222 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVII 
mally marked (see fig. 75). This raised the question in my mind as to when 
and at what stage the pigment is deposited on the shell, and I would be pleased 
to be enlightened by some one more versed in the matter than myself. 
The bird had deposited only three eggs in the nest during a period of five 
days, and either it was on the nest at the time taken, for the purpose of deposit- 
ing this white egg, or else resting after having laid her fifth egg ; in the latter 
ease she had laid but one egg in three days. 
The only other records I have of nesting dates of this species are those of 
Carter (deceased) of Breckenridge, Colorado, and are as follows: June 17, 6 
eggs ; June 27, 5 eggs ; July 2, 6 eggs ; July 6, 6 eggs. 
Although more or less familiar with these birds for the past thirty years 
(though I never before searched for their nests), I never saw one run or move 
on ground faster than a turtle, or before heard of it. 
I am convinced the finding of a nest, unless the bird is on it, would be pure 
accident. That if they build, or line, any systematic nest it is done as with 
many species of ducks, i. e., while they are laying their clutch and during the 
incubation of same. 
The moulting, of the females was much farther advanced than that of the 
males. The males always appeared more on the alert than the females (compare 
the photos). The moulting had made marked advancement between June 11 
and 21. 
Having always considered the ptarmigan the champion fool of all land birds, 
relying almost solely on its protective coloration and slow movements for safety, 
it maintained this reputation with me in all the preliminaries of this trip, but 
when it came to the finals in matters of nidification and the perpetuation of its 
species it created an admiration for its tact and ability in outwitting us in fine 
shape ; but I am in hopes of getting the resultant grouch out of my system dur- 
ing the next nesting season. 
Being taken seriously ill on Sunday, I had to be quickly removed to a lower 
altitude for treatment, and on instructions the boys broke camp and followed 
me the next day. 
Denver, Colorado, October 12, 1915. 
CHARACTERISTIC BIRDS OF THE DAKOTA PRAIRIES 
II. ALONG THE LAKE BORDERS 
By FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY 
T HE BIRDS of the prairie region include not only those of the open grass- 
land, such as Prairie Chickens, Upland Plover, Short-eared Owls, and Bobo- 
links, but also those of the brush patches and timbered borders of the 
numerous prairie lakes, together with those that frequent the sloughs and 
marshes and the lakes themselves. 
The Stump Lake wheat farm where I spent part of the summer was east 
of the hundredth meridian, but its proximity to the arid regions was attested 
by the alkaline water of the lake and lines of frothy suds along its shores, while 
partly buried but well preserved bones of buffalo that had come to water from 
the surrounding prairie were to be picked up along the beaches. In the first 
