58 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



fcrvx 'ceruata* A. fionictaria* Zercuc cctieuaria. 

 precationis and others of the Noctuidce^ Formica san- 

 "'iiinea, F. subterranea, and A/>/s wcUifica. 



The number of eggs constituting a sitting, ranges from 

 three to four, as far as\ve have been able to ascertain. Thcv 

 are rounded at one extremity, and acutely tapering at the 

 other. The back-ground is a rich cream-color with a rose- 

 ate tinge ; the larger end is beautifully marked with a 

 ring of lilac and purplish-brown spots, which are confluent. 

 These markings are invariably placed about the larger end. 

 as is well-known to be the case in the eggs of Coiitopiis :/- 

 rcns. They measure .87 of an inch in length, and .62 in 

 width. 



Contopus virens, 



The Wood Pewee of Eastern North America is quite a 

 common species. It ranges from the Atlantic westward to 

 the Plains, and from Texas on the southwest, to New Bruns- 

 wick on the northeast. In Central and Southern Maine, it 

 is found somewhat sparingly, and such is also the case in the 

 vicinity of St. Stephens, New Brunswick, where it is known 

 to breed. Prof. Verrill states it to be a summer visitor at 

 Norway, Me., but less common than in Massachusetts. 

 Mr. Mcll wraith "fives it as an abundant summer resident at 



O 



Hamilton, Canada, which it reaches during the middle of 

 May. With the exception of one individual that was found 

 at Red River, Minnesota, and another at Fort William. 

 Dr. Brewer has no knowledge of its being found farther north 

 than the 45th parallel of latitude. Dr. Cones gives it a sum- 

 mer resident of South Carolina, from the middle of April 

 to the middle of October; and Mr. Dresser affirms it to be- 

 quite common in the timbered river-bottoms, in the vicinity of 

 San Antonio, during the summer, where it arrives late in 

 April, or early in May. In Texas and the Indian Terri- 

 tory, it is quite common, according to Dr. Woodhouse. and 

 even in the Department of Vera Cruz. Mr. Sumichrast 



