10 NOKTH AMERICAN OOLOGY. PART I. 



My knowledge of the markings of the eggs of the Great-footed Hawk is limited 

 to two specimens, one of Avhich is represented in the plate (fig. 11). The other is 

 a drawing taken by Dr. Trudeau from an egg obtained in Labrador. It closely re- 

 sembles a variety of the eggs of the European species, bvit seems to present ditfer- 

 cnces sufficiently Avell marked to be regarded as specific. It measures two inches in 

 length by l-fV in breadth. The ground colors of both American and European are 

 a reddish-yellow, and both are thickly covered with fine dottings of chocolate and 

 ferruginous-brown, diffused over the whole egg, in nearly equal degree, and to such 

 an extent as nearly to conceal the ground. The length of the American egg is 

 slightly less, but it is of equal or greater capacity, and -\-aries in its markings from 

 all the European specimens that I have ever met with. These variations, though 

 readily traceable by the eye, are not so easily described. The shades of colormg in 

 both are closely alike ; the variation consists more in the distribution of these mark- 

 ings. In the European specimens, the fine markings of chocolate are distributed 

 with nearly exact uniformity. In the American, the secondary colorings are now 

 more thickly and now more thinly diffused, here leaving the ground color nearly 

 unchanged, there becoming confluent and blending into waving lines, blotches, and 

 bold dashes. The egg, in consequence, presents a more variegated appearance. 

 These markings are also in greater proportion around the larger end of the egg, 

 and the blotches are of a deeper shade, so that there is a variation in the shadings 

 between the smaller and larger extremities, not noticeable m any European eggs that 

 I have met -with. 



Fig. 11 represents an egg to my mind undoubtedly of this species, but not cer- 

 tainly ascertained, because the difference of species between the American and Eu- 

 ropean bird was not recognized by the donor. It is from Greenland, and w'as given 

 me as that of Falco peregrinus, where, however, the F. anahim is supposed to re- 

 place the true Peregrine. 



