' B<* 2! m CD m o iJfuf -« t$t ft .. £\ LOUIS J. WEHLE, ROCHESTER, N. T. Copyright 1889. PLATE t. BLUE -GRAY GNATCATCHER AND NEST. (««/ «w.) (Polioptila cirrulea.} PAGE 429. NESTS AND EGGS OK NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BY OLIVER DAVIE THE FOURTH EDITION INTRODUCTION BY J. PARKER NORRIS. ILLUSTRATIONS RY THEODORE JASPER, A.M., M.D. AND W. OTTO EMERSON COLUMBUS HANN & AD AIR 1889 / luj hi COPYRIGHT, 1889. "O! why has worth so short a date, While villains ripen gray with time." — Burns. DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF LUCIUS S. WILLSON * One of nature's noble men : My companion in many a woodland stroll, whose keen eye observed and gloried in the charms of varied pastoral scenes, whose listening ear heard and delighted in the carol- ing of feathered songsters and the cadence of murmuring streams. His ear caught the music of breezes as they wandered through the boughs of forest trees, and, while striking the tenderest chords on their ^Eolian harps of russet-brown leaves, in the Autumn of 1882, they muttered to him their last farewell, and whispered some- thing like Eternity. THE AUTHOR, PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. rPHK scope of the present work may be explained in a few words. 1 As in former editions, the text consists of concise descriptions of nests and eggs of North American Birds. The term 'North Ameri- can' in this connection implies all the territory north of the present Southern United States boundary, including Greenland and the penin- sula of Lower California, with the islands naturally belonging thereto. All species and subspecies have been excluded from this list, of which no authentic account of either their nests or eggs has been ob- tained. Additional information regarding the nesting and eggs of various species, which has come to hand while the work was in pro- gress of printing, will be found in the Appendix. A Supplement to the A. O. U. Code and Check-List* has recently been issued containing Additions, Eliminations and Changes of No- menclature. The species and subspecies that have been interpo- lated, and indicated by the double asterisk (**), are repeated in the Ap- pendix with their proper numbers, as given in tlie A. O U. Supple- ment, and additional species are here also included, of which a reliable description of their nests and eggs was obtained. All stragglers or accidental visitors have their respective numbers to the left in brackets. For an explanation of the authority of names, Canon L. (page 56) of the A. O. U. Code may be quoted : " The authority for a specific or subspecific name is the first describer of the species or subspecies. When the first describer of the species or sub- species is not also the authority, it is to be enclosed in parenthesis ; e. g., Turdus migratorius L., or Merula migratorta (L)." The nomenclature followed in this and former editions, the meas- urements used, etc., are stated in Note on page I. No attempt has been made to describe the birds. For an analytical description of these, the reader is referred to such works as Cones' Key to North American Birdsf or Ridgway's Manual. \ While I am indebted to the '•' Supplement to the Code of Nomenclature and Check List of North American Birds adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union. Prepared by the Committee of the Union. New York: American Ornithologists' Union. 1889. L. S. Foster, Publisher, 35 Pine street, New York, N. Y. f Key to North American Birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the Continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General Ornithology: an outline of the struc- ture and classification of birds; and Field Ornithology: a manual of collecting, preparing and preserving birds. The third edition, exhibiting the new nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union, and including descriptions of additional species, etc. By Elliott Coues, M. A., M. D., Ph. D., etc., etc. Pro- fusely illustrated. Boston; Estes and Lauriat. 1887. | A Manual of North American Birds. By Robert Ridgway. Illustrated by 464 outline drawings of the generic characters. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1887. books and periodical literature devoted to the subject for information gleaned from them, my acknowledgments are especially due a large number of active field ornithologists and oologists who have kindly placed at my disposal, their notes containing original observations on the nesting and eggs of various birds. Others have furnished descrip- tions of nests and eggs from specimens in their private collections which, in many cases, were otherwise scarcely obtainable. The words "Egg Check lyist and Key" have been dropped from the title-page of the present edition. OLIVER DAVIE. Columbus, Ohio, June 24, 1889. INTRODUCTION. THE present edition of this work is greatly enlarged and improved, and the effort has been made to have it include all that is known regarding the nesting of all species of North American Birds. Oology has made rapid strides during the last lew years, and eggs of birds which were almost unknown a few years ago are now com- paratively common. This is principally due to the greater number of collectors in the field, and to the intelligent efforts that have been made to secure the eggs of those that were especially desired. As a Science, however, it has much to contend with. An animal, a bird, an insect, or a plant, in almost every instance, will carry its identification with the specimen. It is not always so, however, with an egg. Those of many species so closely resemble each other that they are often worthless unless the parent bird has been either well seen or shot. It is true that the nest, together with data as to its posi- tion, will frequently be of the greatest assistance in determining to what species the eggs belong, but in the case of any rare and little known species, the only satisfactory identification is by securing the parent bird. The mere comparison of eggs will not answer as a means of iden- tification. There is far more variation in the size, shape, and colora- tion of eggs of the same species than most persons are aware of, and to pick out of a large series a really typical set of some kinds is a matter of considerable difficulty. An egg is a difficult object to properly describe, especially as it is only lately that any intelligent effort has been made to set forth the ground tints or the markings. Concerning the number of eggs laid by certain species, there have been more mistakes made by writers than about any other subject con- nected with Oology. Especially has this been the case with the Rap- tores, and in this work the effort has been made to present reliable in- formation on that point. J. P. N. 07 ILLUSTRATIONS. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER AND NEST, PIED-BILLED GREBES AND NEST, TUFTED PUFFINS AND NESTING BURROW, . WOOD DUCKS AND NESTING PLACE, FLAMINGOS AND NESTS, SWALLOW-TAILED KITE AND NEST, BURROWING OWL AND NESTING BURROW, . CHIMNEY SWIFTS AND NESTS, TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER AND NEST, BALTIMORE ORIOLE AND NEST, . PARULA WARBLER AND NEST, AMERICAN DIPPERS (WATER OUZELS) AND NEST, NEST OF CALIFORNIA BUSH-TIT, PLATE I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII -' •32L NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. NOTE. — The nomenclature followed in the present edition of this work is that of the American Ornithologists' Union Code and Check-List.* The numbers to the right in brackets are those of Professor Ridgway's nomenclature, which were used in former editions. The measurements of the eggs are given in inches and hundredths, except in such cases where correspondents have furnished the measurements in millimeters. These will be found reduced to inches and hundredths in foot notes, as appears in the text of the Western Grebe. 1. jEchmophorus occidentalis (LAWR.) [729.] 'Western Grebe. Habitat: Western North America. This is the largest of the Grebes in North America. Its distribu- tion extends from Mexico and Lower California on the south, to Wash- ington Territory and the Red River region on the north, breeding nearly throughout this entire range. A common summer resident at Utah Lake and also at Lake Mal- heur, in Eastern Oregon, thence eastward to the extensive marshes of Shoal Lake, in Manitoba, where it breeds abundantly. Mr. Edward Stebbins found it breeding in an arm of Devils Lake, Dakota, in the first part of June, at which time all the eggs were more or less incubated. He estimates the number of nests observed to be about two hundred in an area of an acre and a half. They were built in water three or four feet deep, and were made of reeds and sedges matted together and fastened to the tall, rank grass, so as to float on the surface. It is a remarkable fact that the Grebes cover their nests with * The Code of Nomenclature and Check-List of North American Birds adopted by the American Orni- thologists' Union. Being the report of the Committee of the Union on Classification and Nomenclature. New York: American Ornithologists' Union, 1886. 2 NESTS AND EGGS OF weeds and other vegetable matter before leaving them, so that incuba- tion may continue during their absence. Only a few of the nests observed by Mr. Stebbins were covered ; the tall grass obstructed the view of the birds, so that when approached they would hurriedly slip off the nests, and leave the eggs exposed. The only birds seen were those in the vicinity of the nests, and they swam away with their heads and necks above water, making a kind of cackling noise. In their habits they resemble the Loon, diving or swim- ming under water with the greatest ease ; and, when on the wing, they fly with wonderful rapidity for birds of their nature. The eggs of this species are from two to five in number, elliptical oval in shape, very pale bluish green in color ; and, like all Grebes' eggs, the surface is stained a light brown, or very much soiled by con- tact with the decomposed vegetable matter of the nests. Mr. Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, California, has a set of five eggs in his collection, which were taken at Washoe Lake, Nevada, in the latter part of May. These measure as follows: 59x39, 63x39, 58.5 x 38, 60 x 38, 59 x 39.5 mm.* Three sets in my collection, two of five eggs and one of four, taken by Mr. Stebbins, measure: 2.32x1.58, 2.40x1.57, 2.50x1.53, 2.46x1.58, 2.48x1.60; 2.14x1.48, 2.27x1.54, 2.30x1.63, 2.29x1.58, 2.28x1.53; 2.44x1.52, 2.37x1.47, 2.52x1.44, 2.45x1.47. The bird known as Clark's Grebef is probably the female of s£. occidentalis.\ 2. Colymbus holbcellii (REINH.) [731.] Holbcell's Grebe. Hab. North America at large, including Greenland. Also Eastern Siberia, and southward to Japan. Breeds in high latitudes, migrating south in winter. In the large bodies of water, the little bayous and sloughs, rivers and grassy pools from Northern Maine to Greenland ; from the swamps of the Red River Valley of the North, and again, westerly and north- ward to the margins of the placid lakes that border the great Yukon River in Alaska, and beyond, this Grebe makes its summer home.§ In the Fur Countries it breeds in lonely and retired places, such as in the tussocks of wiry grass that border the Waterhen River and Long Lake in Manitoba. It is said to breed abundantly at these places, and often where it is quite common during the breeding season, its *2.32xl.54, 2 48x1.54, 2.30x1.50, 2.36x1.50, 2,32x1.56. fPlaced in the " Hypothetical List" of the A. O. U. Check-List. \Cf. Henshaw, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, 1881, pp. 214-218; B. B. and R., Water Birds N. Am., II, p. 423; Bryant, Auk., II, pp. 313-314. ji The summer home of a bird is generally understood to be its breeding place. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 3 presence may not be detected after many weeks stay about its haunts. The nest is built similar to that of the common Dabchick, and like other Grebes this species covers its eggs before leaving them, with grass and vegetable matter from the bottom of the nest. A set of three eggs, collected by H. A. Wallace, in the marshes bordering Long Lake in Manitoba, exhibit the following dimensions : 2.15x1.20, 2.15x1.22, 2.17x1.14. Their color is a dull white, with the usual soiled surface. Eggs in a large series vary from a whitish to a greenish white, and there is also a great variation in size, as they measure from 2.05 to 2.55 long by i. 20 to 1.50 broad. The number of eggs laid by this species ranges from two to five, and sometimes seven. 3. Colymbus auritus LINN. [732.] Horned Grebe. Hab. Northern Hemisphere. Breeds from the Northern United States northward. The Horned Grebe is a generally diffused and an abundant species throughout North America. It is not uncommon in all suitable places, during the summer months, along the margins of the crystal lakes and rivers of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and it is recorded as breeding sparingly in Northwestern Illinois. Mr. Frank W. Langdon makes note of its supposed nesting in Ottawa county, Ohio.* It breeds commonly in the grass-bordered lakes of the Fur Countries. Dr. Coues says : " I found it breeding at various points in Northern Dakota, as along the Red River, in the prairie sloughs, with Coots, Phalaropes, and various Ducks, and in pools about the base of Turtle Mountain in company with P. calif ornicus and the Dabchick. "f Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith records it breeding in all suitable places throughout Ontario, " notably at St. Clair Flats. "J A curious habit of this and other Grebes is that of quietly sinking beneath the surface of the water, or, as it were, like a snownake, melt- ing away with scarcely a ripple. The nest of the Horned Grebe, like all others of the family, is simply a floating mass of decayed vegetation fastened to the rushes and reeds in shallow water. The eggs are from two to seven in num- ber, four being the usual nest complement ; their shape is more of an oval form than is generally noticeable in the eggs of the Grebes ; they * Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh: Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. Vol. Ill, pp. 220-232. f Birds of the Northwest, p. 732. | The Birds of Ontario, being a list of Birds observed in the Province of Ontario, with an Account of their Habits. Distribution, Nests, Eggs, etc. By Thomas Mcllwraith, Superintendent of the Ontario Dis- trict for the Migration Committee of the American Ornithologists' Union. Published by the Hamilton Asso- ciation. Hamilton: A. Lawson & Co., Printers. 1886. 4 NESTS AND EGGS OF are bluish-white in color, with the usual discolorations on the surface. They vary from 1.60 to 1.85 in length, and from i.io to 1.20 in breadth. 4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (HEERM.) [7330.] American Eared Grebe. Hab. Northern and Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley westward. In most of the States and Territories west of the Mississippi River, this species breeds more or less abundantly in suitable locali- ties, and its breeding range is almost as extensive as its habitat. It has been found nesting in the grassy lagoons of Texas, in the fresh water ponds of California, the pools and sloughs of Eastern Oregon, the alkali lakes of Colorado, Kansas, and the Territory of Wyoming, in the little inlets of the larger bodies of water in Dakota and Minnesota, thence northward to the inland waters of British America. This Grebe, in common with the others, is justly noted for its expertness in diving and swimming, and, like all true divers, it is awkward on land. From the posterior position of the legs these birds stand almost upright, so that they have more the air of a small kan- garoo than of a bird. Its general breeding habits are like others of the family, nesting, however, in more open situations, in flags and rushes, or upon a float- ing foundation in shallow water. In the absence of the bird the eggs are covered with debris. The habit of covering the eggs among the Grebes is either for the purpose of concealing them from enemies, such as Hawks and Gulls, or that upon the artificial heat, pro- duced by the decayed vegetation, they are more or less dependent for the hatching of their eggs. When thus covered, the birds are known to remain away from, their nests during the entire daytime. The eggs of this species are four to eight in number, and in Minnesota, Dakota and Wyoming, they are deposited in the first part of June. They are elongated in shape, bluish white in color, but soon become soiled by the wet material of the nest. The measurement of eight eggs, collected in the marshes of Red Lake, Minnesota, on the 7th of June, are as follows: 1.79x1.31, 1.75x1.20, 1.73x1.25, 1.70x1.15, 1.80x1.23, 1.79 x 1.25, 1.73 x i. 20, and 1.73 x 1.18. A set of four eggs from Dakota has a decidedly buff ground color instead of the usual bluish white. 