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ROSE      HILL."  WI^^^TIVOLI    P.O. 

Duchess  Co..  n.  y 


FOR  THE  PEOPLE 

FOR  EDVCATION 

FOR  SCIENCE 

LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  AMERICAN  MUSEUM 

OF 

NATURAL  HISTORY 

THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS 


OF 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS 


I.  GT  GRAY  SHRIKE.  2.  G"'  REED  WARBLER.  3.  G^  SPOTTED  CUCKOO,  4,  G^  WHITE  EGRET.  5.  GT  BUSTARD. 

6.  G'  SNIPE.  7.  G''  BLACK  HEADED  GULL.  8,  G^  AUK,  9.  G^  NORTHERN  DIVER. 

VincMivBrooVa  Day  &.SonUtJ\ 


THE   NESTS  AND   EGGS 


OF 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS 


OR 

Sucb  Species  tbat  ^o  not  JBreeb  vvttbln  tbe 
JSritisb  Hrcbipelago 


By   CHARLES    DIXON 

AUTHOR   OF 

'  THE   GAME   BIRDS    AND   WILD   FOWL    OF    THE  BRITISH    ISLANDS,' 
THE   MIGRATION    OF    BIRDS,'    '  THE   NESTS    AND    EGGS    OF    BRITISH    BIRDS,' 
ETC.,    ETC.,    ETC. 


WITH  COLOURED  FRONTISPIECE 


LONDON:   CHAPMAN   AND    HALL,    Ld. 

1894 

\All  rights  rezerved\ 


■-r^cn.  f^^eo.  ^'tc-ujy; /cf. 


Richard  Clay  &  Sons,  Limited, 
London  &  Bungay. 


PREFACE. 

The  present  work  forms  the  companion  volume  to 
TJie  Nests  and  Eggs  of  British  Birds,  and  renders  the 
subject  of  British  Oology  complete,  so  far  as  our  know- 
ledge now  extends.  It  deals  exclusively  with  the  nidifi- 
cation  of  the  birds  that  do  not  breed  in  the  British 
Archipelago,  but  visit  our  islands  regularly  in  winter, 
pass  the  coasts  on  passage,  or  pay  them  their  more  or 
less  irregular  visits  as  wanderers  from  their  normal  areas 
of  dispersal. 

I  have  spared  no  pains  to  make  the  subject  as  com- 
plete and  full  of  information  as  possible  ;  but,  as  the 
student  will  eventually  discover,  there  still  remains  a 
vast  amount  of  work  to  be  done,  which  will  take  years 
and  years  of  further  study  to  accomplish.  Of  the  birds 
that  breed  in  civilized  areas  our  information  is  fairly 
complete,  although  even  here  many  details  are  wanting 
respecting  the  habits  of  birds  in  the  pairing  and  breed- 
ing seasons,  the  number  of  broods  reared,  and  the  dura- 
tion of  the  periods  of  incubation.  When  we  come  to  deal 
with  species  that  spend  the  summer  in  the  Arctic  regions, 
or  dwell  permanently  in  deserts,  and  in  countries  little 
explored  by  the  scientific  naturalist,  our  want  of  in- 
formation becomes  only  too  woefully  apparent.  I  am 
sanguine  enough  to  hope  that  by  pointing  out  the  defi- 
ciencies in  our  knowledge,  I  may  stimulate  observation, 
and  thus  help  in  one  way  to  reduce  them. 


vi  PREFACE. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  present  work  I  have  examined 
and  compared  a  vast  number  of  nests  and  eggs,  and  in 
nearly  every  instance  the  descriptions  have  been  made 
from  actual  specimens,  in  most  cases  carefully  deduced 
from  large  and  representative  series. 

