the back part of the wing is edged with white. It breeds from the northeastern coast of Maine northward. Mr. Frazar found it common everywhere in Labrador, more so even than the Murre, Uria troile, owing to its habit of breeding in less frequented places — concealing its eggs in the cracks and crevices among the rocks, where it was not apt to be disturbed. It frequents the rock shores, and deposits its eggs in June and July, often in deep Assures of the rocks and in caverns. It very frequently lays Its eggs at the entrance of Inhabited puffin's burrows. Generally one egg is laid, but in about twenty instances Mr. Frazar found two. Thb.e are white with a creamy or bluish tint, spotted and blotched with dark brown or black, the spots often be- coming confluent and generally forming a circle toward the large end; pyriform to oval in shape; size about 3.00x2.00. The eggs exhibit a great variety in the distribu- tion and style of markings. In shape they are not distinguishable from some types of the common Guillemot, but are generally more or less ovate or elongated pear- shape. The Razor-billed Auk breeds sparingly on the outlying rocky islands of Nova Scotia, as on Devil's Limb and Gannet rock. The bird Is about eighteen inches long. In life it is said to have a particularly trim and elegant form, and its feathers are always kept perfectly clean, smooth and glossy. This Auk is said to be of quarrelsome disposition, seldom allowing a puffin or murre to alight near it with- out opening its bill at the intruder and disclosing a bright orange mouth. The Razor-bill rides lightly on the water and dives well. 33. GREAT AUK. Plavtus impennia (Linn.) Geog. Dist— Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland northward nearly to the Arctic Circle. Now extinct. Ornithologists generally agree that the Great Auk has disappeared from the face of the earth. Within the present generation it Is one of the birds that has be- come extinct doubtless through the agency of man. Like the penguin, which it much resembles in general form, it did not possess wings suitable for flight, those mem- bers being of very small size and only useful as flns in the water. The specific name, impetinis, or wingless, is not really a correct term. An excellent and thorough paper* on this bird has been written by Frederick A. Lucas, of the United States National Museum. I quote the article entire: "The Great Auk, or Garefowl (Alca impcnnis), was the largest member of the Auk family, distinguished not only by its size, but by its flightlessness, enjoying the proud distinction of being the sole bird in the northern hemisphere incapable of flight. The name by which the Great Auk was originally and commonly known in America was Penguin, and like southern birds, now known by that title, did not receive this appellation until many years after. Garefowl is of Scandinavian origin, and comes to us by way of western Scotland. In color >.ae Great Auk much resembled its lesser relative, the Razorbill, the head, neck, and bacK being black, and the under parts white. A peculiar mark of the bird was a large white spot in front ot the eye, one old writer with a greater love of the * Animals recently extinct or threatened with extermination, as represented In th« collections of the U. S. National Museum. Smithsonian Report. 1889, pp. 638-641. ! I ■w I ;t ii '^1 11 t ii 23 NBBTB AND BOOS OF marvelous than of truthfulness stating that this spot was found on the right s'^'e only. The wings, although far too small to Eustain the bird in the air, formed an admirable pair of oars, the Great Auk being a most expert swimmer and diver, and performing even longer migrations than many of its relatives that were endowed with the power of flight. (Plate CIII.) Many, possibly all, of the Auk family use their wings quite as much as their feet for propulsion under water, and they may liierally be said to i.y beneath the sea as well as over it. It has been noted that the Inability of the Great Auk to fly was due to lack of .development of the bones of the foream and hand, the humerus being proportionately as long as in other Auks. This modification of structure was directly correlated with the aquatic habits of the Garefowl, for the resistance of water being vastly greater than that of air, a wing efipecially adapted for subaquatic flight would demand less surface and more power than a wing formed for aerial locomotion. In the case of the Great Auk this demand was met by shortening the outer portion of the wing, while other birds that use their wings in diving obtain as far as possible the same result by only partially opening their wings. The Great Auk was conflned to the North Atlantic, ranging on the European side from Iceland to the Bay of Biscay, and on the American from Greenland to Virginia, these localities marking the extreme limits of the bird's migrations. Greenland was the habitat of the Garefowl to a very limited extent, and the same may be said of the coast of Norway, while the southern limits given above were reached only during the winter migrations of the bird. The positively known breeding-places were few in number, those where the bird bred abundantly, being the Garefowl Series off the coast of Iceland and Funk Island on the New- foundland coast. These islands, or more properly islets, were very similar in their general character, being isolated rocks, lying at some distance from shore and diffi- cult of access. Of course the reason for this similarity/ is apparent. The Great Auk and its ccgs formed desirable articles of food, and since the bird was helpless on land, it was easily captured, whence it came to pass at an early date that the bird was exterminated at all localities easy of access. Another and more important factor in the extermination of the Auk, especially in America, is to be found in the gregarious habits of the bird and its predilection for certain breeding-places. This habit of the Garefowl is shown by other birds which are restricted in their breeding habitat without any apparent reason, although there may be some unknown cause in the nature of food supply that might account for it. A good example of this is found in the Gannet, which, although a bird of powerful flight, breeds at only three localities on the eastern coast of America, and In Europe crosses the North Sea to nest In Scotland, when localities seemingly quite as favorable exist along the shores of Norway. There were apparently plenty of suitable breeding-grounds for the Great Auk in Maine and Labrador, but had the bird bred In small colonies at lo- calities scattered along this wide expanse of territory, it would have been in ex- istence to-day. The most Important European breeding place of the Garefowl was an Islet 25 miles off Reykjanes, Iceland, where, for many years, it led a somewhat precarious existence, several times seeming to have been so reduced in numbers that expeditions In search of birds and eggs were not worth the risk. Still the bird would have existed in this locality many years longer than It did, but for volcanic disturbances In March, 1830, during which the Gelrfuglasker sank beneath the sea compelling the existing Garefowl to seek new breeding places. Most of them appear to have moved to an islet by the name of Eldey, and this being near the coast and xnoro accessible, the few remaining Great Auks were In the course of fourteen years [i I NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 23 all killed, the la»t pair being taken about the 3d of June, 1844, this being the last autheiiiic recorJ of the Great Auk in I^urope. It was from this locality that most of the skins now extant were obtained, only one mounted specimen being recorded from American localUies, although nearly all ckeletons have come from Newfound- land. The history of the Great Aul: in America may be said to date from 1534, when, on May 21, two boat's crews from Cartier's vessels landed on Funk Island, ard, as we are told, "In lesse than halfe an hour we filled two boats full of them, as if they had bene stones. So that besides them which we did eat fresh, every ship did powder and salt five or slxe barrels of them." The Great Auk having thus been apprised of the advent of civilization in the regular manner. continnP'i to be utilized by ail subsequent visitors. The French fishermen depended very largely on the Great Auks to supply them with provisions; passing ships touched at Funk Island for supplies; the early colonists barreled them up for winter use, and the great abundance of the birds was set forth among the other inducements to encourage emigration to Newfoundland. The immense numbers of the Auks maybe inferred from the fact that they withstood these r^rains for more than two centuries, although laying but a single egg, and consequently increasing but slowly under the most favorable circumstances. Finally some one conceived the idea of killing the Garefowl for its feathers, and this sealed its fate. When and where the scheme originated, and how long the slaughter lasted, we know not, for the matter is rather one of general report than of recorded fact, although in this instance circumstantial evidence bears witness to the truth of Cartwright's statement that it was customary for several crews of men to pass the summer on Funk Island solely to slay the Great Auks for their feathers. That the birds were slain by millions; that their bodies were left to molder where they were killed; that stone pens were erected; and that for some purpose frequent and long continued fires were built on Funk Island, is indisputable. This locality has been but thrice visited by naturalists, the last time in the summer of 1887, by a party from the U. S. National Museum, who, by the aid of the U. S. Fish Com- mission, were enabled to obtain much information in regard to this interesting spot, and to make very extensive collections of remains of the Great Auk. Just when the Great Auk ceased to exist in America is unknown, for there were few naturalists on this side of the water when the Garefowl was being done to the death; but the extinction took place not far from 1840, almost coincidently with the extermination of the bird in Europe. Few birds have received more attention than has the Great Auk since it became extinct, and it has been the subject of numerous papers, both popular and scientific, while its remains bring extravagant prices whenever chance brings them into the market. The last' skeleton sold brought $C00, the last skin $650, while an egg brought $1,250, and then was resold for the round sum of $1,500." The following is from the Naturalists' Journal, of London, for June, 1S95, p. 129: "A specimen of this extinct bird was recently offered f ir sale at Steven's Great Sale Rooms, Convent Garden. The specimen belonged to Sir F. Milner, M. P., to whose father — Sir W. Milner — it was sold by Graham, of York, who stated it had been ob- tained in the Orkneys. For some years it has been in the Leeds Museum, but since its removal has been re-stuffed. The bidding went up to 350 guineas, and the bird was then bought in, but has since been sold to the Edinburgh Museum for £350. Of the 24 skins of the Great Auk now in Britain, 11 are safely lodged in public museums. An egg of this bird was offered for sale at the same time, and knocked down for 180 guineas to an hotel keeper." The egg is like that of the Razor-billed Auk, but of course much larger, measuring 4.69x2.92 inches. ■F 14 yCSTS AND Eooa OF 33. Great Auk (From Brehm . 34. DOVEKIE. Alle alle (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Coasts and Islands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean; in North America, south In winter to New Jersey; breeds in high northern latitudes. The little Ice-bird of the fishermen and the Sea Dove of ornithologists. Its entire life is spent on the open sea, rarely visiting land except during the breeding season Di' when driven thence by severe storms. It breeds in the Arctic regions of America r.ut1 Europe, the islands of the Arctic Ocean, and in the northwestern portion of Asia. ni-o head and bill of this bird are formed almost exactly like that of a quail. It is very abundant at its breeding grounds In the far north, and is one of the most boreal o' birds; nesting chiefly on islands, or always In places near the sea, depositing its single pale, greenish-blue egg in the crevices of rocky cliffs. The eggs measure from 1.80 to 1.90 in length by 1.25 to 1.30 in breadth. 35. SKUA. North Atlantic. America. Me&alestris skua (Brunn.) Geog. Dist. — Coasts and Inlands of the South to Spain and Massachusetts. Rare on the coast of North NORTH AMERICAN DIRD8. 25 The Skua Qull may well be called the feathered pirate of the seas. It does not congregate In flocks; two or more pairs are seldom seen together. It is noted for its courage and daring, attacking and harassing gulls, forcing them to disgorge the fish which they have swallowed. In the Island of Unst, and also Foula, the most north- em ones of the Shetland group, it is found breeding. The bird was given a place in the fauna of North America on the ground of Its occasional occurrence along the Boutbern coast of Greenland, where its eggs are said to have been taken. In Iceland this species builds its nest on the hillsides in the latter part of June. The nest Is simply a shallow cavity in the long grass, lined with grass stems and moss. The eggs are two in number, with an olive-green or drab ground-color, marked by irregu- lar dark olive-brown and chocolate-colored blotches; they measure from 2.75 to 3.00 in length, by 1.60 to 2.00 in breadth. ling season 36. FOMABINE JAEGEB. Stercorariua pomariiius (Temm.) Geog. Dlst.— Seas and inland waters of northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, south to Africa and Australia, and probably South America. Not known to occur in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America north of Long Island. Another of the falcon-like sea fowls, commonly called Gull Hunter by the fisher- men. Resident throughout the summer in high northeru regions, chiefly within the Arctic Circle. Mr. Nelson states that they are abundant oft the Yukon mouth In spring, but at all seasons they are rare near Saint Michael's. During the cruise of the Cor- win he found them abundant about Saint Lawrence Island and everywhere in Bering Strait. In winter It Is a great wanderer, and is known to oc- cur on the Great Lakes, and as far as the above habitat indi- cates. The bird is said tb live chiefly by plundering the Kit- tlwake Gull; but will attack other species, even the largest. Nelson says the birds are clumsy and cowardly as compared with their smaller relar tives. When one of this species chances to cross the path of the smaller species, the latter almost Invariably gives chase and beats Its clumsy antagonist off the field by repeatedly darting down from above. Comparatively little is known of Its nesting habits. It breeds in remote places, and is said to form a rude nest of grass and moss, situated on dry elevated spots in marshes. The eggs of all the Skuas are very similar in appearance — pale olive-green or yellowish-gray in ground color — irregu- larly blotched and spotted with two shades of brown; those of the present species are said to be thinner in form and more pointed than those of the others. Dr. Brewer describes an egg procured in Greenland as rounded-ovoid; its ground-color, deep olive-drab, sparingly spotted with slate-color and two shades of umber, chiefly at the larger end, where they become confluent. There are also a very few scattered dota of black. Size, 2.25 by 1.70. . 37. PARASITIC JAEOEB. Btercorarlus para8iticu8 (Linn.) Oeog. Diat.— Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, southward in winter to South Africa and 36. PoMAKiNB Jaeger I I m 11 ^ !i '^ i: 1 ;ii ' i ,1 'fi M ysar« iiy/) iroos op South America. Breeds In high northern district!, and wlntera from the Middle States and California southward to Brazil and Chili. The Parasitic Jaeger, like the others of this family, Is emlnentlj rapacious, and It Is known as the "Man-of-War," from Its habits of pursuing and robbing the terns and smaller gulls. It breeds in the Interior of Arctic America, and is espe- cially abundant in the Anderson River region. Mr. Nelson records the following: "This tyrannical bird occurs about the entire coast line of Bering Sea, but is most numerous along the low, marshy coast of Norton Sound, and thence south to the Kuskoquin River. Its breeding range covers the entire region from the Aleutian Islands north to the extreme northern part of the mainland. Upon the Aleutian Islands Dall found them in summer and winter. They were taken during the breed- ing season on Kyska and Amchltka, near the western end of the chain. They have been taken at Kadiak and are plentiful from the Yukon mouth up to Nulato and probably above. Elliott found them occurring as stray visitors on the Fur Seal group, and the writer noted them in Bering Strait vicinity during the summer of 1881." A common bird in the more northern portion of Asia and Europe. So far as known, its general habits do not differ from those of the Pomarlne. It is given as the most common of the Skuas off the coast of Norway, but does not go far inland to breed. The nest of this species is made on Islands or on the margins of lakes; it Is a mere depression in the ground, lined with a few grasses and withered leaves. In Greenland it Is said to be a resident species, and It breeds In Iceland on the moors far Inland. In the Shetland Islands this bird breeds In communities, flfty or more pairs congregating at the same place. The eggs are usually two in number, some- times three, and are as variable in ground color ind markings as those of the Eskimo Curlew. They vary from olive drab to green, gray and brown, marked with several shades of chocolate, brown and an obscure stone gray, distributed over the entire egg. Size from 2.00 to 2.40 long, and from 1.50 to 1.70 broad. Nelson says that the eggs are laid upon the mossy knolls or uplands in their haunts about the 6th of June. The nest Is merely a depression in the moss containing two eggs, in- distinguishable from those of the next species, and measuring from 2.40x1.70 to 2.00x1.50. 38. LONO^TAILED JAEGEB. Stercorariua longicaudua VielU. Geog. Dist. — Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, south In winter to the Gulf of Mexico. The samo plundering habits mark the character of this bird as are peculiar to any of the Jaegers or Skuas. It is distributed u the breeding season throughout all parts of the region near the Arctic Circle, m Siberia, Northern Asia, Europe and America, and on the islands of the Arctic Ocean. It breeds In Greenland and Ice- land, is abundant throughout the barren grounds of the Arctic coast, and is said to be very numerous in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, also on the shores of Frank- lin Bay. It is also found breeding on several of the Orkney and Shetland Islands. According to Nelson this graceful and handsome bird is the most common of the Jaegers on the Alaskan coast and vicinity, and especially about Saint Michael's. They arrive there about May 12 or 15, but are not numerous until ten days or more later. He states that all the Jaegers are very destructive to the eggs of other birds, and in spring nests of various water fowl are often destroyed by them. Nests found in the Arctic regions are mere depressions in the soil, scantily lined with dry grass and leaves. Some are placed far Inland near small lakes, and often there is really no nest, the eggs being laid on the bare ground. The eggs are said to be not always distinguishable from those of the Parasitic Jaeger, but average smaller; exception- ally large specimens of S. longicaudus are sometimes as large as exceptionally small voRTii .iMi:uiv\N mnns. the Mlddlt 38. Lono-Tailk.i) jAroKii. ones of .S'. imranitiruH. They range from 1.95 to 2.18 long, and from 1.45 to 1.55 broad. Mr. Nelson describes a nest of this species which was In a cup-shaped depression in a mossy knoll where lay two dark greenish eggs with an abundance of spots. 39. IVOBY GULL. Oavla alba (Qunn.) Geog. Dlst.— Arctic Seas, south in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America to Labrador and New Foundland, casually to New Brunswick, and on the Pacific side to Bering Sea. A bird that is resident in the Arctic regions of both hemispheres, only occasion- ally visiting the more temperate zones. It is said to breed the farthest north of all the gulls. Specimens of this species were seen on several occasions by the natural- ist of the Jeannette, Mr. R. L. Newcomb, during his long imprisonment in the icy sea to the west of our northern coast. It was noted as a rare visitor at Point Barrow by Murdoch, and also by various expeditions among the network of channels north of Erltlsh America. Noted for its ravenous appetite, gorging itself with the flesh of the seal and the blubber of the whale. They have the habit of watching about seal- holes in the Ice, waiting for the seal, whose excrement the gall devours. On the islands and along the coasts of Spitzbergen it breeds sparingly; in like places on the coast of Northern Siberia it is abundant. The bird Is a resident of Greenland, and the breeding season there begins about the middle of June. The nest is built on somo inaccessible rock or cliff; it is made of dry grass and lined with moss and a few feathers, forming quite a hollow. An egg is described as oblong-oval in shape, with a ground color of light yellowish-olive with small blotches of dark brown scattered over the surface. These are intermingled with more obscure brown and cloudings of lilac. Size 2.45 long by 1.70 broad. 40. KITTIWAKE. Rlsm trldnctyla (Linn.) Geog. Dlst.— Arctic region, south In Eastern North America in winter to the Great Lakes and Middle States. The Kittiwake Gull is a northern species, found in the Atlantic waters of Europe and America. On the Pacific coast it is represented by the next form, pollicorls. It is one of the commonest resiaent species of Greenland, and according to observers it inhabits nearly all parts of the Arctic regions. Breeds on the islands of the Atlantic coast of North America, from New England northward ; an abundant species, nesting not always on the ground like most gulls, but on rocky cliffs over- hanging water. On Gannet Rocks of the St. Lawrence this nclsy Gull is especially numerous, where its nests are found on narrow ledges; they are composed of grass 28 NE8T8 AND BGOa OF and seaweed. Some of the nests are quite flat, while others are several inches in thichnecs and deeply hollowed, new naaterial belnc added each year, and they are sometimes co numerous that the breeding places become very filthy and emit an in- tolerable cdor. The cgcs are two and Gometimes three in number, and have a grci:nd-color of yellowish buff, brownish-gray or pale greenish-gray, marked with irregular snots of varying shades of brown and lilac. The average size is 2.26x1.61. '.' • ■■'■ *•'■■;/ < . ' ' ....■•; - V ^ ** >■ . 40rj. PACIFIC KITTIWAKE. Jiissa tridactyla poUimria Ridgw. Geog. Dist. — Coasts of North Pacific and Bering Sea. This form of the Kittiwake is abundant on the islands of the North Pacific. It is "bundant along the entire coast line of Alaska and on all the numerous islands. The bird is resident upon the Aleutian Islands and breeds in great abundance upon all the islands cf Bering Sea, the Straits, and along the Arctic coast to Cape Lis- burne. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger records it as a common breeding bird, both on the islands and along the Kamtschatkan coast, and in all places suitable for rookeries they are found in astonishing numbers. For the purpose of nesting they select the shelves and projections of cliffs, the tops of walls that rise perpendicularly out of the deep sea, and especially on the high pinnacles standing lonely amidst the foaming breakers. The nest is composed of matted fragments of moss and grass, and fre- quently the eggs are deposited in mere hollows in the loose dirt. The nesting Is precisely the same as that of li. tridactyla, and the eggs are indistinguishable, ex- cept that in a large series they are said to be more uniform in their markings. 41. BED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. Rissa brevirostris (BruclL) Geog. Dist.— Coasts and islands of Bering Sea. The living bird of this species has coral-red legs and feet, which contrast richly with the snowy white plumage of the head, neck and under parts. An abundant species on the islands of Bering Sea. On the Prybilof group it swarms by tens of thousands to breed in the first part of May. It is especially abundant on St. George's and St. Paul's Islands. The nests, like those of the Pacific Kittiwake, are placed on almost inaccessible shelves and projections, so that seldom is a nest reached unless a person is lowered down to it on a rope passed over the cliff. Dry grass and moss cemented with mud are the materials which constitute the nests. The Red-legged Kittiwake is common on the islands along the Kamtschatkan coast, notably on Copper Island, where it breeds in company with pollicaris. The eggs have a ground-color of brownish white, varying to light drab and buff, marked with blotches, sepia-brown and umber; these are underlain by subdued shades and cloud- ings of lilac-gray. The average size of the egg is 2.28x1.66. 42. GXAUCUS GULL. Lariis (jlaucvs Brunn. Geog. Dist. — Arctic regions, south in North America to the Great Lakes and Long Island. North Pacific. One of the largest of the Gulls, equal, in fact, to the Great Black-backed Gull, L. iiHirinns. It is a bird of high northern range during the breeding season — in- habiting the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia and the more northern portions of North America. In Spitzbergen it is said to breed in immense numbers, placing the nests on the shores or low rocks and even on masses of ice. They are large struc- tures, made of sea weed and moss. The Burgomaster Gull, as it is called, feeds on crabs and fishes; it attacks smaller birds and also robs them of their eggs and young. It attends fishing boats for the purpose of devouring the offal which may be thrown OTerboard. The bird is riscorded as a constant resident of Greenland. In Hudson Bay region it builds its nests on the islands in lakes and rivers, and the young are hatched. 5eog. DIst.— NORTE AMERICAN BIRDS. » in June. The nests are built of sea ferns and dry grass, placed among tbe grassy tussccks In the center of the island. The eggs are two, sometimes three in number; their general shape is spherically oval, and the ground color dark grayish-brown, pale ash, pale clay or a pearly white. The markings are small patches of light brown and brownish black. The sizes range from 2.95 to 3.15 long by 2.18 to 2.£S broad. 42. 1. FOIITT BABBOW Q^J'LL. Larua barrovianua Ridgw. Geog. Dist— Bering Sea and adjacent waters, nortneastward to Point Barrow, southwest in winter to Japan. This new species of Gull, whose plumage is described as resembling that of th« Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and whose size is intermediate between these two species, is found on the islands of Bering Sea, and its range extends as indicated im the geographical distribution. It has proved to be distinct from the Atlantic coast species. Specimens that served for description were from the Island of St. Michaels and Point Barrow.* Nelson says: "The solitary islands of Bering Sea and all its dreary coast line are familiar to this great gull." On June 4 their first nest was found. It was placed on a small islet, a texr feet across, in the center of a broad, shallow pond. The structure was formed of a mass of moss and grass piled up a foot or more high, with a base three feet across, and with a deep central depression lined with dry grass. There was a single egg.' The female as she sat on the nest was visible a mile away and not the slightest opportunity was afforded for concealment on the broad surrounding flat. An equally conspicuous structure was found near St Michaels on June 15. The majority of the nests found were situated on a small islet In a pond. The nest found on June 15 was a bulky structure made up of tufts of moss and grass rooted up by the birds' beaks. The ground near the nest looked as though it had been rooted up by pigs. Mr. Ridgway gives the measurement of the eggs as 3.05x2.03. One of the eggs taken by Mr. Nelson was white, without a trace of the usual color marks. 43. ICELAND GULL. Larus leucopterus (Faber.) Geog. Dist.— Arctic Regions, south in winter in North America to Massachusetts, and farther. This Gull is precisely like the last, but smaller, and it is difficult to distinguish the two at a distance. Another common name for it is White-winged Gull. It is an Arctic species, and its distribution during the breeding season is nearly identical with that of the Burgomaster, being found in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. Mr. Hagerup states that on Arsuk fjord in South Greenland about a thousand pairs nest on what is known as "bird cliff," above the Kittiwake Gulls. The lowest nests are built at a height of about two hundred feet; the highest about five hundred feet above the sea level. The two species are often found nesting in the same places, and the nests are of the same construction. The eggs, however, are smaller, measuring 2.79x1.85. The Iceland Gull is, according to Mr. Nelson, the most abundant species along the coasts and about the islands of Bering Sea, thence along the adjoining Arctic coasts. It was found abundant on the Yukon, from Anvik to the sea by Mr. Dall. who secured its eg^^s there from the 5th to 10th of June. The eggs were laid in small depressions in the sandy beaches of the islands In the river. 44. OLAUCGUS- WINGED GULL. Larus glaucescens Naum. Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska south to California on the Asiatic side south to Japan. * For details see Auk, III, p. 339, or RldKway's Manual N. Ar.i. Birds, p. 2d. ' 1 4 1^ : ' i 30 VBBTB AJUD BQG8 OF Almost as large a species as the Glaucous Oull or Burgomaster. It breeds on the islands of the Pacific coast from Washington Teriitory northward. The nests are not always built on the shelving rocks of high cliffs. On the Aleutian Islands they are found among the tall grass on the highest parts of the islands, while others are built on projections of rocks. Sometimes there is little or no attempt at nest- making, the eggs being laid in a slight depression of the ground. On Bering Sea and Copper Islands, on the Kamtschatkan coast, this species breeds all around the shores. Eggs have been found as early as the middle of May. These are said to be of a more greenish tinge and the spots more numerous and better defined than in those of (jlaurtis. Size 2.88x2.03. According to Mr. Ball this is a very abundant species throughout the Aleutian chain, but more numerous in the eastern half of the group. Young birds nearly fledged were secured at Kyska in July. He states that the habit of this and other species breeding on isolated rocks and small Islands, is accounted for by the immunity thus gained from the ravages of foxes on the eggs and young. Rarely more than three eggs were found together, and were laia on al- most any little depression of the ground, with little or no attempt at a lining. 45 KTTMLIEN'S GTTLL. Lams kiimlkni Brewst. Geog. Dist.— North At- lantic coast of North America; south in winter to the coast of the Middle States. This new sp )cies of Gull, first deseribed by Mr. William Brewster,* is like ifktucvsvens, but somewhat smaller. It is recorded as being quite common in the upper Cumberland water, where it breeds, placing the nests on shelving rocks of high cliffs. The eggs are said to be the same as those of yhiiiccscciis. 46. NELSON'S QJTLL. Larus nelsoni Hensh. Geog. Dist.— Coast of Norton Sound, Alaska. In a series of gulls collected by Mr. E. W. Nelson in Alaska Mr. H. W. Hen- shaw found a specimen which differed decidedly, not only from any other taken by Mr. Nelson, but from any in the National Museum. In recognition of Nelson's valu- able cervices to Alaskan ornithology the bird has been dedicated to his honor by the authority above stated. Ar. Henshaw states that its resemblance to several of the larger gulls is likely to keep us in ignorance until it is made an object of special attention by naturalists visiting Alaska. There is no reason to believe that its gen- eral habits and eggs differ from those of the Glaucous-winged Gull. 47. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GXJLL. Lams marintis (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts of the North Atlantic ; south in winter to Long Island and Italy. The large and powerful Black-backed Gull, or Saddle-back, inhabits the Atlantic wa'ers of Europe and North America. Breeds in great numbers on the coast of Norway as far as North Cape. In various parts of the British Islands it is found throughout the year, especially on the islands around the coasts of Scotland, where it breeds in abundance. On the American coast it breeds from the Bay of Fundy northward to Greenland. Years ago it was known to breed quite commonly on the islands off the coast of Nova Scotia. In Labrador it is common everywhere. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar found it breeding on the small islands, placing its nests generally on some elevated spot. He seldom found more than a half dozen pairs breeding on a single island. The nests were built of dry grasses, were very bulky and deeply hollowed. He found no nest containing more than three eggs. During the breeding season the birds feed largely upon the eggs of other birds, especially upon those of • Bull. Null. Club, Vol. VIII. p. 216. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 31 the Murre and upon young Elder ducks.* The eggs of this Gull vary from a bluish- white or olive-gray to a deep yellowish brown, and are irregularly spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and lilac of different shades. The sizes vary from 2.70 *o 3.02 long by 2.05 to 2.25 broad. 48. SLATY-BACKED GULL. Larus scMsUmujus (Stejii.) Geog. Dist.— North Pacific, chiefly on the Asiatic side; Herald Island, Arctic Ocean, and Alaskan coast of Bering Sea. Dr. Stejneger says: "Among the specimens of gull collected by me on the Commander Islands is a very dark-mantled large species, somewhat Intermediate between L. mari.ius and L. cacliinnans, although in general aspect much nearer to the former, and when on the wing indistinguishable from It. The occurence of this new speciep- in the Kamtschatkar waters easily explai^is the abnormality in the alleged distribution of Lartis marinvs, as it is almost certain that all North Pacific references to the latter species really belong to the present form."t •ast of Norton Geog. Dist.— 49. WESTERN GULL. Larus occidentals Aud. Geog. Dist. — Pacific coast of North America, breeds from Southern California northward. The most abundant species of gull on the California coast, breeding on all suit- able islands. It is the only gull which breeds on the Farallons. Mr. Emerson states that on these islands the nest is built either on high ridges or low places near the shore. The material used is a dry, rank weed; with this they construct their Bather bulky nest and repair or rebuild it each year. Mr. Barlow remarks that this gull nests chiefly in colonies on the Farallons, on level portions, although a few pairs may be found almost anywhere. The nests are loose affairs of FaraHon weed and measure a foot across. Usually they are very shallow and are given shape by the hollows in which they are constructed. t Of their general habits Mr. Bryant says: "The gulls are indiscriminate feeders; in addition to their usual articles of diet, they subsist largely upon eggs during the ummer. They do not eat the eggs of their own species, nor do thiy trouble the cormorants after the murres have com- menced laying. Sea urchins, crabs, young murres and rabbits, and fish stolen from the cormorants' nests are eaten. Not being quick enough to swoop upon the rabbits, they catch them by patient watching at their burrows, and will persevere for fifteen minutes to swallow a squeaifng young rabbit, and finally fly away with the hind feet protruding. The dead bodies of murres are also eaten; they detach pieces of flesh by backing away and dragging the body, meanwhile shaking their head, till a piece breaks off." The eggs are deposited as early as the first part of May on the Faral- lons, and laying is sometimes continued into .July. The usual complement Is three; but from constant robberies by the eggers, who collect eggs for the Scin Francisco market, often only two are laid. The same variation of ground-color and markings are to be found In these eggs as is common to all those of the gulls; lifrht grayish olive, clay color, bluish-white and deep yellowish-brown, spotted and blotched with umber-brown, blackish and lilac of varying shades. The average size of fif*y speci- mens Is, 2.76x1.94; the largest 2.99x2.01; the smallest 2.56x1.89. 50. SIBERIAN GULL. Lams a flints Reinh. Europe, southward in winter to North Africa. Geog. Dist.— Greenland; Asia; * Ornithologist nrjd Oologlst. Vol. XTI., p. 17. tThe Auk.. I.. 231. JThe Muspum, T.. p. 39. li ' Id 3J I IP l>i 32 NESTB AJUD EGOS OF The Siberian Gull is a rare or occasional visitor in Greenland, whereupon it clainn a place in the fauna uf Nortn America. It breeds in the extreme north of Europe, notably on the shores and in the lagoons of the Petchora River in the north- ern part of European Russia. The eggs are said not to differ from those of the Herring Gull. / 51. HEimiNO GULL. Larus argentatus (Brunn.) Geog. Dist. — Old World, south to the Azores; Cumberland Sound; occasional on the eastern coast of the United States. The European Herring Gull is known as an occasional visitor to the coast of Eastern North America. On the Azores, a cluster of nine islands in the Atlantic, eight hundred miles due west of Portugal, this Gull is very common, breeding on :3*>- . Geog. Dist. — North America generally. Breeds on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward. * The Birds of London, by H. K. Swann. London: Swan, Sonnenochein ft Co., Patflf^ noster Square, 1893, pp. 118-119. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. u In North America this gull is a common bird throughout its range, particularly coast-wise. It is also more or less abundant on the inland lakes and rivers during its periods of migration, and in many of these places it is found breeding. At Moosehead Lake, Me., where a few pairs breed, the eggs are laid in the latter part of May, or in the first week of June. In the interior it is found breeding on the lakes and larger bodies of water, as far north as the Mackenzie and Anderson River regions. On many of the large prairie lakes of Manitoba it breeds in great numbers. Mr. Frazar mentions this species as the most common of all the gulls inhabiting Labrador, breeding in colonies and placing their nests on the ground.* Mr Walter Raine found this gull breeding abundantly at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, June 18, 1895. In many places where the Herring Gull has suffered persecution, it has been known to depart from its usual habit of nesting on the open seashore, and place its nest on trees sixty and seventy-five feet from the ground. At Grand Manan and in Labrador, in some of the old breeding grounds, its human foes have brought about this change in its habits. Some of the nests built on the ground are merely a shallow depres- sion with a slight lining. Others are large and elaborately made of grass and moss. Those built in 'rees are said to be strongly interwoven and very compact. Mr. Dall records this gUi. as abundant on the Upper Yukon, Alaska. It was found breeding on the islands in the river, laying its eggs in small depressions on the bare ground. The complement of eggs is normally three; they vary from bluish-white to deep yellowish-brown, irregularly spotted and blotched with brown of different shades; in a large series a great diversity of ground-color and markings exists. Mr. Elwin A. Capen in his superb workf figures three prevailing types of coloration. The sizes range from 2.73 to 2.91 long by 1.64 to 1.94 broad. 52. VEGA GULL. Larus vegae (Palmen.) Geog. Dist. — Bering Sea and ad- jacent waters, south in winter to California and Japan. This form of the Herring Gull is "characterized by a particularly dark gull-gray mantle and fiesh-colored legs" and is found in the countries bordering Bering Sea and adjacent waters. It is said to breed on the islands of the Upper Yukon River, in the first part of May, depositing its eggs in slight depressions of the bare ground. The eggs are not likely to be distinguishable from those of the Herring Gull, L. argentatus. 53. CALIFOBNIA GULL. Larus californicus Lawr. Geog. Dist.— Western North America. The California Gull is found along the Pacific coast in winter, but retires to its breeding places in the summer months. Its breeding grounds seem to be inland, on the lakes and large bodies of water. It breeds abundantly on Great Salt Lake and Pyramid Lake, Utah, and on Lake Malheur, in Eastern Oregon. It has been found nesting as far north as Great Slave Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and the Lower Anderson River. The nests of this species are made on the ground, or built on rocks and, sometimes where the birds are breeding in vast colonies, the nests are placed on stunted sage or greasewood bushes. They are built of sticks, grass and a few feathers. The eggs are usually three or four in number, occasionally five. Prof. Marcus E. Jones informs me that at Great Salt Lake this gull generally lays five eggs. These are deposited in a little bare spot surrounded by a few twigs, the hollow ••Ornithologist and Ooloelst, Vol. XII, p. 18. t Oology of New England: a description of the eggs, nests and breeding habits of the birds known to breed in New England, with colored illustrations of their eggrs. By Elwln A. Capen. Boston, 1886. 34 NB8T8 AND BQ08 OP just deep enough to keep the eggs from rolling out. The nests are made on the ■and or any other bare spot on islands far out in the lake. The eggs are laid about the middle of May. They vary from a bluish-white to a deep brownish-clay color, spotted and blotched witix dark brown, slate and blackish zigzag markings. Sizes range from 2 5ft to 2.70 long by 1.65 to 1.95 broad. 54. BING-BILLED OULL. Larus dclawarcnsis Ord. Geog. Dist— North America at large; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. This Gull inhabits the entire Continent of North America, and is on the whole, the commonest species ooth coastwise and in the interior. It breeds in the United States and far north, placing its nests on the ground or o:: cliffs. Mr. Walter Raine found this gull breeding abundantly on the islands of Shoal Lake, Manitoba, in the latter part of Juno, Mr. Stebbins found this species and the Common Tern occupying an island of about an acre in extent in Dev\- ■ -.^ r •a,'; 68. TRUDEAU'S TEBN. Sterna trudeaui Aud. Geog. Dlst.— Southern South America; casual or accidental on the Atlantic coast of the United States (New Jersey, Long Island). This bird has been accidentally found In New Jersey and Long Island. It breeds in southern South America, but I believe Its eggs have not yet been described. 69. FpBSTEB'S TEBN. Sterna forsterl Nutt. Geog. Dist.— North America generally, breeding from Manitoba southward to Virginia, Illinois, Texas and Cali- fornia; in winter southward to Brazil. Like all the terns, this one is noted for its graceful flight and, with them, it shares the name of Sea Swallow — a name which uelongs more particularly to the next species. Forster's Tern was once thought to breed only in the Interior of North America. The above habitat, however, indicates clearly the range throughout which this species is found breeding in all suitable places. It nests on the grassy islands among the lagoons and marshes of Southern Texas, thence northward Irregularly to British America. In Manitoba, on the islands and marshes of the lakes and rivers, it nests abundantly. Here on the islands of Shoal Ivuke Mr. Arnold and Mr. Raine found them breeding by thousands. Breeds in colonies, often in company with the Common and Gull-bllled Terns, the Laughing and Bonaparte's Gulls. When its nesting places are disturbed it Is said to be very noisy, uttering a grating, monot- onous note, and at the same time attacking the intruder on all sides, often darting close to his head. In 'some localities this species constructs its nest in a turf of dry grass, upon the sand, or among stones. It breeds chiefly in grassy marshes, building its nest of flags, water-plants, lining them with finer reeds. The eggs are two or three in number, with an average size of 1.85x1.35. In color they vary from nearly • Bull. Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 221-223. In article on the eggs of "Sterna caspla." NORTH AMERICAN RIRHS. 41 pur* white and pale green to warm brownlsh-drab, irregularly spotted aud blotched with brown, umber and lUao. iflc coast of 70. COMMON TEBN. Htema hlrundn Linn. Qeog. Dist.— Greater part of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. In North America chiefly confined to the Eastern Province, breeding variously throughout Its range. Sea Swallow, Wilson's Tern, Red-shp.nk. "Mackerel Gull" and "Summer Gull" are the names by which this beautiful species is known in vailous localities. It is an abundant bird throughout its North American range, breeding on many of the inland lakes and marshes as well as along the coasts. In various places on the Atlantic coast it breeds In company with other species, such as Forster's. Arctic, and Roseate Terns, the Laughing Gull and others. Mr. W. W. Worthington, of Shelter Island, New York, writes me the following: "Although a few Wilson's Terns breed on nearly every sandy point near here. Gull Island, situated a mile or so east of Plum Island, Is their chief breeding ground in this section. Here they breed by thousands, fairly filling the air when you land and disturb them. Their nests are always placed on the ground or rocks, and are usually composed of a few pieces of grass and seaweed. They place their nests all over the island above high water line, on the beach, on the sides of the bluffs, all around, and In the garden cultivated by the light-uouse keeper. Fresh eggs can be obtained there from the 10th of June to the middle of July, as egging parties keep them cleaned off about as fast as they are laid. I collected a set of four eggs of this species on Gull Island last spring (1881), which Is the only set I ever saw containing more than three eggs, which Is the usual number laid." Mr. Worthington and Mr. M. C. Howe found two sets each containing five eggs on Gull Island In the season of 1894. This Is an unusual number to a set. The eggs vary from greenish to deep brown, spotted and blotched with bro^ a, blackish and lilac; they vary in length from 1.49 to 1.75 by 1.18 to 1.30 broad. 71. ABCTIO TEBN. Sterna paradtaaea Bninn. Geog. Dlst. — Northern Hem- isphere; in North America breeding from Massachusetts to the Arctic regions and wintering southward to Virginia and California. Throughout all Northern Alaska, both on the coast and in the Interior, the Arctic Tern is an abundant summer resident, breeding wherever found. In its general appearance and habits, its mode of nesting, flight, and other characteristics, this species closely resembles the Common Tern. Its distribution is, however, more northern, breedi^r in the most northern latitude, where Fi. hirundo is found only in limited numbers. The eggs of both are indistinguishable. 72. BOSEATE TEBN. Sterna dougalli Montag. Geog. Dist. — Temperate and tropical regions ; north on the Atlantic coast of North America to Massachusetts, and casually to Maine. • On the Atlantic coast of North America this beautiful species is found breeding from Maine southward to Florida. It is known afso by the name of Paradise Tern. On some of the islands of the New England coast this species breeds in abundance, notably on Muskegat, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands. In many places it breeds in colonies with the Common and Arctic Terns and the Laughing Gull. On a small island, called Goose Island, about three-quarters of an acre in extent, situated in Long Island Sound, and a short distance from Faulkner's Island, Mr. M. B. Grifflng found this species nesting in abundance. The high land Is from two to six feet above the beach, and is covered with a thick growth of weeds 42 NBBTS AND E008 OF ■ §1 and grass; in this some of the nests were concealed; others were in plain sight; they were so numerous as to fairly cover the ground. They were nothing more than slight hollows lined with dry grass, and contained usually two eggs. Mr. Grifflng says he is satisfied that this is the usual number laid by this species, as there were but two sets containing three eggs in the hundreds of nests observed; Incubation had begun in- nearly every set, and many were almost hatched. Some of the eggs were laid on the shore just above high water mark. Mr. Grifflng says that the eggs differ from those of the Common Tern, being less pointed at the small end; the markings are usually much finer and more numerous. By placing a tray of the eggs of each species side by side the difference is very marked. They vary in size from 1.55 10 1.75 in length by 1.10 to 1.25 in breadth. Mr. Grifflng states the birds are very noisy when their nests are being disturbed; hovering overhead they utter a harsh gutteral cry, peculiar to the species. They also have a note which sounds like the syllable tip, tip, tip. _ . 73. ALEUTIAN TEBN. Sterna aleutica Baird. Geog. Dist.— Coast of Africa, from the Island of Kadiak to Norton Sound. This tern has been found nesting in various parts of Alaska; on the Island of Kadiak, and on some of the Eastern Aleutian Islands. On several islands in the vicinity of St. Michael's, Alaska, this tern, according to Nelson, breeds, laying its eggs directly upon tho moss, with na attempt at nest lining, which would be entirely unnecessary there. Its habits do not differ essentially from those of other ternfi. The eggs measure from 1.65 to 1.8& long by 1.10 to 1.15 broad. They ha^e a ground color, varying from brownish-white to greenish-olive, with bold markings of light re-^dish and chestnut brown. ■I • 74. LEAST TEBN. Sterna antillarum (Less.) Geug. Dist.— Northern Soutk America, north to California and New England, and casually to Labrador, breeding nearly throughout its range. This pretty little Sea Swallow breeds on the Island of Cuba, and other islands of the West Indies, along the coasts of Central America and Mexico. Mr. Stuart says it breeds abundantly on the white sand beaches of the Gulf coast, and on the :«lands of the Atlantic coast of Florida. Mr. Theodore W. Richards in the seasons of 1888-'90 found this tern comparatively rare on the Virginia coast. A few pairs were observed breeding on the shelly beaches where once they swarmed by hundreds.* The eggs are laid on the bare sand in May and June. The "Little Striker," as it is called, is found nesting on the Atlantic coast as far north as Massachusetts; a few, however, breed a little farther north. The eggs are difficult to observe on the breed- ing grounds, their color being very similar t-) the sand and broken shells in which they are laid. They are two or three, and seldom four in number. They vary from pale greenish to drab or buff, spotted and blotched pretty evenly with brown, umber and lilac of various shades, with an occasional tinge of yellowish; in some the mark- ings tend to form a wreath about the larger half. The average size is 1.25x.95. 75. SOOTY TEBN. Sterna fuliginosa Gmel. Geog. Dist.— Tropical and sub- tropical coasts of the Globe. In America from Chili to Western Mexico and the Carolinas; casually to New England. The Sooty Tern is found both in temperate and tropical regions almost every- where throughout the world. It breeds abundantly on the rocky islets off the coast • The Oologlst. IX. p. 79. Il NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 43 of the Island of St Helena, and on Ascension Island, which is farther north and west; In favorite s^Jts at the latter place it la said to breed in countless numbers. The eggs are regarded by some as a great delicacy, and are so numerous that they are an important article of commerce. This species is said to be semi-nocturnal in Its habits, being able to fly by night as well as by day, going out to sea to feed long be- fore daylight. It is "the egg bird" of Jamaica. Breeds on the islands in the Gulf of Mexico, about the middle of May, and on the small islands south of Key West, Fla., early in May. In some places the eggs are deposited on the bare ground or on rocks; in others a nest is made in the long grass under bushes. This species lays but a single egg. Audubon states that the Sooty Tern alv/ays lays three eggs, but more recent observers say that in thousands of nests examined there were only two instances of two eggs being found together. It is a handsome egg, pinkish or creamy white, spotted and blotched with a rich reddish-brown, tinged with lilac. Sizes vary from 1.95 to 2 12 long by 1.45 to 1.50 broad. 