371 



plaintive cries, and at the same time the parents exhibit symptoms of distress and counterfeit 

 lameness with great skill. 



" Mr. Bartram informed Wilson that he saw one of these birds defend her young for a 

 considerable time from the attacks of a ground squirrel. The mother threw herself, with her 

 two young behind her, between them and the land, and at every attempt of the squirrel to seize 

 them raised both her wings in an almost perpendicular position, assuming the most formidable 

 appearance she could, and rushing forward on the squirrel endeavoured to drive it back. The 

 young crowded together close behind her, sensible of their perilous situation, moving backward 

 or forward as she advanced or retreated. This lasted some ten minutes, and would have 

 terminated disastrously for the young birds, had not Mr. Bartram interposed for their rescue." 



The eggs, four in number, are deposited in May, June, or July according to latitude, are 

 pyriform in shape, and are creamy drab or creamy ochreous in ground-colour, and are marked 

 within distinct neutral tint underlying shell-blotches and rich dark brown surface spots and 

 blotches, which have sometimes a tinge of purple. In size those in my collection vary from 

 1-07 by 0-87 inch to 1-30 by 1, and 1-35 by 0-97 inch. 



The specimens figured are the adult and young birds above described, and are in my own 

 collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined besides those in the British Museum 

 the following specimens : — 



E Mus. II. E. Dresser. 



a, ad. Calais, Maine, 1863 (G. A. Boardman). b. New Jersey (/. Krider). c, <$ ad. Washington, D.C., 

 May 10th, 1862; d, ? ad. Washington, April 24th, 1860; e,juv. Washington, August 3rd, 1859 

 (Dr. Elliott Coues). f, half-down. June 23rd; g, young in down. June, Koshkonong Lake, Winconsin 

 {Dr. T. M. Brewer). h. Near City of Mexico, winter (G. H. White), i, $ . Guatemala, winter 

 (Dr. T. M. Brewer). 