At  the  end  of  the  volume  I  have  added  two  Appen- 
dices, one  containing  a  list  of  those  species  which  have 
a  just  right  to  be  ranked  as  British,  but  whose  eggs, 
nests,  and  habits  during  the  breeding  season  are  as  yet 
unknown  to  science  ;  the  other  a  list  of  doubtful  British 
species.  I  sincerely  trust  that  the  above  proportionately 
somewhat  long  list  of  birds  whose  eggs  are  unknown 
will  speedily  decrease  ;  for  in  this  direction  lies  some 
of  the  most  attractive  and  important  work  yet  to  be 
accomplished  in  the  field  of  British  Oology. 

Charles  Dixon. 


CONTENTS. 


Nutcracker 

Niicifraga  cajyocntactes   .. 

PACK 

I 

Rose-coloured  Starling 

Pastor  roseus 

4 

American  White-winged  Crossbil 

Loxia  leucoptera    ... 

6 

European  White-winged  Crossbill         „      bifasciata     

7 

Parrot  Crossbill 

„      cia-virostra  pityopsit 

taciis 

8 

Pine  Grosbeak 

„      eyiudeator 

9 

Scarlet  Rose  Finch            

Carpodacus  e7ythrinus 

1 1 

Canary 

Scrmushortulanjiscanariu. 

^       13 

Serin  Finch 

„       hortulaiius 

14 

Brambling    ... 

Fringilla  7noniifri7igilla  .. 

i6 

Mealy  Redpole 

Linota  linaria 

iS 

Greenland  Redpole            

„      lijiaria  horneniaiim 

20 

Lapland  Bunting    ... 

Calca7-ms  Iapp07tic2is 

21 

Black-headed  Bunting       

E77ibe7-iza  77iela7tocep]iala  . . 

23 

Ortolan  Bunting 

„         ho7'tiila7ia 

25 

Little  Bunting 

,,        picsilla    ... 

27 

Shore-Lark 

Otocoris  alpestris   ... 

29 

Calandra  Lark         

M€la7ioco7ypha  calaiid7-a  . . 

31 

White-winged  Lark           

,,              sibirica     .. 

33 

Short-toed  Lark 

CaliVid/'ella  b7'achydactyla 

35 

Crested  Lark           

Galerita  cristata 

37 

Alpine  Pipit 

A 7itJws  spipoletta  ... 

39 

Tawny  Pipit 

„       ca77tpest7'is 

41 

Richard's  Pipit 

„       richardi 

43 

Red-throated  Pipit 

„       cervi7ius 

45 

Wall-Creeper          

TicJiodro77ia  77iu7-aria 

47 

Firecrest 

Regiiliis  ig7iicapillus 

49 

Waxwing 

.     A77ipelis  gar7uli(s 

51 

Vlll 


CONTENTS. 


Lesser  Gray  Shrike 
Great  Gray  Shrike 
Yellow-browed  Willow  Wren 
Orphean  W^arbler  ... 
Barred  Warbler 
Rufous  Warbler 
Great  Reed  Warbler 
Aquatic  Warbler     ... 
Icterine  Warbler     ... 
White's  Ground  Thrush    . 
Fieldfare 

Redwing       

Black-throated  Ouzel 
Arctic  Blue-throated  Robii 
Isabelline  Wheatear 
Black-throated  Wheatear  . 
Desert  W^heatcar    ... 
Rock  Thrush 
Alpine  Accentor 
Black-bellied  Dipper 

Red-breasted  Flycatcher  . 

Purple  Martin 

Great  Spotted  Cuckoo 

Black-billed  Cuckoo 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo 

White-bellied  Swift 

Red-necked  Nightjar 

Egyptian  Nightjar 

Bee-eater 

Roller 

Belted  Kingfisher 

Tengmalm's  Owl 

Little  Owl 

Snowy  Owl 

Hawk  Owl 

Scops  Owl 

Eagle  Owl 

Griffon  Vulture 


Lanius  jninor 

„       ex  cub  it  or   ... 
Phylloscopiis  siiperciliosus 
Sylvia  orphea 

,,      71  is  or  i a 
Aedon galactodes   ... 
Acrocephalus  turdoides     . 
„  aqiiaticics    . 