76. BBIDLED TEBN. Sterna ancethetus Scop. Geog. D« St.— Tropical regions; casual in Florida. The Bridled Tern is especially abundant in the West India Islands, where it is the "egg-bird" par excellence, and is often confounded with the Sooty Tern. The bird occurs casually ^.n Florida, but does not breed there. It is noted for its social peculiarities, always nesting in company with the Roseate, Sooty and Noddy Terns. The single egg of this species is deposited on ledges of rocks or in the cavities among loose boulders along the sea shore. The egg has a ground-color of a rich cream, with large blotches and smaller spots of reddish-brown, with confluent shell-mark- ings of dull lilac. The blotches are usually confluent at the large end, while others are scattered over the entire surface. Five selected specimens in Mr. Crandall's col- lection offer the following measurements: 1.83x1.30, 1.84x1.26, 1.85x1.27, 1.86x1.29, 1.87x1.31, the average being about 1.84x1.31. 77. BLACK TEBN. Hydrochelldon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.) Geog. D!st. — Temperate and tropical America, from Alaska and fur countries into South America; oreeding from the Middle United States northward. The Black or Short-tailed Tern is distributed throughout North America at large, both along the coast and In the interior; breeding anywhere In colonies, in marshes and reedy sloughs, where it deposHs the eggs on dead reeds, whiot are often floating. It Is known to breed abundantly In various marshes of Michigan, Wiscon- sin, Minnesota, Dakota, Ore- gon and California. It has ex- ceedingly long wings, and in Its pursuit of insects in the air Its flight and evolutions re- semble those of a swallow. Mr. Frank W. Langdon ob- served this species to be a very common summer resi- dent of a marsh in Northern 11. Black Tern. 44 NESTS AND EGOS OF Ohio.* He found It "nesting, or rather laying its eggs, on the little islands of de- caying vegetation and mud formed by sunken muskrat houses. Three eggs consti- tute a full set, and they are apparently rolled about in the mud purposely until well coated, so as to hide the markings, and thereby make them less conspicuous." Mr. Langdon says that in two or three instances an attempt at nest building was notice- able, consisting merely of a few fragments of grasses, so disposed as to prevent the eggs from rolling. Two broods are reared in a season, as eggs were taken in May, and Mr. Langdon collected fresh eggs in July. They vary from brown to greenish; thickly spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various sizes, but mostly bold, large and of light and blackish brown, thickest around the larger end. They resemble some of the sandpipers' eggs in size, shape and color. Average size 1.35X.98. 78. WHITE-WINOED BLACK TERS. Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Meisn 8s Schinz.) Geog. Dist. — Eastern Hemisphere; accidental in North America. A single example of this European species was taken on Lake Koshkonong, Wis- consin, in the first week of July, 1873. The ovaries of this specimen contained small eggs. It occurs occasionally in Great Britain, and is accidental in Sweden. On the lakes, rivers and marshes of the countries of the Alps it is said to be very common, and also in the bays and inlets of the Mediterranean Sea. Its nesting and general habits are said to be like those of H. nigra surinamensis. The eggs, however, as a general rule, have a lighter ground color, and average slightly larger than those of the American bird. I ^ 79. NODDY. Anoa stolidua (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Tropical and sub-tropical regions; in America^ from Brazil and Chill north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States. Dr. Brewer says: "The common Noddy Tern appears to be an inter-tropical species, and to be found round the entire surface of the globe, both north and south of the equator, at a distance from it of rarely exceeding thirty degrees north or south." On the Island of St. Helena it is a common species, and it also breeds on Ascension Island. It breeds in profusion on several of the West Indies. On the Bahamas the nests are built of sticks, leaves and grass, and they are placed in the branches of trees. In some of the islands of the tropics this species places its nest on the top branches of cocoanut trees and the outer branches of mangroves. It lays but a single egg; this will vary from ashy-yellow to buff or cream color. The spots are small and scattered, dark chestnut, with subdued shell-markings of laven- der gray; average size 2.00x1.36. 80. BLACK SKIMMEB. Rynchops nigra Linn. Geog. Dist.— Warmer parts of America, north on the Atlantic coast to New Jersey, and casually to the Bay of Fundy. In summer the Black Skimmer is abundantly distributed from New Jersey southward, and is strictly maritime. It may be known by its singularly shaped bill. * Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh. NORTH AMERICAN Bi RD8. 45 8u. Black Skimmer. the nnder mandible of which is much longer thai, the upper, ard compressed like a knife blade, the end being obtuse. The bird seems to feed as it skims low over the water, the under mandible grazing the surface. Like the terns, the Skimmers breed in communities. On the coast of Virginia Mr. T. W, Richards found them breed- ing in immense colonies in the month of June. The eggs were deposited in hollows of the sand bars and, when the birds are not molested, four eggs are laid, at least as often as three. This species is known by several names, such as "Razor-bill," "Cut-water," "Shear-water," "Sea Crow" and "Sea Dog;" the latter name it receives from its cries, which resemble somewhat the barking of a dog. It breeds on Cobb's Island, Va., in the last of June; Mr. P.. C. Stuart informs me that this species nests s ong the Gulf coast of Florida ir, r/iny and June, depositinc in hollows of the sand from three to five eggs. He says Iio liaz iTrequcntly taken sets containing five eggs. Mr. C. S. Shick, of Sea Isle City, aC. j., writer, jac that he has taken eggs as early as May 26, on the New Jersey coast. Hie experience ic that four eggs are oftener laid than three, which is generally stated to be the usual number. The eggs are among the most beautiful of all eggs; they are white and pale buff, rather coarsely spotted and blotched with brown, blackish- umber and lilac of varying shades, with neutral tint shell blotches; sizes range from 1.65 to 1.98 in length by 1.31 to 1.40 in breadth. ' ... , . . ■ ' ■ / • '; \ ■ '5- * * WANDERING ALBATROSS. Diomedea eonilans Linn. Geog. Dist. — Southern seas, north very irregularly to Florida (Tampa Bay?) and coast of Wash- ington. (.) The Wandering Albatross is now assigned to the Hypothetical List of the A. O. U. Check List. It is said to have occurred in Tampa Bay, Florida, and also oft the coast of the State of Washington. Both of these records are unsatisfactory. This albatross wanders over the vast waters of southern seas ranging as far north on the Atlantic coast of Africa as the Canary Islands, on that of South America to Trinidad Island and beyond. The bird has been taken In Europe and was admitted to the North American fauna on the grounds of its occurrence as above stated. It has been found breeding on various Islands of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, on Prince Edward's, Crozete, and Kerguelcn Islands lying southeast of Africa, and on the Island of Tristan d'Acunda to the southwest. At the latter place it breeds in January, nesting on the highest ledges of the cliffs. Dr. J. H. Kidder met with a number of these birds nesting on Kerguelen Island on the 2d of January. The nests were upon tall mounds, built up of grass to the height of two or more feet from the ground, and, being of different heights, seemed to have been used again and added to year after year. Dr. Kidder counted twenty-three birds in sight at one time, each perched upon its nest. Driven from the nests and compelled to walk, the birds looked not unlike overgrown geese.* Three eggs of this species are in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall, of Woodslde, N. Y. They were taken January 22, 1886, on South Georgia Island, east of Cape Horn. The birds were captured. The nests were built up from the ground of mud and coarse tussock grass. In shape the eggs are al- most equal-ended and measure respecti/ely as follows: 5.43x3.08, 5.36x3.21, 4.94x3.21. On the first the coloration is dull white for the surface, beautifully ringed about the * Bulletin No. 2, United States National Museum, p. 20. 46 NE8T8 AND EGGS OF tr^t?^— ^j-\-* %5 i «* Wandering Abatross (From Brehm). larger end with reddish specks and spots, the spots running together. The second has the large end sprinkled with minute specks of dull reddish and the small end is also similarly marked. In the last specimen above measured the large end is sprinkled with small specks of chestnut brown. An average size of ten specimens is as follows: Largest, 5.43x3.08; smallest, 4.87x3.00; the broadest specimen being 3.14. 81. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATBOSS. Diomedea utffripes Aud. Geog. Dist. — North Pacific, including west coast of North America. The Black-footed Albatross is an abundant bird of the North Pacific Ocean. Like others of this family, it is noted for its protracted powers of flight, following vessels for hundreds of miles and subsisting on the refuse thrown overboard, which, with crabs, etc., is its main food. Very little is known concerning the nesting habits of this species. It is said to breed on the small guano islands southwest of the Sandwich group in the North Pacific, depositing a single white egg in a depression of the soil, surrounded with a little sea-weed. Mr. Dall learned from Capt. George NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 47 men beizs Holder, who was in search of new guano islands, that these birds nest during the winter months on the coral island of Caspar Rico near the equator. 82. SHOBT-TAILED ALBATBOSS. Diomedca albatrus Pall. Geog. Dist.— Pacific Ocean, including western coast of Africa, northward to Bering Sea. This Albatross inhabits the Pacific Ocean at large. It breeds on the lonely islands west of the Sandwich group. It is also supposed to breed on some of the islands off the coast of China and Japan and on some of the Aleutian Islands. This species requires many years before it attains perfect plumage, but the young are said to be easily distinguished from uif/ripes. It is a constant attendant of whaling vessels, feeding on the scraps of blubber or refuse thrown from the ships. It is easily caught with hook and line, and when taken on board is said to be unable to rise from the deck, as it requires a long range of surface on which to flap its wings. The single egg which this species deposits is white, equal-ended, and measures 4.20x2.60. It is laid on the bire ground. 83. YELLOW-NOSED ALBATBOSS. Thala88ogeronculminatm(Gou\A.) Geog. Dist. — Indian and South Pacific Oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon. Supposed to be a rare visitant on the Pacific coast north of the equator. A dead specimen answering the description of this species was washed up on the beach near the Golden Gate, and an example is said to have been taken as far north as the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon. It breeds on the islands of the Southern Indian and South Pacific Oceans. A single egg is laid. A specimen of the egg of this species, which was collected by Captain Thomas B. Lynch, at Diego Ramirey Islands, near Cape Horn, February 8, 1886, measures 4.30x2.72, and is dull white, faintly speckled with lavender and purplish. The specks form an indistinct wreath at the larger end, in tne same manner that the eggs of Leach's Petrel are often marked. In fact, Mr. Norris says that this specimen looks like an egg of the latter seen through a powerful magnifying glass. Incubation in this case was slightly advanced. The nest consisted of mud scraped together in a heap on the ground. Mr. Emerson has an egg of this albatross which measures 4.68x2.68; it was taken by Captain Lynch at Diegos Kavnen's rocks, S. by E. fifty-two miles from Cape Horn, January 12, 1880. The egg was fresh. The nest was composed of grass and mud on the outside, and lined with fine grass and feathers. The diameter outside at the top 12 inches.and at the base 18. Inside it was 10 inches broad by 5 deep. It was built on the top of rocks on a loamy plain. The data accompanying Mr. Eraerson's specimen states that the nests are placed close together, and they are very nicely and solidly built, lasting two or three seasons even In that hot climate.* Rligway gives the size of the egg as 4.18x2.63. Mr. Crandall has an egg collected by Capt. Lynch which measures 4.11x 2.73. This was on the same island as recorded above — 52 miles from Cape Horn. 84. SOOTY ALBATBOSS. Phfrbetrin fntiqinosa (Gm.) Geog. Dist.— Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, northward to the coast of Oregon. A great ocean wanderer, more common in the South than in the North Pacific regions. A rare visitor to the coasts of North America. This dusky species breeds on the islands off the coast of China and southward. It nests commonly on the Islands that lie southeast of Africa, namely: Prince Edwards, Crozete, Kerguelen Islands and others. Here they breed in October and November, placing the nest in the cavity of some high, perpendicular rock. The nest is a conical mound, 7 or 8 iuches high, hollowed at the top and rudely lined with grass. The single egg which this species * Omlthologist and Oologist, Vol. XI, pp. 21-22. II '! ■h f- i li ( , 1 i ■ I 48 NESTS AND BOGS OF fH. Sooty Albatross (After Audubon). lays is described as white, very long in proportion to its thickness; sometimes it la marked with spots about the larger end; size 3.95x2.63. The cries of this Albatross are said to be very loud, and not unlike the calls of a cat. In November, 1885, Capt. Thomas B. Lynch collected eggs of this species at Diego, Ramirey Islands, flfty-two miles off Cape Horn. One of these eggs is in the collection of Mr. Crandall. The nest was built up from the ground about two feet and was constructed of mud. Tbe egg is dull white in color, very long and narrow, the large end sprinkled with pur- plish red. Size, 4.53x2.45. 85. GIANT FULMAB. Ossifraga gigantm (Gm.) Geog. Dist.— Southern oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon. The largest of the Petrels, known as "Mother Gary's Goose," "Giant Petrel" and "Bone-breaker." In size it equals many of the Albatrosses, measuring about three feet in length, with a spread of wings seven feet. The Albatrosses and Petrels are noted birds, of gull-like form, variegated with black and white or uniformly sooty color. They are birds of the ocean, rarely landing except to breed. Among the S'^amen and whalers this large species is known as "Molly-hawk," "Gong," "Glutton Bird," "Nelly." It breeds on the islands of the South Seas — Bouvets, Prince Ed- wards, Crozete and Kcrguelen Islands are some of its breeding places. Said to breed late in December, making the nest on elevated ground some distance from the sea. The Giant Fulmar Petrel also nests on the Falkland Islands, which lie east of the entrance of the Strait of Magellan in Southern South America. Dr. J. H. Kidder found this species In considerable numbers in the vicinity of Kerguelen Island, feed- ing on the carcass of the sea elephant. Its voracity and filthy habits reminded him strongly of the vultures. Like vultures, the birds so crammed themselves that they were unable to rise from the ground.* The egg is described as dirty white in color, rough to the touch, and its shape like that of a common goose; size 4.25x2.66. 86. FULMAB. Fulmarus glacialis (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — North Atlantic, south on the American coast to Massachusetts. * Bulletin of the Nation ^ Museum No. 2, p. 24. SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 49 t. — Southern 86. Fulmar (From Brehm). ?," "Glutton mtlc, south This species is commonly called Fulmar Petrel. It is found in light and dark phases of dress. Abundant in the North Atlantic and in the Arctic Oceans of America, Europe and Asia. The Fulmars constantly attend whaling ships out at sea and feed on the blubber of the whale, which they devour with voracity. This species is exceedingly numerous in the North Atlantic, congregating in thousands at St. Kllda, the most western of the Hebrides, on the west coast of Scotland. Others of Its favorite breeding places are the Faroes, which are farther north; Iceland, Spitz- bergen and Greenland. On some of the rocky islands off the coast of Spitzbergen thousands of Fulmars breed in company with Brunnich's Guillemot, Black Guillemot, and the Kittiwake Gull. The abundance of the Fulmar at some of its breeding places in Greenland is something astonishing, nesting as they do in myriads on the inac- jessible cliffs in mountainous places, depositing the single white egg in the crevices or on the ledges of rocks facing the sea. The young are at first fed by regurgitation, upon oil which is of a clear, amber color. This the birds, old and young, vomit upon the slighteat provocation, imparting to them, their nests, and even their breeding grounds a disagreeable odor. The oil is one of the important commercial productions of St. Kilda. The single egg is pure white; in shape resembling a hen's; shell brittle. Four eggs from Iceland measure 2.96 by 2.04, 2.74 by 1.91, 2.99 by 2.02, 2.97 by 2.01. 86a. LESSEB FXJLUAS. Dlst.— North Atlrntlc. 5 Fulmants glaclaUB minor .Kjeerboelling. Geog. Lli"*" i'l! 50 VB8TB AND EQQB OF 86a. Lesser Fulmar. This subspecies occurs as far north on the American side as the coast of New England. It is a smaller race than the typical F. ylacialis. 86b. PACIFIC FTJLMAB. Fnlmarus glacialis yluimvha (Stejn.) Geog. Dist.— North Pacific, south on the American coast to Mexico. This race is also known in light and dark phases of plumage. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger found it breeding in enormous numbers in suitable places on the islands in Bering Sea off the coast of Kamtschatka. Their rookeries were in high and steep rocky bluffs and promontories, rising out of the sea 300 to 800 feet. Dr. Stejneger says: "I have spent hours under their rookeries listening to their whining voice and watching their high and elegant flight in sailing out and in and around the cracked rocks, like bees at an immense bee-hive." The egg is single and pure white. Five eggs collected on Copper Island, July 12th and 13th, exhibit the following dimen- sions: 75 by 49, 71.5 by 48.5, 71.5 by 51, 68 by 50, 71.5 by 48.5 mm.* These eggs all belonged to the dark phase of birds. 86c. BODGEB'S FULMAB. Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii (Cass.) Geog. Dist. — Bering Sea. Rodger's Fulmar is similar to the preceding, but there is no dark phase known. Mr. Nelson says: "All of the Bering Sea i(ilands situated off shore and north of the Aleutian chain are frequented by these Fulmars during the breeding season." Mr. Elliott found them breeding upon the Fur Seal Islands and says that they are the only species of the petrel kind found about this group. They reach these islands very early in the season and repair to the cliffs, especially on the south and east shores of St. George's Island, where, selecting some rocky shelf on the face of the cliff, safe from all enemies except man, they deposit a single egg upon the bare rock and proceed at once with the incubation. They are very d.ivoted to their eggs, and Mr. Elliott states that they may even be pelted to death with stones before they will desert their charge. The eggs are laid by the 1st to the 5th of June, and measure about 2.90x1.90. The color is soiled white; the shell is rather rough and tlie egg is scarcely more pointed at one end than the other. ^ *2M by 1.99, 2.85 by 1.90, 2.85 by 2.00. 2.67 by 1.96, 2.8B by 1.90. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 51 87. SLENDER-BILLED FULMAB. Fulmarua glacialoides (Smith.) Geog. Dist. — Seas of the Southern Hemisphere, and northward along Pacific coast of North America. The nesting habits and the eggs of bird are, so far as I can ascertain, unknown. 88. CORY'S SHEARWATER. Puffin us borcalis Cory. Geog. Dist.— Off the coast of Massachusetts. This species was described by the late Charles B. Cory in the Bulletin of the Nuttal Ornithological Club, Vol. VI, April, 1881, p. 84. A number of specimens of this bird were taken near Chatham Island, Cape Cod, Mass., on the 11th of October. We have no knowledge of its nesting habits or eggs. ist of New 89. GREATER SHEARWATER. Pufflnus major Paber. Geog. Dist.— At- lantic Ocean. A wanderer over the entire Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes seen in immense flocks skimming the billows in its light and graceful manner, similar to the smaller Petrels. Its flight is described as most beautiful, gliding as it does through the air without visible motion of its wings. It abo swims and dives with ease. Common Atlantic and Wandering Shearwater are other names by which it is known. There appears to be very little knowledge in the regard to nesting habits of the Greater Shearwater. It is known, however, to breed in the Islands of the North Atlantic and is often confounded with other species of Shearwaters. Dr. Brewt- describes an egg of this bird, collected on an island of South Greenland, as being nearly oval In shape, with a ground color, original iy white, but soiled by the peaty black earth from which it was excavated; size ?.. 88x2.00. Another from the same locality is of smaller size, and yellowish-white, which measures 2.75x1.85. 90. MANX SHEARWATER. Pvfflnus pufflnus (Brunn.) Geog. Dist.— North Atlantic, chiefly the eastern side; rare or casual off the North American coast (?). In many places in the regions of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas and the Grecian Archipelago this is a common species. It Is said to wander to Greenland. Breeds on the islands of Pantellaria, Gozo, Malta, and other smaller Islands of the Mediterranean, depositing a single pure white egg on the bare ground, in crevices, or under fragments cf rocks. This species also breeds on the islands off the southern coast of France, where It nests in cavities under rocks, laying upon the ground. The eggs are described as pure white, sometimes tinted with Eray, measuring 2.36x 1.62. The principal food of this bird is fish, mollusks and crustaceans, which it col- lects from the surface of the water. 91. FINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER. Pvfflnus creatopus Coues. Geog. Dist. — Pacific Ocean; on the American coast from Lower California to Juan Fernandea Islands. Little is known concerning this Shearwater and nothing whatever concerning Its eggs. • 98. AXTDUBON'S SHEARWATER. Pufflnus auduhoni Finch. Geog. Dist. — Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey southward. Audubon's Dusky Shearwater Is found on the Atlantic coast of the United States from New Jersey to Florida. It wanders to the coast of Africa, where it is said to breed on the islands lying on the west coast. It breeds in the Bermudas and the Bahamas, and nests especially in abundance on most of the uninhabited Keys of the 52 NB8T8 AND E(f08 OF latler group; liure lliey breed in Marcb, depcsiting the single white egg in holes in rocks. A r.est is made conslsUng of a fow dry twigs. Both sexes Incubate and when caught on the nest the birds do not offer any resistance. The egg of this species is of a clear chall1. BULWEB'S PETBEL. Bulweria buliceri (Jard Sz Selby.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern Atlantic, including coasts of Europe and Africa. This petrel is known to breed on the Canary and Madeira Islands and others on the northwestern coast of Africa It is said to be a^ occasional visitor to the Bermudas and accidental in Greenland. It nests in burrows in the soft earth under overlying boulder-rocks and in deep crevices in cliffs. The bird is stated to be nocturnal In Its habits, never flying about In the daytime. The single egg which this species lays is oval In shape, equal-ended, and pure white in color; sizes range from 1.59 to 1.76 long, by 1.17 to 1,23 broad. 102. PINTADO PETBEL. Daption capensis (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, north to about latitude 25**. Accidental on the coasts of California and England. This petrel Inhabits the Southern seas generally. It is known as the Cape Pigeon and Damler. Its eggs are at present unknown. The shape of the bird very much resembles that of a pigeon, as will be seen by the illustration. 54 NBBTB AND EOOB OF |l 103. Caps PiQBON (From Brehm.) It I'! I ij 103. LEAST PETBEL. Balocyptcna microaoma Coues. Geog. Diet.— Coast of Lower California. A set of one egg of this queer little petrel is in Mr. Crandall's collection; it is pure white in ground color, with a ring of minute black specks around one end and a few scattered over the other; it is short elliptical oval in form, and measures l.OOx.72. It was collected by Mr. A. W. Anthony on San Benito Island, Lower Cali- fornia, July 26th, 1896. The egg was laid on bare rock under a loose slab of stone. 104. STORMY PETREL. ProeeUaria pclmjivn Linn. Geog. Dist.— Atlantic Ocean; on the American side from the Newfoundland Banks northward. West coast of Africa and coast of Europe. The "Mother Carey's Chicken" of the sailors. Common in various portions of the Northern Atlantic; rarely found near land except when breeding or during severe storms. It is not known to breed on the Araerican coast, but it does in various por- tions of the Atlantic coast of Europe. In the Mediterranean it breeds in abundance. r.'csts commonly on nearly all the islands en the coast of Scotland — the Hebrides, Chetland, Orkneys and Faroes; laying is begun in the latter part of June. Dr. Coucz says: "This is tne rarest of the three little black white-rumped 'Mother Carey s chickens* of our Atlantic Coast, easily distinguished by its short legs and square tail; Leach's, the most numerous, is also short-legged, but larger and fo 'i- tailed; Wilson's is intermediate, with square tail, but very long, stilt-like legs, flat clav.'s, and a yellow spot on the webs." The single egg is deposited in holes in high •cliffs nv in burrows made by the birds under boulders lying on the ground. The NORTB AMEKIVAN BIRDS. U U lOi. Stouuv Petrel (From Dfehmj. cavity is lined vntn. iwigs and leaves, 'i lio egg is wliite, obscurely dotted with red- dish brown oa the larger end; ^izcs range from 1.09 to 1.12 long by .78 to .83 broad. 105. FOBK-TAILED PETBEL. Oceanodroma furcata (Gmel.) Geog. Dlst.— Pacific Ocean, on the American coast south to Oregon. On all of the less populated islands of the Aleutian group as far east as Unalaska this species is found breeding in the month of June. The nests are made in burrows or holes about a foot deep in steep banks; the termination of the cavity being thinly lined with fine roots- and dry grass. This species, like Leach's Petrel, when caught has the habit of ejecting a reddish oily fluid which has a strong, disagreeable smell; the nest, eggs, and even the old dry skins of the birds arc forever infected with it. . 56 NE8T8 AND EGOS OF A small colony of these graceful petrels were found breeding on Copper Island, in Bering Sea, by Dr. Stejneger. The eggs were taken July 12th, a single one In each nest, were deposited in deep holes in the steep basaltic rocks, three feet or more deep, and it was only with great difficulty that a few could be secured. Some males and some females were taken in the nests. The eggs were in different stages of in- cubation, white without gloss, with minute dark specks evenly dusted over the blunt end; in one the specks were a little larger, purplish-black, forming a circle around the blunt end. Three eggs measure 34x26, 32.5x25, 34x26.5 mm.* 106. LEACH'S PETBEL. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieill.) Oeog. Dlst.— North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel at various seasons of the year wanders over a large portion of the watery expanse of the globe. It breeds in the months of March, April, May, June, July and August, according to locality, in the northern latitudes of Eu- rope, Eastern anu Western No^'th America. On the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine northward it nests ;';enerally in June and July. Thousands breed on eome of the islands on the northern New England coast, especially those in the vicinity of Grand Manan and the small islands of Casco Bay. Th;e offensive reddish, oily fluid with this species almost invariably ejects when handled or irritated prob- ably serves as food for the young. The male and female assist in the duties of in- cubation and often both sexes may be found sitting side by side in their burrow. Eggs collected on the Atlantic coast are chalky-white, finely dotted on the larger end, often in a circle, with purplish-red and lilac. Twenty specimens average in size 1.34x1.00. On approaching the breeding ground of the petrels, not one of them is to be seen. Many of the birds are far out at sea, and as night comes on those in their burrows come forth and those out at sea return, and the air seems alive with them fitting about like bats and uttering* their peculiar clattering notes. V ' 106. 1. GUADALUPE PETBEL. Oceanodroma macrodactyJa (Bryant.) Geog. Dlst. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California. Mr, Bryant describes this species as being similar to 0. leucorhoa, but larger and darker. White of upper tail coverts more restricted, and the ends of coverts broadly tipped with black. Pileum darker than back, lighter anteriorly. Bill broader and deeper at base than that of levrorhoa. He records this petrel as nesting in March on Guadalupe Island, which is situated two hundred and twenty miles southward and westward of San Diego California. Here he found the birds breeding in bur- rows under boulders. and fallen branches; these places were from one to three feet in length, at the extremity of which were enlarged ohambers where the single egg w~> laid upon a few pine needles. The egg, Mr. Bryant describes as shaped much like that of a pigeon's, white in color, one end being wreathed with a fine spattering of minute dots of reddish-brown and pale lavender.f The av ^rage size of fifty eggs taken March 4th and 5th, is 35.7 by 27 mm. or 1.40x1.06 Inches. u 107. BLACK PETBEL. Oceanodroma mslania (Bonap.) Geog. Dist.— South Pacific, northward to Lower California. Specimens of this species have been taken at Cape St. Lucas and other Islands of Lower California, and its eggs as noted below. Mr. Chauncey W. Crandall has in his * 1.34x1.02, 1.28X.98, 1.34x1.04 Inches. t Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe la'and. By Walter 'B. Bryant I, California Academy of Science. Bulletin Geog. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. S7 collection a set of one egg of this rare and little known species. The egg is pure white in color with no marks of any kind, elliptical oval in shape and measures 1.44x1.08. It was taken by Mr. Anthony on San Benito Island, Lower California, July 25th, 1896. The egg was deposited on bare ground at the end of a burrow about three feet long. 108. ASHYPETBEL. Oalifornia. Ofeanndroma homochroa (Coues.) Oeog. Dist. — Coast of 1 1 108. NXST AMD Eca OP THE ASHV PBTRBL ON TBB FaRALLONB ISLANDS. (FrODl Th* NidthgUt^ Mr. A.M. Ingcrsoll first found the egg of this species on South Farallon in June, 1885. He described the egg as dull creamy-white, with a circle of reddish spots around the large end, so flne as to be almost indistinct. The large end is soir-jMr^at flattened, like the large cud of an acorn. It measures 1.18x.94.* This, Mr. Emerson informs me, is the rarest of the birds that breed on the Farallons; nesting anywhere in cavities under boulders, laying a single egg. Two eggs collected June 15, 1885, and June 8th, 1886, measure respectively 30x23, 31x23.5 mm.f The following on the Ashy Petrel is by Mr. C. Barlow in Thu Museum for December, 1894: J "They nest throughout the island preferably beneath stone piles on the ground. They fly about only at night. One egg is laid which is of a creamy white color both before and after * Ornithologist and Oologlst, Vol. XI, p. 21. 1 1.18X.91, 1.22X.93 inched. t Mr. Barlow has also contributed a lengthy article on the nesting of the Ashy Petrvi in The Nidologist for August. 1894. ti WMBTB AND MOQB OF being blown. It !■ uiually but very faintly spotted about tbe large end and often wholly unmarked. I have but one egg which is well marked and it has a wreath about the large end composed of irregular ^ots of light reddish-bro^n. The eggs of this Petrel average considerably emaller than those of Leache's. The measurements of seven eggs are as follows, the extreme sizes being given first: 1.26z.89. 1.22x.89. 1.20X.89, 1.20X.87. 1.19x.86, 1.13x.89 and l.llx.87 inches." 108. 1. SOCOB.BO PETBEL. Oeeanodrotna socorroensis Townsend. Oeog. Dist. — Coasts and Islands cf Lower California. This is a new species of petrel just added to the avifauna of North A ■ jerica. A specimen of the egg of this bird is in the extensive collection of Mr. Crandall. It was collected by Mr. Anthony, the well-known ornithologist. Mr. Crandall says: "My set of this species is pure white with a ring of pale lavender or pinkish specks around the large end, elliptical ovate in shape, and measures 1.22x.85. It was collected by Mr. A. W. Anthony on Coronado Island, Lower California, July 10th, 1896, and was laid on the bare ground at the end of a burrow abo it three feet long." 109. WILSON'S PETBEL. Oceanites oceanijua (Kuhl.) Geog. Dist.— Atlantic and Southern Oceans. Wilson's Stormy Petrel is one of the best known and commonest of the smaller petrels. It is to be met with nearly everywhere over the entire watery surface of the world— far north in the ley regions of the Arctic seas and south to the sunny isles of Southern oceans. Its gen- eral habits are the same as those of Leach's Petrel. Dr. J. H. Kidder found it on Ker- guelen Island, southeast of Africa. He had previously seen them at the sea coast oft the Cape of Good Hope, and, on December 14, saw them out by day feeding on the oily matter floating away from the carcass of a sea-elephant. The birds, he says, frequent the rocky parts of hillsides, and, flitting about like swallows, they catch very minute insects. Dr. Kidder remarks that he never succeeded in finding the egg, but learned from Rev. Mr. Eaton, who found one on Thumb Moun- tain December 8, that this species nested under large rocks not far from the beach. The egg found was white. The species was supposed to nest among and under the rocks, habitually, at considerable elevation above the sea. 109. Wilson's Stormv Petrel. dd an Sc ai bi 81 Di^ 110. WHITE-BELLIED PETBEL. Cymodnma fjrallaria (Vlell.) Geog, pigt,— Tropical oceans; accidental on the coast of Florida. A single insiance of this petrel having been taken on the coast of Florida en- titles It to a place in the North American avifauna. We know nothing regarding (ts nidification. Geog. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 59 111. WHITE-VACED PETBEL. PeltCffodroma marina (Lath.) Geog. Dist. — South Atlantic and Southern Seas; casual off the coast of Massachusetts. This petrel with a remarkably long, slender bill and very long legs, has been once taken off the coast of Massachusetts. As far as I can learn this species has the same habits which are common to other petrels. Its nesting habits are the same — depositing as it does a single egg in burrows in the ground. Mr. Crandall has an authentic egg of this species which was taken at Otago, on the southeast side of South Island, New Zeala:id. The egg, in shape, is the same as that of Leach's Petrel and measures 1.37x1.02. It is well and rather heavily marked for«a petrel's egg, with brownish and purplish red in a ring about the larger end, and a few npecks and spots over the rest of the egg, except at the small end. .Ill :1 i I Geog. a ea- ,rding 112. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIBD. Phaethon flavlrostria Brandt. Geo;;. Dist. — Tropical and sub-tropical coast of America north to Florida. In appearance this bird resembles a large tern; the principal external peculiarity is its long middle tail-feathers; the general color of the plumage is white, llnged with salmon. Its habits are similar to those of the terns. It is inter-tropical in Its distribution, of a wandering disposition, breeding on the islands of mid-ocean thousands of miles apart. The bird is noted for its elegant, airy and long-pr. tizcted flight. On St. Bourdon, Mauritius and other islands east and south of .' Inda;^3car, this species breeds in the crevices of the rocks of inaccessible cliffs, and i". liollow trees. In the Bermuda Islands it nests about the first of May in holes iu liich "ocV-i' places along the shores. Here its favorite resorts are the small islf.nd2 of C'.reat Sound, Castle Harbor and Harrington Sound. According to Mr. Buck jnham* Trunk Island, Harrington Sound, seems to be a favorite resort of this species. IIo r.ys: "On the shore of this island are a great many crevices aiAong t'le rocks, whicli form the uesting places of this bird. I found two nests not more tiian a foot apart, and each nest had its bird sitting on an egg. The eggs are laid on the bare ground unless anything is handy with which to line the nest. The bird never lays more than one egg at a setting and has several settings each ccason. The eggs are chalky white, thickly spotted with chocolate-bro'vn becoming more dense at the larger end and often presenting a smeared appearance. In some specimens the color varies from a reddish l* .own to purplish chocolate, but the predominating color is chocolate- brown. The average measurement is about 2.23x1.53 in. The measurements of three specimens are as follows: 2.24x1.50, 2.19x1.54, 2.26x1.53 in. respectively. The first was found at the entrance of Shark's Hole, along the shores of Harrington Sound, in a hole in the rocks about five feet from the water. The second, on Trunk Island, Harrington Sound, in a crevice in the roclis. There wos nothinc in the nest for lining except a few feathers of the old birds. The third wac also found on Trunk Island under a pile of large rocks which had fallen down and formed a place for a nest. This was lined with some weeds and a few feathers." The Phaeton, as this bird is called, breeds in the Bahamas in holes in the perpendicular faces of cliffs and also on the flat surfaces of rocks. A single egc i3 laid, which has a ground-color of purplish brownish white, covered in some specimens almost over the entire surface with flne reddish chocolate-colored spots; in come specimens this coloring approaches blackness. The average size of the eggs is 2.21x1.54. 113. KED-BILLED TBOPIC BIBD. Phaethon athirciiH Linn. Geog. Coast cf tropical America,north on the Pacific coast to Lower California. Dist. < 'I M ' -t >ri • In The Museum, November, 1894, pp. 16-16. •so NESTS AND EOOS OF '^0^^. i 113. Rbd-billbd Tropic Bird (Prom Brebni)- , The Red-billed Tropic Bird occurs along the Pacific coast of South America, In the West Indies, and as far north as Cape St. Lucas. In one instance it is said to have straggled tj Newfoundland. Breeds on the various islands off the coast of Mexico. Its breeding habits are said to be like those of the Yellow-billed species. The eggs are creamy-white with a purplish tinge, marked with fine dots of chestnut- brown. The sizes vary from 2.20 to 2.37 in length by 1.55 to 1.70 in breadth. 114. BLUE-FACED BOOBY. Suhi cyunops Sund. Geog. Dist.— South Pacific, West Indies and Southern Florida. The Gannets are birds that resemble very closely the cormorants, and, again, they may be said to look like geese — a name often applied to them. They are large, heavy sea-birds, noted for their vigorous protracted flight. They procure their food by plunging into the water from a height, completely submerging themselves, often for several minutes. The Blue-faced Gannet inhabits the Souf^ern Pacific Ocean as far southwest as Australia. In some of the islands of the Paumotu Group this species deposits its eggs on the dry sandy beaches of lagoons. Both sexes incubate. When a colony of these birds is disturbed none of them leave their nests, but remain gravely nt their stations, and hiss at the intruder like a domestic goose. On the Bahamas this species nests in the latter part of March, laying filwaji NORTH AMEUWAH BIRDS. 61 two eggs. These are white, covered with a calcareoup deposit: sizes range from 2.46 to 2.60 long by 1.67 to 1.75 broad. 114. 1. BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY. Fiula yossl Ridgw. Geog. Dlst.— Islands in the Gulf of California, south to the Galapagos. Between the 15th and 28th of March, 1888, the late Col. N. S. Goss found this new species breeding on the San Pedro Martir Isle, situated in the Gulf cf California about midway between the shores. It is a rock about one and a half miles long, nearly as broad, and about 1045 feet in height, a little north of latitude 28°. Colonel Goss states that the birds make no nests and lay but one egg; this they drop upon the smooth rock, often in exposed situations, preferring the places where the guano has been removed and, in many casts, close beside the winding paths that were hourly trodden. No young birds were found, and from the condition of the many eggs examined, he was of the opinion thi.t the birds do not commence laying before the first of March. The average measurement of twenty-one eggs is given as 2.42x1.60. The ground color is greenish-blue, coated with a dull white chalky substance, but generally more or less stained with guano that generally gives them a dirty buff wuite look; in form elliptical ovate.* A specimen of the egg of this species in the collection of the late Capt. B. F. Goss measures 2.34x1.60. 115. BOOBY. Sula sula (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Tropical and sub-tropical coasts and islands of America, north to Georgia. The Booby Gannet is said to breed on some of the islands about the extreme southern coast of Florida. In the Bermuda Islands, anu in some Oi the Bahamas, and many of those along the coast of Central and South America, this Gannet congre- gates by thousands at its breeding places, where it deposits its eggs on the sand of the beaches, or on the bare rock; no nest whatever is made. The food of this species consists chiefly of flying-flsb and small mullets, which they disgorge in a half macerated state into the open mouths of their young. Audubon found mullets weigh- ing more than a half a pound in the bodies of the gannets he exami ed. In various islands of the southern oceans the Boohy constructs its nest of sticks and weeds on bushes and low trees. Here it is said to lay but one egg. Observations of those who have collected in the West Indies disclose the fact that the complete nest complement is two eggs. These are of a uniform dull, chalky white in color, with great variations in sizes, measuring from 2.16 to 2.64 long by 1.50 to 1.57 broad. 115. 1. BREWSTER'S BOOBY. Sula hrncsteri Goss. Geog. Dist— Islands of the Eastern South Pacific Ocean, northward to Lower California. This is another new species of Booby which was found breeding by Colonel Goss on San Pedro Martir Isle in the Gulf of California. The birds were not wild, but their nesting places, as a whole, were not in as exposed situations as those of the Blue-footed , they seemed to prefer the shelves and niches on the sides of the rocks. They lay two eggs, and in all cases collect a few sticks, sea-weed, and often old wing and tail feathers; these are generally placed in a circle to fit the body, with a view, it was thought, to keep the eggs that lie upon the rock from rolling out. There is but little material on or aoout the isle out of which a nest can be made. Colonel Goss says the birds must commence laying as early as the 10th of February, as young were found in many cases from half to two-thirds grown. The average measurement of seventeen eggs is given as 2.44x1.60. In color and form, as well as size, they are ill ! I • The Auk. V. p. 242. 62 NSarS AVD BOOB OF I Wl M; similar tc the eggs of the Blue- footed, in fact so nearly alike that when placed to* gether they cannot be separated with certainty. A set of two is in Captain G088' cabinet. These measure 2.40x1.70, 2.30x1.62 ;t:specMvely. 116. BED-FOOTED COOBY. Suhi piHcutor (Linn.) Oeog. Dist.— Coast and Islands of tropical and sub-tropical sea^., north to Western Mexico and Florida. The Red-footed Booby is characi:cri.7.ed by the same general habits as others of its family. Its nesting is essentially the same as that of the Blue-faced Gannet. Two eggs are laid, white in colui, c'ongat'B-ovate in shape, with a calcareous deposit on the kiurface; size, 2.57x1.80. 117. OANNET. Siiln hassana (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North Atlantic; south in winter to the Gulf ot Mexico and Africa. Breeds from Nova Scotia and British islands northward. ^^^%^@4^i 117. GANMBTa (hrom Brahm). em mos< land bree roch plac Thif Sma ing ren< of S( in d A 8 witl cart 3.60 tro] bod hen Sou tral eas fao NORTn AMERICAN BIRDS. 63 ed to» 0088' It and I. era of annet. eposit [1th in )riUsh 117. Gannets and Nests. The White Gannet, or Solan Goose, is widely distributed throughout the North- ern Atlantic Ocean, and is more or less a resident wherever found. Some of the most noted breeding places of this bird are on the islands about the coasts of Scot- land, notably the great Bass Rock at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Here it breeds in tens of thousands, with the Gulls, Cormorants and Puf&na that inhabit the rock. Another of its breeding stations is St. Kilda. The precipitous cliffs at this place rise to the height of 1400 feet. Here the Gannet breeds in countless numbers. This bird also nests on the Faroe Islands and upon islands on the coast of Iceland. Small colonies are to be found breeding in Labrador. One of its well-known breed- ing places on the coast of North America is "Bird Rocks," in the Gulf of St. Law- rence. The nests are built on the summits and ledges of the rocks. They are made of sea-weed, mud and small stones, raised to about ten inches in height and eighteen in diameter. In some cases the nest is made of straw and other available material. A single egg is laid. It resembles very much the average Brown Pelican egg, with, however, these differences: Its general shape is more elongated, and the cal- careous deposit on it Is thicker; the color is chalky-white; sizes range from 3.25 to 3.50 long by 1.65 to 2.05 broad. 118. ANHINGA. Anhiiuin aiihinya (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Tropical and sub- tropical America, north to the Carolinas and Southern Illinois. Known as the Water Turkey, Darter and Snake Bird. It often swims with the body submerged, its head and long neck in sight like some kind of water serpent — hence the latter name. This singular-looking bird is very common in summer in the South Atlantic and Gulf States to North Carolina, frequenting the almost impene- trable swamps. It is a constant resident of Florida. The bird dives with amazing ease, and when alarmed will drop from Its perch with scarcely a ripple on the sur- face of the water, and will swim beneath the surface to a safe distance before reap- :; 'U H : I 64 NESTS AND E008 OF * 118. Anhihca. pearing. It has also the curious habit of quietly sinking like a gr .he. The nests uf the Anhinga are variously placed — sometimes in low bushes at an elevation of only a few feet, or in the upper branches of a high tree, but always over water. Sometimes this bird breeds in large colonies with various species of Herons. The eggs are from three to five in number, bluish or dark greenish-white, with a white chalky incrustation; they are narrow and elongated in shape; the sizes range from 2.00 to ,2.30 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad. In Florida the Water Turkey deposits its eggs m April; many eggs are collectel in March, and a writer in The OolOffist (May, 1893, p. 149), states he has seen nests occupied in February. Mr. R. W. Williams, jr., in- forms me than the Anhinga will occupy the same nest year after year with little repairs. In a small swamp near Tallahassee the nests arc frequently found in close proximity to those of Ward's Herons. He states the Anlilnjja may be robbed of its eggs constantly and yet they will continue to nest in the same swamp. 119. COHrffORANT. Plialavrocorax carbo (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Atlantic coasts of Europe and America, south in winter on the coast of the United States, casually to the Carolinas. The Common Cormorant Is very generally distributed throughout nearly the entire northern hemisphere. It breeds in the northern parts of Europe and Asia, and in North America from the Bay of Fund^ to Greenland. The Cormorants are curious birds of strange figure; the outer surface of the plumage in most species normally is of a dark lustrous greenish-black, but subject to great changes, making their study very difiicult. The eyes as a rule are green, a color rarely seen in birds. They feed principally upon fish and their voracity is proverbial. This species breeds in va*5t numbers on the rocky shores of Labrador and Newfoundland; making the nest upon the tops of ledges or on projections and in the crevices of precipitous rocks, which are covered with the excrement of the birds. It is composed of sticks, kelp and sea weed. Like all the Cormorants this species is gregarious and breeds in communities. They are all known under the common name of Shag. Mr. Frazer 4' yoRTH AMERICAN BIRDH. U0. Cormorant. Phalacrocarax carbo. (From Brehm.) met with a colony of this Cormorant in company with the Double-crested species on the coast of Labrador. Many of the nests contained large young June 19. Nests of the Double-crested Cormorant were placed wherever the ledges would hold them, while those of the common species were built close to the top. The nests of the Common Cormorant usually contained four or five eggs, and several sets were taken of six. The eggs average larger than those of the Double-crested; the sizes vary from 2.38 to 2.65 long by 1.29 to 1.60 broad. Color, pale greenish; form, ellip- tical. 120. DOUBLE-CBESTED COBMOBANT. Phalacrocorax dilophua (Sw. ft Rich.) Geog. Dist.— Atlantic coast of North America; southward in the interior to the Great Lakes and Wisconsin. 6 66 NEBTB AND EOOB OF In Eastern North America the ouble-creHted Coruiorant or "Crow Duck" Is a common speclPH, breeding on the coast from the Bay of Kundy northward and In many of the inland lakes, reservoirs and marshes. It is said to liuvo nested years ago in Ohio, at the Licking County Reservoir, and otiier similar places in the northern part of the State. Mr. Walter Ralne tound nests of the Double-crested Cormorant, built on the ground, on a small island of Shoal Lake, Manitoba, in the second week of .June. The ground was do. ted all over with me eggs of White Pelican, Herring Gull and of this Cormorant. He states that the Cormorants' nests were irade of twigs and weeds.* On some of the rocky islands of the lakes and large, isolated bodies of water In Iowa and Wisconsin, this Cormorant breeds In great numbers. Mr. Frazcr met w.th colonies of it breeding on the islands and cliffs along the coast of Labralor. The nests were placed on ledges of the rocks; they were com- posed of sea weed and kelp, freshly pulled from the bottom of the ocean. None of the nests contained more than four eggs. On the islands of inland waters tuia Cormorant often constructs its nest on low spreading trees. The eggs in number range from two to four; bluish-green in color, with the usual chalky substance over their surface; sizes vary from 2.09 to 2.27 long by 1.35 to 1.50 broad. The eggs are of a more regular oval than those of P. carbo. Rldi coas the they who quit they Mr. I 120«. FLORIDA COBMOBANT. Phalarrorora.r dUophns fforldanus (Aud.