^"I'sy^"] Mackw. Trnis of .\n,sl^-ri^r/ Jshtn,) A\ 



They also vary more or less in lengtii. The larger clutches of 

 four and five eggs generally vary in a striking manner, and this 

 holds good in a less degree down to two eggs in a nest. I saw. 

 however, in 1893, and also in 1894, several sets of five eggs each 

 which were very much alike, both in size and color. Therefore, 

 while there are many typical eggs which can be easily recognized, 

 there are others which cannot always be distinguished from the 

 eggs of Sterna hinindo or of .V. paradiscca. 



It is hence extremely ditificult to absolutely identify all of 

 them as they rest in the nest in such a haunt as 1 am describ- 

 ing, for aside from the fact of their laying in each other's nests, 

 just before the pedestrian reaches the location where the nests 

 commence he is surrounded by a countless screaming horde of 

 bold assailants, who contest every step as an invasion of their 

 precincts. The alarm is given from bird to bird, until' it reaches 

 those at the farthest end, who hasten to lend their \ocal aid in 

 driving oft' their common enemy, thus rendering it impossible to 

 come to any conclusion regarding any particular nest and eggs. 

 I have had Roseates dart down at me, and show every demonstra- 

 tion of anger and solicitude, when I have been e.xamining a 

 Wilson's Tern's nest and eggs, the identification of which I felt 

 sure. I have also had the same experience with Wilson's Tern 

 as the assailant, when I have been busy over a Roseate'«s nest 

 and eggs. It must not therefore always be assumed that the 

 solicitous bird is the owner. As far as my observation shows, I 

 should say that not only do Roseate and Wilson's Terns lay their 

 eggs indiscriminately at times in each other's nests, but also care 

 for each other's young, and make united battle against intruders. 

 It is for such reasons, and others of a similar character, that 

 prevents me from speaking with greater certainty regarding some 

 of their breeding habits. I am of the opinion that three eggs 

 constitute the full complement for a female, and when more than 

 that number are found in a nest, they have been deposited by 

 more than one bird. 



My attention the past two seasons having been attracted to 

 single eggs resting on the bare, soft sand, w'ithout any semblance 

 of a nest or footprints near them, I was puzzled to know how to 

 account for it. such eggs having an unmistakable appearance of 



6 



