PLATE I. Copyright 1889. (nad size.) ST. iz 4 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER AND NI (Polioptila cwrulea.) PaGE 429, NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BY OLIVER DAVIE 3-3 THE FOURTA EDITION . INTRODUCTION BY J. PARKER NORRIS. ILLUSTRATIONS BY THEODORE JASPER, A.M.,M.D. anp W. OTTO EMERSON COLUMBUS HANN & ADAIR 1889 ORNITH “Oke. Gio. hos }S80 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 Afolian harps of russet-brown leaves, in the Autumn of 1882, they muttered to him their last farewell, and whispered some- Hing like Eternity. THE AUTHOR. PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. Hi scope of the present work may be explained in a few words. 1 Asin 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 recent] 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 the 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 migratortus L,., or Merula migratorza (1,).” The nomenclature followed in this and former editions, the meas- urements used, etc., are stated in Mote 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 Coues’ Key to North ‘American Birdst 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 Grnithologists’ Union. Prepared be the Committee of the Union. New York: American Ornithologists’ Union. 1889. L. S. Foster, Publisher, 35 Pine street, New York, N. Y. s + 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 List and Key” have been dropped from the title-page of the present edition. OLIVER DAVIE. ’ Columbus, Ohio, June 24, 1889. INTRODUCTION. Nl lice 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 tew 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. PLN. ILLUSTRATIONS. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER AND NEsT, PIED-BILLED GREBES AND NEST, TUFTED PUFFINS AND NEsTING Burrow, Woop Ducks Anp NESTING PLACE, FLAMINGOS AND NESTs, ‘i SWALLOW-TAILED KITE AND NEsr, ‘BuRROWING OWL AND NESTING BuRRow, CHIMNEY SWIFTS AND NESsTs, “‘TRAILL’s FLYCATCHER AND NEsT, BALTIMORE ORIOLE AND NEST, ‘PARULA WARBLER AND NEST, AMERICAN DIPPERS (WATER OUZELS) AND NEST, NEsT OF CALIFORNIA BuUSH-TIT, . ‘ . PLATE II ITI IV VI VII VIII IX XI XII XIII NESTS AND EGGS OF NortH AMERICAN BIRDS. SeenaReneDe)- Nore.—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 givenin inches and hundredths, except in such cases where correspondents have furnished the measurements in millimeters. These will be found reduced toinches and hundredths in foot notes, as appears in the text of the Western Grebe. 1, Achmophorus 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 andahalf. 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 aud 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 Bes ge 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, 60x 38, 59x39.5mm.* ‘Three sets in my collection, two of five eggs and one of four, taken by Mr. Stebbins, measure: 2,32x1.58, 240X157, 2.50X1.53, 2.46X1.58, 2.48X1.60; 2.14X1.48, 2.27X1.54, 2.30X1.63, 2.29X1.58, 2.28X1.53; 2.44XI. 52, 2.37X1.47, 2.52X1.44, 2.45X 1.47. The bird known as Clark’s Grebet is probably the female of 4. occedentalts.t - 2. Colymbus holbellii (Reinx.) [731.] Holhbell’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 *2,32x1.54, 2.48x1.54, 2.80x1.50, 2.36x1.50, 2,32x1.56. +Placed in the “ Hypothetical List” of the A. O. U. Check-List. tC/ Henshaw, Bull., Nutt. Orn, Club, V1, 1881, pp. 214-218; B. B. and R., Water Birds N. Am,, oA, p. 428; Bryant, Auk., II, pp. 313-814, 2 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, 2171.14. 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 1.20 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 fromthe 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. calzfornicus and the Dabchick.”’t Mr. Thomas MclIlwraith records it breeding in all suitable places throughout Ontario, “ notably at St. Clair Flats.”} 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 snowflake, 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. III, pp. 220-232. + Birds of the Northwest, p. 782. t 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 1.10 to 1.20 in breadth. 4, Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Hzerm.) [733¢.] 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, i 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 depentiedt 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 Minnésota, 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: 1.79 X 1.21, 1.75 X 1.20, 1.73 X 1.25, I.70X I.15, 1.80 X 1.23, 1.79 X 1.25, 1.73% 1.20, 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 wae 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 sloughs of the immense level, tropical plains and pampas of South America. Its entire life is spent in the water, and it possesses the same aquatic habits peculiar to all the Grebes. ‘Dr. James C. Merrill was the first to establish the claim of this species as belonging to our North American fauna. He found it a rather common resident in Southwestern Texas. On May 16, 1877, he found several nests, undoubtedly belonging to this species, in a salt marsh a few miles from Fort Brown. ‘They were made of water plants and pieces of reeds slightly fastened to one or two tule stalks, and forming a wet, floating mass. No eggs were obtained.” * The eggs are described as a‘ “pale, chalky, greenish white,” with the usual discolorations. They vary in size from 1.2 5 to 1.50 long by .85 to 1.00 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 a 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 "Be. oF NESTS AND EGGS OF 1.72x1.17. 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 (Guwn.) [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 argentatus smithsonianus. 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 Toney oe 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.165. 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, i 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 i 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 ao of the Nearer Islands, Alaska.* The nest of this Loon is made in a Aeies mass of vegetation * This gfoup 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 the turf in which the eggs are deposited. Sometimes the depression is found to be scantily lined with feathers. One hundred and five nests observed by Mr. MacFarlane, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, contained no more than two eggs each.* ‘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. li. Urinator lumme (Gunn.) [740.] . Red-throated Loon. 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.t ‘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 2.74 x 1.78, 2.72 X 1.81. 12. Lunda cirrhata Pati. [745.] Tufted Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, trom 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. + Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. KIT, p. 2. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 9 white face mask; long, floating yellow ear-tufts, “bent like the horns of aram”; the levis are red, the beak is red and, green, making alto- gether a erotecaie 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 2.87x 1.88, 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 70.2x 48.4 mm.{ The individual proportions of eight eggs, showing the greatest and smallest extremes of both diameter, are 81x50, 77 X 48, 74X50, 71-5 X51, 71 X 46, 65.5% 45, 64 x 50, 63.5 X 50 mm.’’t 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. ; + 2.76x1.90. $ 8.19x1.97, 3.08x1.89, 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. ; 18a. Fratercula arctica glacialis (Temm.) [743¢.] 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 Grsculand nesting? in the same manner as arctica. The eggs are not distinguishable. According to Prof. Ridgway they average larger than /. arctica.t 14. Fratercula corniculata (Naum.) [744-] Horned Puffin. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kurile Islands 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 cirrhata 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 (Patt.) [746.] Rhinoceros Auklet. Hab. coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding southward to California and JaBAas in winter, south to Lower California. On the islands of the Pacific coast, from Washington Territory * Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XII, pp. 2-8. + Manual North American Birds, p. ll. 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. Ptychoramphus aleuticus (Pat..) [751.] Cassin’s Auklet. 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-rze-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 2.25x1.47. 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. ‘Iwo extreme examples measure as follows: 1.97 x 1.42, 1.65 X 1.22. 7 17. Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus. (Patu.) [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 (Patt.) [748.] Crested Auklet. 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. pszttaculus. 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 (Paty.) [750.] Least Auklet. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward to Bering’s Strait. One of the most characteristic of the waterfowl frequenting the Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. By the 1st to the 6th of June they arrive in great numbers on these islands, and begin to lay. It is said to be comically 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. pszttaculus and \S. cristatellus. 'The nesting is similar, the single egg being laid in the recesses of rocky shingle over the water; size 1.55x 1.12.’ The bird is not known to come south so far as the United States. 21. Synthliboramphus antiquus (Gmet.) 1753) 759.] Ancient Murrelet. _ Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and thcids northward. Accidental in Wis- consin, : _ The Black-throated Guillemot, or Murrelet, is found in the Pacific + Key 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 (Gmet.) [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, S. axtzguus. They are ovate in shape, ground color. buffy, marked with various shades of brown. Size, 2.14 x 1.42. 26. Brachyramphus craveri (Satvap.) [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.antzguus. 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 (Liny.). [760, part.] Black Guillemot. ‘ Hab. Coasts of Northern Europe, south to Denmark and British Islands; coast of Maine, south in winter to Philadelphia; Newfoundland (7) , 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 (Licur.) [760, part. . Mandt’s 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 uaececditile 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 2.30xX1.55, 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 Tapas 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 tlie latter place June r6th.t 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’ peat gtay to greenish-blue; their general shape is like that of the Gulls’ eggs, rounded oval at "the large end and pointed at the smaller. T’he * See “ Notes on Some of the Birds of Grand Manan,” by C. H. Andros, Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, pp. 179-180. } Bulletin of the United States National Museum. No, 29. Results of Ornithological Explorations i in the Commander Islands and Kamtschatka. By Leonhard Stejneger. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1885. P. 21, 2 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.} 30. Uria troile (Lann.) [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- form in shape. ; 30¢. Uria troile californica (BRyant.) [763 ¢.] : 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- 2.43x1.62, + 2.62x1.68, 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.) [7642.] Brununich’s Murvre, 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, Ura érodle. Its distribution in the breeding season is about the same, and the eggs aré indistinguishable. It is an abundant ‘bird on the islands of the North Atlantic. 31¢. Uria lomvia arra (Paut.) [764.] Pallas’s Murre. 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, 3.21 X 2.01. * Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands. \ NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 17 32. Alcea 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 j 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, Urza trovle, 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 ofthe 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, zmpennis, 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 bitd 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 X 2.91.7 " American Naturalist, Vol. VI, p. 368. } Manual of North American Birds, p. 19. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 19 34, Allealle (Liny.) [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 i 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. Moegalestris skua (Brunn.) [6¢6.] 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 dafk 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 NES‘ 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 (Linw.) [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 léaves. 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. a0 long, and from 1.50 to 1.70 broad. 38. Stercorarius longicaudus Vuixttt. [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 .S. Jongicaudus ate some- times as large as exceptionally small ones of S. parasiticus They tange 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, follcarzs. 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 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. 40a. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris Rinew. [6582.] 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 (Brucu.) [659.] Red-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 pollcarzs. 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. Larus glaucus Bruny. [660.] Glaucus 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, Z. marznus. 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- tus 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. * * Larus barrovianus Rripcw. 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.t * Described since the publication of the A. O. U. Check List. + 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. Larus leucopterus Faser. [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 2.79 x 1.85. 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 Brewsr. 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. VILL, p. 216. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 25 47. Larus marinus Liny. [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 Aup. [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 varving shades. The average size of fifty specimens is, 2.76 x 1.94; the largest 2.99 x 2.01; the small- est 2.56 x 1.89. [50.] Larus affinis Reinu. ([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. dl. Larus argertatus 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, swzthsontanus. Eggs 2.91 X 1.98. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 27 dle. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Covsgs. [ 666c.] American Herring Gull. Hab. North America generally. Breeds on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward. In North America this Gull is a common bird throughout its range, particularly coast-wise. It is also more or less abundant on the inland lakes and rivers during its periods of migration, and in many of these places it is found breeding. At Moosehead Lake, Me., where a few pair breed, the eggs are laid in the latter part of May, or in the first week of June. In the interior this Gull is found breeding on the lakes and larger bodies of water, as far north as the Mackenzie and Anderson River regions. On many of the large prairie lakes of Mani- toba it breeds in great numbers. Mr. Frazar mentions this species as the most common of all the gulls inhabiting Labrador, breeding in colonies and placing their nests on the ground.* In many places where the Herring Gull has suffered persecution, it has been known to depart from its usual habit of nesting on the open seashore, and place its nest on trees sixty and seventy-five feet from the ground. At Grand Manan and in Labrador, in some of the old breeding grounds, its human foes have brought about this change in its habits. Some of the nests built on the ground are merely a shallow depression with a slight lining, others are large and elaborately made of grass and moss. ‘‘hose built in trees are said to be strongly interwoven and very compact. The complement of eggs is normally three ; they vary from bluish- white to deep yellowish-brown, irregularly spotted and blotched with brown of different shades; in a large series a great diversity of ground- color and markings exists. Mr. Elwin A. Capen in his superb workt figures three prevailing types of coloration. The sizes range from 2.73 to 2.91 long by 1.64 to 194 broad. 52. Larus cachinnans Paty. | 667.] Pallas’s Gull, Hab. Asia, from the Red Sea to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans; coast of Alaska, south in winter to California. In the Old World this Gull has been found breeding on the shores and islands of the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and at the mouths of the Rivers Volga and Ural; on the shores and islands of the Caspian Sea, thence eastwardly and northerly on the inland lakes and rivers through Asia to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. In * Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, p. 18. + Oology of New England: a description of the eggs, nests and breeding habits of the birds known to breed in New England, with colored illustrations of their eggs. By Elwin A. Capen. Boston, 1886. 28 NESTS AND EGGS OF North America it is a common species of the Northern Pacific, from California to Alaska. It breeds on the islands of the Upper Yukon River, in the first part of May, depositing its eggs in slight depressions of the bare ground. ‘The eggs are not distinguishable from those of the Herring Gull, Z. argentatus. 53. Larus californicus Lawr. [668.] Galifornia Gull. Hab. Western North America. The California Gull is found along the Pacific coast in winter, but retires to its breeding places in the summer months. Its breeding grounds seem to be inland, on the lakes and large bodies of water. It breeds abundantly on Great Salt Lake and Pyramid Lake, Utah, and on Lake Malheur, in Eastern Oregon. It has been found nesting as far north as Great Slave Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and the Lower Anderson River. The nests of this species are made on the ground, or built on rocks and, sometimes where the birds are breeding in vast colonies, the nests are placed on stunted sage or greasewood bushes. ‘They are built of sticks, grass and a few feathers. The eggs are usually three or four in number, occasionally five. Prof. Marcus E. Jones informs me that at Great Salt Lake this Gull generally lays five eggs. These are deposited in a little bare spot surrounded by a few twigs, the hollow just deep enough to keep the eggs from rolling out. ‘The nests are made on the sand or any other bare spot on islands far out in the lake. The eggs are laid about the middle of May. They vary from a bluish-white to a deep brownish-clay color, spotted and blotched with dark brown, slate and blackish zigzag markings. Sizes range from 2.50 to 2.70 long by 1.65 to 1.95 broad. 