252 



NESTS AND EQG8 OF 



would not use the. nesting boxes provided for them, and both females deposited their, ^ 

 eggs on the floor of 'the cage; they were laid in July, August and September, respect-.- 

 ively. None of these eggs can be called round ; they vary from ovate to short ovate, 

 and are rather pointed; they are white with the faintest yellowish tint, ivory^like 

 and quite' glossy; the shell rather thick, close grained and deeply pitted not unlike 

 the eggs of the African Ostrich, butthe pits are not so noticeable. . These eggs meas- 

 ure 1.43x1.06, 1.36x1:07 and 1.31x1.06. The smallest one of these is figured in the 

 late Major Bendire's monumental work (Vol. II, Plate I). The last record we have 

 of this bird being taken in Ohio is October 9th, 1884. 4 specimen was shot by Mr. 

 A. Lee Hoskinson, near Newark, and mounted by S. G. Hamilton, taxidermist, of 

 that city. The bird was seen about the place for several days and was heard scream- 

 ing all the night before it was killed. It is still in Mr. Hoskinson's possession. 



[383.] ANI. Crotophatfa ani Linn. Geog. Djst. — West Indies; eastern South 

 America, rare or casual in Florida and Louisiana; accidental near Philadelphia. 



The Ani, Black Witch or Savanna Blackbird; so grotesque in appearance is only 

 of rare or accidental occurrence in the United States, as In Southern Florida, and in 

 other regions as above cited. The bird is from thirteen to fifteen inches long; tail 



SW. Ani {From Brehm). 



eight inches; the bill is exceedingly compressed and smooth, or with a few traverse 

 wrinkles on the upper mandible; the color of the plumage is black, with steel-blue 

 reflections. It is common throughout the West Indies and in Northeastern South 

 America. Observers state that several of these birds will form gort of a community 

 or colony to build an immense nest, which is used in common. It is a large mass of 