5. Colymbus dominicus LINN [734.] St. Domingo Grebe. Hab. Texas and Southern California, southward through Tropical America to Paraguay, including the West Indies. Here is the smallest of our Grebes. It has a breeding range ex- NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 5 tending from the Valley of the Rio Grande southward into the tropical regions, nesting in the wild herbage of the lakes and ponds of Mexico and Central America, in many of the islands of the West Indies, and the slonghs of the immense level, tropical plains and pampas of South America. Its entire life is spent in the water, and it possesses the same aquatic habits peculiar to all the Grebes. Dr. James C. Merrill was the first to establish the claim of this species as belonging to our North American fauna. He found it a rather common resident in Southwestern Texas. On May 16, 1877, he found several nests, undoubtedly belonging to this species, in a salt rnarsh a few miles from Fort Brown. "They were made of water plants and pieces of reeds slightly fastened to one or two tule stalks, and forming a wet, floating mass. No eggs were obtained."* The eggs are described as a " pale, chalky, greenish white," with the usual discolorations. They vary in size from 1.25 to 1.50 long by .85 to i.oo broad. 6. Podilymbus podiceps (LINN.) [735.] Pied-billed Grebe. Hab. British Provinces southward to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Chili, including the West Indies and the Bermudas, breeding nearly throughout its range. Thick-billed and Carolina Grebe, Pied-bill Dabchick, Dipper, Water-witch, "Devil-diver," and "Hell-diver" are some of the names applied to this Grebe. Most of these refer to its wonderful powers of disappearance under water, and by one or more of these names it is known to every boy who has wandered with a gun along any of our creeks and rivers. It is a common bird throughout its range. The nest of the Dabchick is a little floating island of decaying rushes, reeds or grass, mixed with mud and debris brought up from the bottom of the slough or reedy pool in which it is built. The structure is fastened to the flags and aquatic plants ; these are pulled down and piled upon each other till the nest rises two or three inches above the water. Mr. A. M. Shields informs me that in the neighborhood of Los Angeles, Cal., this species is very abundant — any lake or pond without the presence of two or three little Grebes seems very barren indeed. It nests about the middle of May. The number of eggs laid by this species ranges from six to nine ; the complement, however, is usually seven, and their average size is * Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas, being a list of Birds observed in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas, from February, 1876, to June, 1878. By James C. Merrill, Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. Vol. I, pp. 118-173. 6 NESTS AND EGGS OF 1.72 x 1.17. In Kansas, in the latter part of May, a number of nests were found containing from five to ten eggs each.* This species, like other Grebes, during the process of incubation, conceals its eggs with a covering of weeds and other vegetable material during the day, "and they are uncovered at dusk by the bird, who in- cubates them until the morning sun relieves her of her task." 7. Urinator imber (GUNN.) [736.] Loon. Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds from the Northern States northward ; ranges in winter south to the Gulf of Mexico. The Loons are large, heavy birds, with flattened bodies and rather long necks ; the legs are placed far back in the body, giving them great propelling power in the water. They are the most expert of all divers, disappearing beneath the water at the flash of a gun. In North America the present species is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific, breeding from about latitude 42° northward within the Arctic circle. Mr. Edson A. McMillan informs me that they are quite' common in the lakes of the Adirondack mountain region during the breeding season, which is about the first part of June. Here they breed on the same islands occupied as breeding grounds by the Amer- ican Herring Gull, Larus argentattis smiths oni anus . He says that of nine different Loons' nests which he examined, none of them con- tained material of any kind ; they were simply hollows in the sand where the eggs were deposited. In Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin and other localities the birds are known to build a roughly-formed hollow of sticks, weeds, sod and water grass. The Loon's eggs are very dark-looking, of an olivaceous brown, sometimes olivaceous drab, spotted and blotched with a very dark brown. In shape they are narrowly oval, occasionally very much lengthened. The number laid is two, sometimes three ; in size they vary from 3.40 to 3.90 long by 2.10 to 2.38 broad. Two eggs in my possession collected by Mr. McMillan measure 3.63 x 2.26, 3.44 x 2.25. 8. Urinator adamsii (GRAY). [737.] Yellow-billed Loon. Hab. Arctic America, west of Hudson's Bay. Casual in Northern Europe and Asia. This species is also known as the White-billed Loon. The bill is of a light yellowish color, and the general dimensions of the bird are greater than those of the last species. It breeds in the large lakes and ponds west of Hudson's Bay, northward to the shores of the Arctic * "Ornithologist and Oologist," a monthly magazine devoted to the study of Birds, their Nests and Eggs. Volume X, p. 166. Published by Frank B. Webster, Boston, Mass. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 7 Ocean. In the large bodies of waters throughout Alaska it is said to be common, where its melancholy cry can be heard during the breed- ing season. In its nesting and general habits it resembles the com- mon Loon, and the eggs are said to be indistinguishable except in their size, which, like the bird, average a little larger. 9. Urinator arcticus (LINN). [ 738.] Black-throated Loon. Hab. Northern part of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America migrating south in winter to the Northern States. The Black-throated Diver is a bird which is more or less common in the northern regions of the globe. It breeds commonly throughout the interior of Norway and Sweden, and far up into Lapland. In most parts of the British Islands this Loon is considered of rare occurrence. On the little islands of the fresh water lochs, from the middle portion of Scotland northward to the islands beyond John O'Groat's House — the Orkeny and Shetland — this species is known to breed as well as on the Hebrides on the west coast. In North America it occurs as far south as the United States. On the Pacific coast it is replaced by the next species, U. pacificus. Like all the Loons, its home is on the water ; it is awkward and almost helpless on land. Its progress under water has been estimated to be not less than eight miles an hour. The Black-throated Loon constructs its nest of a small quantity of herbage, in which is formed a hollow, on the sandy banks of small islands in lakes. A set of two eggs of this species collected June 5, 1884, in Iceland, is in the collection of J. Parker Norris. These are "hair brown" in color, marked with small spots of olive. They meas- ure, respectively, 3.40 x 2.11, 3.37 x 2.15. 10. Urinator pacificus (LAWR.) [739.] Pacific Loon, Hab. Pacific Coast of North America, south in winter to Cape St. Lucas and Guadalupe Island. As its name implies, the Pacific Diver is confined to the West, and the above habitat clearly indicates its range. It breeds abundantly in the Arctic regions — on the islands in the lakes and bays of Alaska — in the marshes of the Yukon River, and it has been found breeding in considerable numbers at Fort Anderson. It breeds commonly in the innumerable lakes and ponds of the Nearer Islands, Alaska.* The nest of this Loon is made in a decayed mass of vegetation * This group forms the westernmost portion of the Aleutian chain; they are so designated because they lie nearest the Asiatic Coast. 8 NESTS AND EGGS OF similar to a Grebe's nest, and often it is a mere hole in trie turf in which the eggs are deposited. Sometimes the depression is found to be scantily lined with feathers. One hundred and five nests observed by Mr. MacFarlane, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, contained no more than two eggs each.* The eggs are described as having a ground color, varying from a deep umber to a pale greenish-gray and in size measuring from 2.95 to 3.25 long by 1.85 to 2.00 in breadth. 11. Urinator lumme (GUNN.) [740.] Red-throated .Looii. Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, migrating southward in winter nearly across the United States. This little Loon breeds in high latitudes. It is also a bird of the Old World, where its breeding range is about the same as that of the Black-throated Diver. It is not an uncommon summer resident of New Brunswick, and it breeds in company with the common Loon in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the islands of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf. In the large lakes and ponds of Manitoba it is a tol- erably common summer resident, and particularly in the Red River valley. From these places northward to Alaska, and in the Arctic regions it breeds more or less abundantly in all suitable places. In Labrador it breeds in the first part of June ; in Hudson Strait eggs may be collected from the middle of June to the middle of July. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar says that on the islands and along the coast of Labrador this species nests on the edge of the smaller ponds, these often being mere pools of surface water. The birds make no nest, but deposit their eggs in a bare hollow space on the ground, usually not over one foot from the water's edge.f Two eggs are laid, and the color varies from deep reddish-brown to grayish-green, sparsely spotted with brownish-black. In size they vary from 2.65 to 3.00 long by 1.70 to 1.85 broad. A set of two eggs collected by J. N. McFadden, on Resolution Island, Hudson Strait, June 18, measure 2.74x1.78, 2.72 x 1.81. 12. Lunda cirrhata PALL. [745.] Tufted Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from California to Alaska, and from Japan to Bering's Strait. Accidental on the coast of Maine. A curious bird with a parrot-like bill, hence the name of Sea Par- rot which is applied to all the Puffins. This species breeds on the isl- ands along the Pacific coast, from the Farallons northward to the islands of Bering Sea. Its general color is black, with a conspicuous * Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's Water Birds, Vol. II, p. 457. t Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, p. 2. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. white face mask; long, floating yellow ear-tufts, "bent like the horns of a ram " ; the legs are red, the beak is red and green, making alto- gether a grotesque looking creature. The birds deposit their single egg in crevices of rocks ; a burrow is often dug in the guano, which has for ages accumulated on these islands ; sometimes a few pieces of weeds are found in the bottom of the cavity, but often no material is used as a nest lining. Mr. W. O. Emerson, who has collected extensively on the Faral- lone Islands, says that one of the birds may always be seen at the entrance of their nesting places on guard duty ; they are among the most noisy of the sea birds, always screaming while out on the rocks, and constantly "growling" while in their burrows. Fresh eggs may be collected in the middle of June. Mr. Emerson informs me that he has taken fresh eggs and young birds in the latter part of July. One pair will rear two or three birds in a season. The eggs have a ground color varying from a pure white to a yellowish buff. Some have a circle of lilac markings about one or both ends. Eggs will be found in a large series having tan colored spots over the entire surface ; others have lines and zigzag markings, while some seem to be immaculate, but upon close examination deep- lying shell markings are noticeable. Four eggs measure 2.87x1.88, 2.83 x 1.86, 2.84 x 1.86, 2.82 x 1.89. In a paper entitled " Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands,"* based principally upon Mr. Emerson's "matchless collection of birds and eggs, and his notes regarding them," the author, Mr. Walter E. Bryant, says : " I have carefully measured fifty puffin's eggs, which average 70.2 x 48.4 mm. f The individual proportions of eight eggs, showing the greatest and smallest extremes of both diameter, are 81x50, 77x48,74x50, 71.5x51, 71x46, 65.5x45, 64x50,63.5x50 mm."! 13. Fratercula arctica (LINN.) [743.] Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. Breeding on the North American coast from the Bay of Fundy northward, south in winter to Long Island, and casually further. The Common Puffin is found exclusively in the waters of the Atlantic, breeding on the eastern coast of North America from Maine to Greenland. In Europe it breeds from Great Britain to the northern coast of Norway. The nest is made in a burrow in the earth, dug by the birds. Far north thousands breed in the fissures of rocky cliffs and in the sides of * Read before the California Academy of Sciences, December 19, 1887. t 2.76x1.90. J 3.19x1.97, 3.03x1.89, 2.91x1.97, 2.81x2.01, 2.79x1.81, 2.58x1.77, 2.56x1.97, 2.50x1.97. 10 NESTS AND EGGS OF bluffs ; two birds are often found sitting, each on its egg, in the same burrow. The eggs are deposited late in June and in July. Mr. Frazar found these birds abundant on the coast of Labrador. An island of two or three hundred acres in extent was covered with Puffin burrows ; about a thousand nests examined contained one egg each, while in a dozen others there were but two eggs to a nest. The greater part of these were plain, dull white ; others were more or less thickly spotted, with obscure chocolate and reddish-brown markings ; a num- ber had distinct brown spots, blotches and tracings, such as are seen in the Murre eggs.* The sizes range from 2.25 to 2.85 in length by 1.45 to 1.85 in breadth. 13«. Fratercula arctica glacialis (TEMM.) [743*2.] Large-billed Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the Arctic Ocean, from Spitzbergen to Baffin's Bay. This bird is like the last, but greater in size, the bill larger and differently shaped. It breeds in the far north, on the islands of Baffin's Bay and along the coasts of Greenland — nesting in the same manner as arctica. The eggs are not distinguishable. According to Prof. Ridgway they average larger than F. arctica. ,f 14. Fratercula cornicuiata (NAUM.) [744.] Horned Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kurile Island"; to Sitka. The Horned Puffin breeds on the bleak rocky islands of the polar seas. It is found along the coast of Alaska, is common in the Northern Pacific Ocean and on nearly all the islands of Behring's Sea. It takes its name from the slender, upright horns of the upper eye-lids. The term "horns," however, is regarded by some as mis- leading. In the living bird the horns are said to be only soft, flexible caruncles or wattles. The nest-holes of this species are in the deep, narrow interstices of rocks, seldom within the reach of a man's arm, and, except in the absence of the bird, it is hazardous to attempt to rob the nest. Like the Tufted Puffin, Lunda cirrhala it often inflicts a severe wound with its powerful bill. The nest cavities are lined with grass, moss, etc. A single egg is laid, which is oblong-oval in shape, pure white in color and the shell is rough, measuring 2. 