COMPARATIVE OOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 471 



I'Tom what this table shows it would appear thai in so far as their 

 oology seems to indicate, the Cranes and Rails are not very intimately 

 related and I iind Dr. Sharpe, in his Classification of Birds, placing 

 them widely asunder, though he retains the "Arami" with his (Irci- 

 formes (order XIX), and the •• Porfica" with the Kallieormes 

 (Order X). Dr. Gadow retains them both in (rRripoRyiES. (P. Z. S. 

 1892, pp. 244,245). 



Our next group is the Steganopodes, and I Iind considerable differ- 

 ence of opinion exists not only as to the number of eggs normally laid 

 by stegauopodous birds, but as to the general character of those eggs. 

 Cones, in presenting the oology of the group, says: "The eggs are 

 very few, frequently only one, usually if not always plain-colored, and 

 inerusted with a peculiar white chalky substance" (p. 7I!>). 



THE STJLID.E. 



Dr. Sharpe Egg, 1 only, white, with a chalky texture (p. 77). 



Dr. Cones Egg, generally single, is plain in color, and inerusted 



with a calcareous matter (p. 720). 

 (Sula bassana) Egg, single, pale, greenish-blue, flaked over with white 



chalky substance (p. 720). 

 Mr. Ridgway (Sulida-) Eggs 1^2, elliptical or elongate-ovate, chalk-white 



superficially, hut beneath the calcareous crust pale 



greenish-blue. (p. 75). 



TIIF. PIIALACROCORACID.K. 



Dr. Sharpe (iu the Anhin- 



gidae) Eggs lour, white or light-blue, with a chalky texture 



(P. 77). 

 Dr. Coues (not including the 



I'lotid(t') Eggs are commonly two or three, of elliptical form, and 



pale greenish color, overlaid with a whits chalky sub- 

 stance (p 720). 

 Mr. Ridgway (not including 



the Anhingida) Eggs 2-f>, elongate-ovate, pale bluish green, with a more 



or less continuous white chalky crust (p. 77). 

 Dr. Coues (Plotus anhinga) . . Eggs 3-4, like cormorant eggs in color and texture, hut 



narrow and elongate (p. 730). 



THE PELECANID.E. 



Dr. Sharpe Egg, one only, white with a chalky texture (p. 77). 



Dr. Coues (P. fuseus) Eggs 2-3, white, chalky, elliptical (p. 723). 



Mr. Ridgway (Pelecanus) Eggs 1-1. oval, ovate, or elongo-ovate, with rongh 



chalky shell, pure white, but usualh much blood 



stained (p. 81). 



the ereoatid E ( Frigate birds i. 



1 >r. sharpe Egg only one, white, much smoother t ban those of Sula 



(p. 77). 

 Dr. Coues (Tachypetes (Kjni- 



lus) Eggs 2-3 in number, are greenish-white, with a thick 



smooth shell. 2.90X2.00. (P. 731.) 

 Mr. Rid »way (Fregata 



aquila) Kg.U's ( usually only 1), pure white, oval, ovate, or elongo- 



ovate. 2.70x1.83. (P. 83.) 



