The Number of Eggs in a Set of the 
Kingbird. 
BY F. H. CARPENTER. 
I was very much interested in the article by 
Mr. J. N. Clark in the October issue of the 
Ornithologist and Oologist, in regard to 
his experience with the number of eggs in a 
set of the King Bird ( Tyrannus tyrannus). My 
own observations of this subject will agree 
with those of Judge Clark to a great extent. I 
have never found five eggs in a nest, and I 
have examined a large number for this very 
purpose. With the sets of four and three, I 
must slightly disagree with Judge Clark, as sets 
containing each number have been found in ! 
equal proportions. It has long been a matter 
of note with me that this species was content 
with a trio of eggs for a full complement as 
often as four, and it afforded additional interest 
to learn from an extended observation that in 
some localities the lesser number was in a de- 
cided majority. 
It is further interesting to note that in many 
instances the species deposit only a trio, 
pair, or even single egg for a set worthy of the 
tedious period of incubation. Most ornitholo- 
gists reason, and rightly too, that in such cases 
in which the counts falls short of the typical 
number, some casualty has occurred to prevent 
a full oviposition, but in many instances which 
have come under the writer’s notice, and afforded 
individual identification, it has been observed 
as occurring in cases to which no such reason 
could be applied. Perhaps a brief mention 
might be made, without detail, of some species 
which have been recorded, as not fulfilling 
what is regarded as a complete requirement of 
nature’s laws. Sets of Cat Bird, one, two, and 
three have been noticed very frequently within 
the past three years, a circumstance the more 
noteworthy from the fact that the observation 
is confined to more recent dates. The Red-eyed 
Vireo is usually very regular with her set of 
four eggs, but three have been noted as a full 
satisfaction to the parents. The Sparrows seem 
to have abstained from any proclivities to 
White eggs of the kingbird . While ex- 
amining the collection of a friend in Ulster Co., 
N. Y., I was shown a nest and eggs of the 
Kingbird, ( Tyrannus carolinensis) , which dif- 
fered from the usual type, as the eggs were 
perfectly white. The identification was correct. 
H. Taylor. 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
shirk the full demands of nature, and in none 
of that family, with the possible exception of 
the Towhee, which species I have found sitting 
on two and three incubated eggs, and again in 
two exceptions, a set of five has fallen to my 
lot, or rather box. Nearly all the Warblers lay 
uniformly four eggs, excepting Dendroica estiva , 
which has given me the pleasure of examining 
many nests with five and once with six. 
The common Robin is extremely careless as 
to how many eggs she devotes her time and 
energies if it does not exceed four. Only twice 
have I obtained sets exceeding the latter num- 
ber, and frequent rumors with the country col- 
lectors in this section of larger numbers have, 
when followed up, proved delusions. Scarcely 
any species is exempt from these traits, but 
whether it is an individual characteristic, or 
local influence, is a matter of opinion. The 
subject has been discussed at some length with 
the Hawks and Owls, but I fail to see that 
that family proves any exception from others, 
as careful observation would immediately 
prove. O.&O. XII. Nov. 1887 p. /rz 
.yux.0 1 ; .y-lA.uo. y'mo Cimm H 3 UO^iii/,gu 
i these for eggs of this bird. 
June 6, 1886. Rozette, Illinois. These must 
unquestionably belong to T. tyannus for no 
(other Tyrannus is found in Illinois, but they 
exactly resemble typical eggs of the Gray 
Kingbird, (Tyannus dominicensis,) having the 
peculiar deep cream or pinkish-buff ground 
(color characteristic of that bird’s eggs: 
j .98 x.74; .98x.73; ,96x.73; .1)5 x. 73. 
The smallest sized sets measure .81 x.65; 
■ 81x.65; ,82x.06; and the largest sets.96x.79; 
• 94x.7S; ,94x.78 (extremely broad) and 
1.06 x. 77; 1.01 x.7C; .98 x.74. J. p. jy. 
0. & Q r - I5i - Jaly,l88 0. p, 102 - 
Birds Tioga 0©, N,Y. Alden Loring, 
| 304. Kingbird or Bee Martin. Common. 
Breeds. The food of this bird consists of 
insects and great numbers of bees. The nest 
is usually built near some telegraph or tele- 
phone line where the birds sit and wateli for 
their prey. It is composed of wool, weeds and 
small roots, and is lined with small roots. The 
e oS s i usually four in number, are yellowish- 
white with a rosy tinge, and are spotted and 
blotched with light brown. This bird arrives 
from the south about the first week in May, and 
departs about the last of September. They are 
very pugnacious and soon drive away any hawk 
or Crow that comes near. 
Oj&Q, June, 1890, p.§4 
0,& O. XII. Dec. 1887 p. ZC<, 
