28 Mr. E. Ciibson on the Ornitholngy of [Ibis, 



is lined with only a little dry grass at first, but the quantity 

 of down continues quickly to increase until it enveloi)es 

 the eggs. 



Tlic clutch frequently exceeds the limit attributed to it 

 by Hudson and Claude Grant. In 1904 I note that it 

 '' generally consisted of eight or nine, but sometimes ran up 

 to ten, eleven, or even twelve.' 



The eggs arc cream-coloured and vary in shape, sometimes 

 lengthy but more often roundish. Individual specimens 

 also differ in some clutches. The average measurement of 

 half-a-dozen clutches is 52 x 40 mm. 



351. Dafila bahamensis Linn. Bahama Pintail. 



Never abundant in our locality at any time, the Bahama 

 Pintail would seem to be an autumn or winter visitor, at 

 ej)ochs varying from early in February to the middle of 

 August. " A pair, two or three, or a few ' are the meagre 

 entries in my diary ; sometimes seen alone, at other times 

 in company with Daji/a splnicuuda. It has occasionally fallen 

 to my gun, but in habits and flight evidently does not 

 differ much from its above-mentioned congener, for it has 

 furnished me with no material for any specific notes. 



Neither Mr. Hudson nor I are cognisant of the 

 breeding-habits, and it is to the courtesy of Mr. James 

 Wells, of the British Museum, that I am indebted for the 

 following description of the eggs : — " In form of a long 

 oval. The shell has but little or no gloss. They are of a 

 uniform cream-colour, and measure from 55-59 mm. in 

 length and from 37-39 mm. in breadth.'' They are therefore 

 both longer and narrower than those of D. spinicauda. 



352. Mareca sibilatrix Poepp. Chiloe Wigeon. 



The Chiloe Wigeon is a most handsome bird, wary and 

 strong on the wing to correspond ; hence the sportsman 

 shows a justifiable pride on turning out one or more 

 specimens from his game-bag. '' Chirivi " it is called from 

 its cry, and never in our district " Pate picase" (as stated 



