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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XL 



the sand The writer has also found them beneath pieces of 

 tin, canvas, and even an old hat. 



The depth of the water in which these nests are found, is vari- 

 able. The writer has found nests covered by only four inches of 

 water, again a nest was found beneath a board at a tiepth of ten 

 feet, but these are unusual conditions. The majority of nests are 

 found at a depth of from two to four feet. The nests are often 

 found in close proximity to one another; and it is not at all excep- 

 tional to find several nests on a single board frequently not more 

 than a foot or two apart. In one instance ten nests w^ere taken 

 from a single board not more than twelve feet long. 



In order to facilitate the collection of eggs it has been found ad- 

 vantageous to place boards in suitable localities during the early 

 spring months. When the breeding time has come many of these 

 shelters will have been chosen as nesting places. 



During egg-laying the males are never found with the females, 

 and where they remain is unknown. In just what manner the 

 female deposits the eggs is also problematic. There are different 

 stories told by those who during recent years have acquired some 

 knowledge of their habits. In some way the female brings her 

 body in such a position that the eggs are deposited on the shelter- 

 ing object. When the laying is finished the eggs are found scat- 

 tered over a surface from six to twelve inches in diameter. The 

 eggs are attached singly by the outermost of the three enclosing 

 envelopes and are about a quarter of an inch in diameter, of a 

 pale cream-color, sometimes showing a faint tinge of green. 



The period of deposition undoubtedly covers many hours and 

 probably in some instances, days, since in several cases all the 

 eggs were removed from nests and the following day freshly de- 

 posited eggs were fourul. Further proof is found in that the same 

 nests frequently contain eggs in both early and late ( losn auc stages. 

 This supposition is further confirmed by the fact tiiat sonic days 

 after the beginning of egg-laying the oviducts yet contain mature 

 eggs- 



If one wishes to leave the nest in such a condition that the fe- 

 male will return and continue laying he must exercise great care 

 in replacing the object to which the eggs are attached. If the 

 nest be much disturbed, one will find upon his return for a fresh 