Hypolais  hypolais  ... 
Geocichia  varia 
Tiirdiis  pilaris 

„       iliacus 
Meriila  atrigularis 
Erithaciis  suecica  ... 
Saxicola  isabellina 
„        stapaziiia 
„         deserti 
]\Io7iticola  saxatilis 
Accentor  alpimis    ... 
Cinclus  aquaticus   inelano- 

gaster  ... 
Muscicapa parva  ... 
Progtie purpurea    ... 
Coccystes  glandar-ius 
Coccysus  erytJu-ophthalmus 

„        americanus 
Cypselus  viclba 
Caprimulgus  rujicollis 
„  cegyptius 

Merops  a  pi  aster 
Coracias  garrulus  . . . 
Ceryle  alcyon 
Nyctala  te77ginah}ii 
Athene  noctita 
Nyctea  7iyctea 
Surniafu?iera 
Scops  scops  ... 
Bubo  viaximus 
Gyps  fulvus 


CONTENTS. 

ix 

PACK 

Egyptian  Vulture    ... 

...     NeopJu'on  percnoptcrus     ... 

121 

White  Jer-Falcon  ... 

...     Hierofalco  ciuidicans 

•       123 

Iceland  Jer-Falcon 

„           ishiJidns 

125 

Scandinavian  Jer-Falcon  ... 

»         gyrfalco 

127 

Orange-legged  Hobby 

...     Falco  vespertiiius  ... 

129 

Lesser  Kestrel         

„     cenchris 

131 

Spotted  Eagle 

...     Aqiiila  7iCEvia 

133 

Black  Kite 

. . .     Milviis  ater 

135 

Swallow-tailed  Kite 

. . .     Ela7ioides  furcaUis 

137 

Rough-legged  Buzzard 

...     A  rchibuteo  lagopus 

139 

Goshawk      

...     A  stiir  pahimbarhis 

141 

American  Goshawk 

„      atricapillns 

142 

Hooper  Swan 

...     Cyg7tus  inusicus     

144 

Bewick's  Swan        

„       beii'icki 

145 

Lesser  Snow  Goose 

...     Chen  hyperboreus 

147 

Bean  Goose             

...     Anser  segetu7n        

148 

Pink-footed  Goose 

„      brachyrhynclius      ... 

150 

White-fronted  Goose 

J,      albifro7is 

151 

Lesser  White-fronted  Goose 

„      albif7'07is  7iii7iutiis  ... 

153 

Brent  Goose            

...     Be7-7iicla  b7-c7ita      

154 

White-bellied  Brent  Goose 

„        brc7ita        glauco- 

gaster 

156 

Bernacle  Goose       

„        leucopsis 

157 

Red-breasted  Goose 

,5        rnJicoUis ... 

158 

Ruddy  Sheldrake 

Tador7ia  casarca    ... 

160 

American  Wigeon 

...     A 7tas  a77ierka7ia     ... 

161 

American  Teal 

„     ca7-oH7ie7isis 

163 

Blue-winged  Teal  ... 

„      disc-07's           

164 

Red-crested  Pochard 

...     Full  gill  a  7-7ifuia 

166 

White-eyed  Pochard 

„        7iy7-oca     

167 

Scaup            

„         77ia?i/a     ... 

169 

Harlequin  Duck      

„        hist7-io7iica 

•171 

Long-tailed  Duck 

„        glacialis ... 

173 

Velvet  Scoter 

n       fusca       

175 

Surf  Scoter 

„       perspicillata 

176 

Buffel-headed  Duck 

. . .     Clang  Ilia  albeola 

178 

Golden-eye  ... 

„        glaucio7i 

179 

Steller's  Eider         

. . .     So77iateria  slelleri 

181 

King  Eider 

„          sped  a  bills 

183 

CONTENTS. 


