ORNITHOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES 



217 



Photo by W. B. 



FIG. 64. NEST AND EGGS OF CAYENNE CRAKE 



the grass that no entrance could be seen and the whole affair 

 looked like an ordinary ball of dried material that had 

 chanced to lodge among the reed stems. Upon its disap- 

 pearance, however, the white of the eggs in the light of the 

 entrance made a guiding mark for the observer. 



The eggs, as in the former species, varied much in size 

 and shape, but were rather glossy pure white without any 

 spots. The average dimensions were 32.8 x 25.7 mm., 

 though, among the several sets examined, there was a varia- 

 tion of 11 per cent. The number in each set was two to three, 

 three being the usual number. 



We secured nests from Februar}^ to August, but May 

 was the chief nesting month. Probably a few birds nest 

 throughout the whole year. 



