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Alexander Wetmore
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AN

BoG CHECK LIST

OF

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

GIVING ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COLOR AND SIZE OF THE EGGS,
AND LOCATIONS OF THE NESTS OF THE LAND AND WATER
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Ee po Li Bt DAV LES

BLS DiELoOn:

COLUMBUS, O.
HANN & ADATR,
1885.

Bi wered according to Act of Congres in the | year 1884 Dy:
OLIVER: DAVIE, te
In the office of the Librarian ERT at Washi gt

eye hen G, Es)

The unprecedented interest manifest in the delightful study of Birds, their nests and
eggs has, within the past few years called forth numerous works on the subject, and the
literature of the study has vastly increased, especially in this country, where the field is
comparatively new.

The present publication is an entirely new departure from the beaten paths of
voluminous works. It treats especially the subject indicated in its title.

Probably no one has felt the need of a work of this character more than the writer.

In making a life business of Natural History, I receive numerous inquiries of the
following nature—often, written on postal cards: ‘* Please describe the eggs of the fol-
lowing birds for me; also state the location where I am likely to find their MESUS5 2s) coe
Carolina Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Kingfisher, Blue-yellow-backed Warbler, and be par-
ticular in describing the nidification of the Blue Grosbeak and Canada Grouse.”’

I quote the above from a postal card recently received, and which is undoubtedly
from a young student of Odlogy.

It would be almost impossible for me to reply fully to all communications of this
kind which I receive in the course of a year.

These interogatives led me to put in a condensed form the descriptions which are
now before the reader, and as the author of the first ‘“‘Egg Check List of North
American Birds,” I venture its publication and await the results.

The species of eggs described belong strictly to the North American fauna.

These descriptions are taken chiefly from my private collection, consisting upwards of
four hundred species of North American Birds’ Eggs, mostly in original sets, together with
the skins of the birds. It is intended that through the aid of this Check List the col-
lector may be enabled to identify his specimens while in the field.

He will learn from this List what a great similarity there is in the eggs of the
different species, and in fact, whole families, and how careful he must be to determine
correctly.

In the latter part of the present work there will be found concise directions for
collecting Birds’ Eggs and Nests, to which I specially call the attention of all young col-
lectors.

Under the head of ‘‘Notes’’ I give additional information regarding the hesting
habits of many of the species.

I am fully aware that the present List is not entirely complete, and therefore earn-
estly solicit additions, corrections and notes of every character relating to the subject

from Ornithologists and Odlogists.

OLIVER DAVIE

CoLuMbus, OHIO, January 2, 1885.

LIST OF SABEREVIATIONS:

BNI SS int ees ee Oe eee eee EASTERN UNITED STATES
BIN A a ara OUR aoe. « Gey eed eee ee eta EASTERN NortTH AMERICA
| el Ok a MCI Porat Atrio am i Os ore hate) ge ey Blea a PaciFic COAST
WW IN, GAs he oie ALS A ate 3 ee ees WESTERN NortH AMERICA
INE AG el Pe Oe ee ein ae ene ees > ein eee NortH AMERICA
See? 2 hose ee ee eee ee SOUTHERN UNITED STATES
BI Se eS Et 2S de a ges A ee en UNITED STATES
Oy: CEE AMATI Rt ere Meee aN ee nt RIP SEMI ye te A CALIFORNIA
Vi So a) Ct os a Lae ea ea eee WESTERN UNITED STATES
NUMBING Aru), 6 Oe Ok Rae eee ee Nortru EastErRN NortH AMERICA
I eS. oes oc tos tee ee eee ee ee ee MippLe UNITED STATES
NEMS eh eect Deda oe ee eee NORTHERN UNITED STATES
SIN teed © Rite MOraraee rae. aR BS cok ee SoutTH EASTERN UNITED STATES
| Sy 2 aI Mme RPS SS eR aT Se de a British AMERICA
| <i) Oy : aaa MRP Rs tg OS Fe ag et OMS Me aN ohh as FLORIDA
Nee AI. S oe Pees Ae eee NortH EASTERN UNITED STATES
TN 2 AC 3 oc 5 care ees AA ee NorTHERN NorTH AMERICA

Be A a oo oo ce Se a eae ee eae SOUTHERN FLORIDA

PeCoOHECK LISt

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Classified according to the Nomenclature of North American Birds by Robert Ridgway.*

The words “color,” ‘‘number of eggs,” ‘‘size”’ and ‘‘habitat.’’ which appear in the description of the
eggs of the Wood Thrush, will be omitted, but understood hereafter.

When there is a great variation in the size of eggs, a letter ‘‘v’’ is placed after the average size civen.
§ g s §

1. Wood Thrush—HyLocicHLa MUSTELINA. Color, uniform deep blue;
number of eggs, four; size 1.00 by .75. Nests built in low bushes.

Habitat. E. U.S.

2. Wilson’s Thrush—nyLocicHLa FUSCESCENS. Bluish-green, unspot-

ted; .94 by .64. Nests placed in low shrubs, sometimes on the ground.

EL N. A.
3. Gray Cheeked Thrush—ny.ocicuia aicr#. Deep-green; four;
.92 by .64. Nests placed in low trees. Ee NSA:

4. Kusset-Backed Thrush—nyLocicHLa usTULATA. Varying in light
/ green and blue, marked with yellowish brown and lilac; five; .84 by
-65, v. Nests placed in low trees. (See notes.) PH ies

4a. Olive-Backed Thrush—nyLocicHLA USTULATA SWAINSONI. Green-
ish-blue, speckled with reddish brown and other tints; four; .88 by .66.
Nests placed in trees. Ee NiA

5. Dwarf Thrush—nyLocicHL_a UNALAScCH. Pale bluish-green, dotted
with light brown, chiefly at the larger end; four; .y2 by .69. Nests
placed in thickets and low bushes. Wee AS

* Nomenclature of North American Birds chiefly contained in the United States National Museum.
3y Robert Ridgway. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 21. Published under the direction of the Smithsonian
Institution. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1881. 8 vo. pp. 194.

6 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

56. Hermit Thrush—nHyYLOCICHLA UNALASCA PALLASI. Bluish-green,
unspotted; four; .g2 by .62, v. Nests placed on the ground. E. N. A.

7. American Robin—MERULA MIGRATORIA. Greenish-blue; five or six;
1.18 by .81. Nests placed in trees, bushes, on fences and stumps, and
anywhere for convenience. N. A,

7a. Western Robin—MERULA MIGRATORIA PROPINQUA. Eggs in’ my
collection, so far as I can discern, do not differ from those of the East-
ern variety. W. N. A.

9. Varied Robin—HESPEROCICHLA N#viIA. Light blue, marked and
spotted with umber brown; four; 1.12 by .80. Nests placed in bushes.
Pee

10. Sage Thrush—oreroscopres MONTANUS. Bright greenish - blue,
marked with spots of deep olive brown and blotches of light lilac; 1. by
.74.. Nests placed in low bushes. (See notes.) Pe:

11. Mockingbird—mimus potyGLotrus. Light greenish-blue, marked
with blotches of yellowish-brown, russet, chocolate and purple; four to
six; .99 by .75, v. Nests usually placed in thickets and low bushes.

S200
12. Catbird — GALEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS. Bluish-green; four or .
five; .g7 by .69, v. Nests placed in low bushes and thickets. USB:

183. Brown Thrasher—HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS. Greenish-white, thickly
marked with reddish-brown dots, usually more numerous at the larger end;
four to six; 1.05 by .81. Nests placed in low bushes, briars, etc., some-
times on the ground. E. AU gee

13a. Mexican Brown Thrasher—HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS LONGIROSTRIS.
Hardly distinguishable from the preceding species; four to six; 1.13
by .79. Nests placed in clusters of briars, etc.

Lower Rio Grande.

14. Saint Lucas Thrasher—HARPORHYNCHUS CINEREUS. Greenish-white,
marked with spots of mingled purple and brown, and yellowish-brown;
1.12 by .77. Nests placed in low trees, shrubs, cactus plants, etc.

Lower Cal.

15. Curve-billed Thrasher — HARPORHYNCHUS CURVIROSTRIs. Light-
green, thickly covered with fine brown spots; five; 1.12 by .80. Nests
placed in shrubs. Wear ‘Texas Mera

15a. Palmer’s’) Thrasher — HARPORHYNCHUS CURVIROSTRIS PALMERI.

Pale blue, sprinkled with dots of yellowish-brown; three; 1.16 by.85.
Nes¢s placed in low bushes. Arizona,

BGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 7

16. Californian Thrasher—HARPORHYNCHUS REDIVIvuUS. Blue, covered
with soot-colored spots, confluent at the larger end; three; 1.10 by .85.
Nests placed in thick bushes. (See notes.) Cal.

17. Rufus-vented Thrasher — HARPORHYNCHUS CRISSALIS. Uniform
blue, unspotted; two; 1.10 by .83. Nests placed in low shrubs and dense
thickets. W. U. S.

19. American Water Ouzel—ciNcLus MEXICANUS. Uniform dull white,
unspotted, much pointed; four; 1.04 by .69. Nests in nooks or crevices
near the water, on shelving rocks or roots of trees. W. N. A.

22. Bluebird—sravia. statis. Uniform pale blue; five or six; .80 by
.62. Nests in boxes or in holes of trees. BE. Nic At

23. Californian Bluebird—sIALIA MEXICANA. Uniform pale blue; four;
.84 by .69.. Nesting habits same as those of the preceding species. P. C.

24. Rocky Mountain Bluebird— sitatia arctica. Very light blue;
four; .87 by .65. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species.
Upper Missouri to Rocky Mt. range, south to Mexico.

25. Townsend's Solitaire —MYIADESTES TOWNSENDI. Dull white, thick-
ly blotched or dotted with reddish-brown; four; .83 by .62. Nests in
crevices of rocks. Wi WS

26. Black-crested Flycatcher PHAINOPEPLA NITENS. Light slate,
tinged with yellowish green, marked, blotched and spotted from light,
obscure purple to deeper tints of purplish-brown and black; two or three;
.gt by .60. Nests in small trees. (See notes) SAAN UL Se

27. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher—poLioPriLA CARULEA. | Greenish- white,
dotted and blotched with reddish-brown, lilac and slate; five; .55 by .45.
Nests in trees. UK Si

30. Ruby-crowned Kinglet—REGULUS CALENDULA. Uniform dirty
cream color; in some there are fine hair lines at the larger ena, others are
spotted; six or eight; .55 by .43. Nests in trees. N. A.

35. Ground Tit; Wren Tit—cHAamaa FAscraTA. Pale greenish-blue;

‘four; .70 by .52. Nests in shrubs. ion

36. Tufted Titmouse—LoPHoPHANES BICOLOR. White, thickly sprink-
led with reddish brown; five or six; .73 by .52. Nests in natural cavities
of trees. Bee yase

to

§ EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

37, Black-crested Titmouse — LOPHOPHANES ATROCRISTATUS. Clear
white, with spots and blotches of reddish-brown, forming a confluent ring
at the large end; four; .76 by .59. Nests in natural cavities of hollow
limbs. Se oh

40.- Mountain Chickadee—parRus MONTANUS. Pure white, Some are
marked with spots of reddish-brown; five; .63 by .49. Nests in holes of
decayed trees. PSG

41. Black-capped Chickadee—PARrus ATRICAPILLUS. . White with rosy
blush, speckled all over, but most thickly at the larger end, with reddish-
brown spots; five or six; .58 by .47. Nests in holes and decayed stumps
of trees. E. N. A,

41a. Long tailed Chickadee—parus ATRICAPILLUS SEPTENTRIONALIS.
Dull-white, uniformly covered with fine markings and small blotches of
red and reddish-brown, with few dots of purplish; five to eight; .60 by
.50. Nests in decayed stumps and hollow trees. W..U. S.

42. Carolina Chickadee—PARUS CAROLINENSIS. | Pure white, uniformly
sprinkled with blotches of reddish-brown; five to scven; .60 by .50.
Nests in holes of decayed stumps and hollow trees. S. Mess

45. Hudsonian Chickadee—rarus HupsoNicus. White, marked with
reddish-brown spots, forming a ring around the larger end; .56 by .47.
Nests in hollow stumps of trees. N..E. N. A.’

47. Least: Tit—psALTRIPARUS MINIMUS. Pure white; five to nine; .55
by .43. Nests placed in the*branches of small trees. We vst

50. Yellow-headed. Tit—auRIPARUS FLAVICEPS. Pale blue, with nu-
merous small brown spots, chiefly near the larger end; four; .60 by .44.
Nests built in trees. : W. U.S.

51. White-bellied Nuthatch—siTTA CAROLINENSIS. Roseate tinge, cov-
ered with spots of reddish-brown, with a slight tinge of purple; four; .80
by .62. Nests in hollows of decayed trees. Ed Opcicr

5la. Slender-billed Nuthatch—siTTA CAROLINENSIS ACULEATA. Creamy
white, speckled and blotched with reddish brown, sometimes over the
whole surface but chiefly at the larger end; five or six; .78 by .62. Nests
in holes of trees. - P. C. to Rocky Mee

52. . Red-bellied Nuthatch—sitra CANADENSIS. oseate tinge, thickly
covered with spots of reddish; four to six; .60 by .48. Nests in dead
stumps of trees. Ae ae

tA) BAde o int

x

Hf

WW EGG ‘CHECK LIST OF NORPH AMERICAN BIRDS.

We)

53. Brown-headed Nuthatch—sirra pusitta. White, very thickly
sprinkled with reddish-brown dots; they appear almost a uniform choco-
late color; rounded oval; four to six; .60 by .50. Nests in dead stumps
of trees. Si U.S:

D4. Pigmy Nuthatch—sitra pyGmMa@a. Crystalline-white, more or less
thickly covered with red spots, most numerous at the larger end; seven;
.63 by .45. Nests in the cavities of old trees. PavG:

55. Brown Creeper —cCERTHIA FAMILIARIS RUFA. Grayish - white,
sparsely sprinkled with reddish-brown; five to nine; .55 by .44. Nests
within scaies of loose bark. N. A.

56. Cactus \Wren—CAMPYLORHYNCHUS BRUNNEICAPILLUS. — White, thick-
ly covered with rich salmon-colored spots; giving a beautiful ‘cast to the
surface; four; .94 by .63. Nest, purse shaped, usually’ placed in the
braaches of a cactus. SP Wen tee

57. Saint Lucas Cactus Wren—-CAMPYLORHYNCHUS AFFINIS. Similar
to those of the preceding species. Cap: St. Lucas.

98. Rock Wren—sSaLPINCTEs OBSOLETUS. Crystalline White, sprinkled
with distinct reddish-brown dots, usually forming a ring around larger
énd; four to eight; .70 by .62. Nests ina rift of rocks. W. U. S.

,

59a. White-throated Wren—cCATHERPES MEXICANUS CONSPERSUS. Crys:
talline white, covered with large blotches of reddish or cinnamon-brown;
four; .80 by .60. Nests in crevices of old walls. M. U. S.

60. Carolina Wren—THRYOTHORUS LUDOVICIANUS. Reddish-white, thick-
ly spotted with various shades of reddish brown; five to seven; .74 by
.60, v. Nests in barns, sheds, or in cavities of old logs. Eaten * St

61. Bewick’s Wren—THRYOMANES BEWICKI. Thickly covered with
reddish-brown, almost concealing the white ground; seven to nine. Nests

anywhere, in boxes, holes, fence-posts, etc. (See notes.) SUL St
6la. Californian Bewick’s Wren — THRYOMANES BEWICKI SPILURUS.
Same markings as those of the preceding species. Bee

610. Texan Bewick’s Wren—THRYOMANES BEWICKI LEUCOGASTER.
Hardly distinguishable from the two preceding species. S. Border U. S.

63. House Wren—TROGLODYTES AEDON.—White, thickly dotted with
fine spots of reddish-brown, with a light tinge of purple; seven to nine;
-61 by .55; 7 Nests in hellow trees, boxes, etc Bu Se

10 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

63a, Western House Wren—tTROGLODYTES AEDON PARKMANNI. Same
markings as those of the preceding species. Nesting habits same. W.U.S.

65. Winter Wren—ANORTHURA TROGLODYTES HYEMALIS. White, spot-
ted with a bright, reddish-brown, with markings of purple; five; .65 by
.48. Nests under roots of trees, hollow logs, etc. ~ N.-A.

67. Long-billed Marsh Wren—vTELMATODYTES PALUSTRIS. Thickly
marked with brown spots so as to appear of a uniform chocolate color;
six to nine; .65 by .50. Nests in low bushes. N. A.

68. Short-billed Marsh Wren—cISTOTHORUS STELLARIS. Pure white;
nine; .60 by .45. Nests in high grass or bushes. E25:

71. American Titlark—aANTHUS LUDOVICIANUs. Dark chocolate color,
indistinctly marked with numerous small lines and streaks of black; four
or five. Nests placed on the ground. N. A.

73. Sprague’s Titlark—NEOCORYS SPRAGUEI. White, minutely dotted
with grayish-purple, so as to appear of a uniform color; four or five; .87
by .63. Nests placed on the ground. Ns Se

74. Black-and-white Creeper—MNIOTILTA VARIA. Creamy-white, spot-
ted and blotched with reddish, chiefly at the larger end; three to seven.
Nests placed on the ground. E. N. A.

~

7). Prothonotary Warbler — PROTONOTARIA CITREA. Clear, lustrous
white; in some, spots and dottings of dull brown, with markings of pale
lavender over the entire surface; in others, bold blotches of reddish-brown,
thickly laid on, especially around the larger end; in some instances almost

obscured; ‘five to seven .70 by..52°"Nests/in ‘holes ofstrees” 2st

77. Worm-eating Warbier—HELMINTHOTHERUS VERMIVORUs. White,

rather sparsely dotted with reddish-brown; four; .74 by .62. Nests —

placed on the ground. EB, 50S

79. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler—HELMINTHOPHAGA PINUS. White,
with small red spots, forming a ring around the larger end, and a few
spots are scattered over the whole surface; four or five; .70 by .54.
Nests placed on the ground, EE yUAsse

81. Golden-winged Warbler—HELMINTHOPHAGA CHRYSOPTERA. Crys-
tal-white, with a few bright reddish-brown spots around th® greater end;
three or four; .65 by .52. Nests on or near the ground. EUS

83.:° Lucy’s Warbler—HELMINTHOPHAGA LUCI#. Crystal white, spotted
chiefly around the larger end with fine dottings of purplish-red; four; .54
by .45. Nests between the loose bark and dead trunks of trees. Cal.

TO Lee ee Se ee

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. WW

84. Virginia’s Warbler — HELMINTHOPHAGA VIRGINIA White, with
roseate tinge, profusely spotted with numerous small blotches and dots of
purplish-brown and lilac, forming a ring around the larger end; four; .64

by A Nests on the ground. Southern Portion of the Middle Province, U.S

85. Nashville Warbler — HELMINTHOPHAGA RUFICAPILLA. White,
sprinkled with light reddish-brown specks, most thickly at the large end;
four; .60 by .50. Nests on the ground. Be Ne AG

86. Orange-crowned Warbler — HELMINTHOPHAGA CELATA. White;
marked with spots and blotches of reddish-brown, thickly about the
larger end; four to six; .65 by .47. Nests placed on the ground. N. A.

87. Tennessee Warbler — HELMINTHOPHAGA PEREGRINA. ° White, with
numerous small dots and points of reddish-brown and slate; .68 by .50.
Nests on or near the ground. E. N. A.

88. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler — pARULA AMERICANA. Finely
sprinkled on a white ground with reddish-brown dots, chiefly at the
larger end, in some forming a ring; four and five; .63 by .49. Nests in
trees and bushes. E. N. A.

93. Summer Yellow Bird; Yellow Warbler—pENpRacA astiva. Light
green, with dots and blotches of light purple, brown and lilac; four; .62
by..50, v. Nests in trees and bushes. N. A.

94. Black-throated Blue Warbler—pDENDRa@:CA CA:RULESCENS. White,
with a ring of brdwn and lilac dots, and blotched at the larger end, with
minute spots scattered over the entire surface; four or five; .62 by .45.

Bed pss

95. Yellow-rump Warbler—DENDRa@:CA CoRONATA. White, blotched
and spotted with different shades of brown and purplish; four to six; .72
by .54. Nests in bushes. N. A.

96. Audubon’s Warbler—pENpR@cA, AUDUBONI. Pinkish-white, with
red markings chiefly about the larger end; .70 by .50. Nests in smal]
trees and bushes. W. N. A.

97. Black-and-yellow Warbler—DENDRa@CA MACULOSA. Creamy-white,
blotched sparingly over with large spots of lilac and umber; .62 by .51.
Nests in low spruce. E. N, A.

98. Cerulean Warbler —DENDR@CA C#RULEA. Dull creamy-white,
more or less thickly covered with blotches of reddish-brown; five: .60 by
.47. Nests in high trees. Ee US.

99. Chestnut-sided Warbler—DENDRGCA PENNSYLVANICA. Rich creamy-
white, and beautifully spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with purple ~
and purplish-brown; three or four; .65 by .49. Nests in shrubs. E. U. S.

100. Bay breasted Warbler — DENDRa:CA CASTANEA. Bluish-green,
thickly spotted with brown, usually with a ring of blotches of brown and
lilac at the larger end; four to six; .69 by. 51. Nests in trees. = 58) SNe Be

101. Black-poll Warbler—pENDRaca sTRIATA. White, spotted with —
lavender, dark purple, lavender and reddish-brown; five; .72 by .50.
Nests in thick spruce trees. E. N. A.

102. Blackburnian Warbler—DENDRG@CA BLACKBURNIZ. White, spot-
ted chiefly at the larger end with reddish-brown and lilac; four; .65 by
.50. Nests in trees and bushes. E. N. A.