Hooded  Merganser 
Smew 
Flamingo 
Glossy  Ibis  ... 
Spoonbill 
White  Stork 
Black  Stork 
Little  Bittern 
American  Bittern 
Night  Heron 
Buff-backed  Heron 
Squacco  Heron 
Little  Egret ... 
Great  White  Egret 
Purple  Heron 
Common  Crane 
Demoiselle  Crane 
Great  Bustard 
Little  Bustard 
Macqueen's  Bustard 
Cream-coloured  Courser 
Common  Pratincole 
Sociable  Lapwing  ... 
Killdcer  Plover 
Ringed  Plover 
Little  Ringed  Plover 
Caspian  Sand  Plover 
Gray  Plover 
Asiatic  Golden  Plover 
American  Golden  Plover 

Common  Stilt 
Common  Avocet  ... 
Eskimo  Whimbrcl ... 
Gray  Phalarope 
Bartram's  Sandpiper 
Spotted  Sandpiper ... 
Green  Sandpiper  ... 
Yellow-legged  Sandpiper 


Mergus  aiaillatus 

„       albellus     . . . 
Phoenicopteriis  roseiis 
Plegadis  falcinelliis 
Platalea  leiicorodia 
Ciconia  alba 

„        nigra 
Ardetta  minuta 
Botaurus  lentiginosus 
Nyctico7'ax  griseics 
Ardea  biibulais 
„      comata 
„      garzetta 
„      alba... 
„     purpurea     . . . 
Grus  coinni7mis 

„     '^irgo 

Otis  tarda   ... 
„    tetrax  ... 
„    macqueeni 
Cursor  ins  gallicus  . . . 
Glareola  pratincola 
Vanellus  gregarius 
^gialitis  vocifera 
„         hiaticula 
„         miliar    . . . 
ACgialophilus  asiaticus 
Charadriiis  helveticus 
„         fulviis... 
,,        fulvus  aineric 
nus 

Hiinantopus  melanopterus 
Recurvirostra  avocetta 
Numejiius  borealis 
Phalaropus  fulicarius 
Tot  anus  bartraini  . . . 
„        7nacularius 
„        ocJu'opus  ... 
„      Jlavipes     . . . 


CONTENTS. 

xi 

Dusky  Redshank 

Totajius  fuse  us 

PAGE 

lilack-tailed  Godwit           

Limosa  fuelanura 

254 

Bar-tailed  Godwit  ... 

,,       riffci            

256 

Red-breasted  Snipe           

Ereunetes griseus  ... 

257 

Turnstone    ... 

Strepsilas  intej-pres 

^59 

Bonaparte's  Sandpiper 

Tringa  fuscicollis  ... 

261 

Purple  Sandpiper   ...         

„       maritima  ... 

262 

Broad-billed  Sandpiper     

„      platyrhyiicha 

264 

American  Pectoral  Sandpiper 

„       acuminata       pedo- 

7'alis 

2% 

Little  Stint 

„       vihiuta 

267 

American  Stint 

„       sub)iiinuta       viiiiu- 

tilla      

270 

Temminck's  Stint  ... 

„       teininijicki ... 

272 

Sanderling 

„       arenaria     ... 

274 

Buff-breasted  Sandpiper    ... 

„       rufesce7is    ... 

276 

Great  Snipe 

Scolopax  major      

278 

Jack  Snipe   ... 

„        gain  flit  la 

2S0 

Buffon's  Skua          

Stefcorarius  biiffcui 

282 

Pomatorhine  Skua 

„           pomatorhinus 

283 

Ivory  Gull    ...     •    ... 

Pagophila  ebur?tea 

2S5 

Iceland  Gull            

Larus  leucopterus 

287 

Glaucous  Gull         

„     glaucus 

288 

Great  Black-headed  Gull 

„      ichthy actus  ... 

290 

Mediterranean  Black-headed  Gull 

„      melanoccphalus 

291 

Bonaparte's  Gull 

„     Philadelphia 

293 

Little  Gull 

„      minutus 

295 

Sabine's  Gull           

Xema  sabinii 

297 

Noddy  Tern 

A  no  us  stolidus 

298 

Sooty  Tern 

Sterna fuligitiosa  ... 