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, northward In the interior to Southern Illinois. A smaller and more southern variety of the Double-(*rested species; resident In Florida and along the Gulf coast, where it nests in communities on the mangrove islands. The nests are always placed in mangrove bushes and are composed of the twiQ;s and very often lined with the leaves of this plant. Mr. Stuart has often ob- served nests made entirely of the branches of the mangrove, with the green leaves still on them. In the vicinity of Tampa and Charlotte Harbor the birds nest in May a.:d June, and below Cape Sable in the months of October and November. The eggs are three or four In number. Six selected specimens measure 2.30x1.43, 2.28x 1.38. 2.36x1.45. 2.25x1.40, 2.51x1.50, 2.42x1.40. I 120?). WHITE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Plialarnrcnrn.r dilopJiiis rhtrinatus (Brandt.) Geog. Dist. — West coast of North America, south to California. The late Maj. Charles E. Bendire met with this variety of the Double-crested Cormorant breeding in large numbers on several low, narrow islands of Lake Malheur, in the southwestern portion of Oregon. The birds began to lay al.out the 20th of April The islands were also occupied by White Pelicans and Great Blue Herons as breeding places. About two-'thirds of the Cormorants' nests were made on the ground, and they were composed of pieces of drift, small sticks, etc. The balance were placed on low greasevood bushes. They were lined with pieces of bark and tiilc and coarse grasses, and placed very close to the water's edge, so that when the lake was rough the water must have splashed into many of them. The eggs, four or fi\e III number, are described as being of an elongated oval, pale green, covered more or less with chalky coatings. They average 2.42x1.48. Major Bendire states that the largest set In a number exhibits the following m.oasurements: 2.86x1.60, 2.70x 1.65. 2.66x1.64, 2.70x1.60. A single egg was found measuring 1.80xl.20.t • The Oologlst, XII. pp. .1-6. t Ornithologist and Ooloffiat. VTl, p. 188. the mo! wit A 8 COx is I cha SdHTU A.\ltJHl(Ai\ BlKUti. 67 120r. FABALLONE COBMOBANT. I'halavriHMrax dilnphus albociUatua Rldgw. Geog. Dist.— Coast of California, south to Cape St. Lucas and islands of the coast of Mexico. This bird is as common on the Farallones as Baird's Cormorant, and it nests on the rough ridges or points of rocks overiool^ing the Islands. About the tirst of May they may be seen carrying weeds and dry sea kelp to their nesting sites where they construct a flat, Iooho and bulky platform, which is, on the whole, quite a shallow structure. Their nesling is similar to that of other Cormorants, and they may be observed sitting on their empty nests for hours at a time, probably, as Mr. Emerson suggests, for the purpose of working out the hollow of their nests with laOc A Cormorant Rookkrv on the Farallonk Islands (From AA- A7//»«'av>' i their large feet, for which purpose they are so well suited. By the middle of the month they have begun to deposit their lime covered eggs. These compare well with those of Brandt's Cormorant, and are a little larger than the eggs of Baird's. A set of five in Mr. Emerson's possession measure as follows: 60x50, 61x39, 62x39, 00x40, 62x39 mm.* respectively; these were taken May 20, 1886; their general form is rather ovate oval, and quite round at the greater end. Their color and general characteristics are the same as those peculiar to other Cormorants' eggs— light ♦ 8.36x1.57, 2.40x1.54. 2.44x1.54. 2.36x1.57, 2.44x1.54 Inches. 68 Ntara and aaaa op green lih In color and coated with a chalky subatance. Four egga aeera to be th* number commonly laid; both male and female aaaiat in the proceai of Incubation, one roraaining on the neit or beside It while the other is off on a short Ashing excursion.* 121. MEXICAN OOBMOBANT. Phnlarrororax mexiratnin (Brandt.) Oeog. Diat.— Southern United States, north to the interior of Kansas and Southern Illinois. The Mexican Cormorant is a tropical species found on the coasts and inland marshes of Mexico, Yucatan, and Central and South America, where it breeds. It is mentioned by Dr. Merrill as being a common summer resident In Southwestern Texas, In the vicinity of Fort Brown, where it doubtless nests in the dense growth of trees and bushes that border most of the lagoons. The breeding habits of this species are similar to those of P. d, flnridantm -congregating in large communltie.i and nesting in trees or bushes. In some places along the South American seacoast the bird nests on rocks as well an on shrubbery. The eggs are three or four in num- ber, greenish-white in color, with the usual chalky substance on their surface; sizea range from 2.10 to 2.35 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad. arc Com sped abou make each nesta lone by lecto - are chall as 66 122. BRANDT'S OOBMOBANT. Phalannrorax penicillatus (Brandt.) Oeog. DIst. — Pacific coast of North America, from extremity of Lower California to Waah- ington Territory. The most common of the Cormorants breeding ou the Farallones. Its habits are the same as those of the other species, but it is of a more sociable disposition, congregating in large communitieH to breed on the shelving rocks and ridges. It does not always choose the most inaccessible places for nesting. Like the others. It has great difficulty in constructing its nest, for as fast as It gathers the weeds to- gether, the thieving Western Gulls make away with them. So often are the Cor- morants molested in this manner that they frequently change their place of nesting. An interesting article entitled "A Cormorant Rookery," in The Vidoloffist for June- July, 1894, is by H. R. Taylor. I quote it almost entire: "A Cormorant rookery furnishes the observer with some queer sights. The great, ungainly birds crane their necks this way and that, uneasily and helplessly, fearing to scramble away Into flight lest they be robbed of their eggs or young. The latter, however, are not fascin- ating objects, being entirely naked and black as a kid glove. The parent bird will allow the intruder to approach sometimes within five feet before flying, at least such was my experience with the Brants' and the Farallone Cormorant on the Farollone Islands. It would seem that the Innate ugliness of the young Cormorant were aufllcient guarantee against Invasion, but to make their peculiar sort of defence more effective, I have seen Farallon Cormorants, when I came qnite near, go Into contortions and disgorge the contents of their gullets. Whether this di8,;a8ting performance were a method of defence, as I have suggested, or the result of pure fright, I am not prepared to say. Our illustrations, showing both old and young birds, is taken from a photograph of a rookery on an islet near Monterey, and is a characteristic picture of the summer home of Brants' and the Farallone Cor- morant. Bairds' Cormorant does not seem to breed so much in colonies, but fashions Its compact nest on some slight ledge under a crag, where it is often inaccessible. The nests become cemented with guano, and do service for more than one year. This Cormorant, on the Farall< nes, seems to fear that its claim will be "jumped" by some other bird, as it is often found in the nest when no eggs are laid; and if ita eggs ♦ From my article on the egss of this Cormorant in Forest and Stream, Vol. XXVIII, ». 168. NOKTU AMERICAN BlRUa. m > 0«og. Illinois. 1 inland arc taktn It returns to sit on th« nest as if notiilng had bappsnsd. While one Cormorant Is sitting, its mate brings it small fish to eat. This applies to the three species. I have seen in a rookery of Brandt's Cormorant many little fish scattered about the nest, which the Western Gulls were endeavoring, with some success, to make away with. While watching the Gulls the Cormorants must keep an eye on each other, for sometimes one bird will vteal the nesting material of another. The nests are coarsely constructed. In the rookery here referred to they were of Farai- lone weed, ali/»i' and sea moss. Some varieties of the most< were pulled up, I believe, by the birds from under the water, and it occurred to me at the time that a col- lector of sea moss could not do better than visit a Cormorant rookery." The eggs are three, usually four, sometimes five in number, light greenish-blue, with a chalky deposit on the surface. They measure as small as 56zS>e mm., and as large as 66.6x38 mm.* ) 123. PEL.40I0 COBMOBANT. Phalacntatrax pelagicutt Pall. Geog. Dlst— Aleutian and Kurile lalands, and Kamtschatka, south to Japan. This beautiful Cormorant is abundant in the Aleutian and Kurile Islands and those along the coast of Kamtschatka, where it breeds. Dr. L«9nba*'d Stejneger says it is a very abundant resident of Copper and Bering Islands, breeding on ail the most rugged and 8tet„ promontories which rise immediately from the sea, as well as on the outlying islets and stones. Eggs, three or four in number. Three eggs collected at Bering Island, June 8, exhibit the following < imenslons: 56 by 37.5, 53 by 37, 53 by 35 mm.t Two from Copper Island, taken Jut/ 14, measure 51 by 34.75, 58 by 35, mm.) The color and general characteristics of the eggs do not differ from those of other cormorants. liiSa. VIOLET-GBEEN COBMOBANT. Phalacrocorax pclaoirun robuHtu$ Rldgw. Geog. Diet.— Coast cf Alaska. On the rocky coasts and islands of Alaska the Violet-green Cormorant is very abundant. Here it nests on the ledges and projections of high cliffs, making the nests of sea-weed, grasses and aquatic plants, which are cemented together with the excrement of the bird. In all respects Its general habits, nesting and eggs, are similar to those of the Pelagic Cormorant. The average size of the eggs is 2.26 by 1.45. 123b. BAIBD'S COBMOBANT. Phalcurocorax pelayUiiH reaplciulena (Aud.) Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast of North America, from Cape St. Lucas north to Washing- ton Territory. On the Farallones this species Is less common than Phalarrnmra.T dilnphiiH alboriliatus or /'. iH'niviUatm. The nests are built more frequently on Inaccessible places. The same rookeries are used each season, the birds repairing the nests by adding a few pieces of weed or sea kelp. Colonies of eight or ten pairs nest on the sheh s of perpendicular or overhanging rocks. The birds will occupy the same nest after being robbed, and setting commences pfter the first egg is laid, in order to protect it from the gulls. Mr. Emerson says that by June the birds have begun to deposit tiielr eggs, which are three or four in number, pale greenish-blue In color, with the usual chalky coating. Mr. Bryant states that the tggs of Baird's Cor- • 2.20x1.50. 2.62x1.50 Inches. t 2.20x1.48. 2.09x1.45. 2.32x1.46 Inches. I 2.33x1.37, 2.28x1.38 inches. 70 NB8T8 AND BGOB OF .1 morant may usually be known by their small size, the average dimensions of thirty- six specimens (nine sets of four) are 65.5x36.6 mm.,* the largest 5dx36, and the smallest 62x35 mm.t 184. RED-FACED COBMOBANT. Phalwrocurax urile (Omel.) Oeog. Dlst— Islands of Bering Sea and coast of Kamtscbatka. The Red-faced Cormorant is a common species on the islands of Bering Sea, especially on St. George and Si. Paul Islands of the Prybilof Group. Breeds com- monly on some of the Aleutian Islands. Dr. Stejneger mentions it as being less com- mon on Bering and Copper Islands than /'. itcUti/ivuH. He states that the eggs of tho two species cannot be confounded; those of the Red-faced being considerably larger than those of the itvUujivuH, and the nreen color of the eggs when looked at through the shell is totally different, — much more bluish in the former, against yellow in the latter. The nests are built on the projections of the narrow shelves or ledges along the face of a cliff, the material used being seaweed, ferns, grasses, etc., which are matted together largely with the excrements of the bird Itself. The young are fed on small fish, crabs and shrimpd, and in i short time the nesting places become very filthy, as a large portion of the food brought by the old birds is strewn over and around the nests. The eggs vary in size from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.60 to 1.55 broad. Three eggn collected by Dr. Stejneger on Copper Island, July 14, measure 61x40, 68 5x39, 66x37 mm.| 125. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Pvlrvaum (rythrorhinirlius Omel. Opor. Dlst. Temperate North America, north in the interior to about latitude 61°, south to Central America; rare or accidental in the Northeastern States; abundant in the Middle Province and along the Gulf coast; common on the coast of California and Western Mexico. The White Pelican is generally common west of the Mississippi, breeding from Utah northward. It was formerly known to breed In various parts of Florida. The late Major Charles E. Bendire found it nesting in large numbers on several small islands of Lake Malheur, in southeastern Oregon. It is common on various lakes in the Red River Valley, In British America. In Ohio this bird must be considered a comparatively rare spring and fall migrant, occurring most frequently in the fall. In IS.'^S Dr. KIrtland records It as an occasional visitor. A specimen in spring plumage was taken in the State about fifteen years ago. In the fall of 1861 quite a large flock made their appearance in the vicinity of Columbus, one specimen of which Ik Htill preserved in the museum of the Starling Medical College. At this time Dr. Whenton observed three of these I)ird8 on the Scioto river. In 1875 a specimen was taken at Linking Respi'voir and preserved by Dr. Jasper. Dr. Langdon In "Summer Birds" says: Ona or two Instances of the occurrence of this species in summer in northern Ohio are noted by Mr. Porter. Mr. H. E. Chubb, a Cleveland taxideimiut. had one alive which was wounded and captured in Sandusky Bay February 7, 1881. The latest records I have concerning this bird In Ohio are as follows: One taken by Elliot Gilflllon on Big Walnut Creek September 15, 1892, ten miles south of Columbus, now in Dr. Jasper's collection; another Is reported to me by C. Sutter, taxidermist, Hamilton. Ohio, taken In September, 1892, at St. Mary's Reser- voir. Our illustration represents the portion of an island in Shoal Lake, Manitoba, photographed by Mr. V'niter Raine, who found It to be a very popular breeding g| ai aj tl i\ bl fll q1 ii d| *2.1Hxl.44 Inchea. t2..12xl.42. 2.05X1..W Inrhen. } 2.40xl.r)7, 2.()Oxl.l>4. i.Wx\M Inches. yoKTH AMFHttCAN BIRDfi. 71 ground of the White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, American Herring OuU and other species of water birds. As will be seen in the picture, the ground is dotted all over with the nests and eggs of these birds. It was about the middle of June, and the eggs proved to be fresh. I am informed by Prof. T.iarcus E. Jones that several thousand of White Pelicans are permanent residents of Great Salt Lalcc, Utah/ breeding on the islands twenty miles out in the lake. They begin to lay about the first of May or two weeks earlier, according to the season, and fresh eggs are fre- quently found as late as July. The usual number of eggs, he says, is two, rarely three or four. The birds make their nests on the ground between the clumps of white sage (A triplex coiifrrtlfaUa) that grow on the islands. They scrape the sandy soil into a heap about six inches on the outs'de of the nests and arrange dry twl^s without system; l!:o nests are about a foot in diameter with a slight de- pression at the top. Prof. Jones says the birds travel sixty miles to catch fish for 116. Whitc Pklican iProm Brabm) n NBarS AND MQQB Of a (3 I i A. i M i o ■ M a O u ■ M « s X ■ K 4 I » o « a M V M n B M a H k. O M s z 3 iS a m 3 ■ M a a S s o I M a V M m M X H b. O i2 z NORTH AMEUIVAN BIKitS. 73 themBelves and young, and they often vomit up the contents of their stomach on the ground, which, with the great heat on the islands at the nesting time, soon decaj. The stench of the roolieries and the noise of the birds are almost intolerable. Major Bendire found two to be the usual number of eggs laid, although three and four to a nest was by no means rare, and occasionally as many as five were found. The eggs are dull, chalky white in color, with a calcareous deposit oa them, and always more or less blood stained. Major Bendire gives the average size to be about 3.4S x2.30, and lueasurements of a few selected specimens out of several thousand are as follows: 4.08x2.15, 4.04x2.20, 4.01x2.19. 3.99x2.20, 3.72x2.40, 3.86x2.55, 3.87x2.32. 3.62x2.40, 3.60x2.40, 3.57x2.35, 3.20x2.51. 3.17x2.23. 3.20x2.21; two runt eggs, 2.69x1.88, 2.46xl.73.» 126. BBOWN 7SLICAN. Peltcanus fuscua Linn. Qeog. Dist.— Atlantic coast, of tropical and subtropical America, north to North Carolina; accidental in Illinois. This Pelican is an abundant bird and constant resident of Florida and south- ward into the tropical regions. It is said, when feeding, to plunge for its prey lilte a fannet, and does not scoop them while swimming, like the White Pelican. Like the white species, however, it selects particular localities for breeding, and will re- turn to them from year to year. Pelican Island, in the Indian River, Florida, is a noted breeding ground, where thousands congregate for this purpose. Here they breed in March and April. I take the following from an excellent article on the "Nesting Habits of the Brown Pelican in Florida," which appeared in the March number (1894) of The Oolo0Ht. It is from pen of Dr. Morris Oibbs, the naturalist and ornithological writer: A visit was made to Pelican Island. He says that the Pelicans, which had been studied for some time as they flew l)ack and forth, were the constant target at which all visitors shot, and it is a surprise that the birds do not leave the section. The Brown Pelicans, Dr. Gibbs states, have a love for a nesting spot and they adhere to a chosen site even when persecuted year after year. This rookery has been known to exist for over twenty years and the birds have been shot and robbed of their eggs and young annually for over a decade, and yet they persist in nesting in the same situation each spring. Nearly all the nests \wre built on the ground, although a few dozen were in the branches of the black mangrove trees which grew scantily on the north shore of the Island. The nests in the trees were more sul)stantial stracturen than those on the sand, but were of much the same materials, sticks, coarse grass and rank weed stalks, \ir. Stuart says they breed in lari^c communities on the islands along the Ciilf const, most always placing the bulky nests in mangrove trees: often as many iis a dozen nests are built in a single tree. They are made of sticks and weeds, lined with grasses. Many nests are also placed on tlie ground. Along the gulf coast fresh eggs may be found in May and .June. From two to five eggs are laid, three l)elng the most common number. Six selected specimens measure: 2.8.'jx1.9.', !{.02x2.04, ,1.03x1.87, 3.08x1.89, 3.00x2.01, .1.12x1.87. They are chalky white, and in every respect, except size, resemble those of the White Pelican. 127. CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN. I'rhrnniiM rallf't'iilniH Ridgw. Geog. Dist.- Pacific coast, from Hurrad Islet, Hrltisli Columbia, to the (Salcpagos. The general habits, nesting and eggs of the Hrown Pelican found on the Pacific coast are exactly the same as those of /'. fiisnix. It is a larger bird and has a red • C. .■itholuKlHt and OolovlMt Vul. VII, p. 130. * I 74 NESTS AND BOOS OF pouch during the pairing season, of Mexico, and inland marshes, and in the interior. It is said to breed on islands on the western co>>.dt Breeds abundantly in Honduras, along the cousts 128. MAN-O'-WAB BIRD. IrifiuUi aquiUi (Linn.) Oeog. Dist— Tropical and subtropical coasts generally; in America, north to Florida, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansas, casually to Nova Scotia and California. This great oird is known by several names, such as Frigate bird, Frigate relican, Man-o'-War 8 bird, and "Hurricane bird." The latter name comes from the West Indies, whero Ua appearance is said to be prognostic of bad weather, always flying low Just before a gale. It is a maritime b^.rd inhabiting tropical and subtropical coasts of the globe, but often wanders far from its home in the tropics. A specimen, which is now in the possession of Dr. Renshaw, of Sugar Grove, Ohio, was taken by Mr. Rmmet .\dcock in Fairfield county. Ohio, In the spring of 1880. The Frigate bird Is occHRionally mot with on the southern coasts of Europe and on those of Africa on Ascension Island and the Island of St. Helena. In the Atlantic U visits the Uermiidas. On the raclflc coast it wanders as far north as San Francisco, and breeds on islands off the coast of Western Mexico. It Is said to breed anywhere on the Gulf coast except at two points at Key West. This bird is noted for its majestic flight and graceful rerlal motions, often soaring to sublime elevations. It ;.:uay bo 118. Mai» > War Biku (Prom Brebm). Sintrn AMEiticAS Hiitns. 78 coy.6l :ou8ts 1 and msin, lican, Weat lying picaj mm, fiken igate je of 'isits nnd n on BStic y be It I'JH. Man-o'-War Bird, in ilovnward flifi'.i known by its immenbe wings und deeply forked tall, and coIofb of oiowi.lsh black, glossed with green. It is a constant resident of the Bahamas, brocd,- >; oa so'.ie ot llie Keys in March. One of tho best descriptions ever written con'eiu ng tlsi nesting and general habits of this species is that by Walter E. Uryant, ei. Ifled: "Rookery of Man-o'-\Vnr lUrciS," in Tin Mtluloni'^l, Septemliei. 189^. From tlii: article I take the following interesting facts: I'poii il»c nianp es bordering a irnall Ingoon on the eastern side of Santa Margarita island, on ihe islands nrniing '! ' spacious harbor of Magdalena Bay, Baja, t^ilifornia, h. .»nd an extensive nes.iiig colony of this species in 18S8-9. If the imagination ( m picture twice and three times the number of birds which appear in the illustratio ! will form but a partial conception of the number of individuals congn gated about the lagoon a tidal body of water a few hundred yards in length and not more ,:niain. but most of the nests have more or less projecting bits of twigs which keep the egg In place. The nest shown In the illustration had "rdbably been used once or twice, as ii is heavily Incrusted with guano of young l)iri and Is of more than average t!hick- \m watTM AMD awm of ! Its. Nrrt and Bou or Man-o'-War Bird (Prom TAt Nidologi$t). BMb, from nesting nialerial added each time it was used. Smooth as it appears Mr. Bryant obtained an egg from it on February 13, 1888. The principal feeding ground was out at sea, but an opportunity was never lost to rob the Cormorants, both of fish and materials brought for their aests. The Cormorants' rookery was in the iwme locality. An unmistakable odor of guano pervaded the rookeries and was noticeabl? h hundree' yards awny to leeward. 120. AMEBICAM MEXIGANSEB. Mvtffaiiarr (tmcricanuH (Cass.) Qeog. Dist.— North America generally. The Sheldrake, Uoosunder or Merganser, as it is variously called, is a common bird throughout North America, bree(S!ng from »he Northern States northward. It has lately been found breeding in New Mexico; Mr N. S. Goss having seen a female with four little ones July 2. ii the Pecos River.* Is very abundant on fresh as well as salt waters in spring and fall. The three species of Mergansers or Sheldrakes with the "saw-bUl" aro commonly called "Fish Ducks." Their flesh is rank and unpalatable. The malo may be recognized by Iiis laic^^ Ei::e, white breast and green gloHH on the head and nerk, the latter scarcely crested; the female, which is much smaller than the male, has a deep red hcud and neck, with the crest bettor de- veloped: tinder par'<» salmon-tinted. The nest is made in hollow troon, after the mauMPr of the Wood Duck, and is composed ol moss, leaves and KiHsses, warmly lined with down from the bird. i:» Northern Maine eggs are de|H>«lted l». the latter part of May or the first of .Itine. The eggs are 6 or 8 and sometimes 10 In number, of yellowish or buff color, anu measure from 2.50 to 2.80 by 1.70 to 1.80. Mr. A, H. (^all found u nest of this species on West River, a few miles below Newfane. Vt. It was in a hollow tree about Sfi feet above the river and 6 or 8 feet below the top of the en- trance. This was on May 14, and the nest contained sixteen well incubated eggs.f • Aul<. Vol. IV, 11. 344. t Tlio N'l.loloRit t, March, 1894. NORTH AMERICAN BlRDti. 199. Mbroansbr (Prom Brehtn). 130. BED-BREASTED MEBQANSEB. Mtrt/anHtr Htrrator (Linn.) Qeog. DlBt. — Northern portion of Northern Hemisphere; south, in winter, throughout th4 United States. An Inhabitant of the more northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere, being common to Europe, Asia and North America. In the latter coutinent it is more abundant than the M. amerlcanua. Very common in the United States in winter, where it is found breeding in suitable localities In the months of May and June. The Red-breasted Merganser breeds abundantly in Newfoundland, Labrador, the fur countries of British America and Alaska. It is a resident of Greenland and Iceland. It nests usually on the ground among brushwood, surrounded with tall iErrasses and at a short distance from water; most generally it is concealed by a projecting rock or other object. The nest is made of leaves and mos«es, lined with feathors and down, which are plucked from the breast of the bird. The number of eggs in a set varies from sii to twelve, usually about nine or ten; oval or elliptical in shape, and ▼try in slie from 2.48 to 2.65 long by 1.65 to 1.82 broad. The color is a yellowish or reddlsh-drab, sometimes a dull buffy-green. 131. HOODED MEROAN8EB. l,npho4vtfn onruUaius (IJnn.) Oeog. Di«t.— North America generally, aoiith to Mextco and Cuba. This handsome Merganser is an exclusively North American species. In suitable places throughout Its range, In wooded districts near water almost wherever It Oc- cam, It mav be found breeding. It nests in hollows of trees or stumps, lining the 78 NBSTa AND BOOa OF cavities with fine grassfca, leaves, feathers and down. In some locali- ties the bird is called "Water Pheas- ant" and "Hairy-head," Anyone can recognize the male of this spe- cies by its striking black and white colors and its magnificent, erect, compressed, semi-circular black and white crest. The general color of the head, neck, sides and upper por- tions of the female are grayish- brown; white beneath, and the crest is not so prominent. As many as 18 eggs have been found in a single nest ; ten or twelve, however, appear to be the most common numbers, and ofte.! as few as six are laid. They are of a Belicate pearly-white, rounded oval and Hi. sure from 2.05 to 2.25 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. ISl. UooDBD Mbkoanser, Male. [131.1.] SMEW. Mergua albcUim Linn. Geog. Dist. — In summer, Northern Europe and Asia; in winter, south to the Mediteranian, Northern India, China and Japan. Accidental in Northern North America. This is the Nun or the White-heade' Merganser of British authors. It Is found during the summer months in Northern Europe and Northeastern Asia. In Great Britain it is occasionally met with during the winter. It is admitted to our American fauna upon its accidental occurrence in Greenland.* 132. MALLARD. Anas hosrhas Linn. Geog. Dist. — Northern parts of North- ern Hemisphere; in America south to Panama and Cuba, breeding southward to the Northern United States. The Green-head, or Mallard, is one of the most highly esteemed ducks, its habitat being nearly cosmopolitan, and almost everywhere domesticated. It is the original of our btii-yard duck. A common bird in North America at large, breed- ing sparingly throughout the United States. In the sloughs and meadow marshes of the northern tier of the states this duck breeds more or less abundantly in the month of June. Rare in New England, scarcely found beyond Massachusetts, and is replaced farther northeast by the Black Mallard, or Dusky Duck. Mr. C. Barlow states that it is one of the most abundant species in California. He found it very numerous about the marphes in the neighborhood of San Jose, eggs being taken May l. In Greenland, Mr. Hagerup states that the Mallard is common the whole year round. Nests with eggs were found in May and June. The eggs of the Greenland Mallard, he adds, are considerably larger than those of the Danish bird; the former measure 2.36x1.73. the latter 2.20x1.61 inches. Mr. A. M. Shields writes mc that this is. perhaps, t>t« most common of the ducks in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cala., breeding from the first of April to the last of June, selecting for Its nesting place the tall grass in flel^te not far from a lake or river. The eggs are six to ten in number, pale, yellowish drab, or olivaccous-green, but most generally the latter color when fresh: elliptical: average size. 2.25x1.25. %<7'. All**. Auk XIII. 1K%. 164, 243. NORTH AMUHHAN lilKDS. 79 133. BLACK DUCK. Ana» vbanira Qmel. Qeog. Dlst.— Eastern North Ameri- ca, west to Utah, Texas, north to Labrador, breeding from the Northern United States northward. The Dusky Duck, or Black Mallard, Is much less common in the interior than along the Atlantic coast. The characteristic and one of the commonest ducks of New England, where It breeds at large, and from thence northeastward, but is most numerous during the migrations. The eggs are from six to twelve in number, usu- ally seven or elglH; are elliptical, or nearly so in shape; measure about 2.30x1.70, and vary from pale buff to pale greenish-buft. Incubation period is from the last of April to the early part of June. The nest is placed on the ground, in grass or rushes in the neighborhood of ponds, pools, and streams, in meadows and sometimes in swamps. It is a large and neatly arranged structure of weeds and grass, nicely hollowed and lined with down and feathers from tte breast of the bird.* In rare instances it has been known to nest in the hollow of a tree, or a "stub" projecting from the water of a swamp. Mr. Prazar found the nest of this Duck in Labrador usually placed upon the "outreaching branches of stunted spruces," which are seldom higher than four feet. The bird may be known by its resembling the female of the Mallard, .1. boscUun, but darker in color. 134. FLORIDA DUCK. Anaa fulriffula Ridgw. Geog. Dist.— Florida, Kansas. This is a local, lighter colored speci<8, which is resident In Florida. They are smaller than the northern birds. The eggs are deposited during the first and second weeks in April. They are similar to those of the Black Mallard, but smaller, averaging 2.15x1.61. 134a. MOTTLED DUCK. Anaa fulvigula maculoaa (Senn.) Oeog. Dist.— East- ern Texas and north to Kansas. The types of this subspecies were taken by Mr. J. A. Singley in the latter part of March and the first part of April, 1889, in the marshes between the Nueces river and Nueces bay. A male and female were shot and in the oviduct of the female a fully developed egg was found. Mr. Singley informs me that the egg could not be differentiated from those In a set of Florida Duck's eggs, A. fiilviniila. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of seven eggs of the Mottled duck, taken in a large marsh near Iberia, La. The nest consisted of a foundation of rushes lined with down, and was placed on top of an old muskrat nest. The eggs are nearly elliptical in shape, of a pale greenish buff color and measure as follows: 2.14x1.57, 2.15x1.58, 2.23x1.53, 2.18x1.55. 2.25x1.60, 2.17x1.60, 2.19x1.58 inciies. 135. GADWALL. Anas atrepera Linn. Geog. Dist. — Nearly cosmopolitan. In North America breeding chiefly within the United States. The Gadwall, or Gray Duck, is a widely diffused species in most parts of the world. In North America, during the breeding season, it may be found nesting anywhere, especially south of the British Provinces. Common in meadows, and in grain fields near marshes and lakes in Minnesota, nesting in the middle of June and depositing from eight to twelve eggs in a cavity of the ground. Mr. A. M. Shields states that this Duck is a resident in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., but is not met with In great numbers. He found a nest containing eleven eggs on April 16, these were apparently about two weeks incubated. The nest was a slight hollow, amongst a thick bunch of weeds, six feet from lae water's edge; it was com- * OoloKy of New England, p. 98. M NWBTa AND BOOB OP posed of nne irrnsfl, and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are clay color or creamy bufT, ellSptiral In shape, and measure 2.09 by 1.57. 136. WIDGEON. lnfM prnrloiw Linn. OeoK. DlBt.— Northein part of the Old World. In North America breeda In thn Aleutian Islands. Occurs occasionally in the Eastern United States. The European Widgeon, in Its size and general character, resembles the Ameri- can Widgeon or Ualdpatc. In the south of Scotland and throughout England it is an abundant winter visitant; a few remain to i)reed on the islands of the lochs in the northern portions of Scotland. It breeds in Norway and Sweden, and is the most abundant of the diicka that i)reod in Lapland, nesting in the grassy swamps and lakes midst tall rushes, the material for the nest being rends and grasses, with a warm lining of down iind fnathcrs from the bird's body. The eggs are five to eight In number, and their color is pale buff; their average size Is 2.23x1.53. 137. 3ALDPATE. .\iiaH onurUnun Gmel. Geog. iJist.— North America, from the Arctic Ocean south to Guatemala and Cubp,. Th«' .\nierlran Widgeon or Haldpate Inhabits North America at largo, breeding anywhere in siiltablo localities. This is one of the neatest of our ducks, and may be known by the spotted neck and head. The latter is white on top; the speculum green and black; the lower neck, scapulars, sides and upper breast chestnut-red, tinged with ashy, finely banded, all but the breast, with dark brown. The greater upper wing covertH are white, tipped with black, and the under parts are pure white; the bill and feet are grayish-blue. The female Is similar, but lacks the white crown ana Iridescence on the head. There Is a great variation in the normal coloration of the plumage, aside from age or sex, but as Dr. Coues says: "The bird cannot be mistaken under any condition; the extensive white of the under parts and wings is recognizable at gun-range." The nest of this species Is made on the ground and In marshes, composed of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and nicely hollowed; it is usually lined with the down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are pale buff, eight to twelve in number, measuring 2.00 by 1.50, with slight varia- tions. 138. EUBOPEAN TEAL. Ana» rrevva Linn. Geog. DIst.— Northern part of the Old World. Casual in Eastern North America and the Aleutian Islands. This duck, which resembles very closely our American Green-winged Teal, is of Irregular occurrence in Eastern North America. In the northern portions of Europe It is very common, especially throughout Norway and Sweden. Breeds in abundance all over Lapland and in Northern Russia. Mr. Mathew Clugston informs me that this duck is quite common in Scotland, where it nests in the grassy herbage about the edges of lochs. A few breed in various places In Great Britain— as far south as Suffolk, England, and also in Wales. It is known to breed on some of the islands on the west coast of Spain and thore on the northwestern coast of Africa. The nest is formed of grasses and reeds, warmly lined with feathers. In some places this duck's favorite breeding resorts are the bogs and marshes in grassy fields. The eggs are commonly eight to ten in number; and sometimes as many as fifteen are laid. They are yellowish-white, oval in shape, and measure 1.76 in length by 1.30 In breadth. NORTH AM ERICAS HlRltH. m 130. OBEEN-WINQED TEAL. Annii vaiftUnrmlit Qmel. Geog. Out.— North America, migrating aouth to HoDduraH and Cuba. This hundaome little Duck is exceedingly abundant throughout North America. It breeds from the northern borders of the rnlte' States northward to Greenland and Alaska. During the spring and fall migrations it la one of the most abundant of water fowl, frequenting the small brooks and ponds as well as the larger waters. It may be recognized by its Hmull size; the primaries of the wing-covets are of leaden-gray; speculum velvety purplish-black on the outer half, the Inner half rich green; bordered in front with chestnut, fawn or whitish tips of the greater coverts, behind by white tips of the secondaries, interiorly with purplish-black stripcH on the outer webs of the lengthened secondarieH. The bend and upper neck of the male are rich chestnut, blackening on the chin, with a glossy green patch behind each eye. There Is a white crescent In front of the wing. The female differs in the head markings, but those of the wing are the same. It is a well-known and highly es- teemed game bird. The nest Is placed on the ground, in a thick growth of grass, and is essentially the same as that of the Blue- winged Tenl. The eggn are from five to eight in number, greenish-buff In color, usually ovoidal in Hhape, sometimes nearly oval, and vary In size from 1.73 to 1.90 long by 1.22 to 1.32 broad. 140. BLUE* WINGED TEA I >. Xnnn ilUrttrn \Anr\. Geog. Dist.— North Ameri- ca, but chiefly the Eastern Province; north to Alaska and south to the West Indies and Northern South America. A beautiful little duck, inhabiting North America in general, but chiefly the eastern portions. During the breeding seasons it is found in the same localities as the Green-wing, but is more abundant in the northern tier of States at that siMison than the latter. This duck feeds chiefly upon vegetable matter, and its flesh is tender and luscious. It may be known by its small size, blue wln&s and narrow bill. The feet are yellowish. The male has a white, crescent-shaped spot in front of the eye. The female Is brown throughout, with the feathers edged with whitish which be- comes prominent below. The nest Is made on the ground. In a thick patch or tus- sock of grass, usually in meadows, the border of ponds or streams and swampy places. It Is composed of soft pieces of grass and weeds, lined with down and feath- ers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are greenish or buff, lighter in color than those of the Green-winged Teal; they vary from ovate to ovoidal, and are sometimes nearly oval in shape; six to ten and twelve In number, and vary in size from 1.30 to 1.35 broad by 1.90 to 1.96 long. 141. CINNAMON TEAL. Ahhh ri/auuptna VIeill. Geog. Dist.— Western America, from the Columbia River south to Chill, Patagonia and Falkland iHJandH; east In North America to the Rocky Mountains; casual in the MisHiHHippi Valley; accidental in Ohio— Davie. This pretty South American Teal is abundant In the United States \.est of the Rocky Mountains, and breeds anywhere In thia range; Colorado, Utah. Nevada, Cali- fornia, Idaho, Oregon, etc. In the adult male the head, neck and under parts are rich chestnut, the wing coverts are Hky-blue, as In the Ulue-winged Teal. The speculum is green and Is set between the white tips of the greater coverts and the secondaries. Its habits on the whole do not differ from those of its well-known ally, the Blue-wing. Mr. A. M. Shields regards it as common In the vicinity of Los An- geles, where It breeds in great numbers; nesting in the flrst week of May. Its favorite breeding places are in fields of tall grass or clover, in close proximity to IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 4 ^%^ A^4 1.0 UilM 12.5 ■yuu 1 1.4 ||||,.6 I.I 1.25 ^— . 6" ► <^ /^ / '•> y M f^otographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 *\' A L17 \ :\ "^ .V o\ '^ 82 NBara and bogs of water. He says the complement of eggs ranges from nine to thirteen, and that the nest is so compactly woven of grass, feathers and down that the entire structure may be picked up without its coming apart. It gives me pleasure to be able to add this beautiful duck to the avifau:aa of Ohio as an accidental visitor. On the 4th of April, 1895, a fine mule of this specie^ was killed, together with a number of ducks, at the Licking County Reservoir, by William Harlow. On the 6th I skinned and mounted this specimen and it is now one of the rare Ohio birds in my collection. It proved to be good eating. This, I believe, is the first record of the Cinnamon Teal ever having been taken in the state. The eggs of this species are creamy-white or pale buff; six to twelve; one end smaller than the other. In my cabinet there is a set of ten eggs collected by Dr. James C. Merrill, near Fort Klamath, Oregon, June 14, 1887; they exhibit the following dimensions: 1.90x1.38, 1.82x1.37, 1.88x1.39, 1.90x1.38, 1.92x 1.39, 1.88x1.38, 1.85x1.40, 1.94x1.38, 1.89x1.36, 1.83x1.54; the average size is 1.88x1.38. The nest ¥ as built at the edge of a marsh; it was made of grass blades and stems, warmly lined with down. 141.1. BUDDY SHELDRAKE. Casarca casarca Linn. Geog. Dist.— South- ern Europe and Southern Asia, south to northern Africa. Accidental in Greenland, Ic<5land and the Scandinavian Penisula, Called also Casarka Sheldrake. It is found in Southern Europe, Asia and Russia; accidental in Greenland. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of eight eggs of this species in his oological collection which was taken June 2, 1893, in Southern Russia. Their measurements are 2.60x1.89, 2.55x1.90, 2.48x1.87, 2.42x1.82, 2.48x1.83, 2.55x1.87, 2.51x 1.86, 2.53x1.86, respectively They are of an exact ovate in shape of a pale cream shade, almost of the same tint as that found in the Wood Duck's eggs 142. SHOVELLEBr. fipainla clypcata (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern Hemis- phere. In North America. Breeding from Alaska to Texas. Not abundant on the Atlantic coast. 142. Shovbllbk (From Brthm). m ll NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 83 The Shoveller, or Spoonbill Duck, is common in the noriuern portions of the globe. Said to have the most extended distribution of any species of the duck tribe, being more or less common in every portion of Europe and Asia, except in the extreme north; is found in Northern and Central Africa, and other portions of the tropical world. It is not common in England, where it breeds sparingly, but is more abundant in Scotland. In North America this peculiar-looking duck breeds tnrough- out its range in all suitable places; it winters chiefly in the south. It may easily be recognized by its broad bill, blue wing coverts and green speculum. The iris is yellow and the feet bright orange. The Spoonbill makes his nest on the ground in boggy places which are difficult of access. It is composed of grass and weeds. The eggs are greenish-gray, or faintly bluish; elliptical; six to ten in number; averaging in size about 2.10 by 1.50. 143. PINTAIL. Dafila acuta (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern Hemisphere. In America migrates south to Panama and Cuba. In North America the Pintail, or Sprig-tail, is a common species everywhere, being found as far north as Greenland and the Arctic coast, and south to the Isthmus of Panama and to Cuba, breeding from the Northern States northward tnrougnout • ./ ' " \ ••- •■' . ■^^ .,■.■ * 1 . * V ' 'v : .>-\' KaiQSi'igW vvVV V //' '" -'r) ifef^ ■r' ■ ' ^.-1 V '■ ^ M^ 1 ki 2^^ wmm m^mfm^m ^iSS Nest and Eggs op the Pintail Duck. (Photo, by W. Raine.) the Fur Countries to Alaska, and in Greenland. It Is abundant in the United States during the spring and fall migrations. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, Mr, Shields says it is very abundant during the entire winter, and a few remain to breed. The place usually selected for the nest is in tall buncues of prairie grass, seldom far from water. The number of eggs laid is commonly eight or nine; these are deposited about the middle of May. If the eggs are taken the bird will im- mediately deposit a second set, which Is seldom more than five- or six In number. 84 NE8T8 AND EQ08 OF The male bird, inclusive of the long central tail-feathers, is about twenty-nine inches long; the general color of the upper parts is grayish, delicately penciled with white; either sex may be known by the very long and slender neck, but the female is shorter, being about twenty-two inches long, the central tail feathers making a difference of seven inches. In the far north this species deposits as many as twelve eggs in a single nest. These are of a dull grayish olive; elongate ellipsoidal in shape and measure from 2.10 to 2.30 long by about 1.52 broad. 144. WOOD DUCK. Aix sponsa (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Temperate North America, breeding throughout its range. An exquisite bird, the most beautiful of all our ducks; in fact, no description can give a sufficient conception of the variety and lustre of its plumage. It is crested, the head iridescent green and purple, with parallel curved white superciliary and post-ocular stripes and a broad white throat patch. The iris and edges of eyelids are red. In the female the head is mostly gray. A freshly-killed specimen has all the variegated tints to be seen in the rainbow. It is well-named Bridal Duck. It Inhabits North America at large and is especially abundant in the United States, breeding almost wherever found. Frequents the wooded portions of the country £iA 144. Wood Duck (From Brehm). NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 85 / //' ' ;[i 144, Wood Ducks and Nbstino Place. 86 NB8T8 AND BOOS OF near water. The neat is made In the hollow of decayed trees, often at the depth of four to six feet. It Is composed of twigs, weeds or grass, warmly lined with the down from breast of the bird. What Is remarkable about the entrance to the nest is, that It Is often so small that it would seem almost Impossible for the bird to pass in and out. The tree in which the nest is made Is frequently situated a considerable distance from water in some retired place. The young are carried to water in the bill of the parent bird. The eggs number from eight to twelve, and I have seen several sets of fourteen; they are of a pale buff color, averaging in size about 2.00 by 1.50, but there Is a great variation in this respect when a large series of specimens from different parts of the country are examined. When robbed of its eggs the bird will often lay a second set. 145. RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. Xetta Ruflna (Pall.) Geog. DIst.— Eastern Hemisphere; accidental in the United States. The claim of this species to a place in the North American fauna rests on a single specimen obtained in Fulton Market, New York City, February 2d, 1872. It is supposed to have been shot on Long Island Sound. The bird is found In South- ern and Eastern Eur'-pe, and In portions of Africa and Asia. The eggs are described as being of a pale olive-buff and measure 2.32x1.68; not distinguishable from those of the next species. 146. REDHEAD. Aythya americana (Eyt.) Geog. DIst.— North America, breeding from California and Maine northward. The Redhead or Poachard, so frequently confounded with the Canvas-back, is a common duck throughout North America. It breeds In all parts of the Fur Countries and is very abundant in the marshes of Manitoba throughout the summer months. It nests in suitable localities of various northern states, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota. The Redhead also breeds in the marshes of California. Mr, Shields mentions It nesting In a swamp near Los Angeles about the middle of June.* The nest is built on the ground in thick grass or weeds and is composed of aquatic plant stems and grasses, lined with the down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The nest Is often constructed In a mass of reeds over water after the manner of a Coot's. Mr. Shields found the nests to contain from seven to fourteen eggs. Eight or ten are more commonly laid further north. They are creamy-white, elliptical, and average 2.40 by 1.70, with slight variation. 146. Redhead. 147. CANVAS-BACK. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.) Geog. DIst.— Nearly all of North America. The celebrated Canvas-back Duck is an exclusively North American species, found in the interior and on both coasts as far north as the Arctic Ocean and south- ward to Central America. Breeds on the interior marshes, rivers and lakes frcm • Young Oologlst, a magazine devoted to the study of birds, their nests tnd eggs, pub- lished by Prank H. Lattln, Albion, N. T.. Vol. T, p. 90, NORTH AMEItWAN BIRDS. 37 the NorthweBtem States to Alaska. Nests commonly in many of the lakes and ponds of Manitoba. On the marshes and lakes lu the mountain valleys of Oregon the Canvas-back constrrcts its nest at the edge of the water or near it in tall rushes or grass. The Canvas-back is Uw highly esteemed table dnok. When feeding on wild celery the flesh is said to acquire a peculiarly fine flavor, but under other circumstances not one person in ten thousand can tell it from any other duck, on the table. It is often confounded with the Redhead, but there is no occasion for this, even when the different sexes come to hand in any state of plumage. Although both species are similar in plumage, their heads alone will differentiate them. The Red- head has a high forehead, while the Canvas-back's head slopes gradually down to the bill and the bill rises hJ2;h on the fore- head. In the male Redhead the entire head i,. clear chestnut red, with a coppery tint, and the bill pale grayish-blue, with a dark tip. In the Canvas-back nearly the whole head is blackish-brown, and the bill blackish. The general color of the females of both is brownish throughout. The nest of the Canvas-back is generally made on the ground in marshy places; tall, rank grass is usually selected. It is composed of grass and weeds, less thickly lined with feathers than the nests of other ducks are. The eggs are from six to ten in number, pale grayish-drab or greenish-buff, elliptical, and measure from 2.25 to 2.50 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. 147. Canvas-back. 148. AMEBICAN SCAUP DUCK. Aythya marila nearetlm Stejn. Geog. DIst. — North America, breeding far north. This and the next species are closely allied, and are variously known as Blue- bills, Raft Duck, Floating Fowl and Shufflers. This one is called Big Blackhead or Greater Scaup Duck, on account of its size. It inhabits the whole of North America, and breeds far north. It Is not so abundant in the United States as the next species. In many of the river valleys and in the lakes of Manitoba it is a common summer resident, where it nests on the ground In swampy places. The nest material is grass and weeds, and the lining Is down from the breast of the bird. In the male the head, neck and the front part of the body are black, the former with a green gloss; the back and sides whitish, finely waved in zig-zag with black; underneath and speculum of wing is white. The bill is blue, with black nail; iris yellow. In the female the head and anterior parts brown; face pure white. The eggs of the American Scaup Duck are of a pale, huffy olive-gray, or ashy-green, elliptical, six to ten in number, size 2.54x1.71. ■ .la 149. LESSEB SCAUP DUCK. Aythya afflnis (Eyt.) Geog. Dist.— North America in general, migrating south to Guatemala and the West Indies. As Its name indicates, this species Is smaller than the last, to which it is very similar. Breeds chiefly north of the United States. It is a common summer resident in the lakes, marshes, ponds, and rivers of Western Manitoba and throughout other portions of the fur countries northward. Its nesting habits and Its eggs are the same as A. marila nearctica. The average size of the eggs Is about 2.25x1.58. 150. BING-NECKED DUCK. Aythya collarls (Donov.) America, migrates south to Guatemala and the West Indies. Geog. Dist.— North 88 VBBTS AND BOnS OF '. Ring-billed Blackhead, Marsh Blue-bill and King-necked Scaup Duck are names by which this species is commonly known. In the United States it is a common spring and fall migrant, and breeds from Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other northern States northward. In some parts of Manitoba it is very abundant, espe- cially In the Red River Valley, where It breeds in the marshes of fhe lakes and ponds, among the reeds and thick grasses. The nest is made of fine grasses, and slightly lined with feathers. In its general appearance, the bird is similar to the foregoing, but the adult male has an orange-brown ring around the neck; the female has no collar, and the head and neck are brown. This bird may be known in all stages of plumage by the broad bill and gray speculum. The Ring-neck lays from six to twelve eggs, varying from grayish to buff color; they are elliptical in shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 by 1.60 to 1.65. 151. