1 82 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



weather in April, which was attended with unhappy 

 consequences to the species under consideration. 

 Many individuals were picked up which were so 

 completely overpowered that life was imperilled. 

 It departs for the South during the last week of 

 September; sometimes, earlier, when the season 

 is unusually severe. 



The eggs vary from a well-marked shade of 

 greenish-blue, to a dull white. The spots are 

 reddish or rufous-brown, and more or less con- 

 fluent at the larger end. They are four or five in 

 number, and measure about .95 of an inch in 

 length, and .65 in breadth. 



