KEY TO THE EGGS 
OF THE SUMMER-RESIDENT BIRDS OF OHIO, 
EGGS PLAIN — (I.) EGGS MARKED— (II.) 
I.— EGGS PLAIN. 
Shell white or whitish, — A. 
Shell blue or bluish, or green or greenish, — J3. 
Shell neither white or whitish, nor blue or bluish, or green or greenish,— O. 
A— SHELL WHITE OR WHITISH. 
No. 
Size of Eggs 
in Short- 
diameter. 
Size of Eggs 
in Long- 
diameter. 
Color of Shell. 
Number 
in a Set. 
Location, Position, Materials, Size, etc., of Nest. 
English and Latin Name of Bird. 
1 
1.80 to 2.10 
2.17 to 2.30 
White. 
2 or 3 
Usually the eggs are laid in an old nest of a Hun k or in a hollow tree. Occa- 
sionally the birds build a nest for themselves in the fork of a tree. It is 
made of coarse sticks* weed-stems, etc. Eggs laid in February or March. 
Great Horned Owl. 
Bubo virginianus. 
2 
1.52 to 1.70 
1.87 to 2.04 
White, 
2 or 3 
Nest in the hollow of a tree, or placed in a fork similar to the above. Eggs 
laid in February or March, 
Barred Owl. 
Strlx nebulosa. 
3 
1.24 to 1.30 
1.58 to 1.80 
White. 
3 to 6 
Nest consists of sticks, grass, etc,, and Is placed in a trre, a hush, upon the 
ground, oron the lop of a stump in retired timber-land. Often a deserted 
nest of a Crow or Hawk is used, and probably the eggs are sometimes laid 
in a hollow tree. Eggs iu March. 
American Long-eared Owl. 
Asio americRuus. 
4 
1.15 to 1.25 
1.34 to 1.58 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nests in hollow trees, at no great distance from the ground. Old orchard 
trees favorite sights. Eggs from February to April. 
Little Screech Owl. 
Scops asio. 
5 
1.15 to 1.25 
1.22 to 1.58 
White. 
4 to 7 
Eggs laid upon the ground ora little grass, in open, damp, grassy lands. 
Sometimes they are at the foot of a little bush, beside a log. or at times hi a 
rabbit burrow. Eggs about April. 
Short-eared Owl. 
Asio aecipitrinus. 
6 
1.11 to 1.30 
1.40 to 1.70 
Milk-white to brown- 
ish or creamy- white, 
often stained by leaves, 
7 to 15 
Nest of leaves, etc., on tile ground beside a log, under a bush, etc., in se- 
cluded woods, occasionally also in bushy pastures near woods. Eggs from 
April to September. 
Hulled Grouse. 
Bonnsa umbellas. 
7 
.98 to 1.08 
1.35 to 1.55 
Wlii te. 
2 
Nc.st. in trees in woods, usually a number of nests near by each other. Made 
of sticks chiefly. 
Passenger Pigeon. 
Eclopistes migratorin. 
8 
1.00 to LOG 
1.26 to 1.37 
Clear White, 
6 to 7 
Nest at the end of burrow in n hank, usually the bank of a river or creek. 
Commonly bones of minnows mid crawfish in the nest Eggs last of May 
and June. 
Belted Kingfisher. 
Ceryle aloyon. 
0 
.93 to 1.05 
1.13 to 1.30 
White, often stained 
by grass upon which 
they rest. 
12 to 30, 
or more. 
Nest on the ground in open fields, sometimes itt woods, made of grass, etc., 
and generally concealed from view by rank vegetation, April to July, or 
later. 
American Quail. 
Bob White. 
Ortyx virginianus. 
10 
.72 to .92 
1.00 to 1.20 
White. 
2 
Nest on low limbs of trees and in hushes. Mode of sticks, straws, etc,; very 
shallow. Early in the season, before leaves are out, nest placed on The ground. 
Eggs April to October. 
Mourning Dove. 
Zenaidura Carolinensis. 
11 
.79 to .90 
.93 to 1.19 
Glossy White. 
5 to 9 
Nest in cavity in a dead tree, fence-post, etc., made for the purpose by the 
birds. Rarely a natural cavity is chosen for the site. Diameter of opening 
to nest about 3>tf inches. Eggs In May and J line. 
Yellow-shafted Flicker. 
Colaptes auratus. 
12 
.79 to .S9 
1.05 to 1.15 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest in cavity in a dead tree, fence-post, stump, etc., excavated by tliebirds. 
Rarely in a natural cavity. Diameter of openiug to nest about 1 % inches. 
Eggs rest on chips and laid iu May or June. 
Red-headed Woodpecker. 
Melauerpes erythrocephalus. 
1.3 
.70 to .78 
.90 to 1.00 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest in holes excavated in dead trees, high above ground. Eggs rest on 
chips and laid iu May or J uue. Scarce. 
Red -bellied Woodpecker. 
Centurus carolinus. 
14 
.68 to .75 
.S7 to 1.05 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest in holes excavated iu dead trees and stumps, usually within twenty 
feet of the ground. Eggs rest on chips ami laid in May or June. Diameter 
of hole at entrance about 2 inches. 
Hairy Woodpecker. 
Picus villosus. 
15 
.57 to .67 
.78 to .SS 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest in holes excavated in dead trees and stumps, usually along the bank 
of some stream, and from three to ten feet from the ground, Eggs rest on 
chips and laid in May or June. Diameter of hole at entrance about 13-16 
inches. 
Downy Woodpecker. 
Picus pubescens. 
16 
.62 to .74 
.90 to 1.02 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest built in natural cavities in trees, or. as is now commonly the ease, in 
bird-boxes erected for the purpose. Eggs laid in J uno. 
Purple Martin. 
Prog lie purpurea. 
17 
.52 to .62 
.70 to .80 
White* or creamy- 
white. 
4 to 5 
Nest built, of mud, moss, etc., about bridges, deserted cabins, caves, etc,, 
and often fastened to the perpendicular side of a rock or timber. 
Pewit Flycatcher. 
Savornis fuscus. 
18 
.49 to .55 
.75 to .S5 
White. 
4 to 6 
Nest basket-like and made of fine twigs glued together arid to the support- 
ing surface by a gummy substance from the bird’s mouth. Situated in hollow 
trees, chimneys, etc. 
Chimney Swift. 
Chsetura pelasgica. 
XXXIV 
