Vol. XXXIl 

 1914 



J Simmons, The Louisiana Clapper Rail. 379 



The number of eggs per set in that locahty varies greatly, as he 

 has found the birds brooding on from four to thirteen eggs. He 

 says that the period of incubation covers about twelve or fourteen 

 days. 



The Eggs.— The four eggs in Nest No. 1 of May 27, 1912, south 

 of Houston, were cracked and pipped, but measured as follows: 

 1.68X1.24; 1.69X1.24; 1.68X1.24; and 1.67X1.23 inches. 



The eleven eggs in nest No. 2 of the same date measured: 1.68 

 X1.24; 1.69X1.24; 1.68X1.24; 1.68X1.23; 1.69X1.25; 1.68X 

 1.24; 1.68X1.24; 1.68X1.23; 1.67X1.24; 1.68X1.25; and 1.69 

 X1.24 inches. In shape they were considerably like the eggs of 

 the Gallinules, and were of a decided buff tint, a color that might be 

 described as light brownish buff, and w^ere speckled and spotted 

 sparingly with different shades of brown and cinnamon and a few 

 tiny specks of lavender, most of the larger spots being scattered 

 around the largest circumference of the egg; some of the eggs, 

 however, had not the least perceptible wreath. 



The set of eight eggs collected by Mr. Pope and referred to in 

 the foregoing notes under date of May 9, 1912, is now in the 

 writer's cabinet. The eggs are very irregular in both size and 

 shape, measuring: 1.76X1.23; 1.73X1.20; 1.83X1.22; 1.79X 

 1.22; 1.71X1.20; 1.76X1.22; 1.81X1.20; and 1.82X1.20 inches. 

 They vary in coloration from almost white to faint buff, with 

 the larger markings in the form of a wreath nearly at the extremity 

 of the larger end of the egg; these markings consist of small 

 splotches, spots, specks and streaks of cinnamon and reddish brown, 

 and a few clouded spots of light lavender. Some of the spots were 

 underneath the outer layer of lime of the shell, which is of a rather 

 smooth texture. Several of the eggs have a few small protuber- 

 ances rising from the shell, resembling tiny warts. These eggs are 

 much longer and narrower than the set described from nest 

 No. 2. 



The set of ten eggs collected by Mr. Pope on the same day as 

 the last mentioned set (May 9) is of a trifle richer coloration than 

 the set of eight, but otherwise does not vary to any appreciable 

 extent. 



On June 17, 1909, Dr. Carroll examined numbers of nests in the 

 Harbor Island marsh, each nest containing from seven to ten eggs. 