103. Yellow-throated Warbler—DENDRa:CA DOMINICA. Grayish-white,
with fine dottings of pale lilac and brown scattered thinly and evenly over
the entire surface; four; .69 by .53. Aele ie een

106.. Golden-cheeked Warbler—DENDRGCA CHRYSOPARIA. Clear white, —
evenly covered with fine but distinct spots of light reddish-brown, in some
so faint that the surface appéars white; .73 by..54. Nests in trees. .S.U:S.

107. Black-throated Green Warbler —DENDRa:cA virRENS. White,
blotched and dotted with reddish and purplish-brown, more numerous
about larger end; three or four; .70 by .50. Nests in high trees. E.U.S

111. Pine creeping Warbler—pENDRaca Pinus. Bluish-white, with
subdued tintings of the shade of purple, on this are distributed dots and-
blotches of dark purplish-brown, and with lines of almost black; four; .72
by .55. Nests in pine trees. E: No AS

118a. Yellow Red-poll Warbler—DENDR@CA PALMARUM HYPOCHRYSEA, —
Yellowish-white, with a blending of blotches of purple, lilac and red-
dish-brown, chiefly about the larger end; four;.70 by .55. | Nests on the
ground at the edge of a swampy thicket. fs AEN

114. Prairie Warbler—pENDRa:cA piIscoLtor. White, spotted with
lilac, purple and umber; three to five; .68 by .48 Nests * in low
bushes. By Ope

(115. Golden-crowned Thrush—siuRus AURICAPILLUS Creamy-white, —
marked with dots and blotches of red and reddish-brown, chiefly at the —
larger end; four to five; .85 by .55. Nests on the ground. 1a

116. Small-billed Water Thrush—siurus Naevius. Clear, crystal white, —
more or less marked with lines, dots and dashes of varying shades of rs

~.

BEGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 13

umber-brown and lilac, more numerous around the larger end; four to six;
.76 by .§8. Nests on the ground. E. N. A.

117. Large-billed Water Thrush—siurus moraciLLaA. White, with a
fleshy tint, with blotches of dark umber and fainter sub markings of pale
‘lavender about the larger end, while over the entire surface are thickly
sprinkled dotting of reddish-brown; six; .74 by .60. The favorite nesting
place is among the upturned roots of a fallen tree. Exn.Ue S:

119 = Kentucky Warbler—oporornis FORMOSA. Glossy white, spotted
and speckled with reddish-brown and lilac, chiefly at the larger end; four;
.72 by .53. Nests on the ground. Ee ous

120. Mourning Warbler—GEOTHLYPIS PHILADELPHIA. Light flesh-color,
uniformly speckled with fine brown specks; .75 by .55. Nests on the
ground, Be EKG:

121. Macgillivray’s Warbler — GEOTHLYPIS: MACGILLIVRAYI. _ Pinkish-
white, marked and spotted with purple, lilac, reddish-brown and dark
brown, approaching black; four or five; .70 by .50. Nests on or near
the ground. W.. U.S:

122. Maryland Yellow-throat—GEoTHLyPis TRicHAS. Clear crystalline
white, dotted and blotched around the greater end with purple, reddish-
brown and umber; four to six; .70 by .52, 7. Nests.on the ground in
swampy places. Urs

123. Yellow-bréasted Chat—icrERIA VIRENS. Glossy-white, with spots
of reddish-brown, pretty evenly distributed, sometimes forming a ring
around the greater end; .90 by .68. Nests in small trees or bushes in
thickets. BUSS:

128¢a. Long-tailed Chat—icTERIA VIRENS LONGICAUDA. Markings same
as those of the preceding species; from .g5 to 1.00 in length, average
breadth .70. Nesting habits same. High Central Plains of U.S. to the Pacific.

124. Hooded Warbler—myiopIocrEs MITRATUS. White, tinged with
flesh color, spotted with red, with a few markings of subdued purple;
three or four; .70 by .50. Nests in. bushes and low trees. EeeUas,

125. Black-capped Yellow Warbler—mytopiocrEs pusitLus. White,
dotted with reddish brown, chiefly at the larger end; four. Nests in low
bushes or on the ground. Bats

125a. Pileolated \Warbler—myYIODIOCTES PUSILLUS PILEOLATUS. Dull-
whitish, threkly freckled with dark, rusty-brown,; four and five; .60 by .50.
Nests on the ground or in low bushes. P. C.

14 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

127. Canadian Flycatching Warbler—myIopDI0cTES CANADENSIS. White,
beautifully marked with dots and small blotches of blended brown, purple
and violet, varying in shades and tints in a wreath around the larger end;
five; .68 by .52. Nests on the ground, or in a tussock of grass in a
swamp. Ei. NSA

128. American Redstart—SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA. Grayish-white, dot-
ted and blotched with brown, lilac and purple; four; .66 by .49. Nests in
low branches of trees. EN. A,

135. Red-eyed Vireo—VIREOSYLVIA OLIVACEA. Sparsely sprinkled on
a pure white ground with fine dark, reddish-brown dots chiefly at the larger
end; four or five; .78 by .60. Nests in trees, height ranging from ten to
fifty feet. E. N. A.

139. Warbling Vireo—vIREOSYLVIA GILVA. Spotted and sometimes
blotched at the larger end with brown and reddish-brown on a-clear white
ground—sometimes over the surface will be found small specks of reddish-
brown; five; .70 by .56, v. Nest in trees, same as the Red-eyed. E.N.A.

1392. Western Warbling Vireo—vIREOSYLVIA GILVA SWAINSONI. Eggs
in my collection are the same as those of the preceding species. Nests
the same, except in materials used. PG

140. Yellow-throated Vireo—LANIVIREO FLAVIFRONS. White, marked
with spots of rosy brown; four; .82 by .62, v. Nests in low branches of
trees: ‘ EAU ase

141. Blue-headed Vireo—LaNniviREO SOLITARIUS. White, less crytal-_
line than the other Vieros, pretty uniformly spotted over the egg with
dark red and reddish-brown; five; .76 by .51. Nests in trees. Uns:

142. Black-capped Vireo. VIREO ATRICAPILLUS. Spotless dull white,
ovoid in shape; three or four; .66 by .52. Nests in low bushes. ;

Texas and Mexico,

148. White-eyed Vireo—vIREO NOVEBORACENSIS. Spotted with fine

dark-purple and reddish-brown on a clear white ground, chiefly about the

larger end; five; .85 by .65. Nestsin low bushes and saplings. E. U. S.

144. Hutton’s Vireo—virEO HuUTTONI. White, delicate blush-color
before blown, with minute dots of reddish-brown, more numerous toward ~
the larger end; four; .70 by .50, wv. Nests in trees and bushes. CAI

145. Bell's Vireo—virEo BELLI. Pure white, sparingly spotted with ~~
fine red dots distributed around the larger end; four; .62 by .57, v. Nests
in trees and bushes. Missouri and Eastern Texas.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 15

146. Least Vireo—viREO puSILLUS. Crystalline white, speckled with
red and reddish-brown, markings being very minute and scarcely dis-
cernible in some, in* others very distinctly marked; four; .67 by .55.
Nests in low bushes and small trees. She WU: S:

148. Great Northern Shrike—Lanius BOREALIS. Light greenish-
ground, marbled and streaked with blotches of obscure-purple, clay color,
and rufous-brown; four or five. Nests in trees. N.. N.. A.

149. Loggerhead Shrike — Lanius LupoviciAnus, Light grayish,
blotched and spotted with obscure yellowish and light brown and purplish-
gray more or less confluent; five or six; 1.05 by .76. Nests in thorn

trees, hedges and tangled briers, nest very large and massive.
South Atlantic and Gulf States.

149@. White-rumped Shrike—LANIUS LUDOVICIANUS EXCUBITORIDES.
Eggs in my collection, obtained in California, are not distinguishable from
those of the Loggerhead Shrike. In that State they nest in alders, live
oak and orange trees. Missouri plains and fur countries to P. C.

150. Northern Wax wing; Bohemian Wax-wing — AMPELIS GARRU-
Lus. Greenish-slate or stone color, spotted with a dark brown, with deep
violet shading, .70 by .67. Nests and eggs of this species are said to
differ with those of the Cedar Wax-wing only in size, and the breeding
habits are the same. Northern parts of both continents. Seen in U. S.
only in severe winters, except along the great lakes.

151. Cedar Wax- wing—AMPELIS CEDRORUM. Varying from a light
slate to a deep shade of stone-color tinged with olive, marked with
blotches and spots of a dark brown and purple, almost black; five; .85
by .65, vw. Nests in trees. N. A.

152. Purple Martin—proGne susis. Pure white, oblong-oval, pointed
at one end; five or six; .g7 by .68, v. Nests in the deserted excavations
of woodpeckers, in cavities of dead limbs of sycamore and walnut trees,
and in boxes. N. A.

153. Cliff Swallow—-PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS. White, marked with
dots, blotches and points of reddish-brown chiefly about the jarger end,
less elongated than those of the Barn Swallow, but the markings of the
two are hardly distinguishable; five; .78 by .60, v. Nests under the eaves
of buildings, against a vertical or overhanging rock. The nest is retort
shape, made of mud. NA.

154. Barn Swallow—HIRUNDO ERYTHROGASTRA. White, marked with
spots and blotches of bright reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end; four
to six; .78 by .56, v. Nests in the interior of a barn, in caves, crevices of
rocks, under the sides of wooden bridges. ee

9
o

16 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

155. White-bellied Swallow—racnyciNETA BICOLOR. White, unspot-
ted, oblong-oval; four to nine; .81 by .53, v7. Nests in the old excava-
tions of woodpeckers or natural cavities of dead trees, usually in the
vicinity of water. ics

156. Violet-green Swallow—TACHYCINETA THALASSINA. Pure white;
four to six; .80 by .50. Nesting habits same as those of the preceding
species. Rocky Mountains to P. C.

157. Bank Swallow—coriLE RIpARIA. White; four to six; oval; .72
by .47. Nests in holes dug near the level of the ground in the perpen-
dicular face of a bank. N. A.

158. Rough-winged Swallow—sTELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPENNIS. Immac-
ulate white; five or six; .75 by .53. Nests in crevices between stones in
walls and arches of bridges, usually over running water. ws:

161. Scarlet Tanager—pyRANGA RUBRA. Greenish-blue, blotched and-
spotted with a reddish or rufous-brown, more or less confluent, in some
chiefly at the greater end; two to five; .go by .65. Nests placed in
forest trees. ES WaSt

162. \ Western Tanager

PYRANGA LUDOVICIANA. Light bluish-green,
speckled chiefly at the greater end with markings of umber, intermingled
with a few dots of lilac; three or four; .95 by .65- Nests in trces.

W. Wages:

136. Hepatic Tanager—pyRANGA HEPATICA. Pale light-green, some.

sparingly marked over the entire egg with large blotches of purplish-

brown, others are thickly covered with dottings of the same hue; .go by
.78,v. Nests and eggs said to resemble those of the Summer Redbird.

Arizona.

164. Summer Redbird—pyranca astiva. Bright light emerald-green,

spotted, marbled, dotted and blotched with various shades of lilac,

brownish-purple, and dark brown; three; .go by .68, v. Nests in trees.
(See notes. ) Sc Saeeee

166. Pine Grosbeak—PpINICOLA ENUCLEATOR. Light slate colored ground
with a marked tinge of greenish, broadly marked and plashed with faint,
subdued cloudy patches of brownish-purple and sparingly spotted, chiefly
at the larger end with blackish-brown and dark purple; three or four; 1.02

by .70. Nests in bushes. B. A.
168. Purple Finch—carpropscus PuRPUREUS. Pale emerald-green,

spotted with very dark brown, chicfly about the greater end; four to six;
-75 by .62. Nests in firs, spruces and cedar-trees. Us:

EGG CHECK [AST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 17

168a@. California Purple Finch—caRPoDACUS PURPUREUS CALIFORNICUS.
White, with a scarcely perceptible shade of bluish, with a few lines and
dots of black or dark brown about the larger end, blunted oval; four to
six; .73 by .55. Nests similar to the preceding species. Bon.G.,

169. Cassin’s Purple Finch—carpopacus cassini. — Light bluish-
green, dotted around the larger end with slate, lilac and blackish-brown ;

four; .82 by .63. Nestsin bushes and trees.
Rocky Mountains and Colorado Valley.

170. House Finch—carpopacus FRONTALIS. Pale blue, marked chiefty
at the larger end with specks and lines of blackish-brown; six; .85 by .65.
Nests in all sorts of nooks about buildings, in hay-stacks, and on limbs
of trees. Rocky Mountains to P. C,

170a. Crimson House Finch—carPoDACUS FRONTALIS RHODOCOLPUS.
Bluish-white, marked with spots and lines of a dark brown or black; five;
.80 by .60. Nesting habits same as those of the preceding species.
(See notes. ) Cal.

172. American Crossbill—LoxIA CURVIROSTRA AMERICANA. Greenish
white, with irregular spots and dottings of lavender-brown, varying in
shade, with a few heavy surface spots of dark purple-brown; four; .75 by

.56. Nests in fir trees. No My a

173. White-winged Crossbill—LoxiA LEUCOPTERA. ‘‘ Pale blue, the
larger end rather thickly spattered with black and ashy lilac’’; .S0 by .56.
Nesting habits resemble those of the preceding species. Nipiecoa.

179. Common Redpoll—a:GiorHus LINARIA. Pale bluish green, speck-
led chiefly in a wreath around the larger.end with rusty brown, varying in
shades; four or five; .65 by .54. Nests in low trees and bushes. E..N. A.

181. American Goldfinch—astRAGALINUs TRISTIS. Bluish-white, unspot-
ted, sharply pointed at one end; five; .65 by .52. Nests in trees in July.

3 NY AG

182.. Green-backed Goldfinch —ASTRAGALINUS PSALTRIA. | Greenish-
white, sharply pointed at one end; four or five; .60 by .50. Nests in
trees, same as the common Goldfinch. Rocky Mountains, N. Mexico, California.

182a. Arizona Goldfinch—asTRAGALINUS PSALTRIA ARIZONEH. Eggs
same color as those of the preceding, but slightly smaller. Nidification
similar Arizona:

1826. Mexican Goldfinch—asTRAGALINUS PSALTRIA MEXICANUS. Simi-
lar to the eggs of Lawrence's Goldfinch. Nesting habits about the same.
(See following species. ) Mexican side of the valley of the Rio Grande, Cal.

18 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

183. Lawrence’s Goldfinch—AsTRAGALINUS LAWRENCEI. Pure white;
four or five; .62 by .46. Nests built in trees. California.

185. Pine Goldfinch—curysomitRis piNus. Light green, spotted
chiefly at the larger end with markings of a light rusty-brown, oblong-
Oval: fouts.47 1 sDy.5 0: N. A.

186. Snow Bunting—PpLECTROPHANES NIVALIS. White, in some flecked
all over with neutral tint; shell-markings overlaid by deep brown spots and
scratches, especially at the greater end; in other cases a heavy wreath of
confluent blotches of dull brown around the larger end, and again the
whole surface is mottled with pale chocolate; five; .95 by .65. Nests
placed on the ground. Breeds from latitude 62° northward. N. A,

187. Lapland Longspur—cENTROPHANES LAPPONICUS. Apparent green-
ish-gray ground, with a heavy mottling of chocolate-brown, rather pointed ;
five; .85 by .64. Nests on the ground, breeds in arctic regions.

N. A.

188. Smith’s Longspur—cENTROPHANES Picrus. Light clay color,
marked with obscure blotches of lavender and darker lines, dots and
blotches of dark purplish-brown; five; .80 by .65. Nests built on the

ground. Prairies of Illinois in winter, in summer north to the Saskatchewan.

190. McCown’s Longspur-—-RHYNCHOPHANES MACCOWNI. Dull white,
with obscure and rather sparse mottling and darker markings of purplish
and reddish-brown; .80 by .60. Nests placed on the ground.

Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

193a. Savannah Sparrow—PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS SAVANNA. Green-
ish or grayish-white, more or less thickly blotched with different shades of
brown, in some, the markings are brown and purple, forming a confluent
ring around the larger end; four to six; .68 by .55. Nests on the ground.
N. A.

1936. Western Savannah Sparrow——PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS ALAU-
pinus. Same as those of the preceding species. Nesting habits the
same. Ww. U.S

197. Grass Finch—pockcETES GRAMINEUS. Paie greenish-white, marked
with lines, dots and blotches of various shades of reddish and_ purple-
brown. In some, a confluent ring is formed about the larger end; four;
.80 by .55. Nests placed on the ground. U. Bs

197a. Western Grass Finch—poa:cETES GRAMINEUS CONFINIS. Eggs

in my'collection of this variety are exactly the same as those of the pre-
ceding species. Nesting habits the same. We Uae

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 19

198. Yellow-winged Sparrow—coTuRNICULUS PASSERINUS. Clear crys-
talline-white, dashed and marked with bold markings of reddish-brown,
chiefly about the larger end, rounded oval; four to six; .75 by .60. Nests
on the ground. ete |

\

199. Henslow’s Sparrow—corTuRNICULUS HENSLOW!. White, blotched
and speckled reddish-brown, the color becoming more confluent at the
greater end; four to six; .76 by .60. Nests and eggs similar to Yellow-
winged Sparrow. be Uses

201. Sharp-tailed Finch—ammopromus caupacutus. Light green,
thickly sprinkled over the entire egg with fine rusty-brown dots, some-
times forming a confluent ring around the greater end; five; .75 by .5o9.

Atlantic Coast, U.S.

202. Sea-side Finch—amMopromus MARITIMUS. Grayish-white, spot-
ted and blotched with reddish brown, the blotches are distributed over the
entire coe ;*five;.88 by-.68. Atlantic Coast, U. S.

204. Lark Finch—cHONDESTES GRAMMICA. Grayish or soiled-white,
spotted with very dark brown, marked with zig-zag, straight and wavy
lines of blackish, as in the eggs of some of the orioles; four or five; .85
by .65. Nests on the ground. ° Ohio to the Pacific—Oregon to Texas.

204a. Western Lark Finch—CHONDESTES GRAMMICA STRIGATA. Same
as the preceding species; four to six. (See notes. ) Wan Usws:

206. White-crowned Sparrow—zoONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS. Pale bluish-
green, thickly spotted, especially about the larger end, with reddish-brown
and lighter markings of an obscure purplish-brown; four; .g2 by .7o.
Nests on the ground. BUN, SA

207. Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow—zoNoTRICHIA GAMBELI. Blu-
ish-green, thickly spotted with reddish-brown with lighter markings of
purplish-brown. In some, confluent about the larger end; four to six; .84
by .67. Nests on the ground. Rocky Mountains to P. C.

20%7a. Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow — ZoNOTRICHIA GAMBELI
INTERMEDIA. Similar to those of the two preceding species. Nesting
habits the same. Middle Province of U.S., north to Alaska.

208. Golden-crowned Sparrow—ZONOTRICHIA CORONATA. Light green,
with markings of reddish and golden-brown, the whole surface pretty uni-
formly flecked in small and well-distributed blotches—nowheré numerous
or confluent, resembling those of the White-throated Sparrow; four; .81
by .65. Nests on the ground. P. Cc.

20 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

209, White-throated Sparrow—zoONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS. Pale green-
ish-white, more or less thickly spotted with rusty-brown; four to seven;
.87 by .68. Nests on the ground, Ee.N A:

210. Tree Sparrow—sPiIzELLA MONTANA. Light green, flecked with
minute markings of reddish-brown, distributed with great regularity, but
so sparsely as to leave the ground distinctly visible; four to five; .85 by
.65. Nests on the ground or on low bushes and breeds in high Arctic
regions. N. A.

211. Chipping Sparrow—spizELLa pomesTIcA. Bluish-green, sparsely
spotted with purplish and blackish-brown, sometimes in a circle about the
larger end; four or five; .70 by .54,v. Nests in trees and bushes. _N. A.

21la. Western Chipping Sparrow —sPizELLA DOMESTICA ARIZONA.
Eggs in my collection do not seem to differ essentially from those of the
preceding species. Nesting habits the same. Arizona.

212. Clay-colored Sparrow—sPIzELLA PALLIDA. Light-green, scantily
and sharply speckled with sienna and other rich shades of brown, dotting
chiefly confined to the larger end, with a speck here and there over the
general surface; three ana four; .62 by .50. Nests in trees, shrubs or in
tufts of weeds. Upper Missouri and high central plains to the Saskatchewan country.

213. Brewer's Sparrow—sPIZELLA BREWERI.. Bluish-green, blotched
in scattered markings of golden-brown, more conspicuous than in those of
the Chipping Sparrow; four; .70 by .50. Rocky Mountains of U.S. to P. C.

214. Field Sparrow—spizELLa pusiLta. Whitish clay-color, marked
more or less fully with blotches of reddish-brown; in some these markings
are scattered, in others confluent about the larger end; five; .68 by. .42.
Nests on the ground or in low bushes. EUS

217. Black Snowbird—yunco. HYEMALIS. Creamy yellowish - white,
marked with spots of reddish-brown, or pale chocolate, confluent around
the larger portion of the egg; four or five; .75 by .60. All the species
of Snowbirds are said to lay similar eggs. Nests on the ground in moun-
tainous regions. ; E.R

218. Oregon Snowbird—junco orEGONUS. Greenish- white, marked
about the larger end with fine dots of reddish-brown; four; .75 by .6o.
Nesting habits same as those of the preceding species.

: P. C. of US. to Rocky Mts.

224. Black-throated Sparrow—AmMPHISPIZA BILINEATA. Pure white, with

a slight tinge of blue, rounded-oval; .73 by .58. Nests in sage bushes.