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. Ulawimvtta vlmUfula amerininu (Bonap.) Geog. DIst. — North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces north- ward; migrates south to Cuba. The American Golden-eye, Whistler, Garrot, or "Great-Head," is very similar to the next species. It has a large round white spot before the eye, not ton hing the base of the bill throughout. It is given the name of Whistler from the peculiar noise of the wings while flying, and Great Head from Its large and beautifully created head. It is an abundant species throughout the fur countries, where it frequents the rivers and fresh-water lakes in great numbers. Breeds as far north as Alaska, where, on the Yukon, it nests about the middle of June. Like the Wood Duck, it constructs its nests in hollow trees and decayed trunks. It is made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with down from the bird's breast. The eggs are from six to ten in number, ashy green in color, rounded-oval in shape, and measure from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.70 to 1.78 broad. 152. BARROW'S QOLDEN-EYE. aUiuciouvtlu islandira (Gmel.) Geog. Dlst Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois and Utah. C:vou and; Iceland. :he Rocky Mountain Garrot, or Golden-eye, is almost exclusively a North American species, breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrenc"^ in the east and the mountains of Colorado in the west to high northern regions. It is a resident of Greenland and Iceland. It may be known by the large triangular white spot before the eye running up to a point, applied against the entire base of the bill and the division of the white area on the wing. The head is moderately puffy, with an occipital crest, and the color of the gloss is chiefly purple and violet. The bill is black or greenish-dusky and the iris golden-yellow. In the female the head is snuff -brown and no white patch in front of the eye. This bird, like the last, makes its nest in hollow trees, of grass, sticks and weeds, lined with feathers. Mr. Edwin Carter was the first to find the nest and eggs of this species in the moun- tains of Colorado In 187G. From six to ten eggs are laid, these are usually elliptical in shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 long by 1.60 to 1.65 broad. 153. BUFFLE-HEAD. Charitonetta albrola (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North America; south to Cuba and Mexico. Breeds from Maine nortliward, through the Fur Countries and Alaska, 152. Barrow's Golden-eve. NORTH AMERH'AS lilHItR. 89 This duck Is variously mimed, as Dutter-ball, "Dipper," "Butter-box." "Spirit Duck" and "Hell-dlver." It dives with the greatest of ease, clipping under the water almost as quickly as a grebe. Its expertncss In diving enables It to obtain food In very deep water. The Buffle-head Is peculiarly an American species, but ol accidental occurrence in Europe. In Manitoba and throughout all the fur countries It Is a common summer resident, breeding as far north as Alaska. The nests are concealed In hollows of trees or stumps, near the banks of streams. They are lined with down and feathers. The Butter-ball breeds occasionally in Northern Maine. In the United States It Is an abundant spring and fall migrant, and In many places ill winter resident. The male is one of the handsomest of our small ducks. The head Is particularly puffy, of varied rich Iridescence, with a large showy white patch on each side behind the eye. The broad black and white pattern of his upper coat stands out in strong contrast against a glossy white breast. The female is smaller and a very insignificant looking duck; the head is scarcely puffy, dark gray, with traces of the white auricular patch. The eggs of this duck vary from buff to a creamy- white or graylsh-ollve; ellipsoidal in form and range from six to fourteen in number; sizes from 1.95 to 2.05 long by 1.35 to 1.50 broad, 154. OLD-SQUAW. ('Utu'ifuht hi/rmnlis (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern hemis- phere; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio. Breeds far northward. The Long-tailed Duck, Old Wife or South-southerly, as it Is variously called, is distributed throughotit the northern portions of the globe, making its summer home in Arctic regions. A resident in Greenland and breeds in various places in 154. Old Squaw or J.ong-tailed Duck, Male. Iceland. The nests are made on the margins of lakes or ponds, among low bushes or tall grass; they are constructed of grasses and generally, but not always, warmly lined with down and feathers. The eggs are from six to twelve in number. The Long-tailed Duck inhabits the more northern countries of Europe — a winter visitant to Great Britain, and it is found occasionally in Germany and France. Abundant on the sea coast of Alaska, is resident on the Prybilof and Aleutian Islands. In the United States it is found only in winter. The male of the Old-squaw is a handsome duck, and may be recognized by its long tail and peculiar reddish-brown and brownish-black and white markings. The female lacks the lengthened tail-feathers. 90 NBars AND EOOa OF and Is, on the whole, a very Inferior looking bird. The eggs of thla spccleB average 2.05 by 1.49; they are pale, dull grayish pea-green, varying to dull light olive-buff. 156. HABLEQUIN DLCK. Ilislrlnnicua hMrinnlnm (Linn.) Oeog. Diet.— • Northern North America. The beautiful and singularly marked Harlequin "is an Inhabitant of the south- ern part of the circumpolar zone." It Is not common wherever found. In many parts of the Old World it is only a rare or an occasional visitor; this is the case In Great Britain, France and Germany. It breeds In several places in Southern Greenland, according to Mr. Hagerup. At the commencement of the breeding season It leaves the sea coast and retires to the lakes and rivers of the Interior regions. A summary of this bird's breeding range is given by C. Hart Merrlam, as follows: "In Siberia it is known to breed about Lake Baikal and in the Bureja MountaiDB N 150. Labmadok Duck. (Radde); in Mantchuria and at various points in the great Stanowi Range (Von Middendorff) ; about the Upper Amoor (Von Schrenck), and in Kamtschatka. On the American continent it has been found breeding along the tributaries of the Yukon in Alaska (Dall); in the interior of the fur countries and about Hudson Bay (Richardson); on the fresh water ponds of Labrador (Audubon), and in tiie Rocky Mountains within the limits of the United States (in Montana, Coues). It also nests In Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland (Kruper)."* Dr. Merriam says that all accounts agree that this duck nests on the ground in close proximity to swiftly running water, and states that he is also informed that In Newfoundland the nests are built in hollow trees. In some of its breeding grounds it is said to lead a solitary life, being found alone or in pairs in the most retired places on small streams. The nest is composed of weeds, grass, etc., warmly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. When the female leaves the eggs she carefully covers them up • Bull. Nutt. Club, VII, 220. NORTH AMERICAS RIRDS. 91 with down. In some places the Harlequins are called "Lord and Lady Ducks." The male Is second only to the Wood Duck In beauty, and the female will bear no com- parison to the same sex of that species. The eggs are six to eight in number, rounded oval, yellowish-buff or r 'eenlsh-yellow, and measure 2.30x1.62. 166. LABRADOR DUCK. Camptolnlmus luttrtidnrliis Omel. Oeog. Dht.— Formerly Northern Atlantic coast, from New Jersey (In winter) northward, breeding from Labrador northward. Now extinct. The nest and eggs of this bird are unknown and the bird Is extinct. The last example taken was shot near Elmlra, New York, In 1878. There are only thlrty-slx specimens known to be preserved In the museums of the world. The specimen rep- resented In our Illustration Is one which was collected by no less a person than Daniel Webster, and is figured by Audubon.* This duck was shy and difficult of approach, a strong swimmer and of rapid flight. Its extinction seems strange and unac- countable. 157. STELLER'S DUCK. EttirotirWt fitrHrri (Pall.) Geog. Dlst.— Arctic and Bub-Arctlc coasts of Northern Hemisphere. The summer home of Steller's Duck Is In very high Arctic latitudes. It breeds in Northern Russia, In Europe and In Siberia, nesting In the latter part of June, de- positing from seven to nine eggs. It Is said to breed on the inaccessible rocks of Kamtschatka, on the islands cf Bering Sea, and sparingly on some of the Aleutian Islands. In Its habits It resembles the Common Elder. The nest Is placed on the ground and Is made of grass, thickly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. Dr. Coues says the bird Is not yet common In collections, though abound- ing and sometimes gathering In enormous flocks on the Islands and both shores of Bering Sea and the Arctic coast of Northeastern Siberia. It winters mainly on the Aleutian Islands, and is usually found In company with the Pacific, Spectacled and King Elders. The eggs vary from pale olive-buff to pale olive or pale green and measure 2.30 by 1.62. 158. SPECTACLED EIDER. Arctonctta Coast of Alaska, north to Point Barrow. This Eider with a peculiarly dense and puffy patch of velvet feathers about the eye, suggesting spectacles, has nesting habits similar to the Ameri- can Eider, 8. drcsseri. The eggs are also similar. It Inhabits the Islands and coasts from Norton Sound northward to Po'nt Barrow. On St. Michael's Island, Alaska, it breeds in company with the Pa- cific Eider S. r-iiff/ra. The eggs measure from 2.35 to 2.57 long by 1.55 to 1.85 broad. ftschcrl (Brandt.) Geog. Dlst.— 158. Spectacled Eider. 159. NORTHERN EIDER. Somateria moUissima borcalis (A. E. Brehm.) Geog. Dlst. — Northern Europe and Northeastern North America, including Green- land and Northern Labrador, south in winter on the Atlantic Coast to Maine. The Eider, so famous for its down, which has become an article of commerce and luxury, is common along the Northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and America. The great demand for its down has caused the inhabitants of Iceland, Norway and • From U. S. National Museum Report, 1889. 92 NESTS AND EGGS OF other parta of Europe to protect It during the breeding seaHon. In theue placeH the Eider beoomeB very tame. It Ih a renident of Greenland, where it nestB in the lafler part of .lunr or the firHt weel< of July. On Home of the small iHlandH on the coaat of Ineliind it liats t>i<('oriie aliiioHl domeHticatt'd, l)ree(ling In vast iiunil)erH, negtlng on the KfUHsy bankH, between large HtoneH, on rocltH, and In every available hollow whieh will hold the nest. The nent Ih made of aea weed, lined with the down plucked from the breast of the bird. ThlH is augmented an incubation proceeda and thb qiuintity of down often becomeH ho great that the eggs are concealed from view. The eggH range from six to ten in number, greenish drab, and measure 2.97 by 2.01. c1 b| 1 "'. li 1 « 160. EiDBR Ducks (From Brenm). 160. AMEBICAN EIDEB. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. Geog. Dist.— Atlantic coast of North America, from Maine to Labrador; south in winter to the Delaware and west to the Great Lakes. SfiltTII A.MFUfir.W nilfltS. 172. Nest AND Eggs OF THK Canada Goose. (Photo, by W. Raine.) they were six days old, and this was in early morning and evening, at which times the old birds would float off from their island with their well-known honk, the young following single file behind them, feeding at the extreme end of the lake. This was kept up until August, when the young could fly and take care of themselves. The eggs were always seven and never more than eight in number. What is most remarkable about these birds is that they would go south every fall and return every spring; their number always being diminished by the time they returned; some probably being killed by sportsmen. Mr. Vergon says the geese often strayed away from "home" as far as ten and fifteen miles on the Olentangy River and other waters in the neighborhood. He fed them on a high ridge near the lake and on this ridge they were always first seen in spring when they returned. Mr. Vernon says he thinks they always came at night and is very sure they always departed in autumn at night. While the flocks that departed in the fall and returned in the spring had often been diminished in numbers, yet as many as twenty-two new ones came with them and stayed at the lake. Out of thirty that departed the fall of 1886 only three returned in the spring. The birds were very much afraid of strangers, but with Mr. Vergon they were very familiar, allowing him to handle and caress them at pleasure. Dr. Merrill found this species breeding on the Upper Missouri, Yellow- stone, and Big Horn Rivers, where their favorite nesting sites were on the numerous low sandy islands in these rivers, covered in the higher parts with a growth of young willows. Their nests were simply a hollow in the sand, around which was placed a few sticks and twigs, and the eggs lay on a layer of gray down. Nests were found on the tops of broken trunks of trees; one on a rocky ledge three hundred yards from the river; another was made on a pile of brush that had collected in the top of a fallen tree that had floated down and lodged near the middle of the river; some nests 100 NEBT8 AND E008 OF were placed on the high banks among high grass, or on piles of drift wood. By the first of May the nests contained the full complement of eggs, generally five in number. Dr. Merrill says: "When these geese nest among the branches of a tree I do not think they ever construct the nest entirely themselves, but take possession of a deserted nest of the Fish Hawk, and repa'r it witu twigs and a lining of down. They have been seen to carry small sticks tc the nest for this purpose." The color of the eggs is a pale dull greenish, and their size is about 3.50x2.50. 172a. HUTCHINS'S GOOSE. Branta canadensis hutchinsil (Sw. & Rich.) Geog. Dist. — North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, migrating south in winter, chiefly through the Western United States and Mississippi Valley; Eastern Asia, This bird, which is like caiuidciisi,s in color, but of a smaller sizC: breeds in boreal regions. Its length is about 24 to 34 inches. Its general habits are the same as those of the common Canada Goose. Breeds abundantly along the Yukon River and on the islands on the coast of Alaska. Nests have been found on the Islands of the Anderson River and on the Arctic coast. In these regions eggs of this species have been taken from Hawks' and Crows' nests built in trees. It nests usually on sand- beaches, depositing from four to six eggs in hollows in which there are more or less leaves, grasses, feathers and down. In his paper on "The Birds of the Western Aleutian Islands," Mr. Dall states that it does not breed east of Amchita Island, but some nest on Amchitka, Kyska and other islands there. Its nesting habits, notes, and general mode of life are identical with those of the Cackling Goose. The eggs are white, and measure 3.18x2.10. In the Arctic regions the eggs are laid in June and July. Eggs of this uird taken at the mouth of the Yukon in June measure 3.02x2.10, 3.08x2.11, 3.04x2.00, 3.00x2.11, 2.90x2.07. There is a great variation in the size of the eggs of this bird and those of minima. hi! 172&. WHITE-CHEEKED GOOSE. Branta canadensis occidentalis (Baird.) Geog. Dist. — Pacific coast region, from Sitka south, in winter to California. A larger sub-species than Hutchins's Goose, length about 35 inches. Mr. Nelson states that during his residence on the coast of Bering Sea this bird was not seen, as hundreds of the two other related forms were examined both at St. Michael's and at the Yukon mouth it appeared evident that either the White-cheeked Goose proper never reached those localities; if at all, merely as a straggler. Mr. Dall recorus specimens having been taken at Sitka during the Western Union Telegraph expedi- tion. The nesting habits and the eggs are more than likely like those of the Canada Goose. 172c. CACKLING GOOSE. Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. Geog. Dist. — Coast of Alaska, migrating southward into V/estern United States east to Wisconsin. The length of the Cackling Goose is about 24 inches. Nelson states that this is the most common and generally distributed- goose found breeding along the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea. From the sea shore its breeding ground extends along the courses of the great rivers far into the interior. While descending the Yukon, Dall found their eggs laid upon the bare sand banks, as were those of the White-fronted species. The last week of May finds many of these birds already depositing their eggs. Upon the grassy borders of ponds, in the midst of a bunch of grass, or on ai small knoll these birds find a spot where they make a slight depression and line it' with a scanty layer of grasses, after which the eggs are laid, numbering from five to eight. These eggs, like the birds, average smaller than those of the other geeee. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDfi. 101 The following measurements, taken from a large series pf eggs, show about the average sizes: 3.00x1.90, 2.90x1.90, 2.80x2.00, 2.75x2.00, 2.70x1.92. As the eggs are deposited the female gradually lines the nest with feathers plucked from her breast until they rest in a bed of down. When first laid the eggs are white, but by the time incubation begins all are soiled and dingy. 173. BRANT. Branta heniirla (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere; in North America chiefly on the Atlantic ccast, rare in the interior or away from salt water. The Brant Goose is almost cosmopolitan in its distribution. It is found on the sea coasts of Europe and eastern North America, breeding only within the Arctic circle. Hagerup records this bird to be common as a migratory species along the southern shores of Greenland, and says it breeds possibly in the northern part of Danish Greenland. While being more maritime than United States geese generally are, it is also foui d inland occasionally on lakes and rivers. During the migrations it is abundant, and seemfi to prefer the coast to the Interior, seldom passing over large tracts of land, following the windings of the shore, and nearly always keeping over water. The Brant is a particular favorite with sportsmen, and many are shot from points of land which project out into the sea. 1 he common Brant Goose is said to breed in immense numbers in Spitzbergen and on the islands about the coast. The nest is constructed on the sandy beaches, of grasses, moss, feathers and down, the birds depositing from four to six eggs. In some parts of Greenland where this species is known to breed, some of the birds make their nests on cliifs. The eggs are grayish or dirty-white, and average in size 2.70 by 1.80, according to Saunders. 174. BLACK BBANT. Branta nigrirana (Lawr.) Geog. Dist.— Arctic and Western North America: rare in the Atlantic States. The Black Brant is very closely allied to the common Brant Goose; it is found on the Pacific coast, where the latter does not occur. Its summer home is in high latitudes, and in Alaska, the mouth c! ihe Yukon, is said probably to form the ex- treme southern limit of this bird's occurrence in the breeding season. At Point Barrow, according to Murdoch, a few remain to breed in June. The nest is placed in rather marshy ground and is a simple depression lined with down, with which the eggs are completely covered when the birds leave the nest. Breeds in abundance on islands northeast of the mouth of Anderson River, in Liverpool Bay on the Arctic coast, on the shores of Franklin Bay, and on various other parts of the coast, especially in regions west of Anderson River. In these regions, according to Dr. Brewer, nests we'-e founa by Mr. MacFarlane on small Islets in fresh water ponds; others on islands in the Anderson near its mouth; many were made on the shore or on islands in Franklin Bay, and in various parts of the Arctic Sea. Some of the nests were nothing but mere depressions lined with down, while in others the quantity of down was quite large. The number of eggs in a nest was generally five; but in one case as many as seven were seen, and, in six or seven instances six. The eggs are grayish- white, and range from 2.75 to 2.90 long by 1.80 to 1.85 broad. Il k. [175.] BARNACLE GOOSE. Branta leucopais (Bechst.) Geog. Dist.— North- ern parts of the Old World; casual in Eastern North America. The Barnacle Goose inhabits the northern portions of Europe and is occasion- ally found on the Atlantic coast of North America. But many of the specimens taken on this side of the Atlantic are birds that are supposed to have escaped from con- 102 NB8TS AND EQOS OF flnement. In Great Britain it is a winter visitant. During tlie migrations it is said to be found In great numbers along the coast of Norway, and at these seasons it is stated to be abundant in Holland, France and Germany. It is said to occur during the breeding season in Northern Siberia. The shores of the White Sea to the eastward are supposed to be the great breeding places of this bird.* The eggs are grayish-white and measure 3.71x2.38. 176. EMPEROR GOOSE. Phllactv camt^ica (Sevast.) Geog. Dist.— Coast and islands of Alaska north of the i >ninsula; chiefly about Norton Sound and Valley of the Lower Yukon; Commander Islands, Kamtchatka; casually southward to Hum bolt Bay, California. Among the various species of birds more or less peculiar to Alaska, says Mr. Nelson, this goose is perhaps the most noteworthy. This author and naturalist lay camped on a lonely islet in the middle of the Yukon delta for the purpose of gaining some knowledge of the habits of these geese and other water fowl during the last of May and first of June. Tne birds arrive about those periods. Early in June the , 176, Emperor Goose. Emperor Goose begins to deposit eggs on the flat, marshy islands bordering the sea. On June 5 a female was found setting upon her eggs on a little knoll, near by a smali fragment of bleached driftwood. The nest contained three eggs. They rested in a depression with no sign of a lining. Other nests were found and the birds each time betrayed them by flying off with a startled cry. The majority of the nests con- tained from three to flve eggs, the full complement usually ranging from five to eight. The eggs are absolutely indistinguishable from those of the White-fronted Goose, and in form and measurements present a wide range of variation; some are much elongated, while others are slightly pyriform. As usually taken from the nests they are of a dirty brownish-white, but when fresh are nearly pure white. As the com- plement of eggs approaches completion the parent makes a bed of leaves, fine grass and feathers plucked from her own breast. The eggs vary in size from 3.28x2.22 to 3.03x2.00. ♦ Yarrell, III, p. 74. SOUTH AMtJlilCAN UllthS. toi 177. BLACK-BEIiLIED TBEE-DUCK. Ihndroitfifna autumnaliH (Linn.) Geog. DlBt.— Southweetern border of the United States and aouthwanl (Mexico, Went Indies, etc.) The Autumnal Tree-duck Is a species of variegated plumage and long legs. It inhabits the southwestern border of the United States and southward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. It is commonly called "Long-legged Tree- duclt." Alons the Rio Grande In Mexico and Texas it is abundant from April to October and later. Dr. Merrill found it common in Southern Texas. He says: "This large and handsome bird arrives from the South in April, and Is soon found in abundance on the river banks and lagoons. Migrating at night it contintuilly utters a peculiar chattering whistle, which at once indicates its presence. Called by the Mexicans ikiIoh iimizal, or Corn-field Duck, from its habit of frequenting those lo- calities. It is by no means shy, and large numiters are offered for sale in the Brownsville market. Easily domesticated, it becomes very tame, roosting at night in trees with chickens and turkeys. When the females begin to lay, the males leave them and gather in large flocks on sand-bars in the river. My knowledge of the breeding habits is derived from Dr. S. M. Finley, U. S. A., who had ample oppor- tunity of observing these birds et Hidalgo. The eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches, often at a con8lu>:!iable distance from water (two miles), and from eight to thirty feet or more from the ground. The eggs are placed on the bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. Two broods are raised, and the parent carries the young to the water in her bill. Twelve eggs received from Dr. Finley average 2.11x1.53, with but little variation in size; they are of the usual duck shape, and in color are a rather clear yellowish-white. The birds leave in September, but a tew late broods are seen as late as November. The soft parts in a full plumaged liv- ing male were as follows: iris, brown; bill, coral-red, orange above; nail of bill, bluish; legs and feet, pinkish white."* 178. FULVOUS TREE-DUCK. ])eudni('i/(/ii(t fiilra (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Southern border of the United States; Louisiana, Texas, Nevada, California,- southward. • Resembles the last in its gen- eral appearance, habits, etc. Its geographical range is chiefly within the tropics, extending as far South as the Argentine Re- public. Dr. Merrell states that this species is about as common as the Corn-fleld Duck in South- ern Texas, both species frequent- ing the same places. He learned nothing definite in regard to lis breeding habits, but they prob- ably do not differ much from those of the other bird. The Ful- vous Tree-duck is said to lay from ten to fifteen pure white eggs. -: ' ' 178. Fulvous Tree-duck. (Jasper.) • Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas: Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. I., page 169. 104 NESTH AM) EGUS OF [170.] WHOOPING SWAN. Olor ('ifunu« (Linn.) Qeog. Dist.— Europe and Asia: Greenland. In Europe this bird Ib called "Hopper." "Elk," and "Whistling Swan." It Is a winter visitant to the more southern portions of Great Britain, and is found through- out the year In the Orknej's and other iHlands north of Scotland. Known to visit Holland, France, Spain and Italy, and a few are said to penetrate as far south as Barbary and even Egypt. Hagerup says that It formerly nested in South Green- 179. Whoopino Swan (From Brehm). land, but it is now only a rare visitor. Breeds In the secluded swamps and lakes up iti Lapland, nesting on the ground in marshy places. It also breeds in Iceland. The nest is large and composed of rushes, coarse grass, and almost any material near at hand. As many as seven eggs are laid by this species; they are of a dull brownish white, or dark Ivory color, and measure 4.28x2.88. 180. WHISTLING SWAN. Olor columhianvs (Ord.) Geog. Dist.— Entire of North America, breeding far north. The common American Whistling Swan is the smaller of the North American species, measuring under five feet in length. There is a small yellow spot on the bill in front of the eyes, and it is sometimes wanting. The tail feathers are norm- ally twenty. This bird Is found in the United States in winter, and during the migrations. It Is not a common spring and fall migrant in Ohio. The Whistling Swan breeds in the Arctic regions on the small lakes of the coast and islands of the Arctic Sea, nesting in June and July. A few are said to breed in the interior of the *ur countries. All along the Yukon River, and especially near its mouth this species ?: SORTtt AMEUIL'AS UlRliH. 105 cind is a Kh- MHit I as jeu- up he at sh of an he n- he ng he he es ts said to breed in the large marshes. Here the eggv are usually laid on a tuasock entirely surrounded by water, and so near it that the female sometimes sits with her feet In the water. On the islands of Franklin Bay and on those of the Arctic Ocean, the Whistling Swan constructs a large nest of moss, grass and herbage of various kinds. According to Nelson this flne bird arrives on the shore of Bering Sea in the vicinity of St. Michael's early in May, and in some seasons by the 27th of April. At Nulato, Dall found them laying eggs by May 21, but on the sea roHst the earliest date Nelson records lb May 30. The ordinary number to a nest 1p three to six. The nest is usually upon a small island In some secluded lakelet, nr on a rounded bank close to the border of a pond. The eggs are deposited in a depression made in a heap of rubbish gathered by the birds from the immedlattf vicinity of the nest, grass, leaves and moss, forming a bulky affair In many cases. Thero l:i some variation in the eggs of this swan; the following measurements show the average, the specimens being taken near St. Michael's in June: 4.15x2.85, 4.05x2.74, 3.96x2.66. They are of a dull white with more or less of a brownish or reddish discoloration. The surface of the shell Is usually rough. 181. TRUMPETER SWAN. Olor hiirrtnator (Rich.) Oeog. Dist.— Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf Coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the iJaclflc coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic. During the breeding season the Trumpeter Swan Is found almost exclusively In the Interior of the northern regions. A few breed In Central and Northern Iowa and In Dakota; from thence northward. Dr. Brewer states that the nests found by Mr. MacFarlane on the barrens of the Arctic coast were usually placed on elevated ground, and they were composed of hay, down and feathers Intermingled. One nest containing six eggs was found near the beach on rising ground; others were observed near the banks of the Lower Anderson River. On the Islands In the fresh-water lakes and ponds bordering the north branch of the Saskatchewan River, In British America, a few pairs of the Trumpeter Swan are to be seen throughout the summer. This species is also known to breed in Alaska, as a specimen is noted by Mr. Dall as having been secured, with Its eggs, at Fort Yukon by Mr. Lockhart. In Ohio It is a rare migrant and winter visitor. The full grown bird is five feet or more In length, and may be distinguished from the Whistling Swan by its entirely black bill and hav- ing normally twenty-four tall-feathers. The eggs range from two to six in number; chalky-white with a rough surface; sizes from 4.03 to 4.50 long by 2.50 to 2.76 broad. 182. AMERICAN FLAMINGO. PhwnicnptcruH ruber Linn. Geog. Dist.— At- lantic coasts of sub-tropical and tropical America; Florida Keys. This magnificent bird of scarlet plumage Is a constant resident of Cuba, the Bahamas and southward ; rare at Cape Sable and on the Florida Keys. It is a remark- able bird and of striking appearance, having long legs and neck, the former of a lake-red color. The bill is unique In shape, being abruptly bent in the middle, so that when feeding the upper surface faces the ground. The plumage Is scarlet through- out, except the primaries and secondaries, which are black. The stature of the bird is nearly five feet, and it weighs in flesh six or eight pounds. The nest of the Flamingo is described as a mass of earth, sticks and other material scooped up from the immediate vicinity to the height of several feet and hollow at the top. On this the birds sit with their legs doubled under them. Mr. D. P. Ingraham, who has collected a large number of these handsome birds in the West Indies and spent more or less of his time for four seasons among them, has given me the following • 1 i I 106 NI^STS AND EUG8 OF 182. Flamingos and Nests. NnHTII AMHIfir.w nilflts. lOT InterpfltlriK notPH concornlng tholr nesting: He ntntoH that the blrda inhabit the ahallow IngoonH and biiyH having soft clayey bottoms. On thn bordor of tlieso the nent iH ninde by worlilng the clay up into u mound which, In the flrHt Honson is per- haps not more than a foot high and nl)Out eight inclioa in diameter at tho top and fifteen inches at the baap. If the birds are unmolcHted thoy will return to the same nesting place from year to year, each season augmenting the nest by the addition of mud on the top, leaving a slight depression for tho eggs. Mr. Ingrahnm speaks of visiting the breeding grounds where the blrdB had nested the previous year and their mound-like nests were still standing. The birds nest in June. The number of eggs to a clutch is usually two, sometimes only one and very rarely three. Whon three are found in a nest it is generally belirved that the third has been laid hy aiu)th»'r female. According to Mr. Ingraham's observations the nests in our illustration must be considered correct except In height. They are simply small mounds. The old story of the Flamingo bestriding its nest in an ungainly attitude while inculiuting is absurd fiction. The eggs are one or two in numlicr, eiongate-ovate in shaijc, with a thick shell, roughened, with a white llakey substance, but bluish when this is scraped off. It requires thirty-two days for the eggs to hatch. Size 3.57x2.20, with considerable variation. 183. ROSEATE SPOONBILL, .l/fl/f/ tiloia (Linn.) Qeog. Dist.— Southern Unfted States and southward into Southern America. Formerly north to Soutiirrn Illinois. The Rosy Spoonbill, of so handsome plumage and singular form, is distributed throughout South and Central America, Mexico, and In all favorable localities of the Gulf region of the United States. In Florida It was formerly abtindant, but Its num- bers have greatly diminished by the constant persecution of the "plume hunters." Rare as far north as the Carollnas. luarshy or muddy borders of estuaries, the mouths of rivers, shrubby islands of tropical seas, or some dense marsh, are the favorite breeding resorts. Mr. R. E. Rachford visited a smaii colony of these birds in Southwestern Louisiana, June 2, 188G. The birds were found nesting In a clump of cypress trees In a low marshy place fully twenty miles from habitation. Here also nested the Snow, Tjoulslana and Little Blue Herons, and the SnaivC Bird. The nests of the Spoonbills were placed from eight to eighteen feet from the ground, slnd the usual number of eggs found In the nests was three or four; although from one nest seven eggs were taken, and five or six from several others. The nests were platforms of sticks, and for the most part were built close to the truuKs of the trees; they were usually more massive than the Herons' nests. The general shape of the eggs is ovate; and their color Is white, or buffy-whlte, blotched, spotted and stained with various shades of brown; sometimes a pure white egg Is found In a nest with spotted or marked examples. They measure from 2.50x1.70 to 2.60x1.77. 184. WHITE IBIS, (liinra nlha (I,inn.) Geog. Dist.— South Atlantic and Gulf States southward to the West Indies and Northern South America; casually on the Atlantic coast to Long Island; In the Interior to the Lower Ohio Valley and Great Salt Lake. The White Ibis or Spanish Curlew is distributed in summer throughout the South Atlantic and Gulf States from the Carollnas southward, throughout Mexico, Central America, and portions of Northern South America. It breeds In communi- ties by thousands in the tangled marshes of the southern coast; fastening the nest to broken down or upright living reeds; it is composed of reeds, compactly woven ill I V • I ' jh 108 NESTS AND EGGS OF ■^^^^sk European Spoonbill ( From Brehm). together, is deep and much hollowed, which is unlike the frail platform nests of the herons. Mr. Scuart says the White Ibis breeds abundantly on the low mangrove bushes on the islanus of the Gulf coast. There is a large rookery in Charlotte Har- bor. The nests are usually made of the green twigs of the mangrove. The eggs are laid in June. At Cape Sable eggs are deposited after the 10th of April; these are from three to five in number, ashy-blue, spotted and blotched irregularly with yel- lowish, reddish and umber-brown of varying shades; two or three in number, and measure about 2.25 by 1.50. [185.] SCABLET IBIS. Guara rubra (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern coasts of tropical America, north casually to Florida, Louisiana and Texas; southward to the West Indies. An exquisite bird of the richest scarlet plumage. There is probably no well authenticated instance of its having been taken wituin the United States. Wilson was not correctly informed concerning its abundance in the Southern States, and Au- 1 yel- and of the Au- »«i NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. m dubon only saw a flock of three in Louisiana. The bird Is said not to be an uncom- mon visitant to Jamaica and Cuba, and very common on the Island of Trinidad, where it formerly nested. Mr. Warren observed the Scarlet Ibis breeding in im- mense colonies en the banks of the Amazon, in dense, impenetrable thickets of bamboo canes, several kinds of thorny cactus and Spanish bayonets, besides numbers of small mangroves and palmettos, all interlaced and tangled with huge vines. In one place every bush and tree had on it from five to twenty nests; tney were about a foot and a half in diameter and perfectly flat; the materials used in their con- struction were twigs, fibrous roots and leaves. Mr. Warren states that the Ibises, being disturbed, rose in immense numbers, and a more striking spectacle than a 185. Scarlet Ibis. large flock of these splendid birds floating through the air, like a crimson icloud, cannot possibly be conceived. The rookeries are only tenanted during the dry season. The eggs are two or three In number, grayish-white in color, marked with spots and blotches of brown of varying shades, and distributed variously over the surface, but generally more profusely at the larger end. The average size is 2.15x1.46. 186. GLOSSY IBIS. Plcga' 's autum- nalis (Hasselq.) Geog. Dist.— Old World, West Indies, and Eastern United States. This species occurs irregularly in the eastern portions of the United States, and has been known to breed in Florida. It has also been found breeding in Nevada. In Europe the course of its migrations, for the summer is said to be chiefly in a line from Egypt, to Turkey, Hungary and Po- lanrl, and to the southern parts of Russia. In its passage from Africa ix. is occasion- ally seen in the Grecian Archipelago, in Sicily, Sardinia, Genoa, Switzerland, France, Holland and Great Britain. The nesting of the Glossy Ibis is like that of the next species. Ihe eggs are of a deep greenish-blue and average 2.01x1.47. ise. glossy Ibis. I no NEarS AND EQG8 OF ■ * 187. WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. Plei/adix yuarauna (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Western United States (Texas, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, California, etc ), south- ward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. This beautiful, lustrous Ibis inhabits southwestern United States and south Into tropical America. It is found as far north as Kansas, west through New Mexico and Arizona to California. It is especially abundant in southern Texas, and in some localities along the banks of the Rio C- -nde swarms by thousands. At this place Dr. James C. Merrill, in company with ■ G. B. Sennett, on the 16th of May, 1877, visited a large patch of tule reeds, growing in a shallow lagoon about ten miles from Fort Brown, in which large numbers of this Ibis and several kinds of Herons were breeding. The reeds covered an area of perhaps seventy-five acres or less. Be- sides the Ibises, the Great and Little White Egrets, Louisiana and Night Herons, and several other birds were breeding here. The reeds grew about six feet above the surface of the water, and were either beaten down to form a support for the nests, or dead and partly floating stalks of the previous year were used for that pur- pose. Dr. Merrill states that it was impossible to estimate the number of the Ibises and different Herons nesting here. "Both nests and eggs of the Ibises were quite un- like those of any of the Herons, and could be distinguished at a glance. The nests were made of broken bits of dead tules, supported by and attached to broken and up- right stalks of living ones. They were rather well and compactly built, and were usually well cupped, quite unlike the clumsy platforms of the Herons. The eggs were nearly always three in number, and at this date were far advanced in incuba- tion; many of the nests contained young of all sizes. Fifty eggs now before m^ average 1.95x1.35, the extremes being 2.20x1.49 and 1.73x1.29; they are decidedly pointed at the smaller end, and are of a deep bluish-green color." 188. WOOD IBIS. Tantalus loculator Linn. Geog. Dist.— Southern United States from Ohio Valley, Colorado, Utah, California, etc., souta to Buenos Ayres; casually northward to Pennsylvania and New "Vork. The American Wood Stork, as it is called, is dititributed over a large portion of South and Central America, Mexico and Southern No:'th America. It is found in all the Gulf States, and is most abundant in Florida, whore, Mr. Stuart informs me, it nests in the interioi in dense cypress swamps, on the tallest trees, which are often more than one hundred . Jet in height. In these rookeries are also found nesting the American Egret, Ardea cyretta; Grea"^ Blue Heron, A. herodias; the Anhinga and others. The nests, like those of the Hei ^.?s, are platforms of sticks loosely arranged, with a lining of long moss. The same rookery is occupied each year, and the nests are repaired and augmented until they often become oJ immense size. The eggs are chalky-whilG, sometimes spotted with pale reddish-brown; somewhat elliptical. The shell is rough, with p flaky substance. Two or three is the number laid, but almost invariably three. Size from 2.70 to 2.75 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. [189.] JABIBU. Myctcria amcrirana Linn. Geog. Dist. — Tropical Ameri"^^. north casually to Southern Texas. This singular bird . European Blub Heron. \r "Blue proper ireeding ;r parts irons, to but its mters." id to re- leriod of nest is )callties Isorts of larmon- itection. ;hree to Dist.— 196. AMERICAN EGRET. Ardca ajri-tta Gmel. Geog. Dist.— Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon, south to Patagonia; casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. This beautiful species, the Great White Egret of America, has an extended dis- tribution, breeding as far north on the Atlantic coast as New Jersey, on the Pacific coast to Oregon, and in the interior as far north as Southern Illinois. It breeds throughout South America to Patagonia, and is a resident on the Island of Trinidad. In the enormous rookeries of Florida this bird was formerly abundant, but of late years the "plume hunters" have wrought great destruction in their numbers. It is a bird of purest white, and during the breeding season has a magnificent train of silky plumes fiowing from the back over the wings and drooping far beyond the tail. Our illustration of the European Great White Egret, //. ulhu, will give a fair idea of the appearance of the American Egret. Our bird measures from 36 to 42 inches in length, not including the dorsal train, which is sometimes more than 12 inches longer. The nests of the Great White Egret are built In deep cypress swamps, often on the tops of the tallest trees; others are found on low bushes or on mangroves, a short distance above water. The eggs are plain bluish-green, varying from elliptical to oval, two to four in nnmber and measure from 2.20 to 2.35 long by 1.40 to 1.G5 broad. 197. SNOWY HERON. Ardva raiKlitlissiiiin Gmel. Temperate and tropical America, from Long Island and Oregon, south to Buenos Ayres; casual on the At- lantic coast of Nova Scotia. The breeding range of this species is almost the same as that of the last. A few are supposed to be summer residents as far north as Long Island, from thence south- ward it is found along the entire Gulf coast and the shores of both oceans. It occurs in the interior as far north as Oregon. Very abundant throughout a large portion ! i| tit NBBTB AND BOOB OF * * European Great White Egret, Herodias alba. (From Brehm.) of South America, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America. It is called Little "White Egret, raid is doubtless the handsomest bird of this tribe. Pure white, with crest competed of numerous elongated, halr-lilie feathers; similar plume on the lower neck; the same on the back which extends beyond the tail and are trcnrrcd when perfect. See fig. of the European Little White Egret, G. iiirm. In Texas, Mr. Rachford says, this species nests in colonies, usually prefering willow bufjhes in the marshes for this purpose. The breeding season is from the latter part of April to the middle of June. Mr. Stuart mentions it as abundant along the Gulf coast of Florida, where it breeds on the mangrove islands, and in the interior in the willow ponds and swamps generally in company with the Louisiana and Little Blue Herons. The nest Is simply a platform of sticks. The eggs NORTH AM hit IVAN HI Kits. 117 are from two to five in number, usually four, varying from elliptical to oval in form; sizes from 1.80 to 1.85 long ty 1.20 to 1.25 broad. ♦ ♦ European Little White Egret, Garzetta nivea. (From Brehtn.) 198. REDDISH EGRET. Ardva nifcscnis Gmel. Geog. Dist.— Gulf States and Mexico, south to Guatemala, Jamaica and Cuba. The Reddish Egret is an abundant resident of the Gulf States. It is common in Florida and in Mexico, southward to the West Indies and Central America. The bird called Peale's Egret* is supposed to be the white phase of .1. nifa. The nesting habits of the Reddish Egret are essentially the same as those of the Louisiana and Snowy Herons. Mr. Stuart informs me that he has never found them very plentiful along the Gulf coast of Florida, where they breed on the islands, placing the nest on the mangrove bushes. The eggs are light bluish-green, elliptical in form; two to four in number, and measure from 1.85 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad. ♦ Hypothetical List of the A. O. U. Check List. f 118 NESTS AND FjOOS OF 199. LOUISIANA HEBON. Ardra trimlor ruflrollis (Oossp.) C.eog. Dist.-- Gulf Stutes, Mexico, Central America and West Indit-H; cuHually northward to New Jersey. In Hammer the Louisiana Ueron 1b distributed from the Carolinas Houtiiward. It is very abundant all along the Gulf States, into Mexico and Central Aiut-ricu, and is found In the West Indies. Known as "Lady of the Waters." It has an occipital crest of several long feathers and a splendid train of decomposed, fringe-like feathers extending beyond the tail. Mr. Stuart states that it is very abundant on the man- grove islands along the gull coast of Florida, where it breeds in communities, plac- ing the nests on the mangrove bushes; in the Interior It Is found nesting in the wil- low swamps, and usually in company with the Little Blue and Snowy Herons. Four or five eggs are deposited. Fresh eggs may be found In May and June. In Texas, Mr. Rachford says, this species nests similarly to the Snowy Heron, but Its breeding eason commences u little earlier than that of the latter — about the first of April. The egg!< are from two to four, sometimes five, in number, bluish-green, and measure from 1.75 to 1.80 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad. 200. LITTLE BLUE HEBON. Ardra cariih'a Linn. Geog. Dist.— New Jersey, Illlnoia and Kansas, southward through Central America, West Indies, Guiana and New Grenada; casually north on the Atlantic coast to Massachusetts and Maine. This beautiful little Heron is abundant In the South A".antic and Gulf States. It has been found breeding in all favorable localities intermediate between Florida and New Jersey, on the coast, and specimens have wandered into the interior. It Is found throughout Mexico, Central America and the northern portion of Soutu America. The breeding habits are like those of the Snowy and Louisiana Herons, nesting with them in trees and bushes, often in large communities in deep swamps. The eggs are bluish-green, two to four in number, generally more oval than other Herons' eggs are. The sizes vary from 1.60 to 1.82 in length by 1.25 to 1.3G in breadth. The young of this Heron are pure irliitc, and should not be confounded with Immature specimens of A. candidissimii, Snowy Heron, which is of the same size and similar form. 201. GBEEN HEKON. GuEEN Heron. Ardea vircscctis Linn. Geog. Dist.— Canada and Oregon, southward to northern South America and the West Indies. Throughout the United States in all favorable localities this is a well-known and an abundant bird, breeding in suitable places anywhere in its range. It has a number of common names, among which "Fly-up-the- Creek" is probably the most refined. It is resi- dent in the West Indies and in Central America, and is found in the northern regions of South America. The bird frequents the borders of ponds and swamps, or it may V-a found along running streams whose banks f 'e fringed with trees or thick shrubbery. While on the wing it frequently utters its familiar guttural cry or squawk. Its food consists of insects and aquatic larvae, Crustacea and small fishes, for which it usually searches in the twilight. During the day it is sluggish, and may be found quietly rest- ing. The nest of this Heron is made of twigs, very loosely put together; It is placed in the branches of trees or bushes on the border of a stream or swamp; sometimes in an orchard tree at considerable distance from water. The eggs are light greenish-blue, elliptical in shape and are from three to six in number, four being the usual nest complement. Average measure- ment is 1.50x1.14. NORTH AMEIUi'AS liUiltS. 119 DlBt.-- to New 1 1 ward, cu, and CO I pita I oat her a 10 inun- is, plao- Lhe wll- I. Four Texas, reeding f April, neasure ' Jersey, iDa and [aine. : states. Florida »r. It Is f Soutu Herons, 3wampa. in other 0 1.35 In led with size and Ida and America in all 1-lcnown suitable number up-the- ig resi- A-merica, 3f South )rders of id along led with wing it cry or 1 aquatic which it ring the 5tly rest- o£ twigs, I in the der of a lard tree The eggs lape and ur being measure- 201. ' 2ns King Rail (After Audubon.) plumage. The nest of this Rail is placed on the ground in a marsh, often fastened in a tussock of grass. It is composed of grass and weeds. The eggs vary from a dull white to cream or pale buff, sparsely dotted and spotted with reudish-brownand lilac; six to twelve in number; size from 1.55 to 1.72 long by 1.15 to 1.25 broad, averaging 1.07 by 1.12. 209. BELDING'S BAIL. Ralliis hvUlii,,n Ridgw. Geog. Dist.— Lower Cali- fornia (Espiritus Santo Island and vicinity of La Paz). Under the ruling of the A. O. U. Code to admit the islands pertaining to T^ower Ciilifornia, this species comes within the North American avifauna. It is very much like It. clcgaiix, but is darker and richer colored throughout, the white bars of the ♦ OrnltholoKlst and Oolog:i.«t. XIT, pv. 15!)-160. % HI If : i 124 NESTB AND EGGS OF flanks much narrower and the blackish bars very distinct. Length, according to Mr. Ridgway, about 15.00-16.00; wing 5.70-6.40; depth of bill .29-.35 (.31); tarsus 1.88-2.10 (1.93). I can And no information regarding this bird's nidification, but in all probability it is oimilar to that of R. eleyana. 210. CALIFOBNIA CLAFPEB BAIL. Rallus obsoletus Ridgw. Geog. Dist.— Salt marshes of the Pacific coast from Lower California to Oregon. Mr. Bryant regards this Rail as abundant, at all seasons of the year, on the salt marshes of Oakland, San Mateo, and other marshes that are partially covered by the high tides, at which times the birds are remarkably tame. They swim well, and when wounded and closely pursued they dive and hold on to the marsh grass be- neath the water to keep from rising. They commence breeding in April, selecting a high piece of marsh ground, usually on the bank of a slough. The nest is composed wholly of dry marsh grass, loosely laid together. The bird deposits eight or nine eggs, of a light, creamy buff, spotted, often blotched, with reddish-brown and lavender markings, the latter color appearing as if beneath the shell. Of eome thirty- six specimens examined, all have markings more numerous at the larger ends; on some the lavender predominates. A set of eight, taken at San Mateo, April 24th, contained small embryos. They measure respectively 1.70x1.25, 1.73x1.23, 1.75x1.23, 1.77x1.23, 1.08x1.23, 1.70x1.22, l.GSxl.."?, 1.69x1.24. The average size of thirteen eggs is 1.71x1.24.