300 

Caspian  Tern 

„      caspia          

302 

Gull-billed  Tern      ...         

„      auglica 

304 

Whiskered  Tern     

Ilydrochelidon  hybrida 

306 

Black  Tern 

nigra 

308 

White-winged  Black  Tern 

„             leucoptera... 

310 

Brunnich's  Guillemot 

Uria  iroile  brunnichi 

311 

Little  Auk 

Mergulus  alle 

313 

Great  Auk 

Alca  tfnpennis        

314 

Bulwcr's  Petrel 

Bulweria  columbina 

316 

xii 

CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Wilson's  Petrel 

Oceaiiiteswilsoni  ... 

...         317 

Sooty  Shearwater  ... 

...     Piiffi7i2is  griseiis 

••         319 

Dusky  Shearwater ... 

„         obscuriis  ... 

..         320 

Great  Northern  Diver 

. . .     Colynnbus  glacialis 

..         322 

Black-necked  Grebe 

...     Podiceps  nigricollis 

••         324 

Sclavonian  Grebe  ... 

„        cornutus  ... 

..        326 

Red-necked  Grebe... 

„        riibricollis 

..         328 

Little  Crake 

. . .     Crex parva  ... 

••         330 

Eastern  Turtle  Dove 

Turtur  orie7italis  ... 

..         331 

Appendix  I. 

•  ■     334 

Appendix  II. 

. 

••     345 

Index            

..     361 

ADDENDUM. 

Page  321. — Since  writing  the  account  of  the  nidificationof  the  Stormy 
Petrel  {Procellaria  pelagicd)  in  my  work  on  TJic  Nests  and  Eggs 
of  British  Birds.,  I  have  received  information  of  this  species  nesting 
in  Tor  Bay,  which  very  considerably  extends  its  breeding  area  in 
England  to  the  eastward.  So  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  Lundy  Island 
was  previously  its  most  easterly  known  limit  in  England,  but  Mr. 
Else,  the  Curator  of  the  Torquay  Museum,  informs  me  that  a  bird 
with  its  ^gg  was  obtained  from  a  small  hole  on  the  Thatcher  Rock 
in  Tor  Bay.  The  bird  is  now  in  that  museum,  and  the  ^g%  is,  or 
was,  in  the  possession  of  its  finder,  a  resident  of  Torquay. 


THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS 

OF 

NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS, 


Family  CORVIDzE.  Genus  Nucifraga. 

NUTCRACKER. 

Nucifraga  caryocatactes  {Lhuiceus), 
(British  :    Rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  March  to  June, 
according  to  latitude. 

Breeding  AREA  :  Palaearctic  region.  The  Nutcracker 
breeds  throughout  the  conifer  forests  of  Europe  and 
Asia,  almost  as  far  north  as  the  limits  of  forest  growth, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  It  breeds  in  the 
forests  of  Scandinavia,  south  of  about  lat.  6f\  on  various 
islands  in  the  Baltic,  and  thence  across  Russia  and 
Siberia  to  Kamtschatka  and  the  Kurile  Islands.  South- 
wards in  Europe  it  is  known  to  breed  in  East  Prussia,  in 
the  Black  Forest,  in  the  Alps  and  the  Carpathians,  and 
possibly  in  the  Pyrenees  and  the  mountains  of  South 
Spain.  In  Asia,  although  apparently  absent  from  the 
Caucasus,  it  breeds  on  the  various  southern  and  central 
mountain  ranges,  but  its  distribution  in  the  nesting 
season  is  by  no  means  clearly  defined. 