Valley of Rio Grande and Gila,

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 21

225. Bell’s Sparrow—AmPHISPIZA BELLI. Light greenish-blue, marked
with reddish-purple spots, differing in intensity of shade; four. Nests in
bushes. Southern California and Valley of Gila and Colorado.

225a. Sagebush Sparrow — AMPHISPIZA BELLI NEVADENSIS. Light
greenish, marked all over with very fine dots of a reddish-brown, around
the larger end a ring of confluent blotches of dark purple and lines of
darker brown; almost black; .80 by .60. Nests on the ground or low
bushes. Middle Province of U. S.

226. Bachman’s Finch—prEuca#A AsTIVALIs. Pure white; .74 by .60.
Nests on the ground. Georgia- Florida.

228. Cassin’s Sparrow—PEUCAA CASSINI. Same as those of the pre-
ceding species, but smaller. Nesting habits also similar, but the nest is
sometimes placed in bushes. Southern Middle Province—Texas.

229. Rufous- winged Sparrow—prEucaA CARPALIS. Pale green, un-
spotted; four; .73 by .58. Nests in bushes a few inches from the ground.
Arizona.

230. Rufous-crowned Sparrow—PpvuECA#A RUFICEPS. Pure white; three
or four; .89 by .65. Nests on the ground. Coast of Cal

231. Song Sparrow—MELOSPIZA FASCIATA. Varying from a greenish
or pinkish-white to light bluish-green, more or less thickly spotted with
dark reddish-brown; five; .82 by .60. Nests on the ground and in low
bushes. FsUer St

25la.. Mountain Song Sparrow—MELOSPIZA FASCIATA FALLAX. Bluish-
white, blotched with reddish brown; .85 by .63. Nesting habits iden-
tical with the preceding. Rocky Mountain Region.

2316. Heermann’s Song Sparrow—MELOSPIZA FASCIATA HEERMANNI.
Pale bluish-ash, covered with blotches of reddish-brown; four; .88 by .70,
average larger than those of the common Song Sparrow, the nesting
habits are similar. Southern California.

231¢c. Californian Song Sparrow — MELOSPIZA FASCIATA SAMUELIS.
Darker and considerably larger than those of JZ. fascitata.

Coast region of Cal.

233. Swamp Sparrow—MELOsPIZA PALUSTRIS. Light green, sometimes

light clay, marked and blotched with reddish and purplish-brown spots,
varying in size and number, occasionally forming a confluent ring around
the greater end; five; .78 by .60. Nests on the ground or in a tussock of
rank-grass, in a low, damp place. E. N. A.

22 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH: AMERICAN BIRDS.

234. Lincoln’s Finch—MELOSPIZA LINCOLNI. Greenish-white, more or
less thickly spotted and blotched with different shades of reddish-brown,
often so numerous and confluent as to partially conceal the ground; .74 —
by .56. Nests on the ground. Breeds from Wisconsin and Northern 4
New York, northward. ot SINGUR

235. Fox-colored Sparrow—PASSERELLA ILIACA. Light bluish-white,
thickly spotted with a rusty-brown, often so fully as to conceal the ground,
oblong; four or five; .92 by .70. Nests in low bushes or on the ground. ~

E. NeSAS a
235c. Slate-colored Sparrow—PASSERELLA ILIACA SCHISTACEA. Light ~
green, blotched and marked chiefly at the larger end with golden-brown i
» ° ‘
spots; four; .80 by .67. Nests in bushes and small trees. J
Middle regionof U.S.

237. Chewink; Towhee—PiPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS. White, thickly
spotted and blotched with light ashy and reddish-brown, rounded oval;
four to six; .98 by .79. Nests on the ground in a depression, rarely in

trees and bushes. fh. Uses

238. Northern Towhee — PIPILO MACULATUS ARCTICUS. White, so ~ =
thickly covered with fine dots of umber-brown, intermingled with paler
markings of lavender and neutral tints that the ground is hardly dis-

tinguishable, oval; 1. by .70. — Nesting habits similar to those of the
preceding species. High Central Plains of Upper Missouri, Yellowstone and Platte. aD

238a. Spurred Towhee —pipILo MACULATUS MEGALONYX. Greenish-
white, speckled with reddish-brown; four or five; 1. by .70. Nesting
habits similar to those of the preceding species. Southern Coast of Cal.

2380. Oregon Towhee—PiPILO MACULATUS OREGONUS. Greenish-white,
very generally and profusely dotted and spotted with fine markings of z
reddish and ‘purplish-brown. More rounded-oval than eggs of this genus —
generally are; .95 by .80. Nests on the ground or in bushes. <r

Coast of Oregon and Washingtom Ter. ;

239. Green-tailed Towhee—pipiLo CHLORURUS. White, with a bluish ©
3

tint, profusely dotted with pinkish-drab, sometimes so thickly distributed _
as to give the egg the appearance of a uniform color, or as an unspotted -

pinkish-drab, and again more sparsely diffused, nearly oval. Nests on the
ground and in bushes. Middle Province, U. §

a) ee (a DR ay aoe ae <i eek aoe eg
240, Canon Towhce—pirILo FUSCUS MESOLECUS. Similar to those ane
the California Brown Towhee. Nesting habits also similar.
Valley of Upper Rio Grande.

bo
Se)

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

240a. Saint Lucas Brown Towhee—pripiLo FuUSCUS ALBIGULA. Light
blue, with markings, dots, dashes and lines about the larger end of a deep,
dark shade of purplish-brown, so dark as sometimes to be undistinguisha-
ble from black; .9g5 by .72. Nests on the ground and in thickets.
, Cape St. Lucas.
2406. Californian Brown Towhee-—pipILo Fuscus cRISSALIS. Light
blue, spotted and blotched with varying shades of dark and Jight purple,
in some the color is not distinguishable from black, except in a strong
light; .98 by .75. . Nests in trees and bushes. (See notes.) Coast of Cal.

241. Abert’s Towhee—pipito ABERTI—Bluish-white, with brown spots
and streaks in a ring near the larger end, varying in number; I. by .7o.
Nests in small trees and clustering bushes. Base of Rocky Mts. in New Mexico.

242. Cardinal Grosbeak—caRDINALIS VIRGINIANUS. White, generally
thickly marked with spots of ashy or reddish-brown and faint lavender
tints, sometimes so thickly marked that little of the ground is seen. They
resemble very closely the eggs of the common Cowbird; four, 1. by
.80. Nests in trees and bushes. Be UES.

_ 242a@. Saint Lucas Cardinal—cARDINALIS VIRGINIANUS IGNEUS. Eggs
and nesting habits similar to*those of the preceding species: Cape St. Lucas.

243. Texan Cardinal — PYRRHULOXIA SINUATA. . Chalky-white, with
blotches of a light umber-brown and a number of indistinct markings of
purple; the spots vary greatly in size and distribution; four; 1. by .8o.

Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding.
Valley of the Rio Grande of Texas.

244, Rose-breasted Grosbeak — ZAMELODIA LUDOVICIANA. Greenish-
white, more or less spotted over the entire surface with blotches of red-
dish-brown; four; 1. by .75, v. Nests in trees, on the edge of woods,
or on the bank of a stream. —- Big Niee Ae

245. Black-headed Grosbeak—ZAMELODIA MELANOCEPHALA. — Bluish-
green, blotched and sprinkled with markings of reddish and rusty-brown,

-more numerous about the larger end, oblong-oval; four; I. by .68.

Nests in trees. (See } Votes. ): High Central Plains from Yellowstone to Pacific.

246. Blue Grosbeak—GuiRACA Ca@:RULEA. Light blue, when blown;
when exposed to light a little while fades into a dull white, oval; four;

-99 by .62. Nests in low trees. (See Notes.)
U.S. Southerly from Atlantic to Pacific.

248. Indigo Bunting—PpassERINA CYANEA. White, with a bluish tinge
unspotted, or rarely thinly dotted with brown; four or five; .75 by .58.
Nests in low bushes. (See Notes ) BE Uigs St

24 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

249, Lazuli Bunting—PASSERINA AMCENA. Light blue when fresh,
on the least exposure fades into bluish-white, oval; five; .74 by .58.
Nests in bushes. (See Notes.) High Central Plains to the Pacific.

251. Painted Bunting; Nonpareil—passeRINa crris. Dull pearly-white,
marked with dots and blotches of reddish-brown; four or five; .80 by HO)
Nests in hedges and low branches of trees. (See Notes. )

South Atlantic and Gulf States.

254. Black-throated Bunting—spizA AMERICANA. | Light blue, almost
exactly like those of the Bluebird; four or five; .80 by .60. Nests on
the ground, or in trees and bushes. Es) Uses

256. Lark Bunting—caramospizA sicotor. Uniform light blue,

rounded-oval; four or five; .go by .70._ Nests on the ground.
High Central Plains to the Rocky Mountains.

257. Bobolink—poricHonyx oryzivorus. Dull white, variousiy tinged
with light drab, olive, reddish and grayish-brown, intermingled with lav-
ender; five or six; .go by .70. Nests on the ground, usually well con-
cealed. E. ON. gat

258. Cowbird—MoLoTHRus ATER. White, more or less thickly spot-
ted and dotted with ashy or reddish-brown, rounded-oval; .85 by .65,7.
The Cowbird lays its eggs in the nests of other smaller birds, and usually
deposits a single egg, but as many as five have been found in a nest. The
exact number the female lays is not known. Us. &

260. Yellow-headed Blackbird — XANTHOCEPHALUS ICTEROCEPHALUS.
Pale greenish-white, profusely covered with blotches and small dottings of
drab, purplish-brown and umber, oblong-oval; four to six; 1. by .70.
Nests in tall grasses in marshes. W. N. A.

261. Red-and-buff-shouldered Blackbird—aGrELausPpHa@NIcEus. Light
blue, marbled, lined and blotched with markings of light and dark purple
and black, almost entirely about the larger end, but vary consider am
four to six; I. by .75. Nests in the low willows of swamps.

‘Temperate N. A-

261la. Red and-black-shouldered Blackbird—aGELa:US PHGENICEUS GUB.-
ERNATOR. Light blue or bluish-white, marked around the larger end with
waving lines of dark brown; four; 1. by 75. Nests in tussocks of grass
in marshes. Pacific Province of U.S,

262. Red-and-white-shouldered Blackbird—aGELa:us rTRicotor. Light

blue, marked around the larger end with a circle of ashy-brown, some-
times black, irregular lines and blotches; four to six. Nests in bushes in

the vicinity of water. Pacific Province, U. $

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

bo
on

263. Meadow Lark—sTuRNELLA MAGNA. White, more or less thickly
spotted or dotted with reddish-brown; five or six; 1.10 by .80. Nests on
the ground. E. N. A.

264. Western Meadow Lark—sTURNELLA NEGLECTA. White, sparingly
spotted and dotted with markings of reddish and purplish-brown. The
dottings are finer than in the eggs of the eastern species; five or six; 1.10
by .82. (See notes.) “Ws oN Ae

266. Audubon's Oriole —ICTERUS AUDUBONI. Dull-white, scattered
over with faint markings of purple and dots and irregular zigzag lines of
dark brown and darker purple, sometimes almost black; four; .89 by .70.
Nests in trees. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande of Texas.

268. Scott's Oriole—ICTERUS PARISORUM. LDull-white, bluish tint, vari-
ously marked with small blotches and fine dottings of purplish-brown, ap-

proaching black; four; .go by .65. Nests in small cactus trees.
Valley of the Rio Grande.

269. Hooded Oriole—IcTrERUS CUCULLATUS. White, marbled, blotched
and dotted with large dashes and irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown
and black, chiefly at the larger end; five; .94 by .64. Nests. generally in
sycamores and live oaks. (See notes. ) Valley of the Lower Rio Grande—Lower Cal.

270. Orchard Orioie—icreRus spuRius. Pale bluish-ground, marked
with dots and zigzag lines of light and dark brown, running into black;
four; .85 by .55, v7. Nests in trees, especially along the banks of Sean

BS

271. Baltimore Oriole —IcTERUS GaALBULA. White, with a slight
roseate tinge when fresh, fading into a bluish tint when blown, marked
with blotches, lines and scrawls, irregularly distributed over the surface,
usually thickest about the larger end, forming a wreath; four to six; .92
by .60. Nests in trees; the nest is pensile and nearly a cylindrical pouch
suspended from the extremity of a branch. U. S. to Rocky Mountains.

272. Bullock’s Oriole—IcTERUS BULLOCKI. Creamy-white with a blu-
ish tinge, marbled with blotches and irregular lines of dark umber, deepen-
ing almost into black, chiefly around the larger end; four to six; .85
by .65. Nesting habits almost precisely the same as those of the Balti-
more Oriole. High Central Plains to the Pacific.

273. Rusty Blackbird—scoLECOPHAGUS FERRUGINEUS. Light green,
very thickly covered with blotches and dottings of purplish and reddish-
brown, without streaks and lines; four to six; 1.02 by .75. Nests in low
trees and bushes in the vicinity of water, like the Red-and-buff shouldered
Blackbird. ESM AG

26 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

274. Brewer’s Blackbird — SCOLECOPHAGUS CYANOCEPHALUS. Dull
greenish-white, with numerous streaks and blotches of dark brown, in
some the markings are very large and of a lighter shade, in others smaller,
but so numerous as to conceal the ground-color; four or five;.1, by .72, v.
Nests in low trees. Great Central Plains to the Pacific.

275. Great-tailed Grackle—QuiIscALUS MACRURUS. Pale gray or rusty,
with irregular black marks, stripes, lines and spots; four; 1.30 by .90.

Nests in the highest trees. Mexico and Central America—Eastern Texas.
oD

277. Boat-tailed Grackle—QuliscaLus Major. Brownish- drab, some
tinged with olive, others with green, marked with irregular lines ‘and
blotches of brown and black; five; 1.28 by .g5. Nests in tall reeds and
in high trees in the vicinity of water. South Atlantic and Gulf States of N. A.

278. Purple Grackle —QuISCALUS PURPUREUS. Light greenish-white,
with large dashes and irregular streaks of black and brown, in some chiefly
at the larger end; in others the ground-color is of a rusty-brown, these are
marked chiefly about the larger end with cloudy blotches of the same
color; four to six; 1.25 by .go. Nests in trees and bushes.

Atlantic Coast of* United States.

278a. Florida Grackle—QuISCALUS PURPUREUS AGL&US. Similar to
those of the preceding species; 1.17 by .85. Nesting habits similar.

Florida.

2780. Bronzed Grackle—QuISCALUS PURPUREUS ENEUS. Light green-
ish or smoky blue, with irregular lines, dots, blotches and scrawls distribu-

ted over the surface; four to six; 1.13 by .83. *Nests in bushes and.

high trees. Mississippi region of U.S.

280. American Raven—cORVUS CORAX CARNIVORLUS. Light green,
with dots and blotches of purple and purplish-brown, in some chiefly at
the larger end, in others scattered over the entire egg; six; 2. by 1.30.

2 ° . .
Nests in trees, sometimes on high rocks. Nieaie

e

281. White-necked Raven—corvus cryproLeucus. Light green,
marked with fine dots of purple, brown and lilac; four to six; 1.85 by
1.25. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species.

Valley of the Rio’ Grande and Gila

282. Common Crow—corRVUS FRUGIVORUS. Light sea-green, more
or less thickly spotted and blotched with dark-brown, almost black, with
purplish reflections; these are chiefly about the larger end, but great vari-
ations exist both in ground-color and markings; four to six; 1.50 by 1.15.
Nests in trees. ULES:

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EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

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282a. Florida Crow*+-coRVUS FRUGIVORUS FLORIDANUS. Similar to
those of the Common Crow. Nesting habits similar. S. Florida.

2826. Northwestern Fish Crow—corvus FRUGIVORUS CAURINUS. Dark
green, thickly marked with dark brown and olive; four or five; 1.60 by
1.10. Nests in trees. Northwestern Coast U. S.

283. Fish Crow—corvus OSSIFRAGUS. Resemble those of the Com-
mon Crow; five or six; 1.35 by I.10. Nests in trees. Atlantic Coast.

285. Maximilian’s Nutcracker; Pinon Jay— GyMNocITTA CYANOCE-
PHALA. Greenish white, spotted everywhere with small blotches of
light brown and purple, in some a faint reddish tinge; four; 1.25 by .87.
Nests in high trees. Rocky Mountains of Colorado,

286. Black-billed Magpie—pica RusTICA HUDSONICA. Grayish-white,
with a yellowish tinge, spotted dashed and dotted with markings of pur-
plish or violet-brown; five to nine; 1.35 by 1.,v. Nests in small bushy
trees. The nest is dome-shaped. (See Notes.) N. N. A.

287. Yellow-billed Magpie.—pica nuTTaLii. Light drab, so thickly
marked with fine cloudings of an obscure lavender color as_ nearly
to conceal the ground and to give the egg the appearance of an almost
*violet-brown; six; 1.20 by .92. Nests similar to the Black-billed Magpie.
(See Notes.) Cal.

289. Blue Jay—cyanocitra cristata. Brownish-olive and occasion-
ally olive-drab, thickly spotted with olive-brown; five; 1.10 by .85. Nests
in trees and bushes. Ey aN Sane

290, Steller’s Jay—cyANOCITTA STELLERI. Pale green, marked with
small olive-brown spots; five to seven; 1.22 by .g0. Nests in trees or
bushes. Pacific Coast of N. A.

290c. Long-crested Jay—CYANOCITTA STELLERI MACROLOPHA. Light
green, with fine markings of dark olive-brown and lighter cloudings of

purplish or violet-brown; six; 1.30 by .g1. Nests in trees and bushes.
Rocky Mountains of U. S.

291. Florida Jay—aPHELOCOMA FLORIDANA. Light blue, sparingly
sprinkled with rufous and black, the spots being larger and more numer-
ous towards the larger end; three to five; 1.15 by .65. Nests in trees or
bushes. Fla.

292. Woodhouse’s Jay —APHELOCOMA woopHoUsEI. Light bluish-
green, marked with reddish-brown specks, thickest at the larger end,
rounded-oval; four; 1.06 by .80. Nests in tangled thickets.

Rocky Mountains and Middle Province U.S.

28 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

293. California Jay—APHELOCOMA CALIFORNICA, Dark _ sea-green,
marked with numerous pale brown blotches, chiefly at the larger end;
three to five; 1.10 by .80. Nests in trees or bushes. (See Notes.)

Pacific Province of U: S.

297. Canada Jay—PERISOREUS CANADENSIS. Light gray, with a yel-
lowish tinge, finely marked more abundantly at the larger end with dots
and blotches of slate-color and brown, with faint cloudings of an obscure
lilac’, four; 1.20 By. 320.4, Nestsimetrees: En (Ne ae

297a. White-headed Jay—PpERISOREUS CANADENSIS CAPITALIS. Gray-
ish-white, marked with dots and blotches of slate and brown. The mark-
ings are larger, more confluent, and not so distinct as in the eggs of the
Canada Jay’; ‘three: to tives’ asn2qby, SG. Nests in trees:

Rocky Mountains—Colorado.
‘

300. Shore Lark—EREMOPHILA ALPESTRIS. Light drab, thickly and
uniformly spotted with various shades of brown; four or five; .95 by .62.
Nests on the ground. N. A.

301. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher—MILvULUS FoRFICATUS. White, marked
with a few dark red spots and occasionally of an obscure purple, chiefly
at the larger end; four; .84 by .60. Nests in trees. (See Notes.)

Middle America and open portions of Texas.

303. Gray Kingbird—tTvyRANNUS DOMINICENSIS. Creamy-white, marked
with large blotches and spots of purple, reddish-brown and dark purplish-
brown’; four; 1.02 by .71 ~ Nestsum frees. Florida.

304. Kingbird; Bee Martin—ryrANNuUS CAROLINENSIS. .White, with
a more or less roseate tinge, marked with blotches of purple, brown and
reddish-brown; five and six; .95 by .70. Nests in trees. N. ae

306. Western Kingbird—ryrRANNUS VERTICALIS. Same as those of
the preceding species. Nesting habits similar. Western Province U.S,

307. Cassin’s Kingbird—-ryRANNUS VOCIFERANS. White, with a fleshy
tint, marked with large, scattered reddish-brown and umber blotches;
‘four; 363 by .70-;,, Nests inutnees: Valley of Gila, Southern Cal

312. Great-crested Flycatcher — MYIARCHUS CRINITUS. Remarkable
for their coloration, having a ground of buffy-brown, streaked longitudi-
nally by lines and markings of purple and darker brown; four to six; 1.
by .75. Nests in the natural cavities of trees and boxes put up for the
purpose. E. N. A,

313. Ash-throated Flycatcher-—-MYIARCHUS CINERASCENS. Buffy-brown,
with a pinkish hue, the markings are more oblong plashes of irregular

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 29

shape, and there are more and larger blotches of a light purplish-brown
than in the eggs of the Great-crested Flycatcher; .95 by. 72. Nests in
holes of trees. — Coast of Cal.

315. Phoebe Bird; Pewee—-SAyorNis Fuscus. Pure white, sometimes

sparsely spotted with reddish-brown at the larger end; five; .80 by .60.
Nests in stone culverts, bridges, under the roofs and against the walls of

old houses and barns. Nest is composed of mud, twigs and feathers.
EVg) Us &:
316. Say’s Pewee—sayornis sAyi. White; four; .80 by .62. Nest-

ing habits similar to those of the Phcebe Bird.

Missouri and High Central Plains to Pacific.
317. Black Pewee—sayoRNIS NIGRICANS. Pure white, occasionally
dotted with reddish-brown as in the case of the common Pewee; five;
.75 by .60. ‘The nesting habits are the same. Cal.

