152 Egberts on some Minnesota Birds. 



the nest. The eggs, from niue to twelve in number, resemble those 

 of the common Golden-eye, but are larger. 



In my own collection I have four examples, all of them well 

 identified, but all from Iceland. These vary fi'om a grayish-green 

 to a bright sea-green ; the faded hue of the former is perhaps due to 

 age and exposure. These measure 2.49 x 1.80; 2.44 x 1.74; 

 2.50 X 1.85; 2.50 x 1.75. 



The set of seven eggs belonging to the Museum of Comparative 

 Zoology at Cambridge, Mr. Allen describes to me as having a 

 pale bluish-green color, or " sea-green." Their measurements are, 

 2.G0 X 1.68 ; 2.58 x 1.70 ; 2.48 X 1.70 ; 2.48 x 1.70 ; 2.45 x 1.72 ; 

 2.4.3 X 1.70; 2.43 x 1.66. 



NOTES ON SOME MINNESOTA BIRDS. 



BY. T. S. ROBERTS. 



The following species have been selected for brief note at this 

 time, either because they seem to oflFer points of special interest, 

 or because previous notices have been particularly unsatisfactory. 

 So far as the writer is aware, the two varieties, Alice's Thrush and 

 Ridgway's Sparrow, are here given from Minnesota for the first 

 time. Most of the observations have been made in the vicinity of 

 Minneapolis, and this locality is to be understood when no other is 

 specified. 



1. Tardus swainsoni aliciae. Gray-cheeked Thrush. — A? was 

 expected, this form, as well as stvainsoni proper, is found here, I have 

 several specimens taken about Minneapolis, — the first on May IT, 1876. 

 The species is a summer resident, and breeds ; but is not very common, 

 being much outnumbered by T.fmcescens. 



2. Coturniculus lecontei. LeConte's Bunting. — Three regular 

 notices of the occurrence here of LeConte's Bunting have appeared; but as 

 the bird is one to which much interest attaches, a fourth and perhaps fuller 

 account may not be unacceptable. 



The species was first secured on June 20, 1877, by Mr. C. L. Herrick. 

 Between this date and August 15 of the same year five more specimens 

 were taken, one by Mr. Herrick, two by Mr. R. S. Williams, and two by 

 the writer. A brief notice of the capture of Mr. Herrick's two specimens 

 appeared at the time.* 



* Bull. Miiui. Geol. and Nat. Hi.st. Sur., 1876, p. 237. 