54. Larus delawarensis Orv. [669.] Ring-billed Gull. Hab. North America at large; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. This Gull inhabits the entire Continent of North America, and is, on the whole, the commonest species both coastwise and in the interior. It breeds in the United States and far north, placing its nest on the ground or on cliffs. Mr. Stebbins found this species and the Common Tern occupying an island of about an acre in extent in Devils Lake, Dakota, in the first week of June. The entire island was covered with eggs of the gulls and terns. Mr. Stebbins says: ‘“I don’t suppose you could lay down a two-foot rule anywhere without each end of it striking a nest. It was common to find the terns and gulls breeding side by side. Most of the gulls’ nests were in the grass, while those NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 29 of the terns were in the sand. I did not find a gull’s nest with more than three eggs, and a very few with two; whereas, several hollows were found with as many as eighteen terns’ eggs in them, which had rolled together.” Mr. Frazar observed a few colonies of this species breeding in Labrador, nesting like other gulls, and the nests never contained more than three eggs. These have the usual variations in color to be found in eggs of the terns— bluish-white to dark brown, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various shades. Sizes from 2.75 to 2.80 long by 1.60 to 1.75 broad. 55. Larus brachyrhynchus Ricu. [670.] Short-billed Gull. Hab, Arctic America and Pacific coast to Southern California. In the breeding season the Short-billed Gull occurs in the north- ern regions of North America. It has been found nesting on the ground in the small lakes in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, and in the Mackenzie River Valley. Breeds in great abundance at the mouth of the Yukon. It also was observed nesting along the streams in the Barren Grounds of the Arctic regions. Its nest is made of hay or wiry grass, and is sometimes placed on stumps and in trees. The eggs are usually three in number; greenish or olive brown, with vari- ous markings, but chiefly small spots of reddish-umber. Sizes vary from 2.00 to 2.35 long by 1.45 to 1.70 broad. [56.] Larus canus Linn. [671.] Mew Gull. Hab. Europe and Asia; accidental in Labrador. This is the Sea-mew or Sea-mall of Europe. In Great Britain it breeds more or less abundantly along the entire coast, and is especially common on some of the smaller islands in the Hebrides; on the north coast of Scotland it is found on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It breeds on inland lakes as well as on the sea-coast, building its nest on the grassy summits of precipitous rocks near the sea or on moorland locks far inland, and even on high mountain ranges. It is abundant on the coast and on the fresh-water lakes of Norway. A common species, and breeds in nearly all parts of Central and Northern Russia. Abund- ant on the Prussian coast and on the northern coast of France. The nests are made of grass and vegetable substances. The usual num- ber of eggs is three; yellowish-brown, olive-brown, and whitish to greenish-gray, irregularly marked with dark brown and purplish-gray. The size varies from 2.08 to 2.25 long by 1.40 to 1.58 broad. 30 NESTS AND EGGS OF 57. Larus heermanni Cass. [672.] Heerman’s Gull. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from British Columbia to Panama. This is said to be one of the handsomest birds of the family to which it belongs, and is commonly called the White-headed Gull. It is a common species along the Californian coast and is most abundant in winter. At the Farallone Islands it is occasionally seen, but does not breed there. It probably breeds on the Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, as it does on others farther south. The general habits of this species are the same as those of other gulls. One particular trait, however, marks this species—that of fol- lowing flocks of pelicans and robbing them of a portion of the fish which these birds carry in their pouches, seizing upon the fishes which fall out or hang outside. The food of this Gull is almost exclusively fish, which it also procures by diving. It also feeds on small crustacea and mollusca. The eggs of this species are described as having a yellowish-drab ground-color, over which is scattered spots and mark- ings of lilac and different shades of brown. ‘The average size is 2.45 by 1.50. 58. Larus atricilla Linn. [673.] Laughing Gull. Hab. Eastern tropical and warm temperate America, chiefly along the sea coast, from Maine to Brazil; Pacific coast and Middle America. The Laughing or Black-headed Gull is more of a southern species, particularly one of the Gulf and South Atlantic States, but is found breeding as far north as the coasts of New England. It is an abundant and a resident species on the coasts of Florida, along the whole extent of the Gulf of Mexico; and also on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Central America. Mr. Maynard says: “The notes of Gulls are loud and startling, but those of the Laughing are the most singular of them all, for their cries, especially when the bird is excited, sound like loud peals of prolonged and derisive laughter.’’* Mr. R. C. Stuart, of Tampa, Fla., writes that this species nests in large communities, on grassy islands along the Gulf coast in May and June, placing the nest in tussocks of grass; the cavity is nicely lined with fine, dry grasses. The eggs are from three to five in number. In color they vary from bluish-white to greenish-ash, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying shades; the usual variations in size, ground color and markings are to be found in a *Birds of Eastern North America. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 31 large series of these eggs; sizes from 2.00 to 2.28 long by 1.50 to 1.65 broad. 59. Larus franklinii Sw. & Ricu. [674.] Franklin’s Gull. Hab. Interior of North America, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward; south in winter to Central and South America. In North America this Gull is confined to the interior, chiefly west of the Mississippi, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward. Mr. J. W. Preston found it nesting in the marshes of western Minnesota, about the middle of May.* I am informed by Mr. H. J. Wallace that it breeds abundantly in the marshes of the Red River Valley of Western Manitoba. He found this beautiful Gull breeding in large communities, in marshes and wooded swamps, making its nest of wet grasses and sedges on the tops of broken down stalks. The eggs are described as closely resembling those of the Eskimo Curlew in size, shape and color, though the dark splashes are more evenly distributed over the surface. The ground-color varies from dirty white to olive-drab and light brown, with all the shades of the lighter tints of green andashy. They are usually marked with numer- ous and bold splashes and zigzag lines of umber-brown and different depths of chocolate, particularly at the larger end. The eggs average about 2.12x 1.40; they are three in number. Three eggs in my possession, collected at Heron Lake, Minnesota, on the oth of May, measure as follows: 2.06x 1.41, I.98X1.45, 2.03 x 1.47. These are olive-drab with bold spots and blotches of light and dark brown; there are no zigzag lines. 60. Larus philadelphia (Orp.) [675.] Bonaparte’s Gull. Hab. Entire North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States; south in winter to Mexico and Central America. This handsome little Gull is a common species throughout North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. It is especially abun- dant along the Atlantic coast during its periods of migration. Breeds northward, nearly to the Arctic Ocean. Its flight is described as being light, airy and very graceful, resembling that of the Terns. Its prin- cipal food is small fish. On many of the large lakes and marshes in the prairie regions of Manitoba it breeds in great numbers, from thence northward and throughout all parts of the Fur Countries it is found breeding in suitable places. In the marshes of the wooded regions bordering the Mackenzie River it breeds in the latter part of June. *Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XI., pp. 54-55. 32 NESTS AND EGGS OF The usual number of eggs laid is three, rarely four. The nests are always placed in elevated situations, in bushes, trees, or on high stumps; the materials used are sticks and grasses, with a lining of vegetable substances. The eggs vary from greenish to brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of various shades; these mark- ings are chiefly clustered around the larger end. Size, 1.95 X 1.34. 62. Xema sabinii (Saz.) [677.] Sabine’s Gull. Hab. Arctic regions; in North America south to New York, the Great Lakes and Great Salt Lake. The Forked-tailed Gull breeds in the extreme northern portion of North America and Asia, especially on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, depositing its eggs in a depression of the sand, which is generally lined with bits of fine, dry grass; the nest is also often made in beds of moss, with similar lining. This Gull is recorded as abundant in the marshes in the neighborhood of St. Michael’s, Alaska, where it breeds. Its food consists of worms and insects, which it obtains in mud lakes. On the northwestern coast of Greenland, above Alison Bay, this species has been found breeding, but not in large colonies. The eggs are two to three in number. ‘They are of a deep greenish- brown, obscurely spotted and blotched with darker shades of the same; they very closely resemble those of the Willet or Curlew. The aver- age size iS I.75 X I.25. 63. Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasseta.) [ 679.] Gull-billed Tern, Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan. In North America chiefly along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. In North America the Marsh Tern, as it is commonly called, breeds from New Jersey southward. On Cobb’s Island, Va., it nests sparingly in the latter part of June. Dr. James C. Merrill and George B. Sennett found a colony of this species in company with Sterna Jorstert, breeding on a grassy island, among lagoons and marshes, near Fort Brown, Texas, May 16, 1877. The nests were slight depressions among the short grass, and the eggs were frequently wet.* This Tern breeds abundantly on Pelican Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the latter part of May, laying its eggs on the bare sand. Farther south, on the islands along the coast of Mexico and in the Bahamas, it is known to nest in great numbers. The eggs are usually three in num- ber, sometimes four. They vary from yellowish-buff to greenish, spotted and blotched with yellowish-brown and lilac, especially about *Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas. Copyright 1886. apgrg hE F PLATE II EL SS PIED-BILLED GREBES AND NEST. (Podilymbus podiceps.) PacE 5, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 33 the larger end, but, like the eggs of all terns, are extremely variable. The average size is 1.75 X 1.30. This is the only species of tern having the bill shaped in a noticea- ble degree like that of a gull — hence its common name. Marsh Tern is another name by which it is known, but this is not regarded as exactly correct. According to the best authorities the Gull-billed Tern is a species of wide distribution and is characteristic of no particular region, breed- ing alike in the islands of the Indian Ocean and in those of the Gulf of Mexico, the islands and the coasts of Jutland in Denmark and along the coast and the interior in the marshes and lagoons of southern South America. A few specimens have been taken on the coasts of France and Germany, and it is recorded as being common in Hun- gary, Greece, and Asia Minor, where it breeds. It is known to breed in various other portions of Southern Europe, and also in the northern parts of Africa. Its flight is spoken of as easy and graceful, partaking of the elegance which is characteristic of these birds when on the wing. 64. Sterna tschegrava Lepzcu. ([680.] Caspian Tern. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan; in North America breeding southward to Virginia, Lake Michigan, Texas, Nevada and California. This is the largest of these elegant and graceful birds, the Terns; it measures from twenty to twenty-three inches in length. The bill of this bird in life is of dark vermilion-red, growing lighter towards the tip; the pileum and occipital crest is glossy, greenish-black, ex- tending to the lower line of the eyes. The back and upper parts of wings are pearl-blue, the whole underparts are white. The legs and feet are black. ‘The extent of wings in the adult bird is from fifty to fifty-five inches. It is nearly cosmopolitan in its distribution, being found in greater or less abundance in various portions of the globe. Ata distance it is often mistaken for the Royal Tern, but may be distinguished from the latter by its more robust form and less deeply forked tail. The bird is also known as the Imperial Tern; irregularly distributed throughout North America, but chiefly in the Arctic regions, where it breeds, and along the entire Atlantic coast. Eggs and young have been taken on Cobb’s Island, Va., in July. Dr. Merrill observed it breeding on Padre Island, near Fort Brown, Texas, in May. Mr. B. F. Goss found it nesting on the islands of Lake Michigan. Large numbers of this species are said to breed on Pelican Island in the 2 34 NESTS AND EGGS OF Gulf of Mexico. The nests are mere hollows scooped in the dry sand, in which the birds deposit two or three eggs. These vary from white to greenish-buff, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of different shades; broader and more elliptical than those of the next species; size 2.66xX 1.77. 65. Sterna maxima Bopp. [681.] Royal Tern. Hab, Tropical America and warmer parts of North America, northward to Massachusetts, the Great Lakes and California. West coast of Africa north to Tangiers. This handsome Tern, next in size to the Caspian, breeds in large colonies along the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey southward, depositing from one to three or four eggs on the bare sand. It breeds abund- antly along the coasts and on the marshes of Florida. On some of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico it nests in immense numbers. Very abundant on many of the lagoons and marshes of Southern Texas. Prof. Robert Ridgway records the Royal Tern breeding on Cobb’s Island, Va., in the first part of July. In an area of about an eighth of an acre the eggs were so numerous that it was almost impossible to walk through the nesting site without crushing a greater or less num- ber; many of the eggs were covered by the drifting sand.* The eggs are described as being narrower, and especially more pointed and rougher, than those of the Caspian Tern. They are yellowish-drab, irregularly blotched with dark umber and lilac of various shades; sizes range from 2.67 to 2.75 long by 1.70 1.75 broad. 66. Sterna elegans Gams. [682.] Elegant Tern. Hab. Pacific coast of America from California to Chili. Dr. Coues describes this Tern as a “truly elegant species, resemb- ling the Royal Tern, but easily distinguished.” It is a Mexican and Central American species, rarely occurring on the Californian coast. An egg is described as having a ground-color of pinkish-white, with bold and distinct markings of deep black and-burnt sienna and subdued shell-markings of lavender-gray ; size 2.20 by 1.45. 67. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Caxor.) [683.] Cabot’s Tern. Hab. Tropical America, northward along the Atlantic coast, irregularly, to Southern New England. The beautiful Sandwich Tern has an extensive distribution. In North America it has been observed as far north as Southern New England, and is known by the name of Ducal Tern. Breeds in large “Bull, Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 221-223, In article on the eggs of Sterna caspia. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 35 colonies, like most of the terns, depositing the eggs in the dry sand. It nests on the small sandy islands off the coast of Cape Sable in the latter part of June. Breeds commonly on the coasts of Central America, and on some of the larger West India islands. The eggs vary from white to buff, irregularly spotted and blotched with brown, umber, bluish and reddish; rather pointed; two or three in number; size about 2.10 by 1.40. 69. Sterna forsteri Nutt, [685.] Forster’s Tern. Hab. North America generally, breeding from Manitoba southward to Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and California; in winter southward to Brazil. Like all the terns, this one is noted for its graceful flight and, with them, it shares the name of Sea Swallow—a name which belongs more particularly to the next species. Forster’s Tern was once thought to breed only in the interior of North America. The above habitat, however, indicates clearly the range throughout which this species is found breeding in all suitable places. It nests on the grassy islands among the lagoons and marshes of Southern Texas, thence northward irregularly to British America. In Manitoba, on the islands and marshes of the lakes and rivers, it nests abundantly. Breeds in colonies, often in company with the Common and Gull-billed Terns, the Laughing and Bonaparte’s Gulls. When its nesting places are disturbed it is said to be very noisy, utter- ing a grating, monotonous note, and at the same time attacking the intruder on all sides, often darting close to his head. In some localities this species constructs its nest in a turf of dry grass, upon the sand, or among stones. It breeds chiefly in grassy marshes, building its nest of flags, water-plants, lining them with finer reeds. The eggs are two or three in number, with an average size of 1.85x1.35. In color they vary from nearly pure white and pale green to warm brownish-drab, irregularly spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac. 70. Sterna hirundo Linn, [686.] Common Tern. Hab. Greater part of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. In North America chiefly confined to the Eastern Province, breeding variously throughout its range. Sea Swallow, Wilson’s Tern, Red-shank, ‘Mackerel Gull” and “(Summer Gull” are the names by which this beautiful species is known in various localities. It is an abundant bird throughout its North American range, breeding on many of the inland lakes and marshes as well as along the coasts. In various places on the Atlantic coast it breeds in company with other species, such as Forster’s, Arctic, 36 NESTS AND EGGS OF and Roseate T'erns, the Laughing Gull and others. Mr. W. W. Worth- ington, of Shelter Island, New York, writes me the following: “Although a few Wilson’s Terns breed on nearly every sandy point near here, Gull Island, situated a mile or so east of Plum Island, is their chief breeding ground in this section. Here they breed by thousands, fairly filling the air when you land and disturb them. Their nests are always placed on the ground or rocks, and are usually com- posed of a few pieces of grass and seaweed. They place their nests all over the Island above high water line, on the beach, on the sides of the bluffs, all around, and in the garden cultivated by the light-house keeper. Fresh eggs can be obtained there from the roth of June to the middle of July, as egging parties keep them cleaned off about as fast as they are laid. I collected a set of four eggs of this species on Gull Island, last spring (1881), which is the only set I ever saw con- taining more than three eggs, which is the usual number laid.” The eggs vary from greenish to deep brown, spotted and blotched with brown, blackish and lilac; they vary in length from 1.49 to 1.75 by 1.18 to 1.30 broad. 71. Sterna paradisea Bruny. ([687.] Arctic Tern. Hab. Northern Hemisphere; in North America breeding from Massachusetts to the Arctic regions and wintering southward to Virginia and California. In its general appearance and habits, its mode of nesting, flight, and other characteristics, this species closely resembles the Common Tern. Its distribution is, however, more northern, breeding in the most northern latitude, where S. Azrando is found only in limited num- bers. The eggs are indistinguishable. 