EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 35 



with brown and umber; 1.20 -|- 1.75 to 1.30 -|- 1.80. Known 

 from those of No. 218 by the large size, oval form, and dark 

 markings. Breeds throughout tropical and temperate America, 

 from Canada, southward, to Brazil and Chili, but is not com- 

 mon in the Eastern and Middle States. The eggs are laid in 

 May. 



220. European Coot, Ftdica atra. Eggs, 6 to 10, oval, 

 chalky wliite, finely and plentifully dotted and spotted with 

 black. Known by the fine black dottings and large size, Ex- 

 traliniital ; occurs throughout the northern portions of the 

 Eastern Hemisphere ; the bii"d has been taken in Greenland, 



221. American Coot, Fulica americana. Eggs, 6 to 10, 

 similar in form and markings to those of No. 220, but smaller; 

 1.15 -f 1.80 to 1.40 + 2.00. Breeds throughout North America, 

 from Greenland and Alaska, southward, to Florida, but less 

 commonly in the eastern portions. Nests in May. Known by 

 the fine black spottings. 



ORDER VIII. — LIMIOOL^. Shore Birds. 



Eggs, usually pyriform in shape, generally boldly and hand- 

 somely marked, seldom, if ever, unspotted, few in number, and, 

 almost without exception, placed on the ground, cither in some 

 depression of the soil or surface on which they are laid, or a 

 little grass serves for a nest. 



Family XXII. — PHALAROPODID^. Phalabopes. 



Eggs, decidedly pyriform, handsomely spotted and blotched, 

 and dark in color. Nests, composed of a little grass. 



222. Red Phalarope, Crymophilus fulicarius. (Type, 

 Plate IV.) Eggs, 2 to 4, pyriform, varying from greenish to 

 yellowish ash, spotted and blotched irregularly, tliickly, and, 

 usually, coarsely, with brown or varying shades ; .85 -|- 1.15 to 

 ,90 -\- 1.30. Known from those of No, 223 by the superior 

 size. 