74 x 1.84. 15. Cerorhinca monocerata (PALL.) [746.] Rhinoceros Anklet. Hab. coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding southward to California and Japan ; in winter, south to Lower California. On the islands of the Pacific coast, from Washington Territory * Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XII, pp. 2-3. t Manual North American Birds, p. 11. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 11 northward, the Horned-billed Auk is said to breed in abundance. Eggs of this species have been collected on the Farallones, and the bird was thought to breed on the islands farther south. It is nocturnal in its habits, remaining throughout the daytime in crevices among the rocks and burrows in the ground, where it deposits its single egg. This is similar to the egg of the Horned Puffin — dull, chalky white, with dis- colorations and faint shell markings of obscure purplish-gray. Sizes range from 2.65 to 2.90 long by 1.80 to 1.90 broad. 16. Ptychoramplms aleuticus (PALL.) [751.] Cassin's Anklet. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from the Aleutian Islands to San Diego, breeding southward to the Farallones. Mr. Emerson found this species abundant on the Farallones. It is nocturnal in its habits, flying and roving about during foggy, stormy or moonlight nights, but never at dusk. After dusk, however, they come out of their holes in the rocks all over the island, and can be heard calling to one another their peculiar notes, chee-rie-kee, chee-rie- kee. This Auk does not burrow in the ground like the Puffins or other species that inhabit the Farallones. Any convenient crevice or hole in a pile of rocks which affords a hiding-place suits this species for the purpose of depositing its single egg. Mr. Bryant, in his paper " Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Isl- ands." says that this Auk arrives early in the year, coming in great numbers in the night of January 14, 1887. Two and three young are supposed to be reared in a season. Young birds in the down have been taken in September. Considering the size of this species, it lays a very large egg. The bird measures eight to nine and a half inches in length, or about the size of a full-grown Woodcock, while its egg averages 2.25 x 1.47. At first appearance the egg seems to be white, but upon holding it to the light it is a delicate shade of emerald green. The shell is finely gran- ulated, and the general shape of the egg is ovate, some more pointed than others. Two extreme examples measure as follows: 1.97x1.42, 1.65 x 1.22. 17. Cyclorrhynchus psittacnlus. (PALL.) [747.] Paroquet Auklet. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from the Aleutian and Kurile Islands northward. A bird of the open sea, only visiting land for the purpose of breeding; known also by the name of Pug-nosed Auk. It is dis- tributed irregularly throughout the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, being quite common on the Prybilof and Aleutian 12 NESTS AND EGGS OF Islands during the breeding season, which begins about the middle of May. For its nesting place this Auk selects a deep crevice in the face of some inaccessible cliff; the cavity is often winding, and it is exceed- ingly difficult to obtain the eggs. Even on islands where hundreds of these birds are found breeding the cavities can not be opened, except by the means of dynamite or blasting powder, which, if used, would destroy the eggs. A single egg is deposited on the bare surface of the cavities; it is generally an oblong-oval shape with rounded ends, chalk-white or bluish in color, and the shell rough. The average size is 2.12 x 1.46. 18. Simorhynchus cristatellus (PALL.) [748.] Crested Anklet. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kadiak and Japan northward. The Crested or Snub-nosed Auk, like the last, inhabits the coasts and islands of the North Pacific. This little bird has a beautiful crest on the forehead of twelve to twenty feathers ; it is about two inches long, and curls gracefully forward upon the bill. Its nesting habits are like those of the C. psittaculus. On the islands of Bering Sea its breeding season extends from May to August. The egg averages 2.14 x 1.45. 20. Simorhynchus pusillus (PALL.) [750.] Least Auklet. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitkaand Japan northward to Bering's Strait. One of the most characteristic of the waterfowl frequenting the Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. By the ist to the 6th of June they arrive in great numbers on these islands, and begin to lay. It is said to be comically indifferent to the proximity of man, and can be ap- proached almost within an arm's length before taking flight, sitting upright and eyeing one with great wisdom and profound astonish- ment. Dr. Coues says: "This curious little bird, the smallest of all the Auks, and one of the least of all water birds, inhabits the coasts and islands of the North Pacific, resorting to favorite breeding places by millions, with >S. psittaculus and S. cristatellus. The nesting is similar, the single egg being laid in the recesses of rocky shingle over the water; size 1.55x1.12."! The bird is not known to come south so far as the United States. 21. Synthliboramphus antiquus (GMEL.) [753» 759-1 Ancient Mnrrelet. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward. Accidental in Wis- consin. The Black-throated Guillemot, or Murrelet, is found in the Pacific •fKey to North American Birds, p. 809. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 13 Ocean, breeding on the islands and along the coasts from Sitka north- ward. Nests that have been found of this species were in holes in banks, or in burrows in the ground, similar to those of the Petrels. On some of the islands of Bering Sea, however, the birds are known to deposit their eggs in the crevices of cliffs. A single egg is laid, pale buff in color, with small longitudinal markings, somewhat subdued, of lavender gray and a light brown. Sizes range from 2.15 to 2.50 long by 1.40 to 1.55 broad. 23. Brachyramphus marmoratus (GMEL.) [755.] Marbled Murrelet. Hab. Coast and islands of the North Pacific; on the American coast from San Diego northward, and breeding as far south at Vancouver Island. This is another of the diminutive Murres confined to the Pacific Ocean. There seems to be little known concerning its nidification, but its nesting habits and eggs are said to resemble those of the Ancient Murrelet, >$". antiqmts. They are ovate in shape, ground color buffy, marked with various shades of brown. Size, 2.14x1.42. 26. Brachyramphus craveri (SALVAD.) [758.] Craveri's Murrelet. Hab. Island of Natividad, Gulf of California. Craveri's Murrelet, of plain dark, slaty plumage above, and entirely pure white beneath, breeds on the islands at the southern portion of Lower California, in the vicinity of Cape St. Lucas. It nests in bur- rows in the ground, and its general habits in all respects are said to be the same as those of S.antiquus. It deposits a single egg, which is ovate in shape, of a yellowish or buff ground color, thickly dotted, sprinkled and marked with blackish-brown. Average size 2.03 x 1.40. 27. Cepphus grylle (LINN.). [760, fart.] Black Guillemot. Hab. Coasts of Northern Europe, south to Denmark and British Islands; coast of Maine, south in winter to Philadelphia; Newfoundland (?) In Europe this species breeds from the northern coasts of the British Islands to the Arctic Ocean. It is resident on the north coast of Ireland. Breeds commonly on the Hebrides, Orkneys and other islands on the coast of Scotland. A very common species along the entire coast of Norway. In North America it breeds on the islands off the coast of Maine ; on Grand Manan and other smaller islands it is found in countless numbers about the middle of June, depositing its eggs in the nooks and crevices of rocks, and in all sorts of places which offer shelter above high water mark. The eggs are laid on the bare surface of the rock, with no attempt at nest building. So skillful 14 NESTS AND EGGS OF is the bird in hiding away its eggs that they are sometimes found hid- den away in subterranean caves.* Two, and rarely three eggs are laid, and they are indistinguishable from those of the following species, but average larger. 28. Cepphus mandtii (LIGHT.) [760, part.} Mandfs Guillemot. Hab. Arctic regions of both continents; south on the Atlantic coast of North America in winter to New Jersey, breeding to Hudson's Bay and Labrador; Alaskan coast, south in winter to Norton Sound. The Sea Pigeon, as it is called, breeds abundantly on the coast and islands of the North Atlantic. It is very abundant from Labrador and Hudson's Bay northward, nesting in the holes and crevices of rocks, often in the most inaccessible places. The eggs are laid in June and July. The usual complement is two, often three. These vary from white to a pale greenish-white, light drab yellow or buff, marked irregularly with spots and blotches of different shades of brown and black, thickest at the great end, where they are usually almost a con- fluent ring; they are oval or elliptical in form; size about 2.30x1.55, but, like nearly all eggs in a large series, there is a great variation in the size, shape, and also in the style of markings, etc. 29. Cepphus columba Pall. [761.] Pigeon Guillemot. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, southward from Bering's Strait to Northern Japan and Southern California. On the Pacific coast of North America this species is found breed- ing from San Nicholas Island northward to the islands of Bering Sea. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger says that it is a very common bird on Bering and Copper Islands ; its eggs were collected at the latter place June i6th.f It is quite common on the Farallones. Mr. Emerson says egg- laying begins about the first of May, or shortly after, and continues into July. Two eggs is the number laid, and they are deposited in the crevices of rocks or in dark nooks under boulders, often near the water's edge. If the eggs are taken the foolish bird will lay again in the same place. The favorite resting place of these birds is on the rocks just above the foaming surf, where they sit in pairs and " con- verse " with one another in low whistling notes. In a large series of eggs the ground color varies from light pearl gray to greenish-blue ; their general shape is like that of the Gulls' eggs, rounded oval at the large end and pointed at the smaller. The * See " Notes on Some of the Birds of Grand Manan," by C. H. Andros, Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, pp. I71M80. f Bulletin of the United States National Museum. No. 29. Results of Ornithological Explorations in the Commander Islands and Kamtschatka. By Leonhard Stejneger. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1885. P. 21. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 15 markings are of two shades of lilac ; in some they are thickly spread over the entire surface ; in others they form a circle about the larger end. Mr. Bryant gives the average measurement of twenty-five sets of two eggs each in Mr. Emerson's collection as, 61.6 by 41.4 mm.* Ex- tremes in size, 66.5 by 41.5, 58.5 by 41 millimeters.t 30. Uria troile (LINN.) [763.] Murre. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, southward on the coast of Nortn America in winter to Southern New England; breeding from Nova Scotia northward. Like all of the Auks, Murres and Puffins, this species is eminently gregarious, particularly in the breeding season. It is found in great numbers throughout the Arctic Ocean and on nearly all the islands north of Asia, Europe and America. On this side of the Atlantic it breeds from Nova Scotia northward. Tens of thousands of these birds congregate to breed on the rocky islands, depositing and incubating their single egg close to one another on the shelves of the cliffs. The birds sit side by side, and although crowded together, never make the least attempt to quarrel. Clouds of birds may be seen circling in the air over some huge, rugged bastion, forming a picture which would seem to belong to the imagination rather than the realistic. They utter a syllable which sounds exactly like murre. The eggs are so numerous as to have commercial value, and they are noted for their great variation in ground color and mark- ings. They vary from white to bluish or dark emerald-green in ground color ; occasionally unmarked specimens are found, but they are usually handsomely spotted, blotched, lined in various patterns of lilac, brown and black over the surface. In some the marking are confused zigzag lines that look like hieroglyphics. The eggs are large for the size of the bird, measuring from 3. to 3.50 long by 1.95 to 2.10 broad; pyri- forni in shape. Wa. Uria troile californica (BRYANT.) [7630.] California Murre. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding from California north to the Prybilof Islands. Mr. Emerson says that the California Murre is the most common sea fowl on the Farallone Islands, and they do not seem to diminish in number, notwithstanding the wholesale destruction of their eggs for commercial purposes. The birds begin to lay by the middle or latter part of May. Fresh eggs can be found as late as August. This is due, more or less, to the many robberies to which the birds are sub- * 2.43x1.02. t 2.62x1.63, 2.30x1.61. 16 NESTS AND EGGS OF jected, and they are compelled to lay several times before they are left undisturbed by the eggers. So telling is the effect due to constant laying that the eggs deposited in the latter part of the season are perceptibly smaller. The Western Gull, Larus occidentalis, is another enemy of this Murre ; it carries off and devours both eggs and young. So it would seem that the chances for the Murre to rear its young and launch them into the deep, blue sea, where they can take care of themselves, are not very favorable, yet these birds are found in countless numbers on the islands of the Pacific coast. Mr. Bryant, in his excellent paper,* says: " The gulls pick a murre's egg up bodily and carry it away in their capacious mouth, but do not stick their bill into it to get hold, as is stated by some writers, whose observations must have referred to the eggs already broken by the gulls or eggers." This species lays a single pear-shaped egg on the bare rock, often on the narrow shelves of cliffs, where the bird has just room enough to sit, and if unmolested will rear two and three young in a season. Like the eggs of the last species, they show a wonderful diversity of color and markings ; the ground color is white, buff, greenish of several shades, yellowish, and cinnamon. They are either unspotted or blotched or streaked with zigzag markings of brown and black. They measure from 3.30 to 3.50 long by 1.90 to 2.05 broad; occasionally as small as 2.05 in length by 1.45 in breadth. 31. Uria lomvia (LINN.) [7640.] Murre. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean, south on the Atlantic coast of North America to New Jersey. Breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward. This species has the same general habits and characteristics as the common Murre, Uria troile. Its distribution in the breeding season is about the same, and the eggs are indistinguishable. It is an abundant bird on the islands of the North Atlantic. 310. Uria lomvia arra (PALL.) [764.] Fallas's Mtirre. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific and Western Arctic Ocean. The great " egg bird" of the North Pacific, swarming at its breed- ing places on the rocky islands and shores in myriads. Its habits and nesting are the same as those of the foregoing, the eggs averaging larger, 3-2ix 2.01. * Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 17 32. Alca torda LINN. [742.] Razor-billed Auk. