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THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV 
not Dr. Shnfeldt surmised that the eggs were similar to those of 7 'otanns calidris, 
the Redshank. They could never he mistaken for eggs of the latter, being small- 
er. of a different shape, not having the flattened butt so common to T. calidris, 
and arc generally richer in their markings, and have a certain style about them 
that is quite foreign to T. calidris. Also they have a ver}' distinct glossy appear- 
ance not common to calidris. Seebohm says of this species : “The fine series 
of eggs of this species in the Smithsonian Institution vary in ground color from 
creamy white to pale gre3dsh brown. The surface-spots are dark rich reddish 
brown, and var}' in size from a large pea downwards, many of them becoming 
conllnent and forming large irregular blotches, or occasionally taking the form of 
streaks. Most of the markings are generally on the larger end of the egg, but 
on some specimens they are more evenly distributed over the entire surface. The 
underlying markings are pale grey or greyish brown, and are large and conspic- 
uous. The eggs vary in length from 1.7 to 1.6 inch, and in breadth from 1.2 to 
1.08 inch. The eggs are 4 in number and very handsome." This description tal- 
lies with eggs I have from the Anderson River. I was somewhat surprised to 
see that Ridgway makes the eggs of this species larger than those of T. inelaii- 
olciiciis, the Greater Yellowshank, being i.6y x 1.15, as against T.43 x 1.20 for 
7 ’. iiiclanolcucus. 
Totanus (or Machetes) pugnax. Ruff. 
'I'he ground color of the eggs of this species shows a fair amount of varia- 
tion, from very light grey stone to drab Iniff, vellow buff', brown buff, and olive 
with.out any brown, and light brown without any olive. They are spotted and 
blotched with two shades of brown, a good mid brown and a dark chocolate, and 
violet gra}', the dark chocolate markings being usually on the light grey stone 
colored eggs, and the mid browns on the buff's and olives. Of the spots and 
blotches many are continent, the larger blotches being chietiy at the. larger end of 
the egg, though a good manv eggs of this species are fairly evenly marked all 
over. The eggs have a fair amount of gloss, and owing to the prevalence of buff 
and olive grounds it gives them a rich oilv appearance. The eggs in each set 
usually show a similarity in markings. Number of eggs in set invariably 4. 
IMeasnreinents : 1.8 x t.2. The eggs are pyriform in shape. 
Numenius phaeopiis. Whimbrel. 
The eggs of this species are usually very handsome, though not 
showing any very great variation in ground color or in the color of 
the markings. The boldness of the spots and blotches in many cases 
gives them a splendid appearance. The general color is distinctly olive of varied 
shades, olive green and olive brown, speckled, spotted and blotched by light and 
dark shades of the same color and rich brown, curious almost black thin streaks 
at the larger end of the egg being very common, usually onl}" on one egg in the 
set, though I have one set with every egg so marked. The violet-gray markings 
are not so conspicuous ; but I have one set with great blotches of this color so 
deejj in tone as to have quite a purple appearance. The markings are often fairly 
distributed over the surface of the egg, and the eggs in each set even in markings, 
hut in many instances the spots and blotches are on the larger end of the egg. 
Sometimes the markings arc very indistinct and give the egg a blurred appear- 
ance. The eggs are flattened at the top. Number of eggs 4, though I have one 
set of 5 all apparently the jiroduct of one bird, as all the eggs are of a peculiar 
shape, being much narrower and consequently look more elongated. IMeasure- 
ments : 2.4 x 1.55 inches. The eggs have r^ery little gloss and are pyriform in 
shape. 
