Tin-: I'ljcKi'.R. 



4:5 



Clutch. As a rule the niininium iuinil)er of ej<'gs in a set is 

 found in the south, where the usual clutch appears to consist 

 of but 5 or 6 eggs, a larger number being rather unusual. 

 The whole north appears to be more favorable for the mainte- 

 nance and development of nuich larger broods ; most com- 

 monly () to 9 eggs are laid ; sets of 10 not uncommonly, while 

 12, 13, and even 14 eggs are not wanting ; larger sets are un- 

 known, with one possible exception, published in the Forest 

 and Stream, Vol. XXV., p. 427 — a brood of 19 young, all 

 alive and in good condition. 



The southern bird makes up for the smallnessof her set by 

 producing a second brood in many in.stances. Mr. Arthur T. 

 Wayne, Mt. Plea.sant, vS. C. .says that two, and sometimes 

 three broods, are reared in a season, a fact which has been 

 noted by Bendire also. 



Season's Aggregate. The Flicker has the reputation of 

 laying more eggs under exceptional circumstances than any 

 other species. Nearly every observer has something to .say 

 regarding this peculiarity and the persistence with which it is 

 carried out. Mr. J. Warren Jacobs has found that on .several 

 occasions, when the eggs were taken before the set was com- 

 pleted, he has been rewarded with another egg on his return 

 the next morning ; and after laying ('> or S eggs, the bird rested 

 a few days before beginning a new set. Mr. Paul Bartsch finds 

 it to be a very patient and persistent layer ; if one removes all 

 the eggs except one from an incomplete set, and keeps this up 

 day after day, the Flicker will try to complete the set, depo.sit- 

 ing Q^<g after egg until her supply or patience is exhausted. 

 He has in this way taken 17 eggs from one nest. Mr. J. H. 

 Bowles .stated that a friend once collected 2.') eggs from one 

 nest before the poor bird finally gave it up. Mr. J. B. Purdy 