318. Olive-sided Flycatcher — CONTOPUS BOREALIS. Creamy-white,
marked about the greater end with a confluent ring of purple, lavender,
and brown spots, resembling those of the Wood Pewee; four; .82 by .62.
Nests usually in evergreen trees. Temperate N. A.

320, Wood Pewee—conropus VIRENS. Creamy-white, with a ring of
lavender and purplish or reddish-brown, in confluent spots near the larger
end); Hour: +275. by, 52. .. Nests in -trees: BawWaes:

321.. Western Wood Pewee —CONTOPUS RICHARDSONI. Similar to
those of eastern species; three is the usual number. Nesting habits
similar. High Central Plains to Pacific.

322. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher-—-EMPIDONAX FLAVIVENTRIS. Rosy-
white tint, spotted with a light shade of brown; four; .68 by .52.
Nests on or near the ground. nee BS

324. Acadian Flycatcher—rEmpiponax acapicus. Light yellowish-
buff, with a decided flesh-color tint when fresh, sparsely spotted with
light brown; two to four. Nests in trees. (See Notes.) Bee eS

325. Little Flycatcher—EMPIDONAX puUSILLUS. White, with a fleshy
“abe marked with reddish-brown and faint slate-colored blotches at the
larger end; four; .75 by .52. Nests in trees. High Central Plains to Pacific.

325a. Traill’s Flycatcher-—-EMPIDONAX PUSILLUS TRAILLI. Cream or
buff, marked with blotches of reddish-brown, in some there are only small
dots sprinkled over the surface; three; .70 by .50. Nests in small trees
or bushes. (See Notes.) Bs) Ui Se

30 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

326. Least Flycatcher—EMPIDONAX MINIMUS. Pure white, unspotted,
four; .62 by .50. Nests in small saplings. Ein Nowa

327. Hammond’s Flycatcher—EMPIDONAX HAMMONDI. White; four;
.70 by .50. Nests in small bushes. W. U.S:

328. Wright’s Flycatcher—rEmpPipoNnax oBscuRUs. White, unspotted;
three; .73 by .60. Nests in small trees. Middle Province U. S.

35. Ruby-throated Hummingbird—rrocuiLus coLuBRis. Pure white,
nearly spherical; two; .50 by .35. The eggs of all the Hummingbirds
are alike in color and shape. Nests in trees. N. A. East of Rocky Mts.

.
,

-~

336. Black-chinned Hummingbird—rrocuiLus ALEXANDRI. White;
twos 51 by .322) INests insmees: Coast of California Southward.

337. Costa’s Hummingbird—catypre costa. White; two; .49 by
2. Nestsiin trees. Mexico and Southern Cailfornia.

338. Anna’s Hummingbird—caLypPre ANN, White; two; .60 by .4I.
Nests in trees. Mexico and Coast Region of California.

339. Broad-tailed Hummingbird—sELASPHORUS PLATYCERCUS. White;
two; .55 by.35. Nests in trees and bushes. Middle Province U.S.

340. Rufous Hummingbird—sELAspHORUS RUFUS. White; two; .45
by .33. Nests in trees and bushes. + West Coast of N. A.

<«

341. Allen's Hummingbird—sELASPHORUS ALLENI. White; two; .50
by .35. Nests in trees and bushes. Coast of California.

351. Chimney Swift—cH@TuRA PELASGICA. Pure white; four to six;

.75 by .50. The nest is made of twigs broken from trees by the bird while
on the wing; these are glued together and to the side of the chimney by
saliva of the bird. It is a neat, basket-like structure. E.: WU. se

353. ° Chuck-will’s-widow—ANTHROSTOMUS CAROLINENSIS. Clear crystal-
white, marked over the entire surface with blotches of dark purplish-
brown and cloudings of a grayish-lavender, with occasional markings of
raw umber-brown; two; 1.44 by 1.06. Eggs laid in a depression of the

ground, South Atlantic and Gulf States.

354. Whip-poor-will—capRIMULGUS VOCIFERUS. Clear cream-white,
spotted, marbled and irregularly marked with purplish-lavender, min-
gled with reddish-brown; two; 1.25 by .88. Eggs laid in a depression
of the ground. EB. Uses:

Z

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. dl

35). Poor-will—PHALZNOPTILUS NUTTALLI. White, unspotted; two;
1.05 by .80. Nests on the ground. High Central Plains to Pacific.

301. Nighthawk—cCHORDEILES POPETUE. Grayish, thickly mottled
with varied tints of darker gray, slate and yellowish-brown; two; 1.30 by
.90. Eggs laid on the ground, in a slight depression. Lia RISE

30a. Western Nighthawk—cHoRDEILES POPETUE HENRYI. Clay-
color, with small spots and cloudings of yellowish-brown, mingled with
lilac; two; 1.25 by .g2 Eggs laid in a depression of the ground. w.n.a.

308. Texan Nighthawk—cHORDEILES ACUTIPENNIS TEXENSIS. -Gray-
ish, or thickly marked on a white ground with small irregular confluent
spots, which are a blending of black, umber and purplish-gray; two; 1.18

by .89. Eggs laid on the ground in a slight depression.
Basins of the Rio Grande, Gils:

309. Ivory-billed Woodpecker — CAMPEPHILUS PRINCIPALIS. Crystal-
white; four or five; 1.35 by.95. Nests in cavities of dead trees, exca-
vated by the birds. Southern Atlantic and Gulf States.

360. Hairy Woodpecker—ricus vittosus. Pure, crystal-white; five
or six; 1. by .72. Nest excavated in trunks of trees, sometimes in the
trunk of an apple tree. N. A.

D611, ie Woodpecker—picus PUBESCENS. Glistening white; four
Ginitve go75) by) JO2.— Nest excavated in the trunk of a small Be tree;
often in the dead limb of an apple tree, or ina post or rail of a fence.

(See Notes.) . ; Beare

362. Red-cockaded Woodpecker — PICUS QUERULUS. White, less
glossy than those of the other species; four; .g3 by .70. Nests in holes
of decayed trees. SouUe. St

368. Texan Sapsucker—picus scaLaris. White, not so glossy as
those of the Downy; four; 1. by .75. Nesting habits same. Ss Ua Sh

366. White-headed Woodpecker—xENoPICUS ALBOLARVATUS. Pure,
crystalline-white, more than usually oblong-oval for a Woodpecker; five;
g9 by .74. Nests in cavities of tall, dead trees or stumps. Oregon and Cal.

367. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker — PricoIDES ARCTICUS.
Pure ivory-white; four to'six; .gi by .72. This bird is said to excavate
cavities in live trees for nesting purposes oy Nees An

369. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker—spuyrapPicus vARIus. Glossy white;

oo
bo

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

four to six; .95 by .7o. The nest of this bird is excavated in some high
dead tree. Ex INSRS

371. Pileated Woodpecker; Logcock—nyLotomus PILEATUS. Glis-
tening white; six; 1.25 by 1.02. The nesting place is excavated by the
bird in a large limb or trunk of a high tree, either living or dead. (See
Notes. ) Timber regions of N, A.

372. Red-bellied Woodpecker—cENTURUS CAROLINUS. White; five;
1.05 by .85. Nest excavated in the dead limb or trunk of a high tree.

1 Din OF os =

375. > Red-headed Woodpecker — MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS.
Glossy white; five; 1.10 by .85,v7. Nests excavated in a dead limb or
trunk of a tree, frequently excavated in living wood. Temperate N. A.

376. Lewis’s Woodpecker — MELANERPES TORQUATUS. Crystalline
white; five; 1.10 by .go. Nesting habits similar to those of the Red-
headed Woodpecker. W. A.

377. Californian Woodpecker — MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS BAIRDI.
White; four or five; 1.12 by .oo. Nest excavated in the body of a
high tree. (ec

378. Yellow-shafted Flicker—coLaprEs AURATUS. Glossy white; five
to seven; 1.09 by .88. Nest excavated in a dead trunk, usually at a con-
siderable height. ‘ ENA

378. Red shafted Flicker—cOLAPTES AURATUS MEXICANUS. Pure glossy
white; five to seven; 1.10 by .88. Nesting habits similar to those of the
preceding species. W. N. A.

382. Belted Kingfisher—cERYLE ALcCyon. Clear shining white, nearly
spherical; five to seven; 1.30 by 1.05. The nest is an excavation in the

face of a high bank of a stream or in the side of an artificial excavation.
North and Middle America.

383. Texan Kingfisher—CERYLE AMERICANA CABANISI. Pure crystal-
white; five to seven; 1.06 by .61. Nesting habits similar to those of the
preceding species. Rio Grande region of Texas,

385. Road-runner ; Chapparral Cock — GEOCOCCYX CALIFORNIANUS.
Dirty-white ; two to six; 1.59 by 1.20. Nests in trees, usually in the low
branches oa cactus. Middle Texas, New Mexico and California.

387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo—coccyzus AMERICANUS. Light bluish-
green, fading upon the least exposure to light; two to five; 1.12 by .83.
Nests in trees or in clusters of briars or bushes. N. A. east of Rocky Mts. *

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 33

388. Black-billed Cuckoo — coccyzUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUus. Light
bluish-green; four; 1.30 by .85. Nesting habits similar to the Yellow-
bill. Ee OLAS

392. Carolina Parakeet—CcONURUS CAROLINENSIS. It is said the eggs
of this species are greenish-white and about the size of those of the com-
mon Turtle Dove. Nests in the natural cavities of trees.

South Atlantic and Gulf States.

394. American Barn Owl—ALuco FLAMMEUS AMERICANUS. White;
three to six; 1.80 by 1.25. Nests in the cavities of trees, crevices of
rocks and nooks of buildings. ; / N. A.

395. American Long-eared Owl—asio americanus. White, ellipti-
cal; four or five; 1.55 by 1.30,v Nests on the ground, in low bushes or |
in trees; sometimes an old Hawk's or Crow’s nest is occupied. (See Notes.)

Temperate N. A,

396. Short-eared Owl—asio accipirrinus. White, elliptical; four or
five; 1.50 by 1.25. Nests on the ground, or in low bushes. In some
localities excavates short burrows in banks. N. A.

397. Barred Owl—strIx NEBULOSA. White, oval; three or four; 2.
by 1.65. Nests in natural cavities of trees or on the branches, sometimes
in a deserted Hawk’s or Crow’s nest. N. A.

399. Great Gray Owl—vuLuLA CINEREA. Pure white, surface very
smooth; three or four; 2.,by 1.60. Nests in trees. The nest is com-
posed of sticks and lined with feathers. N. N. A.

400. Richardson’s Owl—nycTALE TENGMALMI RICHARDSONI. White,
surface very smooth; four or five; 1.28 by 1.06. Nests in holes of trees.
SUAS

401. Saw-whet Owl—vwnycraLe acapica. White, chalky in appear-

ance, nearly elliptical; four; 1.21 by .95. Nests in holes of trees.
Temperate N. A.

402. Little Screech Owl—scoprs asio. Pure white, nearly round;
five to seven; 1.38 by 1.19. Nests in a hollow trunk or in a decaying
apple tree. N. A.

4026. Texan Screech OQwl—scops ASIO MACCALLI. Same as those of

the preceding species and the nesting habits the same.
Western and Southwestern N. A.

405. Great Horned Owl—suso vircinianus. Pure white, quite

spherical; three or four; 2.30 by 2. Nests in the natural cavities of
trees or on the branches, sometimes occupy the deserted nest of a hawk.
B.. Ue.S!

34 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

405a. Western Horned Owl—suBo VIRGINIANUS SUBARCTICUS. Same —
as those of the preceding species and the nesting habits are the same.
(See Notes.) 3

406. Snowy Owl—nyvcTEa scanpiacaA. White, oval-oblong, with very
smooth surface; three or four; 2.25 by 1.85. Nests placed on the
ground. N. «Ne JAG

407. American Hawk Owl—suRNIA FUNEREA. White, spherical; six

or seven; 1.50 by 1.20. Nests in holes of trees or on the branches.
N. N. A,

408. Burrowing Owl—sPEOTYTO CUNICULARIA HYPOGHA. Pure white,
nearly round; four to seven; 1.22 by 1.05. Nests placed in holes in the
ground, but they are not always excavated by the birds, as the name would
indicate. W.. U.S;

412. White Gyrfalcon—HIEROFALCO GYRFALCO CANDICANS. Varying
from a creamy-white to yellowish-brown, profusely sprinkled with reddish-
browh of varying shades, usually so dense as to almost conceal the ground
color; two to four; 2.45 by 1.75. Nests in rocky cliffs. N. N. A.

413. Prairie Falcon—HIEROFALCO MEXICANUS POLYAGRUS. Cream or
*pinkish-white, marked with blotches of chestnut and reddish-brown, more
or less confluent at either end; two to four; 2.25. by 1.75.. Nests placed
on rocky cliffs. W. N. A.

414. American Peregrine Falcon; Duck Hawk—FraLco PEREGRINUS
Nz&vIus.. Creamy-white to reddish-brown, spotted, dotted and blotched
with reddish-brown and chocolate of varying shades, sometimes so thickly
covered as to Obscure the ground; two to four; 2.25 by 1.75. Nests
placed on rocky cliffs. N. A.

-417. Pigeon Hawk—a:saLon COLUMBARIUS. Varying from a whitish _
to a deep reddish-brown, spotted, dotted and blotched irregularly and
usually very thickly with reddish-brown of varying shades; four to six;
1.80 by 1.25. Nestson rocky cliffs, branches and in holes of trees. _N. Ass

420. Sparrow Hawk—TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS. Reddish, or light
buff, blotched and dotted with light and dark brown, at times confluent
enough as to conceal the ground; five;_ 1.35 by 1.13. Nests in holes of
trees, either in natural cavities or those made by woodpeckers. N., A.

423. Caracara Eagle — po_yBorus CHERIWAY. Yellowish-white or —
creamy, blotched, spotted and sprinkled with reddish-brown of varying

shades; two to four; 2.40 by 1.90.. Nests in trees and bushes. — :
Middle America—Southern border of U,S.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 30

425. American Osprey; Fish Hawk—pANDION HALIAETUS CAROLI-
NENSIS. Yellowish or creamy-white, spotted and blotched with reddish-
brown and umber, so thickly at the larger end as to completely obscure
meresround ; three or four; 2.40 by 1.70. Nests in’ trees. Gee, Notes.)

N. A.

426. Swallow-tailed Kite—ELANOIDES FoRFIcATUS. White, or green-
ish-white, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of varying shades;
four to six; 1.90 by 1.50. Nests in high trees. Sieuus!

427. White-tailed Kite—ELANus GLaucus. Dull creamy-white, thickly
blotched, dotted and tinged with deep chestnut, in some almost com-
pletely covering the whole ground, near spherical; four; 1.64 by 1.27.
Nests placed in high trees. (See Notes.) Tropical America.

428. Mississippi Kite—ICTINIA SUBCASRULEA. Greenish-white, thickly
spotted with deep chocolate-brown and black; two or three; 1.52 by 1.30.
Nest placed in trees. s.urs

429. Everglade Kite— ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS PLUMBEUS. Bluish-
white, spotted and blotched irregularly with brown and umber.of varying
Shades; one oF two 31,65 Dy. 1.45. Nests in bushes.

West Indies and Southern Florida.

430. Marsh Hawk—crrcus HUDSONIUS Greenish-white, either immac-
ulate or faintly spotted with pale brown or lilac, rather oval; four to six;

1.80 by 1.42., Nest placed on the grourid. N. A.
431, Cooper's Hawk—acciPITER CooPERI. Pale bluish-white, usually

- spotted with pale reddish-brown; two to four; 1.94 by 1.56. Nest placed
‘in high trees. Temperate N. A.

432. Sharp-shinned Hawk—accipPiTER Fuscus. Bluish-white, coarsely
spotted and blotched with chestnut and umber of varying shades, spheri-
cal; 1.45 by 1.15. Nest placed in trees, sometimes on rocks. N. A.

433. American Goshawk—asTUR ATRICAPILLUS. Bluish-white, some-
‘times faintly spotted with yellowish-brown; three or four; 2.30 by 1.80.
Nest placed in trees. - Be Ags aN. U.S

434. Harris's Hawk—ANTENOR UNICINCTUS HARRISI. White, with a
yellowish tinge, sometimes marked with light dashes of yellowish-brown
and dottings of Pes drab; three to five; 2.13 by 1.69. Nest placed
in low trees. Middle or Northern Tropical America, S. U.S.

-

436. Red-tailed Hawk—surro BorEALiIs. Bluish-white, spotted and
blotched with brown and umber of varying shades; three to four; 2.40
by 2. Nest placed#n high trees. N. A.

36 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

4366. Western Red-tail—BUTEO BOREALIS CALURUS. Dirty bluish-
white, marked more or less over the entire surface with dashes, lines and
blotches of a light tint of brown, mixed with lighter purplish-brown.
These markings run with the length of the egg; two to four; 2.25 by
1.79. Nest placed in trees. W. N. A.

439. Red-shouldered Hawk—sureo tineatus. Bluish-white, spotted
and blotched irregularly with brown and umber of varying shades; three
or four; 2.20 by 1.75. Nest placed in high trees. US:

439a. Red-bellied Hawk—sbuTEO LINEATUS ELEGANS. . Dingy-white,
with a brownish tinge marked with blotches of an umber color; these look
as though they were hastily brushed over lengthwise of the egg; three or
four; 2. by 1.79. The nest is placed in tall trees. W. U. S.

442. Swainson’s Hawk—suTeEo swarnsoni. Yellowish-white, spotted
and blotched irregularly and rather faintly with reddish-brown, with occa-
sional markings of purple; four to six; 2.30 by 1.75. Nest placed in trees
or bushes. W. Uses:

443. Broad-winged Hawk—suUTEO PENNSYLVANICUS. Grayish or dirty-
white, spotted and blotched with light umber, reddish, yellowish and pur-
plish-brown, with a dull shading approaching black; three or four; 2.09

by 1.61. Nest placed in trees. E, Nasi

447. American Rough-legged Hawk—aAaRrcHIBUTEO LAGOPUS SANCTI-
JOHANNIS. Yellowish-white, with faint markings and blotches of a pur-
plish-brown, over these are diffused confluent blotches of russet-brown;
four; 2.10 by 1.74. Nests in trees and on rocks. N. A.

449." Golden Eagle —AQUILA CHRYSAETUS, CANADENSIS. Creamy or
dirty-white, occasionally immaculate, but usually spotted and blotched with
pale reddish-brown, sometimes there is added a faint tinge of purple,
nearly spherical; three; from 2.65 to 3. in length by from 2.35 to 2.15
in breadth. Nests on the shelves of steep and rocky cliffs. N. A.

451. Bald Eagle; Gray Eagle—HALIHETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS. Ashy
or dirty-white, unspotted; two to four. They measure about three inches
by 2.75. Nest is usually placed in high trees, sometimes on rocky cliffs.

N. A.

453. Californian Condor—psEUDOGRYPHUS CALIFORNIANUS. Pale green-
ish-blue, unspotted; two or three; 4.40 by 2.50. Nests on the ground or
on the bare rocks of solitary peaks. W. N. A.

ADA. Turkey Buzzard—caATHARTES AURA. Creamy or yellowish-white,
variously blotched and splashed with different shades of brown and usually.

eet ee

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 37

showing other smaller spots of lavender and purplish-drab; two; 2.65 by
1.85. Nests on the ground, on rocks, in hollow trees and stumps, and in
old buildings. Was:

455. Black Vulture; Carrion Crow—caTHARISTA ‘ATRATA, Yellowish
or creamy-white, blotched and spotted with very dark-brown and umber;
two; 3. by 2.10. Nestson the ground or in old logs.

Tropical and warmer portion of America.

456. Band-tailed Pigeon—coLumBA FASCIATA. White; two; 1.50 by
1.19 Nests on the ground. Pacific Province of U. S.

457. Red-billed Pigeon—coLUMBA ERYTHRINA. Creamy-white; two;
1:18 by .go. Nest in trees, stumps and sometimes on the ground.
Lower Rio Grande and Mexico.
458. White-crowned Pigeon— cCOLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA. Opaque-
white; two. Nests in trees, high or low, according to circumstances.

Southern Keys of Florida.
459. Passenger Pigeon—ECTOPISTES MIGRATORIA. White; two; 1.45
by 1.05. Nests in trees, usually breeds in vast communities. N. A.

460. Mourning Dove—zENAIDURA CAROLINENSIS. Pure white, ellipti-
cal; two; 1.05 by .86. Nests in trees, on stumps, rocks, and on the
ground. Wars:

462. Zenaida Dove—ZENAIDA AMABILIS. White; two; 1.30 by .go.
Nests on the ground or in bushes or trees. Florida Keys.

464. White-winged Dove — MELOPELIA LEUCOPTERA. White, oval;
. a7 o) adic 4 ~ ~ ~
two; 1.35 by .g2. Nests in trees and bushes. Shes

465. Ground Dove—cHAMA:PELIA PASSERINA. Bright white or creamy,
slightly more pointed at one end than the other; two; .85 by .63. Nests
usually in low shrubs. South Atlantic and Gulf Coast.

466. Scaled. Deve—scaRDAFELLA INCA. White; two; .9g1 by-.70.
Nests in trees and bushes. Rio Grande Valley.

467. Key West Dove—GEoTRYGON MARTINICA. Pure white; two;
about the size of the White-crowned Pigeon. Nests on the ground or
low bushes. Key West, Fla.

468. Blue-headed Dove—-sTARNGENAS CYANOCEPHALA. Pure white, sur-
face very smooth; two; 1.40 by 1.08. Nests on the ground or in trees or
bushes. West India Islands—Key West, Fla.

469. Chachalaca; Texan Guan—orTALIS VETULA MACCALLI. Dirty-

white; six to eight; 2.35 by 1.65. Nests on the ground.
Valley of the Rio Grande.