72. Sterna dougalli Montac. [688.] Roseate Tern. Hab. Temperate and tropical regions; north on the Atlantic coast of North America to Massachu- setts, and casually to Maine. On the Atlantic coast of North America this beautiful species is found breeding from Maine southward to Florida. It is known also by the name of Paradise Tern. On some of the islands of the New England coast this species breeds in abundance, notably on Muskegat, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands. In many places it breeds in colonies with the Common and Arctic Terns and the Laughing Gull. On a small island, called Goose Island, about three- quarters of an acre in extent, situated in Long Island Sound, and a short distance from Faulkner’s Island, Mr. M. B. Griffing found this species nesting in abundance. The high land is from two to six feet NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 37 above the beach, and is covered with a thick growth of weeds and grass; in this some of the nests were concealed; others were in plain sight; they were so numerous as to fairly cover the ground. They were nothing more than slight hollows lined with dry grass, and con- tained usually two eggs. Mr. Griffing says he is satisfied that this is the usual number laid by this species, as there were but two sets con- taining three eggs in the hundreds of nests observed; incubation had begun in nearly every set, and many were almost hatched. Some of the eggs were laid on the shore just above high water mark. Mr. Griffing says that the eggs differ from those of the Common Tern, being less pointed at the small end; the markings are usually much finer and more numerous. By placing a tray of the eggs of each species side by side the difference is very marked. They vary in size from 1.55 to 1.75 in length by 1.10 to 1.25 in breadth. Mr. Griffing states the birds are very noisy when their nests are being disturbed; hovering overhead they utter a harsh gutteral cry, peculiar to the species. They also have a note which sounds like the syllable 7, zp, tip. 73. Sterna aleutica Bairp. | 689.] Aleutian Tern. Hab. Coast of Alaska, from the Island of Kadiak to Norton Sound. This Tern has been found nesting in various parts of Alaska; on the Island of Kadiak, and on some of the Eastern Aleutian Islands. So far as known, its habits do not differ essentially from those of other terns. The eggs measure from 1.65 to 1.85 long by 1.10 to 1.15 broad. They have a ground color, varying from brownish-white to greenish- olive, with bold marking of light reddish and chestnut brown. 74. Sterna antillarum (Less). [690.] Least Tern. Hab. Northern South America, north to California and New England, and casually to Labrador, breed- ing nearly throughout its range. This pretty little Sea Swallow breeds on the Island of Cuba, and other islands of the West Indies, along the coasts of Central America and Mexico. Mr. Stuart says it breeds abundantly on the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, and on the islands of the Atlantic coast of Florida. The eggs are laid on the bare sand in May and June. The ‘Little Striker,” as it is called, is found nesting on the At- lantic coast as far north as Massachusetts; a few, however, breed a little farther north. The eggs are difficult to observe on the breeding grounds, their color being very similar to the sand and broken shells in which they are laid. They are two or three, and seldom four in 38 NESTS AND EGGS OF number. ‘They vary from pale greenish to drab or buff, spotted and blotched pretty evenly with brown, umber and lilac of various shades, with an occasional tinge of yellowish; in some the markings tend to form a wreath about the larger half. ‘The average size is 1.25.95. 75. Sterna fuliginosa Gmer. [691.] Sooty Tern. Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical coasts of the Globe. In America from Chili to Western Mexico and the Carolinas; casually to New England. The Sooty Tern is found both in temperate and tropical regions almost everywhere throughout the world. It breeds abundantly on the rocky islets off the coast of the Island of St. Helena, and on Ascen- sion Island, which is farther north and west; in favorite spots at the latter place it is said to breed in countless numbers. The eggs are re- garded by some as a great delicacy, and are so numerous that they are an important article of commerce. This species is said to be semi-nocturnal in its habits, being able to fly by night as well as by day, going out to sea to feed long before daylight. It is “the egg-bird” of Jamaica. Breeds on the islands in the Gulf of Mexico, about the middle of May, and on the small islands south of Key West, Fla., early in May. In some places the eggs are deposited on the bare ground or on rocks; in others a nest is made in the long grass under bushes. This species lays but a sezgle egg. Audubon states that the Sooty Tern always lays three eggs, but more recent observers say that in thousands of nests examined there were only two instances of two eggs being found together. It is a handsome egg, pinkish or creamy white, spotted and blotched with a rich reddish-brown, tinged with lilac. Sizes vary from I.95 to 2.12 long by 1.45 to 1.50 broad. | 76.] Sterna anethetus Scop, [ 692.] Bridled Tern. Hab. Tropical regions; casual in Florida. The Bridled Tern is especially abundant in the West India Islands, where it is the “‘egg-bird” par excellence, and is often confounded with the Sooty Tern. It is noted for its social peculiarities, always nesting in company with the Roseate, Sooty and Noddy Terns. The single egg of this species is deposited on ledges of rocks or in the cavities among loose bowlders along the sea-shore. The egg has a ground- color of a rich cream, with large blotches and smaller spots of reddish- brown, with confluent shell-markings of dull lac. The blotches are usually confluent at the large end, while others are scattered over the entire surface. Average size about 2.05 x 1.42. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 39 77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (GmEL.) [693.] Black Tern. Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from Alaska and fur countries into South America; breed- ing from the Middle United States northward. The Black or Short-tailed Tern is distributed throughout North America at large, both along the coast and in the interior; breeding anywhere in colonies, in marshes and reedy sloughs, where it deposits the eggs on dead reeds, which are often floating. It is known to breed abundantly in various marshes of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Oregon and California. It has exceedingly long wings, and in its pursuit of insects in the air its flight and evolutions resemble those of a swallow. Mr. Frank W. Langdon observed this species to be a very common summer resident of a marsh in Northern Ohio.* He found it “nesting, or rather laying its eggs, on the little islands of decaying vegetation and mud formed by sunken muskrat houses. Three eggs constitute a full set, and they are apparently rolled about in the mud purposely until well coated, so as to hide the markings, and thereby make them less conspicuous.”” Mr. Langdon says that in two or three instances an attempt at nest building was noticeable, con- sisting merely of a few fragments of grasses, so disposed as to prevent the eggs from rolling. Two broods are reared in a season, as eggs were taken in May, and Mr. Langdon collected fresh eggs in July. They vary from brown to greenish; thickly spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various sizes, but mostly bold, large and of light and blackish brown, thickest around the larger end. They re- semble some of the sandpipers’ eggs in size, shape and color. Average size 1.35 x.08. 78. Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Muisn & Scuinz.) [694.] White-winged Black Tern. Hab. Eastern Hemisphere; accidental in North America. A single example of this European species was taken on Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, in the first week of July, 1873. The ovaries of this specimen contained small eggs. It occurs occasionally in Great Britain, and is accidental in Sweden. On the lakes, rivers and marshes of the countries of the Alps it is said to be very common, and also in the bays and inlets of the Mediterranean Sea. Its nesting and general habits are said to be like those of AH. mgra surinamensts. ‘The eggs, however, as a general rule, have a lighter ground color, and average slightly larger than those of the American bird. * Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh. 40 NESTS AND EGGS OF 79. Pe ere Ward’s Heron. This large Heron in its white phase is described as indistinguish- able from the Great White Heron; in the colored phase like occzdentalhs, but with the head colored as in the Great Blue Heron. It is restricted to Florida; common in the southwestern portion, and may frequently be found nesting along the coast. It breeds in communities with other herons, egrets and snake birds, constructing the same kind of nest as does the Great Blue Heron. The eggs are four, often only three, in number. Prof. Ridgway gives the average measurement as about 2.65x1.85. Their color is bluish-green. 194. Ardea herodias Linn. [487.] Great Blue Heron. Hab. North America, from the Arctic regions southward to the West Indies and South America. The Great Blue Heron is often erroneously called ‘‘Sand-hill *See W. E. D. Scott’s article on the Present Condition of the Bird Rookeries of the Gulf Coast of Florida in The Auk, Vol. IV, pp. 185-144, 213-222, 273-284. +Placed in the Hypothetical List of the A. O. U. Check List. 92 NESTS AND EGGS OF Crane” or “ Blue Crane ’’— in fact it is better known by either of these names than it is by its proper vernacular name. One of the most characteristic birds of North America, breeding singly and in colonies in suitable places throughout its range. In the warmer parts of the country it breeds in vast heronries in company with other species of herons, to which places they resort year after year. In Florida it is very abundant, but its numbers are rapidly decreas- ing by the constant persecution of the ‘plume hunters.’ Its rookeries are so frequently broken up, and the remaining birds compelled to retire to other resorts, that the breeding season may be said to extend over a period of five or six months, and no doubt two broods are reared in a season. The nest is placed in high trees along rivers, or in the depths of retired swamps; in localities destitute of trees it is built on rocks. Sycamore trees seem to be favorite resorts of these birds, the light color of the limbs and the peculiar tint of the foliage harmonizing so well with their plumage as to render their presence difficult of detec- tion. The eggs are plain greenish-blue ; varying from elliptical to oval in shape; three to six in number, commonly three or four; average size 2.50X 1.50. {195.] Ardea cinerea Linn. [ 488.] Eurepean Blue Heron. Hab. Europe; accidental in Southern Greenland. This is a familiar Heron in Europe, and is very abundant in places where it is protected by law. In England most of its breeding places are guarded by land owners. In the middle ages when falconry was a favorite sport the bird was held as royal game, and penal enactments preserved it for the pleasure of royalty. This Heron builds its nest according to circumstances, either on the ground, in trees, or on high rocks. It breeds in colonies, and its favorite nesting places are on the tops of trees, on the outer branches. The nest is large and flat, composed of sticks and lined with grass. Each year the nests are repaired and augmented until they become very massive. The eggs are four or five in number, of a pale green color, and meastre 2.42x1.72. Four eggs from England in my collection measure 2.48 X 1.67, 2.49X 1.61, 2.52X 1.64, 2.40X 1.65. 196. Ardea egretta GmeL. [489.] American Egret. Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon, south to Patagonia; casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. This beautiful species, the Great White Egret of America, has an NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 93 extended distribution, breeding as far north on the Atlantic coast as New Jersey, on the Pacific coast to Oregon, and in the interior as far north as Southern Illinois. It breeds throughout South America to Patagonia, and is a resident on the Island of Trinidad. In the enor- mous rookeries of Florida this bird was formerly abundant, but of late years the ‘plume hunters’ have wrought great destruction in their numbers. It is a bird of purest white, and during the breeding season has a magnificent train of silky plumes flowing from the back over the wings and drooping far beyond the tail. The nests of the Great White Egret are built in deep cypress swamps, often on the tops of the tallest trees; others are found on low bushes or on mangroves, a short distance above water. The eggs are plain bluish-green, varying from elliptical to oval; two to four in number and measure from 2.20 to 2.35 long by 1.40 to 1.65 broad. 197. Ardea candidissima GME. [490.] Snowy Heron. Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from Long Island and Oregon, south to Buenos Ayres; casual on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. The breeding range of this species is almost the same as that of the last. A few are supposed to be summer residents as far north as Long Island, from thence southward it is found along the entire Gulf coast and the shores of both oceans. It occurs in the interior as far north as Oregon. Very abundant throughout a large portion of South America, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America. It is called Little White Egret, and is doubtless the handsomest bird of this tribe. Pure white, with crest composed of numerous elongated, hair- like feathers; similar plume on the lower neck; the same on the back which extends beyond the tail and are recurved when perfect. In ‘Texas, Mr. Rachford says this species nests in colonies, usually prefer- ing willow bushes in the marshes for this purpose. The breeding sea- son is from the latter part of April to the middle of June. Mr. Stuart mentions it as abundant along the Gulf coast of Florida, where it breeds on the mangrove islands, and in the interior in the willow ponds and swamps, generally in company with the Louisiana and Little Blue Herons. The nest is simply a platform of sticks. The eggs are from two to five in number, usually four, varying from elliptical to oval in form; sizes from 1.80 to 1.85 long by 1.20 to 1.25 broad. 198. Ardea rufa Bopp. [491.] Reddish Egret. Hab. Gulf States and Mexico, south to Guatemala, Jamaica and Cuba. The Reddish Egret is an abundant resident of the Gulf States. 94 NESTS AND EGGS OF It is common in Florida and in Mexico, southward to the West Indies and Central America. The bird called Peale’s Egret* is supposed to be the white phase of 4. rufa. The nesting habits of the Reddish Egret are essentially the same as those of the Louisiana and Snowy Herons. Mr. Stuart informs me that he has never found them very plentiful along the Gulf coast of Florida, where they breed on the islands, placing the nest on the mangrove bushes. The eggs are light bluish-green, elliptical in form; two to four in number, and measure from 1.85 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad. 199. Ardea tricolor ruficollis (Gossz.) [492.] Louisiana Heron. Hab. Gulf States, Mexico, Central America and West Indies; casually northward to New Jersey. In summer the Louisiana Heron is distributed from the Carolinas southward. It is very abundant all along the Gulf States, into Mexico and Central America, and is found in the West Indies. Known as “Lady of the Waters.” It has an occipital crest of several long feathers and a splendid train of decomposed, fringe-like feathers extending be- yond the tail. Mr. Stuart states that it is very abundant on the mangrove islands along the gulf coast of Florida, where it breeds in communities, placing the nests on the mangrove bushes; in the interior it is found nesting in the willow swamps, and usually in company with the Little Blue and Snowy Herons. Four or five eggs are deposited. Fresh eggs may be found in May and June. In Texas, Mr. Rachford says, this species nests similarly to the Snowy Heron, but its breeding season commences a little earlier than that of the latter—about the first of April. The eggs are from two to four, sometimes five, in number, bluish- green, and measure from 1.75 to 1.80 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad. 200. Ardea coerulea Linn. [493.] Little Blue Heron. Hab. New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas, southward through Central America, West Indies, Guiana and New Grenada; casually north on the Atlantic coast to Massachusetts and Maine. This beautiful little Heron is abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. It has been found breeding in all favorable localities intermediate between Florida and New Jersey, on the coast, and speci- mens have wandered into the interior. It is found throughout Mexico, Central America and the northern portion of South America. ‘The breeding habits are like those of the Snowy and Louisiana Herons, “Hypothetical List of the A. O. U. Check List. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 95 nesting with them in trees and bushes, often in large communities in deep swamps. The eggs are bluish-green, two to four in number, generally more oval than other Herons’ eggs are. The sizes vary from 1.60 to 1.82 in length by 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth. The young of this Heron are pure whzte, and should not be con- founded with immature specimens of A. candidtssima, Snowy Heron, which is of the same size and similar form. 201. Ardea virescens Linn ([494.] Green Heron. Hab. Canada and Oregon, southward to northern South America and the West Indies, Throughout the United States in all favorable localities this is a well-known and an abundant bird, breeding in suitable places any- where in its range. It has a number of common names, among which “Ply-up-the-Creek” is probably the most refined. It is resident in the West Indies and in Central America, and is found in the northern regions of South America. The bird frequents the borders of ponds and swamps, or it may be found along running streams whose banks are fringed with trees or thick shrubbery. While on the wing it fre- quently utters its familiar guttural cry or squawk. Its food consists of insects and aquatic larvee, crustacea and sinall fishes, for which it usually searches in the twilight. During the day it is sluggish, and may be found quietly resting. The nest of this Heron is made of twigs, very loosely put together; it is placed in the branches of trees or bushes on the border of a stream or swamp; sometimes in an orchard tree at considerable distance from water. The eggs are light greenish-blue, elliptical in shape and are from three to six in number, four being the usual nest complement. Average measurement is I.50X 1.14. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Bopp.) [495.] Black-crowned Night Heron. Hab, America, from the British Possessions southward to the Falkland Islands. A handsome bird, whose neck and legs are not so long as those of other Herons. It has a stout body, and its total length is about two feet. It has two or three very long white, filamentous plumes spring- ing from the occiput. The Black-crowned Night Heron, Qua-bird or Squawk, as it is variously called, is found throughout the entire continent of America, except the Arctic regions. It breeds in several of the West Indies, 96 NESTS AND EGGS OF and is resident throughout Central America, breeding in all suitable localities. It is found throughout the greater portion of South America, and has been observed breeding on the Falkland Islands. Throughout the United States, in various sections, large colonies may be found during the breeding season. Hundreds, and even thousands, colonize and form extensive heronries. Mr. M. B. Griffing, of Shelter Island, N. Y., says that in the heronry on Gardiner’s Island as many as four nests were found in a single tree, all containing eggs. Tall trees are usually selected for the nesting sites, and they are not always easy of access. The nests are bulky platforms of sticks, considerably hol- lowed. Mr. Rachford says that in the vicinity of Beaumont, Texas, this Heron nests in cypress trees along the banks of streams, and that the breeding season begins about the first of April. The greatest number of eggs found in any nest is four, which is the usual number. In all the sets that Mr. Griffing and Mr. Worthington had collected for three years there were but four sets containing more than four eggs; these were three of five and one of six. The eggs are pale, bluish-green, varying from elliptical to oval; sizes from 1.90 to 2.15, by 1.35 to 1.55 broad. In some localities the nest of this Heron is built on the ground in marshes. 