* In the marshes of San Francisco Bay Mr. Emerson took eggs of this Rail in April, May and June, one set containing seven eggs. 211. CLAPPER RAIL. Rallm crepitaim (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New Jersey soutliward; resident from the Potomac southward. Coast of Louisiana. The Clapper Rail, or Salt-water Marsh Hen, is an abundant bird in the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward. Breeds in profusion and is the most abundant aquatic bird in the marshes from the Carolinas to Florida. It has lately been found breeding on the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. A. K. Fisher having taken an old bird and two young at Grand Isle, in 18SG. Mr. S. C. Shick, of Sea Isle City, states Inat the Clapper Rail arrives on the southeastern coast of New Jersey about the last of April; their presence is made knov/n by harsh cries at early dawn and at sunset. Nest building is commenced in the latter part of May, and by the first of June the full complement of eggs is laid, ranging from six to nine or ten in number, thirteen being the largest set he ever obtained from any nest. Farther south this bird is known to lay as many as fifteen, this number, however, being uncommon. On Cobb's Island, Va., the Clapper Rail breeds in great numbers, carefully concealing the nest in high grass; the full complement of eggs is laid by the first of May. Their color is pale buffy-yellow, dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and pale lilac, with an average size of 1.72x1.20, but there Is a great variation in this respect in a large series. 211((. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus nrpitaiis mtiirntuK Ridgw. Geog. Dist. — Coast of Louisiana. This subspecies was discovered by Henshaw, who described it in 1880. It is smaller than the type— length about thirteen inches— is of brighter-colored plumage, the brown of the upper parts is of a richer tint and more deeply tinged with olive, while the breast is of a richer shade of brown. It has been found only on the coasts ♦ Bull. Nutt. Club, V, p. 124. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 129 of Louisiana. I know nothing reliable concerning its nesting or eggs, but they are said to be similar to R. crepitaus, which In all probability are identical. 211. 1. FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL. Rnllus scottii (Senn.) Geog. Dist.^ Salt marshes of Western Florida. The Florida Clapper Rail differs from crepitans proper in being black, /lucous, or olive-brown above, with olive-gray margins to the feathers; in having tae neck and breast cinnamon-rufus washed with brownish, and in having the belly and flanks black instead of gray. In fact, the general color of scottii suggests a King Rail, but the latter may always be known by its rufous wing — coverets and clear cinnamon — rufus neck and breast. — Chapman. 211.2. CARIBEAK CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus loiiffirostris carihwns Ridgw. Geog. Dist. — West Indies and Gulf of Mexico; north to Texas (Corpus Christi and Galveston). A subspecies inhabiting the West Indies, its colors being similar to R, crepitans. Its nidification is more than likely similar or Identical to that species. 212. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus vir'ffiuiauus Linn. Geog. Dist. — North Ameri- ca, from the British Provinces south to Guatemala and Cuba. The Virginia Rail is an exact miniature of R. clcyaus, the coloration being ex- actly the same; the legs, iris and bill brown — the latter reddish — orange at the base of the lower mandible. In summer it is distributed from Canada to Florida; fre- quenting marshes and boggy swamps. The nest is built in a tuft of reeds or grasses close to the water; it is compact and slightly hollowed. The eggs are cream or buff, sparsely spotted with reddish-brown and obscure lilac; they are like those of the King or Clapper Rail, but of course, like the bird, much smaller; sizes range from 1.20 to 1.28 long by .90 to .93 broad. The number in a set varies from six to twelve. The Virginia Rail and the Sora have habits that are vory similar; when on the wing they will fly in a straight line for a short distance with dangling legs, and suddenly drop into the grass. The Virginia Rail is almost exclusively a fresh water bird. Lidgw. It is image, olive, coasts [213,] SPOTTED CRAKE. Pnrzana porzaiia (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Europe; oc- casional occurrence in Greenland. The European Spotted Crake is found in most parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Common in Italy, Sicily and in the Southern portions of Russia. Hagerup mentions this species as a "rare visitor in South Greenland." Breeds abundantly in Southern France and in various parts of England. It frequents the banks of streams, ponds and lakes, and the thick grasses and vegetation of marshy grounds. The nest is usually built in these places, being loosely woven of aquatic plants, and lined with finer material of the same; it is often placed near tne water's edge, and so arranged as to be capable of floating on the water. Spotted Rail, Spotted Water-hen, Spotted Gallinule, Water-crake, and Water Rail are names common to it in England. The eggs of this bird are from seven to twelve in number; pale buff or cream color, or of a yellowish-gray, spotted and speckled with a dark reddish-brown and tints of lavender. Six eggs, collected in Southern France, in my cabinet measure 1.34x.96, 1.36X.94, 1.32X.93, 1.34X.94, 1.33x.96 and 1.32x.95. 214. SORA. Pnrzana Carolina (Linn.) Geog, Dist. — Temperate North America. South to the West Indies and Northern South America. 126 XESTN AM) KGHS OF 214. SoRA Rails. (From Bailey.) The little slate-colored Carolina Rail breeds from the Middle States northward. In the reedy swamps of the Atlantic States great numbers of this Rail are killed every year. It is a highly esteemed game bird, and is usually abundant during the migrations. More common in the Eastern Province of the United States, breeding chiefly northward. Mr. Shields states that the Sora Rail is quite common in the swamps about Los Angeles, Cala., where he obtained six sets of its eggs in the season of 1886; the largest set contained fourteen and smallest seven eggs. In Ohio the Carolina Crake, Common Rail, Sora or Ortolan, as it is variously called, is a com- mon summer resident, breeding in the extensive swamps and wet meadows through- out the State. The Carolina Rails are equally abundant on both salt and fresh water marshes,. but the latter places are preferable to them as breeding grounds. The nest is a rude affair made of grass and weeds, placed on the ground in a tussock of grass in a boggy tract of land, where there is a growth of briers, etc. The eggs of Sora are ovoidal in shape, tapering gradually to the smaller end but not sharply pointed. They have a ground color of dark cream or drab, darker than those of the Virginia Rail; the spots are redaish-brown with purple shell spots scattered over the surface, but more numerous at the large end. Twenty eggs in my collection have an average size of 1.26x.90. { I I i r b g S] 01 ei th A 215. YELLOW BAIL. PorcYTHfl uorehoracriiftifi (Gmel.) Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada. The small Yellow Crake appears to be quite rare everywhere in Eastern North America or wherever found. It is known to breed in Northern Illinois, where its eggs have been taken. Dr. Howard Jones has frequently taken it in the vicinity of Circle- ville, Ohio, and considers it nearly as common as other species, and believes it breeds there, which is probably the case throughout the State. The Little Yellow Rail has the same general traits common to others of this family, frequenting marshy places, skulking and hiding in the wet grass to elude observation. The eggs are said to be about six In number, rich buffy-brown, marked at the larger end with a cluster of reddish-brown dots; sizes range from 1.05 to 1.12 long by .80 to .85 broad. con in iWHTH AMtlUlVAS BlliUH. 127 216. BLACK BAIL. Purzana jamaiccnxis (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Temperalt North America, north to Massachusetts, Northern Illinois and Oregon; south to West Indies Thd South America. Smallest of our North American Rails; not often found in the United States and one of the rarest of our birds. Its small size and secretive habits are doubtless one of the causes of its apparent scarcity. A nest containing ten eggs was found near Saybrook, Conn. Ten fresh eggs were taken from a nest in Illinois, June 19, 1875, near Calumet River. The nest was placed in a deep, cup-shaped depression; in shape and situation resembled that of the Meadow Lark, but the Rail's nest was much deeper in proportion to the diameter. It was elaborately made of grass-stems and blades. The eggs were clear white, thinly sprinkled with reddish-brown dots, more numerous about the large end.* Mr. Harry Menke found a nest containing nine eggs in a marsh near Garden City, Kan., June 6, 1889. The nest was placed on a low ridge near the center of a pond, a neat, compact structure, composed entirely of blades of a kind of water grass. Dr. Coues says: "Eggs from New Jersey are alto- gether different from those of the Sora, or Yellow Crake, being creamy-white, sprinkled all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, and with a few spots of some little size at the gre:^l end; most like the more finely speckled examples of the egg of the large liaUi; dime^ sions, 1.05x .80." 216. 1. FARALLONE BAIL. Porzana vniurnk-uUtH (Bidgw.) Geog. Dist.— Farallone Islands. This species is like the last, but rather smaller, more uniform in color, without the white specks on the back. It is known only from the type specimen taken on the Farallones. [217.] CORN CRAKE. Vrex crex (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Europe and Northern Asia; casual visitor in Greenland, Bermuda and Eastern North America. Eastern 217. Corn Crake. The Land Rail, Corn Crake, or Corn Creak, is an abundant species over the entire continent of Europe. In England and Scotland it is a familiar bird, where it breeds in abundance. Very common in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It frequents the -. i; E. \V. Nel.son: Bull. Nutt. Orn, Club. Vol. I, p. 43. l\W 128 VMBTS AND aOGB OF long grass of wet meadows, uecr rivers and marshes, and in fields of grain. Its presence is indicated by tlie creaking note from which it takes its name. The nest Is placed on the ground, generally in a field of grain, grass or clover; it is made of dry plants and grasses. In England this bird nests about the first or middle part of June. The eggs are from seven to ten in number; these, when fresh, are of a pale reddish-white; when blown, tho ground color is light buff, with a reddish cast; they are spotted and sprinliled with pale reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end. The meadrementK of a set of five eggs in Mr. Crandall's collection taken near Mers- burg, Germany, July 7, are as follows: 1.40x1.02, 1.43x1.05, 1.40x1.00, 1.42x1.03, 1.45x 1.05, respectively. 218. PURPLE OALLINULE. lonornis martinivu (Linn.) Geog. Dist. -South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually northward to Maine, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc.; south through the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and Northern South America to Brazil. This beautiful Gallinule inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf States and strays occasionally northward as far as Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and other Northern States. It has been taken several times in Central Uxiio in June and July. The bird is resident in the South. From its bright purplish-blue colors it may qu'.te readily be distinguished from the Florida Gallinule, even at a long distance. In Florida it breeds in the latter part of May. Mr. Rachford writes me that in Texas the Purple Gallinule nests in the tall grass along the edges of water courses, bending the grass down and weaving it together. Besides its true nest, the bird makes several "shams." often as many as five or six. The nesting season is in May or June. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne informs me that in South Carolina the nest is invariably built in rushes over water. The usual number of eggs laid is eight or nine, but fre- quently more are deposited. The eggs are cream color, finely ar.d rather sparsely dotted with chestnut-brown and umber; rather ellinticri, a::d ir.easure from 1.70 to 1.75 long by l.lo to 1.20 broad. 219. FLORIDA GALLINULE. aaUiuula ijahata (Licht.) Geog. Dist.— Tem- perate and tropical America; north to British Provinces. Known as the Common Gallinule and Red-billed Mud Hen. Its center of abundance is in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and it brccc's as far north as Massachusetts. Not an uncommon summer resident in Ohio, breeding in the ex- tensive swamps and marshes throughout the State. The nest is usually fastened in the sedges and marsh grass above sLaiiow water, or among the fiags. The foun- dation is often made by breaking down the flags, so as to form a little platform, which will, to a certain degree, rise and fall v/ith the water. On this; the nest proper is built of the last year's flags. In Florida, where the bird is remarKably abundant, the nest is placed in the dyer portions of the marshes, among thick reeds and rushes. A set of eight eggs, collected by Dr. Jones near Circleville, Ohio, measure 1.70x1.20, 1.81x1.18, 1.81x1.17, 1.78x1.23, 1.84x1.25, 1.84x1.22, 1.77x1.24. and 1.83x1.16. The number of eggs laid ranges from seven to thirteen. They are creamy or brown- ish-buff rather thickly spotted and blotched v/ith brown and umber; some of the spots are as small as pin heads; sizes vary from 1.75 to 2.'^'^ lorg by 1.20 to 1.30 broad ; shaped like an average hen's egg. [220.1 F.UROPEAN COOT. /=^»/jVo rt^/-« Linn. Geog. Dist.- the Eaotern Hemisphere in general; accidental in Greenland. -Northern parts of VORTE AMERICAS RTRDS. v» 'ain. Ita The nest made of le part of of a pale last; they nd. The lar Mers- .03, 1.45X t. -South sin, Ohio. !rn South nd strays ind other and July. nay qu'te ance. In in Texas ;, bending rd makes n May or nvariably but fre- sparsely m 1.70 to St. — Tem- center of north as the ex- fastened he foun- platform, st proper ibundant, eeds and measure 1.83x1.16. brown- e of the to 1.30 ir 0 This bird closely resembles our American Coot, but its average size is slightly larger. It is a common resident south of middle England, and in the summer is found breeding in the numerous lochs throughout Scotland. Its habits in all re- spects are like those of the American bird. The nest is built in close proximity to water, on islands, borders of lakes, ponds and rivers. It is generally placed among and attached to flags, reeds or rushes. It is large and roughly made of plants and vegetable matter. The eggs are from six or seven to ten or even fourteen in number, pale, dull buff, or stone-color, spotted with rust-colored brownish-black and purp- lish-gray. The average size of a large series is 2.15x1.50. parts of 220. European Coot, 221. AMERICAN COOT. FulUa umcrUana Gmel. Geog. Dist.— Whole of North America; south to Mexico, Central and South America and West Indies; north to Alaska, occasionally to Greenland. Well known as the Mud Hen, and in some sections the Crow Duck. This is the water fowl that young sportsmen persist in shooting as a game bird, but at a riper age he does not "hanker" after its flesh. It is easily known by Its slate-colcved plumage, white or flesh-colored bill, marked with reddish-black near the end and at the base of frontal plate, greenish legs and carmine iris. The Coot is a good swim- mer and diver, having lobate feet like the phalaropes and grebes. It can also move swiftly through tangled grass and aquatic plants. On almost any large or small body of water sufficiently secluded and whose margins are overgrown with reeds and rushes, or on sluggish streams, swamps, pools or reedy sloughs, there you will find the Coot during the breeding season. The nest Is made of dead reeds and grasses, placed on the ground, just out of the water or on floating vegetation the flags on which It rests being brok a down, rises and falls with the water. Some times im- mense numbers of these birds breed together. Mr. Shields records taking five hun- dred Coot eggs, together with large numbers of those of ducks and grebes in South- ern California.* The eggs are clay or creamy-white, uniformly and finely dotted all over with specks of dark brown and blackish; six to twelve and fifteen eggs are often found in a single nest; in shape and general style of color and markings re- semble those of the Florida Gallinule; sizes range from 1.77 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.45 broad. ■i ♦ Egging in a California Swamp. Young Oologlst, Vol. I, p. 90. 10 130 NBBTB A2/D BOOS OF Ambrican Coot and Nest. (Cheney, del. ) 222. BED FHALABOPE. Crynwphilus fulicarius (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North- ern portion Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions, migrating south in winter; in North America south to Middle United States, Ohio Valley and Lower California. The Coot-footed Tringa, Red or Gray Phalarope, as It is differently railed, is distributed in summer throughout the Arctic regions, wandering far south in winter. Breeds in various portions of Norway, Sweden, Finland and up into Lapland; In Siberia, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic coast of North America. Hagerup, in his "Birds of Greenland," states that It is common, but not often seen in the breeding season south of the 68th parallel. Eggs were found from June 3 to June 28. The Phalaropes are curious birds, partaking of the nature of a wader and a swimmer. The three species of this family resemble Sandpipers, but are at once dis- tinguished by the lrV,ate feet like those of the Coot and Grebes. The body is de- pressed and the under-plumage thick like that of a duck. They ride the waves lightly along the coast, and when on the margin of a stream or pool often surprise their associates, the Sandpipers, by swimming out into deep water. The Red Phala- rope appears to be more exclusive maritime than other species of the family. The nest is a slight hollow in the ground, sparsely lined with moss and dry grass. Mr. Capen quotes a letter from Mr. Boardman in which he says: "Twice I have found the Red Phalarope breeding in Maine." The eggs, Mr. Capen says, are laid the first part of June.* They are 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 specie?; in fact, the range of coloration is so varied that they are difficult to describe satisfactorily in a brief manner. They are three or • Oolopy of New England. NORTH AMHh'H'W HI If US. 131 North- inter; in fornia. :'allecl, is n winter. )land; in A.merica. 'ten seen une 3 ta er and a )nce dis- y is de- waves surprise Phala- ly. The iss. Mr. re found the first h brown guished ied that ;hree or four in number. Five sets of four eggb each of this species are in Mr. Crandall's collection. They were taken In Iceland and each set gives the following average measurement: First, 1.12x.81; second, 1.17x.81; third, 1.18x.84; fourth, 1.20x.82; fifth, 1.21X.83. 223. NORTHERN FHALAROFE. rhaUimims luhutun (Linn.) Geog. Dist.- North parts of North Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions; south in w. ...r to tropical regions. The general habits, movements and distribution of the Northern Phalarope are nearly identical with these of the Red Phalarope; common to both continents, and breeding in the Arctic regions of Asia, Europe and America. The nesting habits are substantially the same and the eggs are laid In June. Hagerup records It as breeding quite generally along the coast of South Greenland. The bird is also known as the Red-necked Phalarope. The eggs are greenish or yellowi-^h-ash, thickly blotched with varying shades of brown; three or four; sizes range from 1.10 to 1.30 long by .75 to .82 broad, averaging 1.20 by .80; like the last, there is a great variation in size, shape and color. A set of four e&ga from Greenland exhibit the following average measurements: 1.19x.83; another set of four from the same region shows an average size of 1.19X.82. These are in Mr. Crandall's collection. tricolor (Vleill.) Geog. Dlst.— nth In winter to Brazil and Pata- 224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE. inm}?. DIst.— Tem- perate portions of North America, from the Saskatchewan country ani Great Slave Lake southward; In winter to Guatemala and the West Indites. A bird of striking appearance, of odd coloration, having extraordinarily long legs; feet wobl)od like those of a swim.ning bird; i)ody ilatloned underneath, and duck-Iiko iilumage to resist the water. The most striking characteristic of the bird, however, is its long, decidedly up urned l)ill, anu from its blue legs it receives the 225. EuKOi'KAN A\i)i:iiT. Not distinguishable in cut from our American spec'es fFroni Brehni). name of Blue-stocking. It is very abundant in the West, on the plains of the Da- kotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. In these regions it breeds in June, nesting in the tall grass in marshy or wet places. The eggs vary from a dark olive to buff, pretty uniformly and profusely spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades; they vary in size, shape and markings like the birds themselves; three or four in numlier: sizes from 1.80 to 2.10 in length by 1.25 to 1.45 in breadth. 226. BLACK-NECKED STILT, nimiintopiis m erica ii lift (Mull.) Geog. Dist.— Temperate North America from Northern United States southward to West Indies, Brazil, and Peru. yOKTU AUHh'li'.W «//i'/>N. 133 t.— Tem- !at Slave rlly long ath, and the bird, 3lve8 the Brehni). the Da- n June, rk olive various ;hree or Dist — Indies, This exceedingl}' long-legged bird Ih distributed throughout the United StntoH. and lilte the Avocet. la rare in the eaatern poitionK. It Is abundant In the West, but lis range Is rather more southerly than that of the Avocet. In Ohio it is a rare summer visitor. Perhaps broods. The nest of the Stilt is often only a blight de- pression In the ground, lined v.ith dry grasses, situated along some stream or ditch, or near water; some collectors have found the nest at the water's edge, or on a heaped mass of vegetation just above the surface of shallow water. A. M. Shields says that the Stilt arrives in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Gala., about flay 1st, and the eggs may be found fresh until the middle of June. He states that the birds usually congregate In large flocks in some suitable locality, and build their nests close together, a score or more are often found within a few yards of each other; the nests being composed of snail sticks and roots, closely laid together and placed among the grass on the margin of a lake or river.* This record refers to the abundance of the Stiit in the season of 226. Black-nicked Sxn.r 1883, and those previous; but I am informed by Mr. Shields that the bird is not so abundant as formerly, only a few pair breeding in the neighborhood of Los Angeles each year. The eggs are of a greenish-yellow, thickly spotted, blotched and lined irregularly with brownish-blaok of varying shades; pyrlform In shape; three or four in number; sizes from 1.60 to 1.85 long by 1.15 to 1.25 broad. [227.] EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. Scoloita.r nisticola Llnn. Geog. Dlst.— Old World ; occasional In Eastern North America. The European Woodcock is widisly distributed over the northern parts of the Old World. It is of larger size than the American bird. Many instances are on record of its breeding in various parts of Great Britain, but the greater por- tion of the birds are considered mi- gratory. Breeds abundantly in Nor- way, Sweden, Lapland and in Northern Russia. Nocturnal in its habits, repos- ing in the daytime in grassy bottoms in woods, anu at twilight It regains activity, resorting to open glades and marshy bottoms, where It feeds. These tracts are known as "cock-shoots," or "cock-roads." '''he food of the birds Is the common earth-worm, which they procure by boring, or thrusting their bills into the soft mud. The nest con- sinln of a few leaves loosely laid to- gether, and without lining. The eggs are usually four In number; of a pale yellowish-white, blotched and spotted with various shades, ashy-gray and reddish or yellowish-brown; most nu- merous about the larger end. Four eggs, measure 1.75x1.27, 1.74x1.27, 1.73x1.23, 1.77x1.28. EuKoiMiAN Woodcock. *Youne Oologist, Vol. I, p. 41. 134 NEaTB AND BOOS OF 228. AMERICAN WOODCOCK. I'hiluhvUi inhmr (Omel.) Geog. DIst.— Kast- ern Province of North America, north to UrltiBh Province, wcbt to Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, etc. Breeds throughout its range. This noted game bird frequents the bogs, swampy flelds and wet woodlands of Eastern United States and Canada, and breeds throughout Its range. The nests are mere depressions in some dry spot in swampy land, generally under the cover of a clump of briers or other wild shrubbery, often in more open places. The eggs of the Woodcock are laid early in April, and in some localities not until some time in May. In Ohio, I have found eggs as early as April 3, and young have been seen as early as April 9, near Cleveland, Ohio. There are records of eggs of this species averaging In size 1.80x1.25, but I have never seen any so large, although they exhibit consider- able variations. These sizes doubtless refer to the eggs of the European species. Although known to the m.ajority of people by its name of Woodcock, it nevertheless has many aliases in different parts of the country which It visits, and Is called Big 228. Ambrican Woodcock Mud, Big-headei., Blind and Wood and Whistling Snipe; * * * Timber Doodle, Bog Bird, Night Partridge, Night Peck, Hookum Pake, Pewee, Labrador Twister, Whistler, and probably many others. Being a migrating species, the length of its stay in any particular locality depends greatly upon the weather, for though per- haps very abundant on one day, yet if during the night from sudden cold their feed- ing ground becomes frozen, by the next morning not a bird would be found, all having departed to a milder clime. It migrates always at night, when indeed, it is most active, for it is a nocturnal bird, its sight being much better after the sun has departed than when the eye is exposed to the full light of day.* As a taxidermi^ I have prepared more specimens of this species killed within the last twenty years by telegraph wires, moving railroad trains, etc., than I have those brought in by • North American Shore Birds; a history of the Snipes, Sandpipers, Plovers and their allies inhabiting' the beaches and marshes of the Atlantic and Paciflc coasts of the North American continent; their popular and scientific names, together with a full description of their mode of life, nestlne, migration and descriptions of the summer and wlnte- plumages of adult and young, so that each species may be readily Identified. A reference book for the naturalist, sportsman and lover of birds. By Daniel Olraud Elliot, F. R. S. E., etc.; ex-Presldent American Ornithologists' Union, Curator of Zoology In the Field Co- lumbian Museum. Thlcago; author of "Birds of North America"; Illustrated monographs of Auk. Thrushes Grouse, Pheasants. Birds of Paradise, Hornbills, Cats, etc., with seventy, four p.ates. New York: Francis P. Harper, Publisher, 1895. pp. 39-40. i ! NltliTII AMHRIi'.W litRUS. l.W t.— KUBt- lebraaka, Hands of nests are over of u gs of the B In May. I early aH Lveraging conslder- \ species, rertheless ailed Big HpurtHmcn who dupond upon the gun. This is, 1 believe, principally frnni the fact that the bird is of nocturnal habits, but is often forced to fly from the ground In daytime. The Woodcock is often called Bog-sucker, from its habits of iHtring In the mud for worms and anlmalculte, of which Its food consists. Th** eggs are creamy or buff, irregularly and thickly spotted with pale, reddish-brown of varying shades; pyriforni, but more rotund than those of most of the small waders, and some are quite broad, varying from 1.40 to 1.55 long by 1.16 to 1.20 broad. The uHuai number of eggs is four. Four selected specimens measure 1.58x1.21, 1.53x1.14, 1.57x1.17, and 1.53x1.20. [9S9.] EUROPEAN SNIPE. fUillhiaf/o'i/(illln(Uio (Uun.) Geog. DIst.— North- ern portions of the Old World; frequent occurrence in Greenland. Accidental In the Bermudas. A species of general distribution over Europe, in the breeding season It is found in the more northern portionn and in the winter months it inhabits the southern regions. A common game bird on the British Islands, breeding in greater or less abundance In all parts of England and Scotland, especially to the north on the Orkney and Shetland Islanus. In summer it Is found on the Faroes, Iceland and In Greenland. Breeds in the northern portions of Russia and Siberia and as far south as France, Germany, Holland and Hungary. The nests of this Snipe are placed on the ground in tall grass by the side of some pond or shallow water, or amidst the long heather which grows upon the hill side. Nests have been found at an eleva- tion of a thousand feet above the plain. The full complement of eggs is four; they have a ground-color varying from yellowish-white to greenish-yellow. The mark- ings are of several shades of reddish or chestnut-brown, scattered chiefly about the larger end. The eggs are pyriform in shape and quite pointed at the smaller end. Four eggs collected near Lancaster, England, measure 1.54x1.14, 1.53x1,08, 1,59x1.15, 1.51x1.10. |r Doodle. Twister, ;th of its lugh per- leir feed- |ound. all [eed, it is sun has [ermi|^ I ity years ;ht in by and their the North description pd winte- 1 reference R. S. E., ■Field Co- pnographa aeventy- 230. WILSON'S SNIPE. GalUnaffo delicata (Ord.) Geog. Dist.— Whole of North and Middle America, breeding from Northern United States northward ; south in winter to West Indies and Northern South America. The American Snipe is a favorite game bird, well known by the name of Jack Snipe. It is also known as the English Snipe. Throughout the greater part of the United States it occurs only during the migrations. Breeds from about latitude 45° northward to Hudson Bay region on the east and as far west and north as Sitka, Alaska, and Fort Anderson. The birds frequent low open places, such as wet meadows and marshes, and muddy banKS of streams. They are found in small com- panies of from three to twelve, technically called "wisps." Solitary birds are not unfrequently met with. No other game birds are more erratic and eccentric than these. They are extremely fickle in the choice of their feeding ground ; one day they may swarm in a certain locality, and the next none are to le discovered. Their flight is strong, but, especially at the beginning, erratic. They almost Invariably fly against the wind, and He closest on still, clear days. Occasionally they alight on trees or fences. Their note, uttered as they rise, resembles the word "rsrniM'." The nest is only a slight depression in the grass or moss of a bog. The eggs vary from a grayish-olive to greenish-brown and yellowish-ash, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, urr.ber, and sometimes with lines of black; the markings are bold and numerous, particularly on the larger end, usually also sharp scratchy lines of blackish and shell-spots, hardly noticeable. The shape of the eggs Is pyriform; three or four in number; sizes range from 1.50 to 1.60 long by 1.05 to 1.10 broad. %. ■ • T" 136 NESTS AND E0G8 OP 231. DOWITCHEB. Macrorhamphua griaew (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern North America. Breeding far northward. Knov/n by ceveral names, such as Red-breasted Snipe, Gray Snipe, Brown-back, and Gray-back; these are also applied to the Long-billed Dowitcher. This bird, which greatly resembles the Common Snipe in structure and general appearance, differs from it in habits. It is described as migrating in flocks, often of large size, and as being so unsuspicious as to allow a near approach. Breeds in high Arctic regions, in various places in Alaska, and is spoken of by Dr. Richardson as having an extensive breeding range throughout the fur country, from the borders of Lake Superior to the Arctic Ocean. In the Arctic Regions nests have been taken between the middle of June and the first part of July. They were placed on the marshy borders of small lakes and ponds, and were made of a few dry leaves and grasses. The eggs were usually four in number. These cannot, wltii certainty, be distin- guished from those of Wilson's Snipe. They are generally long, narrow, and pointed in shape; sizes from 1.62 to 1.75 long by 1.10 to 1.15 broad. 232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHEB. Macrorhamphvs scoluimrua (Say.) Geog. Dist. — Mississippi Valley and Western North America from Mexico to Alaska. This bird, whose size is larger and bill longer than that of the last, inhabits North Amerfca at large, but is supposed to be rare on the Atlantic coast. It is called Greater Long-beak, Greater Gr*\y-beak and rie..-bellied Snipe. Breeds in the far north; is said to be common about the mouth of the Yukon and islands along the coast of Alaska. In the West the birds gather in dense flocks, and they being of a gentle and confiding disposition, and so closely huddled together, that greb slaughter may be effected by the gunner if so uisposed. Eggs larger and nesting same as the last. 233. STILT SANDPIPEB. Microi)alania himantopus (Bonap.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern Province of Horth America, breeding north of the United States; migrating south in winter to tropical regions. The I^ng-legged Sandpiper, of slender form and very long legs, breeds north of the United States, and visits Southern localities in winter; Bermudas, West Indies, Central and South America. MacFarlane found this species breeding at Rendezvous Lake, in the Arctic regions, June 27. The nests were similar to all others of this family, a mere depression in the ground, with a lining of a few leaves and grasses. The eggs are three or four in number, pyriform In shape, with a ground color of light drab or grayish-white, with bold spots and marltings of chestnut-brown and purplish-gray, more nurrcrous about the larger end; in some quite confluent. Sizes vary from 1.43 to 1.46 long by 1.40 to 1.1.0 broad. 234. KNOT. Triiit/a ((iinttiis Linn. Geog. Dist. — Nearly cosmopolitan; breed- ing in high northern latitudes. Migrates iar southwaid. This handsome species, so remarkable for its seasonable differences of plumage, is the largest of ihe North American Sandpipers. It inhabits most parts of the globe; in America chiefly coastwise, and breeds in high latitudes. It is migratory, and is also found in the interior about large bodies of water and rivers. Red-breasted and Ash-colored Sandpiper and Gray-back are oturr names for it. Elliot in his "North American Shire Birds" gives other names by which this bird is known: Red Sand- piper, Gray I3ack, May Bird, Robin Snipe, White Robin Snipe, White-bellied Snipe, Silver Back, Rrd-breast l-lover, Buff-breast Plover, Buff-breast, Blue Plover, Beach Robin, Robin-breast and Horse-foot Snipe. At Point Barrow, Alaska, It was rather XfHfTir AMRRKW]^ BllflhS. Wi -Eastern wn-back, his bird, pearance, arge size, gh Arctic IS having 3 of Lake 1 between e marshy d grasses, be distin- id pointed II rare, but Murdoch was of the opinion that it bred there, for a female was killed with full-sized eggs in her ovaries; but he never lound the nest. At the Yukon mouth Dall found the Knot rare and obtained a young bird at St. Michael's. This species seems to be more numerous about Hudson Bay and on Melville Peninsula. Hagerup states that the Knot is a common summer resident of Greenland, in the northern portion of which it breeds. An authentic egg of the Knot has for many years been the object of special and diligent search by eminent naturalists and explorers traveling in Arctic regions where this bird is known to live during the season of production. Lieut, A. W. Greely, U. S. A., commander of the late expedition to Lady Franklin Sound, succeeded in obtaining the long-sought-for egg of the Knot. C. H. Merriam publishes the first account of it, written by Lieut. Greely, as follows: "The specimen — of bird and egg were obtained in the vicinity of Fort Conger, latitude of 81° 44' N. The egg was 1.10 inch [28 mm.] in the longer axis, and 1 inch [25.40 mm.] in the shorter. Color, light pea green, cloeely spotted with brown in small specks about the size of a pin-head."* ly.) Geog. ika. :, inhabits t is called in the far along the being of a hat greb id nesting ig. Dist.— migrating 236. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Trhifja muritinui Brunn. Geog. Dist.— North- ern portions of Northern Hemisphere; in North America, chiefly the northeastern portions, migrating south in winter to Eastern and Middle States. Mississippi Valley. The Purple Sandpiper is found in the high Arctic regions of America and Europe. Said to be a resident of the Aleutian Islands. Breeds in the Faroe Islands,, Iceland, and in Greenland, where some remain in the fiords of the southern portion all winter. Dr. Richardson states that it breeds abundantly on Melville Peninsula and on the shores of Hudson Bay. The nest is a mere depression in the soil with a scant lining of dry grass. The eggs are 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; the eggs are usually four in number, and measure about 1.40 by 1.00. Is north of !St Indies, lendezvous irs of this Id grasses. Id color of frown and nt. Sizes 236. ALEUTIAN SANDPIPER. Ttiiuiu mitesi (Ridgw.) Geog. Dist. —Coasts and islands of Bering Sea, north to St. Michael's. Closely allied to the last species, and the birds are hardly distinguishable in their respective winter plumages. It is common in the Aleutian and other islands, and also along the coast of Bering Sea as far west as the Commander Islands. Dr. Stejneger records it as a resident of the latter group, found there during both sum- tner and winter. The first eggs arc laid about the middle of May. These are de- scribed a pale olive-buff, varying to light brownish-buff, sjiotted and blotched witk vandyke-brown or deep umber: size 1.46x1.00. in; breed- plumage, the globe; ly, and is lasted and lis "North led Sand- led Snipe, [er, Beach [ras rather 237. PRYBILOF SANDPIPER. Triifi/ti ptUnnivntis Coups. Geog. Dist.— Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. The Black-breasted Sandpiper, as it is called, is confined to the Prybilof group and several other islands of Bering Sea: but does not visit the Commander Islands. It is said to be the only wader that breeds on the Prybilof Islands. In May it nests on the dry uplands and mossy hummocks, placing its nest in bunches of moss, in which four pyriform eggs are laid. The eggs are described as light brownish-buff, heavily spotted with rich chestnut-brown, clouded with purplish-gray. Average size 1.50x1.07. ♦ Auk, Vol. n. V. 313. I11 138 NE8T8 AND EQiSH OF 238. SHABF-TAILED SANDPIPER. Trinya acuminata (Horsf.) Oeog. DiBt.— Eastern Asia and coast of Alaska, migrating south to Java and Australia. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was first introduced to the North American ava- fauna by E. W. Nelson, who secured a female at St. Michael's in September, 1877. Later in the season others were sean and during each of the succeeding autumna they were found to be one of the most common species of snipe in that region, fre- quenting the brackish pools and tide-creeks in company with the Pectorial Sand- piper, Red-breasted Snipe and several other species. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper resembles the Pectorial Sandpiper in appearance. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Trintja tnaculata Viei:i. Geog. Dist.— North, Central and South America; breeding in the Arctic regions. Of frequent occurrence in Europe. During the migrations the Pectoral Sandpiper is very abundant, both on the sea coast and in the interior. It frequents the borders of ponds, the shores of lakes and rivers, and is found commonly in the vicinity of wet cornfields and meadows. It is only of recent date that we have obtained any positive information regarding this bird's breeding places. Hagerup states that it is a rare guest in South Greenland. Nelson found it to be extremely common at the mouth of the Yukon River, where the low grassy flats afford it a much frequented breeding ground. Arriving on the 289. Pbctorai. Sandpipbk, Adult male, in summer, with crop inflated. (From Nelson.) shores of Bering Sea, near St. Michael's, from the 15th to the 25th of May, the birds linger about a short time; they then pair and seek nesting places, which are usually in tufts of grass. Murdoch records that the Pectorial Sandpiper breeds abundantly at Point Barrow, Alaska, in June and July, moving south in September. Nelson Btatfc? that during the breeding season they have an unique habit, not to be found amon.? waders, but is common among members of the Grouse family; this is of In- flating the throat until it becomes as large as the body before the bird utters the deep, hollow, resonant sounds which may be represented by the syllables, too-u, too-u, too-u, too-u, it fills its aesophagus with air as above described. The skin of the throat becomes very flabby and loose at this season, and by dissection it was found that the inner surface of the sack is covered with small globular masses of fat. The accompanying engraving, taken from Nelson's Report, will give an idea of the character and extent- of this inflation. Nelson says that the male at times rises 20 or 30 yards in the air and inflating its throat slides down to the ground with its sac hanging below. Nests found by Mr. Murdoch contained four eggs each, of the NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 139 ^1 a I usual pyriform shape. They vary in size as follows: 1.58x1 06, 1.44x1.11, 1.42x1.08.- 1.54x1.02 inches. They have a drab ground color, with a greenish shade in some cases, and are spotted and blotched with umber-brown, varying in distribution on different specimens, as is usual ?»nong waders' eggs. The average is 1.45x1.04. 240. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Tringa fusci<;olli8 Vleill. G€Og. Dist.— Eastern North America; breeds far north. In winter migrating through the United States, the West Indies, Central and South America and Falkland Islands. Occasional in Europe. Bonaparte's Sandpiper during the breeding season is found in the Arctic regions. It is a species of wide distribution in the migrations, wandering into tropical regions. The bird is said to breed in suitable places on the shores of Cumberland Sound. MacFarlane met with its nests and eggs on or near the Arctic coast; one taken July 3 contained four eggs with large embryos; another found the day following con- tained three eggs. A third, obtained June 29 on the Barren Laads, was a mere de- pression in the ground, lined with a few decayed leaves and contained four eggs with very large embryos. A fourth found on the banks of a small river, of similar construction, held 4eggs. Theggsare pyriformin shape,of lightolive or olive-brown, spotted with bold and sometimes rather fine markings of deep chestnut-brown, almost into blackness, chiefly about the larger end in confluent groups. Average size, 1.37X.94. 241. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Tringa hairdii (Coues.) Oeog. Dist.— North America, chiefly the interior. Rare on the Atlantic coast; wintering in Mexico, Cen- tral and South America. Baird's Sandpiper is distributed throughout North America generally, but is said not yet to havr been observed west of the Rocky Mountains. It is found chiefly in the interior. Known to breed in the Arctic regions; winters south of United States. This bird was entirely unknown to ornithologists until within the last thirty-flve years; when discovered and for sometime after was confounded with other species. Dr. Coues first gave it rank and name in 1861. It breeds in the Arctic regions — on the Barren Lands; nests in the latter part of June, usually within the vicinity of lakes and small ponds. The nest is made of a few dry leaves and grasses in a small depression, shaded by a tuft of grass. The eggs are usually four in number; buff or clay colored, spotted and blotched with varying shades of chestnut-brown; In most instances the markings are fine and innumerable, of definite size, irregular in shape and thickness at the greater end, where they are occasionally massed in blotches; size about 1.30x.90. 242. LEAST SANDPIPER. Trimja minuWla Vleill. Geog. Dist.— Whole of North America; breeding north of the United States. The smallest of the Sandpipers, measuring five and a half or six inches in length. It has the same habits as characterize its Semipalmated cousins, frequenting the same localities, and fiocks of birds are often composed of both species. When this is the case the Semipalmated Sandpipers even if largely in the minority, take the lead, as they are of somewhat larger size, stronger in flight and they have a louder note. When not in company with other species none of our shore birds are more confiding and unsuspecting than these, large fiocks continuing their search for food almost under the feet of the observer. The Least Sandpiper breeds from Canada, Newfoundland ard Labrador northward Into Arctic regions, and in Alaska. .Tune 5, 1875, one was found building its nest in the vicinity of Chicago, 111. Nests la 140 NSarS AND EGOS OF the Arctic regions are usually mere depressions, lined with leaves and j^-asses, on the ground, in the vicinity of lakes or ponds. The eggs are usually four in number, and may be found between the latter part of May and June. The eggs are pyriform in shape, the ground color is light drab, thickly spil..kled with reddish-brown spots and purplish-gray. The average size is 1.15x.85. [242. 1.] LONG-TOED STINT. Triiiya damuvnmiii (Horsf.) Geog. Dist.— Asia, breeding toward the Arctic coast; accidental in Alaska (Otter Island, Bering Sea). From Daniel Giraud Elliot's "North American Shore Birds" I take the follow- ing: "This species is a miniature Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, without the lengthened tail and proportionately much longer toes. It also resembles the Least Sandpiper on the back, but exhibits very much more chestnut on the margin of the feathers of the back and head. The breast band is differently colored also. It is taken into the North American fauna from the fact that a specimen was procured on Otter Island, Alaska, June 8, 1885, as stated by Mr. Ridgway in The Auk for 1886. It is an Asiatic species going as far east as Japan, and also found in the Indian Archipelago. It can only be regarded as an accidental straggler to our shores. On Bering Island, Stejneger observed it in large flocks in May, when it frequented the beach, and was very active engaged in picking up small crustaceous from the floating weeds which the surf had cast ashore. A few remained to breed, but the majority passed farther north. He was unable to find the nest." l' [243. J DUNLIN. Triiitju aliHua Linn. Geog. Dist.— Europe; accidental in North America. The Purre or Dunlin has a wide distribution in the northern parts of the Old World. By far the most abundant of the British Sandpipers, being equally dis- tributed in the marshes, on the borders of inland lakes, and along all the seashores from the most northern island to the southern coast of England. The birds usually feed in great numbers after the retiring tide, or on the oozy flats of soft sand or mud, which cover the low-lying shores of the islands. In the spring they separate into pairs, retiring to the marshes and shores of inland lakes and muirs to breed. Their nests are made at the foot of a small bush or tuft of grass, often so concealed as to be very difficult to find. A few bits of grass or moss form the lining of the slight cavity, in which usually four eggs an deposited. They vary in ground color from greenish-white, yellow, gray and often inclining to light blue; they are spotted and blotched irregularly with reddish-brown; the spots becoming more numerous toward the larger end. Four specimens measure 1.54x1.14, 1.53x1.08, 1.59x1.15, 1.51 xl.lO. 243r». BED-BACKED SANDPIPEB. Trini/a alpiiin nariflcd (Coues.) Geog. Dist.— North America in general, breeding in high latitudes. Eastern Asia. This is the American Dunlin, Black-bellied Sandpiper, or Ox bird; it is larger and brighter colored than T. alpim. Distributed throughout the whole of North America, and breeds in the Arctic regions, migrating in winter in the United States, especially coastwise. Breeds in various places on the Alaskan coast— at the mouth of the Yukon and m the salt marshes of Norton Sound. It has also been found breed- ing on the Arctic coast of North America, on Mf Wille Peninsula, the shores of Davis Strait and in Southern Greenland. The nest is built in the vicinity of lakes and petJds or in marshes; it is a slight hollow with merely a few dry grasses and leaves i\ORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 141 18, on the iber, and riform in wn spots ;. Dist.— d, Bering le foUow- jngthened Sandpiper eathers of ;aken into I on Otter 5. It is «\n •cliipelago. Ing Island, li, and was »eds which Bed farther cidental in of the Old qually dia- seashores ■ds usually ft sand or y separate Is to breed, concealed ing of the round color re spotted numerous 1x1.15, 1.51 ;s.) Geog. la. It is larger of North ited States, the mouth fund breed- |es of Davis lakes and land leaves scraped into it. The eggs, four in number, of a dull brownish-butt or clay color, spotted, blotched and stained with chestnut, principally about the larger end; their average size is 1.43x1.01. 244. CURLEW SANDFIFEB. Tiiiuju frrninUica Brunn. Geog. Dist —Old World in general, occasional in Eastern North America and in Alasl^a. A bird with a bill resembling that of the Curlews — long, slender, compressed and considerably decurved. The length of the bird is about eight and a half inches. It Is said to be one of the rarest of the Sandpipers which visit North America. A common species in Siberia, where it breeds. Said to breed in Holland, Denmark and northward into Norway, Sweden, and in Finland. In England it is nowhere a:.undant and does not assemble in large flocks like the Dunlin or Purre. A few pairs are believed to breed in Great Britain. Known to breed in various portions of Greenland— nesting near the margins of lakes and rivers where the eggs are de- posited in a slight hollow of the ground, lined with bits of grass. The eggs are four in number, pyriform in shape, pale grayish or greenish-buff, spotted and blotched with chestnut-brown. They are hardly distinguishable from those of the Pectoral or Red-backed Sandpiper's eggs, the average size being 1.50x1.04. [245. J SPOON-BILL SANDPIPER. Euviinnrliimchus pyi/matis (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Asia; in summer along the Arctic coast, in winter Southern and Southeastern Asia; accidental on the coast of Alaska (Choris Peninsula). This is a curiously unique representative of the Sandpipers. Its bill is about as long as its head, straight, spatulate long. Nelson secured a specimen in summer plumage In 1881 at Plover Bay oh Choris Peninsula, and Dr. Bean obtained one in 1S80. In summer It is found from Plover Bay to Cape Waukarum, and in this part of the Siberian coast, according to Elliot, its breeding grounds are situated. Dr. Coues states that it is one of the rarest birds in collections, only some 25 or 30 specimens being known, mostly from India. It breeds north of Bering Strait, but the locality is unknown. 246. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Ereunetrs inisilliis (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Northern and Eastern North America; west during the migrations to Rocky Mountains. This little "Peep" is found everywhere in North America. In the summer it is distributed from Labrador and western shores of Hudson Bay northward, this being its breeding grounds. In spring and fall it is an abundant migrant in United States, thronging the beaches, the gravelly and sandy shores of streams and muddy banks of ponds, in company with the Spotted Sandpiper and others, with which it is usually confounded. It winters from the Carolinas southward. It has the same 'tweet, 'tired as the Spotted Sandpiper, and utters it frequently, both on the shore and when flying. The S*»mipalmated Sandpiper arrives in the Saskatchewan River country about the middle of May, where it deposits its eggs early in June on a few pieces of withered grass in a slight hollow in the ground. These are three or four in number, and measure from 1.20 to 1.25 long by .82 to .85 broad. In a large series the usual variations in color are noticeable; the ground color varying from clay to grayish or greenish-drab or positive olive tint; usually boldly spotted and splashed with limber or chestnut-brown, thickest about the largest end; and again, In some, very fine dots are distributed over the entire surface. i 142 NB8TS AND BOOS OF i t 247. WESTEBN SANDPIPEB. Ereiinetea occidentalis Lawr. Geog. Dlst.