THE ALLIGATOR'S LIFE HISTORY 115 



these marks recorded. Second, it shows the difference in 

 growth between males and females of the same age. Third, 

 it shows under identical conditions how similar was the food 

 of the different ones examined. It should be understood 

 that these alligators had been liberated in a wild life refuge 

 in which a great many thousands of herons and other water 

 birds nest, and that the waters of this refuge swarm with 

 all sorts of fresh-water fish and other creatures; thus the 

 available food supply was unlimited, and that used was un- 

 doubtedly the easiest to procure. 



The following record of three nestings of alligators at 

 Avery Island, Louisiana are interesting: 



First, because the actual record of incubation period. 



Second, because of actual measurements of the eggs and 

 of the newly-hatched young. 



Third, because of the record of the length and weight 

 of the mothers of each nest. 



NEST No. 1 : 



Eggs laid June 21, 1921. 



Eggs hatched August 22. 



Incubation period 63 days. 



Number of eggs, 42. 



Average length of eggs 2.71 inches. 



width of eggs 1.67 inch. 



weight of eggs 3 1/16 ounces. 



length of young 9.41 inches. 

 Length of mother 9 ft., 1 y 2 inches. 

 Weight of mother 163^ Ibs. 



NEST No. 2 : 



Eggs laid June 23, 1931. 

 Eggs hatched August 28. 

 Incubation period 67 days. 

 Number of eggs, 34. 



