Nests are frequently floating platforms of vegetation (algae, cattail, and the like) in shallow water; old nests of Pied-billed Grebes are sometimes used as bases, and occasionally the birds nest on the ground.
Least Tern: Sterna albifrons athalassos Burleigh and Lowery.—This tern is a local summer resident in marshes and along streams in central and western Kansas. There are breeding records from Hamilton, Meade, and Stafford counties. First dates of arrival in spring are from May 14 to 30 (the median is May 28), and last dates of occurrence in autumn are from August 9 to September 7 (the median is August 25).
Breeding schedule.—Twenty-one records of egg-laying are from May 21 to June 30 ([Fig. 4]); the modal date for laying is June 5.
Number of eggs.—Two, 3 or 4 eggs are laid.
Eggs are laid on the bare ground, usually a sandy surface, near water.
Black Tern: Chlidonias niger surinamensis (Gmelin).—This is a local summer resident in marshlands in central Kansas. There are breeding records only from Barton County for 1961 and 1962; possibly the species breeds in Douglas County. First dates of arrival in spring are from May 3 to 29 (the median is May 14), and last dates of occurrence in autumn are from September 2 to 30 (the median is September 11).
Breeding schedule.—Twenty-four sets of eggs (Parmelee, 1961:25; M. Schwilling) were complete between June 11 and July 12.
Number of eggs.—Clutch-size is 3 eggs.
Nests are of dead plant matter placed on floating parts of emergent green plants in shallow water.
Rock Dove: Columba livia Gmelin.—This species was introduced into North America by man from European stocks of semi-domesticated ancestry. "Pigeons" now are feral around towns and farms, and cliffsides in the west, and are locally common permanent residents throughout the State.