— Western North America; occasionally eastward to Ihe Atlantic coast; breeding far north. Migrating In winter to Central and South America. Very much like the last species and there is essentially no difference iu its gen- eral habits, nesting, eggs and other pticullarltles. Abundant In Alaska, breeding along the Yukon and the shores and islands of Norton Sound. Nests commonly on the Island of St. Michael's, depositing four eggs in nests, which are mere hollows in the ground with a few blades of grass for lining. In June and July it breeds abundantly on the islands In the bays alon^.: (he Arctic coast and also in the Barren Lands. The eggs exhibit as great variation as those of E. pusillux. Nelson describes their ground color as pale clay, shading toward pale brownish-clay. In many in- stances, usually among the larger eggs, the ground color is nearly or quite con- cealed by fine, light reddish-brown spots or specks. The other extreme has the spots gathered mainly about the large end in irregular spots of rich chocolate and umber- brown in small spots, a little more dense at the larger end. Sizes vary from 1.30x.92 to l.llx.82. 248. SANDEBLINO. Culidrin areiiaria (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Nearly cosmo- politan, breeding in high Arctic regions. ■^y'S-^\tr^^\ /'#-' .:• ••■;\v •^.-^ .».•• 248. Sandekmng (From Breli 111). The Sanderling, Ruddy "Plover" or "Beach Bird," is a species of wide distribu- tion. During the breeding season it is distributed through the northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It inhabits, hov.ever, the entire continent of North America, wandering in its migrations through the United States, and in winter to the West Indies. Mexico, Central and South America. Its nests and eggs NORTH AMEIU(\\y JilRDN. 143 have been taken in Grlnnell Land, and it is said to breed Ou islands about the coast of Greenland and on the shores and islands of Hudson Bay. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane, on June 29, discovered a nest with four eggs on the Barren Lands, near the Arctic coast. The eggs at this date were quite fresh. The nest is said to have been made of hay and decayed leaves. The eggs are ashy or greenish-brown, spotted and blotched with brown of different shades, pyriform ij shape; two to four in number, and measure 1.41 by .91. 249. MABBLED GODWIT. Limnm frdna (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North Amerl- na in general. Breeds in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi region{>, thence to the Saskatchewan. Winters In the Southern States and southward. The Great Marbled Godwit, or Marlin, Inhabits the entire temperate North America, and it Is a common bird during the migrations and in winter. It breeds chiefly in the Mississippi and Eastern Missouri regions, in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, thence to the Saskatchewan; known to breed In Northern Ohio, In Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska. This is the largest of the "Bay birds," except the Long-billed Curlew, and can readily be distinguished, its bill being either straight or bent a little upward, and not decurved, like the Curlew's. It frequents muddy pools, sandy shores and marshes, usually In flocks of g^'eater or less extent. The bird is held in high esteem for the table, and they are eagerly hunted by the gunners when flocks of ten or a dozen birds appear on the marshes. The sportsmen call them "Dough" or "Doe" birds. The eggs are creamy-buff or light oliveaceous- drab spotted and blotched, rather sparsely, with yellowish and umber-brown of varying shades, long oval; size about 2.27 by 1.60; three or four in number, and they are deposited In a slight depression of the ground, lined r:ith a few bits of grasses. The nests are placed In the vicinity of a pool or river, but not always near the water's edge. 250. PACIFIC GODWIT. Limosa lappotHca hatirri (Naum.) Geog. Dis*. — Coasts of Eastern Asia and across to Alaska, south in winter to New Zealand and Australia; casual to Lower California. In the winter months the Pacific Godwit is found in many of the Islands of the Pacific Ocean — the Polynesian Islands and Australia. At this season It is also found on the Eastern and Southern coasts of Asia and Japan. On the American coast It Is a summer resident in Alaska, and south of this point it is recorded only from Lower California. An abundant species at the mouth of the Yukon and on the marshes of Pastolik, which are farther north. The nests are built in tussocks of grass, lined with the same material. The eggs are said to be only two in number, of light olive drab, spotted with Irregularly formed spots of umber of varying shades, similar to those of the Godwit; size, 2.25x1.45. 251. HUDSONIAN GODWIT. Litmna Inrmastira (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North- ern North America. Not recorded west of Rocky Mountains, only in Alaska. The Hudsonian Godwit, though not common anywhere in the United States, is distributed throughout North America generally, but has not been observed west of the Rocky Mountains. It passes the winter south of the United States, and breeds in the most northern sections of the country. Breeds abundantly on the Barren Lands of the Arctic Ocean. In the Lower Anderson river region it nests in the first part of June, depositing its eggs in a slight depression of the ground lined with a few leaves and grasses. It associates with L. ftnln. and has the same habits and characteristics. Called by the gunners the "Smaller Doe-bird." .\meriran Black- 144 NEaTS AND EGOS OF tailed Godwit and Ring-tailed Marlin are its other names. The eggs of this species are heavily shaded olive-drab or "hair brown" almo.-^t as dark as a Loon's egg, some- times lighter; obscurely spotted and blotched with dark brown; usually four in number; size 2.20x1.12. [252.] BLAC^-TAILED GODWIT. IJmosa Unwsa (Linn.) Geog. Diet— Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Greenland. At different seasons of the year the Black-tailed Godwit has been observed in nearly every portion of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is only an occasional visitant of Greenland which gives it a place in the fauna of North America. Corsidered mi- gratory in Great Britain, and a few are known to breed there in the various marshes. In the summer months, howevei', this Godwit is found In various parts of Denmark and throughout Scandinavia, especially in Finland and up into Lapland. Known to nest in France, and is supposed to breed sparingly in Switzerland. In Scotland and other portions of the British Islands this species deposits its eggs yearly in May. This bird is known as Common Gowit, Godwyn, Yarwhelp, or Yarwhit, Jadreka Snipe, and Shrieker. The nesting is like that of all the Waders so far as known— simply a hollow in wet meadows or in dry parts of swamps, midst grass or weeds. The eggs aio usually four in number; they are of a deep grayish-olive or even a deep green, faintly spotted with olive-brown of different shades. Size 2.17x1.50. I I [253.] GREEN-SHANK. Toto n lis iKbuhirhis (Gunn). Geog. Dist.— Old World; accidental in Florida. Audubon took three specimens of the Green-shar.k on Sand Key, Florida, near Cape Sable, May 28, 1832. This is the only record of its appearance in North Amcilca. An abundant bird in the British Islands, many remain to breed, especially in Scotland, and on the islands about the coast. Breeds in Norway and Sweden, in Finland and in Lapland as far north as the Arctic Circle. The nest is often placed some distance from water, usually in a tuft of grass with a slight lining. The eggs are four in number and vary from yellowish to brownish-buff, sprinkled and spotted all over, with irregular spots of dark brown, varying in intensity of shade. The eggs are generally pear-shaped. The average size of ten specimens is 1.98x1.40. 254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Totaiius mrlniiohuriis (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Nearly all of North America; breeding in the more northern portions. The Greater Yellow-legs, or Tell-tc.le, is found in North America at large. It is said to breed in the large marshes of vVisconsin, in Iowa, and in Northern Illinois; doubtless a few breed in suitable places in California. The Greater Tell-tale winter;; from the Carollnas southward; is abundant during the migrations, and is W( 1 known to the gunners. In the Eastern States it appears to be much more wary then in Ohio, and is said to give warning to ducks and other game birds on the ap- proach of the gunner. About four rapIdiy repeated, loud and shrill whistling notes are uttered, which is a signal to the rest of his feathered neighbors, when the whole t.Tke wing, often to the disappointment of the fowler. From this habit it de- rives the name of Tell-tale, and It is also known as Stone "Snipe," Greater Yellow- shanks, and Long-lcggod Tattler. The stately form of this bird may be seen moving along the gravelly banks of streams, wading in pools or the shallow margins of rivers and lagoons, feeding upon small fishes, crustaceans, etc. It is generally found in pairs, less often in small flocks, and its association with other Sandpipers is merely accidental. The eggs are grayish-white, marked with spots of dark l)rown, varying y OUT 11 AMHItrC'AN BIRDS. 145 Old World; te iateuBity of shade, together with obscure shell-markings of lilac. The markings are over the entire surface, but more numerous at the larger end; three or four 1ft number; size 1.43x1.80. 265. TELLOW-LEOS. Totanus flavipex (Gmel.) Oeog. Dlst.— North America. The Common Yellow-legs.or Lesser Tell-tale, is found throughout North Ameri- ca. It breeds from Northern United States northward, extending its migrations to the Artie regions. It winters in the Southern States and southward. In some locali- ties during the migrations it is more abundant than the Greater Tattler, and its general habits and characteristics are the same; its cries are clearer and not so loud. It Is fond of wading about in pools of water seeking food, which consists of larvaa of Insects and small crustaceans. The Lesser Yellow-shanks is known to breed in Alaska, at the mouth of the Porcupine River, which empties into the Yukon. It doubtless breeds in all the region between Fort Selkirk and Fort Lake, and abund- antly In the MacFarlane and Anderson River regions. The nests were mere de- pressions in the ground, without any lining; sometimes they were placed at the foot of a bush, with a scanty lining of withered leaves. The eggs were usually four. The bird is reported as doubtless breeding In Illinois and other regions farther south than those Just mentioned. There Is no doubt that a few of the lesser Yellow- legs breed In Central Ohio. In referring to my notes I find that a sportsman brought me a male bird on the 28th of June, 1886. This season (June 14, 1888) Mr. Robert Hedden shot a specimen, which proved to be a female, the skin of which is now in my cabinet. From this bird I took a well-formed egg, and the ovaries contaii- J several others in different stages of development. The breast of this specimen was quite bare of feathers, Indicating that it was engaged in the lutles of incubation. The bird was sitting on the top rail of a fence when killed, and no others were noticed in the vicinity. The eggs of the Yellow-leg? are of a light drab, or even vary to clay, buffy or cream 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; pointedly pyriform in shape: three or four In number; sizes range from 1.58 to 1.78 long by about 1.16 broad. 256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER. Tntaii iix mliUiriiis (Wils.) Goog. Dlst.— North America, breeding in Northern United States, northward; migratiiiR southward to Northern South America. The Solitary Tattler, or the American Green Sandpiper, Is found throughout the entire North America; breeds in Northern United States and northward, and prob- ably throughout most of its United States range. Winters chiefly in Mexico, Central and South America and in the West Indies. It has the same characteristic habits of the Green Sandpirer of Europe — always seen near water, during the migrations, on the borders of lakes, ponds and rivers, or seeking its food, which con- sists chiefly of worms in the soft loamy soil of marshes. The Solitary Sandpiper is well named, when Its personal habits or the localities which It frequents are considered. It is found, except during and shortly after the breeding season, about small pon s In woods, remote shaded ditches or small brooks, just such localities as are frequented by the Water Thrush, and Its alarm note Is very similar to that species, but is shriller and louder and is sounded while on the wing In Its rapid flight. Although common, the I n 256. Solitary Sandpiper. 'rr 146 NB8Tli AND EGOa OF eggs of this species have been until a comp&rativ«My recent date of special desiderat- um, and only a few specimens are as yet to be found In the numerous collections. In the last edition of this work I mentioned un egy Hupposed to belong to this species, which I took In an open field bordering tlie Scioto River, near Columbus, Ohio. In the latter part of May. 1877. This specimen was flr,<» described by the late Dr. J. M. Wheaton." The egg v/as of a pointed oval shape, and not nearly so pyriform as art; the eggs of most of this family, size 1.25 by 88. smaller than the eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper. The ground was clay-color with a reddish tinge, thickly marked with reddish and blackish-brown. The nest v, as on the ground In as exposed a locality as is ever frequented by this bird. It contalred two eggs, both far advanced In incuba- tion, only one of which was presf^: ved. ,n Jones's magnificent workf this egg is ac- curately figured. Prom comparisons made at the time this specimen could not be referred to any other species than that of the Solitary Sandpiper. Dr. Brewer de- scribes an egg, taken May 28, 1878, by Mr. Jenness Richardson, near Lake Bombazine. Vermont. It measur'^s 1.32x.90. The ground color Is of a light drab, similar to that of .Ui/ialitis viclnda, ovlt the surface are scattered small rounded markings of brown, some of these are quite dark, nowhero confluent, and not large enough to be called blotches. Its shape was elonip;ated pyriform. Mr. Capen, in his finely illustrated work.t gives a faithful coloreu illustration oi this specimen. The female parent of this erg vas shot as she left the nest. 256(1. WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. Totdiiun xnlifarius nntiuiintiKm Brewst. Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast region, eastward to the Plains. The Cinnamon Solitary Sandpiper of the Pacific coast region and the plains Is a race not always distinguishable from the eastern species, 7'. soli tar ins. According to descriptions given by T.lr. Brewster (Auk. VIII, p. 377), from specimens collected by Mr. Frazar In Lower California, the bird is larger, wing grayer, the light spots on the back, scaptilars, and wlng-coverets brownish-cinnamon, Instead of white or buffy whitish; the sides of the head more whitish, especially on the lores; no well- defined loral stripes. I •' li^ [257. J GREEN SANDPIPER. Totanus orhropus (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— North- ern Portions of the Old World. Accidental in Nova Scotia. If we may regard the authority of the older ornithologists, Richardson and Nuttall, this bird obtained from them recognition as a straggler to North America. Its claim to our faura, however, has been reatored by the capture of a single speci- men, said to have been taken in Nova Scotia, which was in the possession of J. Edmund Hartlng, Esq. The bird is very similar to our Solitary Tattler and aver- ages slightly larger. It is very generally distributed through Europe and in some places esteemed a great delicacy for the table. Said to breed in all the northern portions of Asia. In England it is considered an abundant bird in spring and fail and a number of pairs remain to breed, Known als) as the Whistling Sandpiper. It frequents the shores of the sea and Inland lakes, the banks of shallow streams and the borders of ponds and marshes. Breeds in various parts of Northwestern Germany and is known to nest in Southoasteru France. The Green Sandpiper Is said to be vo!y peculiar In its mode of nesting — depositing its eggs in old nests •In his Report on the Birds of Ohio. Vol IV, Ohio Geological Survey, intitled Zoology and Botany, p. 4^6. t Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio. Illustrailons by Mrs. N. K. Jones: Text by Howard Jones, A. M., M. D., Clrclevllle, Ohio, 1886. I Oolo^.y of New Eng:and: Plate XIX. Fig. 6. \oirju .».i/^'/c/fiA imws. 147 situated in trees and Is not known ever to nent on the ground. The nt'Bts uauaily oc- cupied are those of pigeons, jays, siuikes and other birds, but most f ->nunonly tliose of the Thrushes. These are said to be situated from three to six feet and a» high as thirty-flve feet from the ground. The eggs aro four in niimber; greenisli-white or delicate grayish sea-green, sparsely marked with spots, blotches, und markings of dark-brown, chiefly at the larger end; average size 1.52x1.12. 268. WILLET. Syniphnnia xnniiialmtKa ((Jmel.) Oeog. Dist.— Eastern tem- perate North America, south to the West Indies and Urazii. lireeds from Florida to New Jersey and locally, and rare'.y to Maine. Accidental in Bermuda and Europe. The Willet is the largest of the American family Scolopacidte, except tht; genera Limom and \innntius. One of the most extensively distributed of all of our North American birds, being found in the marshy regions of the interior; along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida; throughout Centra' America and into a large portion of South America. It is also abundant along the Pacific coast. Breeds throughout its United States range and wherever found in Southern districts. Nests commonly on Cobb's Island, Va., effectually concealing the eggs in the tall grass on the higher parts of the Island. The marshes at this place are also favorite breeding localities, where the nests are built up from the ground, which is wet at high tide. At Long Beach, N. J., it breeds rarely and is said to have been formerly one of the most abundant breeding species. Mr. Perry writes that the Willet finds favorite breeding grounds in the salt marshes of Georgia and South Carolina. He mentions a large tract of "salt grass" in Beaufu.t Co., S. C, where it breeds in great numbers. A hundred pairs or moi-e are commonly observed breeding in this locality and at the same time, the eggs are very difficult to discover. Crows feed on them and the empty shells are strewn plentifully over the field. The nest is a mere depression of the ground, lined with a few pieces of dry grass. Sometimes it is placed in a tunsock of grass. Mr. Perry states that the eggs are deposited early in May. Mr. Stuart reports the Willet as breeding abundantly along the Gulf coast or Florida in May and June. The eggs are four in number, and there seems to be two distinct types of coloration in the ground color — either a greenish-white or a dark brownish-olive, marked with bold spots of various shades of umber-brown and markings of subdued purple. The eggs are very large for the size of the bird, rang- ing from 1.98 to 2.12 in length by i. .3 to 1.58 broad. Four eggs measure 1.95x1.50, 1.98x1.49, 2.05X 3, 2.04x1.53. ■tUitled 258a. WESTERN WILLET. Symplnmia scmiimlmotH iiinriKita Brewst. Geog. Dist. — Western North America, east to Mississippi Valley and Gulf States; in winter, south to Mexico, and, during migrations, sparingly along coast of southern Atlantic States. Breeds from coast of Texas to Manitoba. Mr. Brewster first described this race In The Auk, Vol. IV, April, 1887, pp. 145- 146. It is somewhat larger and grayer than the eastern species, and according to Elliot the two forms in winter cannot be distinguished from each other, save pos- sibly by the longer bill of the present species, though this is not always reliable. The present variety is very common in the western part of the United States and in Texas. The nesting habits and eggs are identical with those of S. scmipalmato ; the eggs, however, averaging a trifle larger. 259. WANDERING TATTLER. Ilctemctititis inraniix (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast of America, from Norton Sound, Alaska, to Galapagos, and west to Kamtchatka and the Hawaiian Islands; also more eastern groups of Polynesia. i 144 NBBTa AND BOOB OF This plainly colored bird Is well termed "wandering." No tpeciea of thla familjr traverso ho much sea and coast during the changing seasons as this one. Elliot Mys: Along the vast extent of the Pacific coast it goes from the Equator oaward to the Aleutian Islands in the far north, and to the interior of Alaska, where It prob- ably breeds along the banks of the mighty Yukon. He states that the places where this bird breeds may be well within the Arctic circle. [260.] BUFF, ravoncclla pugnat (Linn.) Oeog. Dist.— Northern portions of the Old World; occasionally straying to Eastern North America. The male of this species is known as the Ruff and the female as Reeve. It Is a bird of wide distribution; found at various seasons of the year throughout Europe, the northern parts of Africa, and in western Asia. Examples of this bird have been taken In Eastern I'nited States, as well vlb on Long Island and in various places in New England. Dr. Jasper took h specimen November 10, 1872, at the Licking 200. Ruff (From Ureha.) County Reservoir, Ohio. It breeds more or less commonly in England and Scotland, where the eggs are deposited diT-ing the first or second week in May. The Ruff is about the size of the Ba'-tramian Sandpiper, and it also resembles this bird in color. But the most marked peculiarity of the species is the ruff-like growth of feathers about the neck, from which it takes its name. There is an endless variety of plumage In the birds, the males and females differing widely in this respect. As its specific name, pu(jnax, implies the bird Is of a pugnacious disposition, the males en- gaging in aggrressive combats during the breeding season. Their movements in \(tRTH AMFRir.AS HIKDK. 149 fighting are sold 'o be Homethlng like a game cock. lircodH throughout the greater portion of Scandinavia and in Denmark. In Laphind it arrlvoH in the List wock of May where It is found along Iho margin of lakes anth of May to the 17th of June. The nest being simply a depression in the soil on some slight elevation in dry spots in marshes. The eggs are four in number, pear-shaped, and vary in color irom light olive-brown to dark greenish-brown, clouded with spots and blotches of dt .k umber; average size 2.34x1.67. [268.] BBISTLE-TKIGHED CUBLEW. Xuniniivfi tahitirtisis (Gmel.) Geor. Dlst. — Islands of the Pacific Ocean; occasional on the coast of Alaska and Lower California. I ,i' ' t ; 268. Bristlb-tkiohbd Ctjhlew. (From Kelson.) This Curlew, which Is a native of various islands in the Pacific Ocean is t^rtn a place in our avifauna on the ground that two examples were taken on our weetern coast, one at St. Michael's l8>land and the other on Kadlak Island, Alaska. [269.] LAPWING. TatieUus raveUus (Linn.) G€Og. LiSi.— Northern portloB Of Eastern Hemisphere; occasional in Arctic America, Greenland and the Islands of Norton Sound, Alaska. KORTP. AMERICAN BIRDS. 153 The Lapwing or Peewit is one of the most familiar birds of Ehirope. A rare visitant in Greenland and other parts of North America. Abundant in all suitable localities in Great Britain and in all the adjacent smaller islands. Found as far north as the Faroes, and in Iceland. Common in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and throughout Russia. It is not so abundant in various portions of Continental Europe, ae in France, Spain and Italy. The Lapwing is a handsome plover; in the , : ] I 269. Lapwino (From Brehm). adult in summer dress the fore part and top of the head, chin, throat and breast is uniform blue-black; side of head and neck white, grayish behind the neck; upper parts chiefly metallic bottle green, changing to a coppery purple. From the occiput springs a long crest of narrow bluish-black feathers which curve upwards. It is commonly called Te-wit, Crested Lapwing, Green Lap'ving and Green Plover. The nests of this bird are like those of all the Plovers — slight depressions in the soil with a few grasses for a lining. The eggs are four in number; they vary from a dull, light, grayish-buff to deep olive buff, more or less heavily marked with spots and blotches of brownish-black; they are pyriform in shape. Four eggs in my cabinet, collected in Staffordshire, England, April 18, measure 1.88x1.30, 1.89x1.32, 1.84x1.3(5, 1.82x1.3.?. The average size is 1.85x1.33. The eggs are regarded as a delicacy and are much sought after in all districts where the bird Is common. 154 NBSTS AND Si^GS OF 27C>. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVEB. Charadrlus aquatarola (Linn.) Oeog. Dlst. — Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, breeding far north; migrating south in \Mnter; in America to Brazil, New Grenada and the West Indies. This handsome bird is Icnown by several different names: Beetle-head, Ox-eye. Whistling Field Plcver, Bull-head Plover and Swiss Plover. It is a species of wide distribution, being nearly cosmopolitan during its migrations, wandering through Southern Asia, Northern and Southern Africa, Australia, the West Indies, Central and South America to Brazil. The eggs have only been taken in the extreme Arctic regions — on both sides of the Ural Mountains in Northern Russia — the banks of the Taimyr In the East and the tundras of the Petchora River in the West. In North America it has been found breeding in various places in the Arctic regions, as on the islands of Franklin Bay on the Arctic coast, in the first part of July and on the Barren Lands. It is also known to breed in Greenland. All the nests found arc mere depressions in the ground with a slight lining of grasses and leaves. The egg.s are described as being very similar to those of the Golden Plover, C. apricarim, or those of the I.,apwing; pyriform in shape, varying from light buffy-olive to deep olive-buff, thickly and heavily marked with brownish-black or deep black; average size, 2.04x1.43. [271.1 GOLDJSN PLOVER. Charadriiis upricariua hinn. Geog. Dist.— Europe; In winter south Into Africa. Greenland. The European Golden Plover is like the American bird, but the linings of the wings are white. In Great Britain during the winter months it is one of the most abundant species; in summer returning to the moorlands of Scotland and Ireland, and northward to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where i' breeds. It Is found in Norway, Sweden and in Lapland. Breeds also in the i^aroed, in Iceland and in Eastern Greenland. The nest is simply a hollow in the ground, lined with a few grasses. The full complement of eggs is four and seem exceeding large for the size of the bird. The ground color in a large series of these eggs varies considerably — crfeamy-white, others with a much darker shade of the same, and again of a dark chocolate-brown. On these different ground colors the large, bold spots and con- fluent blotches of brownish-black present quite a varied appearance. Eight eges in my cabinet from Renfrew, Scotland, measure, 2.02x1.42. 2.08x1.37. 2.10x1.38; 2.11x1.45, 1.96x1.40. 2.01x1.37, 2.08x1.40, 2.12x1.43. Average, 2.08x1.42. 272. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. Cliaradrliin domiiiinis Mull. Geog. Dist. — North America at large, breeding in the Arctic regions. The Golden or Green Plover breeds in Arctic America east of the coast of Bering Sea and Strait, migrating south in winter n.-»arly throughout the entire America as far south as Patagonia. MacFarlane found ft breeding at Franklin's Bay. In spring and fall it is an abundant bird in the Uniied States, and is generally esteemed for the table on account of its large size and the flavor of its flesh. Breeds abundantly on the coasts and islands of the Arctic Sea, and on the Barren Lands, depositing four eggs in a depression of the soil, which is usually slightly lined with bits of dry grass. Out of one hundred and fourteen nests recorded by Mr. MacFarlane in the Arctic regions, ninety-two contained four eggs each. They vary from pale buffy-biown to dark grayish-buff, spotted and blotched with brownish-black, chiefly at the larger end. The spots are often confluent. The average size is 1.98x1.37. In the collection of the late Capt. B. F. Goss there is a set of four eggs collected by Mr. MacFarlane on the Barren Grounds near the Anderson River. These are buffy-drab, spotted and NORTH AMHIflCAX HlRhS. \bi3 splasbed with dark brown, almost black; they are pyriform in shape, quite pointed Ht the small end, and blunt at the larger portion of the egg. 272a. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, ilniiadriiis (Inniiiiinix fulnix (Gmel.) Geog. Dist. — Asia, and islands of the Pacific. In North America, the islands and coasts of Alaska. In winter, south through India, China, etc., to Australia anii Polynesia. The Asiatic Golden Plover is similar to ('. doiniiiicuH, but is slightly smaller and of a more golden color. It breeds in Northern Asia, the Alaskan coasts of Bering Seu and Strait. Nesting and eggs similar to those of the last. Average size of the eggs. 2.02x1.30. 273. KILLDEEB. .KtjiaUtiH rocifera (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Temperate North America, south in v inter to the West Indies, Central and Northern South America. This familiar bird whose notes, kil-dm; kil-drcr, are heard in the daytime, and often in moonlight nights, more frequently during the breeding season than at any other time, is very abundant in North America at large, breeding nearly anywhere in its range. The nest is placed on the ground, usually in the vicinity of a stream, ui pond, and often on an elevated spot in the rrass or in a furrowed field. It is merely a slight depression of the ground. The bird frequents both high and low grounds, pastures and fallow fields, as well as borders of streams. The eggs are drab or clay- color, thickly spotted and blotched with blackish-brown and umber; small end quite pointed, as is usually the case with all eggs of birds of this order; the eggs are generally four in number, measuring from 1.50 to 1.60 long by about 1.10 broad. I 274. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. /EyiaUtis acmipaloiata Bonap. Geog. Dist. — North America in general; breeding in Arctic and sub- Arctic districts; south in winter throughout tropical America as far as Brazil and Peru. The Semipalmated Ring Plover is abundant and generally diffused throughout the whole of North America. In the United States it occurs only in the migrations, but it probably«breeds occasionally in some of the Northern States. Both eggs and young have been tauten near Chicago, 111., in July. It has been found in the summer months in the Saskatchewan and Mackenzie River regions, and in those of Hudson Bay, in Greenland and throughout various portions of Arctic America. It has been found breeding in thr,- latter part of June on the Arctic coast, and in the Anderson River regions. Breeds on the islands of the Alaskan coast, and at the mouth of the Yukon. Audubon found it nesting In Labrador. The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with a lining of dry grasses or leaves. The bird's general habits are like those of the Killdeer. The eggs vary from greenish to yellowish-ash, spotted, blotched and dotted with varying shades of brown; pyriform; scarcely distinguish- able from those of the Killdeer, excepting in size; length 1.20 to 1.40 by .90 to .95 in breadth; two to four in number. 275. RING PLOVER. .T.tjiaUHH hiaiiruln (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern por- tion of Eastern Hemisphere, and eastern portion of Arctic America. The well known Ringed Dotterel, or Ringed Plover of Europe, holds its place as a North American species on the grounds of its breeding abundantly throughout Greenland and on the shores of Cumberland Gulf. It is particularly common in Great Britain, where it frequents the banks of rivers, Inlets and l)ays. and the shores 156 NESTS AND E008 OF r' I If 'fi! % of the sea. Common in Norway, and it has been met with in Lapland. The eggs ot this species are deposited in a slight depression in the cand, broken shells or shingles above high-water mark. Four eggb are laid and Incir gro'md color is of a pale buff or cream color; they are beautifully spotted vith dark reddi.'i-brown, approaching black, here and there are obscure shell markings. Average size 1.41x1.00. Four eggs from England, collected May 6, are in m> ca»:inet and measure 1.36x1.00, 1.40x1.02, 1.43X.90, 1.42x1.00. [27b.] LITTLE RING PLOVEP .F.f/ialiiift dubla (Scop.) Geog. Dist.— North- ern portion of Eastern Hemisphere. Acciuental on the coast of California aud in Alaska. The Tilttle Ringed Dotterel or Little Ringed Plover breeds In the northern por- tions of the rid World. This European species has less grounds for being included In the North American fauna than the previous ones. Its general habits, nesting and eggs resemble those of the Semipalmated Plover. hvX the eggs, like the bird, are much smaller. The average size of ten eggs in my collection is 1.19x.85. They are short ovate in form, of a pinkish-buff ground oolor, finely speckled all over with brown. i I 276. Little Ring Plover. 277. FIFING PLOVER. .Eyialitia mcluda (Ord.) Geog. Dist.— Chiefly th« Atlantic coast of the United States, north to southern Labrador. In winter, West Indies. The Piping Plover is an abundant species in the summer months along the eastern coast of the United States, breeding from the Carolinas northward as far as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a graceful and attractive little species, possessing a remarkably musical voice which can be heard as the bird moves gracefully over th« sandy beaches. Its food is small marine worms, Crustacea, etc. During incuba- tion It Is said that the parents rarely sit upon their eggs, except at night and in damp weather, but always remain in the vicinity and watch over their treasures with solicitude. The eggs are four in number, pale buff, speckled with black and purplish gray. In some the markings are very much more profuse than in others. The average size of a large series (fifty in number) is 1.20x.95. Four specimens measurs 1.28x1.01, 1.31x1.01. 1.25x1.03, 1.28x1.00. .\OliTU AUtilUCAy BUWS. 157 egssof Bhingles )alo buff reaching our eggs 1.40x1.02, — North- la aud in tiern por- ; Included sting and are much are short brown. 277u. BELTED FIPINO PLOVEB. .i^gialitis nieluda vircumcincta Rldgw. rieog. Oist.— Missouri River region; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast. This variety of the Piping Plover is found between the Missouri River and th« Rocky Mountains and as far eastward as Lake Koskonong, in southern Wisconsir. and occasionally along the Atlantic coast. Its habits are the same as those of meloda. The eggs measure 1.27X.93. 278. SNOWY PLOVER, ^yialltis nivosa Cass. Geog. DIat.— V/estern North America, south to Mexico In winter, both coasts of Central America and In Western South America to Chili. The Snowy Ring Plover inhabits the United States chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains. It is a ; >nstant resident along the California coast, and a specimen has heen taken on the coast of Texas in the latter part of June. Mr. Emerson, of Hay- wards, California, informs me that it nests along the sandy beaches of the ocean cuast, and says he has no doubt that it breeds along the bay beach, as he shot the young there in June. Mr. Shields states that it is abundant along the sandy beaches in the vicinity of Los Angeles, nesting in the first week of April; fresh eggs often being found as late as May 15. Mr. N. S. Goss lound the Snowy Plover breeding on tiie salt plains along the Ciraarrion River, in the Indian Territory, the northern limits of which extend into southwestern Comanche County, Kansas; he also took two specimens within the State limits. The birds are describod as being very much lighter in color than the California specimens.* The eggs are three In number, in ground color, pale buff or clay color, and the markings very much resemble Wilson's IMover, but are more numerous and scratchy; about the size of the eggs of the Piping Plover, mduda, 1.20x.90. [279.] MONGCLIAN PLOVER. .T.yiaUtis moKyohi (Pall.) Geog. Dist.— Northein Asia, south in winter to Malay Archipeliago and Australia, Chorls Penin- sula, Alaska, accidental. A bird of wide distribution. Found throughout Northern Asia in general, west to St. Petersburg, Palestine and Northeastern .\frica. In winter it Is found through- out Southern Asia and as far south as the Philii)pines. Malay Archipeliago, etc., to Australia. Breeds commonly in Northern portions of Asia, nesting on the ground like others of its tribe. The eggs are four in nuraljer; pale dull oliv. or l)Uff sparsely luarkfd with brownish-blaok; sizp. 1.43x1.05. Jhlefly tht Inter, West along the Id as far as J possessing lefuUy over Ing Incuba- |ght and in asurcs with id purplish Ihcrs. The 18 measure 280. WILSON'S PLOVER, .lliiuililis irHsoiiia (Ord.) Geog. Dlst.— Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North .Vmerlca, north to Long Island. Casually to Nova Scotia. Soiith in winter to Brazil and Peru and West Indies. Wilson's Plover, named in honor of the immortal Wilson, is common along the soa coast of the South .Mlantir and Gulf States. It is found along the Eastern coast, luit rarely north beyond New Jersey. One of the "boaoh l)irds," and may be found in company with others of the genus .i.V'« ''''•*'• On some of the islands on the coast of Georgia Mr. Perry found them breeuing in gjeat numbers in company with the Least Tern, nesting very much in the same manner. The eggs are deposited in a cavity of the loose pebbles or shells of the beach; they are usually three in number. Tlic ground color is a pale ollve-drab or clay-colored, some having a greenish tint, marked all over with blackish-brown, well defined spots, small splashes and fin© ♦ Auk. Ill, p. 409. 158 NEBTB AND BOOS OF ■ dotB. Sizes from 1.30 to 1.46 long by 1.00 to 1.05 broad. meuuuiTii iiH follows: 1.37x.99, 1.82X.98, 1.40x1. 0(i. A set in Mr. Perry's cabinet 281. MOUNTAIN FLOVEB. .llffiaUlis inontana (Towns.) Geog. Dlst.— West- ern North America, east to the Uveal Plains; accidental In Florida. More properly caliod Prairie Plover, l)ut It seems to have been l)adly named, for It certainly is a prairie bird, inhabiting the most barren prairies, as well as the watered regions of the United States, from the plains to the Pacific. It can readily be recognized by its large size, the lack of rings on the breast, with the uniform pale, yellowish-brown above. It is quite independent of water, and is said to be not the least aquatic, even on the Pacific coast; It frequents tne plain, never the marsh or beach. Nests anywhere on the open prairie in June and July. The eggs are usually three in number, olive-drab, with a brown shade, finely and thickly dotted with very dark brown and black, the markings not larger than a pin's head; sizes from 1.40 to 1.50 long by 1.10 to 1.12 broad. 282. SURF BIRD, i . ■ Ixf tgata (Qmel.) Oeog. Dlst.— Pacific coast of America, from Alaska to Chi Known as the Plover-bilK ; Tur:i> :»ne. It Is rare on our shores, although it la found almost along the entire s • %'jii -opst of the two Americas. Little is known concerning its breeding place anu the *>.'. have not been discovered. Nelson se- cured specimens of the bird In the vicinity c' St. Michael's, Alaska, and the natives claimed that It bred on the bare mountains of the interior, some 20 or 30 miles from the coast. At the present time, however, its breeding place is unknown. 283. TURNSTONE. Arenarhi hiUrprcH (Linn.) Geog. Dlst.— Entlre'y cosmo- politan, chiefly along the sea coasts. Breeds in high northern latitudes. 01 CO Ar po thi It fro bic to I spe Rl^ fire 1.6S ciflc ca. : its 1 ' 383. TuRNSTUNB 'Prom Brehml Noitrn AMKRHAy luuits. 1S9 9 cabinet L— West- y named, ell as the in readily !orm pale, je not the marsh or re usually with very from 1.40 : coast of lough It Is i Is known Nelson se- Ihe natives miles from The Common Turnstone Is widely distrilmted in the breeding season through- out the northern portions of both continents, and wanders southward along the sea coasts of all countries. In America it breeds commonly in the Harrcn Lands of the Arctic coastH and the Anderson River districts, on the islands of Franklin and I/ivor- pool Bays, nesting in Julv. In the Hudson Hay country the egRs are laid In Jime; the nest Is nothing but a hollow scratched in the earth, lined with bits of grass. It Is known by various names, "Brant Bird." "Bead Binl," 'Horse-foot Snipe," and from its varlRatcd colors, "Calico-back." The eggs are greenlsh-aah. spotted, blotched Riui dotted Irregularly and thickly with yellowish and umber brown; two to four; abruptly pyrlform in shape, and average 1.58x1. If). A set of four eggs of this species is in the cabinet of Captain B. F. Goss. These were taken on the Yukon River, In Alaska. The nest was a slight (lepression on the ground. The eggs are greenish drab, spotted all over with brown; sizes, 1.68x1.13, 1.60x1.17, 1.60x1.17, 1.68x1.13. 284. BLACK TURNSTONE. Arcnarin mrldiinrrphdhi (VIg.) Oeog. Dist.— Pa- cific coast of North America, from Alaska to Santa Cruz and San Mlnguel Island. The Black-headed Turnstone Is common along the Pacific coast of North Ameri- ca. It has been found nesting in Alaska at the mouth of the Yu^ ». 'n all respects Its habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are said to be similar to those of l. fr/trrH. The eggs average 1.62x1.12. re'y cosnio- i'^ i > 2N4. Ulack Turnstonb. [285.] OTSTEB-CATCHEB. Ilamutninis ostralvinis Linn. Geog Dlst.— Sea coasts of Europe, portions of Asia and Africa; occasional in Greenland. The Oyster-catcher of Europe claims a place In the North American fauna from its occasional occurrence in Greenland. It appears to be common In all suitable places on the coasts and islands of Europe, extending northward to the northern shores of Russia and Siberia, where it breeds on the great Arctic flats. Common itiroughout the summer months in Denmark, Sweden and on the west shores of Norway. In Great Britain the Qyster-catcher Is a well known species, nesting on the shores and islands as far north as Orkney and Shetland. The bird breeds gen- i. r. 160 NEHTti AND tlOUS OF erallx in pain, btit in some instances a large number are found netting in ont place. Four eggs are usually laid in some cavity in ttie sand or shingle. Nests hare Iteen found on tlie top of rocks, ten to fifteen feet above the ground. The eggs are •t a dull creamy buff, spotted and blotched with brownish-black, generally over til* entire egg. Six eggs In my cabinei from England measure 2.15x1.57, 2.35x1.63, 2.1te 1.56, 2.17x1.54. :i.32xl.50, 2.19x1.50. ■'^^S'^^" ^^' ":' ^s ♦ ♦ EiJROPKAi OvBTKR-CATCHKR, BliTiilar to the Ainericaa Oystef-catcher. (From Brebm.) 286. AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER. Hamatoituti iHtllialu.s Temm. Geog. Dust. — Sea roasts America from Nova Scotia and Southern California, south lo Patagonia. Tho brown ish-barUed Oyster-catcher breeds along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward, where it becomes more common. It breeds abundantly, l)ut ir- regularly, in difleront localities. There aro extensive breeding resorts along t.he coast of Virginia. On Cobb's Island it was formerly quite common during the brooding season, where now only a few pairs aro said to Ije found nesting. It is common plong the coast of Florida, nesting on the beaches and depositing three, sometimes only two. eggs. The American Oyster-catcher is an abundant resident throughout the Bahamas, nesting wherever there are sandy beaches. It has been found breeding in Galveston Day, Texas, in .lunr, and on islands at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The eggs are creamy or white, spotted and blotched irregularly with varying shades of brown; rather oval in shape; sizes range from 2.12 to 2.30 in length by 1.r,0 to 1.62 in breadth. Six eggs from the roast of Virginia measure 2.22x 1.57, 2.23x1.58. 2.19x1.52. 2.15x1.52, 2.25x1.60, 2.21x1.57. Mr. Walter Hoxie, in the SOUTH AMEltlCAN HIRDR. m "Ornithologist and OUIogist" for August, 1887, gives us an Interesting account of a pair of (hesp birds moving their eggs when their uest was discovered. While Mr. Hoxle wnH watching the parents they carried the eggs about on€ hundred yards from the old nest, and deposited them safely in a new nest which he saw the l)lrds pre- pare. The female lifted the eggs between her legs and successfully carried them away. 286. 1. FRAZAR'S OYSTER-CATCHER. Ihrmntopun fr(i:nri Brewst. Qeog. Dist.— lx)wer California (both ooaHtH), north to Los Coronados Islands. Mr. William Brewster has dedicated thiH new species to M. Abbott Prazar, who secured three specimens north of l.a Paz, on the Gulf of California. It was said to be common in the locality and evidently preparing to breed on the sandy islandH and shores of the gulf. It has been seen on Los Corronados IslandH. Saii Quentln Bay, Cerros Island; also at Magdalena Hay, where it was common, and on Santa Margarita Island. Here they mated in .lanuary. They feed upon small bivalves. Mr. Brewster describes this species as differing from fl. palliatiiK In having a stouter, more de- pressed bill, little or no white on the eyelids, the back, scapulars and wing-coverets richer and deeper brown.* I have no description concerning the nesting and eggs of this new species. 287. BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER. Btrmatopm hachmani And. Oeog. Dlst.— Pacific coast of North America from Lower California north to the Aleutian Islands and pcross to the Kurilas. Bachman's Oyster-catcher, as It Is called, Is a characteristic bird of the Pacific coast, being more common to the north than to the south. It is said to be par- tial to rocky coasts and Islands and not always met with on sand beaches. It is common in Alaska, where It is one of the characteristic birds of the sea- shore, and It Is also a summer resident of the entire Aleutian chain of islands. Dall found It breeding the latter part of .Tune on Range Island, one of the Shumagin group. Here he found two nests. In both cases the eggs were placed directly upon the gravel on the beach; one contained two eggs, the other one. They were all partly Incu- bated. The eggs of this species are two or three in number, light olive-buff, speckled or spotted with brownish-black and purplish-gray 2.20x1.52 inches. 287. liLACk OvbTER-CATCHER. Their average size is [288.] MEXICAN JACANA. J mam xpinnm (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Valley of the Lower Rio Grande, Texas, south into Central America, Panama, Cuba, Haytl. A bird which combines the characters of the Plover and the Rail, but out wardly distinguished from either by the excessive development of the toes and par- ticularly the claws. These are slender, compressed, nearly or quite straight, that of • For a complete description see The Auk. V, pp. 84-sr>. 12 il ' i I H>2 NH8T8 AND BOOB OF the hallux much longer thon Uh UIkU. The Kprcud uf feet thiiH acquired enables tho l)lrd to run quite eaRily over floating vegetntlon In the marsheH. Dr. .lanu'H C. Mer- rill met with lh<' proBMil spcclcH iirir Kort llrown. In SoiiihwcHtfrn Tt'xiiH. in the ••arly part of AiiRiiBt, INTd. Tho liird Ik common throughout th«' whole of Middle Anierlra, M(>xlco and Central America to ranama. inhabiting the donHc marHhcH of thoRo rcgloiiH, noHtlng like the IlailH. The cggH arc of a rounded-oval Hhapc, ground color, bright drab or tuwny olivo, marked over the surface with a confusod net- \ .vu ^ iV^h ^A\ « * Parra juKina, illusitaiiiig (he American genus of ilie family }\trriiiar iFrom Brchm work of black, or dark brown wavy stripes, blotches and lines. Average size. 1 22 x.i)4. Mr. Crandall has two sets of the < i?g8 of this bird collected by Frank B. Arm- strong in Tamaulipas county, Mexico, respectively on May 13 and July 18, 1895. The iipsts in both cases were composed of water weeds and trash of any kind. They were constructed so as to float among the lilly leaves growing on a pond, similar to a grebe's nest. One set contains Ave eggs, and they measure as follows: 1.19x.89. 1.16X.90, 1.18X.89, 1.21X.90. 1.23x.91. The second set of four eggs, taken in July, ex- ynitTii wiF.nivAS ninna. \(^ ■■f bll'lt the folnwItiK dlrm-nslonK: l.L'Ox.91. 1.22x.nO, l.l9x.93. 1.18X.92. The uvithk.' h1/,i> of thr nlni> ••krh Ih l.lOx.OO liwhPH. In a larRor Horli'M ti.,' avpniRp hIzp Ih InrRor. nt* RhOVP clfiMl. ••EUROPEAN QUAIL. r,,tiinil.r intuvitix (I.lnn.) (Jeog. DUl. — NoilhtMn jMtrtiotiH of Northern n«'nilHi)h«'r»'; hitrotliicrd into the rnlted StaliH. The f'omnion Qniill of I'lirope haH liem imported iiy tlie hiiiuM-odH In vario\iR parlH of tlilH country during tlH> laHt eighteen years. 'I'IiIh haH es|)eriully lieen the caHP in tliH KaHtern States, north to New T'ninHwIck. Hither the rliniaie or the food waH unHulted to them and their naturalization Ih ronHldered a failure. ^k.-^.f • • Common Qitail n* Europk (From BrehniV 289. BOB-WHITE. Coliniis riiYuiiiiiiiis (l^inn.) Gtjog. Dial.— Eastern Uni- ted States; west to Dakota, Kansas, Indian Territory and Eastern Texas. North to Southern Maine and Southern Canada, south to the Atlantic and Oulf States. The celebrat' '1 game bird of Eastern United States. It has now extended its range westward • to nearly all the Western States and Territories. In the two southern extremes of its habitat it is found in two light and dark climatic varieties, as below. Found tlroughout the greater portion of the year In coveys: in the early spring pairing, each pair selecting a particular locality, where they remain during the summer months. Where mating has taken place the male's well-known mellow notes. — Hnh-irhitrJiob-u-hUr, may be heard at short intervals echoinp throughout the woodland. The favorite nesting places of this bird a.'o on the groum; in corners of rail fences, at the foot of stumps surrounded by a thick giovth rf veici- tatlon. In gardens or cultivated fields where there are bunches of tail ^'rass or weeds. i i '4 n 164 NBSTa AND EQ08 OF ill :u li' i Two and sometimes three broods are reared in a season and nesting begins as early as May Ist. The nest is often made in close proximity to the farm house, ft 1b rarely built in thick woods. Dr. Jones mentions a nest which he found alongside a railroad track. It is usually constructed of dry grasses, straws, leaves or weeds. The complement of eggs is from fifteen to twenty-five, often only twelve, but usually about eighteen. They are pure white unless stained by the bed of grass upon which tliey He. At one end they are quite pointed, at the other obtusely rounded; size 1.20X.95. 289a. FLORIDA BOB-WHITE. Colinus vit'ifluiaum florldanux (Coues.) Geog. Dlst.— Florida. A darker colored bird than C. vlrt/lnianui. General habits, nesting and eggs the same. Eggs, 119x.92. 289h. TEXAN BOB- WHITE. CoHnus Hrainiamis texanun (Lawr.) Geog. Dist. — Texas and Northern Mexico, north to Western Kansas. A bird of paler color than the C. v, florUlanim. Eggs smaller than r. vitylnianun, 1.17X.91. • • CUBAN BOB-WHITE. CoHnus virfflnianus cubaneusta (Gould.) Geog. Dist. — Cuba and Southwestern Florida. The late MaJ. Bendire in his great work: "Life Histories of North American Birds," says: "This slightly smaller and darker colored bird than Cnlimm rlri/lniauus floridoiiiis, is found in limited numbers in Southwestern Florida, south of Lake Okeechobee and Tampay Bay." Quoting Dr. Juan Viar6, professor of natural his- tory, University of Havana, Cuba: "The Cuban Bob-White lays from ten to eighteen eggs; these are usually deposited, between the months of April and July, in a slight cavity of the ground, sheltered by vegetation." The average size of nine eggs In the U. S. National Museum collection is 1.20X.94. 201. MASKED BOB WHITE. CoHiiiih rUti/wayi (Brewst.) Geog. Dist.— So- nora to Southern Arizona. The handsome Masked or Arizona Bob-white is a comparatively recent addition to the avifauna of North America, it having been described and named by Mr. William Brewbter in The Auk (Vol. IT, 1885, p. 199): from a specimen taken by Mr. F. Stephens, August 11, 1884, about eighteen miles southwest of the town of Sasabe, in Sonora, Mexico. It appears that this species is confined to a narrow strip of country along our southwestern border, anrt is nowhere as common as the Gnmbel's and Scaled Partridges, which are found in the same regions. The eggs appear to be indistinguishable from those of the eastern Bob-white. An egg obtained by the late MaJ. Bendire measures 1.22x.94. pi 292. MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE. Orcoriyx pMun (Dougl.) Geog. Dist.