38 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS,

470. Mexican Turkey—MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO. Eggs and nesting
habits similar to the common Wild Turkey. Mexico. ©

470a. Wild Turkey—-MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO AMERICANA. Dark buff
or cream color, thickly sprinkled with rusty-brown or umber spots; ten to
fifteen; 2.35 by: 1:87. « Nests onthe ground. Arpad =

471. Dusky Grouse — CANACE opscuRA. Pale cream-color, marked
with small round spots of reddish-brown; these are more numerous

towards the greater end; six to ten; 1.95 by 1.45. Nests on the ground.
; . ] Rocky Mt. region of U.S.

4716. Richardson’s Grouse—CANACE OBSCURA RICHARDSONI. Cream-
color, marked with small dots of reddish brown, similar to those of the

Dusky Grouse; six to ten; 1.75 by 1.35. Rocky Mts. of British America.

472. Canada Grouse; Spruce Partridge—-CANACE CANADENSIS. Fawn-
color, irregularly splashed with different tints of brown; eight to fourteen;
1.72-by 1.21. Nests on the ground. British America—Northern U. S.

473. Ruffed Grouse—BONASA UMBELLUS. Dark cream color, some-
times faintly blotched with a darker shade of the same; seven to twelve;
1.60 by 1.15. Nests on the ground. E; N. A.

4736. Oregon Ruffed Grouse--BONASA UMBELLUS SABINEI. Dark
cream-color, unspotted; six to fourteen. Nests on the ground. (See
Notes. ) _ Rocky Mts. to Pacific Coast of Oregon.

474. Willow Ptarmigan—LaGopus ALBUS. Cream-color, tinged with
reddish shading, marked with large, confluent blotches of dark chestnut;

ten to sixteen; 1.85 by 1.20. Nests on the ground. Arctic America.
=

475. Rock Ptarmigan—LAGOPUS RUPESTRIS. Deep reddish-cream

color, nearly covered by blotches of reddish chestnut; four to eight; 1.63

by 1.187 Nests placed on the ground, Arctic A.

477. Prairie Hen—cuprmonia cupipo. Light-clay or dark tawny.
brown; sometimes, not always, sprinkled with brown; eight to twelve;
1.75 by 3.25. Nests on the ground. Prairie country of U.S. *

478a. Common Sharp-tailed Grouse—-PEDIGECETES PHASIANELLUS COL-
uMBIANUs. Light clay to a dark rusty-brown, generally not marked, but
frequently speckled with fine dottings of darker brown; ten to fifteen;
1.80 by 1.30. Nests on the ground. Plains and Prairies of U.S.

479. Sage Cock—CENTROCERCUS UROPHASIANUS. Light greenish-drab
to a drab shaded with buff, thickly freckled with small roundea spots of
reddish-brown and dark chestnut; ten to fifteen; 2.20 by 1.50. Nests on’
the ground. (See Notes.)

ee)
Ne)

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

480. Bob-white; American Quaii—orTYX VIRGINIANA. Pure white;
fifteen to twenty-five, usually about eighteen; pyriform; 1.18 by.o8.
Nests on the ground. Ee S:

480a. Florida Quail—-orTYX VIRGINIANA FLORIDANA. Same as those >
of the preceding species. Nesting habits the same. Fla.

4806. Texan Quail—orTYX VIRGINIANA TEXANA. Same as those of
Virginiana, but slightly smaller. Southern Texas and Valley of the Rio Grande.

481. Mountain Quail-—-oREoRTYX picra. Cream color with a reddish
tint; six to twelve; 1.47 by 1.12. Nests on the ground.

Washington Territory, Oregon—Coast region of Cal.

482. Californian Quail— LOPHORTYX CALIFORNICA. Creamy-white,

marked with scattered spots of chestnut-brown, golden-red and sometimes

light-drab; four to sixteen; 1.21 by .gi. Nests on the ground.
Pacific Province U.S.

483. Gambel’s Quail—LoPHORTYX GAMBELI. Creamy-white, marked
with spots of chestnut-red; twelve to seventeen. 1.25 by 1. Nests on
the ground. Colorado Valley of U.S.

484 Scaled Quail—-CALLIPEPLA SQUAMATA. Creamy-white, speckled
with dots of grayish or drab, sometimes reddish; six to twelve; 1.38
by 98. Table-lands of Mexico and Valley of Rio Grande of Texas.

486. Great White Heron; Wurdemann’s Heron—arDEA OCCIDEN-
TALIS. Light bluish green, somewhat elliptical, unspotted; two to three;
1.82 by 2.40,v. Nests in trees. The nests, like all those of the heron
family, are loosely arranged with sticks. Fla.

_ 487. Great Blue Heron—arpgEa HeEROpIAS. Greenish-blue, unspot-
ted, varying from elliptical to oval in form; 2.70 by 1.68,v. The nests of
this species are placed in high trees or bushes, usually sycamores, along
rivers or in retired swamps. In localities destitute of trees the nest is

placed on rocks. N. A.
489. American Egret— HERODIAS ALBA EGRETTA. — Bluish- green,
unspotted, varying from clliptical to oval; two to four; 2.25 by 1.50,v.
_Nests in trees and bushes. SUS.
490. Snowy Heron —GarzETTA CANDIDISsSIMA. Pale greenish-blue,

unspotted, varying from elliptical to oval in form; two to four; 1.82 by
1.22,v. Nests in trees and bushes. Ses!

491. Reddish Egret; Peale’s Egret—picHroMANassa RUFA. Light
bluish-green, unspotted, somewhat elliptical in form; two to four; 2. by
1:50, v. Nests ‘in trees. S. Fla.

40) EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

492. Louisiana Heron—HYDRANASSA TRICOLOR LUDOVICIANA. — Bluish-
green, unspotted, varying from elliptical to oval in‘form; two to four;
1.75 by 1.35,v. Nests in trees or ‘bushes. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

493. Little Blue Heron—FLoRIDA CaRULEA. Dark bluish-green,
unspotted; two to four; 1.75 by 1.35,v. Nests in trees or bushes.
Coast of South Atlantic, and Gulf Coast to Mexico.
494. Green Heron -—— BUTORIDES VIRESCENS. Light greenish - blue,
unspotted, ellipticai; three to five—four being the usual number; 1.55 by
1.35. The nest of this Heron is placed in trees or bushes on the border
of a stream or near a swamp, sometimes in an orchard at a distance
from water. U.7S;

495. Black-crowned Night Heron—NycTIARDEA GRISEA NA&:VIA. Pale
bluish-green, unspotted, varying from elliptical to oval; three to five; 1.95
by 1.40,v. Nests in trees. (See Notes.) Usps;

496. White-crowned Night Heron—NyYCTHERODIUS VIOLACEUs. Yel-
lowish-green, unspotted, varying from elliptical to oval; two to four; 1.92
by 1.45. Nests in trees or bushes. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

497. American Bittern — BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS. Varying from
greenish-ash to brown or brownish-drab, unspotted, elliptical; three to six;
2.10 by 1.68,v7. Nests placed in marshy places on the ground.

Temperate N. A.

498. Least Bittern—ARDETTA EXILIs. Pale blue, unspotted, elliptical;
three or four; 1.25 by .98,v. Nests placed in tops of bushes or grass.

USS:

500. Wood Ibis—vTanTaLus LocuLaTor. Chalky-white, sometimes
spotted with pale reddish-brown, somewhat elliptical; one or two; 2.72 by
1.72,v. Nests placed in high trees. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

501. White Ibis—rEupocimus ALBUS. Ashy-blue, spotted and blotched
irregularly with reddish and umber brown of varying shades; two or three;
2.20 by 1.50,7. Nests placed in trees or bushes. — South Atlantic and Gulf States.

502. Scarlet Ibis—-EUDOCIMUS RUBER. Bluish, covered with white
calcareous deposit, oval; two; 3.25 by 2.,v. Nests placed on the ground
in marshy places. South America and West Indies, rare or accidental in U.S. ~

503. Glossy lbis—PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS. Deep greenish blue, unspot-
ted; two or three; 2.10 by 1.40. Nests placed in trees or low bushes.

: UES;

505. Koseate Spoonbill — ajaAjA RosEA. Ashy white, spotted and

blotched rather sparsely with a reddish-brown, oval; two or three, 2.50

by 1.75,v. Nests placed in trees. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

EGG CHECK LIST OF.NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 4]

507. American Oystercatcher — HA:MATOPUS PALLIATUS Creamy or
white, spotted and blotched irregularly with varying shades of brown, rather
oval; two to four; 2.15 by 1.50,7. Eggs laid in a hollow on the ground.

Atlantic Coast—Fla.

509. ‘Turnstone — STREPSILAS INTERPRES. Greenish - ash, spotted,
blotched and dotted irregularly and thickly with yellowish and umber-
brown, pyriform; two to four; 1.60 by 1.18,7. Eggs placed on the
ground ina depression of the soil. Sea coasts of nearly all countries.

513. Black-bellied Plover — souaTAROLA HELVETICA. Brownish-drab
or clay color, thickly marked with spots and blotches of brownish-black,
often confluent and sometimes very irregular at the greater end, pyriform;
four; 2. by 1.40,v. Eggs placed in a depression of the soil. N. A.

515. . American Golden Plover—cnuaraprius pominicus. Deep choco-
late-brown, spotted and blotched irregularly with confluent markings of
varying shades of brown; two to four. Nest composed of a few leaves
within a natural cavity of the ground. This bird breeds in thearctic re-
gions. N. A.

516. Killdeer—oxyecuus vocirErus. Drab or clay-color, thickly spot-.
ted and blotched with blackish-brown and umber, small end quite pointed, as
is usually the case with all eggs of birds of this order; four; 1.50 by 1.12, v.
Eggs placed in a depression of the ground. N. A.

517. Semipalmated Plover—asGIALITES SEMIPALMATUs. Varying from
greenish to yellowish-ash, spotted, blotched and dotted with varying shades
of brown, pyriform; two to four; 1.25 by .93, v. Nests ina natural cavity
of the ground. N. A.

520. Piping Plover — #GIALITES MELODUS. Clay or creamy-brown,
marked nearly uniformly all over, but sparsely, with small, blackish-brown
dots and specks, but no spots or irregular lines. The dottings are sometimes
extremely fine, mere points, mingled with a few obscure shell-markings of
lilac and lavender; four or five; 1.20 by 1., 7. Nests in a depression of the
ground. WSs

522. Wilson’s Plover—ocHTHODROMUs WILSONIUS. Creamy, finely and
thickly spotted with black, dark and umber-brown—some of the spots are
very obscure, as it were on the inside of the shell, pyriform; four; 1.76 by
1.28. I fail to see lines or scrolls of any kind on the surface of this ege
as some authors hav ~ ed. Nests in a slight depression of the ground.
(See Notes.) E. N. A.

/

42 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

523. Mountain Plover—popasocys MONTANUS, Greenish-brown, finely
and thickly dotted with very dark brown and black, pyriform; two to four;
1.40 by 1.10, v. Nests in a depression of the ground. E. Ne A:

525. American Woodcock—PHILOHELA MINOR. Creamy or buff, irreg-
ularly and thickly spotted with pale, reddish-brown of varying shades; four;
1.65 by 1.10, 7. Nests ina depression of the ground. E. N. A.

526a. Wilson’s Snipe—GALLINAGO MEDIA WILSONI. Varying from a
erayish-olive to greenish-brown and yellowish-ash, spotted and blotched
with reddish-brown, umber, and sometimes with lines of black; three or
four; 1.55 by 1.10... Nests on the ground. N. A.

527. Red-breasted Snipe; Gray Snipe—MACRORHAMPHUS GRIsSEuS. The
eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of
Wilson’s Snipe; four; 1.62 by 1.12. Nests on the ground. N. A.

529. Knot; Robin Snipe—rrInGA CANUTUS. Varying from greenish
to yellowish-ash, dotted irregularly, with different shades of umber and
reddish-brown, pyriform; four; 1.32 by .g8. Nests in a hollow of the
ground. Northern Hemisphere.

530. Purple Sandpiper—ARQUATELLA MARITIMA. Clay color, shaded
with olivaceous, with large and distinct markings of rich umber-brown of
different depths of intensity all over the shell, but most numerous as well
as largest on the greater half, pyriform; three or four; 1.40 by 1. Nests
in a hollow of the ground. ’ N. A.

537. Baird’s Sandpiper — ACTODROMAS BAIRDI. Buff or clay-colored,

spotted and blotched with varying shades of chestnut-brown; four; 1.30 by

.90, v. Nests in a hollow of the ground. N. A.

538. Least Sandpiper—AcTODROMAS MINUTILLA. Creamy or buff-color,
spotted and blotched irregularly and thickly with different shades of brown;
three or four; .95 by .75. Nests in a depression of the ground. N. A.

541. Semipalmated Sandpiper—EREUNETES PUSILLUS. Variable shade
of drab, dotted and blotched with brown of varying shades, pyriform; four;
1.22 by .83. Nests ina depression of the ground. N. A.

542. Sanderling—cALIDRIS ARENARIA. Ashy or greenish-brown, spot-
ted and blotched with brown of different shades, pyriform; four; 1.35 by
.72. Nests in a depression of the ground. Temperate regions of N. A.

543. Marbled Godwit—timosa FrazpA. Creamy or buff, spotted and
blotched, rather sparcely, with yellowish brown of varying shades, long
oval; four; 2.25 by 1.45, v. Nests in a hollow of the ground. N. AL

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 45

545, Hudsonian Godwit—.imosa HasmaAstTicA. Heavily shaded olive-
drab, almost as dark as in a Loon’s egg, obscurely spotted and blotched
with dark-brown; three or four; 2.15 by 1.38. Nests in a depression of
the ground. . NENA

548. Greater Yellow-legs; Tell-tale—roraNnus MELANOLEUCUS. Grayish-
white, marked with spots of dark brown, varying in intensity of shade,
together with obscure shell markings of lilac. The markings are over the
entire surface, but more numerous at the larger end; four; 1.75 by 1.25.
Nests in a hollow of the ground. Western Hemisphere.

549. Vellow-legs—roranus FLAVIPES. Varying from a clay to buffy or

creamy color, sometimes light-brown, the markings are bold and heavy,
_ with great diversity of heavily splashed blotches of chocolate, umber-brown
and blackish, these being chiefly at the larger end and sometimes
confluent. Paler shell markings are also numerous and noticeable; four;
1.65 by 1.20. Nests in a hollow of the ground. Western Hemisphere.

550. Solitary Sandpiper — RHYACOPHILUS SOLITARIUS. Light drab,
marked with spots of brown, some quite dark, nowhere confluent; two to
four; 1.40 by 1.10. Nests in a hollow of the ground. Western Hemisphere.

552. Willet—syMPHEMIA SEMIPALMATA. Varying froma brownish olive
to a greenish or grayish-white, marked with bold spots of various shades
of umber-brown, with obscure shell-markings. They are less pointedly
pyriform than the eggs of tne smaller Tattlers and Sandpipers; four; 2.
by 1.45. Nests in a depression of ‘the ground. Temperate N, A.

555. Bartram’s Sandpiper; Field Plover—BaRTRAMIA LONGICAUDA. Pale
clay or buff, thickly spotted with umber and yellowish-brown; four; 1.75
by 1.28. Nests in a depression of the ground. N. A.

956. Buffbreasted Sandpiper—rryNGITES RUFESCENS. Clay color of
various shades, sharply spotted and blotched with rich umber-brown, point-
edly pyriform; four; 1.45 by 1.05, v. Nests on the ground ina slight de-
pression. N. A.

5d¢. Spotted Sandpiper—rrIncoIDEs MACULARIUS. Of a creamy, buff
or clay color, blotched, spotted and dotted with blackish-brown; four; fe sat
by .92. The nest of this Sandpiper is built on the ground, usually in the
shelter of high weeds or grass on a sandy island or border of a cultivated
meadow, near water. N. A.

958. Long-billed Curlew—NnuMENIus LoncrRostris. Clay or buff in
color, marked with umber of different shades, in the buffy-tinged specimens

44 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

rather tending to chocolate, not so pyriform as those of the smaller waders;
four; 2.45 by 1.85, 7. Nests on the ground ina slight depression. U. S.

559. Hudsonian Curlew—NUMENIUS HuDsoNIcus. Ashy-yellow, the
markings are large and bold, of different shades of chocolate and umber-
brown. The eggs of this species can only be distinguished from the following ©
species by their larger size; four; 2.28 by 1.60, 7. Nests in a depression
of the ground. N. A.

560. Eskimo Curlew—NUMENIUS BOREALIS. Varying from yellowish- |
ash to greenish-brown, spotted and blotched with bold markings of umber
and brown of varying shades; 1.95 by 1.30, v. Nests in a depression of
the ground. North and Middle America.

563. Red Phalarope—PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS. Greenish or yellowish-
ash, blotched and spotted with brown of various shades. The eggs of this
species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of the following
species; four; 1.15 by .85, v. Nests on the ground in a slight depression.

Northern Hemisphere

564. Northern Phalarope—LoBIPES HYPERBOREUS Greenish or yellow-
ish-ash, thickly blotched with varying shades of brown; two to four; 1.08
by .82, v. Nests on the ground ina slight depression. Northern Hemisphere.

565. Wilson’s Phalarope—sTEGANopus wiLsoni. Ashy-yellow, usually
coarsely spotted and blotched with brown of varying shades; two to four;
1.20 by .go, v. Nests on the ground in a depression. N. A.

566. American Avocet—RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA. Varying from a |
dark olive to buff, uniformly spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades,
pyriform; three or four; 2. by 1.35, v. Nests on the ground in a slight
depression. Ces:

567. Black-necked Stilt—-HIMANTOPUS MEXICANUS. Brownish-olive, spot-
ted, blotched and lined quite thickly and irregularly with brownish black
of varying shades, pyriform; three or four. The eggs appear large for the
size of the bird; 1.58 by 1.20. Nests on the ground in a slight depres-
sion. U8:

569. Red-breasted Rail—RALLUS ELEGANS Varying from a dull white
to cream or pale buff, sparsely dotted and spotted with 1eddish-brown and
lilac, oval; six to ten; 1.66 by 1.10, Nests on the ground in marshy
places. U.S

57). Clapper Rail--RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS CREPITANS. Pale buffy-yel-
low, dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and lilac, oval; eight; 1.65

by 1.05. Nests on the ground in marshy places.
Middle and Southern Coast, U.S.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 45

572. Virginian Rail—RALLUS VIRGINIANUS. Cream or buff, sparsely
spotted with reddish-brown and obscure lilac; eight; 1.25 by g5,v. Nests
on the ground in marshy places. U. Ss.

574. Sora Rail—porZANA CAROLINA. Grayish or drab, spotted with
reddish-brown, oval; six to ten; 1.20 by .go. Like all the others of this
family the nest is placed on the ground in marshy places. Temperate N. A.

575. Little Yellow Rai!—porRZANA NOVEBORACENSIS. Rich buffy-
brown, marked at the larger end with a cluster of reddish-brown dots,

oval; 1.15 by .85. Nests on the ground in marshy places. E. N. A.
576. Little Black Rail — PORZANA JAMAICENSIS. Creamy-white,

sprinkled all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, oval; six to
eight; 1.05 by .80. Nests on the ground in marshy places.

Middle and Southern States on the Atlantic.
\

578. Purple Gallinule—ronorNIS MARTINICA. Creamy, finely and
rather sparsely dotted with chestnut-brown and umber, rather elliptical;
six; 1.70 by 1.15,v7. Nests in marshy places on .the ground in tall
grasses and weeds. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

579. Florida. Gallinule—GALLINULA GALEATA. Creamy or. brownish-
buff, rather thickly spotted with brown and umber, oval; eight to ten;
1.78 by 1.25,v. Nests on the ground in marshy’places among the tall
grasses. (See Notes.) U. S., Southerly.

580. American Coot—FULICA AMERICANA. Clay or creamy-white,
uniformly and finely dotted all over with specks of dark-brown and black-
ish, oval; six to twelve; 2. by 1.25. The nest of the Coot is placed on
floating vegetation or on the ground in marshy places. Entire temperate N. A.

581. The Limpkin—aramus picrus. Ashy-yellow, lined, sprinkled,
spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and umber, rather elliptical; ten
to fifteen; 2.35 by 1.78. The nest of this bird is placed on bushes which
overhang water. Florida and West Indies.

582. \Vhooping Crane —GRUS AMERICANA. Light brownish drab,
sparsely marked, except at the greater end, with large irregular spots of a
pale dull chocolate-brown and obscure ~shell-markings, elliptical; the shell
is very rough, is covered with numerous elevations like little warts; two;
3.90 by 2.62,v. Nests on the grouna in marshy places. Temperate N, A.

583. Sandhill Crane—Grus CANADENSIS. Ashy-yellow, spotted and
blotched with reddish-brown, of the same general character as those of the
preceding species, rather elliptical; 3.42 by 2.15,7. This bird constructs
its nest in shallow water by heaping up a mass of mud, roots, grass,

46 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

weeds, etc., forming a conical pile which is elevated about six inches
above the water. Western U. S., Fla.

585. American Flamingo—PHC:NICOPTERUS RUBER. White externally,
but of a bluish tinge when the surface is scraped off. | The shell is thick
and rather rough; the general form is elongated; two; 3.37 by 2.15,v.
The nest is a mass of earth, sticks and other material scooped up form the
immediate vicinity, to the height of two or three feet, and is hollow at the
top. On this the birds sit, bestriding it in a very ungainly attitude.

West Indies and shores of Gulf of Mexico, occurring only in southern portions of U.S.
588. Whistling Swan—oLok AMERICANUS.—Dirty- white, oval; six to
ten; 4. by 2.50,v. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places.

