Page:Condor18(4).djvu/8

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 .$7x.45. They are thus somewhat smaller than the average given by certain writers (e. g., Reed, .65x.50). Mimus poiygiottos 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 wore 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. Mimocichia rubripes schistacea. (}ray-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 'm 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 underwear, khaki trousers, flannel shirt (nothing thinner will stand the thorns and prevent sunburn), straw hat (cork helmet or amy "campaign" hat would be better headgear, but they are much in the way), leg- gings, and stout laced shoes. l?q?ipme?,t: 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 large--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-