— Pa- cific coast from San I'^ranclBoo north to Washington. The lieautiful Mountain or Plumed Partridge is a much larger and handsomer bird ihiin the Bob-white. The hrad Is adorned with two arrow-like plumes three or four Inches in length; these are noticeable In the chick just from the egg, in the form of a llttlo tnft of down. The Konornl slate and olH-e color of the adult Is beautifully marked with whito along the sides, Inner secondaries of the wings, sides of the neck, etc. The bird ! found breeding along the Pacific coast region from California north NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 165 into the State of Washington. Mr. Emerson informs me that it breeds in the higher mountain ranges, not below 4,000 feet. In some portions of Oregon it is very abund- ant. The eggs are deposited on the ground, on a bed of dead leares, under a bush or tuft of grass or weeds. Six to twelve are usually laid, of a cream color with a red- dish tint. Dr. Coues describes the eggs as miniatures of the Ruffed Grouse's, only distinguishable by their smaller size, 1.36x1.02 292a. PLUMED PARTRIDGE. (h-rortuJ' piotiii^ phimtfenis (Gould.) Geog. Dist. — Sierra Nevada ranges from Oregon southward; coast ranges of California to Cape St. Lucas. This subspecies, which very much resembles O. pirtiis, inhahits both sides of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Eastern Oregon southward, through the coast ranges of California. Its general habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are the same as those of the Mountain Partridge. The eggs are creamy-buff, of varying shades, and their aver- age size is 1.40x1.02. 292h. SAN PEDRO PARTRIDGE. Orrortyx pMus roflnix Anthony. Geog. Dist. — San Pedro Mountains, Lower California. This is a comparatively recent subspecies, having been first de.scribed by Mr. .\. W. Anthony in 1889. It differs from the last-named species, in that the upper jjarts are grayer and the bill thicker. Mr. Anthony Informed Maj, Bendire that the breeding range of this race extends from the foothills along the base of the San Pedro Mountains, Lower California, to the tops of the highest peaks, estimated at about 12.600 feet. Mr. Anthony found a nest on Valladares Creek, March 2'J. 1889. The nest was placed in the midst of thick manzanlta chaparral, high up on n hill- side. The nest was a mere hollow under a manzanlta bush, lined or rather filled, with dry leaves of the lilac and manzanlta, and contained but a single egg. Mr. An- thony shot the female and secured from her another egg just ready to be depoalted. He states that they resemble those of the Plumed Partridge In shape and color, being creamy white and unspotted. The two specimens measure 1.42x1.10 and 1.46x1.06 respectively. 2\iS SCALED PARTRIDGE. rnUipvpla siiuuiuata {Wg.) Geog. Dist.— North- western Mexico and border of the United States, from Western Texas to New Mexico and Southern Arizona. This handsome Partridge, called Blue Quail, is distributed throughout North- western Mexico, Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, but Is said to be loss numerous than the crested Partridges or Quails. In .\rizona they iire found In fiocks of from six to ten, sometimes muro in the most barren places, miles away from any water. Mr. W. E. D. Srott found this Qtiall as abundant on the dry mesas of the San Pedro slopp of the Santa Catallna Mountains, up to an altitude of .1,500 feet, as Its congener (\ yixmhvli. At this altitude Mr. Scott found a nest, May 20. containing eleven eggs.* It in- habits a more open country than '(fnmhcU and In other localities large flocks of both species were often seen together. A slight depression under a bush serves as a nest, It Is generally lined with a few coarse grasses. In Western Texas complete sets of eggs may be found as early as April 25. The eggs are extremely thick- shelled; the number laid ranges from eight to sixteen, twelve being the more common number. Their color is buffy-whlte or of a cream color. Irregularly dotted with specks of light brown; size, 1.24x.94. t 'I • Auk. in. pp. *ri-388. a H i^^ n rif 166 NESTS AND BOOS OF 293a. CHESTNUT-BELLIED SCALED FABTBIDOE. Cntfipepla aquamata eastanu)/antris (Brewst.) Geog. Dlst.— Eastern Mexico and Lower Rio Grande of Texas. ThiK bird is like the last, but the gennral coloring is deeper and richer. Tht bird appears to inhabit the low lands along the lower Rio Grande Valley, while C. squamata inhabits the table lands of Northwestern Mexico, Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Mr. George H. Ragsdale, of Gainesville, Texas, kindly sent me four eggs of this bird for inspection; these have a ground color varying from ^hite to a buff with the surface marked with minute specks of reddish brown. In a specimen having a white ground tlie markings have a purplish lint. The shape of the eggs is characteristic of all eggs of the Partridge. The sizrs of the four speci- mens are, 1.17x.94, 1.13x.92, 1.15x.94, 1.16x93. In the collection of the late Capt. B. F. Goss there is a set of ten eggs of this Partridge taken May 14, 1886, in Western Texas. They are dull white, speckled all over with fine dots of different shades of brown. Some of the eggs have a few small brown spots on them more than a six- teenth of an inch in diameter; they resemble the eggs of the Scaled Partridge, but are more thinly speckled and much lighter in color. Sizes, 1.25x.99, 1.17x1.00, 1.24x 1.06. 1.26x1.05, 1.26X.99, 1.24x1.05. 1.25X.99, 1.27x1.00. 1.27x.99, 1.28x1.00. The nest from which these eggs were taken wari on the ground and made of leaves and dry graFs 294. CALIFOBNIA FABTBIDOE. Canipepla ralifoniica (Shaw.) Geog. Dist. — Coast region of California south to Monterey. Introduced In Oregon, Wash- ington and British Columbia. CtAuroRNiA Partridob or Hrlmbt yuAiL (Prom Brebm}. SORT a AMURWAS UlUDS. 167 The handsome California Partridge or Valley Quail inhabits the lower portions of California and Oregon, where it Is very abundant, and also eastward nearly to the Colorado River. It is known also by the name of Helmet Quail. The nest is made on the ground, and is often found in curious places. Mr. Emerson says It Is sometimes placed in tho garden, within twenty feel of the doorway; he sav/ eggs of this Quail laid in the nest of chickens that had hidden their nests in (he barn-yard, and it is commonly found under hedges, bushes, brush-heaps; even in the grass by the wayside. Mr. Bryant mentions several cases of this bird's nesting in trees upon the end of a broken or decayed limb, or at the intersection of two large branches. One case he cites of a brood being hatched in a vine-covered trellis at the front door of a popular seminary.* Mr. II. 11. Taylor, of Alameda, California, records a nest of the Spurred Towhee on the ground in wiiich were 4 eggs of the Towhee and 2 of the California Quail. t The egg of this species are most beautifully marked on a creamy-white ground with scattered spots and blotches of old gold, and sometimes light drab and chestnut-red. In a large series of specimens sent me by Mr. .\rnold Hoyle, collected in the vicinity of Banning, California, there is a striking variation in this resp'^ct. In some specimens the gold coloring is so pronounced that it strongly .^ .ggestn to the imagination that this Quail feeds upon the grains of the precious metal which characterizes its home, and that the pigment thereof is im- parted to the eggs. The number laid ranges from eight to twenty-four. In shape they are like those of the Bob-white. Ten selected eggs measure 1.13x.90,l.I8x.93, 1.19X.93. 1.19X.94, 1.23x.90, 1.27x.96. 1.30x.95, 1.32x.9.'), 1.33x.97, 1.3.-)X.94. The average size is 1.23X.94. A\ I k iC 294». VALLEY PABTBIDOE. Calliixiilii Kilifoniha lallicnla (Rldgw.) Geog. Dist.- Interior Regions of California and Oregon, south to Cape St. Lucas. This variety, which is very similar to the last species, is common to the interior valleys and foot-hills of the Pacific Province. There is essentially no difference be- tween the eggs of (his bird and those of ('. raHfoniira. 295. CAMPEELL'S FABTBIDGE. ( alliitrpla /,Y»mMi/ (Nutt.) Geog. Dist.— Northwestern Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Southern T'tab and Western Texits. A characteristic game bird of Arizona and New iMexico; al)undant on moun- tains and in valleys. It is found as far oast as Western Texas, west to the Colorado River, north to Southern rtah. In Texas it is replaced by the Massena Quail. Mr. W. R. D. Scott found it distributed throughout tho entire Catalina region in Arizona helow an altitude of ."j.OOO feet. F.y the middle of April, on the San Pedro slope of the Catalina mountains most of the birds are paired, and breeding has fairly begun. .\l)oul Tucson the breeding season begins from three weeks to one month earller.J This bird is also known as the Arizona Quail. The nest is like that of any other l)artridge, placed on the ground, sometimes without any lining. The eggs are from eight to sixteen in number and they do not differ from those of the ('. valifnrnira. The average size of thirty specimens is 1.27x.98. 296. MASSENA PARTRIDGE, ryrtonil-r iiioiiuziimn (Vlg.) Geog. Dist.— Tablelands of Mexico from the City of Mexico north to Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. In Arizona this bird is known as "Fool Quail" or "Fool Hen." Mr. Scott men- tions finding it common in the evergreen oak region of the Pinal Mountains, near • Unusual NeaiiMC Sltrs. I. null. Cnl. Acnil. Sol. IT, 46^ t OrnlthologlHt Jin.. Oologlst. Vol. X. p. 142. I Auk. Vol. Ill, v. 388-389. ;ii 168 NB8T8 AND BOOB OF 13 the head of Mineral Creek '.iyr end; eight to fifteen are Uild; average size 1.98x1.42. 297rt. SOOTY GROUSE. IttiKlioi/iiinin '.u///- 'iiU{fhi<>'*iix Rldgw. (Jeog. Dlst. — ivTountalns near the Pacific coast from Sltk?, mnah to California. A darker colored bird than />. obnnirii<-. Mr. A. W, Am .ony records this Grotit^e as abundant in Washington cotinty, in the northern part of Oregon.* Me states that in the winter the bird remains high up in the firs and is vt\:' seldom seen. At the first indication of spring the males begin to "hoot." This Is not dissimilar to the "booming" of the Prairie Hen, and when uttering these love notes the bird may usually be seen about fifty or seventy-five feet from the ground In a thick fir. The note is repeated from five to seven times. Mr. Anthony says: "This Grouse is an accomplished ventriloquist; I have often looked for an hour for one supposed to be fifty yards in front of me to find it as far in the rear." Nests found in May contained from five t j seven eggs. A set of seven eggs of this bird In the collection of the late Captain '^' F. Goss was taken June 1st, 1887, at Oakland, Oregon. The neat was placed .'. he ground. The eggs are creamy buff, spotted and speckled with reddish brown; the aput. a/e sr>-rhn and scattered, most of them sharply defined; the measure- ments of the B'ven eggs are as follows: 1.87xl..18, 1.81x1.33, 1.78x1.33, 1.86x1.37, \M xl.36, 1 30j. ..!»♦. -".S.r.l.SS. I"' M • Auk. V< Ml •■ , ''.34. i'l. ohsriiniK, and tlie nesting habits are the same. 208. CANADA OBOUBE. Dvmlnii/iiitux ninailciiMia (Linn.) deog. Dist.— Northern North America, east of Rocky Mountains, from the Northern portions of New England, New York, Michigan and Minnesota to Alaska. Known as the Spruce or Wood Partridge, Canada, Black or Spotted Grouse, and found in all favorable localities, especially the spruce forests and swamp regions from Northern United States northward, as far as the woods extend in the Arctic regions, and it has been found breeding \n Northern Alaska. Audubon found it lireeding in the vicinity of Eastport, Maine, in the Intericr recesses of almost im- penetrable woods of hackmatack or larches, lie was informed that the birds breed in the neighljorhood about the middle of May, which !:- a month earlier than they do in Labrador, in the nesting Koason tlio males produce the same well-known and peculiar drumming as does the Rufted (Jrous*'. The female constructs a nest of a bed of dry twigs, leaves and mosses, and is usually carefully hidden, on the ground, under low horizontal branches of flr trees; it is generally placed in quiet and sw»»'npy localities. The eggs are of a buffy or reddish brown color. Irregularly splashed, d-)t- ted and spotted with different tints of brown; eight to fourteen in number; a /erage size of ten eggs is 1.70xL20. The shape is characteristic, being like those of the Ptarmigan in form. fi 280. FBANKLIN'S OBOUBE. Ihiidnii/tiiiiii' frankliiiii (Do\\g\,) Geog. Oi. cauitdrnHiy.. It la confined to the territory between the Rocky Mountains and th- Mcifto coasv, chlet\y in British America. Its habits in all respects are identical w those of cancUciiMiH. The nest is made on the ground, of dry leaves and giass. oftei the foot of decayed stumps, or by the side of fallen timber in dense mountain wuuus. The eggs average in size 1.68x1.24. 300. BUFFED OBOUBE. Honoxa umh(llu.'< (Lini Geog. Dist.— Eastern United States, south to North Carolina, Georgia, .Missisfc ,.pi and Arkanpas. The Ruffed Grouse, "Pheasant" or "Partridge," is a noted game bird ill8i.rll)Uted in wooded districts \\i oughout Eastern Ignited States. At the limits of its habitat it Is found la several geographical races as l.s shown by the following «ub-bp€cie«. Its habits in many respects differ from those of the Prairie Hen; the latter is found on open plains, while the Grouse is rarely met with there. The food of the two •pedes is very similar, making the difference in their reppec've abodes quite strik- ing. The well-known drumming of the male birds is made iring the love season, '^^t1 ,Ml :»Ei lag I^K W^^ ■T^^pZmHI' "^f^^R 170 NBBTS AND KOOS OF which commenceu in March. The sound i- pruduccd by the bird while standing oa a fallen log or elevated rock in the most leiired portion of the woods; the wings arc lowered, tall expanded, the neck contracted, and the entire body seems inflated. The tufts of neck feathers are elevated, the bird ail the while strutting about in the most ])orapou8 manner possible to imagine, striking the sides of his l)ody with rapid strokes of his wings. These become so rapid that the sound thus produced reaeni- bleH the rumblings of remote thunder, and ilw sounds always seem nearer than th«!y really are. I'uder favorable clrcums-anct's this Grouse not infrequently rears two broods between the first of April and the middle of October. The nest is usually sit- uated at the border of a largi- woods in the midst of dense undergrowth, often in a thicket, not far from the roadside, akid very frequently the birds venture to con- struct it in a small woods adjoining a farm house. The position of the nest is on the ground beside a log or slump, or in a brush heap, or under the branches of a fallen tree. It is constructed of decayed leaves, a few feathers, roots, etc. From six to flfteeneggsaredeposited, usually tenor twelve; theyare of acreamcolorof various shades, some times so dark au to be nearly brownish, and in others the surface is al- most milk-white. They are often stained in wet weather by the leaves upon which they lie, and are soinetimes faintly blotched or speckled with shades of l)rown. Mr. L. Jones, writing from Iowa, says that the eggs in that vicinity are deposited about May first. Ten eggs measure 1.54x1.10. 1.51x1.13, l..'.4xl.l3. 1. ".4x1. 14, 1.51x1,12. 1.56k l.i;i, 1,55x1.14. I..->:?.\1.12, 1.57x1.14. 300ff. CANADIAN RUfTED OBOUSE. HoiKim iirnhvUux Ui;ui)p()se(l lo belong to this darker colored variety of Ruffed Grouse in my collection ironi Northern .Maine do not differ from those of li. umlnUns. 300/*. GRAY rUFFED GROUSE. Hhikisii iiiiihdlii- iniibcUnidcs (Dongl) Geog. Dist.- Ho( K\ .\ioiiMi.'iiii i^cgion north to Alaska, east lo Manitoba. Tile upper |)arts of this iunl are mostly o»' entirely grayish, and the tail is always of a gray color. It Is found in ihe wooded districts of the Rocky Mountain region of iht I'niled Stales, and as far norlli as the Yukon valley in Alaska, in Drilish Amer- ica, east to Manitobi!. In the lato ('apt. Ci.-.ss';; (oUection there is a set of five eggs of this bird taken at Ksles I'ark, Colorado. .May 28, 1SS4, Th< y are creamy buff; some of the specimens are almobi jv (juite iiiuuacuhite, others are faintly and spar- ingly spotted with llla«' brown. Tlie eggs in this set are smaller in size and less spotted than the usual spotted examples of U. innhilliis, and unless closely examined the marking would scarcely be noticed. These eggs were taken from a nest on the grciind; the sizes are as follows: 1,47x1.11, 1.45x1,12,1.44x1.12, 1.42x1.15. ;)00(. OREGON RUFFED GROUSE. Itmiiisa louluUus mhini (Dougl ) Gcog. Dist. — Nnrthwest coast from Northern California to British Columbia. This subspecies resembles //. umlhlliis, but the upper parts are darker rusty- brown; the tall Is also usually deep rusty <'()lor, rarely grayish. Red Ruffed droiise. The nesting habits and eggs of this ;^iubspecies are essentially the same as those of li. umhrliiix of the Eastern iilates, ll breeds in Oregon, Wash- ington into Hrltish Columbia. The nest is placed in a sunken hollow of th« ground, under a bush or branches of a fallen tree, the cavity of the nest being Mned with dry leaves, spruce needles and a few feathers. The eggs range from seven to four- teen in number, creamy white in color and average in size 1.5Gxl.lG incheik ynirrn \ Mrnrr \ v nrifnsi. tn 301. WILLOW PTARMIGAN. Liii/'>iiiis lii,i„ini>< {\Ann.) CJoug. I)i.si. -North- ern porllons of Northern Hemispberp; In North Aniorira south in winter to Sitka, northern Now York, etc. This TMarniiKan is distrlbutod In suninipr thrniiKhotit Arrtir Amprini. It broods ahunchintiy in the valleys of tlie Hoc Uy MouniJiins on tiio Harron Grounds and along tlio Arctic cojiKts. The winter dross of the l)lr Willow IMarmigan. \ ^^ 302. BOCK PTARMIGAN. l.iUfums ruinstiii* (Umel.) Geog. Dist.— Arctic America in general, e.xcept northern extremity of Peninsula of Labrador and region thence northward, (Srocniand and Aloutian islands; southeastward to Uuif of St. Lawrence, Island of Anticosti. The Rock Ptarmigan is somewhat smaller tlian the foregoing and the summer and winter dress is similar. The general mode of living is said to l>e the same, but it does not retire very far into wooded districts in winter, frcriucnting the more open woodland on the border of lakes, especially on the skirts of the Hancn Lands. Mr. MacFarlane founu this species breeding in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, incu- bating in .lunc, and young birds of goodly size were observed .June 30. The rests were placed on the ground and were of the same eoniijositlon as lliose of I,. Itujititux. The eggs with certainty cannot be distinguished from ihose of the Willow Ptarmigan, but are described as usually less heavily spotted or less densely marked— averaging lighter in color and less in size, 1.70x1.18. 302((. REINHABDT'S FTABMIQAN. Lifi/oinis niixHtriM nliihnnii (Brehm.) Gleog. Dist.— Greenland and western shores of C'uml)erland Gulf, and northern ex- tremity of Labrador. The general appearance, summer dress, etc.. of the Greenland Ptarmigan is similar to that of the foregoing. It is found in Greenland and the islands on the western side of Cumberland Gulf and Northern Labrador. The eggs are indlstln- guisbable from those of /.. ruitrttlrix, overaging 1.65x1.17. U f' Dist.— to /.. iidaries rith the 302.'^. NELSON'S PTABMIGAN. iMifupiiH ro/ictfrf^ urlnoni Stejn. Geog. Dist. — Unalaska and some ajacent Aleutian Islands. The first specimens of this new race were taken by Mr. Nelson, nt Unalaska, one of the Aleutian Islands. He reports It as common at that place, frequenting the njountain tops and slopes, ond breeding in June. Turner says: 'On some of the islands It is extremely al)undant. among those may be mentoncd Unalaska, Akutan and Akun. It is resident wherever found. \t Unalaska they seem to prefer the high, rocky ledges, but everywhere come down to the low narrow valleys to roost and rear their young." The nest i8comp08(>d of a few stalks of gnissand feathers that may fall from the mother's breast and Is described altogether as being a very careless affair. The site for the nest is chosen usually amidst the tali open tundra among the moss and scanty grass. Tlu number of eggs varies from nine to seventeen, eleven ln'ing the usual numl)er. Tlieie appears, at the present writing, that there are no eggs of this subspecies In the extensive oologlcal collections of this country, but It is safe to Infer that there is little or no difference l)etween the eggs of this bird and those of the Rock Ptarmigan. ill I 174 NBSTB AND EOGB OF 30a<'. TURNER 8 PTARMIGAN. 1 i il l1 •M>i:(. TuKNkK'S Ptarmiuan. l,iff/fil>uM nijiistr'n titklif'iiulM (Turner.) Ooog. niHt.- Atkn. oijr (if tlip Aloutliiii IhI.iikIh. Tills provi'H to hf anothi'r wrll-inarkod Kt'UKraphlca! rare of /,. niiMNlrls. 'i'urner securpil HpcolmoiiK May 29 and Junr 7, upon Atka iKJand, iho cxtronu' woHtorn I'ud of tho Aleutian chain. According to Turner (hoy were al)undnnl at thiH place and also on Amchitka and Attn iHlanda. The iicHt Is built amotiKHt the rank RrasHert at the l)aHeH of the hlll.s and the lowlands near the heuch. It Im oareleugly arranged on th<> uround with a few dried graHH stalks and other trasli that may be near. The eggs vary from eleven to seventeen and are darker in color than those of L. niiMslrin, and slightly smaller than those of /.. / H.«*. A number of eggs of this bird were sj'cured, but were broken in transportation. So far as I am aware nothing farther is known concerning this bird's eggs. 302(1. TOWNSEND'S PTARMIGAN. Lui/niniH niiHHlrin loimMnuli Elliott. Geog. Ulst.— Kyska and Adak Islands. Aleutian Chain. 1 can find nothing regarding the nidiflcatlon of this subspeclea which, very likely, Is identical with that of /.. niinxtrix. u 302.1. EVERMANN'S PTARMIGAN. Lni/oimn nnniainit Elliot. Oeog. Dist.— Attn, one of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Dedicated to Prof. Harton W. Evermann, the distinguished nattiralist of the United States Fish Commission, {cf, Elliott, Auk, XIII, p. 25.) 303. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. liitn>i»iH inUhl Ilrewst. Geog. Dist.— New- foundland. A new epecies, described by the ornithologist, William Brewster, who named it in honor of Mr. George O. Welch. It is an inhabitant of Newfoundland, Mr. Hrewster Bays: (Auk, II, p. 194.) "The colors in the male of this Ptarmigan are confused and blended to such a degree that a detailed description, however carefully drawn, fails to do them Justice." According to Mr. Welch these Ptarmigan are nunu-rotis In Newfoundland, where they are strictly confined to the bleak interior. Unlike the Willow Ptarmigan of that Island, which in winter wander long distances, and fre- quently cross the Gulf of I.4ibrador, the Rock Ptarmigan are very local, and for the most part spend their lives on or near the hills where they were reurcul. The nest and eggs of this species have not yet, as far as I am aware, been described, but more than likely they are similar to /-. /•H/>c.s/n'.v. 304. WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. LatfopuH kiirunis Swains. Oeog. Dist.— Alpine Hummits of the Uocky Mountains, south to New Mexico, north Into British Provinces; west to the higher ranges of Oregon, Waslilngton Territory, and British Columbia. SOUTH AMHUICAS UlHlhS. 175 Geog. uf the -New- uined it rewHtcr Ml and n, falls UllH Itt ike the nd fre- for the i(; nest It more Oeog. •ih in;o iry, aud Thp Rooky Mountain Hnow UrouHf lnba>)itii the Alpine regloDs uf Weiitern North America froni nriiiHh America south to N«'W Mrxico. In Humnicr it Ih found ott iho mountain ihiikch from the timber line to iii<> hiKhcHt piMikH; at this BcaHon, the upper parts «)f ilic plumage of this HpecifH uir minutely mmked with black, white. Krnyliih-l)rown and tawny, with the tail wing and lower parts white. In winter the plumage Ih entirely white. Mr. Dllle InforniH me that It breeds commonly hi Lamar county, Colorado, making the nest in Home cavity among roj-ks above high timber line. The nest Ih Hcantily made of a few giaHHCH. The eggs are from eight to (ifteen in number, generally eight or nine, creamy-ground color, marked very finely over the entire surface with umlter-l)rown. The Hurface Ih often almost entirely hidden by the heavy maikings. .\v(>rage uize 1.68x1.15. Mr. Dllle stateH that the eggg arc de- poHited early In Iumc, 305. PRAIRIE HEN. TyinitanurhiiH amerlranuH (Reich.) Oeog. Dl«t.— Prairies of the MlBBlHHlppi Valley, south to Louisiann and Texas, west to Middle Kansas. Ne- braska and North Dakota; north to Wisconsin, east tn Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Prairie lien or Pinnated Urouse Is n well known game bird, once dispersed throughout the I'nited States; at present it Is found especially common In Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, Middle md Eastern Kansas and Nebraska. It is a rare resident in Northwestern Ohio, and probably breeds. In Kansas the birds begin laying the last of April. The nest is placed on the ground In the thick prairie grass, and ot the fool of bushes on tbc barren ground; a hollow is scratched in the soil and sparingly lined with grasses and a few feathers. The eggs are usually eight to twelve in number, but frequently more are laid. Mr. L. Jones states that In Iowa high or low land» are resorted to for brteding grounds, and little or no attempt Is made at concealing the nest. The eggs are deposited by May Ist. In Nebraska the eggs are laid in the latter part of April. These are light drab or dull butty, sometimes with an olive hue, and occasionally sprinkled with brown; their form is rather oval; average size 1.68x1.26. 305ff. ATWATER'8 PRAIRIE HEN. Tymitanurhui* anuriranuti alltiatrri (Bendire. ) Oeog. Dibt.— Coast region of Louisiana and Texas. This geographical rnce of the prairie chicken was first described by the late Major Charles E. Bendire in "Forest and Stream" (Vol. XI, No. 20, May 18, 1893). So far as I can Ascertain the general habits, nesting and eggs of this subspecies are lndistingui8hal)1e from those of the common Prairie Hen of the prairies of the MlHsisHlppI Valley. 306. HEATH HEN. Tympanurhuif rupltin (Linn.) Oeog. DIst.— Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. The light colored Prairie Hen of the Western prolrles formerly had a smaller, 'larker. and redder eastern representative, which was orlginolly distributed throus'.i- out Long Island, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Virginia. Perhaps the last of this race still linger at Martha's Vineyard, Mass.. and a wide range of territory now separates It from Its Western cousins. Mr. Brewster states that It Is common on Martha's Vineyard, where It is confined to the woods, haunting oak scrub by preference, feeding largely on acorns. Being strictly protected by law, there is, ac- cording to the bebt evidence at hand, no present danger of the colony being ex- I #. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) fe ^/ .***^V4 ^ / t/. \o 1.0 I.I ■SIM |2.5 12.0 11:25 i 1.4 1.6 V] 7 Sdences Corporation iV ^q a? \\ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 0 V. I i iJ! i I ]■ 176 NE8T8 AND EQGS OF 305 Prairie Hen. NORTH AMERICAN BlRUlS. 177 terminated.* The eggs are described by Mr. Capen from a manuscript by Mr. Maynard: "They are regularly oval in form, all the specimens being quite uniform in this respect. The color is a yellowish-green of a peculiar shade, quite different from the more decided greenish-brown seen in the Western species, from which the eggs now at hand also differ in being unspotted. There is little variation in tlu' dimensions of all six, the average measurements being 1.72 by 1.27 inches." Mr. Capen, in his beautiful work, also figures an egg from this set.t This set of six in Mr. Brewster's collection is the only one known of the Heath Hen so far as I am aware. 307. LESSEE, PBAIBIE HEN. Tympauuchus i)aUidiri)irtu.'i Ridgw. Geog. Dist. — Eastern edge of Great Plains from Western and probably Southern Texas, northward through Indian Territory to Kansas. The late Maj. Bendire says in his great work that the breeding range of the Lesser Prairie Hen, a smaller, paler-colored species than T. amcricuniis, is not as well known as could be desired, and as far as our present knowledge goes includes Southv/estern Kansas and western parts of Indian Territory. Its general habits, its nesting and eggs are similar to those of the common Prairie Hen, except that the eggs are of a somewhat lighter color. The number laid is the same and, like the bird, average a trifle smaller. 308. SHABF-TAILED GBOUSE. Pcdiof species is of such gorgeous, changeable hues as not to permit a full description here. The female is much smaller than the male and of a uniform pale yellow, with light shades and spot? of brown, black and gray. It is known by two other names: Chinese and Mongolian Pheasant The male measures from 34 to 40 inches; the tail being from 15 to 24 inches. It is a very hardy bird and from the evidence I have at hand it will propogate in any temperate latitude. A number of pairs of this splendid bird have been liberated in several localities in Ohio, and are protected by law until they become established sufficiently to make their ultimate extermination by the gun impossible. As a table bird its flesh is among the finest and for beauty of plumage it has few equals. Both of these quali- ties "Will be great pgents in its protection fiom total extermination. Dr. A. G. Prill, of Sodaville, Oregon, writes me that the legislature of Oregon in the winter of 1894-95 passed an act changing the name of this pheasant, calling it Denny's Pheas- ant in honor of Judge O. N. Denny, of Portland, Oregon, who, about twelve years ago imported six pairs, which were liberated and protected by law, and they have since multiplied to the extent as above stated. The males crow and fight similar to the domestic cock. Dr. Prill states that the nest is made upon the ground in open fields; it is made of leaves and dry grass, built in a tussock of grass or perhaps under some small bush. Three broods are generally raised in a season and from seven to fifteen eggs are laid, and the first complement of eggs is deposited by April 15, c* by May 1st. A set of thirteen of this bird's eggs are in my collection, collected by Dr. Prill near Sodaville, Oregon, April 8, 1895; they are a buff color with a cast of bluish over the surface; three of the specimens, however, are of a yellowish buff throughout. Their average size is 1.61x1.31. Dr. Prill says that the birds nest and breed in captivity and do w^ell. In order to show the value of this excellent bird I quote the following from a letter to the editor of the "Oregon Naturalist." It is from Mr. F. S. Matteson, of Turner, Oregon. He says: "Noting your article, 'The Denny Pheasant,' please allow me to say: The food which he dearly loves is grass- hoppers, cutworms, crickets, etc., and the chicks especially are very fond of aphids, flea beetles, etc. Turn a domestic hen with a brood of pheasant chicks into your cabbage lot and you will have no cabbage aphid, or flea-Leetle. We have tried it. We used to think they would prove a nuisance, when they first became numerous, but our further acquaintance has changed our views. They pay for all they eat, and more. It may be that they will crowd out some native birds, but if these latter are supplanted by a better, why should we mourn? They are fully as useful insect destroyers as our quail, or native pheasants, and they are hardier, and better cal- culated to take care of themselves from skunks, hawks, crows, trappers, pot-hunters, etc. Our hens, in confinement, laid over 100 eggs each last summer, and we now have a pheasant hen sitting. We have now the third generation from the wild state, and the biiJs are notably gentler to us. When strangers come around they appear wild. You say 'this bird will hybridize with the domestic hen.' Please permit me to doubt! Our experience does not point that way yet. But he is the game bird par excellence, and we are that much ahead of our eastern brothers. He is a beauty, a fighter; and is useful as well as ornamental. 310. WILD TURKEY. Mrlcanrifi oftUoparo hinn. Geog. Dist.— Eastern United States, north to Southern Canada, south to Florida and Eastern Texas, west to the Great Plains. ^ \ brill Unit Eng Texi New abui thic! Dr. tami Onti com is n Edv Gail mor mac lea\ onc( thic var: to t 8pe( 2.56 M)KTH AMtntlVAS ttlRDS. ISl * * RrNO-NECK«;D Pheasant, Phasianus torquaius. (Cheney del.) This Is the bird which so very much resembles the domestic turkey, but is more brilliant in color. It is a constant resident in suitable localities throughout Eastern United States. It occurs as far north as Canada; is probably extinct in New England, and is found as far northwest as the Missouri river, and southwest a-? Texas. But this grand bird is rapidly becoming exterminated, not only as it is iu New England, but in other sections of the country. In Ohio it was formerly an abundant resident, breeding throughout the State; now quite unknown in the more thickly settled portions, but still common in some of the northwestern counties. Dr. Kirtland (1850) mentions the time when Wild Turkeys were more common than tame ones are now. Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith, in his admirable work on the Birds of Ontario, says that within the recollection of people still living. Wild Turkeys were comparatively common along the southwestern border of Ontario, and that the day is not far distant when this bird will be sought for in vain in the provinces.* Mr. Edwin C. Davis reports the Wild Turkey to be very common in the vicinity of Gainesville, Texas, hundreds being brought to market and sold during the winter months. The nests of this bird, he says, are very difficult to discover, as they are made on the ground, midst tall, thick weeds or tangled briers. The female will not leave the nest until almost trodden upon. Mr. Davis states that when the eggs are once touched the female will abandon her nest. The eggs are rich, dark cream color, thickly sprinkled with rounded spots of rusty-brown or umber. The number laid varies from nine to eighteen, commonly nine to twelve. Some writers say ten to twenty and twenty-four, but I have never seen this number in a set. Four typical specimens collected in Morrow county, Ohio, May 10, 1884, measure 2.54x2, 2.56x1.95, 2.56x1.97, 2.69x1.94. The average size of a large series, 2..'i5xl.80. '■ t ♦The Birds of Ontario, vv- 130-131. Iij i I ^il I 13 •III' 182 NB8T8 AND BOOS OF * * Wild Turkey of Central America, MeleagHs ocellata (From Brehm). 310a. IIEXICAIT TURKEY. Mdcagris yaUoparo mcricam (Gould.) Geog. Dist. — Table-land of Mexico, north to the southern border of the United States; Western Texas to Arizona. This Turkey is found in Western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and southward; in suitable localities it is abundant. In various mountain ranges throughout Ne\f Mexico it is very common. On the approach of winter they leave their summer haunts and travel down the foot hills and the mesas, where they remain until the unow disappears, when, like the deer, they return. Mr. Scott states that in the pine woods of the Catalina mountains of Arizona this Turkey was very common late in November, 1885, though snow covered the ground. The bird, however, from what he could learn, has already decreased in number in most localities, and to have be- come exterminated in others wheie it was formerly abundant.* Mr. George B. Sennett found this Turkey common on the Lower Rio Grande of Texas, nesting in the dense woods. The first set of eggs, twelve in number, were taken April 24, contained young chicks peeping in the shell. A set of fifteen obtained April 26 were • Auk, Vol. Ill, p. 389. NORTH AM ERIC A\ liUiDFI. 183 freBh.* Thb nesting habits are the same as the common wild turkey. The eggs are described as resembling those of the domestic turkey in ground color and mark- ings; dark buff or creamy-white, more or less thickly sprinkled with spots of light and dark umber-brown; they measure 2.40x1.80. The average size of twenty-eight eggs, as given by Mr. Sennett, is 2.43x1.86; the largest, 2.50x1.90; the smallest 2.33 xl.72. 310h. FLORIDA WILD TURKEY. MclcaijriH iinllnpai'o oscrnia Scott. Geog. Dist.— Southern Florida. This is a new race of the Wild Turkey described by W. E. D. Scott In "The Auk" for October, 1800. I have sets of what I presume to be this bird's eggs and have at present considerable correspondence concerning its habits, and in all respects they do not differ from those which are characteristic of the Wild Turkey of the North. i 310c. RIO GRANDE TURKEY. Mtlcaijritt (jallopavn rlliot'i Sennett. Geog. Dist. — Lowlands of Southern Texas and Northern Mexico. The general habits, nesting and eggs of this geographical race are the same as those of the preceding subspecies. This bird was first described by George B. Sen- nett In "The Auk" for April. 1892, page 1G7. 311. CHACHALACA. Ortulis rvtiila mimalli Baird. Geog. Dist.— Valley of the Rio Grande, southward Into Mexico. The Texas Guan, or Chachalaca, is a remarkable bird, inhabiting the warm tropical regions of America. It measures from twenty-two to twenty-four inches in length, of which the tail measures from nine to eleven. Dr. Merrill states that this is one of the most characteristic birds of the Lower Rio Grande region. "Rarely seen at any distance from woods or dense chaparral, they are abundant in those places, and their hoarse cries are the first thing heard by the traveler on awaking in the morning. During the day, unless rainy or cloudy, the birds are rarely seen or heard; but shortly before sunrise and sunset, they mount the topmost branch of a dead tree and make the woods ring with their discordant notes. Contrary to almost every description of their cry I have seen, it consists of three syllables, though oc- casionally a fourth is adaed. When one bird begins to cry, the nearest bird joins in at a second note, and in this way the fourth syllable is made; but they keep such good time that it is often very difficult to satisfy one's self that this is the fact."t The Mexican name, Chachalac, meaning a noisy person or bird, is derived from the dis- cordant cries of this species. The quality of these notes may be imitated by putting the most stress upon the last two syllables. The compass and harshness of the cries are said to be almost equal to that of the guinea fowl. The birds are said to be easily tamed, and to cross with the domestic fowl. Dr. Merrill remarks that they are much hunted for the Brownsville market, but the flesh is not particularly good, and when domesticated the birds become troublesomely familiar, and are decided nuisances when kept about the house. Mr. Sennett states that this bird does not breed in communities, but in isolated pairs, and from all accounts, raises but one brood In a season, unless the nest is despoiled, when the female will lay another clutch, which almost Invariably consists of three, rarely less. Mr. Norrls has a set * Further notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande of Texas, from obaerva- tlons made during the spring of 1878. By George B. Sennett. Edited, with annotation?, by Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A.; pp. 247-248. Extracted from the Bulletin of the Geographical Survey, Vol. V, No. 3; Washington, November 30, 1879. Author's edition. t Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas ■I ^ 184 NEBTB AND BOOS OF of four eggs, and reports that Mr. Thos. H. Jackson has received several sets of the snmo number from southern Texas. Mr. Sennott obtained fresh eggs on the Rio Orande, April 10th, and on the 20th sots were generally full and fresh, after which time they contained embryos. The nests are shallow structures, often made entirely of Spanish moss, and are placed on horizontal limbs, a few feet from the ground. The pggs are of a buffy-whlte, thlck-shellrd and roughly granulated; they are large for the bird; sizes rango from 2. IS to 2.^o long by 1.55 to l.GO broad. 312. BAND-TAILED PIGEON, fohimha fasriata Say. Geog. Dlst.— West- ern United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, from Washington Territory and New Mexico south, through Mexico to the highlands of Guatemala. The Band-tailed, or White-collared Pigeon, is found from the Rocky Mountains westward to the Pacific. It Is common, but irregular In distribution. In Wash- ington county, Oregon, Mr. Anthony records this Pigeon as a common summer resi- dent, and that south of Beaverton Is a large spring, whose waters contain some mineral which has a great attraction for these birds, and here they are always to be found in large numbers. Mr. Scott states that this species Is common In the Santa Catallna mountains in Arizona, breeding In July. Ho met with it commonly in May and June, as low down as 3,500 feet, feeding on wild mulberries. It was not un- common in the pine region about the middle of April.* This is an attractive bird, about the size and possessing many habits of the domestic pigeon. It sometimes congregate.1 together In fiocks, even while breeding, and nests In trees and bushes along the banks of streams, or In the thick forests near water. The nest is a mere platform of sticks, and the eggs are also placed on the ground without any nest, which Is sometimes the case with the Mourning Dove (Z. macroura). The eggs are one or two In number, equal-ended, gllstenlng-white, with an average size of 1.50x1.20. The average size of thirteen eggs in the U. S. National Museum, as given by the late Major Bendlre, is 1.57x1.10; the largest of these being 1.70x1.18; the smallest 1.50x1.06 inches. K IS iii;^ ! \m 312rt. VIOSCA'S PIGEON. Columha fasciata vioscw Brewst. Geog. Dist.— Lower California. Mr. William Brewster first described this new subspecies from a large series of specimens taken by Mr. Frazar at La Laguna, Lower California. The bird as de- scribed differs from the Band-tailed Pigeon in being a trifie smaller; the tail band ic wanting, or only faintly Indicated; the ground color lighter and more uniform, etc.t Mr. Frazar, while collecting near Pearco's Ranch in Lower California, se- cured two nests, each containing a single egg. One egg which the late MaJ. Bendlre describes was found in a nest composed of a few sticks, placed on a broken upright branch in the center of a giant cactus, about 18 feet from the ground. It is pure white, slightly glossy, elliptical ovate in shape, and not quite as notably pointed at the small end as the eggs of Columha fasriata. It measures 1.50x 1.04 inches. 313. RED-BILLED PIGEON. Columba flavirostris "Wagi. Geog. Diet.— South- ern border of the United States from the Rio Grande Valley, Arizona, Mexico and Lower California south to Costa Rica. This large and handsome Pigeon is common In the valley of the Rio Grande and southward. In some localities on the Rio Grande in Texas it is abundant during • Auk. Vol. TIT, p. 421. t C/. Brewster, Auk, V, 86. SOHTH AMERIVAN BIRDS. 185 the summer months. Dr. Merrill found it not uiicouimou ubout Fort Brown, but more plentiful higher up the river. It lovc^ the deep, dense woods, where It can dwell In quiet and retirement. The :' ^sts are frail platforms of twlga and grasses, such as are usually built by other pigeons, placed in trees and l)ushe8. Mr. George B. Sennett describes a nest which he found April Otli, near Hidalgo, on the Rio Orande. It was placed In a thicket, about eight fret from (hf ground, made of twigs, was frail and saucer shaped and contained a single young, nearlj Hedged. He slans that this bird lays several times in a season. Nests were found containing eggs and young in all stages of development, but in no case did a nest contain more than one egg or young. Mr. Sennett gives the average size, taken from a large series, as 1.55x1.10, the length varying from 1.60 to 1.45, and the breadth from 1.18 to 1.10.* The eggs are pearly white. 314. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. Cnhimha leurocvpliala Linn. Gcog. Dist. — Greater Antilles, Bahamas and Florida Keys. The White-crowned Pigeon occurs in summer on the Florida Keys, and It breeds abundantly on some of the smaller Islands; it is an abundant resident species in the Bahamas and West Indies. This Pigeon, according to Audubon, arrives on the southern Florida Keys about April 20th, or not until May first. The birds were shy aud wary on account of the war waged against them, their flesh being esteemed for its fine flavor. Their shyness only partially abated during the breeding season and they would silently slide from their nest when sitting, and retreat to the dark shades of the mangroves. The nest Is built in low trees and bushes, composed of twigs carefully arranged, with little or no lining c* grasses. It is, on the whole, a bulky structure for a pigeon. These birds often breed in numbers, nesting in trees, some at high elevations, others In low mangrove bushes, and the nests resemble that of the Passenger Pigeon, but are said to be more compact and better lined. The eggs are two In number, oval In form, and opaque-white with a very smooth surface; the average size Is 1.41x1.02. 316. FASSENOEB PIGEON. Ectopistea mi(;ratoriiis (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern North America, from Hudson Bay southward, and west to the Great Plains, straggling thence to Nevada and Washington. Breeding range now mainly re- stricted to portions of the Canadas and the northern borders of the United States, as far west as Manitoba and the Dakotas. The Wild Pigeon once wandered in Immense numbers In search of food through- out all parts of North America. In early times it was extremely abundant in par- ticular localities. At the present writing (1897) it seems to be on the same parallel with Ihe American Buffalo of the W^estern plains, almost, or very nearly extermin- ited. Both were seen In countless ♦housands, and today it is not easy to procure examples of either. The late Maj. Bendire, writing In 1892, says that it looks now I hat the total extermination of the Wild Pigeon might be accomplished within the present century. The only thing which retards the complete extinction of the Passenger Pigeon Is the fact that the birds are so few in numbers that it does not pay to net them. The breeding range of this famous pigeon today is principally in the thinly settled and wooded regions along our northern border, from northern Maine westward to Northern Minnesota; in the dakotas, as well as in similar locali- ties In the eastern and middle portions of the Dominion of Canada, and northward to Hudson Bay. According to an informant of Mr. Brewster's, the last nesting in • Further notes on the Ornithology of the Rio Grande of Texns. 11 IM NB8T8 AND E008 OF i lli; I (' 1 1|!.) 1 ii ' it Michigan of uuy Itupurtauce waH in 1881. Wilson's and Audubon's graphic accountM of fhe "coDKrpgated millfnns" which thoy saw In Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky seem hardly crcdlblo lo those who have not scon them. The oxtenslve forests which once served as breeding and feeding grounds have l)een partially or wholly destroyed, and we are no longer favored with the sublime Bights of immense, unbroken, and apparently ilmitless flocks. Until about 18.'».'), fhesp Pigeons were pxtremely abund- ant in central Ohio, having at that time a roost and brooding i)liico noar Kirkersville, yim A,' .Alliftla .iJ 315. Passenubk Pigeon (From Brehni). Licking county, and large numbers were to be seen from sunrise till nine o'clock and after, flying westward from the roost, and in the afternoon about four o'clock till sundown returning. At these hours they were never out of sight, and often dozens of flocks were in sight at once. Dr. Klrtland states that near Circleville, in 1850, one thousand two hundred and eighty-five were caught in a single net in one day, and the average price for the birds in Columbus was five or six cents per dozen. The Wild Pigeon congregates in vast communities for the purpose of breeding, nesting in trees and bushes, frequently at a considerable height from the ground, and often fl NORTH AMIUi'h AS HI lilts. 187 untM leem once )yo(l, and und- 88 many as fifty and a hundred ncHts have been observed in u .sliit;lp tree. The ncHt Is a mere platform of sticks, carelessly thrown together. Tho oRgs are usually one. never more than two In number, pure white, and broadly ellipilcal In shapo; average size. 1.50x1.03. A nest foi'" Oak Park. Minneapolis. MInnraota. June 21st. 1895. Is the latest record of whu.. am aware. The nest contained one ckr and the female bird was taken. The hue MnJ. Bcndire gives the average nieasureuMMita of twenty specimens In the U. S. National Museum as 1.48x1.04. and k till ozena ), one and The isting often 316. MOURNING DOVE. ZcnuhlKni niucrtinni (Unn.) Geog. Dlst.— Whole of temperate North America from Southern Maine, Canada and Oregon, south to Panama and the West Indies. The Carolina Dove, also called Turtle Dove, Is one of our best known and fa- miliar birds. Its gentle disposition, its sweet but motirnful cooing, liavi' uuidc It the typical sad-toned singer in poetry and song. The Turtle Dove is distributed throughout temperate North America; it is to be met with everywhere, both in woodland and In open place;-,. It is particularly fond of fecdluK 'n country roadways. During the breeding season they are found in pairs, but at other times are liiRhly 316. MouKNiNG DovB AND Nbst. (Oheney del.) gregarious, though flocks of them never attain the size of those of the Wild Pigeon. The nest is placed on the horizontal branches of trees, on stumps, on the top rail of old snake fences, on rocks, in bushes, and In treeless regions the nest is placed on the ground. It varies In construction with Its location. When found in small branches of trees It Is made of a few sticks, somewhat after the style of the Cuckoo's nest, but If on a large limb or stump, It Is often but a rim of twigs sufficient to retain the 'li 'i:! ^1 |! w- 188 NESTS AND E0G8 OF eggs; ivhen on the ground, a few straws and twigs aro used to indicate the nest. The Carolina Dove rears two, sometimes three broods in a season. It begins to nest early. I have taken eggs April 10th; the late Dr. Wheaton found the nest with younp: as early as the middle of April. Breeding usually continues until September. Dr. Jones states that he bad seen Doves sitting on fresh eggs in every month except December and January, and he lias no doubt that they occasionally build nests and lay eggs in these months in mild winters.* Two white eggs are laid; there are exceptional cases, however, where more are deposited. Mr. Nonis has a set of three; Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, writes that he has in his collection a set of four. Mr. P. W. Smith, of Greenville, 111., records several sets of three and four; two sets taken from old robbins' nests. He also found a Brown Thrasher's nest containing t>ne egg of the Thrasher and two of the Dove's.f The eggs are elliptical in shape and average 1.12x.82. 317. ZENAIDA DOVE. Zcnaida zcuaida (Bonap.) Geog. Dist.— Florida Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Santa Cruz, Sombero and coast of Yucatan. According to Audubon's observations, this species makes its appearance on the islands around Indian Key, Fla., about April 15, increasing in numbers until October, "When they all departed for the West Indies, where they are the most numerous. Egg laying is begun about the first of May. In Jamaica this species is known as the Pea Dove and in Santa Cruz as Mountain Dove. Its general habit? are similar to those of the Mourning or the Ground Dovo, and like the latter species it is more terrestrial in its habits. It nests indiscriminately on the ground, in trees or in low bushes. In trees or bushes the nest is a slight platform of twigs. Audubon states that this species breeds in various keys east of Florida, which are covered with grass and low shrubs, placing the nest between tufts of grass or on the ground with Utile concealment. It is built of dry leaves and grass imbedded in a hollow scooped in the sand. It is said to be more compact than the nest of any other pigeon. The eggs are one or two in number, white, with a very smooth surface; size, 1.19x.94. 318. WHITE-FBONTED DOVE. Lcptotila fulviventris hrachyptera (Salvla- dori. Geog. Dist. — Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, southward through Mexico to Guatemala. Mr. George B. Sennett added this Dove as a new species to the fauna of the United States in IS'^T; the first specimens being taken in the vicinity of Hidalgo, on lie Rio Grande in Texas. Dr. Merrill notes it as- not rare in the vicinity of Fort Vr.'wn, being shy and not very often seen. Mr. Sennett states that in 'ts general iiabits this bird is quiet and not easily alarmed; it frequents the high branches of »"11 trees, associating with the White-winged Dove and is less numerous than the rtj-billed pigeon. By its peculiar note — a low, short cooing — it is easily distin- guished from ail other species. A nest was found situated in the forks of bushes, about five feet from the ground, was fiat and quite large for a pigeon's nest, and composed of the dead branches, twigs and bark of pithy weeds. Dr. Merrill found a ncst on June 8, 1878, which was about seven feet from the ground, supported by the dense interlacing tendrils of a hanging vine, growing on the edge of a thicket. This nest contained two eggs which were quite fresh; sizes 1.16x.86 and 1.19x.89, re- • Illustrations of the Nests nnd Eggs of Birds oC Ohio, p. 97. t Ornithologist and Oologist, XI, p. 2S. NORTH AMERICAN BfRDS. 