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the North American coast to Southern New England. The Razor-billed Auk is abundant on the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and some parts of the Polar seas. The Razor- billed Auk is about eighteen inches long, with a pointed tail and flatly compressed bill; the plumage is brownish-black above and white beneath, the black bill having a white curved line and the back part of the wing is edged with white. It breeds from the northeastern coast of Maine northward. Mr. Frazar found it common everywhere in Labrador, more so even than the Murre, Una troile, owing to its habit of breeding in less frequented places — concealing its eggs in the cracks and crevices among the rocks, where it was not apt to be disturbed. It frequents the rocky shores, and deposits its eggs in June and July, often in deep fissures of the rocks and in caverns. It very frequently lays its eggs at the entrance of inhabited puffin's burrows. Generally one egg is laid, but in about twenty in- stances Mr. Frazar found two. These are white with a creamy or bluish tint, spotted and blotched with dark brown or black, the spots often becoming confluent and generally forming a circle toward the large end; pyriform to oval in shape; size about 3.00x2.00. The eggs exhibit a great variety in the distribution and style of markings. In shape they are not distinguishable from some types of the common Guillemot, but are generally more or less ovate or elongated pear- shaped. The Razor-billed Auk breeds sparingly on the outlying rocky islands of Nova Scotia, as on Devil's Limb and Gannet rock. The bird is about eighteen inches long. In life it is said to have a particularly trim and elegant form, and its feathers are always kept perfectly clean, smooth and glossy. This Auk is said to be of quarrel- some disposition, seldom allowing a puffin or murre to alight near it without opening its bill at the intruder and disclosing a bright orange mouth. The Razor-bill rides lightly on the water and dives well. 33. Plautus impennis (LINN.) [741.] Great Auk. Hab. Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland north- ward nearly to the Arctic Circle. Believed to be now extinct. Ornithologists generally agree that the Great Auk has disap- peared from the face of the earth. Within the present generation it is one of the birds that has doubtless become extinct through the agency of man. Like the penguin, which it much resembles in general form, 18 NESTS AND EGGS OF it did not possess wings suitable for flight, those members being of very small size and only useful as fins in the water. The specific name, impennis, or wingless, is not really a correct term. The bird was easily captured when on land. A specimen is said to have been taken at St. Kilda in 1822 ; and it was once a well known bird in the Orkneys. The last specimens of the Great Auk, two in number, were taken by a party of men in an excursion to a rocky island on the coast of Ireland in 1844. The bird formerly inhabited the coast of Massachu- setts and northward to Greenland and Iceland, as we are assured by the earlier observers, and by the quantity of bones in shell-heaps. There are four preserved specimens in this country, and about seventy skins and eggs in the various museums of the world. This interesting bird is said to have once been found on Bird Rocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but those who visited this place as far back as 1835 do not mention the " Penguin " as occurring there. On the American coast the last living example is thought to have appeared on a small island off the southern coast of Newfoundland. About twenty years ago the Great Auk, it is said, was still to be found on the Penguin Islands, 250 miles north of Cape Norman, New Found- land, but of this there seems to be no satisfactory evidence. Mr. R. Dean records one "found dead in the vicinity of St. Augustine, Lab- rador, in 1870."* This one, though in poor condition, sold for $200, and was sent to Europe. Concerning the character, date and dis- position of the specimen, however, there appears to be some question, and it is not likely that the bird lived down to so recent a date. The bird is said to have been a remarkable swimmer, moving upon and under the water with extraordinary rapidity, a specimen in one in- stance having been pursued by a six-oared boat and crew for hours in vain. The Great Auk, the largest of the family, measures about thirty inches in length, the wing six, tail three, bill along the gape four and a quarter. The general color of its plumage is dark above, and the under parts white, extending to a point beneath the throat; the ends of the secondaries are white. There is a white oval spot between the eyes and bill. The egg of the Great Auk was laid on the bare rock without any attempt at a nest. The egg is like that of the Razor-billed Auk, but of course much larger. Prof. Robert Ridgway gives the average size as 4.67 x2.9i.f * American Naturalist, Vol. VI, p. 368. f Manual of North American Birds, p. 19. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 19 34. Alle alle (LINN.) [752.] Dovekie. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean; in North America, south in winter to New Jersey; breeds in high northern latitudes. The little Ice-bird of the fishermen and the Sea Dove of ornithol- ogists. Its entire life is spent on the open sea, rarely visiting land ex- cept during the breeding season or when driven thence by severe storms. It breeds in the Arctic regions of America and Europe, the islands of the Arctic Ocean, and in the northwestern portion of Asia. The head and bill of this bird are formed almost exactly like that of a quail. It is very abundant at its breeding grounds in the far north, and is one of the most boreal of birds ; nesting chiefly on islands, or always in places near the sea, depositing its single pale, greenish-blue egg in the crevices of rocky cliffs. The eggs measure from 1.80 to 1.90 in length by 1.25 to 1.30 in breadth. 35. Megalestris skua (BRUNN.) [696.] Skua. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. South to Spain and Massachusetts. Rare on the coast of North America. The Skua Gull may well be called the feathered pirate of the seas. It does not congregate in flocks ; two or more pairs are seldom seen together. It is noted for its courage and daring, attacking and harass- ing gulls, forcing them to disgorge the fish which they have swal- lowed. In the Island of Unst, the most northern one of the Shetland group, it has been found breeding. The bird was given a place in the fauna of North America on the ground of its occurrence in Greenland, where its eggs are said to have been taken. The nest is simply a shal- low cavity in the long grass, lined with grass stems. The eggs are two or three in number, with an olive-green or drab ground-color, marked by irregular dark olive-brown and chocolate-colored blotches ; they measure from 2.75 to 3.00 in length, by 1.50 to 2.00 in breadth. 36. Stercorarius pomarinus (TEMM.) [697.] Pomarine Jaeger. Hab. Seas and inland waters of northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, south to Africa and Australia, and probably South America. Not known to occur in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America north of Long Island. Another of the falcon-like sea fowls, commonly called the Gull Hunter by the fishermen. Resident throughout the summer in high northern regions, chiefly within the Arctic Circle. In winter it is a great wanderer, and is known to occur on the Great Lakes, and as far as the above habitat indicates. The bird is said to live chiefly by plun- dering the Kittiwake Gull; but will attack other species, even the 20 NESTS AND EGGS OF largest. Comparatively little is known of its breeding habits ; it breeds in remote places, and is said to form a rude nest of grass and moss, situated on dry elevated spots in marshes. The eggs of all the Skuas are very similar in appearance — pale olive-green or yellowish- gray in ground-color — irregularly blotched and spotted with two shades of brown ; those of the present species are said to be thinner in form and more pointed than those of the others. Dr. Brewer describes an egg procured in Greenland as rounded-ovoid; its ground-color, deep olive-drab, sparingly spotted with slate-color and two shades of umber, chiefly at the larger end, where they become confluent. There are also a very few scattered dots of black. Size, 2.25 by 1.70. 37. Stercorarius parasiticus (LINN.) [698.] Parasitic Jaeger. Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, southward in winter to South Africa and South Amer- ica. Breeds in high northern districts, and winters from the Middle States and California southward to Brazil and Chili. The Parasitic Jaegar, like the others of this family, is eminently rapacious, and it is known as the " Man-of-War," from its habits of pursuing and robbing the terns and smaller gulls. It breeds in the interior of Arctic America, and is especially abundant in the Anderson River region. A common bird in the more northern portion of Asia and Europe. So far as known, its general habits do not differ from those of the Pomarine. It is given as the most common of the Skuas off the coast of Norway, but does not go far inland to breed. The nest of this species is made on islands or on the margins of lakes ; it is a mere depression in the ground, lined with a few grasses and withered leaves. In Greenland it is said to be a resident species, and it breeds in Iceland on the moors far inland. In the Shetland Islands this bird breeds in communities, fifty or more pairs congregating at the same place. The eggs are usually two in number, sometimes three, and are as variable in ground color and markings as those of the Eskimo Curlew. They vary from olive drab to green, gray and brown, marked with several shades of chocolate, brown and an obscure stone gray, distributed over the entire egg. Size from 2.00 to 2.40 long, and from 1.50 to 1.70 broad. 38. Stercorarius longicaudus VIEILL. [699.] Long-tailed Jaeger. Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, south in winter to the Gulf of Mexico. The same plundering habits mark the character of this bird as are peculiar to any of the Jaegers or Skuas. It is distributed in the breed- ing season throughout all parts of the region near the Arctic Circle, in NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 21 Siberia, Northern Asia, Europe and America, and on the islands of the Arctic Ocean. It breeds in Greenland and Iceland, is abundant throughout the Barren Grounds of the Arctic coast, and is said to be very numerous in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, also on the shores of Franklin Bay. It is also found breeding on several of the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Nests found in the Arctic regions are mere depres- sions in the soil, scantily lined with dry grass and leaves. Some are placed far inland near small lakes, and often there is really no nest, the eggs being laid on the bare ground. The eggs are said to be not always distinguishable from those of the Parasitic Jaeger, but average smaller ; exceptionally large specimens of 5". longicaudus are some- times as large as exceptionally small ones of ,5. parasiticus They range from 1.95 to 2.18 long, and from 1.45 to 1.55 broad. 39. Gavia alba (GUNN.) [657.] Ivory Gull. Hab. Arctic Seas, south in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America to Labrador and New Foundland, casually to New Brunswick, and on the Pacific side to Bering Sea. A bird that is resident in the Arctic regions of both hemispheres, only occasionally visiting the more temperate zones. It is said to breed the farthest north of all the gulls. Noted for its ravenous appe- tite, gorging itself with the flesh of the seal and the blubber of the whale. On the islands and along the coasts of Spitzbergen it breeds sparingly ; in like places on the coast of Northern Siberia it is abund- ant. The bird is a resident of Greenland, and the breeding season there begins about the middle of June. The nest is built on some inaccessible rock or cliff ; it is made of dry grass and lined with moss and a few feathers, forming quite a hollow. An egg is described as oblong-oval in shape, with a ground color of light yellowish-olive with small blotches of dark brown scattered over the surface. These are intermingled with more obscure brown and cloudings of lilac. Size 2.45 long by 1.70 broad. 40. Rissa tridactyla (LINN.) [658.] Kittiwake. Hab. Arctic regions, south in Eastern North America in winter to the Great Lakes and Middle States. The Kittiwake Gull is a northern species, found in the Atlantic waters of Europe and America. On the Pacific coast it is represented by the next form, pollicaris. It is one of the commonest resident species of Greenland, and according to observers it inhabits nearly all parts of the Arctic regions. Breeds on the islands of the Atlantic coast of North America, from New England northward ; an abundant species, 22 NESTS AND EGGS OF v nesting not always on the ground like most gulls, but on rocky cliffs overhanging water. On Gannet Rocks of the St. Lawrence this noisy Gull is especially numerous, where its nests are found on narrow ledges ; they are composed of grass and seaweed. Some of the nests are quite flat, while others are several inches in thickness and deeply hollowed, new material being added each year, and they are sometimes so numerous that the breeding places become very filthy and emit an intolerable odor. The eggs are two and sometimes three in number, and have a ground-color of yellowish buff, brownish-gray or pale greenish-gray, marked with irregular spots of varying shades of brown and lilac. The average size is 2.26 x 1.61. 40#. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris RIDGW. [6580;.] Pacific Kittiwake. Hab. Coasts of North Pacific and Bering Sea. This form of the Kittiwake is abundant on the islands of the North Pacific. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger records it as a common breed- ing bird, both on the islands and along the Kamtschatkan coast, and in all places suitable for rookeries they are found in astonishing num- bers. For the purpose of nesting they select the shelves and projec- tions of cliffs, the tops of walls that rise perpendicularly out of the deep sea, and especially on the high pinnacles standing lonely amidst the foaming breakers. The nesting is precisely the same as that of R. tridactyla, and the eggs are indistinguishable, except that in a large series they are said to be more uniform in their markings. 41. Rissa brevirostris (BRUCH.) [659.] Rod-legged Kittiwake. Hab. Coasts and islands of Bering Sea. The living bird of this species has coral-red legs and feet, which contrast richly with the snowy white plumage of the head, neck and under parts. An abundant species on the islands of Bering Sea. On the Prybilof group it swarms by tens of thousands to breed in the first part of May. It is especially abundant on St. George's and St. Paul's Islands. The nests, like those of the Pacific Kittiwake, are placed on almost inaccessible shelves and projections, so that seldom is a nest reached unless a person is lowered down to it on a rope passed over the cliff. Dry grass and moss cemented with mud are the materials which con- stitute the nests. The Red-legged Kittiwake is common on the islands along the NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 23 Kamtschatkan coast, notably on Copper Island, where it breeds in company with pollicaris. The eggs have a ground-color of brownish white, varying to light drab and buff, marked with blotches, sepia-brown and umber ; these are underlain by subdued shades and cloudings of lilac -gray. The average size of the egg is 2.28 x 1.66. 