THE O. & O. SEMI-ANNUAL. 7 
A sand bank is chosen as a breeding place, and a hole, 6 or 8 
feet in depth is excavated, the end of which is enlarged. Little 
or no attempt at nest building is made. Sometimes a few fish 
bones are found at the end. 
The eggs are usually six in number ; white, spheroidal in shape 
and measure about 1.25x1.05. 
A nest was observed five or six years ago in a sand bank, with- 
in fifteen feet of a much traveled highway. The parent birds 
were frequently seen perched on the telegraph wires or the peak 
of a barn just across the road. 
CEE: 
WINTER BIRDS OF RALEIGH, N. CG. 
BY ©. 8. BRIMLEY. 
131. Lophodytes cucullatus. I1ooded Merganser.—Rather rare. 
132. Anas boschas. Mallard.~-Common. 
139. Anas carolinensis. Green-winged Teal.—Have observed 
them several times in February. , . 
144. Azx sponsa. Wood Duck.—Rather rare. 
146. Aythya americana. Redhead.—Rather rare. 
190. SLotaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern.—Casual; one 
killed here Dec. 6, 1886. 
194. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron.—Occasionalall winter. 
208. Seallus elegans. ‘ing Rail.—Occasional. 
221. Fulica americana. American Coot.—Occasional. 
228. Philohela minor. American Woodcock.—Rather rare: 
sometimes abundant in the migrations in December and 
February. 
230. Gallinago delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. 
273. <&gialitis vocifera. Killdeer.—Tolerably common. 
289. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white.—Common. 
310. Meleagris gallopavo. Wild Turkey.—Rare. 
Common. 
Occasionalall winter. 
316. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. 
325. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture.—Abundant. 
326. Catharista atrata. Black Vulture—Common ; usually seen 
in flocks, seldom singly. 