Breeds only in the far North. N. A.

589. Trumpeter Swan—oLor BuCCINATOR. Dirty-white, oval; six to
ten; 4.05 by 2.50. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places.
Breeds from Iowa and Dakota northward (chiefly Mississippi Valley).

591. Snow Goose—CHEN HYPERBOREUS. Yellowish-white, elliptical;

five to eight; 2.85 by 1.95. Nests placed on the ground in marshy
places. Breeds in high latitude. N. A.

593a. American White-fronted Goose—ANSER ALBIFRONS GAMBELI.
Dull greenish-yellow, with obscure darker tints, elliptical; six to ten; 3.
by 2.,7. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places. Breeds in the
far North. N. A.

594. Canada Goose—BERNICLA CANADENSIS. | Dirty-white, elliptical;
six to ten; 3.45 by 2.28. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places.
Breeds in the United States and further north. N. A.

595. Brant—RERNICLA BRENTA. Dirty-white, elliptical; six to ten;
2.75 by 1.85,v. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places.

Europe and N. A.

601. Mallard—-anas soscas. Greenish-brown, elliptical; six to ten;

2.35 by 1.75,7. The nest of the Mallard is placed on the ground in a

clump of weeds or grass near water. Nie

602. Black Mallard—aNnas ospscura. Greenish-brown, elliptical; six
to ten; 2.35 by 1.75. Nesting habits same as those of preceding species.
Atlantic Coast of N A.

604. Gadwall—cHAULELASMUS STREPERUS. Clay or creamy-buff, ellip-
tical; <x toten; 2. by 1.45,v. Nests placed on the ground in tall weeds
or grass near water. bss ‘s A.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 47

605. Pintail—paFiLaA acuta. Dull grayish-olive, withovié any buff. or
creamy shade, elongate ellipisoidal; six to twelve; 2.25 by 1.50,v. Nests
placed on the ground in marshy places. N. A.

607. Baldpate—MARECA AMERICANA. Pale buff; eight to twelve; 2. by
1.50,v. The nest of the American Widgeon is built on the ground in tall
grass or weeds, near water. N. A.

608. Shoveller—sparuLa cLypEAtTa. Greenish-gray, elliptical; six to
ten; 2.10 by 1.50,v. Nests built on the ground in marshy places. N. A.

609. Blue-winged Teal — QUERQUEDULA pbIscors. Greenish or buff,
elliptical; six to ten. Nests built on the ground, among rushes, near
water. N. A.

610. Cinnamon Teal—QUERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA, Creamy-white or
pale buff; six to twelve; 1.75 by 1.30,v7. Nests placed on the ground in
marshy places. W. N. A.

612. Green-winged Teal—NETTION CAROLINENSIS. Greenish or buff,
elliptical; six to ten; 1.90 by 1.30,7. Nests built on the ground among
tall grass or weeds, near water. N. A.

615. Wood Duck; Summer Duck—aix sponsa. Pale brown or green-
ish-buff, elliptical; six to ten; 2. by 1.50. . This duck nests in holes of
trees and the nest is composed of grass, weeds, feathers, etc. Breeds in
suitable places throughout United States. ; N. A.

614. Scaup Duck—FuLix mariLa. Ashy-green, elliptical; six to ten;
2.35 by 1.70,v. Nests built on the ground in marshy places. N. A.
ey es! S Var

615. Little Blackhead—ruLix arrinis. Ashy-green, elliptical; six to
ten; 2.25 by 1.60,v. Nests placed on the ground in marshy places.
N. A.

616. Ring-billed Blackhead—ruLix coLtaris. Ashy-green, elliptical;

Six to! teil; 2. 30'by 1.62,7... Nests built..on the ground near water.
Breeds in the far North. N. A.
617. Canvas-back— a:THYIA VALLISNERIA. | Greenish-buff, elliptical;

six to ten; 2.50 by 1.70,v. Nests placed on the ground near water.
N.A.
618. Redhead—arayiA AMERICANA. Creamy-white, elliptical; six to
ten; 2.20 by 1.65,v. Nests on the ground in tall grass and weeds. wN. A.

48 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

619. \ Barrow’s Golden-eye—CLANGULA ISLANDICA. Ashy-green, elliptt-
cal; six to ten; 2.40 by 1.70,v. The nest of this duck is placed in holes
of trees. . N. A.

620. American Golden-eye—CLANGULA GLAUCIUM AMERICANA. Ashy-
green, spherical; ‘six to ten; 2.35 by 1.75,v. _The nest, like that ofthe
preceding species, is placed in the holes of trees. N. A.

621. Butterball; Bufflehead—cLaNnGuLa ALBEOLA. Varying from buff
to a creamy-white or -grayish olive, elliptical; six to twelve; 1.75 by
1.25,v. Nests in the hollow of a dead tree. N; A,

622. Harlequin Duck—nisrrionicus minutus. Greenish-yellow, ellip-
tical; six to ten; 2. by 1.30,v. Nests on the ground near water.

Northern Seacoast of Northern Hemisphere.

623. Long-tailed Duck; Old Squaw—HARELDA GLACIALIS. Greenish-

ash, elliptical; six to ten; 2.10 by 1.50,v. Nests -on the ground inf

marshy places. Northern Hemisphere.

627. Common Ejider—soMATERIA MOLLISSIMA. <sshy-green, ellipti-
cal; six to ten; 2.85 by 1.98,v. Nests on the ground near water. N. N. A,

629. King Eider—soMATERIA SPECTABILIS. Dirty-green, elliptical; six
to ten; 2.60 by 1.75,7. Nests on the ground near water.

Arctic regions of Northern Hemisphere.

630. American Scoter—d:DEMIA AMERICANA. Pale yellow, oval; six
to ten; 2. by 1.60,v. Nests on the ground near water. N. A.
632. American Velvet Scoter—MELANETTA VELVETINA. Dirty-cream

color, oval; six to ten; 2.60 by 1.80,v. Nests on the ground near water.

Europe and America,

633. Surf Duck—PpELIONETTA PERSPICILLATA. Greenish-buff, elliptical ;

six to twelve; 2.25 by 1.60,v. Nests on the ground near the water.
Sea coast of N. A.

636. American Sheldrake—-MERGUS MERGANSER AMERICANUS. Pale

buff, oval; six to ten; 2.80 by 1.75,7. Nests in holes of trees. N. A.

637. Red-breasted Sheldrake—MERGUS SERRATOR. Greenish-brown,
oval; six to twelve; 2.50 by 1.72,7.. Nests om the ground in tall grass
and weeds near water. ; Northern Hemisphere.

638. Hooded Sheldrake—LopHopYTES CUCULLATUS. White, spherical;
six to ten; 2.10 by 1.70,v. Nests plaeed in the holes of trees. N. A.

639. Frigate Pelican—racHyPETES AQuILA. Bluish or greenish-white,

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 49

covered with a white calcareous deposit, rather elliptical; one or two;
2.82 by 2. Nests in trees or on the ground. °

South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of U. S., and southern coast of Cal.

640. American White Pelican—pELECANUS ERYTHRORHYNCHUS. White,

covered with a calcareous deposit, oval; one or two; 3.15 by 2.20,v.

Nests on the ground near the water. The nest is simply a low mound of

dirt scraped together by the bird. N. A.

641. Brown Pelican—prELECANUS FUscUs. White, covered with a
white ‘calcareous deposit, oval; two; 2.80 by 1.80,v. Nest is a bulky
structure placed in trees or on the ground. The birds congregate in
thousands and select particular localities for breeding grounds, and will
return year after year to the same place. They breed abundantly on
Indian River, Florida. : South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of U. S.

642. Common Cormorant — PHALACROCORAX CARBO. — Bluish-green,
oval; three to four; 2.60 by 1.65,v. Nests on rocky cliffs.
Atlantic Coast of N. A.
643. _ Double-crested Cormorant—PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS. Green-
ish-blue, oval; three to four; 2.25 by 1.35,v. Nests on rocky cliffs.
N. A.

643a@. Florida Cormorant PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS FLORIDANUS.
Greenish-blue, oval; two to four; 2.40 by 1.40,v. Nests on rocky cliffs
and in dead trees. South Atlantic and Gulf States.

649. American Anhinga; Snake Bird—pLotus aNuHINGA. Bluish or
dark greenish-white, oval; three to five; 2.15 by :.12,v. Nest placed in

trees. . Fresh waters of South Atlantic and Gulf States.

650. Gannet—SULA BASSANA. Greenish-blue, covered with a calca-
reous deposit, oval; 3. by 1.80,v. Nests on rocky cliffs.

Atlantic coast of N. A.

652. Booby Gannet—suLA LEUCOGASTRA. Greenish-blue, oval;, one

or two; 2.25 by 1.55,7. Eggs usually placed on the naked ground or

rock. 5 South Atlantic and Gulf States of U. S.

654. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird—pHaArErHon FLAVIROsTRIS. Chalky-
white, usually very thickly’ spotted with reddish-chocolate of varying
shades, oval; one; 2.15 by 1.55,7. Nest placed in holes of rocks.

Tropical regions of the Atlantic seas.

656. Black Skimmer—ruyncnuors NIGRA. Yellowish-white, spotted
and blotched rather coarsely with brown, umber, and lilac of varying
shades, oval; two or three; 1.65 by 1.35,7. Eggs placed on the ground
in sandy places. From Texas to New Jersey.

50 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

658. Kittiwake Gull—rissA TRIDACTYLA. Yellowish-buff, spotted and
blotched with rounded marks of brown and lilac of varying shades, oval;
two or three; 2/25 by 1.65,v. Nests on rocky cliffs. Arctic regions.

660. Glaucous Gull; Burgomaster—rLaRrus GLAucus. Varying from
bluish-white to dark brownish-yellow, spotted, blotched and sprinkled
with brown and lilac of varying shades, oval; three or four; 2.95 by
2.25,v. Nests on rocky cliffs. | Arctic seas, Labrador.

663. Great Black-backed Gull—rarus marinus. Varying from a
bluish-white to deep yellowish-brown, spotted and blotched with reddish-
brown and lilac of various shades, oval; three or four; 2.95 by 2.25.
Nests on rocky cliffs. North Atlantic, Labrador.

666. Herring Gull—Larus ARGENTATUS. Varying from bluish-white
to deep yellowish-brown, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of
varying’ shades, oval;, three’or fours.2.75- by 1.85)v.... Nests) ony the
eround, on rocky cliffs, and sometimes in trees. N. A.

666a. American Herring Gull—LARUS ARGENTATUS SMITHSONIANUS.
Bluish, greenish or brownish-olive, spotted and blotched with brown,
slate and lilac, very variable in shape, size and distribution; three; 2.80
by 1.90,v. Nests on the ground. ‘The nest is large and bulky. N, A.

669. Ring-billed Gull—LARUS DELAWARENSIS. Varying from bluish-
white to dark-brown, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various.
shades, oval; three to four; 2.78 by 1.65,7. Nests on the ground or on
cliffs. . N. A.

673. Laughing Gull—LaRus ATRICILLA. Varying from bluish-white to
greenish ash, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying
shades, oval; three or four; 2.10 by 1.62,7. Nests on the ground in
sandy places. Texas to Mass,

675. Bonaparte’s Gull—LakUS PHILADELPHIA. Varying from green-
ish to brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber, and lilac of various
shades, oval; three or four; 1.40 by 1.15,v.. Nests on the ground’ Gr
rocky ¢liffs. N. A.

677. Sabine’s Gull—xrEMa SABINEI. Deep greenish-brown, obscurely
spotted and blotched with darker shades of the same, oval; two; 1.45 by
1.05,v7. Eggs placed on the ground in sandy places. Nova Scotia, northward,

679. Gull-billed Tern—sTerNA ANGLICA. Varying from yellowish-buff
to greenish, spotted and blotched with yellowish-brown and lilac, oval;

three or four; 1.78 by 1:32,v. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy places.
EY vUiese

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 51

680. Caspian Tern—sTrERNA CaspiA. Varying from white to greenish-
buff, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of different shades, oval;
three or four; 2.70 by 1.85,7. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy places.

Coast of N. J.

681. Royal Tern—srerNaA REGIA. Varying from white to greenish-
buff, spotted and blotched with brown, umber, and lilac of varying shades,
with an occasional tinge of yellow, rather pyriform; two to three; 2.72 by
1.72,v. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy places.

Atlantic coast of the Southern and Middle States.

683. Cabot’s Tern—sTERNA CANTIACA ACUFLAVIDA. Varying from
white to buff, spotted and blotched with brown, umber, bluish and red-
dish, oval; 2.05 by 1.28,v. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy places.

Texas to Fla.

685. Forster's Tern—srERNA FORSTERI. Varying from nearly pure
white and pale green to warm brownish-drab, spotted and blotched with
brown, umber and lilac, oval; three to four; 1.70 by 1.25,7. Eggs laid
on the ground in marshy places. N. A.

686. Common Tern—sTERNA FLUVIATILIS. Varying from greenish to
deep brown, spotted and blotched with brown, blackish and lilac, oval;
-three to four; 1.50 by 1.10,7. Nests placed on the ground in sandy
places. (See Notes.) Europe, E. N. A.

687. Arctic Tern—sTERNA MACRURA. From nearly pure white to
deep brown, spotted and blotched with chocolate-brown, umber, and lilac of
varying shades, oval; 1.50 by 1.10,7. Eggs laid on the ground in sandy
places. Coast of New England States to the Arctic Seas.

688. Roseate Tern—sTERNA DOUGALLI. Varying from greenish to
deep brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac, oval:

1.45 by 1.10,7. Nests on the ground in sandy places. (See Notes.)
= Fla. to New York.

690. Least Tern—sTeRNA ANTILLARUM. Buff, spotted and blotched
irregularly with brown, umber, and lilac of various shades, with an occa-
sional tinge of yellowish, oval; three or four; 1. by .78,7. Nests on the

ground in sandy places. Temperate N. A.

691. Sooty Tern—srEerNA FuLIGINosA. — Pinkish-white, spotted and
blotched with a rich reddish-brown, tinged with lilac, oval; two or three:
1.95 by 1.50,7. Eggs placed on the ground in sandy places.

Texas to Fla.
693. Black Tern—HYDROCHELIDON LARIFORMIS SURINAMENSIS. Vary-
ing from brown to greenish, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac,

52 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

pyriform; three; 1.30 by .95,v. Eggs placed on the ground on islands

of decaying vegetation. Breeds at large in North America. N. A.

695. Noddy Tern—anous srotipus. Ashy-yellow, spotted and
blotched with pale chocolate-brown and lilac, oval; two or three; 1.85 by
1.45.v. Nest placed in trees. ‘Texas to Fla.

698. Richardson’s Jaeger—STERCORARIUS CREPIDATUS. Deep’ yellow-
ish or greenish.brown, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of
varying shades, oval; two or three; 2.12 by 1.55,7. Eggs placed on the

ground. Coast of U.S. from New York northwest.

699. Long-tailed Jaeger—sTERCORARIUS PARASITICUS. Deep yellowish-
brown, spotted, blotched and lined with reddish brown and umber of
varying shades, pointed oval; two or three; 2.15 by 1.50,7. Eggs placed
on the ground. Arctic seacoast of America.

705. Fulmar Petrel—rurmarus GLacraLis. Pure white, shell very
brittle, elliptical; one; 2.75 by 2.,v. Eggs placed in holes of rocky cliffs.
Northern Atlantic.

712. Dusky Shearwater—purFFINUS AUDUBONI. Pure white, elliptical,
one; 1.85 by 1.25,7. Eggs placed in holes of cliffs. ‘Southern Coast of U.S.

721. Stormy Petrel; Mother Carey’s Chicken—PROCELLARIA PELAGICA.
White, obscurely dotted with reddish-brown on the larger end, elliptical;
one; 1.10 by .75,7. Eggs placed in holes of cliffs.

Atlantic Ocean, Banks of Newfoundland.

722. Wilson’s Petrel—ocEANITES OCEANICA. Chalky-white, occasion-
ally spotted with purplish, sometimes in a ring around the larger end,
elliptical; one; 1.10 by .80. Nests in burrows. , Atlantic Coast.

723. Leach’s Petrel—cyMOCHOREA LEUCORRHOA. Chalky-white, dotted
finely on the larger end, often in a ring, with purplish-red and lilac, ellip-

tical; one; 1.25 by .go.- Nests in burrows. (See Notes.)
Atlantic Coast from Mass. to Baffin’s Bay.

731. American Red-necked Grebe—PpopiICEPS HOLBOLLI. Greenish or
yellowish-white, oval; eight to ten; 2.05 by 1.35,v. Nest is placed in a
swamp or marsh near water. Fur countries, Atlantic States.

‘

732. Horned Grebe—pyTes AuriItTus. © Uniform yellowish-cream color,
ovoidal: four to six; 1.85 by 1.20,v. Nest is placed near the water's
edge of some pond or marsh, sometimes on floating debris. N. ae

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 53

(33a. American Eared Grebe —DYTES NIGRICOLLIS CALIFORNICUS.
‘Faint yellowish-white, usually become stained by the habits of the bird
and nature of the nest, texture of shell quite smooth, ovoidal; three; 1.75
by 1.25,7. Nest is constructed of a large quantity of grass placed among
reeds and tall grasses near water. ‘They breed in colonies. W. N. A.

735. Thicls-billed Grebe — PODILYMBUS PoDrcEPsS. Yellowish-white,
ovoidal; five; 2.17 by 1.45,v. Nests placed in marshy places, sometimes
on floating vegetation. Atlantic States, Texas and New Mexico, California and Oregon.

736. Loon—COLYMBUS TORQUATUS: Olivaceous-brown, sometimes
olivaceous-drab, spotted and blotched with very dark brown, almost ex-
actly oval, occasionally very much lengthened; two or three; 3.50 by
2.25,v. Nests in the neighborhood of large lakes and ponds, on some low
island or in meadows, where the bird collects a large pile of grasses, sods
and weeds in which it forms a hollow about sixteen inches in diameter and
four or five deep. Northern Hemisphere.

738. Black-throated Diver—cotymBus arcticus. Dark greenish-
brown, spotted and blotched with very dark brown, oval; three; 2.90 by
1.90,v7. Nesting habits similar to those of the preceding species.

Arctic Regions.

740. Red-throated Diver.—coLYMBUS SEPYENTRIONALIS. | Olivaceous

or greenish-brown, blotched and spotted with very dark brown, exactly

resembling those of the Loon in form, color and markings, but are smaller;

2.95 by 1.90,7. Breeds in Labrador and begins to lay early in June.
The nesting habits are similar to those of the other species.

Northern Hemisphere.

742. Razor-billed Auk—vTraMANiA TORDA Pure white, greatly spotted
and blotched with dark brown or black, the spots generally forming a cir-
cle towards the large end, oval; one’ or two; 3.10 by 2. 10,v. This bird

deposits its eggs on the naked surface in fissures and caverns of rocks.
‘ Northeastern Coast of N. A.

743. Common Puffin—rrareRcuLa -ARcTicA. Pure white when laid
but soon becomes soiled and stained and appears to be a dirty yellowish-
white, some specimens are marked with blotches of brownish red, the pro-
portion of marked ones being about one in five; one; 2.30 by 1.60,z.
The nest is placed in a burrow in the earth, dug .by the birds. In many

instances two birds are found sitting each on its egg in the same hole.
‘ North Atlantic.

700. Least Auk—ciCcERONIA PUSILLA. Bluish-white, pyriform; one;
1.80 by 1.25,v7. The eggs are deposited on the shelves of rocky cliffs.
N. N. A.

j4 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

760. Black Guillemot — URIA GRYLLE. Varying from a pure pearl-
white to a pale greenish-white, marked irregularly with spots and blotches
of different shades of brown and black, thickest at the great end where
they are usually almost a cenfluent ring; three; 2.40 by 1.60,v.
Eggs are placed in holes of cliffs. Coast of North Pacific.

63. Common Guillemot—LomvIA TROILE. White or greenish-white,
spotted with dark-brown and umber, pyriform; one; 3.25 by I.90,v7. It
is very abundant on the coast of Labrador, where on the low islands it
breeds, laying its egg, like the Razor-billed Auk, on the bare rock or gravel.

Northern Coasts of America.

=~!

6 :

Under this heading I give a number of original notes, also additional and interesting information on the
nesting habits of various specics. Many of these are from my correspondents and collectors in different
parts of the United States.

4. HAylocichla ustulata.
Russet-backed Thrush.

This species is recorded as having a very limited distribution, being
mainly restricted to the Pacific coast region. The number of eggs in a
set is usually five. A set of four collected by W. O. Emerson, near Hay-
wards, California, is in my collection. They are of a light green, spotted
variously with yellowish brown. They measure as follows: .gt by .69,
.89 by .69, -g1 by .60, .83 by .66.

These were taken from a nest which was placed in the forks ofa
willow that overhung a running stream. The nest was composed of dead
leaves and drifted straw, matted together with mud.

10. Oreoscoptes montanus.
Sage Thrasher.

The following, under the title of ‘‘ Notes from Colorado,” by D. D.
Stone, I take from the December number (1882) of the ‘‘ Ornithologist
and Oologist.”’** It undoubtedly refers to this bird:

‘* Mountain mocking birds are quite plentiful in open places, but
are seldom seen in the timber.

‘« June 20.—Took two sets of four eggs,—one fresh and the other
containing large embryos. The nests are a large, bulky affair, and were
placed under a cverhanging rock in a deep railroad cut. Composed out-
wardly of dead twigs loosely laid together and lined with fine dry grass
and weeds. Dimensions outside: height 4% inches, width 9g inches,
inside depth 2 inches, breadth 4 inches.