42. Lams glaueus BRUNN. [660.] Glaucns Gull. Hab. Arctic regions, south in North America to the Great Lakes and Long Island. North Pacific. One of the largest of the Gulls, equal in fact, to the Great Black- backed Gull, L. marinus. It is a bird of high northern range during the breeding season- inhabiting the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia and the more north- ern portions of North America. In Spitzbergen it is said to breed in immense numbers, placing the nests on the shores or low rocks and even on masses of ice. They are large structures, made of sea weed and moss. The Burgomaster Gull, as it is called, feeds on crabs and fishes ; it attacks smaller birds and also robs them of their eggs and young. It attends fishing boats for the purpose of devouring the offal which may be thrown overboard. The bird is recorded as a constant resident of Greenland. In Hudson's Bay it builds its nests on the islands in lakes and rivers, and the young are hatched in June. Wal- rus Island, one of the Prybilof group in Bering Sea, is a favorite breeding place of this gull ; here the nests are built of sea ferns and dry grass, placed among the grassy tussocks in the center of the island. The eggs are two, and sometimes three in number ; their gen- eral shape is spherically oval, and the ground color dark grayish- brown, pale ash, pale clay or a pearly white. The markings are small patches of light brown and brownish black. The sizes range from 2.95 to 3.15 long by 2.18 to 2.25 broad. * * Lams barrovianns RIDGW. Point Barrow Gull. Hab. Bering Sea and adjacent waters, northeastward to Point Barrow, southwest in winter to Japan. This new species of Gull,* whose plumage is described as resemb- ling that of the Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and whose size is inter- mediate between these two species, is found on the islands of Be- ring Sea, and its range extends as indicated in the habitat. Specimens that served for description were from the Island of St. Michaels and Point Barrow. f * Described since the publication of the A . O. U. Check List. t For details see Auk, III, p. 330, or Ridgway's Manual N. Am. Birds, p. 26. 24 NESTS AND EGGS OF Its general habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are doubtless similar to those of other Gulls. Prof. Ridgway gives the average measurement of its eggs as 3.05 x 2.03. 43. Lams leucopterus FABER. [661.] Iceland Gull. Hab. Arctic Regions, south in winter in North America to Massachusetts, and further. This Gull is precisely like the last, but smaller, and it is difficult to distinguish the two at a distance. Another common name for it is White-winged Gull. It is an Arctic species, and its distribution dur- ing the breeding season is nearly identical with that of the Burgo- master, being found in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The two species are often found nesting in the same places, and the nests are of the same construction. The eggs, however, are smaller, measuring 2.79x1.85. 44. Larus glaucescens NAUM. [662.] Glaucous-winged Gull. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska south to California; on the Asiatic side south to Japan. Almost as large a species as the Glaucous Gull or Burgomaster. It breeds on the islands of the Pacific coast from Washington Terri- tory northward. The nests are not always built on the shelving rocks of high cliffs. On the Aleutian Islands they are found among the tall grass on the highest parts of the islands, while others are built on pro- jections of rocks. Sometimes there is little or no attempt at nest- making, the eggs being laid in a slight depression of the ground. On Bering Sea and Copper Islands, on the Kamtschatkan coast, this species breeds all around the shores. Eggs have been found as early as the middle of May. These are said to be of a more greenish tinge and the spots more numerous and better defined than in those of the glaucus. Size 2.88 x 2.03. 45. Larus kumlieni BREWST. Kumlien's Gull. Hab. North Atlantic coast of North America; south in winter to the coast of the Middle States. This new species of Gull, first described by Mr. William Brew- ster,* is like glaucescens, but somewhat smaller. It is recorded as being quite common in the upper Cumberland water, where it breeds, placing the nests on shelving rocks of high cliffs. The eggs are said to be the same as those of glaucescens. * Bull. Nutt. Club., Vol. VIII., p. 216. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 25 47. Larus marinus LINN. [663.] Great Black-backed Gull. Hab. Coasts of the North Atlantic; south in winter to Long Island and Italy. The large and powerful Black-backed Gull, or Saddle-back, inhab- its the Atlantic waters of Europe and North America. Breeds in great numbers on the coast of Norway as far as North Cape. In various parts of the British Islands it is found throughout the year, especially on the islands around the coasts of Scotland, where it breeds in abun- dance. On the American coast it breeds from the Bay of Fundy north- ward to Greenland. Years ago it was known to breed quite commonly on the islands off the coast of Nova Scotia. In Labrador it is common everywhere. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar found it breeding on the small islands, placing its nests generally on some elevated spot. He seldom found more than a half dozen pairs breeding on a single island. The nests were built of dry grasses, were very bulky and deeply hollowed. He found no nests containing more than three eggs. During the breeding season the birds feed largely upon the eggs of other birds, especially upon those of the Murre and upon young Eider ducks.* The eggs of this Gull vary from a bluish-white or olive-gray to a deep yellowish brown, and are irregularly spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and lilac of different shades. The sizes vary from 2.70 to 3.20 long by 2.05 to 2.25 broad. 49. Larus occidentalis AUD. [ 664.] 'Western Gull. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, breeds from Southern California northward. The most abundant species of Gull on the California coast, breed- ing on all suitable islands. It is the only gull which breeds on the Farallones. Mr. Emerson states that on these islands the nest is built either on high ridges or low places near the shore. The material used is a dry, rank weed ; with this they construct their rather bulky nest and repair or rebuild it each year. Of their general habits Mr. Bryant says : "The gulls are indiscriminate feeders; in addition to their usual articles of diet, they subsist largely upon eggs during the summer. They do not eat the eggs of their own species, nor do they trouble the cormorants after the murres have commenced laying. Sea urchins, crabs, young murres and rabbits, and fish stolen from the cormorants' nests are eaten. Not being quick enough to swoop upon the rabbits, * Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII., p. 17. 26 NESTS AND EGGS OF they catch, them by patient watching at their burrows, and will perse- vere for fifteen minutes to swallow a squealing young rabbit, and finally fly away with the hind feet protruding. The dead bodies of Murres are also eaten ; they detach pieces of flesh by backing away and dragging the body, meanwhile shaking their head, till a piece breaks off." The eggs are deposited as early as the first part of May on the Farallones, and laying is sometimes continued into July. The usual complement is three ; but from constant robberies by the eggers, who collect eggs for the San Francisco market, often only two are laid. The same variation of ground-color and markings are to be found in these eggs as is common to all those of the gulls ; light grayish olive, clay color, bluish-white and deep yellowish-brown, spotted and blotched with umber-brown, blackish and lilac of varying shades. The average size of fifty specimens is, 2.76 x 1.94; the largest 2-99X 2.01 ; the small- est 2.56x 1.89. [50.] Lams afflnis REINH. [665.] Siberian Gull. Hab. Greenland; Asia; Europe, southward in winter to North Africa. The Siberian Gull is a rare or occasional visitor in Greenland, whereupon it claims a place in the fauna of North America. It breeds in the extreme north of Europe, notably on the shores and in the lagoons of the Petchora River in the northern part of Euro- pean Russia. The eggs are said not to differ from those of the Herring Gull. 51. Lams argentatus BRUNN [666] Herring Gull. Hab. Old World, south to the Azores; Cumberland Sound; occasional on the eastern coast of the United States. The European Herring Gull is known as an occasional visitor to the coast of Eastern North America. On the Azores, a cluster of nine islands in the Atlantic, eight hundred miles due west of Portugal, this Gull is very common, breeding on some of the islands in immense numbers. In Great Britain it is a familiar bird everywhere. It breeds in the islands on the coast of Scotland, especially the Hebrides, Shetland, Orkney and the Faroe Islands ; thence northward to Iceland. One of the most common Gulls along the coast of Norway, as far as North Cape, where they breed by thousands. Its nesting habits and its eggs are the same as those of the American bird, smithsonianus . Eggs 2.91 x 1.98. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 27 51 53 by 37> 59 by 35, mm.f Two from Copper Island, taken July 14, measure 59 by 34.75, 58 by 35, rnm.t The color and general characteristics of the eggs do not differ from those of other cormorants. 123#. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus RIDGW. [646.] Violet-green Cormorant. Hab. Coast of Alaska. On the rocky coasts and islands of Alaska the Violet-green Cormo- * 2.20x1.50,2.62x1.50. t 2.20x1.48. 2.09x1.45, 2.32x1.46. I 2.33x1.37, 2.28x1.38. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 57 rant is very abundant. Here it nests on the ledges and projections of high cliffs, making the nests of sea-weed, grasses and aquatic plants, which are cemented together with the excrements of the bird. In all respects its general habits, nesting and eggs, are similar to those of the Pelagic Cormorant. The average size of the eggs is 2.25 by 1.45. . Phalacrocorax pelagieus resplendens (Auo.) [6460.] Baird's Cormorant. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Cape St. Lucas north to Washington Territory. On the Farallones this species is less common than Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus or P. penicillatus. The nests are built more fre- quently on inaccessible places. The same rookeries are used each season, the birds repairing the nests by adding a few pieces of weed or sea kelp. Colonies of eight or ten pairs nest on the shelves of perpen- dicular or overhanging rocks. The birds will occupy the same nest after being robbed, and setting commences after the first egg is laid, in order to protect it from the gulls. Mr. Emerson says that by June the birds have begun to deposit their eggs, which are three or four in num- ber, pale greenish-blue in color, with the usual chalky coating. Mr. Bryant states that the eggs of Baird's Cormorant may usually be known by their small size, the average dimensions of thirty-six specimens (nine sets of four) are 55.5 x 36.5 mm.,* the largest 59x36, and the smallest 52x35 mm.t 124. Phalacrocorax urile (GMEL.) [647.] Red-faced Cormorant. Hab. Islands of Bering Sea and coast of Kamtschatka. The Red-faced Cormorant is a common species on the islands of Bering Sea, especially on St. George and St. Paul Islands of the Pry- bilof Group. Breeds commonly on some of the Aleutian Islands. Dr. Stejneger mentions it as being less common on Bering and Copper Isl- ands than P. pelagieus. He states that the eggs of the two species can not be confounded ; those of the Red-faced being considerably larger than those of the pelagieus, and the green color of the eggs when looked at through the shell is totally different, — much more bluish in the former, against yellow in the latter. The nests are built on the projections of the narrow shelves or ledges along the face of a cliff, the material used being seaweed, ferns, grasses, etc., which are matted together largely with the excrements of the bird itself. The young are fed on small fish, crabs and shrimps, and in a short time the nesting places become very filthy, as a large portion of the food brought by *2.19xl.44. 12.32x142,2.05x1.38. 58 NESTS AND EGGS OF the old birds is strewn over and around the nests. The eggs vary in size from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.50 to 1.55 broad. Three eggs collected by Dr. Stejneger on Copper Island, July 14, measure 61x40, 63.5x39, 66x37 mm.* 125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos GMEL. [640.] American "White Pelican. Hab. Temperate North America, north in the interior to about latitude 61°, south to Central America; rare or accidental in the Northeastern States; abundant in the Middle Province and along the Gulf coast; common on the coast of California and Western Mexico. The White Pelican is generally common west of the Mississippi, breeding from Utah northward. It was formally known to breed in various parts of Florida. Captain Charles E. Bendire found it nest- ing in large numbers on several small islands of Lake Malheur, in southeastern Oregon. It is common on various lakes in the Red River Valley, in British America. I am informed by Prof. Marcus E. Jones that several thousand of White Pelicans are permanent residents of Great Salt Lake, Utah, breeding on the islands twenty miles out in the lake. They begin to lay about the first of May or two weeks earlier, according to the season, and fresh eggs are frequently found as late as July. The usual number of eggs, he says, is two, rarely three or four. The birds make their nests on the ground between the clumps of white sage (Atriplex confer tif alia ) that grow on the islands. They scrape the sandy soil into a heap about six inches high on the outside of the nests and arrange dry twigs without system ; the nests are about a foot in diameter with a slight depression at the top. Prof. Jones says the birds travel sixty miles to catch fish for themselves and young, and they often vomit up the contents of their stomach on the ground, which, with the great heat on the islands at the nesting time, soon decay. The stench of the rookeries and the noise of the birds are almost intolerable. Captain Bendire found two to be the usual number of eggs laid, although three and four to a nest was by no means rare, and occasion- ally as many as five were found. The eggs are dull, chalky white, in color, with a calcareous deposit on them, and always more or less blood stained. Captain Bendire gives the average size to be about 3.45x2.30, and measure- ments of a few selected specimens out of several thousand are as fol- lows: 4.08x2.15,4.04x2.20,4.01x2.19, 3.99x2.20, 3.72x2.40, 3.86x 2-55> 3-87*2.32, 3.62x2.40, 3.60x2.40, 3.57x2.35, 3.20x2.51, 3.17 X2.23, 3.20x2. 2 1 ; two runt eggs, 2.6gx 1.88, 2-46x 1.73. t * 2.40x1.57, 2.50x1.54, 2.60x1.46. t Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. VII., p. 130. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 59 126. Pelecanus fuscus LINN. [641.] Brown Pelican. Hab. Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America, north to North Carolina; accidental in Illinois. This Pelican is an abundant bird, and constant resident of Florida and southward into the tropical regions. It is said, when feeding, to plunge for its prey like a gannet, and does not scoop them while swim- ming, like the White Pelican. Like the white species, however, it selects particular localities for breeding, and will return to them from year to year. Pelican Island, in the Indian River, Florida, is a noted breeding ground, where thousands congregate for this purpose. Here they breed in March and April. Mr. Stuart says they breed in large communities on the islands along the Gulf coast, most always placing the bulky nests in mangrove trees ; often as many as a dozen nests are built in a single tree. They are made of sticks and weeds, lined with grasses. Many nests are also placed on the ground. Along the gulf coast fresh eggs may be found in May and June. From two to five eggs are laid, three being the most common number. Six selected specimens measure: 2.85x1.95, 3.02x2.04, 3.03x1.87, 3.08x1.89, 3.00x2.01, 3.12x1.87. They are chalky white, and in every respect, except size, resemble those of the White Pelican. 127. Pelecanus californicus RIDGW. California Brown Pelican. Hab. Pacific coast, from Washington Territory to Mexico and beyond, and probably to Mexico and Central America. The general habits, nesting and eggs of the Brown Pelican found on the Pacific coast are exactly the same as those of P. fuscus. It is a larger bird and has a red pouch during the pairing season. It is said to breed on islands on the western coast of Mexico, and inland marshes. Breeds abundantly in Honduras, along the coasts and in the interior. 