80 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921 



rather handsome, and exhibiting considerable variation, 

 they are much in demand by oologists. The ground color 

 is usually olivaceous-drab, but often is brownish-olive and 

 sometimes light clay-color. The markings are numerous ; 

 generally heavy; sometimes evenly distributed over the 

 entire egg though generally thickest and largest at the 

 gi'eater end. The color of the markings is umber-brown 

 of varying shade. Besides this there are numerous [»aler 

 shell-spots. Average size of eggs, 2.00x1.50. 



Willets apf)ear to be greatly concerned when their 

 breeding grounds are invaded. Whenever I visit Cabbage 

 island the landing is usually made at a point near the 

 north-western side, in order to avoid dangerous breakers. 

 Most of the Willets inhabiting the island breed close to 

 this point, and a moment after I set foot upon land the air 

 is filled with gyrating, vociferous birds. As long as a 

 person remains in the vicinity of their nests, the birds keep 

 up a continual outcry; circling back and forth overhead, 

 and often hovering on quivering wings. Frequently they 

 alight on some nearby mud flat or sand bank, and gather in 

 groups of three or four. 



This species has noticeably decreased in numbers duritig 

 the past six years. It shows a very strong attachment to 

 a locality as long as favorable conditions exist there. How- 

 ever, incessant persecution will finally drive it to other 

 sections. 



Ochthodromus irUsonius — Wilson^s Plovpir. 



This dainty bird of the beaches breeds abundantly on 

 the coast islands. It is, however, absent from many lo- 

 calities which apparently are suitable. The breeding season 

 commences in May, my earliest record being May 13, 1015, 

 when T noted full complements of fresh eggs on Ossabaw 

 island. Its nesting environment is substantially the same 

 as that of the Willet, and the two are ordinarily found 

 breeding in close proximity. It is more abundant on Cab- 

 bage island than anywhere else in the county, although the 

 beach area suitable for nesting is of rather small extent. 

 It makes no nest other than scooping out a shallow hole in 