‘‘June 25.—Found a nest under a rock in an old prospect hole far
above timber line containing four fresh eggs. The parent bird when on
the nest will allow itself to be nearly touched by the hand when it will
slip off the nest and out of sight. The eggs average .68 by .g5. Ground

* €Ornithologist and Oologist’’ a monthly magazine devoted to the study of birds, their nests and eggs:
Published by Frank B. Webster, Pawtucket, R. I. .

8

56 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

color, impure white, with splashes of umber and a few small spots of pale
lilac blended together, covering the whole of the larger end, the remaining
surface being covered by small and separate markings of the same colors
in a little lighter shade ”’

16. Harporhynchus redivivus.
Californian Thrasher.

This bird appears to be confined to the coast of California, It begins
nesting early in February. The nest is usually placed three feet from the
ground and is always well hid in a clump of bushes. The bird is very
tame when nesting. The eggs, three in number, are of a greenish-blue,
marked with reddish and light-chocolate spots.

26. Phatnopepla nitens.
Black-crested Flycatcher.

Prof. B. W. Evermann, who has kindly furnished me with a large
number of notes on the nesting habits of the birds of California and whom
I will frequently have occasion to refer to here, has made some interesting
observations concerning the nesting habits of this bird. As to the number
of eggs that this bird lays, he says: ‘‘I do not consider ¢ivee eggs to be an
unusual number, in California at least, Eighty per cent of the sets I
found contained ¢irvee eggs. Captain Bendire, I know, never found more
than ¢wo in a set in Arizona. The probabilities are that fo broods are
raised in Arizona while but ove is raised farther north, and those indi-
viduals that nest north try to make up in /arge sets what they lose in
number of sets. The facts, I believe, will bear out this theory.”’

A nest of this species, containing three eggs, collected by Prof. Ever-
mann in Ventura County, California, is in my collection. It is rather a
flat structure composed of twigs, stems, mosses and vegetable fibres. It
is lined with finer vegetable substances. Its size is three and a half inches
in width by two deep.

Ten sets of eggs, together with the nests of this species, collected
between the 25th of May and June 28, 1883, by R. B. Herron, near San
Gorgonio Pass, Cal., are in my collection. Each of these nests, how-
ever, contains two eggs.

61. Thryomanes Bewtcke.
; Bewick’s Wren.
On the 17th of May, 1882, Dr. Howard Jones, of Circleville, Ohio,

obtained what are believed to be the first nest and eggs of this species
ever taken in the State.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

oO
~I

The bird is recorded as having a more southern breeding range, but
Dr. Jones informs me that since his first ‘‘ find’ he has obtained several
sets in the same locality, which certainly is significant that the bird is not
an uncommon summer resident, but simply has escaped observation.

Fence-posts, brush heaps, stumps, hollow trees, barns, sheds, and
similar places are selected for its nesting place.

In his text of the ‘‘ Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds
of Ohio,’’+ Dr. Jones has the following concerning the eggs and nests of
this species: ‘‘ The complement of eggs varies from four to six or seven.
They measure in long-diameter from .60 to .68, and in short-diameter from
.48 to.54. A common size is.4gby .64. They are spotted and speckled
with reddish-brown, sparingly about the point but plentifully toward the
crown, where the marks are often confluent forming a wreath. The deep
shell-marks are purplish.

The nest and eggs of Bewick’s Wren resemble very closely some
specimens of the House Wren’s in size and shape, and, except in size,
approach even closer to those of the Great Carolina Wren. The nest
alone it would be difficult to distinguish from uncovered nests of Z. @don,
but the eggs are not nearly so thickly marked. Normal specimens of
each can be always differentiated. The House Wren, however, some-
times lays eggs very similar to typical eggs of Bewick’s Wren.”

164. Pyranga estiva.
Summer Redbird.

Mr. H. Nehrling of Lee County, Texas, says this bird is quite a
common summer resident in that section and commences nest-building
about the middle of May, usually placing it at the extremity of a horizon-
tal branch from seven to twenty feet from the ground. It is, he says, a
very loose and open structure composed of bark-strips, slender stems, oak-
catkins and leaves. The eggs, usually four in number, cannot with cer-
tainty be distinguished from those of the Scarlet Tanager. The Summer
Redbird is recorded as a common summer resident in Southern Ohio.

170a. Carpodacus frontalis rhodocolpus.
Crimson House Finch.

This variety of House Finch is found throughout the Pacific coast, from
Oregon to Mexico. I am informed by Prof. Evermann that this species
is by far the most common bird that breeds in Ventura County, California.

+ This admirable work demands more than a passing notice. Itis not too much to say that it rivals in
beauty and truthfulness of illustration the production of Audubon, and the most skillful critic would almost
lose his critical powers in admiration upon beholding the striking likenesses presented in this work. The

text is preeminently accurate.

58 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

He obtained the first full complement of its eggs early in April. Of their
nesting habits he says: ‘‘ They will place the nest anywhere, from the
limb of any tree to the side of a hay-stack, or a tin can ina porch.” The
eggs, usually five in number, are of a pale bluish-white, marked with
spots and lines of a dark brown or black, and measure .80 to .75 in ~
length, with an average breadth of .60.

181. Astragahnus tristes.
American Goldfinch; Yellow-bird.

In ‘‘ The Young Oologist’’* for November, 1884, Mr. Geo. F. Breu-
ninger, of Beattie, Kansas, truthfully writes: ‘‘ Long after all other birds
have sought their sunny haunts of the South, the Goldfinch is still to be
seen with us and cheering us with -his sweet songs far into the cooler days
of autumn. I have seen flocks of hundreds of them in mid-winter when
the ground was covered with snow, but they seemed to be as merry as
ever picking the seeds from the thistle and the wild sunflower.”

This species is also known by the name of ‘‘ Lettuce Bird.”” In his
‘“Report on the Birds of Ohio,” Dr. Wheaton has the following on its
nesting habits: ‘‘ The Yellow-bird breeds late, with us, usually in July.
The nest is built in trees. Often the shade trees or fruit trees in cities are
chosen, and they appear to be the only birds breeding with us whose nest
is ever placed ina peach tree. It is usually from fifteen to twenty feet
from the ground, and built of moss, grass and small vegetable fibres,
thickly lined with vegetable down. The eggs are five, light bluish-white,
unmarked. They measure about .65 by .52.”’

183. Astragalnus Lawrence.
Lawrence’s Goldfinch.

Lawrence’s Goldfinch breeds abundantly in Northern California, placing
the nest usually near the extremity of the limb of a live oak, where it is well
concealed and hard tofind. They nest in April. Prof. Evermann says he
found the first full set of eggs April 6. The nest is composed of wool,
fine grasses, down and feathers, closely matted together and lined with
the long hair of the larger animals. They are sometimes made entirely
of grasses. The eggs are from four to five in number, and are pure white.
Four typical eggs before me measure as follows: .62 by .47, .64 by .45,
no2- by ,:44, :62 by':48.

* “The Young Oologist,’”’? a monthly magazine devoted to the study of the Nests and Eggs of Birds:
Published by Frank H. Lattin, Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. ;

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. a9

204a. Chondestes grammica strigata.
Western Lark Finch.

I am informed by Prof. Evermann that this species is a very common
winter resident of Ventura County, Cal., but most of them go farther
north to breed. He states that they begin nesting about the middle of
April. They were found nesting in live oaks, sycamores, orange and
lemon trees, at heights varying from five to twenty-five feet above the
ground. One nest was found on the ground. The eggs were from four
to six in number, usually five. The color is about the same as those of
C. grammica, possibly a little darker shaded.

2406. Pipilo fuscus crissalis.
Californian Brown Towhee.

This species breeds very abundantly in Southern California. It nests
rather early, as young birds at least a week old were found April 3d by
Prof. Evermann. A set of eggs were taken the same day. The nest is
usually built in a sage greasewood, or cactus, one to five feet from the
ground.. They are, however, found nesting in live oaks, ten to fifteen
feet from the ground.

245. Zamelodia melanocephala.
Black-headed Grosbeak.

In California this bird is quite common. They begin to nest about
the first of April—nesting abundantly in the willow and water-mootic
copes near Santa Clara River and among the live oaks along the small
creeks. The nests are placed from five to twenty feet from the ground.
The eggs are invariably four, of a greenish-blue, dotted with drab and
lilac sometimes, and most usually forming a confluent ring about the larger
end. A set of four eggs before me give the following measurements: .96
iyen07, «90 by 66, ..o6 by ..61, 705 by .66.

246. Gutraca caerulea.
Blue Grosbeak.

T. D. Perry, of Savannah, Ga., in ‘‘The Young Oologist ” for Novem-
ber, 1884, makes the following observations concerning the nesting habits
of this bird: ‘‘ They commence to build early in May. I have found
their nests as early as May 11th with eggs slightly incubated. They gen-
erally choose a low, swampy place to build, and seem to prefer pine sap-
lings to all other places. They build a neat and compact nest, composed
outwardly of snake-skin (I have never found one that did not contain one),
withered leaves and plants, and lined with fine fibrous roots. Lay three

60 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

eggs (sometimes four), pale blue, turning to a lighter shade after being
blown. Like all other birds, their eggs vary somewhat in size. I am
positive they raise two, if not three, broods during the season, as I have
found a nest with fresh eggs as late as July 7th.”

Mr. Nehrling writes me that this is not a very common bird in Texas,
but is quite regularly distributed. ‘‘It arrives from its winter quarters about
the 20th of April, and commences nesting about the middle of May. The
nests discovered were always built in blackberry bushes, along road-sides
and on the border of woods. A typical nest, found May 18th, 1880, near
Spring Creek, Harris County, and now in the Smithsonian Institution, was
built in a blackberry bush, about two feet from the ground. It is a very
beautiful structure. Exteriorly it is built of long, fine rootlets, pieces of
snake-skin, dry leaves; near the rim it is almost entirely built of catkins
and small pieces of cotton. It is lined with very fine rootlets of a light-
brown color. The depth of the nest was 134 inches, diameter 234. The
eggs, usually four in number, are of a light bluish-white. Only one brood
is reared in a season.”

248. Passerina cyanea.
Indigo Bird.

The nest is built in low bushes of leaves and grass. The eggs are
four or five, white, with a bluish tinge, unspotted. They measure .75 by
58. A nest in my collection contains three eggs which are thinly dotted
at the larger end with reddish-brown. This is, however, rarely the case.

249, Passerina amena.
Lazuli Bunting.

A nest with four eggs of this species, collected in San Gorgonio Pass,
California, June 10, 1883, is in my collection. The nest is composed of
fine strips of bark and lined with hair. It was placed in a clump of weeds
one foot from the ground. The eggs are light-blue, unspotted, and are
hardly distinguishable from those of the common Bluebird—probably a
little more rounded—oval. The four eggs measure respectively: .81 by
62, .83 by .64, .79 by .62, .83 by .64. |

251. Passerina cris.
Painted Bunting; Nonpareil.

This species is a very common resident of the Southern States. It
makes its appearance about the end of March or early in April, when the
pleasant odor of many thousands of flowers now in bloom fills the air,
It is extremely wild and shy—commences nesting early in May. Mr.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 61

Nehrling says that near Houston, Texas, the nest is commonly placed in
blackberry-bushes, and in the almost impenetrable hedges of the Chero-
kee-rose (Rosa laevigata). Inthe more western part of Texas, he says,
he discovered nests usualty in the larger peach-gardens. It was placed
from two to ten, sometimes twelve feet from the ground, and is built of
plant-stems, fine grasses, spider-webs and bark-strips, lined with finer
grasses or very fine rootlets. Almost all the nests obtained near West
Yegua, Lee County, were built of plant-stems, grasses, rootlets and large
pieces of snake-skins, lined with fine grasses and the inner bark of trees.
Some nests are small, others are large and bulky. The eggs are five,
sometimes only four. They have a dull or bluish white ground-color,
and are marked with dark and reddish-brown spots, especially at the
larger end. They rear one, sometimes two broods in a season.

264. Sturnella neglecta.
Western Meadow Lark.

This Lark is found in the United States west of the Mississippi. It
breeds abundantly in California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Col-
orado. Nesting habits similar to those of the Eastern Lark. Four eggs
before me, collected in California, measure as follows: 1.08 by .86, 1.09
by .86, 1.05 by 77, 1.05 by .77. They are of an oblong-oval shape, the
ground white, sparingly spotted with purplish and reddish-brown, chiefly
at the larger end. The mottling is much finer than in the eggs of the
Eastern species.

269. TIcterus cucullatas.
Hooded Oriole.

The Hooded Oriole is essentially a Mexican species, though it also
extends northward into Texas at the Rio Grande, and into Southern Cali-
fornia and Arizona. To Prof. B. W. Evermann belongs the credit of first
finding this beautiful Oriole breeding farther north than any one before
had found it. Dr. Cooper, who had given it more study than any other
ornithologist, informs him that he had never found the bird or its nest so far
north as San Buenaventura, Cal. Prof. Evermann writes me that he found
it breeding quite numerously as far north as San Buenaventura, and that
it was observed breeding at Santa Barbara, thirty miles farther up the
coast, though it was not so common as in Ventura County. He found |
the first full set of eggs about May Ist. The average number of eggs is
five. The nests, he states, were suspended in sycamores generally, often
in live oaks. These are usually from five to fifteen feet from the ground.
They are composed of grass which has been picked while yet green, so

62 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

that the nest is usually of a bright straw color. The eggs vary somewhat
in shape, some being obtuse and more spherical, others more pointed and
oblong. They have a beautiful white ground, marbled, blotched and
dotted with large dashes and irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown and
black, chiefly at the larger end. A complement of four typical eggs, col-
lected by Prof. Evermann near Santa Paula, Cal., April 13, 1881, measure
as follows: .94 by .66, .94 by .64, .92 by .63, .89 by .63.
286. Pica rustica Hudsonica.

Black-billed Magpie.

The American Magpie has an extended western distribution from
Arizona on the south to Alaska on the northwest, and. is found from the
Missouri River to the Pacific coast. It is common throughout the central
region of Oregonand Washington Territory. Breeds abundantly in Color-'
ado. Begins building in April. The nest is an elaborate affair placed in the
fork of a small, bushy tree, and it is said, never a pine, from six to fifteen
feet from the ground, composed externally of sticks ingeniously wedged
together. Upon thisisa layer of clay one-half or three-quarters of an inch in
thickness, which, being applied soft and well worked in, becomes very hard,
and binds the structure firmly together. It is lined with hair feathers,
etc. Rising from the walls of the nest is a dome of twigs and sticks very
ingeniously and securely woven together, with a hole in one side forming ~
a shelter for the bird while setting. There are, sometimes, two openings
opposite each other, evidently to make reom for the long tail of the bird.
The eggs, according to some authors, vary from five to nine in number.
Their ground-color is a grayish-white, or light gray with a yellowish tinge
spotted with blotches, dottings and dashes of purplish or violet-brown.

287. Pica Nuttall.
Yellow-billed Magpie.

Confined exclusively to California; breeds abundantly, and begins
nesting about the first of April. Nest constructed similar to that of the
preceding species. The eggs have a ground-color of light drab so thickly
marked with fine cloudings of an obscure lavender color as nearly to con-
ceal the ground, and to give the eggs the appearance of an almost violet-
brown. A set of six eggs in my collection, collected in Wheeler Canon,
near Santa Paula, Cal., exhibit the following measurements: 1.31 by .89,
1.28 by .89; 1.31 by,.89, 1.32 by .86," 1.30: bys. aoe1.26 Dyn.90:

293. <Aphelocoma Caltfornica.
California Jay.

The California Jay is a Pacific Coast species, occurring from the Col-

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 63

umbia River southward to Cape St. Lucas. It is not found in the interior
at any considerable distance from the coast. The nest is usually placed
in alow tree or bush. It is large and strong, built of twigs, roots and
grass. The eggs are from three to five, of a dark sea- green, marked with
numerous pale brown blotches, chiefly at the larger end. A complement
of four eggs in my collection, collected near Santa Paula, March 20)
1881, exhibit the following dimensions: 1.03 by .78, 1.08 by .81, 1.08. by
Pou Ls OZ Oy oi.
BOL. Milvulus forficatus.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

This bird is quite common on the prairies of Southern Texas. They
nest in trees at heights varying from six to twenty feet. The nest is com-
posed externally of small sticks, and lined with fine, soft grasses. They
measure about two and one half inches in height, and nearly five in exter-
nal diameter; the cavity is two inches deep and three wide. The eggs
are from three to five in number, of a rounded-oval shape, tapering at one
end. The ground-color is white, marked with a few large dark red spots,
and occasionally of an obscure purple, chiefly at the larger end. Four
typical eggs in my collection, collected in Comal County, Texas, May 30,
188i, measure as follows: .87 by .70, .87 by .67, .o1 by .69, .87 by .68.

324. LEmpidonax acadicus.
Acadian Flycatcher.

I quote the following from Dr. Wheaton’s excellent ‘‘ Report on the
Birds of Ohio ”’:

‘‘Abundant summer resident from May to September. Breeds. Fre-
quents woodland, and is seldom seen far from its breeding spot except when
migrating, when it isa frequent visitor in the gardens of this city(Columbus),
often remaining several days. The favorite retreats of this bird are beech
woods of considerable extent. Here they are found perched on the lower
branches of trees, or higher up on the border of a glade. Dark woods
are preferred to high, open, mixed woodland. In: such localities they
form a striking feature in the bird fauna. Their ordinary note is a sharp,
quick, loud and emphatic whatd'ye see, which, coming from an unseen
and perhaps unsuspected performer, is really startling in the stillness.
Frequently the bird utters a low, rapid twittering note accompanied by a
rapid movement of the wings, as if in ecstacy. A similar action is some-
times seen in the Wood Pewee, se noise resembling the rustling made by
the Woodcock’s flight.

The nest of the Acadian Flycatcher differs in position from all other
species of the family breeding with us, in being invariably placed in a hor-

64 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

izontal fork, usually not more than fifteen feet from the ground. In the
manner of its attachment it resembles the nests of the Vireos, being
fastened by the brim while the bottom is unsupported. In structure,
however, it is very different. It is composed almost entirely of small
stems and tops of the grass commonly known here as ‘‘ roller-grass.”’
These are loosely thrown together forming a shallow cup bound to the
fork with spider’s web. When just finished they present a very slovenly
appearance, considerable quantities of the grass hanging from the peri-
hery of the nest, so that it looks like a tuft of hay, caught by the limb
from a load driven under it. Ifthe weather is damp this material soon
falls off in the wind and the body of the nest becomes more compact.
Frequently the nest is so thin that the eggs may be counted from below.

The eggs vary from two to four, and I have often seen nests with
a single egg well advanced in incubation, or a single young bird, and
believe from the position of the nest, towards the end of along horizontal or
declining limb, that eggs frequently fall from it when shaken by the wind.
They are of a light yellowish-buff color, with a decided flesh colored tint
when fresh, and rather sparsely spotted with light brown. They measure
-78 by .56.

The Acadian Flycatcher is a favorite nurse of the Cow-bird; most
nests contain one egg of this parasite, and I have seen as many as four.
On one occasiou I saw a Cow-bird in the effort to deposit her egg in this
nest, turn out all the eggs, the twig on which the nest was placed yieldmg
to her weight.”

325a. Himpidonax pusillus trailte.
Traill’s Flycatcher.

The following on the nesting habits of this bird is taken in part from
my article which appeared in the ‘‘ Ornithologist and Oologist,” for May,
1882:

‘‘ The locality usually selected as a nesting site by this species is in
a thick growth of alders bordering a stream. The nests are scarcely ever

placed higher than eight feet from the ground, in most cases about four.
In nearly all instances they are built in an upright fork. The nests have
a strong resemblance to the usual structure of the Yellow Warbler, but
probably lack in compactness and neatness. ‘The external or greater por-
tion of the nest iscomposed of hempen fibres, internaliy lined in true Fly-
catcher style with fine grasses. In some, however, there is a slight lining
of horse-hair and of the down from the milk-weed or thistles. A typical
nest measures two and a half inches in height and three in diameter, with
a cavity one inch and a half in diameter and two inches deep. In nearly

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 65

all cases three eggs is the usual complement, rarely four, and in a great
many in varying stages of incubation. The ground-color of the eggs is
extremely variable. In some it is of a cream, in others approaching buff.
In four sets before me there is a striking variation in the distribution of
the markings. They are usually marked, chiefly at the larger end, with
large blotches of red and reddish-brown. This, however, is only charac-
teristic in one of these sets, while in the others the markings are simply
very small dots sparingly sprinkled over the surface; in some these dot-
tings are scarcely visible, giving them the appearance of an almost un-
spotted surface. Six eggs exhibit the following measurements: .72 by
o5, 60by 153,0-70° DY 452, .04 by -53,:.69 by +52, -70 by -53. “There is
scarcely any perceptible difference between the eggs of 7vaz//i and those of
Acadicus. The western eggs of Zvaz//z probably have a darker ground,
and the spots are more vivid, but I do not believe any one can tell them
apart with certainty.

B61. Picus pubescens.
Downy Woodpecker.
Mr. Thomas M. Earl while on a collecting trip succeeded in obtaining
a set of this species in Green County, Ohio, May to, 1884. He found
the nest constructed in the favorite haunts of this very cunning little
climber—in the decayed limb of an apple-tree, some ten feet from the
ground. What is remarkable concerning the nesting place was, that just
above the entrance.of the nest another hole had been excavated and then
filled with a hickory nut. It appeared as though it was the first hole and
did not, for some reason, prove satisfactory and was deserted. But how
the hickory nut got there is a question, as there was no reason to believe
that it had been placed there by a human hand. The first excavation
was as fresh as the one just below it. The eggs are of a pure glossy
white, usually four in number. The four eggs collected by Mr. Earl
Medea KespecuVvely's +75 Dy .62,...77' by.62, .73 by .On, .73 by..62.° I
fail to find the eggs of this bird so large as many authors have quoted
them.