189 lie aest. to nest h younp: er. Dr. I except ests ami lere are 3f three ; of four, two sets ntaining lU shape -Florida coast of ;e on the October, umerous. vn as the imilar to . is more or in low on states red with und with scooped on. The X.94. (Salvla- through la of the dalgo, on of Port s general anches of than the y distin- »f bushes, nest, and [•ill found ,ed by the tet. This 9X.89, re- spectively. These are described as a strong olive-buff color. Mr. Seanett describes them as of a light drab, or light olive drab, and gives the measurements of four specimens as follows: l,14x.89, 1.12x.88, l.f6x.83, 1.15x.85; averafiing 1.14x.8e. 319. WHITE-WINGED DOVE. MvlopcJia Icncoptcra (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Southern border of the United States (Texas to Arizona) and Lower California, southward to Costa Rica and the West Indies. Dr. James C. Merrill mentions this as a very common species during the summer months in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas. The nests, he states, arC; "as a rule, smaller and more frail than those of the Carolina Dove, and the et,gs have a decided creamy tinge, which is rarely lost after blowing, at least not for months. Thirty- four eggs average 1.17x.88; extremes 1.30x.95 and 1.05x.80. TLe note is a deep sonorous coo, frequently repeated and heard at a great distance," At Lomita Ranch on the Rio Grande, in Texas, Mr. Sennett found this species to be more abundant than all the other pigeons combined, and when they have begun breeding, all day long the air is filled with the music of their cooing, drowning out the notes of most other birds. They are the last of the doves to come in the spring and leave about November. By the first of May eggs were found. Their color, Mr. Sennett describes, as varying from white to cream, the latter prevailing, and two is the number laid. From a large series the size averages 1.14x.S8; the largest, 1.22x.93, the smallest, 1.05X.88. Two sets of; the eggs of this Dove arc in the cabinet of J. Parker Norris. One of two sets of eggs taken May 1, 1884, in Neuces county, Texas, measure l.lOx .82, l.lOx.81. The second set collected near Catulla, Texas, May 11, 1887, measure 1.05X.78, 1.08X.79, respectively. 320. GKOUND DOVE. Cohnnhfi,\iUinn passeriiia tcnrstris Chapm. Geog. Dist. — South Atlantic and Gulf States; Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, south to the West Indies and the northern portion of South America. A diminutive Dove, measuring only six or seven inches in length. Abundant In Mexico, Yucatan, Central America and the West Indies. In Ifco South Atlantic and Gulf States it is a common and familiar species, nesting indiscriminately on the ground, on stumps, on vines, bushes and young saplings. The nest is elevated sometimes as high as twenty feet, but usually from two to six feet above the ground, and ib s.mply a frail structure of twigs, often containing pine needles. The breeding season In Georgia begins early in April, and fresh eggs may be found in May, June and sometimes In July. Mr. Perry informs me that in the vicinity of Savannah he has taken fresh eggs as late as July 9th. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne took a set of two eggs near Charleston, S. C, October 19th, 1886; these contained small embryos and the parent bird was incubating.* This date, however, is exceptional. Mr. Walter Hoxie, of Frogmore, S. C, states that this species is called Mourning Dove by the natives, who used to have a superstition that any one who molested their nest would be "mourned to death" by the grief-stricken owners. The eggs are two in number, white or creamy in color; a large series averages .85x.65. 320a. MEXICAN GROUND DOVE. CoUmUiitnUina passerina pallcfircnii (Barrd.) Geog. Dist. — Mexico and contiguous territory of United States, from Texas to Lower California; south on both Mexican coasts to Central America. According to the late Major Bendlre in his "Life Histories of North American Birds," the breeding ran^e of the Mexican Ground Dove within our borders is con- • Ornithologist and Oologlst: Vol. XII, p. 7. 190 NESTa AND EQOB OF A\v i :i:li:i: Ak fined lo Southwestern Texas and Southern Arizona, and probably to Southern New Mexico, although there are as yet no records of its breeding in the latter Territory. so far as he was awa^e. A few stragglers bretd probably in Southern California, where it has beer, taken on several occasions, li. is quite common in Lower Cali- fornia, where Mr. J. Xantus took itf, eggs rear Cape St. Lucas, and Mr. L. Bclding at San Jose del Carbo. Mr. Xantus says: The small and rather compact nests are placed on the horizontal branch of a stout bush or tree, and are lined with a few strawt. On one occasion I found the eggs in a roughly-made nest on the ground on the edge of a prairie." Dr. James C. Merrill found this subspecies abundant in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas, wheie he secured the eggs. Mr. Herbert Brown says it is common about Tucson, Arizona. From April to June is the nesting season of this Ground Dove. The eggs are two in number, pure white, elliptical oval in shape, a few slightly pointed, and some may be called oval. The average measure- ment of fifty-fou;' specimens in the National Museum collection is .85x.65; the largest .91x.69, the smallest .79x.63. 321. INCA DOVE. Sidrdafcllti iiira (Less.) Geog. Dist.— Southern border of the United States (Texas to Southern Arizona) south to Mexico and Guatemala. This species is known as the Scaled Dove; nearly all tlie plumage is marked with black crescentic-edged feathers, producing a scaly appearance. In various places in Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and along the Rio Grande valley in Texas, this species is quite common during the summer months. Throughout Mexico and Yucatan it is very abundant, and is known as the Lcng-tailed Ground Dove. It is very tame and familiar, frequenting cultivated gardens about houses, and is said to live more on the ground than the so-called Ground Dove. Its cooing is coarse and tolerably loud. The nest of this species is built in bushes;, vines and small trees similar to that of VuhnvhiijaUUni intHxcihut ; it is a mere platform of twigs. The eggs are invariably two in number, white, oval in shape, both end^ being nearly equal; average size, .82x.65. [322.] KEY WEST QUAIL-DCVE. (Icotrytmi iimrtiuira (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Key West, Florida, Hayti, Cuba, Bahamas. A constant resident of the Bahamas, Cuba and Hayti. Audubon met with a fev^ of this species on the island of Key V/est, Florida, but it is said not to 'aave been observed there lately. Within the United States, however, its breedinv, range is confined to the island of Key West and the extreme Florida Keys. According to Audubon, the movements and general habits of this species are simiLir to those of the Carolina Dove. The nest is described as formed of light, dry twigs; it is built In the branches of trees or in bushes, occasionally it is placed on tbe ground. Ac- cording to Audubon the eggs are two in number, pure white, and aljout the size of those of the White-crowned Pigeon, [322. 1.] RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE. ae(dryijoii w 'itaiia Linn. Geog. Dis*.— Tropical America in general, including West Indies; north to Cuba ard Eastern Mexico; accidental at Key West, Florida. The Ruddy Quail was first given a place in the avifauna of North America by Mr. W. E. Scott from a specimen taken at Key West, Dec. 10, 1888. Maj. Bendlre states that it is very doubtful if it breeds within our limits. Two eggs are laid. The average size of seven eggs in the U. S. National Museum collection, all taken in the West Indies, is 1.06x.83. They are oval in shape and in color vary from pale green to salmon-buff. Its general habits and nidification resemble those of the Key West Dove. : !t; .\OKTU A.]tf:/fl<\\N BlJWi^. 191 [323.] BLUE-HEADED QUAIL-DOVE. Staniunafi cyonotvphala (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Cuba and Florida Keys. It appears that the Blue-headed Quail-dove ha;s been found only by Audubon on the Florida Keys; it is resident in the Island of Cuba, where it nests in April and Cv r. ;i23. BbUE-HEADED QuAiL-Dov^ (Frotu Breliiii), May. It is a singular Dove, with the crown ri^h blue, bounded by black; a white stripe under the eye, extending under the chin; the throat is black, bordered with white. Length of bird about eleven inches. The nest is placed on trees and bushes, and composed of sticks carelessly arranged. The eggs are two in number, pure white. The average size is 1.38x1.01. 324. CALIFORNIA VULTURE. J'xnahtyriJithus caUforulanun (Shaw.) Geog. Dist. — Coast ranges of Southern California from Monterey Bay southward into Lower California; former)y north to Frazer River. Concerning the California Condor or Vulture, Dr. Brewer remarks as follows: "The single species composing this very distinct genus belongs to Western North America, and so far as known, has the most restricted distribution of any large rap- torial bird In the world. It is remarkable for its very la/ge size, all its dimensions nearly, if not quite, equaling those of the famed Condor of tho Andes ( ^nmrhnmi^hus f/rupJius).' This great bird has already become very much reduced in numbers and txtlnct in localities where it was formerly abundant; this is doubtless due to the indiscriminate use of poison which is placed on carcasses for the purpose of killing wolves, bears, lynx, ooufears and other noxious animals which played havoc with .f* f1 4 -n ■ V Ill •I 192 iST^JSrS AND E0G8 OF sheep, calves, and other cattle of the stockmen. Upon these poisoned remains the birds feed and perish. It is at present restricted to the area of the Pacific coast ranges as above stated. It is more common in the warm valleys of California, among the almost inaccessible cliffs of the rough mountain ranges running parallel with the Sierra Nevadas for a hundred miles south of Monterey. They may l;e found in those places, where the foot of man has never trodden. For years this bird has been thought to be on the verge of extermination chiefly for reasons stated above, but by the indefatigable labor of several ornithologists within the last ten years, we are led to believe that the bird will still be able to hold its own. .Accord- ing to the late Maj. Bendire it does not seem to be decreasing in the barren mountain langes in the vicinity of Santa Barbara. The writer has a mounted specimen taken in Monterey county, May 10, 1890, and a number of specimens have been taken within the past few j'ears in the mountainous regions which this bird inhabits. A ■I: I; 324. California Condok (From Tenny, after Audubon). young bird was taken July 7, 1896, from a nest which was simply the bare floor of a cave high up in the cliffs in Monterey county, overlooking a dark canyon with the stream about 300 feet below. It is in the possession of Mr. Frank H. Holmes, of Berryessa, California. This specimen is well illustrated from life at about eight months old in The Nidologist for February, 1897, page 58, with a full text regarding his peculiar habits in confinement. It associates with the Turkey Buzzard, SltKTH AStEliKAS Hlh'hs. 193 a>() the habits of both species are alil ■•^/ . ■iK. Turkey Vulture (From Brenm). m I, I The common Turkey Buzzard inhabits the United States and adjoining British Provinces from the Atlantic to the Pacific, south through Central and most of South America, and is resident north to about 40°. Every farmer knows it to be an in- yORTn AMERICAN lilliim. 195 • <•* duBtrioua scavenger, devouring at all times the pucrid decompu^ioR Hc^li of car- casses. It is essentially gregarious, not only flying and feeding in numpany, hut resorting to the same spot to roost; breeding also in communities and sometlmrs by single pairs; depositing Its eggs on the ground, on rocks, or in hollow logs and stumps, usually in thick woods or in a sycamore grove, in the liend or fork of :i stream. The nest is frequently built in a tree or in the cavity of a sycamore stump. In the vicinity of Tampa, Florida, Mr. Stuart says, the eggs of this bird are laid in February and March; in Indian Territory they arc deposited in March, April ami May. In Arizona and Colorado it nests in the latter pan of April and in May. Mr. Shields states that in the region of Los Angeles, Cal., this bird begins laying about April 15. He observes that although the usual nesting sites are chosen, the favorite place for depositing the eggs is a little depression under ii tniall bush or overhanginu rock on a steep hillside. In Ohio and other Eastern States ficsh eggs may be t'oiiiHl in April and May. Notwithstanding the arguments set forth l»y renowned natural- ists that this bird is not possessed of an extraordinary power uf smell, it has been proven recently by the most satisfactory experiments that the Turkey Buzzartl dms ponst'ss a keen sense of smell by which it can distinguish the odor of flesh at an immense distance. The flight of this Vulture is truly beautiful, and no landscape v.:ih its patches of green woods and grassy fields, is perfect without its dignifled figure, high in the air, moving in great circles; so steady, graceful and easy, and ap- parently without any effort. It is a very silent bird, only uttering a hiss of defiance or warning to its neighbors when feeding, or a low gutteral croak of alarm when Hying low overhead. The eggs are creamy or yellowish-white, variously Motched and splashed with different shades of brown and usually showing other spots of lavender and purplish-drab; two in number, sometimes only one; average size about 2.73x1.87. Six specimens measure 2.80x1.89, 2.73x1.89. 2.79x1.98, 2.80x1.91, 2.84x1. S8. 2.87x1.90. Mr. H. R. Taylor, of Almeda, Cala., records finding early in .\pril n sot of immaculate eggs of this species.* The average size of nineteen sets, thirty-eight eggs, taken between April 3, and June 13, is 1.90x??.75 inches. This series is from Texas, California, Kansas, Mississippi, North Ca'.oana and New .Jersey. The.sc are in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall, Woodside, N. Y. Mr. Raymond C. Osl)urn reports to me a curious nesting place of the Turkey Vulture which he found in Lick- ing county, O., May 15, 1894. It was in a hollow tree twelve feet below the opening, and the parent bird would not leave the nest until a hole was chopped in the tree on a level with the nest. 326. BLACK VULTURE. VaihariNta atrata (Bartr.) Geog. Dist.— Whole of tropical and warm-temperate America, south to Argentine Republic and Chili, north regularly to the Carolinas and Lower Mississippi Valley, irregularly or casually to Maine, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc. This Vulture, called Carrion Crow, is very common along our South Allaniie and Gulf States, and is resident from South Carolina southward; in many places it is more numerous than the Turkey Buzzard, and its general traits, nesting habits, etc., are the same, breeding in hollow logs, decayed trunks of trees, stumps, and on the ground. In the Southern Atlantic cities the Black Vulture is said to be a semi- domestic bird, and even protected by law. Their services as scavengers in removing offal render them valuable and almost a necessity in Southern cities. A specimen of this Vulture, which I mounted and now in my collection, was killed February 6, 1895, frur miles north of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. On an island near Beaufort, South Caro- • Ornithologist nnd Oologlst, Vol. XIII, p. 102. Ml j ■ 196 JViffST-S A2V/) iJOOS OF ,lna, Mr. Walter Hoxle found the Black Vulture nesting under a dense growth of yucca. No attempt was made at forming a nest, or even excavating a hollow. The oggs are laid far In under the intertwining stems of the yucca and in the seml- phadows were quite hard to be seen. Mr. Hoxle states that the parent birds have the habit of always following the same path In leaving and approaching the nesting place. By these paths, which wore often winding, he was able to discover the fggs. Both sexes assist in Incubation c nd two eggs constitute the nest complement. Mr. Hoxle never observed a bird sitting on a single egg, and so far as he was able to determine the period of incubation Is nearly thirty days; eggs were taken from May 2 to May 20. He states that Mr. Alfred Cuthbert took a set of three eggs in 1884. •* ;t2fi I'.i.ACK Vdltukk (prom Brpiuii). The eggs are generally 'jroadly elliplical-ovate in shape and similar In color to those of the Turkey Vulture— bluish-white, blotched and spotted with very dark brown and umber— not so densely marked as those of Catharfcs aura; average size 3.10x2.04. Mr. Crandairs series of this bird's eggs consists of twenty-four sets, forty-eight eggs, mostly taken in Texas, some in Mexico, between February 28 and June 5. The iverage size of this series Is 2.99x1.99 inches. 327. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. Elaiwidex forflcatus (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Tropical and warm-temperate parts of continental America, north regularly up the Mississippi Valley to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, etc. Casually east to Pennsylvania and Southern New England. NORTH AMUKICAN BIHD8. I'i7 I , I -\i- 'n i€ nh 337. Swallow-tailed Kits and Nbst. « . ' •■■]■ 198 NESTS AND BOGS OF Tbib buuuliful upt'c-ies, uoted lur its graceful auU cltguul liigtit, is uu abuadaut BumtQcr resideut of ibe Soulberu Unilcd Sluleu uu fur uortb us Virginia, uccusionally Blraying to the Middle Stales, and regularly far ujp the Mississippi Valley. Skins of thib Kite are in my collection which were taken in Ohio, August 22, 1878, and July lu, 1883. Previous to these records it has not been heard of in the State since 1858. The favorite resorts of this bird are bottom woodlands near prairies or fields. Ub food consists of small reptiles and insects; it is particularly fond of small snakes and lizards, grasshoppers, crickets, and various beetles. The nest of this Kite is built at the extremity of small branches near ihc lops of the tallest trees. The one repre- sentid in our illustration is laiien I'roui a sketch made on th ' spot by Mr. J. A. Singley, of Giddings, Lee county, Texas. This nest, as represericd, is placed in the top branches of a pecan tree; it is composed of sticks and 'Jeces of green moss, some of the moss hanging over the sides, giving it a beaudful appearance when seen from the ground. Outwardly it measures eighteen inches in diameter; depth twelve inches. Two eggs from this nest measure 1.77x1.43, 1.81x1.45. In other localities the materials for the nest differ, no moss being used. Mr. Singley states that the birds are very vicious while nesting; he has seen them attack and drive off Owls, Turkey Buzzards, Florida liedshouldcred Hawk, liiitro Ihinihts iillaii, Black Vultures and Crows. On April 25, lL.o3, while his collector, Mr. Theodore Thassler, was climbing to the nest represented in ihe engraving, he was almost knocked out of the tree by the birds; and before he could secure the eggs was comijelled lu kill the most pugnacious one, which proved to be the male. Unlike the Whiie-taileil Kite, when the nest is disturbed, the birds will desert it. The eggs of this species are from two to four in nrnber, occasionally but one, and rarely three or four. This is the statement by the late Maj. Charles E. Dcndirc in his matchless work, "Life Histories of North American Birds." According to his measurements of twenty specimens from different parts of the United States the average size is 1.85xl.4G inches. Mr. Singley took seven sets in the season of 1887, and was fortunate enough to find one containing three eggs, and a nest with three young. The color of the eggs is white, greenish or ycilowish-white, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of varying shades; some are sparingly marked with specks of dark brown, in others the spots are clustered about the large end. The markings are often large and of a rich chestnut and mahogany color. During a trip to Texas, in 1888, Mr. G. B. Benners and Mr. Thos. Gillin collected six sets of eggs of this bird in that State. One set contained three eggs, another only one, while the other four nests had two eggs each. Under date of August 2d, 1895, Mr. Singley writes me that the Swallow-tailed Kite is almost exterminated here (Lee county) "and I doubt if there were two sets of eggs taken in Texas this season." They must now be considered expensive eggs to procure. Two sets of two eggs each collected by Mr. Singley measure 1.87x1.50, 1.78xL49; the second 2.03x1.40, L90xl.50 respectively. These are in Mr. C. W. Crandall's collection, Woodside. New York. 328. WHITE-TAILED KITE. Elauus leucurus (Vleill.) Geog. Dist.— South- ern portion of the United States, from South Carolina, Southern Illinois, and Cali- fornia, southward into South America. >' The late MaJ. Bendire states in his "Life Histories of North American Birds" that the breeding range of this species so far as actually known by the taking of their nests and eggs, seems to be confined to South Carolina (where Mr. Ward, Audubon's assistant, found it nesting on the Sautee River early in March), Florida, the Indian Territory, Texas and (he middlo portions of California. The Black-shouldered or NoitTU wnjifirw iinam. 199 I White-tailed Kite is diHtributod lliroughout Southern United Stateu from the At lantic to Pacific, and southward into tropical America. In the East it Is found as far north us Southern Illinois; in the West ns far north as Indian Territory and Middle California. The flight of this bird is siiid id l*o easy and graceful, but not rapid. Sometimes it stops for a few moments, dcsronds with groat velocity to the ground to capture a lizard or snake. 1 ac nest of tliis specieE, lil ncbt cunlalueil a »lnglf egg. .Iimic luih, two luurt ht>ls o( twu cggn each were takon Col. (juuh debcilbih ihc eggs an "while or l)iuiBh-whit(>," ilir last two Hets were stained i)y the wci leaves in the nesis. The egga measure by sots as followH Pirsi. i.r.r.xl.;!;], l.O^xl.St;, second. 1.7Gxl.l8, 1.05x1.3:.. ihird, 1.70x1. Hit. l.r.Gxl.ar); fourth. 1.70x1.37. 1.08*1.30; fifth. 1.75x1. .10, sixth, l.-.4xl,.Tl, 1 l.".xl.24i sevenih, 1.70x1.38, 1.08x1.43. The nests were all built either In the Un\i><^ from the main body, or in the forks of the larger limbs of the cottonwood and elm trees, and when old would be taken for the nests of the common crow. Their height from the ground ranged from twenty-five lo fifty feet.* Mr. H. K. Rachford informs me that he took two sets of the eggs of ibis species in Texas from nests situated about thirty feet from the ground in o;ik iree.s. The color of the ( ggs h< describes as white, with a sliglit greenish tinge. The averii^c iiitasuremeiil of ten specimens is I t)4xl.28. 330. EVERGLADE KITE. liu'^hhamHs snriahilis (WelW.) (Jeog. Dial. —Flori- da. Atlantic coast of Mexico, part of Wist indies. Central .\merlca, hastern portion of South America lo the Argentine Republic. This slate-colored Kite is a resident ol the Everglades of Florida, and also occurs in the fresh water marshes and lakes of the middle and southern portions of the State. Mr. W. E. D. Scott found it abundant at Panasofkee Lake, al.out February first, where it was feeding on a kind of fresh-water snail, which was very abuntlant, and the local name given the t)ird is "Snail Hawk." The birds fish over shallow water, after the manner of gulls; securing a snail by diving, they carry it to the most available perch, when the animal is dexterously taken from the shell without injury to the latter. At many places where a particularly convenient iri ♦• or siui) rises out of the saw-graas, the ground is literally heaped with the empty shells of the snails.t The nesting season of this sitecies in the Everglades of Florida is in Marcli, some pairs breeding later than others, and two or three eggs are deposited. The nests are built In tall, rank grass and bushes; especially in the saw-grasses. al)Out a loot below the tops, just so as to lie out of sight, and the nests are usually composed of the same material; they measure about a foot in diameter, with a cavity iluee inches deep. Mr. H. B. Bailey describes a set of three eggs, taken in the Everglades. March 16, by E. W. Montreull; their sizes are 1.91x1.50. 1.80x1.51, 1.80x1.4.'.; ihe color of one is light brown, nearly obscured by large blotches of dark and reddish- brown; another has a dirty-white ground color, with spots and blotches of various shades of brown, which become smaller and fewer at the smaller end. It resembles the common varieties of eggs of the European Sparrow Hawk, .UTiiiitcr iiisus. The third is of a greenish-white, over the smaller end are scrawls, lines and a few spots of light and dark brown. t k. 1 >/4 331. MARSH HAWK. Virnis hudsouius (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Whole of North America, south In winter to Panama, the Bahamas and Cuba. The Marsh Hawk, Blue Hawk, or Harrier, is distributed throughout the whole of North America. It is one of the most abundant and widely diffused of our birds, and breeds from the fur country of Hudson Ray to Texas, and from Nova Scotia to Oregon and California. It is found especially in regions covered by ijushes. small trees, rank grass, swamp prairies or marshy places. Here the nest may be found, * Auk. Vol IV, pp. 344-345. » Bu'l Nutt. Club. Vol VI, p. 16. } Auk, I, p. 05. :;fl I 3 I !l: 111 ''I a 202 i^^fifTS AATD EGGS OF placed on the ground, which is only a collecUun uf twigs and huy, but from three to seven inches in height and a foot or more in diameter. Sometimes the nests are of large proportions, which is the result of nesting in the same spot for a number of years. The eggs are frequently laid on a bed of green moss, with the material ar- ranged in a circular form. The bird may often be seen during the spring and sum- me- months sweeping slowly over meadows and bottom lands in pursuit of gophers, mice, birds, grasshoppers and large insects. It can readily be recognized by the en- tirely pure white upper tail coverts; the male above bluish-ash, whitening below; the female above dark umber-brown. Mr. S. F. Rathbun records a set of seven eggs taken June 14, at Dunnville, Ontario. Marsh Hawks frequently begin to incubate with the first egg and the young are hatched at intervals, after the manner of the cuckoos. Fresh eggs may be found from the first of May to the 15th or 20th of June, according to locality. The eggs are green ish-v/hite, either immaculate or faintly spotted with pale brown or lilac, rather oval in shape; three to six in number, often four or five, and measure from 1.80 to 1.90 in length by 1.38 to 1.45 in breadth. 332. SHAB-P-SHINNED HAWK. AcripWr rclor (Wils.) Geog. Dist.— Whole of North America, south to Panama. This spirited little Hawk is distributed at large throughout North America and it is considered an abundant species, although in some localities it is quite rare. Known as Pigeon Hawk, but it should not be con founded with Falco columbarius. If ;i;»2. Sharp-shinnkd Hawk (After Audubon). The Sharp-shinned Hawk is swift, irregular and nervous in its flight; is one of the most daring of the family, often successfully attacking birds of its own weight; failing sometimes to do so either from over-confidence in it?, own abilities, or under- estimation of the powers of its victim. The smaller birds and quadrupeds, young chickens, pigeons, small reptiles and various insects constitute this bird's food. The nests of this species are built in troos in donsp woods, yrtferably pine groves; yoRTu .\]n:iff('A\ RfRns. 203 ^^:- % _^ Q 1 •Til ,;j;lj I , ft" m H '*' 1 I- 'J I'J i ^'1 i' t- % ^^1 III ;. J |Hr!{| f;N APfir-, » aB * * Accipher nr'stt* of E.irope. Tlie cut well represents our Shaip-sbinned, (Joopet'sor Coi>hawk, irequently a scrubby oak or a birch offers a favorite site, and the height from the Kround may iange from ten to sixty feet; the nosts generally rest against the trunk of the tree at the base of a limb. The composition of the nests are small sticks forming a platform with a slight hollow, usually without lining. Occasionally nests are placed in cavities similar to those of the Sparrow Hawk, or upon -i ledge of rock overhanging a lake or river. Mr. O. C. Poling informs me that in Western Illinois this Hawk selects for ihe s..e of its nest the top branches of an almost limbless tree, usually an oak. which is situated in dense woods: it is generally composed of oak twigs and leaves. Mr. Poling states that nesting begins by the middle of April; all the nests he has observed contained five eggs, although others were found in that ir2;irr ^'intnlnin;:!; droo and four. Mv. rhnrlr"?; F. Morrison, of Fort T.owi.s, Colorado, J04 NBSfS AND EQ08 OP li ; - took a set of three eggs June 22 from a dilapidated Magpie's uest, the arched roof of which had fallen in, and formed a hollow, which was lined with a few feathers upon some dead leaves. . he Marsh Hawk and the present species deposit their eggs when other Hawks are nearly through breeding. The Sharp-shinned Hawk's eggs may be found in the first week of April and as lat" f s the last week of June, the birds seldom occupy a nest tiie second time. Mr. Cr • i til's oological collection consists of thirty-eight eggs, two sets of five and seven seis of four, and have an average measurement of 1.47x1.20 inches. Mr. J. Parker Norris has a large series of these eggs in his collection, consisting of seventeen sets, ranging in number from thret to five, and onecontaining the unusual number of seven eggs; the dates on which they were taken are from April 11 to June 26. Most of these eggs were collected by the experienced oologist, "J. M. W.," Mr. C. L. Rawson, of Norwich, Conn. Mr. Norris also describes seventeen eggs which were laid in succession by a single bird between May 23 and June 2!). The eggs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mr. Norris states, are suijject to great variation in markings, and yet, as a rule, they can be identified at a glance. With the exception of the Sparrow Hawk, TtiiiiKiiniliis sparvcriiis, they are the smallest laid by any of the hawks found in North America, and among the most beautiful eggs of any of the f'aptnirs. Their grouod color varies from bluish- white to grayish-white, spotted, blotched, speckled, streaked and clouded with light fawn color, burnt umber, chestnut, lavender-gray, chocolate, russet-brown and cinnamon, exhibiting an endless variety of bold and indistinct patterns of coloration and design. The usual form of the egg is sphpriral, of nearly equal size at both ends. Thf avrrnge size is 1.r»0xl.l6. 333. COOPER'S HAWK. Arripifn- rt.uprrii (Donap.) (leog. Dist.— North America at large; greater portion of Mexico. Distributed throughout temperate North America at la"ge as a summer resident, and well known to the farmers by the name of Chicken Kawk. Its flight is easy and usually slow, but the bird is quick in its movements, its long tail serving the purpose of a rudder as it suddenly pounces upon the object of its pursuit or quickly ascends into the air. This an( the last species are perhaps the boldest depredators of the family. They are shy and difTifult of approach, yet their imprudence often proves fatal to them. They do not hesitate 'o attack chickens in the presence of their owners; they also feed largely upon small quadrupeds, weasles, squirrels and young rabbits; snakes and reptiles are among their victims. A specimen of this bird is in my coll'jction which was killed by a weasel in mid air, the weasel sucking the blood of the hawk, while the bird was struggling with its intended victim, which escaped unharmed. The nests of Cooper's Hawk are usually placed in tall trees, from ten to fifty feet from the ground; frequently an old crow's or some other hawk's nest is fitted up for the purpose, which is occupied for a succession of years, and the nests are often so augmented by ihe continuous adding of brush and rubbish that they become huge structures. May i5, 1880, a collector brought me a set of four eggs taken from an old squirrel o nest. Mr. L. .Tones, of Grinnell, Iowa, writes that this HawK deposits its eggs in that region about (he first of May. The number of eggs laid ranges from four to six, rarely the latter number, and they may be found in various sections between April 1 and May 20. The fggs are of a pale-bluish or greenish-white, usually spotted with pale reddish-brown. The average size is 1.97x 1.42 Inches. A ?ft of four eggs from Southern Arizona, taken May l.'i, measure 1.90x1.40. 1.95x1. 4i^, 1 92x1.40 1.90x1.42; another set of four collected in Central Ohio, April 9. measure 1.89x1.40, 1.92x1.4.5. 1.93x1.40, 1.90x1.42. Nort resid J fami] usual bulk^ The size i with 3 Dlst.- A north AOA'77/ \Ui:UI(A\ ItlUltS. 205 334. AMERICAN GOSHAWK. Arciintcr atrirapillus (Wils.) Geog. Dist — Northern and Eastern Norlh America; the northern half of United States, a winter resident in some parts. A large and handsome hawk— cue of the most symmetrical in outline of the family; known to breed mostly north of the United States. Its breeding places are usually in thick evergreen woods, the nest being placed in tall hemlock trees; it is bulky and composed of sticks, twigs and weeds, lined with bark strips and grass. The number of eggs laid by the Goshawk varies from two to five. The average size is 2.32x1.75 inches; they are bluish-white in color, sometimes faintly spotted with yellowish-brown. 334a. WESTERN GOSHAWK. Airiitilrr atricapillus striuhilus Ridgw. Geog. DIst. — Western North America. A darker colored race than the foregoing, inhabiting the Pacific coast region, north to Sitka, breeding in the Sierra Nevadas in obably as far south as 39°. General \i ■i* ; jil! m 334. European Goshawk. The cut well represents the Americaa Goshawk (From Brehm). 206 NESTS AND EGGS OF habits, nesting, eggs, etc., the same as those oi attivapillun. Average size of eggs 2.36x1.75. 335. HARBIS'S HAWK. I'urabtitm iiiiiciiiitKX harrisi (Aud.) Geog. Dist.— Southern border of the United States; Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, souihward to Panama. This bird is an inhabitant of the warmer parts of America, extending its ruuge over our Mexican border. In Texas it is common, especially about the mouth of the Rio Grande. Its habits resemble those of the Caracara Eagle, but it is not so active, and the nests are hardly distinguishable in situation and construction. It is said, by some observers, to subsist ontirely on cfirrion. and may be seen in company with the Tuikey Buzzard, Blacli Vulture and Caracara Eagle. Mr. Sennett found this species to 1)6 the most abundant of any other of the family on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, in their crops he found mice, lizards, birds and often the Mexican striped gopher, indicating that they were active hunters instead of sluggish birds. The eggs are white, with a yellowish tinge, sometimes marked with light dashes of yel- lowish-b'own and dottings of purplish drab; commonly two or three in number, raiely four. Four sets of these eggs are in the cabinet of Mr. J. Parker Norris, and show considerable variation in size and shape. One set of three taken near Corpu.s Christi, Texas. May 10, 1886, is entirely dull white; sizes, 2.19x1.61, 2.13x1.63, 2.14x 1.58; another of two eggs taken in Cameron county, Texas, May 25, 1886, measure 2.08x1.65, 2.19x1.71; a set of three eggs from the same place, collected April 25, measure 2.00x1.65, 2.06x1.65, 2.13x1.69; one of the eggs of this set has a few faint cinnamon spots; the fourth set taken in Cameron county, Texas, May 3, 18S6; two of these are faintly marked with lavender, but the third is distinctly spotted at the large end with cinnamon; sizes, 2.14x1.65, 1.94x1.61, 1.99x1.57. [336.] EUROPEAN BUZZARD. Butio biitco (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Northern portions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Accidental in Michigan. The older ornithologists were doubtless mistaken in the identification of ^he specimens obtained in this counlry, which they described and figured as Biiteo lurf/aris of Europe. This Hawk has been entirely excluded from our fauna by more recent authorities, and it is admitted only on the grounds of a single specimen taken near Paw Paw, Michigan, by J. D. Allen, and received in the skin by Mr. C. J. .Maynard in the autumn of 1873. The bird is quite common in England, frequenting the more cultivated portions, as well as the very wildest parts of Scotland aud tracts of Alpine forests, where its favorite breeding place is on the edges of ravines. The nest is placed in some large tree or on a ledge of rock, and is built of sticks with a scanty lining of wool and hair. The eggr are two or four in number, generally th»'ee, of an oval form, bluish-white, with pale brown blotches and spots of yellowish- brown, chiefly at the larger end. A set of three eggs in my cabinet, from England, measure 2.30x1.75, 2.28x1.72, 2.30x1.68. 337. RED-TAILED HAWK. Buteo burralis (Gmel.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern portions of North America, west to the Great Plains. The Red-tailed Buzzard, in its .light and dark geographical races, is distributed throughout the whole of North America. This species is abundant in the ea.stern portion. A large Hawk and a notorious visitor to barn-yards, though lacking much of the pluck and dash of the members of so, le of the preceding genera it has the equally successful quality of perseverance. The food of thi-^ species is chiefly small y'ORTn AMr:niCAN nrnni--. 207 33fi European Buzzard (From Brehni) Quadrupeds, red squirrels, gophers and ground moles, and the remains of these rodents may always be found in this bird's nest containfng young. The Hawk will always be found common where these small animals are most abundant. The nest is placed in high trees in deep woods; it is largo and bulky, though comparatively shallow; made of sticks and twigs, mixed tosclhcr with corn-husks, grans, moss, and on the inside may be found a few feathers. Sometimes the deserted nest of a (M-ow or that of another hawk is fitted up and used. Mr. J. Parker Norris records a nost occupied first by the Great Horned Owl and afterwards by the Red-tailed Hawk, each year; the young owls leave the nest before the hawk is ready to occupy it. The num- ber of eggs laid by this species is two or three, rarely four. Mr. Norris has a series of twenty-seven sets collected in Connecticut, Pennsylvania. Iowa. Mississippi, and Texas; nineteen of these sets are of two eggs, six of three, and two of four.* The time of depositing the eggs in the United States varies according to locality and circumstances, but they are generally laid in March or April. Eggs are found in different stages of incubation as late as the middle or latter part of May. A large series of eggs present amazing differences in size and markings; their ground color is white or bluish-white; some are entirely unmarked, while others are very heavily blotched and splashed with many shades of red and brown; some are faintly marked here and there with a light purplish tint, and again the colorings may form an • For a detailed description of this series see Ornithologist and Oologlst, Vol. XT, pp. 67-69. Since the above was written Mr. Norris has Increased his series to thlrty-sIx sets. lit y- 1\ !i 1! r ■ T, : r.|t I Mill 20H SESTS AND EOGS OF almost conflupnt wreath at either end. The largest eggs iu Mr. Norrie' collection measure 2.41x1.81, 2.37x2.00; the smallest, 2.17x1.80, 2.20x1.78. The average size is 2 3fixl.80. 337(1. KRIDER'S HAWK. Butro horcalis kriderii Hoopes. Geog. Dist.— Great Plains of the United States, from Minnesota to Texas. This lighter colored variety of the Red-tailed Hawk occurs In the Great Plains, from Minnesota to Texas; east irregularly or casually to Iowa and Northern Illinois. Mr. F. M. Dille writes that this bird nests In remote places on the plains and among the large cliffs of Colorado. He was unable to detect any difference between the nest and eggs of this bird and those of the Western Red-tail. He took a set of the eggs, three In number, in Weld county, May 24, 1886, from a nest in a Cottonwood tree. Two of these specimens are slightly spotted with Vandyke brown, but the third is quite heavily splashed and l)Iotched at the smaller end with chestnut and cinnamon; their sizes are 2.34xl.S2, ;i.30xl.84, 2.28x1.83. A set of three coleotod by Mr. Dille Is in my collection and offer the following measurements: 2.40x1.90, 2.38x1.85, 2.30x1.89 inches. Mr. Dille states that the nest contained cotton balls, from the tree in which it was placed; these had Ijurst and made excellent soft lining for the nest. 337/i. WESTERN RED-TAIL. Biilm hdiralis caliirus (Cass.) Geog. D^^'t.— West- ern North America, especially in the United Slates, from Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south into Mexico. A blackish or sometimes an almost en- tirely sooty variety inhabiting West- ern North America. In all respects its breeding habits are the same as those of the Eastern representative, nesting in the branches of lofty oaks, pines, sycamores, etc. In mountainous regions the nests are often placed on the narrow ledges of clifts. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of /?. borcaUs. ;"V*. Wkstern Red-tail. 337r. ST. L.UCUS RED-TAIL. litiUo hotralis liicasamix Ridgw. Geog. Dist.— Peninsula of Lower California. This subspecies is confined to the Peninsula of Lower California. Its nesting and eggs are identical with the above variety. 337(i. HARLAN'S HAWK, ftutcu bwcnUa hnrlaui And. Geog. Dist.— Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley, north to Pennsylvania, Iowa and Kansas; south to Central America. NORTH AM H UK AS HI If Its. 209 -Great Mr. Crandall has a set of the eggs of this aubBpecies taken at Avery's Island, I.ouis- iaaa, March 17, 1895. The nest was large and bulky, composed of sticks, t\v'«rs, lined with green leaves and moss. The nebl was placed in a large white oak tree on the edge of a swamp. Tho eggs, two in number, measure 2.40x1.81, 2.45x1.83 respectively. Thoir ground color is bluish-white, blotched with lirown; in one somewhat sparingly over the small end, and in the other specimen sprinkled ever the entire surface. 339. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Butfto liiiiutiix (Gmel.) Cleog. Dist.— East- ern North America, north to Nova Scotia; west to the edge of the Great Plains. This large species is one of the common- est hawks in the United fltales, and it is especially abundant in winter, from which It receives the name of Winter I'alcon, but it Is not more hardy than the Red-tail. It also shares the name of Chicken Hawk, commonly applied to all the larger hawks. Only occasionally it visits the barnyard, its diet is of a more humble kind, such as frcgs, rats, mice and small snakes. The nesting of the Red-shouldered Hawk is very much the same as that of the Red-tail, but in many sections it seems to have a preference for lower woods, In bottom lands. The nest is said not to be so long re-occupied by the birds. The eggs are usually deposited in April or May. The number of eggs is three or four, some- times only two. The ground color is bluish, yellowish-white, or brownish, spotted, blotched and dotted irregularly with many shades of reddish-brown; they are usu- ally more highly colored than the eggs of the Red-tail. Some of them are exceed- ingly handsome. A series of sixty-one sets are in Mr. Norris' cabinet, nearly all of which were collected by the celebrated oologist, "J. M. W." (C. L. Rawson); they show a wonderful variation in size and markings, ranging from almost unmarked to very heavily spotted and blotched specimens. To describe all the shades of reds and browns, which comprise the variation, would be an almost endless task, and a large series like this must be seen in order to appreciate how much the eggs of this species vary. The sizes range from 2.00 to 2.30 long by 1.65 to 1.75 broad. For a thorough treatise on the food of txie RaiUorcs we refer the reader to Dr. A. K. Fisher's "Hawks and Owls of t..e United States."* Hundreds of stomachs of these birds have been examined and their contents recorded in this work, which proves conclusively that ihey are of great benefit to agriculturalists and should by all means be pro- tected by law everywhere In this country. imrf. Harlan's Hawk (After Audubon). * V. S. Dcpiirtment of AKrieulture Division of OrnilholoKy and Mammalogy, Bulletin No. 3. The Hawks and Owls of the United States in their relation to Agriculture. Pre- pared under the direction of Dr. C. Hart Merrlam, Ornithologist, by A K. Fisher, M. D., Assistant Ornithologist. Published by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture. Wa«h- inpton: Government Printing Office, 1893. 15 I If '1! I 21U NESTS AND BOOB OF 339o. FLORIDA RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, liiitro Umutu xl.91; dirty-white, with a few reddish blotches at the smaller end. Tbc second, partly incubated, was lilte the first, but thp blotches were rather sparsely dlatrlbutnil over the entire egg; size, 2.35x1.85. Mr. Edwin C. Davis fotind a nest •f this Hawk seven miles south of Fort Grlffln. Texas, containing two slightly Incubated eggs, on the 2d of June, 1886; it was in a mesquite bush, eight feet from the groiind. Thh l.s doubtless late nesting, as all other nests found were empty. Three 8*ia of two r^gs each are in Mr. Norris' collection; one taken May 2, 1S84, near Corpus Christ!, measures 2.20x1.80, 2. 19x1. SO; their color is light grayish, faintly and sparingly spotted with light drab; another collected in the same locality March 24. 188»;, one egg of which is unmarked, and the other faintly spotted with fawn color at the large end; sizes, 2.17x1.77, 2.25x1.78: the third set was taken on the Arkansas river, Toxas, April 2. 1888; they are dull grayish-white, faintly and sparingly marked with light fawn color; sizes. 2.33x1.65, 2.30x1.73. 342. SWAINSON'S HAWK. Ituhi, sirainsnii! Bonap. North America from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific regions and south to Buenos Ayres. Casual in New England. One of the commonest and most charac- teristic of the large Hawks in various places of the West. Many are killed, as they com- mit great depredations In the poultry yards; their food, however, consists largely of birds and the smaller quadrupeds — squirrels, goph- ers, rats, mice, etc. The flight of Swainson's Hawk is usually slow, but in pursuit of its prey its swiftness is said to remind one of the dash of Aecipitrr vclox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. The sites which are chosen for nesting places by this Hawk are extremely varia,ble; in some localities the nest is built on the ground, on bushes, small saplings and on the ledges of rocky cliffs. Old nests of hawks and crows are fitted up for the occasion; but usually It is built In the tallest trees and in an almost in- accessible position in the outer branches. Mr. L. Jones states that in Iowa this bird, while l)reeding, is found principally in moderately timbered tracts, selecting less inaccessible places for its nests than Butro borcalis, but of the same position and composition. The eggs are deposited as late as May 15, usually May 1. Mr. A. M. Sh'^lds took a set of two eggs of this Hawk, May 21, 1886, in the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, from a nest situated In the extremity of the branches of an oak tree, fully fifty feet from the ground; these are in my cabinet and measure 2.20x1.61, 2.20 CeoK. Dist.— nnrtli to tli Wfsiern I' Arctic '!!i 343. Swainson's Hawk. I J llln 912 NE8TB AND BOOB OF 311.67. The eggs of this Hawk are two to four In number, greenlsh-white, buffy- wkite or colorlesH, BometlmpR unmarked, but usually spotted, stained or blotched with reddish or rusty-brown. Their average size Is 2. 21x1. "0. 343. BROAD- WINGED HAWK. IhiUo latinnimiis (Wlls.) Oeog. Dist.— Bastern North America, from New Brunswick and the Saskatchewan country south to Texas, Mexico, Central America, northern portion of South America and West lidles. 343. Broad-winged Hawk (After Audubon). 1- ti 111 !■! The Broad-winged Hawk Is of general distribution in Eastern North America. It makes its summer home in the solitudes of dense woodlands, usually in the vi- elnity of a marsh, lake or river. The bird Is of an unsuspicious and spiritless char- acter, frequently permitting the Intruder to approach within a few yards of it with- out exhibiting the least alarm. When the nest is approached this Hawk is said to utter a piercing cry of larm. Its food consists of squirrels, weasels, frogs, mice SOUTH AiltmCAS lilHUa. ai3 5, buffy- blotched Dlst.— ry south nd West and small birds. Not always are the highest trees selected us nustlDg sites; in aonif sections the crotches and branches of trees, ten to forty feet from the ground, ar* usually chosen, while in other regions ihe tallest oak and hickory trees, sixty tc eighty feet from the ground, are preferred. Abandoned crows' nests are likewise made use of l)y this speoies.* The nosts are coarsely constructed of sticks, lined with fibrous roots, bark strips, moss or feathers. The eggs of the Broad-winged Hawk are usually deposited In May. In the forests of the Red River of the North in Minnesota, Mr. J. W. Preston found the eggs in the latter half of May: they hav« been taken near St. John, New Brunswick, as late as June 23; in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, June C; and Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 17 and 18; near Framlngham, Massachusetts, May 25; in Lafayette county, Mississippi. April 9, May 17 and 18. Mr. O. C. Poling took sets of this Hawk's eggs near Quincy, 111., In May. A set of two eggs were brought to me which were taken In Knox county. Ohio, May 26, 1886. The eggs are of a grayish, lavender-gray or yellowish-whit* ground color, variously marked with spots and blotches of fawn color and umber- brown and chestnut. Two or three are the usual number laid, and four are ei- ceptional. The average size is 1.90xl.54t 344. SHORT-TAILED HAWK. Butco hrnchyurus Vieill. Geog. Dlst.— Mexi- co, Central America and most of South America, north to Eastern Mexico and Florida. This tropical species comes as far north as Florida, where it Is said to breed regularly, where It places its nest In the tall trees of the cypress swamps. An egg is described by the late Major Bendire as dull white, showing blue when held against a strong light. It is marked on the larger end with reddish-brown spots an4 blotches over about one-fourth of the surface. Size, 2.17x1.61 inches. r America, the vi- ess char- ' it with- s said to )gB, mice 345. MEXICAN BLACK HAWK. Vnihithm aiithracina (Llcht.; Geog. Dlst. — Arizona, southward to northern portions of South America. A beautiful Hawk, known as the Mexican or Anthracite Buzzard, and founi throughout tropical America, and north to Southern Arizona. The general color ♦ Many nests of the Rnptores described by writers as resembllngr those of the Crow may safely be attributed to the latter as their architects, and wherever Crows bree* abundantly It Is almost an assurance that some species of Hawk or Owl may be found nest- ing in the Immediate vicinity. t This Is the average size given by Mr. Norrls, taken from a series of seventeen sets in his cabinet, nine of which came from Minnesota, three from Mississippi, one from Massachusetts, and four from Pennsylvania; forty-two eggs In all. Mr. Norrls states that there are two types of coloration In the series; twenty-four of the eggs have markings of very subdued tints of pearl-gray, lavender-gray, lilac-gray and ecru-drab, on a faint yel- lowish or blulsh-whlte ground; the tints In many Instances have the appearance of being under the shell, and are present In specks, spots and blotches. The remaining eighteen eggs are marked with spots and blotches of fawn color, russet, walnut-browji, burnt umber and chestnut. Some of the sizes from this series are as follows: 1.74x1.52, 1.76x1.50, 1.85x1.4^, 1.87x1.53, 1.90x1.54, 1.99x1.53, 2.01x1.62, 2.06x1.52. See Ornithologist and Oologlst, Vol. XII, pn. 9-11 and Vol. XIII. p. 21. % ( I 'M f 214 NKHTH INl) mOH OF of i^if a