1894. PEOCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 41 



Nest No. 26179, U. S. National Museum collection, taken December 

 20, 1892, is composed of finer materials, principally dry grasses. It 

 was placed on the ground in a cavity of coral rock, wliicb, according to 

 Dr. Abbott, appears to be tlie fjivorite nesting site for this species, the 

 remaining sets of eggs having all been taken in such situations, these 

 cavities being usually nearly filled with small twigs and dry grasses, 

 and the nests were usually concealed by long, tangled bunches of 

 growing grass. 



The shell of these eggs is strong, finely grauuhited, and moderately 

 glossy, and in shape they vary from ovate to elongate ovate. The 

 ground cohu' is creamy white, sparingly dotted with tine spots of liver- 

 brown, vinaceous and lavender, which are usually heaviest about the 

 larger end of the egg. 



The measurements of these eggs are as follows : 



No. 2G178, U. S. National Museum collection, set ^, taken December 

 22, 1892, l.GO by 1.19, 1.69 by 1.22, 1.73 by 1.20, 1.09 by 1.23 inches. 



No. 26179, set f, taken December 20, 1892, 1.07 by 1.15 and 1.70 by 

 1.11 inches. 



No. 26180, set f, taken December 17, 1892, l.(;8 by 1.19 and 1.69 by 

 1.15 inches. 



No. 26181, set ^, taken December 13, 1892, is 1.75 by 1.17 and 1.87 by 

 1.15 inches. 



No. 26182, set f, taken December 18, 1892, is 1.(h by 1.17, 1.65 by 

 1.05. and l.(;8bv 1.16 inches. 



