150 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
I destroyed one fresh set in a vain attempt. The lowest occupied nest was six feet from 
the ground, the highest nearly twenty; probably the majority were not above twelve. 
The full complement of eggs appears to be generally three. A good many incom- 
plete sets were observed which for one reason or another could not be revisited, but of 
the nine actually collected there were seven three’s, one incubated set of two, and an- 
other of four. 
The eggs are white, more or less spotted with various shades of brown. In some 
cases the spots are pretty well distributed over the entire surface, but usually most 
thickly about the larger end. The set of four, recorded above, is particularly pretty, 
the color forming a wreath about the base of each egg, while the greater part of the 
surface is white. The sizes, in inches, of three specimens, selected from different sets, 
are as follows: .61x.48, .60x.47, and ,57x.45. They are thus somewhat smaller than the 
average given by certain writers (e. g„ Reed, .65x.50). 
Mimus polyglottos orpheus. Cuban Mockingbird. This form, which occurs in 
Cuba, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Porto Rico, has either increased of late on the Sta- 
tion, or it has become more sociable, for it seems much more in evidence than for- 
merly, particularly about the houses. The breeding season must be very prolonged and 
perhaps more than one brood is raised. At any rate fresh sets were common the latter 
half of March when I also took young on the wing. The full complement of eggs seems 
to be only two or three, in about equal numbers, and in no instance out of many did I 
find more. But small sets are the rule for most species all over the tropics. Eggs, 
nests and habits generally do not appear to be peculiar. 
Mimocichla rubripes schistacea. Gray-bellied Red-legged Thrush. While neither 
very common nor conspicuous, I cannot omit mention of this species on account of its 
singular grace and beauty. The first specimen I secured, some years ago, was appar- 
ently feeding on a bit of stony beach on the bay shore, probably a very unusual proceed- 
ing as I never afterwards observed one except in the dry thickets. 
In conclusion it may be as well to remark that the oologist who makes a 
flying trip to the tropics is likely to have his work cut out for him if he expects 
to collect many eggs. Unless he is thoroughly prepared beforehand most of 
the birds will be new to him and their eggs and nesting habits may be quite 
unknown. He is thus at a great disadvantage in finding eggs and must use 
extra care in identifying them afterwards. It is not always easy to shoot a 
parent, and when one does do so the bird is not infrequently lost in the dense 
vegetation. All this means much loss of time and physical effort. Person- 
ally, I believe in “going light” in the field. Of course where skins are a main 
object a gun is indispensable, and it is well to remember that birds shot in the 
morning will not always keep over until one gets home at night, and I have 
sometimes had to skin in the field. 
For a day’s hike after eggs I found the following outfit convenient. 
Clothing : Cotton underwbar, khaki trousers, flannel shirt (nothing thinner will 
stand the thorns and prevent sunburn), straw hat (cork helmet or army 
“campaign” hat would be better headgear, but they are much in the way), leg- 
gings, and stout laced shoes. Equipment: Collecting gun. Marble’s “Game 
Getter”, with 18-inch barrels, appeals to me; it has two barrels, .44 shot and 
.22 rifle ; with folding skeleton stock it carries well in a holster and its weight 
is a trifle. It is good for anything up to a crow and beyond that one can try 
the rifle. It shoots hard and my only trouble last year was having shot too 
l ar ge — no. 8; “dust” to 10 ’s would be about right, as my small birds were 
blown to bits. Basket of woven palm leaf (locally an article which is com- 
mon and cheap but exceedingly light and strong) ; “grub” (but not too much 
of it), and last, but most important, a canteen filled with good water. If^ the 
canvas is kept wet the contents will be drinkable in the hottest sun. . Such 
an utensil drags at the belt and is awkward to carry, but one risks serious ill- 
