476 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



in the majority of the specimens. Some sets are much lighter than 

 others, possibly a second laying. The eggs are usually oval in shape." 

 (Bendire.) Cones contends that one of these Kites may lay as many as 

 6 eggs, and that in form they are " subspherical." (p. 525.) 



The question of the difference in egg markings of birds of the same 

 species, or even, as I have said, in the eggs of the same individual, is 

 one of great interest. From all that has been gathered it would appear 

 to largely depend upon the physical condition of the parent bird at the 

 time of depositing the egg. Captivity and fright have also their influ- 

 ence, the secretions of the oviduct being often checked or even entirely 

 arrested at such times. Age likewise has much to do with it, and the 

 fact is now pretty well established that the older a bird is the more in- 

 tensely will its eggs be colored, meaning, as I do, of course, those species 

 which lay colored eggs, either tinted all over or with varied markings. 

 Young birds of the first season lay lighter eggs in all respects, for ex- 

 ample, than those individuals which have bred for many years. 



Another American Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis, lays, according to 

 Bendire, usually but tiro eggs, or at the most 3. " They are 

 rounded, ovate in shape, pale bluish white in color, and unspotted, or, 

 as the rarest exception, show ' a few minute deeper blue shell markings.' 

 (P. 179.) The eggs of this species were unknown to Dr. (-ones. They 

 are frequently adventitiously stained. The Everglade Kite (Rostrha- 

 mm 8ociobilis) also lays 2 or 3 eggs which are 'blotched, marbled, 

 and stained with various shades of brown on a paler (sometimes bluish 

 white) ground color.' 7 ' (Kidgway, p. 226.) In the Marsh Hawk we 

 find a greater number of eggs laid (Circus /unison lux), as many as 6 

 according to Bendire (p. 186), and 8 in Ridgway's account (p. 220). 

 They are commonly plain, with a white or bluish white ground color, 

 but may be blotched and spotted with light buff and brown markings. 

 They assume some form of the ovate in contour, and are generally 

 glossy-shelled and smooth. 



Oology of tin genua Aocipiter. 