203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.) [496.] Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Hab. Warm-temperate Eastern North America, from the Carolinas and the Lower Ohio Valley south to Brazil; casually north to Massachusetts and west to Colorado. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a southern species, known to breed on the Atlantic coast as far north as the Carolinas, and in the interior as far north as Southern Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. It is found along the entire Gulf coast of Mexico, throughout the West Indies, Central America and in Northern South America. The bird is very similar to the Black-crowned Night Heron, but is a little smaller. The back and head are furnished with long, elegant, lanceolate plumes. The general color is pale, ashy-blue. Its nest is a slight platform of sticks. In some parts of the Southern States this Heron is said to be quite abundant, while in others it is rarely met with. In portions of Florida it breeds in great numbers, generally in company with other species, forming large heronries, especially in the interior in large cypress swamps. In the southern portion of South Carolina it nests in swamps or in tall trees which are surrounded by water. In various regions of Texas the nest of this Heron is built on the lower branches of a cypress tree, near some stream. Mr. Rachford says he never found more than two or three nests in close proximity to one another, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 97 but frequently found the birds breeding in company with the Snowy and Louisiana Herons. The nesting season is during April and May. He has taken as many as six eggs from a nest; the usual number, how- ever, is four. They vary in shape from elliptical to oval; sizes 1.90 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad. 204. Grus americana (Linn.) [582.] Whooping Crane. Hab. Interior of North America, from the Fur Countries to Florida, 'Texas and Mexico, and from Ohio to Colorado. The Great White or Whooping Crane is confined to the interior of North America, and breeds from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota northward, passing the winter in the swamps of Florida and Texas. Its chief line of migration seems to be the Mississippi Valley at large. It is said to be common in the Fur Countries. Breeds in various places throughout Manitoba, building its nest on the ground in the midst of rank grass near marshes, or in wet meadows. Mr. J. W. Preston men- tions the finding of a number of nests in Northern Iowa. One found in the marshes near Eagle Lake, was about eighteen inches in height, well built of tough, fine marsh grass and placed on firm sod; it was neatly cupped and contained two heavily marked, drab-colored eggs.* The eggs of the Whooping Crane are large and coarse looking; in color, light brownish-drab, sparsely marked, with large irregular spots of a pale dull chocolate-brown and obscure shell-markings; ellip- tical; the shell is very rough, covered with numerous elevations like little warts; Dr. Coues says two (or three?) in number; size about 3.75 by 2.65. Some eggs are blotched irregularly over the surface, while others are marked at the smaller or greater end. T'wo eggs in my col- lection from Northern Iowa measure 3.89 x 2.52, 4.03 X 2.55, respectively. 205. Grus canadensis (Linn.) [584.] Little Brown Crane. Hab. Arctic and subarctic America, breeding from the Fur Countries and Alaska to the Arctic coast, migrating south in winter into the Western United States. The Little Brown Crane, which is almost exactly like the next species, but smaller, is abundant in Arctic America. Specimens of the bird and its eggs have been taken in various parts of Alaska. Common on the Island of St. Michael’s and at the mouth of the Yukon. Eggs were obtained by Mr. Dall, on the Yukon river, June 17th. They were laid in a depression of the sandy beach. ‘This species is common in the marshes of Norton Sound, where their nests are built on the dry knolls, and the eggs are laid before the end of May. Throughout most parts of Manitoba, the Little Brown Crane is a *The Oologist, Vol. IV, p. 43. 8 98 NESTS AND EGGS OF common summer resident. Eggs have been obtained on the Lower Anderson river, in Franklin Bay, and in Liverpool Bay on the Arctic coast. The nest is said to be a hole scooped in the ground, lined with grasses. The eggs are two in number; their color ashy-yellow, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, of the same general character as those of the preceding species; rather elliptical; size 3.65 x 2.30. 206. Grus mexicana (Mutt.) [583.] Sandhill Crane. Hab. Southern half of North America; now rare near the Atlantic coast, except in Georgia and Florida. The Southern Sandhill Crane, Common Brown or Sandhill Crane, as it is variously called, is found in the United States chiefly in the Mississippi Valley west to the Pacific coast and south into Mexico and eastward along the Gulf coast to Florida and Georgia. It is irregularly distributed and apparently breeds in sufficiently mild regions through- out its range. It has been found nesting in Michigan, is reported breeding in Northern Ohio, and is known to breed on the table-lands of Colorado. Mr. Stuart says that in various regions of Florida, this species nests during the months of February, March and April. The nests are usually built in shallow grassy ponds, which are common in the pine woods and prairies of that State. They are flat and composed of a mass of grass, weeds, roots, etc., slightly elevated above the water, oftentimes not more than two or three inches. On this structure two eggs are deposited. Mr. Stuart remarks that the young birds are able to follow the parents soon after being hatched. The eggs are ashy-yellow, with a buffy tinge, spotted and blotched with brown, reddish-brown and various shades of gray. ‘The average size is 3.98x2.44. Two eggs in my cabinet from Florida measure 3.85 X 2.35, 3.82 2.36. 207. Aramus giganteus (Bonap.) [581.] Limpkin. Hab. Florida; coast of Gulf of Mexico; Greater Antilles, south to Costa Rica. The Courlans are large, Rail-like birds and are in fact very close- ly allied to the true Rails, with but a slight difference in their external structure. There is one genus with two species, inhabiting the warmer parts of America. The Brazilian Courlan, A. scolopaceus (Gmel.), occurs in Eastern South America, while the Limpkin, which holds a place in the North American fauna, is found in the Greater Antilles, portions of Central America, with only a restricted distribution in Flor- NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 99 ida. It is called Crying Bird from its loud and startling note which is said to be not unlike the cry of a child in distress. Mr. Thomas H. Jackson met with this species breeding in the sub-tropical wilds of the Ocklawaha river in Florida. He states that this bird chooses for a nesting place a secluded spot on the banks of a river or slough. Sev- eral pairs often nest close together in the manner of Herons, though isolated nests are frequently observed. The nest is made of pieces of dead vines, dry leaves and old veg- etation of various kinds loosely constructed and generally bedded on a mass of vines, from five to eight feet from the ground. The usual complement of eggs laid is five or six; four and seven are not uncommon numbers. Fourteen sets in Mr. Jackson’s cabinet consist of eight sets of six, one of five, two of seven, two of four and one of three eggs. In size, shape and texture of shell they resemble those of the domestic fowl, while in color and markings they are sim- ilar to those of the Sandhill Crane—varying from almost pure white to creamy, buff, and grayish-white. The eggs are variously spotted, daubed and stained with brown and gray. A set of six eggs containing the largest specimens in the series, exhibit the following dimensions: 2.57x1.80, 2.44X1.55, 2.40X1.77, 2.28 X1.75, 2.39 X 1-80, 2.41 X 1.83; the set showing the smallest sizes are given as follows: 2.21 X 1.72, 2.21 X 1.70, 2.22% 1.62, 2.23 x 1.63, 2.45 %1.63, 2.23 % 1.65." 208. Rallus elegans Avup. [569.] King Rail. Hab, Fresh-water marshes of Eastern United States from the Middle States, Northern Illinois, Wis- consin and Kansas southward. Casually north to Massachusetts and Maine, and Ontario. The King Rail, Fresh-water Marsh Hen, or Red-breasted Rail, is distributed in summer from New York southward, breeding throughout the inland marshes. It is a summer residentin Ohio. I collected eggs of this species in a marsh a few miles from Columbus in May, 1887. It is frequently confounded with the Clapper Rail; the latter, however, is confined to the vicinity of salt water, and is a bird of duller plumage. The nest of this Rail is placed on the ground in a marsh, often fastened in a tussock of grass. It is composed of grass and weeds. The eggs vary from a dull white to cream or pale buff, sparsely dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and lilac; six to twelve in num- ber; size from 1.55 to 1.72 long by 1.15 to 1.25 broad, averaging 1.67 by 1.12. * Ornithologist and Oologist XII, pp. 159-160. 100 NESTS AND EGGS OF 210. Rallus obsoletus Rtcw. [570.] California Clapper Rail. Hab. Salt marshes of the Pacific coast from Lower California to Oregon. Mr. Bryant regards this Rail as abundant, at all seasons of the year, on the salt marshes of Oakland, San Mateo, and other marshes that are partially covered by the highest tides, at which times the birds are remarkably tame. ‘They swim well, and when wounded and closely pursued they dive and hold on to the marsh grass beneath the water to keep from rising. ‘They commence breeding in April, selecting a high piece of marsh ground, usually on the bank of a slough. The nest is composed wholly of dry marsh grass, loosely laid to- gether. The bird deposits eight or nine eggs, of a light, creamy buff, spotted, often blotched, with reddish-brown and lavender markings, the latter color appearing as if beneath the shell. Of some thirty-six spec- imens examined, all have markings more numerous at the larger end; on some the lavender predominates. A set of eight, taken at San Mateo, April 24th, contained small embryos. They measure respect- ively I.70X1.25, 1.73X1.23, I.75X 1.23, 1.77% 1.23, I1.68X 1.23, I.70X 1.22, 1.63x1.26, 1.69x1.24. The average size of thirteen eggs is 1.71 x 134. oh the marshes of San Francisco Bay Mr. Emerson took eggs of this Rail in April, May and June, one set containing seven eggs. 211. Rallus longirostris crepitans (Gmet.) [571.] Clapper Rail. Hab. Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New Jersey southward; resident from the Potomac southward. Coast of Louisiana. The Clapper Rail, or Salt-water Marsh Hen, is an abundant bird in the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward. Breeds in profusion and is the most abundant aquatic bird in the marshes from the Carolinas to Florida. It has lately been found breed- ing on the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. A. K. Fisher having taken an old bird and two young at Grand Isle, in 1886. Mr. S. C. Shick, of Sea Isle City, states that the Clapper Rail arrives on the southeastern coast of New Jersey about the last of April; their presence is made known by harsh cries at early dawn and at sunset. Nest building is commenced in the latter part of May, and by the first of June the full complement of eggs is laid, ranging from six to nine or ten in number, thirteen being the largest set he ever obtained from any nest. Further south this bird is known to lay as many as fifteen, this number, however, being uncommon. On Cobb’s Island, Va., the Clapper Rail breeds in great numbers, carefully concealing the nest in high grass; ~~ “sBull. Nutt, Club, V, p 124. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 101 the full complement of eggs is laid by the first of May. Their color is pale buffy-yellow, dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and pale lilac, with an average size of 1.72x1.20, but there is a great variation in this re- spect in a large series. 212. Rallus virginianus Linn. [572.] Virginia Rail. Hab. North America, from the British Provinces south to Guatemala and Cuba. The Virginia Rail is an exact miniature of 2. elegans, the colora- tion being exactly the same; the legs, iris and bill brown — the latter reddish— orange at the base of the lower mandible. In summer it is distributed from Canada to Florida; frequenting marshes and boggy swamps. The nest is built in a tuft of reeds or grasses close to the water; it is compact and slightly hollowed. The eggs are cream or buff, sparsely spotted with reddish-brown and obscure lilac; they are like those of the King or Clapper Rail, but of course, like the bird, much smaller; sizes range from 1.20 to 1.28 long by .go to .93 broad. The number in a set varies from six to twelve. The Virginia Rail and the Sora have habits that are very similar; when on the wing they will fly in a straight line for a short distance with dangling legs, and suddenly drop into the grass. The Virginia Rail is almost exclusively a fresh water bird. [213.] Porzana porzana (Linn.) [ 573.] Spotted Crake. Hab. Europe; occasional oceurrence in Greenland. The European Spotted Crake is found in most parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Common in Italy, Sicily and in the Southern por- tions of Russia. Breeds abundantly in Southern France and in various parts of England. It frequents the banks of streams, ponds and lakes, and the thick grasses and vegetation of marshy grounds. The nest is usually built in these places, being loosely woven of aquatic plants, and lined with finer material of the same; it is often placed near the water’s edge, and so arranged as to be capable of float- ing on the water. Spotted Rail, Spotted Water-hen, Spotted Galli- nule, Water-crake, and Water Rail are names common to it in Eng- land. The eggs of this bird are from seven to twelve in number; pale buff or cream color, or of a yellowish-gray, spotted and speckled with dark reddish-brown and tints of lavender. Six eggs, collected in Southern France, in my cabinet measure 1.34 x.96, 1.36x 94, 1.32X .93, 1.34.94, 1.33 x .96 and 1.32 x.95. 214. Porzana carolina (Liwy.) [574.] Sora. Hab. Temperate North America. South tothe West Indies and Northern South America. The little slate-colored Carolina Rail breeds from the Middle States 102 NESTS AND EGGS OF northward. Inthe reedy swamps of the Atlantic States great numbers of this Rail are killed every year. It is a highly esteemed game bird, and is usually abundant during the migrations. More common in the Eastern Province of the United States, breeding chiefly northward. Mr. Shields states that the Sora Railis quite common in the swamps about Los Angeles, Cal., where he obtained six sets of its eggs in the season of 1886; the largest set contained fourteen and smallest seven eggs. In Ohio the Carolina Crake, Common Rail, Sora or Ortolan, as it is variously called, is a common summer resident, breeding in the extensive swamps and wet meadows throughout the State. The Caro- lina Rails are equally abundant on both salt and fresh water marshes, but the latter places are preferable to them as breeding grounds. ‘The nest is a rude affair made of grass and weeds, placed on the ground in a tussock of grass in a boggy tract of land, where there is a growth of briers, etc. The eggs of Sora are ovoidal in shape, tapering gradually to the smaller end but not sharply pointed. They have a ground color of dark cream or drab, darker than those of the Virginia Rail; the spots are reddish-brown with purple shell spots scattered ‘over the surface, but more numerous at the large end. Twenty eggs in my collection have an average size of 1.26x.90. 215. Porzana noveboracensis (GMEL.) [575.] Yellow Rail. Hab. Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada. The small Yellow Crake appears to be quite rare everywhere in Eastern North America or wherever found. It is known to breed in Northern Illinois, where its eggs have been taken. Dr. Howard Jones has frequently taken it in the vicinity of Circleville, Ohio, and considers it nearly as common as other species, and believes it breeds there, which is probably the case throughout the State. The Little Yellow Rail has the same general traits common to others of this family, frequenting marshy places, skulking and hiding in the wet grass to elude observa- tion. The eggs are said to be about six in number, rich buffy-brown, marked at the larger end with a cluster of reddish-brown dots; sizes range from .80 to .85 broad by 1.05 to 1.12 long. 216. Porzana jamaicensis (GmeEL.) [576.] Black Rail. Hab. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, Northern Illinois and Oregon; south to West Indies and South America. Smallest of our North American Rails; not often found in the United States and one of the rarest of our birds. Its small size and NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 103 secretive habits are doubtless one of the causes of its apparent scarcity. A nest containing ten eggs was found near Saybrook, Conn. Ten fresh eggs were taken from a nest in Illinois, June 19, 1875, near Calumet River. The nest was placed in a deep, cup-shaped depres- sion; in shape and situation resembled that of the Meadow Lark, but the Rail’s nest was much deeper in proportion to the diameter. It was elaborately made of grass-stems and blades. The eggs were clear white, thinly sprinkled with reddish-brown dots, more numerous about the large end.* Dr. Coues says: ‘“ Eggs from New Jersey are altogether different from those of the Sora, or Yellow Crake, being creamy-white, sprinkled all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, and with a few spots of some little size at the great end; most like the more finely speckled examples of the egg of the large Radi, dimensions, 1.05 x .80.”’ [217.] Crex crex (Liny.) [577.] Corn Crake. Hab. Europe and Northern Asia; casual visitor in Greenland, Bermudas and New Jersey. The Land Rail, Corn Crake, or Corn Creak, is an abundant species over the entire continent of Europe. In England and Scotland it is a familiar bird, where it breeds in abundance. Very common in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It frequents the long grass of wet meadows, near rivers and marshes, and in fields of grain. Its pres- ence is indicated by the creaking note from which it takes its name. The nest is placed on the ground, generally in a field of grain, grass or clover; it is made of dry plants and grasses. In England this bird nests about the first or middle part of June. The eggs are from seven to ten in number; these, when fresh, are of a pale reddish-white ; when blown, the ground color is ight buff, with a reddish cast; they are spotted and sprinkled with pale reddish-brown. 218. lIonornis martinica (Linn.) [578.] Purple Gallinule. Hab. Nearly whole of tropical and warm temperate America. Apparently absent from the Pacific This beautiful Gallinule inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and strays occasionally northward as far as Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and other Northern States. The bird is resident in the South. From its bright purplish-blue colors it may quite readily be distinguished from the Florida Gallinule, even at a long distance. In Florida it breeds in the latter part of May. Mr. Rachford writes that in Texas the Purple Gallinule nests in SE, W. Nelson: Bull. Nutt. Orn, Club, Vol. 1, p. 43. coast. 