196 THE CON_DOR Vol. XV not Dr. Shufeldt surmised that the eggs were similar to those of Totanus calidris, the Redshank. They could never be mistaken for eggs of the latter, being small- er, of a different shape, not having the flattened butt. so common' to T. calidris, and are generally richer in their markings, and have a certain style about thenl that is quite foreign to T. calidris. Also they have a very distinct glossy appear- ance not common to T. calidris. Seebohm says of this species: "The fine series Of eggs of this species in the Smithsonian Institution vary in ground color from creamy white to pale greyish brown. The surface-spots are dark rich reddish brown, and vary in size from a large pea downwards, many of them becoming confluent and forming large irregular blotches, or occasionally taking the form of streaks. Most of the markings are generally on the larger end of the egg, but on some specimens they are more evenly distributed over the entire surface. The underlying markings are pale grey or greyish brown, and are large and conspic- uous. The eggs vary in length from I. 7 to 1.6 inch, and in breadth from t.2 to t.o8 inch. The eggs are 4 in number and very handsome." This description taD- lies with eggs I have from the Anderson River. I ?vas somewhat surprised to see that Ridgway makes the eggs of this species larger than those of T. melan- oleucus, the Greater Yellowshank, being t.69 x t.t5, as against t.43 x t.2o for 7'. melanole?c?s. Totanus (or Machetes) pugnax. Ruff. The ground color of the eggs of this species shows a fair amount of varia- tion, from very light grey stone to drab buff, yellow buff, brown buff, and olive without any brown, and light brown without any olive. They are spotted and blotched with two shades of brown, a good mid brown and a dark chocolate, and violet gray, the dark chocolate markings being usually on the light grey stone colored eggs, and the mid browns on the buffs and olives. Of the spots and blotches many are confluent, the larger blotches being chiefly at the larger end of the egg, though a good many eggs of this species are fairly evenly marked all over. The eggs have a fair amount of gloss, and owing to the prevalence of buff and olive grounds it gives them a rich oily appeatance. The eggs in each set usually show a similarity in markings. Number of eggs in ?set invariably 4- Measurements: t.8 x L2. The eggs are pyriform in shape. Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel. The eggs of this species are usually very handsome, though not showing any very great variation in ground color or in the color of the markings. The boldness of the spots and blotches in many cases gives them a splendid appearance. The general color is distinctly olive of varied shades, olive green and olive brown, speckled, spotted.and blotched by light and dark shades of the same color and rich brown, curious almost black thin streaks at the larger end of the egg being very common, usually only on one egg in the set, though I have one set with every egg so marked. The violet-gray markings are not so conspicuous; but I have one set with great blotches of this color so deep in tone as to have quite a purple appearance. The markings are often fairly distributed over the surface of the egg, and the eggs in each set even in markings, but in many instances the spots and blotches are on the larger end of the egg. Sometimes the markings are very indistinct and give the egg a blurred appear-. ance. The eggs are flattened at the top. Number of eggs 4, though I have one set of 5 all apparently the product of one bird, as all the eggs are of a peculiar shape, being much narrower and consequently look more elongated. Measure- ments: 2.4 x ?.55 inches. The eggs have very little gloss and are pyriform in shape.