2  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 

Breeding  habits  :  Little  more  than  thirty  years  ago 
the  habits  of  the  Nutcracker  during  the  breeding 
season,  together  with  the  bird's  nest  and  eggs,  were 
utterly  unknown  to  British  oologists.  Consequently 
the  most  absurd  ideas  prevailed,  and  were  perpetuated 
even  so  recently  as  the  second  edition  of  Morris's 
History  of  BritisJi  Birds,  published  in  1870,  wherein 
the  Nutcracker  is  actually  stated  to  nest  in  holes  of 
trees  !  Professor  Newton  had  the  honour  of  introduc- 
ing the  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Nutcracker  to  British 
naturalists  from  specimens  collected  by  Pastor  Theobald 
on  the  island  of  Bornholm  in  the  Baltic  Sea  ;  and  an 
account  of  the  interesting  discovery  was  published  in  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  (1862,  p.  207  ;  1867, 
p.  162,  pi.  15,  fig.  2).  In  the  former  year,  however, 
another  account  of  the  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Nutcracker 
was  published  in  the  Ibis  (1862,  p.  365),  being  a  transla- 
tion of  Herr  Schlitt's  communication  to  \.h.Q  Journal  fur 
Ornithologie.  In  Europe  the  Nutcracker  appears  every- 
where to  be  a  very  early  breeder,  commencing  to  nest 
long  before  the  snow  is  off  the  ground.  Its  favourite 
breeding  haunts  are  pine  and  fir  forests,  and  owing  to 
the  density  of  the  trees,  and  the  difficulty  of  gettijig 
about  in  the  deep  snow,  or  half-frozen  slush,  the  nest  is 
by  no  means  an  easy  one  to  find.  Not  only  so,  the 
birds  do  not  appear  to  be  in  any  way  gregarious  during 
the  breeding  season,  nesting  in  isolated  pairs,  and 
are  remarkably  shy  and  retiring  throughout  the  entire 
period.  It  is  probable  that  the  Nutcracker  pairs  for 
life,  although  a  new  nest  is  made  each  season.  During 
the  days  of  nest-building  and  courtship  the  bird  is 
described  as  very  noisy,  but  as  soon  as  the  eggs  are  laid 
it  becomes  silent  and  wary  in  the  extreme,  flitting  about 
the  forests  in  a  most  stealthy  manner.  The  site  for  the 
nest  is  generally  in  a  moderate-sized  spruce,  fir,  or  pine 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  3 

tree  at  from  fifteen  to  thirty  feet  from  the  ground.  The 
nest  is  made  on  one  of  the  nearly  horizontal  branches 
close  to  the  trunk,  and  is  a  bulky  open  structure  com- 
posed of  larch,  fir,  and  birch  twigs,  often  cemented  with 
a  little  mud  or  clay,  and  lined  with  moss,  roots,  strips  of 
bark,  and  grass  either  dry  or  semi-green.  The  Nut- 
cracker makes  little  or  no  demonstration  when  disturbed 
at  the  nest,  slipping  away  very  quietly ;  the  female 
usually  sits  remarkably  close,  remaining  brooding  over 
her  eggs  until  she  is  almost  touched  by  the  hand, 
or  the  stem  of  the  tree  is  smartly  knocked. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Nutcracker  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number,  but  three  appears  to  be  the  average  clutch,  and 
occasionally  only  two.  They  range  from  very  pale 
greenish-blue  to  creamy-white  in  ground  colour,  freckled 
and  spotted  over  the  entire  surface  with  olive-brown  and 
underlying  markings  of  pale  gray.  Very  exceptionally 
a  fine  hair-like  streak  of  darker  brown  occurs.  The 
amount  of  marking  varies  considerably,  and  on  some 
specimens  most  of  the  spots  are  on  the  larger  half  of  the 
^g§  j  o"  some  varieties  the  pale  gray  underlying  mark- 
ings predominate  and  the  surface  spots  are  few  and 
large.  Average  measurement,  v^  inch  in  length,  by  "95 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  the  female, 
is  presumed  to  last  from  sixteen  to  eighteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Nut- 
cracker so  closely  resemble  the  paler  varieties  of  those 
of  the  Magpie  that  they  cannot  with  absolute  certainty 
be  distinguished.  Under  a  microscope  the  shell  of  the 
Nutcracker's  ^^g  is  of  much  finer  grain  than  that  of  the 
Jackdaw,  another  species  with  which  it  may  be  confused  ; 
it  is  also  more  fragile  and  the  spots  are  never  so  intense. 
The  site  and  description  of  the  nest  prevents  any  chance 
of  confusion  in  the  field. 