126 NESTS AND EGGS OF bird throughout North America, breeding everywhere. It winters in the Southern States and beyond. Every lazy fisherman and idle school boy, who has whiled away many a balmy and hot summer day along the banks of streams, knows this bird well by the bobbing and tilting movemeuts of its body and tail, and its peculiar note, peet-weet, peet-weet, as it flies up and down and across the streams. It is known by many a curious nickname: “ Teeter-tail,” ‘‘Tip-up,” ‘‘ Sandlark,” “ Peet-weet’? and others which generally refer to some eccentricity of the bird. The eggs are creamy, buff or clay color, blotched, spotted and dotted with blackish-brown; usually four in number, and measure about 1.34 by .92. The nest of this Sandpiper is made on the ground, generally in the shelter of high weeds or grass on a sandy island or border of a cultivated meadow, near water and often at a considerable distance from any water. It is simply a depression in the soil, some- times constructed with hay and moss. The eggs like all those of the waders lay in the nests with the small ends together. 264. Numenius longirostris Wits, [558.] Long-billed Curlew. Hab. Temperate North America, migrates south to Guatemala and the West Indies, The large Sickle-bill is of irregular distribution in temperate North America, breeding nearly throughout its range. It is migratory northward and is resident from the Carolinas south to Mexico. It nests very abundantly on the South Atlantic coast, and on the prairies of the interior and the Northwest. Unlike others of its genius it is not a bird of high latitude. The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are three or four in number; and almost exactly resemble those of the Willet, but are larger, measuring from 2.45 to 2.80 in length by 1.80 to 1.90 in breadth; they are, however, more of a pyriform shape than the eggs of the Willet. In common with other waders the eggs are deposited on the ground ina slight hollow lined with a few grasses. This Curlew may be known from all others by its large size and very long, curved bill, measuring from four to six or eight inches. It may sometimes breed at St. Mary’s Reservoir, in Mercer county, and other localities of Northwestern Ohio, as it is known to breed in Northern Illinois. 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lary. [559.] Hudsonian Curlew. Hab. North and South America and West Indies. Breeds in the far north; winters chiefly south of the United States. The American Whimbrel, Short-billed, or Jack Curlew, as this bird } NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 127 is variously called, is not so abundant as the Long-billed or Eskimo Curlews. It is generally distributed throughout North America, breed- ing in the far north —in vicinity of ponds and lakes on the Barren Lands of the Arctic regions, the regions of the Anderson River and in various parts of Alaska. Nests like those of the last species. In the United States itis a spring and fall migrant and is often found in com- pany with Godwits, Snipe and others of its tribe. The eggs are ashy- yellow, the markings are large and bold, of different shades of choco- late and umber-brown. The eggs of this species can only be distin- guished from those of the following species by their larger size; from 2.12 to 2.30 in length by about 1.60 broad; generally four in number; of the usual pear-shape. 266. Numenius borealis (Forst). [560.] Eskimo Curlew. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions; south in winter to Southern South America. The Dough-bird, or Eskimo Curlew, is found in North America at large and breeds within the Arctic circle. It migrates through the United States, where it is rarely known to winter, and never to sum- mer; wintering in Central and South America. Abundant in certain places during the migrations. In Labrador it is said to fairly swarm in August. Of this bird’s nest and eggs Dr. Coues says: ‘‘ This species breeds in great numbers in the Anderson River region, usually making up its nest complement of four eggs by the third week in June. The nest is generally in an open plain, and is a mere depression of the ground, lined with a few dried leaves or grasses. The eggs vary to the great extent usually witnessed among waders. The ground is olive- drab, tending either to green, gray or brown in different instances. The markings, always large, numerous and bold, are of different depths of dark chocolate, bistre and sepia-brown, with ordinary stone-gray shell spots. They always tend to aggregate at the larger end, or at least, are more numerous on the major half of the eggs; though in a few in- stances the distribution is nearly uniform. Occasionally the butt end of the egg is almost completely occupied by confluence of very dark markings. Eggs vary from 1.90x 1.40 to 2.12 1.33, averaging about 2.00 X 1.45.” * [267.] Numenius pheopus (Linn.) [561.] Whimbrel. Hab. Old World; occasional in Greenland. In England and Scotland this bird is known as Whimbrel Curlew, “Half-Curlew,” or Jack Curlew. It breeds throughout Northern “Birds of the Northwest, p. 512. 106 NESTS AND EGGS OF by the lobate feet like those of the Coots and Grebes. ‘The body is de- pressed and the under-plumage thick like that of a duck. They ride the waves lightly along the coast, and when on the margin of a stream or pool often surprise their associates, the Sandpipers, by swimming out into deep water. The Red Phalarope appears to be more exclu- sively maritime than other species of the family. ‘The nest is a slight hollow in the ground, sparsely lined with moss and grass. Mr. Capen quotes a letter from Mr. Boardman in which he says: ‘‘ Twice I have found the Red Phalarope breeding in Maine.” The eggs, Mr. Capen says, are laid the first part of June.* They are greenish or yellowish- ash, blotched and spotted with brown of various shades. The eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of the following species; in fact, the range of coloration is so varied that they are difficult to describe satisfactorily in a brief manner. They are three or four in number, averaging larger than those of the Northern Phalarope ; from 1.15 to 1.30 long by .go to .95 broad. 223. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.) [564.] Northern Phalarope. Hab. North parts of North Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions: south in winter to tropical regions. The general habits, movements and distribution of the Northern Phalarope are nearly identical with those of the Red Phalarope; com- mon to both continents, and breeding in the Arctic regions of Asia, Europe and America. The nesting habits are substantially the same and the eggs are laid in June. The bird is also known as the Red- necked Phalarope. The eggs are greenish or yellowish-ash, thickly blotched with varying shades of brown; three or four; sizes range from 1.10 to 1.30 long by .75 to .82 broad, averaging 1.20 by .80; like the last, there is a great variation in size, shape and color. 224. Phalaropus tricolor (VieiLL.) [565.] Wilson's Phalarope. Hab. Chiefly interior of temperate North America; south in winter to Braziland Patagonia. Exclusively an American bird, more common in the interior than along the sea coast. Little information regarding its habits was ob- tained by the older onithologists. Known now to breed in Northern Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Utah and Oregon. May be found nesting in suitable places from these regions northward to the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan country. It is re- corded as a summer resident in Northern Indiana and very likely breeds in Northwestern Ohio. Mr.N. S. Goss states that he is quite confident the bird occasionally breeds in Western Kansas.t *Oology of New England. 7 A Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas, with descriptive notes of the nests and eggs of the NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 107 The nesting habits of Wilson’s Phalarope have been carefully observed by Mr. E. W. Nelson in Northern Illinois, and his observa- tions form a very complete and interesting biography of the species.{ Mr. Nelson states that it is the most common species in Northern Illinois, frequenting grassy marshes and low prairies, and is not exceeded in numbers even by the ever-present Spotted Sandpiper. “The nesting-site is usually in some thin tuft of grass on a level spot, but often in an open place concealed by only a few straggling blades of small carzces. ‘The male scratches a shallow depression in the soft earth, which is usually lined with a thin layer of fragments of old grass blades, upon which the eggs, numbering from three to four, are deposited about the last of May or first of June. Owing to the low situations in which the nests are placed, the first set of eggs is often destroyed by a heavy fall of rain, causing the water to rise so as to submerge the nest. In this case, the second set, numbering two or three, is often deposited in a depression scratched in the ground, as at first, but with no sign of any lining. Accidents of this kind cause the second set of eggs to be sometimes deposited as late as the last of June.” The male alone undertakes the duties of incubation. The eggs are ashy-yellow, usually coarsely spotted and blotched with brown of varying shades, with numerous specks and scratches; three or four in number; sizes vary from 1.20 to 1.35 in length by 1.90 in breadth, making them elongate pyriform in shape. 225. Recurvirostra americana Gm. | 566.] American Avocet. Hab. Temperate portions of North America, from the Saskatchewan country and Great Slave Lake southward; in winter to Guatemala and the West Indies. A bird of striking appearance, of odd coloration, having extra- ordinarily long legs; feet webbed like those of a swimming bird; body flattened underneath, and duck-like plumage to resist the water. The most striking characteristic of the bird, however, is its long, decidedly upturned bill, and from its blue legs it receives the name of Blue- stocking. It is very abundant in the West, on the plains of Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. In these regions it breeds in June, nesting in the tall grass in marshy or wet places. The eggs vary from a dark olive to buff, pretty uniformly and pro- fusely spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades; they vary in size, shape and markings like the birds themselves; three or four in number; sizes from 1.80 to 2.10 in length by 1.25 to 1.45 in breadth. birds known to breed in the State. By N.S. Goss. Published under the direction of the Executive Council, May, 1886. Topeka: T.D. Thacher, State Printer. P. 14. } Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. II, pp. 38-43. 108 NESTS AND EGGS OF 226. Himantopus mexicanus (Muit.) [567.] Black-necked Stilt. Hab. Temperate North America from Northern United States southward to West Indies, Brazil, and Peru. This exceedingly long-legged bird is distributed throughout the United States, and like the Avocet, is rare in the eastern portions. It is abundant in the West, but its range is rather more southerly than that of the Avocet. In Ohio it is a rare summer visitor. Perhaps breeds. The nest of the Stilt is often only a slight depression in the ground, lined with dry grasses, situated along some stream or ditch, or near water; some collectors have found the nest at the water’s edge, or on a heaped mass of vegetation just above the surface of shallow water. A.M. Shields says that the Stilt arrives in the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, about May ist, and the eggs may be found fresh until the middle of June. He states that the birds usually congregate in large flocks in some suitable locality, and build their nests close together, a score or more are often found within a few yards of each other; the nests being composed of small sticks and roots, closely laid together and placed among the grass on the margin of a lake or river.* This record refers to the abundance of the Stilt in the season of 1883, and those previous; but I am informed by Mr. Shields that the bird is not so abundant as formerly, only a few pair breeding in the neighborhood of Los Angeles each year. The eggs are of a greenish-yellow, thickly spotted, blotched and lined irregularly with brownish-black of varying shades; pyriform in shape; three or four in number; sizes from 1.60 to 1.85 long by 1.15 to 1.25 broad. {227.] Scolopax rusticola Linn. [ 524.] European Woodcock. Hab. Old World; occasional in Eastern North America. The European Woodcock is widely distributed over the northern parts of the Old World. It is of larger size than the American bird. Many instances are on record of its breeding in various parts of Great Britain, but the greater portion of the birds are considered migratory. Breeds abundantly in Norway, Sweden, Lapland and in Northern Russia. Nocturnal in its habits, reposing in the daytime in grassy bottoms in woods, and at twilight it regains activity, resorting to open glades and marshy bottoms, where it feeds. These tracts are known as “‘cock-shoots,”’ or “ cock-roads.” The food of the birds is the common earth-worm, which they procure by boring, or thrusting their bills into the soft mud. The nest consists of a few leaves loosely laid together, and without lining. The eggs are usually four in num- * Young Qologist, Vol. I, p. 41. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 109 ber; of a pale yellowish-white, blotched and spotted with various shades, ashy-gray and reddish or yellowish-brown; most numerous about the larger end. Four eggs measure 1.75 x 1.27, 1.74 X 1.27, 1.73 X 1.23, 1.77 X 1.28. 228. Philohela minor (GmeL.) [525.] American Woodcock. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, north to British Province, west to Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, etc. Breeds throughout its range. This noted game bird frequents the bogs, swampy fields, and wet woodlands of Eastern United States and Canada, and breeds through- out its range. The nests are mere depressions in some dry spot in swampy land, generally under the cover of a clump of briers or other wild shrubbery, often in more open places. The eggs of the Wood- cock are laid early in April, and in some localities not until some time in May. In Ohio, I have found eggs as early as April 3, and young have been seen as early as April 9, near Cleveland, Ohio. There are records of eggs of this species averaging in size 1.80x1.25, but I have never seen any so large, although they exhibit considerable variations. These sizes doubtless refer to the eggs of the European species. The Woodcock is often called ‘‘Bog Sucker,” from its habit of boring in the mud for worms and animalcule, of which its food consists. The eggs are creamy or buff, irregularly and thickly spotted with pale, reddish- brown of varying shades; pyriform, but more rotund than those of most of the small waders, and some are quite broad, varying from 1.40 to 1.55 long by 1.15 to 1.20 broad. ‘The usual number of eggs is four. Four selected specimens measure 1.58X1.2I, I.53X1.14, I.57X1.17, and 1.53 X 1.20. [229.] Gallinago gallinago (Linn.) [526.] European Snipe. Hab. Northern portions of the Old World; frequent occurrence in Greenland, Accidental in the Bermudas. A species of general distribution over Europe. In the breeding season it is found in the more northern portions and in the winter months it inhabits the southern regions. A common game bird on the British Islands, breeding in greater or less abundance in all parts of England and Scotland; especially to the north on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. In summer it is found on the Faroes, Iceland, and in Greenland. Breeds in the northern portions of Russia and Siberia and as far south as France, Germany, Holland and Hungary. The nests of this Snipe are placed on the ground in tall grass by the side of some pond or shallow water, or amidst the long heather which grows upon the hill-side. Nests have been found at an elevation of a thousand feet above the plain. 110 NESTS AND EGGS OF The full complement of eggs is four; they have a ground-color varying from yellowish-white to greenish-yellow. The markings are of several shades of reddish or chestnut-brown, scattered chiefly about the larger end. The eggs are pyriform in shape and quite pointed at the smaller end. Four eggs collected near Lancaster, England, measure 1.54 X 1.14, 1.53 X 1.08, 1.59X 1.15, I.5I XI.10. 230. Gallinago delicata (Orp.) [526a.] Wilson’s Snipe. Hab. Whole of North and Middle America, breeding from Northern United States northward; south in winter to West Indies and Northern South America. The American Snipe is a favorite game bird, well known by the name of Jack Snipe. Throughout the greater part of the United States it occurs only during the migrations. Breeds from about lati- tude 45° northward to Hudson Bay region on the east and as far west and north as Sitka, Alaska and Fort Anderson. The birds frequent low open places, such as wet meadows and marshes, and muddy banks of streams. They are found in small companies of from three to twelve, tech- nically called “wisps.”’ Solitary birds are not unfrequently met with. No other game birds are more erratic and eccentric than these. They are extremely fickle in the choice of their feeding ground; one day they may swarm in a certain locality, and the next none are to be discovered. Their flight is strong, but, especially at the beginning, erratic. They almost invariably fly against the wind, and lie closest on still, clear days. Occasionally they alight on trees or fences. Their note, uttered as they rise, resembles the word “escape.” The nest is only a slight depression in the grass or moss of a bog. The eggs vary from a grayish-olive to greenish-brown and yellowish- ash, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, umber, and sometimes with lines of black; the markings are bold and numerous, particularly on the larger end, usually also sharp scratchy lines of blackish and shell-spots, hardly noticeable. The shape of the eggs is pyriform; three or four in number; sizes range from 1.50 to 1.60 long by 1.05 to 1.10 broad. 231. Macrorhamphus griseus (GmeL.) [527.] Dowitcher. Hab. Eastern North America, Breeding far northward. Known by several names, such as Red-breasted Snipe, Gray Snipe, Brown-back, and Gray-back; these are also applied to the Long-billed Dowitcher. This bird, which greatly resembles the Com- mon Snipe in structure and general appearance, differs from it in habits, It is described as migrating in flocks, often of large size, and NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 111 as being so unsuspicious as to allow a near approach. Breeds in high Arctic regions, in various places in Alaska, and is spoken of by Dr. Richardson as having an extensive breeding range throughout the Fur Country, from the borders of Lake Superior to the Arctic Ocean. In the Arctic Regions nests have been taken between the middle of June and the first part of July. They were placed on the marshy borders of small lakes and ponds, and were made of a few dry leaves and grasses. The eggs were usually four in number. These cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of Wilson’s Snipe. They are generally long, narrow, and pointed in shape; sizes from 1.62 to 1.75 long by I.10 to 1.15 broad. 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say.) [ 5272.] Long-billed Dowitcher. Hab. Mississippi Valley and Western North America from Mexico to Alaska. This bird, whose size is larger and bill longer than that of the last, inhabits North America at large, but is supposed to be rare on the Atlantic coast. It is called Greater Long-beak, Greater Gray-beak and Red-bellied Snipe. Breeds in the far north; is said to be common about the mouth of the Yukon and islands along the coast of Alaska. In the West the birds gather in dense flocks, and they being of a gentle and confiding disposition, and so closely huddled together, that great slaughter may be effected by the gunner if so disposed. Eggs larger and nesting same as the last. 233. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.) [528.] Stilt Sandpiper. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding north of the United States; migrating south in winter to tropical regions. The Long-legged Sandpiper, of slender form and very long legs, breeds north of the United States, and visits Southern localities in winter; Bermudas, West Indies, Central and South America. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding at Rendezvous Lake, in the Arctic regions, June 27. The nests were similar to all others of this family, a mere depression in the ground, with a lining of a few leaves and grasses. The eggs are three or four in number, pyriform in shape, with a ground color of light drab or grayish-white, with bold spots and markings of chestnut-brown and purplish-gray, more numerous about the larger end; in some quite confluent. Sizes vary from 1.43 to 1.46 long by 1.04 to 1.10 broad. 234. Tringa canutus Linn. [529.] Knot. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan; breeding in high northern latitudes. Migrates far southward. This handsome species, so remarkable for its seasonable differences 112 NESTS AND EGGS OF of plumage, is the largest of the North American Sandpipers. It in- habits most parts of the globe; in America chiefly coastwise, and breeds in high latitudes. It is migratory, and is also found in the interior about large bodies of water and rivers. Red-breasted and Ash-colored Sandpiper and Gray-back are other names for it. An authentic egg of the Knot has for many years been the object of special and diligent search by eminent naturalists and explorers traveling in Arctic regions where this bird is known to live during the season of reproduction. Lieut. A. W. Greely, U. S. A., Commander of the late Expedition to Lady Franklin Sound, succeeded in obtaining the long-sought-for egg of the Knot. C. H. Merriam publishes the first account of it, written by Lieut. Greely, as follows: ‘The specimen of bird and egg were obtained in the vicinity of Fort Conger, latitude of 81° 44‘ N. The egg was 1.10 inch [28 mm.] in the longer axis, and 1 inch [25.40 mm.] in the shorter. Color, light pea green, closely spotted with brown in small specks about the size of a pin-head.” * 235. Tringa maritima Brunn. [530.] Purple Sandpiper. Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere; in North America, chiefly the northeastern por- tions, migrating south in winter to Masternand Middle States. Mississippi Valley. The purple Sandpiper is found in the high Arctic regions of Amer- icaand Europe. Said to be a resident of the Aleutian Islands. Breeds in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and in Greenland, where some remain in the fiords of the southern portion all winter. Dr. Richardson states that it breeds abundantly on Melville Penin- sula and on the shores of Hudson Bay. The nest is a mere depres- sion in the soil with a scant lining of dry grass. The eggs are clay color, shaded with olivaceous, with large and distinct markings of rich umber-brown of different depths of intensity all over the shell, but most numerous as well as largest on the greater half; pyriform; the eggs are usually four in number, and measure about 1.40 by 1.00. 236. Tringa couesi (Ripcw.) | 531.] Aleutian Sandpiper. Hab. Coasts and islands of Bering Sea, north to St. Michael’s. Closely allied to the last species, and the birds are hardly distin- guishable in their respective winter plumages. It is common in the Aleutian and other islands, and also along the coasts of Bering Sea as far west as the Commander Islands. Dr. Stejneger records it as a resi- dent of the latter group, found there during both summer and winter. *Auk. Vol. IL, p. 813. PLATE IV. Copyright 1886. WOOD DUCKS AND NESTING PLACE. sponsa.) 7X S, (4. PAGE 67, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 113 The first eggs are laid about the middle of May. These are described as pale olive-buff, varying to light brownish-buff, spotted and blotched with vandyke-brown or deep umber; size 1.46x 1.00. 237. Tringa ptilocnemis Covers. [ 532.] Prybilof Sandpiper. Hab. Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. The Black-breasted Sandpiper, as it is called, is confined to the Prybilof group and several other islands of Bering Sea; but does not visit the Commander Islands. It is said to be the only wader that breeds on the Prybilof Islands. In May it nests on the dry uplands and mossy hummocks, placing its nest in bunches of moss, in which four pyriform eggs are laid. The eggs are described as light brownish-buff, heavily spotted with rich chestnut-brown, clouded with purplish-gray. Average size 1.50x 1.07. 239. Tringa maculata Vier. [ 534.] Pectoral Sandpiper. Hab. North, Central and South America; breeding in the Arctic regions. Of frequent occurrence in Europe. During the migrations the Pectoral Sandpiper is very abundant, both onthe sea coast andin the interior. It frequents the borders of ponds, the shores of lakes and rivers, and is found commonly in the vicinity of wet cornfields and meadows. It is only of recent date that we have obtained any positive information regarding this bird’s breed- ing places. Mr. E. W. Nelson found it to be extremely common at the mouth of the Yukon River, where the low grassy flats afford it a much frequented breeding ground. Arriving on the shores of Bering Sea, near St. Michael’s, from the 15th to the 25th of May, the birds linger about a short time; they then pair and seek nesting places, which are usually in tufts of grass. The eggs are of a pale grayish-buff, varying to pale olive-green, boldly blotched and spotted with rich vandyke-brown and purplish gray ; average size, I.44 xX 1.02. 240. Tringa fuscicollis Vizmr. [536.] White-rumped Sandpiper. Hab. Eastern North America; breeds far North. In winter migrating through the United States, the West Indies, Central and South America and Falkland Islands. Occasionaiin Europe. Bonaparte’s Sandpiper during the breeding season is found in the Arctic regions. It is a species of wide distribution in the migrations, wandering into tropical regions. ‘The bird is said to breed in suitable places on the shores of Cumber- land Sound. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane met its nests and eggs on or near the Arctic coast; one taken July 3 contained four eggs 9 114 NESTS AND EGGS OF with large embryos; another found the day following contained three eges. A third, obtained June 29 on the Barren Lands, was a mere de- pression in the ground, lined with a few decayed leaves and contained four eggs with very large embryos. A fourth found on the banks of a small river, of similar construction, held four eggs. The eggs are pyriform in shape, of light olive or olive-brown, spot- ted with bold and sometimes rather fine markings of deep chestnut- brown, almost into blackness, chiefly about the larger end in confluent groups. Average size, I.37xX.94. 241. Tringa bairdii (Coves.) [537.] Baird’s Sandpiper. Hab. North America, chiefly the interior. Rare on the Atlantic Coast; wintering in Mexico, Cen- tral and South America. Baird’s Sandpiper is distributed throughout North America gener- ally, but is said not yet to have been observed west of the Rocky Mountains. It is found chiefly in the interior. Known to breed in the Arctic regions; winters south of United States. This bird was entirely unknown to ornithologists until within the last thirty-five years; when discovered and for sometime after was confounded with other species. Dr. Coues first gave it rank and name in 1861. It breeds in the Arctic regions— on the Barren Lands; nests in the latter part of June, usually within the vicinity of lakes and small ponds. The nest is made of a few dry leaves and grasses in a small depression, shaded by a tuft of grass. The eggs are usually four in number ; buff or clay-colored, spotted and blotched with varying shades of chestnut-brown ; in most instances the markings are fine and innumerable, of indefinite size, irregular in shape and thickness at the greater end, where they are occasionally massed in blotches; size about 1.30 X .90 242. Tringa minutilla Vieity. [538.] Least Sandpiper. Hab. Whole of North America; breeding north of the United States. The smallest of the Sandpipers, measuring five and a half or six inches in length. It has the same habits as characterize its Semi- palmated cousins, frequenting the same localities, and flocks of birds are often composed of both species. When this is the case the Semi- palmated Sandpipers even if largely in the minority, take the lead, as their somewhat larger size, stronger flight and louder note fit them for so doing. When not in company with other species none of our shore birds are more confiding and unsuspecting than these, large flocks con- tinuing their search for food almost under the feet of the observer. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 115 The Least Sandpiper breeds from Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador northward into the Arctic regions, and in Alaska. June 5, 1875, one was found building its nest in the vicinity of Chicago, Ill. Nests in the Arctic regions are usually mere depressions, lined with leaves and grasses, on the ground, in the vicinity of lakes or ponds. The eggs are usually four in number, and may be found between the latter part of May and June. The eggs are pyriform in shape, the ground color is light drab, thickly sprinkled with reddish-brown spots and purplish-gray. The average size is 1.15x.85. [243.] Tringa alpina Linn. [539.] Dunlin. Hab. Europe, accidental in North America. The Purre or Dunlin has a wide distribution in the northern parts of the Old World. By far the most abundant of the British Sand- pipers, being equally distributed in the marshes, on the borders of inland lakes, and along all the seashores from the most northern island to the southern coast of England. ‘The birds usually feed in great numbers after the retiring tide, or on the oozy flats of soft sand or mud, which cover the low-lying shores of the islands. In the spring they separate into pairs, retiring to the marshes and shores of inland lakes and muirs to breed. ‘Their nests are made at the foot of a small bush or tuft of grass, often so concealed as to be very difficult to find. A few bits of grass or moss form the lining of the slight cavity, in which usually four eggs are deposited. They vary in ground color from greenish-white, yellow, gray and often inclining to light blue; they are spotted and blotched irregularly with reddish-brown; the spots becoming more numerous toward the larger end. Four speci- mens measure 1.54X 1.14, 1.53 X 1.08, I.59X1.15, 1.51 XI.10. 243a, Tringa alpina pacifica (Cougs.) [53¢2.] Red-backed Sandpiper. Hab. North Americain general, breeding in highlatitudes. Eastern Asia. This is the American Duulin, Black-bellied Sandpiper, or Ox bird; it is larger and brighter colored than 7. al/pzuxa. Distributed through- out the whole of North America, and breeds in the Arctic regions, mi- grating in winter in the United States, especially coastwise. Breeds in various places on the Alaskan coast— at the mouth of the Yukon and in the salt marshes of Norton Sound. It has also been found breeding on the Arctic coast of North America, on Melville Peninsula, the shores of Davis Strait and in Southern Greenland. The nest is built in the vicinity of lakes and ponds or in marshes ; it is a slight hollow with merely a few dry grasses and leaves scraped 116 NESTS AND EGGS OF into it. The eggs, four in number, of a dull brownish-buff or clay color, spotted, blotched and stained with chestnut, principally about the larger end; their average size is 1.43 X 1.01. 244. Tringa ferruginea Bruny. [540.] Curlew Sandpiper. Hab. Old World in general, occasional in Eastern North America and in Alaska. A bird with a bill resembling that of the Curlews —long, slender, compressed and considerably decurved. The length of the bird is about eight and a half inches. It is said to be one of the rarest of the Sandpipers which visit North America. A common species in Siberia, where it breeds. Said to breed in Holland, Denmark and northward into Norway, Sweden, and in Finland. In England it is nowhere abundant and does not assemble in large flocks like the Dunlin or Purre. A few pairs are believed to breed in Great Britain. Known to breed in various portions of Greenland — nesting near the margins of lakes and rivers where the eggs are deposited ina slight hollow of the ground, lined with bits of grass. The eggs are four in number, pyri- form in shape, pale grayish or greenish-buff, spotted and blotched with chestnut-brown. They are hardly distinguishable from those of the Pec- toral or Red-backed Sandpiper’s eggs; size 1.50X 1.04. 246. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.) [541.] Semipalmated Sandpiper. Hab Northern and Eastern North America; west during the migrations to Rocky Mountains. This little ““ Peep” is found everywhere in North America. In the summer it is distributed from Labrador and western shores of Hud- son Bay northward, this being its breeding grounds. In spring and fall it isan abundant migrant in United States, thronging the beaches, the gravelly and sandy shores of streams and muddy banks of ponds, in company with the Spotted Sandpiper and others, with which it is usually confounded. It winters from the Carolinas southward. It has the same ’¢weet, tweet as the Spotted Sandpiper, and utters it frequent- ly, both on the shore and when flying. The Semipalmated Sandpiper arrives in the Saskatchewan River country about the middle of May, where it deposits its eggs early in June on a few pieces of withered grass in a slight hollowinthe ground. These are three or four innum- ber, and measure from 1.20 to 1.25 long by .82 to .85 broad. Ina large series the usual variations in color are noticeable; the ground color varying from clay to grayish or greenish-drab or positive olive tint; usually boldly spotted and splashed with umber or chestnut-brown ; thickest about the largest end; and again, in some, very fine dots are distributed over the entire surface. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 117 247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. [541a.] Western Sandpiper. Uab. Western North America; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast; breeding far north. Migrating in winter to Central and South America. ’ Very much like the last species and there is essentially no differ- ence in its general habits, nesting, eggs and other peculiarities. Abundant in Alaska, breeding along the Yukon and the shores and islands of Norton Sound. Nests commonly on the Island of St. Michael’s, depositing four eggs in nests which are mere hollows in the ground with a few blades of grass for lining. In June and July it is said to breed abundantly on the islands in the bays along the Arctic coast and also in the Barren Lands. ‘The eggs are said to exhibit as great variation as those of £. puszllus. 248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.) [542.] Sanderling. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in high Arctic regions. The Sanderling, Ruddy “ Plover” or ‘Beach Bird,” is a species of wide distribution. During the breeding season it is distributed through the northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It inhabits, however, the entire continent of North America, wander- ing in its migrations through the United States, and in winter to the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America. Its nests and eggs have been taken in Grinnell Land, and it is said to breed on islands about the coast of Greenland and on the shores and islands of Hud- son Bay. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane, on June 29, dis- covered a nest with four eggs on the Barren Lands, near the Arctic coast. The eggs at this date were quite fresh. The nest is said to have been made of hay and decayed leaves. The eggs are ashy or greenish-brown, spotted and blotched with brown of different shades, pyriform in shape; two to four in number, and measure 1.41 by .gr. 249. Limosa fedoa (Liny.) [543.] Marbled Gedwit. Hab. North Americain general, Breeds in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi regions, thence to the Saskatchewan. Winters in the Southern States and southward. The Great Marbled Godwit, or Marlin, inhabits the entire temper- ate North America, and it is a common bird during the migrations and in winter. It breeds chiefly in the Mississippi and Eastern Mis- souri regions, in lowa, Minnesota and Dakota, thence to the Saskatch- ewan; known to breed in Northern Ohio, in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minne- sota, Kansas and Nebraska. This is the largest of the “ Bay birds,” except the Long-billed Curlew, and can readily be distinguished, its bill being either straight or bent a little upward, and not decurved, like the Curlew’s. It frequents muddy pools, sandv shores and 118 NESTS AND EGGS OF marshes, usually in flocks of greater or less extent. The bird is held in high esteem for the table, and they are eagerly hunted by the gun- ners when flocks of ten or a dozen birds appear on the marshes. The sportsmen call them ‘“ Dough” or “ Doe” birds. The eggs are creamy- buff or light oliveaceous-drab spotted and blotched, rather sparsely, with yellowish and umber-brown of varying shades, long oval; size about 2.27 by 1.60; three or four in number, and they are deposited in a slight depression of the ground, lined with a few bits of grasses. The nests are placed in the vicinity of a pool or river, but not always near the water’s edge. 250. Limosa lapponica baueri (Navum.) [544,] Pacific Godwit. Hab. Coasts of Eastern Asia and across to Alaska, south in winter to New Zealand and Australia; casual to Lower California. In the winter months the Pacific Godwit is found in many of the islands of the Pacific Ocean—the Polynesian Islands and Australia. At this season it is also found on the Eastern and Southern coasts of Asia and Japan. On the American coast it is a summer resident in Alaska, and south of this point it is recorded only from Lower Califor- nia. An abundant species at the mouth of the Yukon and on the marshes of Pastolik, which are farther north. ‘The nests are built in tussocks of grass, lined with the same material. The eggs are said to be only two in number, of light olive drab, spotted with irregularly formed spots of umber of varying shades, similar to those of the Marbled Godwit; size, 2.25 1.45. 251. Limosa hemastica (Linn.) [545.] Hudsonian Godwit. Hab. Northern North America. Not recorded west of Rocky Mountains, only in Alaska. The Hudsonian Godwit, though not common anywhere in the United States, is distributed throughout North America generally, but has not been observed west of the Rocky Mountains. It passes the winter South of the United States, and breeds in the most northern sections of the country. Breeds abundantly on the Barren Lands of the Arctic Ocean. In the Lower Anderson river region it nests in the first part of June, depositing its eggs in a slight depression of the ground lined with a few leaves and grasses. It associates with Z. feda, and has the same habits and characteristics. Called by the gunners the “Smaller Doe-bird.” American Black-tailed Godwit and Ring-tailed Marlin are its other names. The eggs of this species are heavily shaded olive-drab or “hair brown” almost as dark as a Loon’s egg, sometimes lighter; obscurely NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 119 spotted and blotched with dark brown; usually four in number; size 2.20X 1.42. {252.] Limosa limosa (Liny.) [546.] Black-tailed Godwit. Hab. Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Greenland. At different seasons of the year the Black-tailed Godwit has been observed in nearly every portion of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is only an occasional visitant of Greenland which gives it a place in the fauna of North America. Considerd migratory in Great Britain, and a few are known to breed there in the various marshes. In the sum- mer months, however, this Godwit is found in various parts of Den- mark and throughout Scandinavia, especially in Finland and up into Lapland. Known to nest in France, and is supposed to breed sparingly in Switzerland. In Scotland and other portions of the British Islands this species deposits its eggs early in May. ‘This bird is known as Com- mon Godwit, Godwyn, VYarwhelp, or Yarwhit, Jadreka Snipe, and Shrieker. The nesting is like that of all the Waders so far as known — simply a hollow in wet meadows or in dry parts of swamps, midst grass or weeds. The eggs are usually four in number; they are of a deep grayish-olive or even a deep green, faintly spotted with olive- brown of different shades. Size 2.17 x 1.50. [253.] Totanus nebularius (Gunn). [547.] Green-shank. Hab. Old World; accidental in Florida. Audubon took three specimens of the Green-shank on Sand Key, Florida, near Cape Sable, May 28, 1832. This is the only record of its appearance in North America. An abundant bird inthe British Islands, many remain to breed, especially in Scotland, and on the islands about the coast. Breeds in Norway and Sweden, in Finland and in Lap- land as far north as the Arctic Circle. The nest is often placed some distance from water, usually in a tuft of grass with a shght lining. The eggs are four in number and vary from yellowish to brownish-buff, sprinkled and spotted all over, with irregular spots of dark brown, vary- ing in intensity of shade. The eggs are generally pear-shaped. The average size of ten specimens is 1.98 x 1.40. 254. Totanus melanoleucus (GmeEL.) [548.] Greater Yeliow-legs. Hab. Nearly all of North America; breeding in the more northern portions. The Greater Yellow-legs, or Tell-tale, is found in North America at large. It is said to breed in the large marshes of Wisconsin, in Iowa, and in Northern Illinois; doubtless a few breed in suitable places 120 NESTS AND EGGS OF in California. The Greater Tell-tale winters from the Carolinas south- ward; is abundant during the migrations, and is well known to the gunners. In the Eastern States it appears to be much more wary than in Ohio, and is said to give warning to ducks and other game birds on the approach of the gunner. About four rapidly repeated, loud and shrill whistling notes are uttered, which is a signal to the test of his feathered neighbors, when the whole take wing, often to the disappointment of the fowler. From this habit it derives the name of Tell-tale, and it is also known as Stone “ Snipe,” Greater Yellow-shanks, and Long-legged Tattler. The stately form of this bird may be seen moving along the gravelly banks of streams, wading in pools or the shallow margins of rivers and lagoons, feeding upon small fishes, crustaceans, etc. It is generally found in pairs, less often in small flocks, and its association with other Sandpipers is merely accidental. The eggs are grayish-white, marked with spots of dark brown, varying in intensity of shade, together with obscure shell- markings of lilac. The markings are over the entire surface, but more numerous at the larger end; three or four in number; size 1.43 X 1.20. 255. Totanus flavipes (Gme.) [549.] Y = fi Hab. North America. ellow=hers The common Yellow-legs, or Lesser Tell-tale, is found throughout North America. It breeds from Northern United States northward, extending its migrations to the Arctic regions. It winters in the Southern States and southward. In some localities during the migra- tions it is more abundant than the Greater Tattler, and its general habits and characteristics are the same; its cries are clearer and not so loud. It is fond of wading about in pools of water seeking food, which consists of larvee of insects and small crustaceans. The Lesser Yellow-shanks is known to breed in Alaska, at the mouth of the Porcupine River, which empties into the Yukon. It doubtless breeds in all the region between Fort Selkirk and Fort Yukon. It has been found nesting in the neighborhood of Great Slave Lake, and abundantly in the Mac Farlane and Anderson River regions. At the latter place eggs were found as early as the first part of June. ‘The nests were mere depressions in the ground, without any lining; sometimes they were placed at the foot of a bush, with a scanty lining of withered leaves. The eggs were usually four. The bird is reported as doubtless breeding in Illinois and other regions farther south than those just mentioned. There is no doubt that a few of the Lesser Yellow-legs breed in Central Ohio. In referring to my notes I find NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 121 that a sportsman brought mea male bird on the 28th of June, 1886. This season (June 14, 1888) Mr. Robert Hedden shot a specimen, which proved to be a female, the skin of which is now in my cabinet. From this bird I took a well-formed egg, and the ovaries contained several others in different stages of development. The breast of this specimen was quite bare of feathers, indicating that it was engaged in the duties of incubation. The bird was sitting on the top rail of a fence when killed, and no others were noticed in the vicinity. The eggs of the Yellow-legs are of a light drab, or even vary to clay, buffy or cream color, sometimes light brown; the markings are bold and heavy, with great diversity of heavily splashed blotches of choco- late, umber-brown and blackish, these being chiefly at the larger end, and sometimes confluent. Paler shell-markings are also numerous and noticeable; pointedly pyriform in shape; three or four in number; sizes range from 1.58 to 1.78 long by about 1.16 broad. 256. Totanus solitarius (Wits.) [550.] Solitary Sandpiper. Hab. North America, breeding in Northern United States, northward; migrating southward to Northern South America. The Solitary Tattler, or the American Green Sandpiper is found throughout the entire North America; breeds in Northern United States and northward, and probably throughout most of its United States range. Winters chiefly in Mexico, Central and South America and in the West Indies. It has the same characteristic habits of the Green Sandpiper of Kurope—always seen near water, during the mi- grations, on the borders of lakes, ponds and rivers, or seeking its food, which consists chiefly of worms in the soft loamy soil of marshes. The Solitary Sandpiper is well named, when its personal habits or the localities which it frequents are considered. It is found, except dur- ing and shortly after the breeding season, about small ponds in woods, remote shaded ditches or small brooks, just such localities as are fre- quented by the Water Thrush, and its alarm note is very similar to that species, but is shriller and louder and is sounded while on the wing in its rapid flight. Although common, the eggs of this species have been until a comparatively recent date of special desideratum, and only a few specimens are as yet to be found in the numerous collec- tions. In the last edition of this work I mentioned an egg supposed to belong to this species, which I took in an open field bordering the Sci- oto River, near Columbus, Ohio, in the latter part of May, 1877. This specimen was first described by the late Dr. J. M. Wheaton.* The egg *In his Report on the Birds of Ohio. Vol. 1V., Ohio Geological Survey, entitled Zoology and Botany, p. 486. 122 NESTS AND EGGS OF was of a pointed oval shape, and not nearly so pyriform as are the eggs of most of this family, size 1.25 by .88, smaller than the eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper. The ground was clay-color with a reddish tinge, thickly marked with reddish and blackish-brown. ‘The nest was on the ground in as exposed a locality as is ever frequented by this bird. It contained two eggs, both far advanced in incubation, only one of which was preserved. In Jones’ magnificent work* this egg is ac- curately figured. From comparisons made at the time this specimen could not be referred to any other species than that of the Solitary Sandpiper. Dr. Brewer describes an egg, taken May 28, 1878, by Mr. Jenness Richardson, near Lake Bombazine, Vermont. It measures 1.32 x.go. The ground color is of a light drab, similar to that of gvaiztes meloda; over the surface are scattered small rounded markings of brown, some of these are quite dark, nowhere confluent, and not large enough to be called blotches. Its shape was elongated pyriform. Mr. Capen, in his finely illustrated work,} gives a faithful colored illus- tration of this specimen. The female parent of this egg was shot as she left the nest. [257.] Totanus ochropus (Liny.) [551.] Green Sandpiper Hab. Northern portions of the Old World. Accidental in Nova Scotia. If we may regard the authority of the older ornithologists, Rich- ardson and Nuttall, this bird obtained from them recognition as a straggler to North America. Its claim to our fauna, however, has been restored by the capture of a single specimen, said to have been taken in Nova Scotia, which was in the possession of J. Edmund Hart- ing, Esq. The bird is very similar to our Solitary Tattler and aver- ages slightly larger. It is very generally distributed through Europe and in some places esteemed a great delicacy for the table. Said to breed in all the northern portions of Asia. In England it is consid- ered an abundant bird in spring and fall and a number of pairs remain to breed. Known also as the Whistling Sandpiper. It frequents the shores of the sea and inland lakes, the banks of shallow streams and the borders of ponds and marshes. Breeds in various parts of Northwestern Germany and is known to nest in South- eastern France. The Green Sandpiper is said to be very peculiar in its mode of nesting — depositing its eggs in old nests situated in trees and is not known ever to nest on the ground. The nests usually oc- "-#{Ilustrations of the Nests and Eggs of eo of Ohio. Illustrations by Mrs. N. E. Jones: Text by Howard Jones, A. M., M. D., Circleville, Ohio TOology of New England: Plate xix. Fig. 6. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, 123 cupied are those of pigeons, jays, shrikes and other birds, but most commonly those of the Thrushes. These are said to be situated from three to six feet and as high as thirty-five feet from the ground. The eggs are four in number; greenish-white or delicate grayish sea-green, sparsely marked with spots, blotches, and markings of dark-brown, chiefly at the larger end; average size 1.52X1.12. 258. Symphemia semipalmata (GMeEL.) [552.] Willet. Hab. Temperate North America, south to Brazil and the West Indies. The Willet is the largest of the American family Scolopacide, ex- cept the genera Lewosa and Numentus. One of the most extensively distributed of all of our North American birds, being found in the marshy regions of the interior; along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida; throughout Central America and intoa large portion of South America. It is also abundant along the Pacific coast. Breeds throughout its United States range and wherever found in Southern districts. Nests commonly on Cobb’s Island, Va., effectually conceal- ing the eggs in the tall grass on the higher parts of the Island. The marshes at this place are also favorite breeding localities, where the nests are built up from the ground, whichis wet at hightide. At Long Beach, N. J., it breeds rarely and is said to have been formerly one of the most abundant breeding species. Mr. Perry writes that the Willet finds favorite breeding grounds in the salt marshes of Georgia and South Carolina. He mentions a large tract of ‘salt grass’ in Beaufort Co., S. C., where it breeds in great numbers. A hundred pairs or more are commonly observed breeding in this locality and at the same time, the eggs are very difficult to dis- cover. Crows feed upon them andthe empty shells are strewn plenti- fully over the field. The nest is a mere depression of the ground, lined with a few pieces of dry grass. Sometimes it is placed in a tus- sock of grass. Mr. Perry states that the eggs are deposited early in May. Mr. Stuart reports the Willet as breeding abundantly along the Gulf coast of Florida in May and June. The eggs are four in number, and there seems to be two distinct types of coloration in the ground color—either a greenish-white or a dark brownish-olive, marked with bold spots of various shades of umber-brown and mark- ings of subdued purple. The eggs are very large for the size of the bird, ranging from 1.98 to 2.12 in length by 1.46 to 1.58 broad. Four eggs measure 1.95 X 1.50, 1.98. X 1.49, 2.05X 1.53, 2.04 X1.53. 124 NESTS AND EGGS OF [260.] Pavoncella pugnax (Linn.) [554] Ruff. Hab. Northern portions of the Old World; occasionally straying to Eastern North America. The male of this species is known as the Ruff and the female as Reeve. It is a bird of wide distribution; found at various seasons of the year throughout Europe, the northern parts of Africa, and in western Asia. Examples of this bird have been taken in Eastern United States, as well as on Long Island and in various places in New England. Dr. Jasper took a specimen November 10, 1872, at the Lick- ing county Reservoir, Ohio. It breeds more or less commonly in England and Scotland, where the eggs are deposited during the first or second week in May. The Ruff is about the size of the Bartramian Sandpiper, and it also resembles this bird in color. But the most marked peculiarity of the species is the ruff-like growth of feathers about the neck, from which it takes its name. ‘There is an endless variety of plumage in the birds, the males and females differing widely in this respect. As its specific name, puguax, implies the bird is of a pugnacious disposi- tion, the males engaging in aggressive combats during the breeding season. ‘heir movements in fighting are said to be something like a game cock. Breeds throughout the greater portion of Scandinavia and in Denmark. In Lapland it arrives in the last week of May where it is found along the margin of lakes and rivers; later in the season it may be found hiding in the tall grass of the marshes. The nest is usually placed on a slight elevation in swampy places surrounded by coarse grass of which material it is composed. ‘The eggs are four in number and average 1.60x1.09. Four eggs in my cabinet from England measure 1.64 X 1.17, 1.79 X 1.20, 1.64.x 1.18, 1.75 x1.12. They are of an oblong pyriform shape; the ground color is of an olive or grayish-green; the markings are the same as those of the American Jack Snipe eggs but are heavier and more profuse—with spots and blotches of umber and blackish-brown. 261. Bartramia longicauda (Becust.) [555.] Eartramian Sandpiper. Hab. Eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia and Alaska. Breeds throughout its range. South in winter as far as Southern South America. Bartram’s Tattler is distributed more or less abundantly through- out the United States, but is rare west of the Rocky Mountains. Breeds commonly from the middle districts — Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota northward, into the Fur Country, and in Alaska. It is very numerous on the prairies of the interior, and is NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 125 also common eastward. It is known as Field “ Plover,” Upland “ Plover,’ Grass “ Plover,” Prairie “ Pigeon,” and Prairie “ Snipe.” In Ohio and Pennsylvania the eggs are hatched by the first or second week in June. One of the most familiar birds on the dry, open prairies of Manitoba, where it breeds, and is known as the “ Quaily,” from its soft, mellow note. Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, informs me that it nests in that region about the 2oth of May. Known to breed in various portions of Michigan, but its eggs are not often taken. The bird is less aquatic than most of the other Sandpipers, and is seldom seen along the banks of streams. Its favorite resorts are old pastures, upland, stubble fields and meadows, where its nests may be found in a slight depression of the ground, and they are not always well concealed. It frequently alights on trees or on fences, like a Meadow Lark. ‘The eggs of Bartram’s Sandpiper are of a pale clay or buff, thickly spotted with umber and yellowish-brown, especially about the larger end; commonly four in number; sizes range from 1.70 to 1.90 long by about 1.28 broad. 262. Tryngites subruficollis (VieiLL). [556.] Bufi-breasted Sandpiper. Hab. North America, especially the interior. Breeds in the interior of British America and in Alaska. Occasional occurrence in Europe. This interesting little Sandpiper is of general distribution in North America, but apparently nowhere very common. It is migra- tory in the United States, and breeds in the Arctic regions. Winters south of United States. It is often found in company with the Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers on the gravelly banks of rivers. This bird is said to resemble Bartram’s Sandpiper in frequenting upland fields and meadows. Breeds in the MacFarlane and Anderson River regions and in the Barren Lands of the Arctic coast. The nesting season in these regions is the latter part of June, extending to the middle of July. The bird also breeds in the Yukon River district. The nests are slight depressions in the soil, scantily lined with a few grasses or withered leaves. The eggs are clay color of various shades, sharply spotted and blotched with rich umber-brown; there is a great diversity in the shades of the ground color in a large series of specimens, and there is also the same varia- tions in the markings; the eggs are pointedly pyriform in shape; commonly four in number, and measure from 1.40 to 1.50 long by 1.02 to 1.10 broad. 263. Actitis macularia (Linn.) [557.] Spotted Sandpiper. Hab. North and South America and West Indies. Winters chiefly south of the United States. The familiar little Spotted Sandpiper is an extremely abundant 126 NESTS AND EGGS OF bird throughout North America, breeding everywhere. It winters in the Southern States and beyond. Every lazy fisherman and idle school boy, who has whiled away many a balmy and hot summer day along the banks of streams, knows this bird well by the bobbing and tilting movements of its body and tail, and its peculiar note, peet-weet, peet-weet, as it flies up and down and across the streams. It is known by many a curious nickname: “‘ Teeter-tail,” ‘“‘’Tip-up,” “ Sandlark,” ‘“Peet-weet’’? and others which generally refer to some eccentricity of the bird. The eggs are creamy, buff or clay color, blotched, spotted and dotted with blackish-brown; usually four in number, and measure about 1.34 by .92. The nest of this Sandpiper is made on the ground, generally in the shelter of high weeds or grass on a sandy island or border of a cultivated meadow, near water and often at a considerable distance from any water. Itis simply a depression in the soil, some- times constructed with hay and moss. The eggs like all those of the waders lay in the nests with the small ends together. 264. Numenius longirostris Wits. [558.] Long-billed Curlew. Hab. Temperate North America, migrates south to Guatemala and the West Indies. The large Sickle-bill is of irregular distribution in temperate North America, breeding nearly throughout itsrange. It is migratory northward and is resident from the Carolinas south to Mexico. It nests very abundantly on the South Atlantic coast, and on the prairies of the interior and the Northwest. Unlike others of its genius it is not a bird of high latitude. The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are three or four in number; and almost exactly resemble those of the Willet, but are larger, measuring from 2.45 to 2.80 in length by 1.80 to 1.90 in breadth; they are, however, more of a pyriform shape than the eggs of the Willet. In common with other waders the eggs are deposited on the ground ina slight hollow lined with a few grasses. This Curlew may be known from all others by its large size and very long, curved bill, measuring from four to six or eight inches. It may sometimes breed at St. Mary’s Reservoir, in Mercer county, and other localities of Northwestern Ohio, as it is known to breed in Northern Illinois. 