NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 359 



The eggs are four to six in number, usually five, and exhibit a great 

 variation in size, shape and markings, some being faintly marked with 

 light reddish spots, chiefly about the larger end,while others are heavily 

 blotched with lavender and rich chestnut. The shape varies from 

 equal ended to those that are quite pointed. A set containing the 

 smallest normal specimen, collected June 30, in a large series of eggs 

 described by Mr. Ladd, ofiers the following dimensions: .64X.49, .64 

 X.50, .65X.48, .64X.49; a set of five taken June 6, measure .71 x .57, 

 .72 X .58, .71 X .58, .76 X .57, .77 X .55. The last set is now in Mr. Norris' 

 cabinet. Mr. Ladd also found a set of runt eggs of this species, which 

 are smaller than those of a Hummingbird, and several nests were found 

 containing an egg of the Cowbird. The average size is .68 x .54. 



640. HelmlntliopMIa bachmani (Aud.) [78.] 



Bachman's V/^arbler. 



Hab. Coast of South Atlantic and Gulf States, from South Carolina to Louisiana. Cuba in winter. 



An extremely rare bird. Said to nest in low trees. Eggs four. 

 One of a set of four, taken April 30, and found in the collection made 

 between the years 1853 and 1865 by the late Dr. S. W. Wilson in 

 Georgia, is described by Mr. H. B. Bailey as dull white; around the 

 larger end is a wreath of dark brown, covering nearly one-third of the 

 egg ; while a few obscure spots of lilac are scattered over the rest of 

 the surface. It has no resemblance to any Warbler's egg, and espec- 

 ially none of any of this genus.* Size about .74X.60: Ridgw. 



641. Helminthopliila plnus (Linn.) [79.] 



Blue-'winged 'War'bler. 



' Hab. Kastern United States north to Connecticut and Southern New York, the Great Lakes and 



Minnesota; south in winter to eastern Mexico, Guatemala. 



The Blue-winged Yellow Warbler breeds throughout its United 

 States range, chiefly however, north of 40° latitude. Apparently it is 

 not found in great abundance wherever observed during the breeding 

 season. Records are at hand of its breeding in Southern Connecticut, 

 New York, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Central Ohio, Indiana and 

 Southeastern Illinois. Col. Goss gives it as a rare summer resident of 

 Kansas. It has probably been found breeding most abundantly in 

 Southeastern Pennsylvania by Isaac S. Reiff. The site generally 

 selected for a breeding place in that locality is a clump of blackberry 

 bushes on the edge of a wood, and high ground a short distance from 

 water seems to be preferable. Nest building begins as early as May 

 10, and nests were found containing young as early as June 3. The 

 nest is built on the ground in thickets ; sometimes it is raised two or three 



«Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VIII, 38. 



