North American Birds Eggs. 



133 



ularly spotted with blackish brown, with suiidued markings of lavender. Size 

 a.'20xl.50. Data. — Sandy Point, S. C, Jlay 12, ]iJ02. Three eggs on the sand 

 just aliove high water mark; nest a mere depression on a small "sand dune" 

 lined with pieces of shells. Collector, M. T. Cleckley, M. D. 



286.1. Frazar Oyster-catcher. H;i iit- 

 (itiipii-s fraztifi. 



Range. — Lower California. 



This species is darker on the back 

 than the preceding, and the breast is 

 mottled with dusky. It is not an 

 uncommon wader in its somewhat 

 restricted range. Its nesting habits 

 are the same as those of the preceding 

 one, but the markings are generally 

 more sharply defined. The one fig- 

 ured is from a set in the collection of 

 Mr. C. W. Crandall. 





I IJruwnish buff 



287. Black Oyster-catcher. 



Hunuttojiiis IxirlniKini. 



Range 

 -™. v.. America 



-TV* 



Jf 



t .. .^^■' 



[Olive buff.l 

 the rocks above high water; no nest. 



-Pacific coast of North 

 from Lower California 

 north to Alaska. 



This species is the same size as 

 the Oyster-catcher, but the plumage 

 is entirely black both above and 

 below. They are found upon the 

 rocky coasts and islands, more Ire- 

 (|uently than upon sandy beaches. 

 Their eggs are laid upon bare rocks 

 or pebbles with no attempt at lining 

 for the nest. The eggs are an olive 

 buff in color, spotted and blotched 

 with brownish black. Size 2.20 x 

 1.55. Data.-Valdez Is., B. C, 

 June 1, 1895. Three eggs laid on 

 Collector, Percie Smith. 



m 



JACANAS. Family JACANID/E. 



288. Mexican Jacana. Jacana spiiui.sa. 



Range.— Tropical America, north in summer to the Lower Rio Grande Valley 

 in Texas, and casually to Florida. 



This interesting species has most of its structural 

 characters similar to the Plovers, but has more the 

 appearance and habits of the Rails. They are about 

 eight inches long, the head and ne k are black, the 

 body chestnut, and the wings largely greenish yellow. 

 They have long legs, long toes and extremely long 

 toe nails, a scaly leaf on the forehead, and a sharp 

 spur on the shoulder of the wing. Owing to their 

 long toes and nails, they are enabled to walk over 

 floating weeds and rubbish that would sink beneath [Yellowish olive 