301. HHylotomus pileatus.
Pileated Woodpecker; Logcock.

The nest of the Pileated Woodpecker is an excavation dug out by
the bill of the bird in a large limb or trunk of a high tree either living or
dead. The eggs are of a rounded oval shape, glistening white, unmarked.
Mr. Gilbert Siddell, who spent the greater portion of the summer season
(1884) in Clinton County, Illinois, examined a large number of the nesting

66 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

places of this species. The nests as he found them were situated at an
average height of about twenty-five feet, and were usualy excavated in
the main trunk of a dead hickory tree. The depth of the excavations
were eighteen inches, and the diameter about eight. All the nests exam-
ined contained from three to. four young about May Ist, indicating that
the eggs were deposited about the middle or first part of April. The
Pileated Woodpecker, instead of the name of Logcock, is sometimes
erroneously called ‘‘Woodcock.”’

395. <Asio Americanus.
American Long-eared Owl.

Dr. Howard Jones has a set of the eggs of this species which was until
recently in my collection. It is a set of five and was collected near Mor-
ral, Marion County, Ohio, April 9, 1884. They are to be figured in a
forthcoming number of his magnificent work: ‘‘ Illustrations of the Nests
and Eggs ofethe Birds of Ohio.” The eggs are white; oval in shape.
Three specimens of the above mentioned set measure as follows: 1.65 by
1.27, 1.59 by.1.33,.1.75 by 1.28. In California this birds begin nesting
about the middle of February.

405a. Bubo Virginianus subarticus.
Western Horned Owl.

This Western variety begins nesting in California about the first of Feb-
ruary, the same time as our Eastern species. It builds usually in live
oaks, ‘placing the nest in the forks of horizontal limbs. The eggs are in-
variably three in number, white. A set in my collection obtained near
Newhall, Cal., exhibit the following dimensions: 2.09 by 1.75, 2.22 by
i7S,.2. 10 by, 1:77, 2.06 by-1. 73.

425. Pandion hahetus Carolinensts.
American Osprey; Fish Hawk.

Mr. W. W. Worthington, of Shelter Island, New York, has favored
me with an interesting description of the nesting habits of this species. I
give it entire:

‘‘The most extensive breeding ground of the Fish Hawks in this
vicinity is Gardiner’s Island, situated between Plum Island, at the east
end of Long Island Sound, and the southern fork of Long Island, and
about ten miles east of Shelter Island. They arrive in this locality almost
invariably on the 20th of March and immediately take possession of their
nest of the previous year, providing it has not blown down, and com-
mence to repair any damage it may have received. They are exceedingly

>

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 67

variable in their choice of a nesting place. On Gardiner’s Island they all
build in trees, at Cistances varying from ten to seventy-five feet from thé
ground, but on Plum Island, where a great many breed, a large number
place their nests ox the ground, some being built up to the height of four or
five feet, while others are simply a few sticks arranged in a circle, and the
eggs are laid ox the bare sand! On Shelter Island they build on the chim-
neys of dwelling houses; and a pair has a nest on the cross-bar of a tele”
graph pole. Another pair has a nest on a large rock in Gardiner’s Bay
near Gardiner’s Island. Their nests are constructed chiefly of coarse
sticks and seaweed, and whatever else the birds happen to find, such as
pieces of dry cow dung, bones, old shoes, straw, etc. The largest clutch
of eggs I have taken, or seen, is four. The usual number is three,
although sets of two are common.”

427. Elanus glaucus.
White-tailed Kite.

Prof. Evermann has furnished me with the following interesting account
concerning the nidification of this beautiful species:

‘“May 4, 1880, I found my first nest (a) of this bird: It was placed
in the extreme top of a cottonwood, fully forty feet from the ground. It
was not a very substantial structure, was composed of sticks, forming
scarcely more than a mere platform, so shallow was the cavity. It was
very sparingly lined with the inner bark of the cottonwood. All other
nests found were the same in structure as this, except in one case (c),
where the depth was greater, and was well lined with barley straw. The
next (b) I found on April 11, ’81. This was in the extreme top of a live
oak, as was also the third one (c), which I found the next day, April 12.
On May 1, I found another (d) in the top of a cottonwood. The only im-
portant fact regarding the position of the nest of this Kite is this: Always
placed just as high in the tree as possible. I did not notice an exception; and
so slender are the limbs or twigs among which it is placed, that he who
attempts to climb to the nest stands about three chances to two of break-
ing his neck.

From nest ‘‘a” I got four handsome eggs, but they were somewhat
incubated. From ‘‘b”’ four more fresh ones, (which I sent you No. 180);
from ‘‘c’”’ I got four very fine eggs, April 12, and, on June 4, three more
which I sent you, but which got broken, save one, I believe). In ‘‘d"’ I
found four young, perhaps two weeks old. So, I think four eggs is the
almost invariable number; that, when robbed of a first set, another will
likely be laid; that they breed in the same grove—séldom in the same nest
—year after year; that the usual time of nesting is from April 1 to May 1;

”

68 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

and, lastly, though resident at Santa Paula, they are rare. I do not think
there were more than a dozen pairs in the whole Santa Clara Valley.”

Four eggs mentioned by Prof. Evermann exhibit the following meas:
urements: 1.27 by 1.62, 1:27 by 1.60, 1.27 by 1.62, 1.27 by 1.64. “Ehe
ground color is a creamy-white, thickly blotched with rich reddish-brown.
The eggs of the European Kestrel and those of the Whlte-tailed Kite are
“precisely alike in markings ; the eggs of the latter, however, are much
larger in size.

4736. Bonasa umbellus sabinet.
Oregon Ruffed Grouse.

I have a set of six eggs of this species, collected in Coos county, Ore- —
gon, April 28, 1880. Their color is a rich creamy-white, unspotted.-
The nest was a hollow of the ground, made by the bird and lined with
leaves ; it was situated partly under a fallen tree, and quite hidden by a
growth of bushes. The inside diameter of the nest was about six inches,
and the depth about four. The eggs exhibit the following dimensions:
ios by 4.16, 1.55 -by I-16, TAghepy a. KO, 156, bya116, (1257 yaa

479. Centrocercus urophastanus.
Sage Cock.

Mr. G.. G. Mead of Rawlins, Wyoming Territory, has given me

a very lengthy and interesting life history of this bird, from which I
compile the following: ‘‘ The Sage Cock, ‘Sage Grouse,’ or ‘Sage Hen,’
as it is commonly called inthe West, is principally found in what are known
as the ‘Sage bush regions’ of the Territories of Wyoming, Montana,
Idaho and Arizona. A few are still to be met with in Coloradu, Nevada,
California and other Western States and Territories, where the march of
civilization has not exterminated their favorite food, the leaves of the wild.
‘Sage bush which, with a heavy growth, covers large tracts of Western
country. This is the natural home of the bird. In size and carriage they
strongly resemble the Wild Turkey, but their color is so near like that of
the ground and sage bush that it is difficult to detect their presence.
In summer their food is sage leaves, berries and insects, but their sole food
in winter seems to be sage leaves. The male isa little larger than the
female; their weight is about ten pounds, and that of the female seven,
live weight. They roam everywhere in winter in large flocks, the snow
quenching their thirst instead of the water in the streams which supply
them in the summer and along which they scatter in small bands at this
season. The males flock together during the season of incubation; the
females always staying by themselves and rearing their young. The

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 69

young and old are sometimes very tame, but more shy on stormy days
and more afraid of a man on horseback than on foot. They commence to
lay about the 15th of May. I have found nests with six, nine and twelve
in process of incubation. The nests are very rudely and coarsely con-
structed, being often only a mere hollow in the sand, and never anything
more than a few blades of long, dead grass and small twigs laid around the
edges. I have often found the nest in very barren and exposed situations,
among very low bushes, instead of among the large sage bushes.’’ Five
eggs collected by Mr. Mead, in my collection, are buff, thickly speckled
with small round spots of reddish-brown and chocolate. In color they
very much resemble those of the Wild Turkey.

495. Nyctardea grisea nevia.
Black-crowned Night Heron.

I trust no apology is needed for inserting the following brief account
of the nesting habits of this bird. It is from the pen of M. B. Griffing, of
Shelter Island, New York:

‘“Gardiner’s Island, which is ten miles east of this place (Shelter
Island) is the nearest breeding place of this species with which I am ac-
quainted, although it is not many years since there was a heronry here.

‘“On May 17, 1880, my friend, Mr. Worthington, and myself, visited
the heronry on Gardiner’s Island, where there were a hundred pairs or
more, of these herons breeding. The locality isa swampy place, around
the edge of which grow maple and tupelo trees, in which the nests were
placed, at heights ranging from ten feet to fifty feet from the ground. They
were composed entirely of sticks and twigs; the latter were used for the
lining, and the nests were considerably hollowed.

According to my observations, four eggs is the usual number laid, more
often less than more; in fact, out of all the eggs of this species collected
in the past three years, by Mr. Worthington and myself, there were but
four sets containing more than four eggs ; of these, three were sets of five
and one a set of six.

There were sometimes as many as four nests in one tree, all contain:
ing eggs. .

As we entered the swamp the birds arose from the trees and their
nests, making a great outcry; and as they arose above the trees, the Fish
Hawks, which were very plenty, dashed down upon them, and the poor birds,
scared almost out of their wits, plunged back into the swamp, redoubling
their outcries. This squaking, as it may be called (and I can think of no
other word so appropriate and expressive), is very ludicrous ; and any one
who has been ona boat with a number of seasick people, will at once notice

70 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

the similarity of the noises made by them ‘in that condition, and those-
made by a colony of Night Herons on being disturbed.

This species also feeds by day as well as by night, and I have often
seen several of them at once feeding in the creeks at low water, in the day-
time, and it is also a constant resident throughout the year, remaining
here in the severest winters. I have killed them in the coldest winter
weather when the creeks and harbors were frozen up, and snow covered
the ground everywhere.”

522. Ochthodromus Wilsonzus.

Wilson’s Plover.

A set of four eggs of this species, collected in Johnson county, Ne-
braska, is in my collection. The nest was a slight hollow in the ground,
covered with dry grass. The eggs are of a light clay color, spotted and
blotched with reddish and umber-brown. They measure respectively:
r.83 by 1.20,.1.83 by 1.29, 1-75 by 1.26, 1.64 by v.23: I have mademiens
tion elsewhere in this work, of the difference in the markings of the eggs
of this species, described by some authors, and those specimens in my col-
lection. I find also a great difference in the sizés. The usual sizes given
are from 1.35 to 1.40 in length, and from 1. to 1.05 in diameter, those
in my collection being much larger.

579. Galhnula galleata.
Florida Gallinule.

Mr. Langdon gives the following account of this species as he ob-
served it in Ottawa county, Ohio:

‘« A very common species, breeding abundantly in the more open por-
tions of the marsh. The nests are situated amongst the ‘saw grass,’ and con-
structed of its dried blades. Their height varies, some almost resting on
- water, while others are placed a foot or more above it and have an incline

eight or ten inches in width, made of dried grass, extending from the wa-
ter’s edge, which makes them a conspicuous object where the surrounding
vegetation is not too dense. The dozen or so sets of eggs taken were in
‘various stages of incubation, anda few young were observed following
their parents. The young, when a day or two old, are about the size of a
newly-hatched domestic chicken, and when found in the open water are
easily captured; they present a curious sight, paddling for dear life, with
their bright red and orange bills standing out in strange contrast with their
sooty-black, down-covered bodies.”
_I have a set of eight eggs collected this season (1884), by Dr. How-

ard Jones, near Circleville, Ohio. Dr. Jonesinforms me that he collected

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 71

-a number of sets in the same locality. The eggs exhibit the following di-
mensions: 1.70 byi1-20,.1.81 ‘by 1.18, 1.81 by 1.17, 1.78 by 1.23; 1.84
bype2>, £64) by, 1122,, 1.77. by 1:24, 1.83 by 1.16,

686. Sterna fluviatlis.
Common Tern; Wilson’s Tern.

This species breeds in various localities throughout its North Amer-
ican range.

Mr. Worthington, of Shelter Island, New York, who furnished me
with notes on the nidification of the Fish Hawk, has kindly given me the
following observations on this beautiful Sea-swallow:

‘* 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-house keeper. Fresh eggs can
be obtained there from the roth 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.

688. Sterna dougalle.
Roseate Tern.

‘« Goose Island, a small island half or three-quarters of an acre in ex-
tent, situated in Long Island Sound, about two miles from the Connecti-
cut shore and half or three-quarters of a mile from Faulkner’s Island, is
the only breeding ground of this species with which I am acquainted.

Early in. the morning of June 22nd, 1881, accompanied by my
friend, Mr. W. W. Worthington, I landed on this small island. Before
we got near the island we sawa few Terns flying around, but as we
landed the birds arose from the ground in a cloud, uttering their harsh cries
and making such a din as to almost bewilder us.

We immediately proceeded to the upland of the island, which is
from two to six feet or more above the beach, and is covered with a thick
growth of rank weeds and grass. In this rank growth, some concealed in

10

72 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

the thick grass and weeds, others in plain sight, the nests covered the
ground, and three or four nests could sometimes be reached without tak-
ing astep. These nests were nothing but slight hollows in the ground,
lined with dry grass, and contained, usually, two eggs. Iam satisfied that
this is the usual number laid by this species, as there were but two sets
containing three eggs, out of more than two hundred eggs that we took,
and the sets were completed as incubation was begun in nearly every
set, while many were almost hatched. Many of the birds lay their eggs —
on the shore, just above high water mark, but none of these are ever
hatched, as Capt. Brooks, the owner of the island, and who is light-house
keeper on Faulkner’s Island, picks them all up every two or three daysand
takes them home to eat, while he leaves those on the upland to hatch.

The eggs of this species differ from those of Sterna fluviatilis in
shape and markings, being usually less blunted at the small end, and the
markings are usually much finer and very much more numerous. By
placing a tray of eggs of each species side by side, the difference is very
marked, and they can be distinguished at a glance.

While we were taking the eggs the birds hovered in great numbers
close over our heads, sending forth the harsh gutteral cry peculiar to this spe-
cies, then suddenly all would fly off to windward, uttering cries which
sounded like the syllable, tip, tip, tip, uttered in a high key, only to return
again with their harsh cries. They repeated these cries time after
time, as long as we remained there. ,

The sight of clouds of these beautiful birds, with their easy, grace-
ful flight, as they circle and hover over their breeding ground, is one that
can be imagined better than described, but when once witnessed by the
collector will never be forgotten.”

I am indebted to Mr. M. B. Griffing for the above interesting de-
- scription, the results of his close observations.

=I
bo
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Cymochorea leucorrhoa.
Leach’s Petrel.

In ‘‘The Young Oologist’’ for November, 1884, Mr. Charles Achorn,
of Rockland, Me., has written a very pleasing article on the nesting habits
of the Petrels at Seal Harbor. Mr. Achorn, accompanied by two
friends, arrived at the place about 8 A. m. on the 15th of June, and
immediately started for Little Green, an island about eight miles out to
sea, where the Terns and Petrels nest. Referring to Tern’s eggs the
writer says: ‘‘In a short time we had obtained all the eggs we wanted,

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

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oo

and after eating our dinner, turned our attention to the Petrels. We
hunted around and found some old tree trunks which had lain for years,
until they had settled deep into the ground. These we overturned for the
Petrels’ nests, the Petrel digs a furrow a foot or two deep beneath some old
tree or ledge, hollows out the extremity, makes a rude nest, and pais
one egg only, one pure white egg, somewhat resembling a pigeon’s,
rounded at both ends and sometimes having fine flesh-tinted dots arranged
about the larger end. Under some trees we found several nests, and the
birds were always at home. This necessitated the unpleasant part of col-
lecting. They could not be driven from their nests, and so we took them
by the tail and tossed them into the air, whereupon they took wing and-
flew away, but many, like Bo-Peep’s sheep ‘left their tails behind
them.’ In my eagerness to get one off the nest I seized it by the head,
but I dropped him quick, for the creature did what R. warned us against,
used its weapon of defense, squirted into my hand a thimbleful of oily liquid,
which had a most disgusting, sickening odor, secondly, if second, to that
of the skunk. This musky odor is almost impossible to be removed, the
eggs emit it, and those which I collected on that day still retain it. The
oil issues from the nostril above the beak, and can be ejected to a distance
of several feet. Sometimes we found two birds in one nest, but in such a
case no egg was found, while one bird was always accompanied with one
egg, so probably the male attends his mate until the egg is laid and then
leaves. But it was awful hard work getting their nests, and eggs don’t
“accumulate very fast at the rate of one at a time, so we thought we would
try to find some other kinds. A diligent search in the rush hammock
revealed but one egg of the Laughing Gull, and but two sets of Sandpipers.
This was disgusting, and the mocking laugh of the Gull sounded then,
anything but pleasant. For the next half hour we broke our knees on the
rocks of the shore, peering under the ledges and rocks for Sea Pigeons,
and we felt well repaid with four nests and six eggs, for they are very large
and handsome. Then we were ready to go home, but if we had to row
going we had to row much harder and further returning, but stories made
the time pass pleasantly, and we gathered many hints which will be of
service to us in our collecting next year. After our arrival at the shore
we took supper with our host, once more looked over his birds, started
for home, tired but happy and well pleased with our day’s work. We
voted R. a good fellow and agreed that our pleasantest day of the season
had just been passed. We got home about 9g Pp. m., and went to bed
to dream of Gulls, Terns and Petrels.”’

BRIEF DIRECTIONS

FOR

C OLLECTING@ PRESERVING

BIRDS > EGGS: AND NESTS.

Remember that an egg has no financial or scientific value if it has no
name. ‘Therefore, be very particular to identify all eggs collected. If you
do not, you will have in many respects a worthless collection. If the eggs
in a nest are strange or unknown to you, do not touch them until you
have procured the parent bird.

If you cannot skin the bird, preserve its head, wings, and feet until
you can have them identified. A collector of eggs should dy all means
learn to skin birds and put them in proper shape. He will then make
few mistakes in his data.

Empty the contents of an egg through ove smoothly drilled hole in
the side, and drill it as small as can be got along with. Force the con-
tents out by blowing into the hole with a blow-pipe. Do not make holes
at the ends of an egg for the purpose of blowing the contents out. Do
not hold it too tightly in your fingers, for, if it breaks, you will learn at
once that a thing of beauty is zot always a joy forever.

If the embryo is partially developed, the hole must necessarily be
made larger, and the embryo should be extracted a little at a time with an
embryo hook or forceps, and cut in pieces with a fine, narrow-bladed
scissors. | By soaking the egg in water over night the embryo will often
become very tender and can be taken out with ease.

76 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

After the egg is blown it should be thoroughly rinsed by taking water
into the mouth and spirting it through the blow-pipe.

Eggs, as a rule, should be kept in sets; a ‘‘set’’ being those taken
from any one nest; and each one of a set should bear a number referring
to a corresponding one in a note-book where full particulars of the nest
and eggs should be given. _ A printed label or data blank similar to the
following diagram is also necessary :

Gollected: by. 1 sent aepitee tataateteucttins te eee.’ pate cheat meee

Liocalittiy v3.2.0 Pome ok eget eg ea seats coe at tl eee tee

For illustration, the blank lines of the label should be filled in the fol-
lowing manner: No. 126. Name, Arkansas Flycatcher. Collected:by
J. L. Clemmons. Locality, San Diego, California. Date, June 2, 1881.
Set, 1% (indicating that the number of eggs in this set is four). _ Identity,
bird seen on nest. Incubation, begun. Nest, made of coarse sticks and
twigs, lined with hair and cotton, placed in an “« Australian Gum Tree,”
twenty feet from the ground.

All these data should be carefully written, and the label placed in the
cabinet with the eggs. __If there are several sets of the same species, the
collector should have his own number to distinguish the sets.

The label with full data should a/ways accompany the set in making
exchanges. Besides the above particulars the note-book should be filled
with memoranda devoted to the record of nests found and examined; the
general nature of the surroundings; the precise color and condition of the
eggs when found, as all these fade quickly from the memory.

Few persons make extensive collections of nests; many birds make
no nests, others only such structures as cannot well be preserved; those
that can be collected require a wrapping of thread for their safe keeping.
Nests and nesting places, are therefore, as a rule, described and recorded
in a note-book, and not kept for study.

EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. LU

Go into the field as lightly equipped as possible. Before you gather
together a wagon load of pullies, block and tackle, find out just where you
are going to use them.

In climbing high trees, climbers should be used, and a wooden or tin
box, filled with cotton, should be taken up with you; in this, securely
place the eggs before descending the tree.

When you come across a large number of the nests and eggs of one
species, do not take every nest you can lay your hands on; allow some
to remain untouched. A writer in the ‘‘Ornithologist and Oologist”’ justly
describes such a collector under the title of ‘‘The Great American Egg
Hog.” It is not a very elegant expression, but it certainly hits some col-
lectors very hard.

If you are going to collect eggs for the purpose of showing them to
vour friends, like so many pretty beads, you had better give it up at once.
Collectors of this kind do more harm than good.

When eggs are to be shipped by mail or express they should never
be packed in anything but wooden or tin boxes. Each egg should:be
wrapped in cotton and bound tightly with thread and then wrapped in
tissue paper. Place them in layers in the box with bits of cotton between
each egg, The bottom, sides and end of the box is often lined with sheet
cotton which is still better protection.

In all ordinary cases collections of eggs are preserved in the drawers
of a-cabinet. These are divided by partitions, and each section partly
filled with grated cork or box-wood sawdust, in which the eggs are placed.
The choice of a cabinet must depend largely upon the collector’s means, if
not also upon his individual preference.

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