BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 175 
sticks, and some coarse stalks of weeds, or reeds. In each 
instance seen or yet heard from, only two eggs were found. 
Their color was in general a dirty, yellowish-white, with dif- 
ferent shades of brown spattered, or splotched somewhat, 
nearly all over, but more so about the larger end. Their food 
does not differ locally from that reported of them everywhere. 
Mr. Washburn ‘‘found it very common for the species, 
throughout the Red river valley.” He made some consecu- 
tive observations of their habits at Ada. Dr. Hvoslef thinks 
that they come over our southern boundaries sometimes as 
early as Feb. Ist, but if they do, I persume they go back again 
promptly as a general thing. Next to this date he notes them 
in this journal on Feb. 23d, and 28th, each, 1883, but not again 
until March 27th of that year. No one familiar with their 
form in flight need be mistaken in their identity. In dignity 
of motion on the wing, they have few peers and no superiors. 
And the sustained ease of their prolonged flight is equally 
wonderful. Weariness is never once suggested. The separa- 
tion and upward inflection of the extremeties of the primaries 
when floating around their wide circles on the wing, carries an 
idea of tension which soon dissipates upon prolonged observa- 
tion. They remain in their favorite districts until driven 
away by the frost which cuts off their supply of food. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
Entire plumage brownish-black, darkest on the back and 
tail above with a purplish lustre, many feathers having a pale 
border; bill yellowish; head and neck bright red; plumage 
commencing on the neck with a circular ruff of projecting 
feathers; head and upper part of neck naked, or with a few 
scattering hair-like feathers, and with the skin wrinkled; 
nostrils large, oval, communicating with each other; tail rather 
long and rounded. 
Length, 30; wing, 28; tail, 12. 
Habitat, temperate North America. 
