NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



set of three eggs of H. ^ candicans, collected in Southern Greenland, by 

 G. N. Proctor, May 26, 1884, was taken from a nest on a ledge of rocks. 

 The eggs measure, respectively, 2.14 by 1.8 1, 2. 19 by i. 80, 2. 17 by 1.8 1. 

 The ground color is creamy-white, with the markings of reddish-brown 

 distributed over the surface; in one specimen the specks and spots form 

 an indistinct circle near the large end. 



412rt. Iceland Gyrfalcon — hierofalco gyrfalco islandus. This form 

 occurs in Iceland and Southern Greenland, and strays in winter into north- 

 eastern United States. Mr. Norris has a set of two eggs of this bird, 

 collected by Mr. Proctor in Southern Greenland, on the 30th of May, 1884. 

 Incubation was just begun, and the parent bird was shot. The nest was 

 placed on a shelving rock. One of the eggs is marked, over a whitish 

 ground, with small light reddish-brown spots sparingly sprinkled over the 

 surface, confluent at the small end, where they almost obscure the 

 ground color. The rest of the ^^^ has a whitish appearance. The other 

 specimen is heavily marked over the entire surface. Sizes, 2.26 by 1.82, 

 2.25 by 1.86. 



412(^. McFarlane's Gyrfalcon — hierofalco gyrfalco sacer. This 

 Gyrfalcon breeds abundantly in the interior regions of Arctic America, 

 where numerous skins and eggs are annually taken. It not infrequently 

 visits the northern States in winter, and it is recorded as even reaching the 

 Middle States. A set of two eggs, taken in the vicinity of Great Slave 

 Lake, is also to be found in Mr. Norris' collection. This was taken with 

 the paaent bird, by M. D. Smith, June 4, 1884. The nest was placed on 

 a shelf of a cliff. The ground-color of the eggs is of a light brownish-red, 

 very faintly speckled in a few places with a dark color of umber-brown and 

 red. The surface is much granulated. They measure 2. 18 by 1.70, 2.21 

 by 1.73. 



413. Prairie Falcon — hierofalco mexicanus polyagrus. Cream or 

 pinkish-white, marked with blotches of chestnut and reddish-brown, more 

 or less confluent at either end; two to four eggs are laid. Many writers, 

 however, say two or three. The Prairie Falcon is an abundant bird in 

 western North America, and especially on the plains. It is usually found 

 nesting on cliffs. A set of four eggs, collected by }. T. Clark at Malheur 

 Lake, Oregon, April 28, 1885, measure as follows: 2.32 by 1.74, 2.22 by 

 1.74, 2.09 by 1.70, 2.09 by 1.77. Incubation had just begun, and the 

 female was shot. The nest was on a high ledge of rock near the lake. 

 This large set is in the possession of J. Parker Norris. 



