EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRBS. 21 



6 to 10, oval, pale buff; l.§0 -f- 2.80 to 1.70 + 2.75 ; known by 

 the form and color. Placed in holes of trees. Breeds from 

 Northern United States northward. 



130. Red-breasted Merganser, 3ferganser serrator. (Type, 

 Plate III.) Eggs, 6 to 12, elongated, oval, smooth, deep greenish 

 brown; 1.70 -j- 2.50 to 1.75 -{- 2.60; known by the oval form 

 and deep brown color. Breeds throughout the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere; on the coast of Eastern North America, from the Gulf 

 of St. Lawrence, north, in June. Nests placed on the ground. 



131. Hooded Mergaxser, Lophodytes cucullatus. Eggs, 

 6 to 10, very smooth, rather spherical, white; 1.70 -\- 2.10 to 

 1.75 -|- 2.15 ; known by the Avhite polished surface and spher- 

 ical form. Breeds throughout the wilder portions of North 

 America. 



132. Mallard, Anas hoschas. Eggs, elliptical, smooth, 

 greenish brown, not dark ; 1.40 -|- 2.25 to 1.70 -f- 2.35 ; known 

 by the size and brownish color. Breeds from Northern 

 United States northward. 



133. Black Duck, Anas ohscura. Eggs, 6 to 10, elliptical, 

 smooth, rather greenish; 1.40 -\- 2.26 to 1.75 -j- 2.35. Breeds 

 throughout Eastern North America, between Labrador and 

 Massachusetts, westward, to Utah. Known by the size and 

 gi-eenish color. Nests placed the ground, in marshy places. 



134. Florida Duck, A^ias fulvigula. Eggs, 6 to 8, oval, 

 smooth, dusky greenish ; 1.35 -|- 2.20 to 1.70 -j- 2.30 ; known 

 by the small size and greenish color. Nests placed on the 

 ground, in marshy places. Breeds in Florida, in that part of 

 the country which lies between Mosquito Lagoon and Indian 

 River, and on Merritt's Island and the west coast, in April. 



135. Gadwall, Anas strepera. Eg;::s, 6 to 10, elliptical, 

 smooth, greenish buff; 1.40 -f- 2.00 to 1.50 -f- 2.05; placed on 

 the ground. Known by the large size and green color. Breeds 

 throughout the Western United States, in April. 



136. Widgeon, Anas pendope. Eggs, 5 to 8, oval, smooth, 

 creamy buff; 1.40 -f 2.20 to 1.50 + 2.30; known by the size. 