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lary. [559.] Hudsonian Curlew. Hab. North and South America and West Indies. Breeds in the far north; winters chiefly south of the United States. The American Whimbrel, Short-billed, or Jack Curlew, as this bird NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 127 is variously called, is not so abundant as the Long-billed or Eskimo Curlews. It is generally distributed throughout North America, breed- ing in the far north —in vicinity of ponds and lakes on the Barren Lands of the Arctic regions, the regions of the Anderson River and in various parts of Alaska. Nests like those of the last species. In the United States it is a spring and fall migrant and is often found in com- pany with Godwits, Snipe and others of its tribe. The eggs are ashy- yellow, the markings are large and bold, of different shades of choco- late and umber-brown. The eggs of this species can only be distin- guished from those of the following species by their larger size; from 2.12 to 2.30 in length by about 1.60 broad; generally four in number; of the usual pear-shape. 266. Numenius borealis (Forst). ([560.] Eskimo Curlew. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions; south in winter to Southern South America. The Dough-bird, or Eskimo Curlew, is found in North America at large and breeds within the Arctic circle. It migrates through the United States, where it is rarely known to winter, and never to sum- mer; wintering in Central and South America. Abundant in certain places during the migrations. In Labrador it is said to fairly swarm in August. Of this bird’s nest and eggs Dr. Coues says: ‘This species breeds in great numbers in the Anderson River region, usually making up its nest complement of four eggs by the third week in June. The nest is generally in an open plain, and is a mere depression of the ground, lined with a few dried leaves or grasses. ‘The eggs vary to the great extent usually witnessed among waders. The ground is olive- drab, tending either to green, gray or brown in different instances. TMhe markings, always large, numerous and bold, are of different depths of dark chocolate, bistre and sepia-brown, with ordinary stone-gray shell spots. They always tend to aggregate at the larger end, or at least, are more numerous on the major half of the eggs; though in a few in- stances the distribution is nearly uniform. Occasionally the butt end of the egg is almost completely occupied by confluence of very dark markings. Eggs vary from I.gox 1.40 to 2.12% 1.33, averaging about 2.00 X 1.45.””* [267.] Numenius pheopus (Linn.) [561.] Whimbrel. Hab. Old World; occasional in Greenland. In England and Scotland this bird is known as Whimbrel Curlew, “ Half-Curlew,” or Jack Curlew. It breeds throughout Northern «Birds of the Northwest, p. 512. 128 NESTS AND EGGS OF Europe and Asia. Though pretty generally diffused in Great Britain, it is only found breeding in the extreme north of Scotland, on the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where the eggs are hatched by the first part of June. In these places the nests are made on elevated portions of the heath. During the breeding season the Whimbrel is found on the Faroe Islands and in Iceland. It is distributed throughout Denmark, Scandinavia and Russia; a few are known to breed in Lapland, as far north as latitude 65°. It is said by the best authorities that this bird is the most widely diffused of all the waders. Its extra-limital range includes Siberia, India, China, Australia and Africa. On the Faroe Islands it is recorded as breeding from the 25th of May to the 17th of June. The nest being simply a depression in the soil on some slight elevation in dry spots in marshes. ‘The eggs are four in number, pear-shaped, and vary in color from light olive-brown to dark greenish-brown, clouded with spots and blotches of dark umber; average size 2.34 1.67. [269.] Vanellus vanellus (Linn.) [512.] Lapwing. Hab. Northern portion of Eastern Hemisphere; occasional in Arctic America, Greenland and the Islands of Norton Sound, Alaska. The Lapwing or Peewit is one of the most familiar birds of Europe. A rare visitant in Greenland and other parts of North Ameri- ca. Abundant in all suitable localities in Great Britain and in all the adjacent smaller islands. Found as far North as the Faroes, and in Iceland. Common in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and throughout Russia. It is not so abundant in various portions of Continental Europe, as in France, Spain and Italy. The Lapwing is a handsome plover ; in the adult in summer dress the fore-part and top of the head, chin, throat and breast is uniform blue-black ; side of head and neck white, grayish behind the neck; upper parts chiefly metallic bottle green, changing to a coppery pur- ple. From the occiput springs a long crest of narrow bluish-black feathers which curve upwards. It is commonly called Te-wit, Crested Lapwing, Green Lapwing and Green Plover. The nests of this bird are like those of all the Plovers—slight de- pressions in the soil with a few grasses for a lining. The eggs are four in number; they vary from dull, light, grayish-buff to deep olive buff, more or less heavily marked with spots and blotches of brown- ish-black ; they are pyriform in shape. Four eggs in my cabinet, col- lected in Staffordshire, England, April 18, measure 1.88 x 1.30, 1.89 x 1.32, 1.84X1.36, 1.82x 1.32. The average size is 1.85 x 1.33. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 129 The eggs are regarded as a delicacy and are much sought after in all districts where the bird is common. 270. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.) [513.] Black-bellied Plover. Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, breeding far north; migrating south in winter; in America to Brazil, New Grenada and the West Indies. This handsome bird is known by several different names: Beetle- head, Ox-eye, Whistling Field Plover, Bull-head Plover and Swiss Plover. It is a species of wide distribution, being nearly cosmopolitan during its migrations, wandering through Southern Asia, Northern and Southern Africa, Australia, the West Indies, Central and South Amer- ica to Brazil. The eggs have only been taken in the extreme Arctic regions—on both sides of the Ural Mountains in Northern Russia— the banks of the Taimyr in the East and the tundras of the Petchora River in the West. In North America it has been found breeding in various places in the Arctic regions, as on the islands of Franklin Bay on the Arctic coast, in the first part of July and on the Barren Lands. It is also known to breed in Greenland. All the nests found are mere depressions in the ground with a slight lining of grasses and leaves. The eggs are described as being very similar to those of the Gold- en Plover, C. apricarzus, or those of the Lapwing; pyriform in shape, varying from light buffy-olive to deep olive-buff, thickly and heavily marked with brownish-black or deep black; average size, 2.04 X 1.43. (271.] Charadrius apricarius Linn. [514.] Golden Plover. Hab. Europe; in winter south into Africa. Greenland. The European Golden Plover is like the American bird, but the linings of the wings are white. In Great Britain during the winter months it is one of the most abundant species ; in summer returning to the moorlands of Scotland and Ireland, and northward to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where it breeds. It is found in Norway, Sweden and in Lapland. Breeds also in the Faroes, in Iceland and in Eastern Greenland. The nest is simply a hollow in the ground, lined with a few grasses. The full complement of eggs is four and seem exceeding large for the size of the bird. The ground color in a large series of these eggs varies consider- ably —creamy-white, others with a much darker shade of the same, and again of adark chocolate-brown. On these different ground-colors the large, bold spots and confluent blotches of brownish-black present quite a varied appearance. Eight eggs in my cabinet from Renfrew, Scotland, measure, 2.02X1.42, 2.08X1.37, 2.10x1.38; 2.IIXI.45, 1.96 X 1.40, 2.01 X1.37, 2.08X1.40, 2.12X1.43. Average, 2.08 x 1.42. 10 130 NESTS AND EGGS OF 272. Charadrius dominicus Muti. [515.] American Golden Plover. Hab. North America at large, breeding in the Arctic regions. The Golden or Green Plover breeds in Arctic America east of the coast of Bering Sea and Strait, migrating south in winter nearly throughout the entire America as far south as Patagonia. In spring and fall it is an abundant bird in the United States, and is generally esteemed for the table on account of its large size and the flavor of its flesh. Breeds abundantly on the coasts and islands of the Arctic Sea, and on the Barren Lands, depositing four eggs in a depression of the soil, which is usually slightly lined with bits of dry grass. Out of one hundred and fourteen nests recorded by Mr. MacFarlane in the Arctic regions, ninety-two contained four eggs each. They vary from pale buffy-brown to dark grayish-buff, spotted and blotched with brownish- black, chiefly at the larger end. The spots are often confluent. The average size is 1.98 X 1.37. A set of three eggs in the collection of Mr. J. Parker Norris were taken July 2, 1864, by R. R. MacFarlane, at Franklin’s Bay. The nest was on the sea beach, and the parent bird was seen. ‘They are ovate pyriform in shape, quite pointed, and are of an ochraceus-buff, heavily blotched and spotted (chiefly at the larger ends, however,) with seal brown and black. They measure 1.96x 1.28; I.92X1.32; 1.86% 1.33. The markings form an indistinct circle around the larger ends. Capt. B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs of the Golden Plover in his collection, taken by Mr. MacFarlane on the Barren Grounds near the Anderson River. These are buffy-drab, spotted and splashed with dark brown, almost black; they are pyriform in shape, quite pointed at the small end, and blunt at the larger portion of the egg. 272a. Charadrius dominicus fulvus (GmeL.) [515¢,] Pacific Golden Plover. Hab. Asia, and islands of the Pacific. In North America, the islands and coasts of Alaska. In winter, south through India, China, etc., to Australia and Polynesia. The Asiatic Golden Plover is similar to C. domznzcus, but is slightly smaller and of a more golden color. It breeds in Northern Asia, the Alaskan coasts of Bering Sea and Strait. Nesting and eggs similar to those of the last. Average size of the eggs, 2.02 x 1.30. 273. Aigialitis vocifera (Linn). [516.] Killdeer. Hab. Temperate North America, south in winter to the West Indies, Central and Northern South America. This familiar bird whose notes, £z/-deer, kil-deer, are heard in the daytime, and often in moonlight nights, more frequently during the breeding season than at any other time, is very abundant in North NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 131 America at large, breeding anywhere in its range. The nest is placed on the ground, usually in the vicinity of a stream or pond, and often on an elevated spot in the grass or in a furrowed field. It is merely a slight depression of the ground. The bird frequents both high and low grounds, pastures and fallow fields, as well as borders of streams. The eggs are drab or clay-color, thickly spotted and blotched with blackish-brown and umber; small end, quite pointed, as is usually the case with all eggs of birds of this order; the eggs are generally four in number, measuring from 1.50 to 1.60 long by about 1.10 broad. 274. Mgialitis semipalmata Bonar. [517.] Semipalmated Plover. Hab. North America in general; breeding in Arctic and sub-Arctic districts; south in winter throughout tropical America as far as Brazil and Peru. The Semipalmated Ring Plover is abundant and generally diffused throughout the whole of North America. In the United States it occurs only in the migrations, but it probably breeds occasionally in some of the Northern States. Both eggs and young have been taken near Chicago, Ill, in July. It has been found in the summer months in the Saskatchewan and Mackenzie River regions, and in those of Hudson’s Bay, in Greenland and throughout various portions of Arctic America. It has been found breeding in the latter part of June on the Arctic coast, and in the Anderson River regions. Breeds on the islands of the Alaskan coast, and at the mouth of the Yukon. Audubon found it nesting in Labrador. The nest is a mere depression in the ground, with a lining of dry grasses or leaves. The bird’s general habits are like those of the Killdeer. The eggs vary from greenish to yellowish-ash, spotted, blotched and dotted with varying shades of brown; pyriform; scarcely distin- guishable from those of the Killdeer, excepting in size; length 1.20 to 1.40 by .go to .g5 in breadth; two to four in number. 275. Mgialitis hiaticula (Livy). [518] Ring Plover. Hab. Northern portion of Eastern Hemisphere, and eastern portion of Arctic America. The well known Ringed Dotterel, or Ringed Plover of Europe, holds its place as a North American species on the grounds of its breeding abundantly throughout Greenland and on the shores of Cum- berland Gulf. It is particularly common in Great Britain, where it frequents the banks of rivers, inlets and bays, and the shores of the sea. Common in Norway, and it has been met with in Lapland, The eggs of this species are deposited in a slight depression in the sand, in broken shells or shingles above high-water mark. Four eggs are laid and their ground color is of a pale buff or cream color; they 132 NESTS AND EGGS OF are beautifully spotted with dark reddish-brown, approaching black, here and there are obscure shell markings. Average size 1.41 X 1.00. Four eggs from England, collected May 6, are in my cabinet and meas- ure 1.36X1,00, I.40XI.02, I.43X .99, 1.42 X 1.00. [276.] égialitis dubia (Scop). [519.] Little Ring Plover. Hab, Northern portions of Eastern Hemisphere. Accidental on the coast of California and in Alaska. The Little Ringed Dotterel or Little Ringed Plover breeds in the northern portions of the Old World. Its general habits, nesting and eggs are said to resemble those ot the Semipalmated Plover, but the eggs, like the bird, are much smaller. A set of four eggs in the cabinet of Mr. J. Parker Norris were col- lected April 5, 1885, by H. Muller, at Anclam, Germany. They are short ovate in form, of a pinkish-buff ground color, finely speckled all over with bistre. They measnre 1.16x.87, 1.18x.88, 1.19 X.90, 1.21 x.88. 277. igialitis meloda (ORD). [520.] Piping Plover. Hab. Chiefly the Atlantic coast of the United States, north to southern Labrador. In winter, West Indies. The Piping Plover is an abundant species in the summer months along the eastern coast of the United States, breeding from the Caro- linas northward as far as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a graceful and attractive little species, possessing a remarkably musical voice which can be heard as the bird moves gracefully over the sandy beaches. Its food is small marine worms, crustacea, etc. During in- cubation it is said that the parents rarely sit upon their eggs, except at night and in damp weather, but always remain in the vicinity and watch over their treasures with solicitude. The eggs are four in number, pale buff, speckled with black and purplish gray. In some the markings are very much more profuse than in others. The average size of a large series (fifty in number) is 1.29xX.95. Four specimens measure, 1.28X 1.01, I.3IX 1.01, 1.25 x 1.03, 1.28 X 1.00. 277 a, Agialitis meloda circumcincta Ripcw. [5202.] Belted Piping Plover. Hab. Missouri River region; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast. ‘This variety of the Piping Plover is found between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains and as far eastward as Lake Kos- konong, in southern Wisconsin and occasionally along the Atlantic coast. Its habits are the same as those of meloda. Theeggs measure 1.27 X .93. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 133 278. Aigialitis nivosa Cass. [521.] Snowy Plover. Hab. Western North America, south to Mexico in winter, both coasts of Central America and in Western South America to Chili. The Snowy Ring Plover inhabits the United States chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains. It is a constant resident along the Califor- nia coast, and a specimen has been taken on the coast of Texas in the latter part of June. Mr. Emerson, of Haywards, California, informs me that it nests along the sandy beeches of the ocean coast, and says he has no doubt that it breeds along the bay beach, as he shot the young there in June. Mr. Shields states that it is abundant along the sandy beaches in the vicinity of Los Angeles, nesting in the first week of April; fresh eggs often being found as late as May 15. Mr. N. S. Goss found the Snowy Plover breeding on the salt plains along the Cimarrion River, in the Indian Territory, the northern limits of which extend into south-western Comanche County, Kansas ; he also took two specimens within the State limits. The birds are described as being very much lighter in color that the California specimens.* The eggs are three in number, in ground color, pale buff or clay color, and the markings very much resemble Wilson’s Plover, but are more numerous and scratchy; about the size of the eggs of the Piping Plover, meloda, 1.20 X .90 [279.] Aigialitis mongola (Patt). Mongolian Plover. Hab. Northern Asia, south in winter to Malay Archipeligo and Australia, Choris Peninsula, Alaska, accidental. A bird of wide distribution. Found throughout Northern Asia in general, west to St. Petersburg, Palestine and Northeastern Africa. In winter it is found throughout Southern Asia and as far south as the Philippines, Malay Archipeligo, etc., to Australia. Breeds commonly in Northern portions of Asia, nesting on the ground like others of its tribe- The eggs are four in number; pale dull olive or buff sparsely marked with brownish-black ; size, 1.43 X 1.05. 280. AMigialitis wilsonia (ORpD.) [522.] Wilson’s Plover. Hab. Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, north to Long Island. Casually to Nova Scotia. South in winter to Brazil and Peru and West Indies. Wilson’s Plover, named in honor of the immortal Wilson, is com- mon along the sea-coast of the South Atlantic aud Gulf States. It is found along the Eastern coast, but rarely north beyond New Jersey. One of the “beach birds” and may be found in company with others of the genus -£gzaitzs. On some of the islands on the coast of Georgia Mr. Perry found them breeding in great numbers in company with the *Auk. III. p. 409. 134 NESTS AND EGGS OF Least Tern, nesting very much in the same manner. The eggs are de- posited in a cavity of the loose pebbles or shells of the beach ; they are usually three in number. The ground color is a pale olive-drab or clay-colored, some having a greenish tint, marked all over with black- ish-brown, well defined spots, small splashes and fine dots. Sizes from 1.30 to 1.45 long by 1.00 to 1.05 broad. A set in Mr. Perry’s cabinet measures as follows: 1.37 X.99, 1.82.98, I.40X 1.00. 281. égialitis montana (Towns.) [523.] Mountain Plover. Hab. Western North America, east to the Great Plains; accidental in Florida. More properly called Prairie Plover, but it seems to have been badly named, for it certainly is a prairie bird, inhabiting the most barren prairies, as well as the watered regions of the United States, from the plains to the Pacific. It can readily be recognized by its large size, the lack of rings on the breast, with the uniform pale, yellowish- brown above. It is quite independent of water, and is said to be not the least aquatic, even on the Pacific coast; it frequents the plain, never the marsh or beach. Nests anywhere on the open prairie in June and July. The eggs are usually three in number, olive-drab, with a brown shade, finely and thickly dotted with very dark brown and black, the markings not larger than a pin’s head; sizes from 1.40 to 1.50 long by 1.10 to 1.12 broad. 283.