128. Fregata aquila (LINN.) [639.] Man-o'-War Bird. Hab. Tropical and subtropical coasts generally; in America, north to Florida, Texas, and California, and casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. This great bird is known by several names, such as Frigate bird, Frigate Pelican, Man-of- War's bird, and " Hurricane bird." The latter name comes from the West Indies, where its appearance is said to be prognastic of bad weather, always flying low just before a gale. It is a maritime bird inhabiting tropical and subtropical coasts of the globe, but often wanders far from its home in the tropics. A specimen, which is now in the possession of Dr. Renshaw, of Sugar Grove, Ohio, was 60 NESTS AND EGGS OF taken by Mr. Emmet Adcock in Fairneld county, Ohio, in the Spring of 1880. The Frigate bird is occasionally met with on the southern coasts of Europe and on those of Africa — on Ascension Island and the Island of St. Helena. In the Atlantic it visits the Bermudas. On the Pacific coast it wanders as far north as San Francisco, and breeds on islands off the coast of Western Mexico. It is said not to breed anywhere on the Gulf coast except at two points at Key West. This bird is noted for its majestic flight and graceful serial motions, often soaring to sublime elevations. It may be known by its immense wings and deeply forked tail, and colors of brownish-black, glossed with green. It is a constant resident of the Bahamas, breeding on some of the Keys in March. The nests are placed upon the mangroves, and are composed of sticks loosely thrown together ; sometimes they are made on the bare rocks. The Frigate bird breeds in large communities on the islands off the Pacific coast of Central America, nesting on high trees and low shrubs. A single egg is laid, of a uniform, chalky white color, and oval in shape; sizes range from 2.50 to 2.75 long, by 1.70 to i. 80 broad. 129. Merganser Americanus (CASS.) [636.] American Merganser. Hab. North America generally. The Sheldrake, Goosander or Merganser, as,it is variously called, is a common bird throughout North America, breeding from the North- ern States northward. It has lately been found breeding in New Mexico ; Mr. N. S. Goss having seen a female with four little ones July 2, on the Pecos River.* Is very abundant on fresh as well as salt waters in spring and fall. The three species of Mergansers or Shel- drakes with the " saw-bill " are commonly called " Fish Ducks." Their flesh is rank and unpalatable. The male may be recognized by his large size, white breast and green gloss on the head and neck, the lat- ter scarcely crested ; the female, which is much smaller than the male, has a deep red head and neck, with the crest better developed ; under parts salmon-tinted. The nest is made in hollow trees, after the man- ner of the Wood Duck, and is composed of moss, leaves and grasses, warmly lined with down from the bird. In Northern Maine eggs are deposited in the latter part of May or the first of June. The eggs are six or eight and sometimes ten in number ; of yellowish or buff color, and measure from 2.50 to 2.80 by 1.70 to 1.80. -Auk, Vol. IV, p. 314. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 61 130. Merganser serrator (LINN.) [637.] Red-breasted Merganser. Hab. Northern portion of Northern Hemisphere; south, in winter, throughout the United States. An inhabitant of the more northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere, being common to Europe, Asia and North America. In the latter continent it is more abundant than the M. americanns. Very common in the United States in winter, where it is found breeding in suitable localities in the months of May and June. The Red-breasted Merganser breeds abundantly in Newfoundland, Labrador, the fur countries of British America and Alaska. It is a resident of Green- land and Iceland. It nests usually on the ground among brushwood, surrounded with tall grasses and at a short distance from water ; most generally it is concealed by a projecting rock or other object. The nest is made of leaves and mosses, lined with feathers and down, which are plucked from the breast of the bird. The number of eggs in a set varies from six to twelve, usually about nine or ten ; oval or elliptical in shape, and vary in size from 2.48 to 2.65 long by 1.65 to 1.82 broad. The color is a yellowish or reddish-drab, sometimes a dull buffy-green. 131. Lophodytes cucullatus (LINN.) [638.] Hooded Merganser. Hab. North America generally, south to Mexico and Cuba. This handsome Merganser is an exclusively North American species. In suitable places throughout its range, in wooded districts near water almost wherever it occurs, it may be found breeding. It nests in hollows of trees or stumps, lining the cavities with fine grasses, leaves, feathers and down. In some localities the bird is called " Water Pheasant" and " Hairy -head." Anyone can recognize the male of this species by its striking black and white colors and its magnificent, erect, compressed, semi - circular black and white crest. The general color of the head, neck, sides and upper portions of the fe- male are grayish - brown ; white beneath, and the crest is not so promi- nent. As many as eighteen eggs have been found in a single nest ; ten or twelve, however, appear to be the most common numbers, and often as few as six are laid. They are of a delicate pearly - white, rounded oval and measure from 2.05 to 2.25 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. 132. Anas boschas LINN. [60 1.] Mallard. Hab. Northern parts of Northern Hemisphere; in America south to Panama and Cuba, breeding southward to the Northern United States. The Green-head, or Mallard, is one of the most highly esteemed 62 NESTS AND EGGS OF ducks, its habitat being nearly cosmopolitan, almost everywhere domes- ticated. It is the original of our barn-yard duck. A common bird in North America at large, breeding sparingly throughout the United States. In the sloughs and meadow marshes of the northern tier of states this duck breeds more or less abundantly in the month of June. Rare in New England, scarcely found beyond Massachusetts, and is re- placed farther northeast by the Black Mallard, or Dusky Duck. Mr. A. M. Shields writes me that this is, perhaps, the most com- mon of the ducks in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., breeding from the first of April to the last of June, selecting for its nesting place the tall grass in fields not far from a lake or river. The eggs are six to ten in number, pale, yellowish drab, or olivaceous-green, but most generally the latter color when fresh ; elliptical ; average size, 2.25 x 1.25. 133. Anas obscura GMEL. [602.] Black Duck. Hab. Eastern North America, west to Utah, Texas, north to Labrador, breeding from the Northern United States northward. The Dusky Duck, or Black Mallard, is much less common in the interior than along the Atlantic coast. The characteristic and one of the commonest ducks of New England, where it breeds at large, and from thence northeastward, but is most numerous during the migra- tions. The eggs are from six to twelve in number, usually seven or eight; are elliptical, or nearly so in shape; measure about 2.30x1.70, and vary from pale buff to pale greenish-buff. Incubation period is from the last of April to the early part of June. The nest is placed on the ground, in grass or rushes in the neighborhood of ponds, pools, and streams, in meadows and sometimes in swamps. It is a large and neatly arranged structure of weeds and grass, nicely hollowed and lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird.* In rare instances it has been known to nest in the hollow of a tree, or a " stub " project- ing from the water of a swamp. Mr. Frazar found the nest of this Duck in Labrador usually placed upon the " outreaching branches of stunted spruces," which are seldom higher than four feet. The bird may be known by its resembling the female of the Mallard, A. boschas, but darker in color. 134. Anas fulvigula. RIDGW. [603.] Florida Duck. Hab. Florida; Kansas. This is a local, lighter colored species, which is resident in Flor- ida. They are smaller than the northern birds. The eggs are de- posited during the first and second weeks in April. They are similar to those of the Black Mallard, but smaller, averaging 2.15x1.61. * Oology of New England, p. 96. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 63 135. Anas strepera LINN. [604.] Gadwall. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan. In North America breeding chiefly within the United States. The Gadwall, or Gray Duck, is a widely diffused species in most parts of the world. In North America, during the breeding season, it may be found nesting anywhere, especially south of the British Prov- inces. Common in meadows, and in grain fields near marshes and lakes in Minnesota, nesting in the middle of June and depositing from eight to twelve eggs in a cavity of the ground. Mr. A. M. Shields states that this Duck is a resident in the vicinity of L/os Angeles, Cal., but is not met with in great numbers. He found a nest containing eleven eggs on April 16, these were apparently about two weeks incubated. The nest was a slight hollow, amongst a thick bunch of weeds, six feet from the water's edge ; it was composed of fine grass and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are clay color or creamy buff, elliptical in shape, and measure 2.09 by 1.57. 136. Anas penelope LINN. [606.] Widgeon. Hab. Northern part of the Old World. In North America breeds in the Aleution Islands. Occurs occasionally in the Eastern United States. The European Widgeon in its size and general character, resembles the American Widgeon or Baldpate. In the south of Scotland and throughout England it is an abundant winter visitant ; a few remain to breed on the islands of the lochs in the northern portions of Scotland. It breeds in Norway and Sweden, and is the most abundant of the ducks that breed in Lapland, nesting in the grassy swamps and lakes midst tall rushes ; the material for the nest being reeds and grasses, with a warm lining of down and feathers from the bird's body. The eggs are five to eight in number, and their color is pale buff; their average size is 2.23X 1.53. 137. Anas americana GMEL. [607.] Baldpate. Hab. North America, from the Arctic Ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba. The American Widgeon or Baldpate inhabits North America at large, breeding anywhere in suitable localities. This is one of the neatest of our ducks, and may be known by the spotted neck and head. The latter is white on top ; the speculum green and black ; the lower neck, scapulars, sides and upper breast chestnut-red, tinged with ashy, finely banded, all but the breast, with dark brown. The greater upper wing coverts are white, tipped with black, and the under parts are pure white ; the bill and feet are grayish-blue. The female is simi- lar, but lacks the white crown and iridescence on the head. There is 64 NESTS AND EGGS OF a great variation in the normal coloration of the plumage, aside from age or sex, but as Dr. Coues says : " The bird can not be mistaken under any condition ; the extensive white of the under parts and wings is recognizable at gun-range." The nest of this species is made on the ground in marshes, composed of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and nicely hollowed ; it is usually lined with the down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are pale buff, eight to twelve in number, measuring 2.00 by 1.50, with slight variations. [138.] Anas crecca. LINN. [6n.] European Teal. Hab. Northern part of the Old World. Casual in Eastern North America and the Aleutian Islands. This duck, which resembles very closely our American Green- winged Teal, is of irregular occurrence in Eastern North America. In the northern portions of Europe it is very common, especially through- out Norway and Sweden. Breeds in abundance all over Lapland and in Northern Russia. Mr. Mathew Clugston informs me that this duck is quite common in Scotland, where it nests in the grassy herbage about the edges of lochs. A few breed in various places in Great Britian — as far south as Suffolk, England, and also in Wales. It is known to breed on some of the islands on the west coast of Spain and those on the northwestern coast of Africa. The nest is formed of grasses and reeds, warmly lined with feathers. In some places this duck's favorite breeding resorts are the bogs and marshes in grassy fields. The eggs are commonly eight to ten in number ; and sometimes as many as fifteen are laid. They are yellowish-white, oval in shape, and measure 1.75 in length by 1.30 in breadth. 139. Anas carolinensis GMELIN. [612.] Green-winged Teal. Hab. North America, migrating south to Honduras and Cuba. This handsome little Duck is exceedingly abundant throughout North America. It breeds from the northern borders of the United States northward to Greenland and Alaska. During the spring and fall migrations it is one of the most abundant of water-fowl, frequenting the small brooks and ponds as well as the larger waters. It may be recognized by its small size ; the primaries of the wing-covets are of leaden-gray; speculum velvety purplish-black on the outer half, the inner half rich green ; bordered in front with chestnut, fawn or whitish tips of the greater coverts, behind by white tips of the secondaries, in- teriorly with purplish-black stripes on the outer webs of the length- NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 65 ened secondaries. The head and upper neck of the male are rich chestnut, blackening on the chin with a glossy green patch behind each eye. There is a white crescent in front of the wing. The female differs in the .head markings, but those of the wing are the same. It is a well-known and highly esteemed game bird. The nest is placed on the ground, in a thick growth of grass, and is essentially the same as that of the Blue-winged Teal. The eggs are from five to eight in number, greenish-buff in color, usually ovoidal in shape, sometimes nearly oval, and vary in size from 1.73 to 1.90 long by 1.22 to 1.32 broad. 140. Anas discors LINN. [609.] Bine-winged Teal. Hab. North America, but chiefly the Eastern Province; north to Alaska and south to the West Indies and Northern South America. A beautiful little duck, inhabiting North America in general, but chiefly the Eastern portions. During the breeding seasons it is found in the same localities as the Green-wing, but is more abundant in the northern tier of States at that season than the latter. This Duck feeds chiefly upon vegetable matter, and its flesh is tender and luscious. It may be known by its small size, blue wings and narrow bill. The feet are yellowish. The male has a white, crescent-shaped spot in front of the eye. The female is brown throughout, with the feathers edged with whitish which becomes prominent below. The nest is made on the ground, in a thick patch or tussock of grass, usually in meadows, the border of ponds or streams and swampy places. It is composed of soft pieces of grass and weeds, lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are greenish or buff, lighter in color than those of the Green-winged Teal ; they vary from ovate to ovoidal, and are sometimes nearly oval in shape ; six to ten and twelve in number, and vary in size from 1.30 to 1.35 broad by 1.90 to 1.95 long. 141. Anas cyanoptera VIEILL. [610.] Cinnamon Teal. Hab. Western America, from the Columbia River south to Chili, Patagonia and Falkland Islands; east in North America to the Rocky Mountains; casual in the Mississippi Valley. This pretty South American Teal is abundant in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains, and breeds anywhere in this range ; Col- orado, Utah, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, etc. In the adult male the head, neck and under parts are rich chestnut, the wing coverts are sky-blue, as in the Blue-winged Teal. The speculum is green and is set between the white tips of the greater coverts and the secondaries. t)6 NESTS AND EGGS OF Its habits on the whole do not differ from those of its well-known ally, the Blue-wing. Mr. A. M. Shields regards it as common in the vicinity of Los Angeles, where it breeds in great numbers ; nesting in the first week of May. Its favorite breeding places are in fields of tall grass or clover, in close proximity to water. He says the complement of eggs ranges from nine to thirteen, and that the nest is so compactly woven of grass, feathers and down that the entire structure may be picked up without its coming apart. The eggs are creamy- white or pale buff; six to twelve ; one end smaller than the other. Ten eggs collected by Dr. James C. Merrill, near Fort Klarnath, Oregon, June 14, 1887, exhibit the following dimensions: 1.90x1.38, 1.82x1.37, 1.88x1.39, 1.90x1.38, 1.92x1.39, 1.88x1.38, 1.85x1.40, 1.94x1.38, 1.89x1.36, 1.83x1.34; the average size is 1.88x1.38. The nest was built at the edge of a marsh ; it was made of grass blades and stems, warmly lined with down. 142. Spatula clypeata (LINN.) [608.] Shoveller. Hab. Northern Hemisphere. In North America. Breeding from Alaska to Texas. Not abundant on the Atlantic coast. The Shoveller, or Spoonbill Duck, is common in the northern portions of the globe. Said to have the most extended distribution of any species of the duck tribe, being more or less common in every portion of Europe and Asia, except in the extreme north ; is found in Northern and Central Africa, and other portions of the tropical world. It is not common in England, where it breeds sparingly, but is more abundant in Scotland. In North America this peculiar-looking duck breeds throughout its range in all suitable places ; it winters chiefly in the south. It may easily be recognized by its broad bill, blue wing coverts and green speculum. The iris is yellow and the feet bright orange. The Spoonbill makes his nest on the ground in boggy places which are difficult of access. It is composed of grass and weeds. The eggs are greenish-gray, or faintly bluish ; elliptical ; six to ten in number; averaging in size about 2.10 by 1.50. 