Nov., 1913 NOTES ON THE EGGS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN LIMICOLAE 
19,5 
the larger end) of varying shades of brown, from a light chestnut to nearly black, 
with, in many cases, spots of violet gray. The markings in some instances are 
fairly evenly distributed, but are as a rule chiefly at the larger end, in many cases 
forming a complete cap. There is a beautiful variety having all the markings at 
the larger end with the remainder of the egg almost witliout a speck, and another 
variety dusted over with fine specks without any large spots at all. Several of the 
sets show the spiral arrangement of the spots, but this is not as frequent as in the 
eggs of the Dunlin. The number of eggs is invariably 4. Measurements: 1.6 
X 1. 1 in. Some eggs show a considerable amount of gloss, though this is usually 
absent. The eggs are pyriform in shape. 
Tring'a (or Pelidna) alpina. Dunlin. 
The eggs of this species resemble those of G. gallinago very closely in color, 
but in comparing a series (74 sets or 296 eggs) with that of G. gallinago, one is 
struck by the greater proportion of the lighter ground colors in the Dunlin, the 
very deep olives and the. very dark browns being almost absent. On the other 
hand the beautiful light blue-green and the pale bufif are rare in G. gallinago. The 
surface spots are chiefly two shades of brown, a rich red and a dark brown, with, 
in many cases, spots of violet gray. In T. alpina it is rare to find the two shades 
of brown in the same egg as is often the case with G. gallinago. The markings 
are very varied, some eggs dusted all over with tiny specks, others with specks 
and fair-sized spots, and again others with great blotches of color chiefly at the 
larger end. The pattern markings on the eggs of the same set are often very dis- 
similar. Many of the eggs of this species show the spiral arrangement of the 
spots. The eggs are very glossy, and on this account have a brighter appearance 
than eggs of G. gallinago. I have only one set entirely without gloss. Number 
of eggs invariably 4. Measurements: 1.35 x .95 inch. The eggs are pyriform 
in shape. 
Totanus melaniirus (or Limosa limosa)- Black-tailed Godwit. 
The eggs of this species are not very variable, olive-green and olive-brown, 
light bufify brown to dark brown without any trace of olive, being chiefly the 
ground color, while the markings are usually deeper shades of the same color 
with rarely a few spots of violet-gray, these spots in many cases being very in- 
di.stinct ; but occasionally you find a set quite boldly spotted. The eggs have lit- 
tle or no gloss, and in the same set are very uniform in shape. The markings on 
the eggs in the same set are usually very similar in character. Number of eggs 
4, occasionally 5. measurements: 2.2 x 1.5 in. The egg;s are pear-shaped. 
Totanns calidris (or Totanus totanus). Common Redshank. 
The ground color of the eggs of this species does not show any great range 
of variation, being chiefly different shades of buff, from the very light clay color 
(often slightly tinged with greenish-olive) to a good deep shade; but occasion- 
ally you find a set with a deep rich red-buff ground color, spotted with a rich red- 
brown which gives them a very handsome appearance. The markings are usually 
two shades of brown, a rich red and a very dark Irrown, from minute specks to 
good big blotches, the latter being often confluent forming a zone around the larg- 
er end of the egg. Again, you find a few violet-gray markings, and occasionally 
a thin irregular hair-line of very dark nearly black-brown, also at the larger end. 
The markings on the eggs of the same set often show great variation. The eggs 
have little or no gloss. Number of eggs in set, 4. Measurements: 1.75 x 1.2 in. 
Eggs pyriform in shape and generally flattened at the top. 
Totanus flavipes. Yellowshank (or Yellow-legs). 
As this is purely an American species I should not have referred to it had 