143. Daflla acuta (LINN.) [605.] Pintail. Hab. Northern hemisphere. In America migrates south to Panama and Cuba. In North America the Pintail, or Sprig-tail, is a common species everywhere, being found as far north as Greenland and the Arctic NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 67 coast, and south to the Isthmus of Panama and to Cuba, breeding from the Northern States northward throughout the Fur Countries to Alaska, and in Greenland. It is abundant in the United States during the spring and fall migrations. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, Mr. Shields says it is very abundant during the entire winter, and a few remain to breed. The place usually selected for the nest is in tall bunches of prairie grass, seldom far from water. The number of eggs laid is commonly eight or nine ; these are deposited about the middle of May. If the eggs are taken the bird will immediately deposit a second set, which is seldom more than five or six in number. The male bird, inclusive of the long central tail-feathers, is about twenty-nine inches long; the general color of the upper parts is gray- ish, delicately penciled with white ; either sex may be known by the very long and slender neck, but the female is shorter, being about twenty-two inches long, the central tail feathers making a difference of seven inches. In the far north this species deposits as many as twelve eggs in a single nest. These are of a dull grayish olive ; elongate ellipsoidal in shape and measure from 2.10 to 2.30 long by about 1.52 broad. 144. Aix sponsa (LINN.) [613.] 'Wood Duck. Hab. Temperate North America, breeding throughout its range. An exquisite bird, the most beautiful of all our ducks ; in fact, no description can give a sufficient conception of the variety and lustre of its plumage. It is crested, the head iridescent green and purple, with parallel curved white superciliary and post-ocular stripes and a broad white throat patch. The iris and edges of eyelids are red. In the fe- male the head is mostly gray. A freshly-killed specimen has all the variegated tints to be seen in the rain-bow. It is well-named Bridal Duck. It inhabits North America at large and is especially abundant in the United States, breeding almost wherever found. Frequents the wooded portions of the country near water. The nest is made in the hollow of decayed trees, often at the depth of four to six feet. It is composed of twigs, weeds or grass, warmly lined with the down from breast of the bird. What is remarkable about the entrance to the nest is, that it is often so small that it would seem almost impossible for the bird to pass in and out. The tree in which the nest is made is frequently situated a consid- erable distance from water in some retired place. The young are car- ried to water in the bill of the parent bird. The eggs number from eight to twelve, and I have seen several sets of fourteen ; they are of 68 NESTS AND EGGS OF a pale buff color, averaging in size about 2.00 by 1.50, but there is a great variation in this respect when a large series of specimens from different parts of the country are examined. When robbed of its eggs the bird will often lay a second set. [145.] Netta Rufina (PALL.) Rufous-crested Duck. Hab. Eastern Hemisphere; accidental in the United States. The claim of this species to a place in the North American fauna rests on a single specimen obtained in Fulton Market, New York City, February 2d, 1872. It is supposed to have been shot on Long Island Sound. The bird is found in Southern and Eastern Europe, and in por- tions of Africa and Asia. The eggs are described as being of a pale olive-buff and measure 2.19 x 1.68. 146. Aythya americana (EYT.) [618.] Redhead. Hab. North America, breeding from California and Maine northward. The Redhead or Poachard, so frequently confounded with the Can- vas-back, is a common duck throughout North America. It breeds in all parts of the Fur Countries, and is very abundant in the marshes of Manitoba throughout the summer months. It nests in suitable locali- ties of various northern states, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minne- sota and Dakota. The Redhead also breeds in the marshes of California. Mr. Shields mentions it nesting in a swamp near Los Angeles about the middle of June.* The nest is built on the ground in thick grass or weeds and is composed of aquatic plant stems and grasses, lined with the down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The nest is often constructed in a mass of reeds over water after the manner of a Coot's. Mr. Shields found the nests to contain from seven to fourteen eggs. Eight or ten are more commonly laid further north. They are creamy- white, elliptical, and average 2.40 by 1.70, with slight variation. 147. Aythya vallisneria (WILS.) [617.] Canvas-back. Hab. Nearly all of North America. The celebrated Canvas-back Duck is an exclusively North Ameri- can species, found in the interior and on both coasts as far north as the Arctic Ocean and southward to Central America. Breeds on the interior marshes, rivers and lakes from the Northwestern States to * Young Oologist, a magazine devoted to the study of birds, their nests and eggs, published by Frank H. Lattin, Albion, N. Y., Vol. I., p. 90. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 69 Alaska. Nests commonly in many of the lakes and ponds of Mani- toba. On the marshes and lakes in the mountain valleys of Oregon the Canvas-back constructs its nest at the edge of the water or near it in tall rushes or grass. The Canvas-back is the highly esteemed table duck. When feeding on wild celery the flesh is said to acquire a peculiarly fine flavor, but under other circumstances not one person in ten thousand can tell it from any other duck, on the table. It is often confounded with the Redhead, but there is no occasion for this, even when the different sexes come to hand in any state of plumage. Although both species are similar in plumage, their heads alone will differentiate them. The Redhead has a high forehead, while the Canvas-back's head slopes gradually down to the bill and the bill rises high on the forehead. In the male Redhead the entire head is clear chestnut red, with a coppery tint, and the bill pale grayish-blue, with a dark tip. In the Canvas-back nearly the whole head is blackish- brown, and the bill blackish. The general color of the females of both is brownish throughout. The nest of the Canvas-back is generally made on the ground in marshy places; tall, rank grass is usually selected. It is composed of grass and weeds, less thickly lined with feathers than the nests of other ducks are. The eggs are from six to ten in number, pale grayish-drab or greenish-buff, elliptical, and measure from 2.25 to 2.50 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. 148. Aythya marila nearctica STEJN. [614.] American Scaup Duck. Hab. North America, breeding far north. This and the next species are closely allied, and are variously known as Blue-bills, Raft Duck, Flocking Fowl and Shufflers. This one is called Big Blackhead or Greater Scaup Duck, on account of its size. It inhabits the whole of North America, and breeds far north. It is not so abundant in the United States as the next species. In many of the river valleys and in the lakes of Manitoba it is a common summer resident, where it nests on the ground in swampy places. The nest material is grass and weeds, and the lining is down from the breast of the bird. In the male the head, neck and the front part of the body are black, the former with a green gloss ; the back and sides whitish, finely waved in zig-zag with black ; underneath and speculum of wing is white. The bill is blue, with black nail ; iris yellow. In the female the head and anterior parts brown ; face pure white. The eggs of the American Scaup Duck are of a pale, buffy olive-gray, or ashy-green, elliptical, six to ten in number, size 2.54 x 1.71. 70 NESTS AND EGGS OF 149. Aythya affinis (Evx.) [615.] Lesser Scaup Buck. Hab. North America in general, migrating so\ith to Guatemala and the West Indies. As its name indicates, this species is smaller than the last, to which it is very similar. Breeds chiefly north of the United States. It is a common summer resident in the lakes, marshes, ponds, and rivers of Western Manitoba and throughout other portions of the fur countries northward. Its nesting habits and its eggs are the same as A. marila nearctica. The average size of the eggs is about 2.25X 1.58. 150. Aythya collaris ( DONOV.) [616.] Ring-necked Duck. Hab. North America, migrates south to Gautemala and the West Indies. Ring-billed Blackhead, Marsh Blue-bill and Ring-necked Scaup Duck are names by which this species is commonly known. In the United States it is a common spring and fall migrant, and breeds from Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other northern States northward. In some parts of Manitoba it is very abundant, especially in the Red River Valley, where it breeds in the marshes of the lakes and ponds, among the reeds and thick grasses. The nest is made of fine grasses, and slightly lined with feathers. In its general appearance, the bird is similar to the foregoing, but the adult male has an orange-brown ring around the neck ; the female has no collar, and the head and neck are brown. This bird may be known in all stages of plumage by the broad bill and gray speculum. The Ring-neck lays from six to twelve eggs, varying from grayish to buff color ; they are elliptical in shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 by 1.60 to 1.65. 151. Glaucionetta clangula americana ( BONAP.) [620.] American Golden-eye. Hab. North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces northward; migrates south to Cuba. The American Golden-eye, Whistler, Garrot, or " Great-Head." is very similar to the next species. It has a large round white spot before the eye, not touching the base of the bill throughout. It is given the name of Whistler from the peculiar noise of the wings while flying, and Great Head from its large and beautifully created head. It is an abundant species throughout the fur countries, where it frequents trje rivers and fresh-water lakes in great numbers. Breeds as far north as Alaska, where, on the Yukon, it nests about the middle of June. Like the Wood Duck, it constructs its nests in hollow trees and decayed trunks. It is made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with down from the bird's breast. The eggs are from six to ten in number, ashy green in color, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 71 rounded-oval in shape, and measure from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.70 to 1.78 broad. 152. Glaucionetta islandica (GMEL.) [619.] Barrow's Golden-eye. Hab. Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois and Utah. Greenland; Iceland. The Rocky Mountain Carrot, or Golden-eye, is almost exclusively a North American species, breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the east and the mountains of Colorado in the west to high north- ern regions. It is a resident of Greenland and Iceland. It may be known by the large triangular white spot before the eye running up to a point, applied against the entire base of the bill and the division of the white area on the wing. The head is moderately puffy, with an occipital crest, and the color of the gloss is chiefly purple and violet. The bill is black or greenish-dusky and the iris golden-yellow. In the female the head is snuff-brown and no white patch in front of the eye. This bird, like the last, makes its nest in hollow trees, of grass, sticks and weeds, lined with feathers. Mr. Edwin Carter was the first to find the nest and eggs of this species in the mountains of Colorado in 1876. From six to ten eggs are laid, these are usually elliptical in shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 long by 1.60 to 1.65 broad. 153. Charitonetta albeola (LINN.) [621.] Buffle-head. Hab. North America; south to Cuba and Mexico. Breeds from Maine northward, through the Fur Countries and Alaska. This duck is variously named, as Butter-ball, " Dipper," " Butter- box," "Spirit Duck" and "Hell-diver." It dives with the greatest of ease, slipping under the water almost as quickly as a grebe. Its ex- pertness in diving enables it to obtain food in very deep water. The BufHe-head is peculiarly an American species, but of accidental occur- rence in Europe. In Manitoba and throughout all the Fur Countries it is a common summer resident, breeding as far north as Alaska. The nests are concealed in hollows of trees or stumps, near the banks of streams. They are lined with down and feathers. The Butter-ball breeds occasionally in Northern Maine. In the United States it is an abundant spring and fall migrant, and in many places a winter resi- dent. The male is one of the handsomest of our small ducks. The head is particularly puffy, of varied rich iridescence, with a large showy white patch on each side behind the eye. The broad black and white pattern of his upper coat stands out in strong contrast against a glossy white breast. The female is smaller and a very insignificant looking duck ; the head is scarcely puffy, dark gray, with traces of the white auricular patch. 72 NESTS AND EGGS OF The eggs of this duck vary from buff to a creamy-white or gray- ish-olive ; ellipsoidal in form and range from six to fourteen in num- ber; sizes from 1.95 to 2.05 long by 1.35 to 1.50 broad. 154. Clangula hyemalis (LINN.) [623 ] Old-squaw. Hab. Northern hemisphere; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio. Breeds far northward. The Long-tailed Duck, Old Wife or South-southerly, as it is vari- ously called, is distributed throughout the northern portions of the globe, making its summer home in Arctic regions. A resident in Greenland and breeds in various places in Iceland. The nests are made on the margins of lakes or ponds, among low bushes or tall grass ; they are constructed of grasses and generally, but not always, warmly lined with down and feathers. The eggs are from six to twelve in number. The Long-tailed Duck inhabits the more northern countries of Europe — a winter visitant to Great Britain, and it is found occa- sionally in Germany and France. Abundant on the sea-coast of Alas- ka, is resident on the Prybilof and Aleutian Islands. In the United States it is found only in winter. The male of the Old-squaw is a handsome duck, and may be recognized by its long tail and peculiar reddish-brown and brownish-black and white markings. The female lacks the lengthened tail-feathers, and is, on the whole, a very inferior looking bird. The eggs of this species average 2.05 by 1.49; they are pale, dull grayish pea-green, varying to dull light olive-buff. 155. Histrionicus Mstrionicus (LINN.) [622.] Harlequin Duck. Hab. Northern North America. The beautiful and singulary marked Harlequin "is an inhabitant of the southern part of the circumpolar zone." It is not common wherever found. In many parts of the Old World it is only a rare or an occasional visitor; this is the case in Great Britain, France and Germany. At the commencement of the breeding season it leaves the sea-coast and retires to the lakes and rivers of the interior regions. A summary of this bird's breeding range is given by C. Hart Merriam, as follows: "In Siberia it is known to breed about Lake Baikal and in the Bureja Mountains (Radde) ; in Mantchuria and at various points in the great Stanowi Range (Von Middendorff ) ; about the Upper Amoor (Von Schrenck), and in Kamtschatka. On the American Continent it has been found breeding along the tributaries of the Yukon in Alaska (Dall) ; in the interior of the Fur Countries and about Hudson's Bay NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 73 (Richardson) ; on the fresh water ponds of Labrador (Audubon), and in the Rocky Mountains within the limits of the United States (in Mon- tana, Coues). It also nests in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland (Kruper)."* Dr. Merriam says that all accounts agree that this duck nests on the ground in close proximity to swiftly running water, and states that he is also informed that in Newfoundland the nests are built in hollow trees. In some of its breeding grounds it is said to lead a solitary life, being found alone or in pairs in the most retired places on small streams. The nest is composed of weeds, grass, etc., warmly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. When the female leaves the eggs she carefully covers them up with down. In some places the Harlequins are called " Lord and Lady Ducks." The male is second only to the Wood Duck in beauty, and the female will bear no comparison to the same sex of that species. The eggs are six to eight in number, rounded oval, yellowish-buff or greenish yellow, and measure 2-3OX 1.62. 157. Eniconetta Stelleri (PALL.) [625.] Steller's Duck. Hab. Arctic and sub-Arctic coasts of Northern Hemisphere. The summer home of Steller's Duck is in very high Arctic lati- tudes. It breeds in Northern Russia, in Europe and in Siberia, nesting in the latter part of June, depositing from seven to nine eggs. It is said to breed on the inaccessible rocks of Kamtschatka, on the islands of Bering Sea, and sparingly on some of the Aleutian Islands. In its habits it resembles the Common Eider. The nest is placed on the ground and is made of grass, thickly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. Dr. Coues says the bird is not yet com- mon in collections, though abounding and sometimes gathering in enormous flocks on the islands and both shores of Bering Sea and the Arctic coast of Northeastern Siberia. It winters mainly on the Aleutian Islands, and is usually found in company with the Pacific, Spectacled and King Eiders. The eggs vary from pale olive-buff to pale olive or pale green and measure 2.30 by 1.62. 158. Arctonetta fischeri (BRANDT). [626.] Spectacled Eider. Hab. Coast of Alaska, north to Point Barrow. This Eider with a peculiarly dense and puffy patch of velvet feath- ers about the eye, suggesting spectacles, has nesting habits similar to the American Eider, 6". dresseri. The eggs are also similar. "Bull. NuttClub. VIII, 220. 74 NESTS AND EGGS OF It inhabits the islands and coasts from Norton Sound northward to Point Barrow. On St. Michael's Island, Alaska, it breeds in company with the Pacific Eider 5". v-nigra. The eggs measure from 2.35 to 2.57 long by 1.55 to 1.85 broad. 159. Somateria mollissima (LINN.) [627.] Eider. Hab. Northern Europe and Northeastern North America, including Greenland and Northern Labra- dor; south in winter on the Atlantic Coast to Maine. The Eider, so famous for its down, which has become an article of commerce and luxury, is common along the Northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and America. The great demand for its down has caused the inhabitants of Iceland, Norway, and other parts of Europe to protect it during the breeding season. In these places the Eider be- comes very tame. It is a resident of Greenland, where it nests in the latter part of June or the first week of July. On some of the small islands on the coast of Iceland it has become almost domesticated, breeding in vast numbers, nesting on the grassy banks, between large stones, on rocks, and in every available hollow which will hold the nest. The nest is made of sea-weed, lined with the down plucked from the breast of the bird. This is augmented as incubation proceeds and the quantity of down often becomes so great that the eggs are con- cealed from view. The eggs range from six to ten in number, greenish drab, and measure 2.97 by 2.01. 160. Somateria dresseri SHARPE. [6270.] American Eider. Hab. Atlantic coast of North America, from Maine to Labrador; south in winter to the Delaware. The American Eider breeds along the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine to Northern Labrador. On Grand Manan and some of the smaller islands in that vicinity this duck formerly nested in great numbers, but from constant persecution its numbers have been greatly diminished. It is one of the most characteristic summer ducks of Labrador and Newfoundland. Mr. Frazar found this Eider breeding commonly on small islands on the coast of Labrador, making the nest in the short, soft grass. The favorite nesting place was at the foot of some large rock, or in the nooks between rocks, where the birds found shelter from the wind. They were always made of the slate-colored down from the breasts of the birds. Most of the nests contained four or five eggs ; a large number six, two seven and one -According to Prof. Ridgway the American bird proves not to be the true S. mollissima of Northern Europe, but a fairly distinguishable race, called Greenland Eider, 5. Mollissima borcalis Brehm, inhabiting Northeastern North America, including Greenland, etc., as in the above habitat. For description of this race see Manual North American Birds, p. 109. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 75 eight.* The eggs are from four to ten in number, but often fewer ; they are plain dull greenish-drab ; measuring about 3x2. 161. Somateria v-nigra GRAY. [628.] Pacific Eider. Hab. Coasts of the North Pacific; in the interior to the Great Slave Lake, and Eastern Siberia. The Pacific Eider is common in suitable places on both coasts and islands of Bering Sea and the polar coasts of Siberia ; replacing the Common Eider, S. molissima, Spectacled and Steller's Eiders. Dr. Stejneger says it is now rather scarce on the Commander Islands. On Copper Island it breeds only in a few places, and in limited num- bers. It breeds on the Aleutian Islands, the Island of St. Michael's, and in great numbers on the Arctic coast, near the mouth of the Anderson River. Its nesting habits are the same as those of .S. dres- serz] and the eggs measure from 2.95 to 3.20 long by 1.95 to 2.10 broad. 162. Somateria spectabilis (LINN.) [629.] King Eider. Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions; in North America south casually in winter to New Jersey and the Great Lakes. A beautiful Arctic species, very closely resembling the three last. It is a resident of Greenland, and is found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and America, and on the Pacific coasts of America and Asia. Abundant in various places along the shores of the Arctic Ocean, thence southward in winter on the Pacific side in great numbers to the Aleutian Islands and beyond. Rare on the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea. The nests of this Eider, found in the islands of the Arctic seas, are placed in depressions of the ground, and composed wholly of down. In Greenland the King Eider breeds in the latter part of June or in the first part of July, nesting in the vicinity of ponds and marshes. Six eggs are the usual number laid, but as many as ten are said to be deposited. They vary from light-olive gray to grayish-green, and measure from 3.10 to 3.15 long by 1.75 to 2.10 broad. 163. Oidemia amerieana Sw. & RICH. [630.] American Scoter. Hab. Coasts and larger lakes of Northern North America; breeds in Labrador and the northern inter- ior; south in winter to New Jersey, the Great Lakes and California. A few of this species are said to breed in Labrador as they do in the neighborhood of marshes and ponds in the interior, northward. In the Hudson's Bay region the American Scoter nests in June and July. It has been found on islands along the coast of Alaska and at the mouth of the Yukon in June. The Scoter nests similar to the Eider, *See Mr. Frazar's article: Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII., pp. 19-20. 76 NESTS AND EGGS OF on the ground, near water ; the material used being coarse grass, feath- ers and down. The nests are often well secreted in the cliffs and hol- lows about steep banks. This Duck is called Sea Coot, Butter-billed and Hollow-billed Coot. The plumage of the adult male is entirely black, and the top of the bill orange ; the color of the female is sooty-brown, becoming paler below. It is much smaller than the male. This Duck, like many others in winter, is sometimes found in great numbers along the entire Atlantic coast. Its food is principally small bivalves, which it secures by diving. The eggs are said to range from six to ten in number. They are of a pale dull buff, or pale brownish-buff, and measure 2-55X 1.80. [164.] Oidemia fusca (LINN.) L63I-1 Velvet Scoter. Hab. Northern Old World: accidental in Alaska and Greenland. This fine sea duck belongs to the Old World. It is a winter visit- ant on the coasts of England ; a few specimens have been obtained at different times in the London markets. It is recorded as having been taken as far south as Italy. On the Orkney and Shetland Islands it is said to be common. PAound in Norway, Sweden and Scandinavia. Said to be abundant everywhere in Lapland, where it nests on hum- mocks, among the willow swamps, in long grass near water, or by the edges of large lakes in mountain districts. The eggs are of a pale cream color, and measure 2.87 x 1.92. 165. Oidemia deglandi BONAP. [632.] Whits-winged Scoter. Hab. Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the Fur Countries; south to the Middle States, Southern Illinois, and Southern California. Like the Velvet Scoter, O. fusca of the Old World, the American bird is eminently a sea-duck, resorting, however, mainly to inland waters during the breeding season. Its summer home is in the Arctic regions. Found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and as far south as the Middle States in the spring, fall and winter. It breeds on many of the lakes, rivers and larger bodies of water in Manitoba. The "White-winged Coot," "Sea Coot," "Black Surf Duck," or Velvet Duck, as it is variously called, has been found breeding quite abundantly on the Lower Anderson river, constructing the nest on the ground near fresh water. The nests contain a lining of down and feathers. Audubon found it breeding in Labrador from the ist to the loth of June. The nests were built by the side of small lakes, two or three miles distant from the sea, and usually placed under low bushes ; NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 77 they were formed of twigs, mosses and various plants matted together. The nests were large and almost flat, several inches thick, lined with some feathers of the female, but without down. The eggs are usually six in number, measuring 2.68x 1.83. They are of a pale buff, varying to green. 166. Oidemia perspicillata (LINN.) L633-l Surf Scoter. Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of Northern North America; south to the Carolinas, the Ohio river and Lower California. The Surf Duck and the three preceding species are called Coots by the gunners ; their habits, appearance and general characteristics being similar. It is peculiarly an American species, and is only an occasion- al or accidental visitor in Europe. The plumage of the male of this species is glossy black, no white on the wings, but a triangular white patch on the forehead pointing forward. The female is a sooty-brown, below silvery-gray ; side of the head much whitish. It breeds in the far north along the coast and in the interior of the fur countries. Audubon found this species to be the least numerous of the ducks in- habiting Labrador. He discovered a nest in a fresh-water marsh placed among the tall grass and weeds. It was entirely made of withered, rotten weeds, lined with the down of the bird. The nest contained five eggs; they were pale yellowish or cream color, and measured 2.31 by 1.63. The general average is 2.47 x 1.70; pale buff to creamy-buff. 167. Erismatura rubida (WILS.) [634.] Ruddy Duck. Hab. North America in general, south to Cuba, Guatemala, and Northern South America. The Ruddy Duck is an American species, and is found breeding throughout most of its range, but more especially from the northern borders of the United States northward. In spring and fall it is an abundant duck on the large bodies of water, as well as rivers, small streams, and ponds. It is exceedingly difficult to kill, being very tenacious of life, and, when wounded, dives with the greatest of ease, remaining under the water for a long time — in fact, no duck excels this one in diving. Mr. Shields writes that the Ruddy Duck breeds quite commonly in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., depositing from five to eleven eggs about the last of May, and fresh eggs may be taken as late as June 25. He says there is positive proof that this duck prefers the abandoned nests of Coots for nesting purposes to those constructed by itself, and cites several instances in which he took eggs of this species from what appeared to be Coots' nests recon- 78 NESTS AND EGGS OF structed. Seven Ruddy Ducks' eggs were found in a Coot's nest, from which, a few weeks previous, a set of the Coot's eggs were obtained. The locality usually selected for a breeding place is some deep, slug- gish stream, lake or pond, and the nests are always built close to the water's edge ; they are composed of reeds, dry rushes and grass. The structure is often made so that it will float, similar to a grebe's nest. The male is a handsome bird ; its general color is glossy chestnut, and the lower parts silvery white ; the chin and sides of the head are dead white, the crown and nape glossy black. The female is brown above, finely dotted, and waved with dusky ; below paler and duller. From its peculiar stiff tail feathers, I have often heard hunters call it the " Sprig-tail," a name, however, applied to the Pin-tail Duck. It is also called Dipper Duck. The eggs are grayish-white, ovoid or oval in shape, with a finely granulated surface ; sizes range from 2.35 to 2.50 long by 1.70 to 1.80 broad. They appear large for the size of the bird. 169. Chen hyperborea (PALL.) [591^.] Lesser Snow Goose. Hab. Pacific coast to the Mississippi Valley, breeding in Alaska; south in winter to Southern Illinois and Southern California. There are several forms of the Snow Goose which exist in North America ; two are designated by their respective sizes, namely, Lesser and Greater. The Lesser species breeds in Alaska, and occurs through- out the northwestern portions of the continent, and in winter migrates over the whole of the country, from the Pacific coast to the Mississippi Valley. The Greater Snow Goose, Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.), according to Prof. Ridgway, occurs in Eastern North America; its breeding grounds are unknown, but they are probably in the Arctic regions east of the Mackenzie river. In winter it is found in the United States from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic coast.* Ross's Snow Goose, C. rossii (Baird), is found in summer in the interior of Arctic America, migrating south in winter to Southern Cali- fornia and eastward to Montana. The Blue Snow Goose, C. c