4  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Family  STURNID/E.  Genus  Tastor, 

ROSE-COLOURED     STARLING. 

Pastor  roseus  {Li?mceus). 

(British  :  Abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-central  Palsearctic  region. 
The  Rose-coloured  Starling  is  one  of  those  nomadic 
species  that  seldom  resorts  to  one  particular  district  for 
breeding  purposes  for  many  seasons  in  succession,  and 
generally  chooses  a  fresh  locality  each  year,  resorting  to 
the  nearest  spot  suitable  for  the  purpose  in  that  area 
which  it  may  chance  to  be,  and  to  which  it  has  been 
attracted  by  the  presence  of  locusts,  its  favourite  food. 
Great  numbers  usually  breed  in  company.  The  most 
westerly  breeding  colony  of  this  species  was  situated  at 
Villafranca,  in  the  Italian  province  of  Verona.  East- 
wards it  breeds  irregularly  in  Bulgaria,  the  Dobrudscha, 
South  Russia,  the  Caucasus,  Asia  Minor,  Turkestan,  and 
South  Siberia  as  far  east  as  Lake  Saisan.  It  may  pos- 
sibly yet  be  found  breeding  in  Palestine  and  Northern 
Persia,  both  o{  which  countries  it  traverses  on  migration 
to  and  from  its  winter  quarters  in  India. 

Breeding  habits:  If  the  Rose-coloured  Starling 
pairs  for  life,  as  is  not  improbable,  seeing  that  its 
relation,  the  Common  Starling,  does  so,  and  the  habits 
of  the  two  species  are  much  alike,  it  rarely  if  ever 
returns  to  the  old  breeding  place  for  two  seasons  in 
succession.  Like  that  bird,  it  is  gregarious  during  the 
breeding  season,  nesting  in  colonies  often  of  enormous 
dimensions,  and  apparently  breeding  in  localities  where 
locusts,  its  favourite  food,  chance  to  be  abundant.  As 
soon  as  the  young  arc  able  to  fly  the  nesting  places  are 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  5 

deserted.  The  colonics  are  established  in  old  ruins, 
amongst  the  masonry  of  castles,  in  deserted  and  crum- 
bling earthworks,  m  the  sides  of  quarries  and  railway 
cuttings,  in  cliffs,  or  even  amongst  loose  stones  and 
fragments  of  rock  on  bare  mountain  sides.  The  nests 
are  often  open  to  the  external  air,  but  more  generally 
deep  in  clefts  and  crevices  or  under  stones  and  rocks.  A 
covered  site  seems  always  to  be  preferred,  but  where  the 
birds  are  numerous  the  less  fortunate  individuals  have  to 
be  content  with  more  open  and  exposed  situations.  In 
crowded  colonies  many  nests  are  built  close  together,  in 
some  cases  absolutely  touching  each  other.  The  nest  is 
a  cup-shaped  structure  loosely  put  together  and  made  of 
dry  grass,  twigs,  stalks  of  plants,  straws,  bits  of  moss,  and 
lined  with  finer  grass,  dry  leaves,  and  feathers,  although 
the  latter  material  is  sometimes  omitted.  Like  the 
Starling  the  present  species  frequently  drops  an  egg  on 
the  ground  whilst  feeding. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Rose-coloured  Starling  are  from  five  to 
seven  in  number,  and  uniform  pale  bluish-white  in  colour, 
smooth  and  possessing  considerable  gloss.  Average 
measurement,  I'l  inch  in  length,  by  '82  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  by  the  female,  who  is  said  to  sit 
very  close,  is  presumed  to  last  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Usually  the  eggs  of  the 
Rose-coloured  Starling  may  be  distinguished  from  those 
of  the  Common  Starling  by  their  much  paler  hue  and 
slightly  smaller  size,  but  they  require  the  most  careful 
identification,  and  should  always  be  well  authenticated. 


THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 


Family  FRINGILLID.^.  Genus  LoxiA. 

Sub-family  FKINGILLIN^. 

AMERICAN    WHITE-WINGED   CROSS- 
BILL. 

LoxiA  LEUCOPTERA,  Gfueliu. 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  broods  unknown.    Laying  season,  March  and  April. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
American  White-winged  Crossbill  probably  breeds 
throughout  Canada  and  Alaska  in  all  suitable  districts 
up  to  the  limit  of  forest  growth. 

Breeding  habits  :  Even  in  the  rigorous  climate  of 
British  North  America  this  White-winged  Crossbill  is 
a  very  early  breeder,  and  begins  nesting  long  before  the 
snow  is  off  the  ground.  But  little  has  been  recorded  of 
the  habits  of  this  species.  Its  favourite  breeding  haunts 
are  belts  and  plantations  of  fir  and  other  coniferous 
trees.  Whether  it  breeds  in  scattered  colonies  seems 
not  to  be  known  ;  whether  it  pairs  annually  or  remains 
united  for  life  is  still  undetermined.  The  nest  is  usually 
made  in  a  pine  or  fir  tree,  twenty  or  more  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  is  described  as  a  deep  saucer-shaped 
structure  made  externally  of  spruce  twigs  and  fibrous 
lichens,  lined  with  hair  and  shreds  of  inner  bark.  A  nest 
obtained  by  Dr.  Adams  at  Fredericton  in  New  Brunswick 
is  said  by  Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  to 
measure  a  little  under  four  inches  in  external  diameter, 
and  the  cavity  to  be  two  and  a  half  inches  across  and 
one  and  a  half  inches  in  depth.  The  behaviour  of  the 
parents  at  the  nest  when  disturbed  is  still  undescribed. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  American  White-winged  Crossbill  are 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  7 

not  known  to  exceed  four  in  number.  They  vary  from 
pale  blue  to  white  with  a  tinge  of  green  or  blue  in 
ground  colour  with  dark-brown  and  paler  brown  surface 
spots  and  specks,  and  underlying  markings  of  a  similar 
character,  but  violet-gray  in  colour.  As  a  rule  the 
markings  are  most  thickly  distributed  on  the  large  end 
of  the  e^gg,  round  which  they  generally  form  an  irregular 
zone.  Average  measurement,  78  inch  in  length  by  '55 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  presumably  lasts  fourteen 
days,  but  whether  performed  solely  by  the  female  is  not 
known. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  species  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Greenfinch  and  the 
Common  Crossbill.  Unless  they  are  thoroughly  well 
identified  and  authenticated  they  are  worthless  as  scien- 
tific specimens.  The  locality  is  of  some  small  service  in 
the  matter  of  identification. 


Family  FRINGILLID^.  Genus  LoxiA. 

Sub-family  FRINGILLINM. 

EUROPEAN    WHITE-WINGED   CROSS- 
BILL. 

LoxiA  BiFASCiATA  {Bre/wi). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Number  of  broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  apparently 
unknown. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
European  White-winged  Crossbill  breeds  in  the  pine 
forests  of  Northern  Russia  and  Siberia,  as  far  east  as 
the  Pacific  coast,  where  it  was  observed  by  Middendorff 


S  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

in  lat.  55^.  Its  southern  breeding  range  is  not  very 
minutely  determined,  but  certainly  descends  in  the 
valley  of  the  Yenesay  as  low  as  lat.  63° ;  and  according 
to  Dybowsky,  includes  the  mountain  forests  near  Lake 
Baikal. 

Breeding  habits  :  It  is  not  a  little  remarkable  that 
the  breeding  habits  of  such  a  fairly  well-known  bird  as 
the  European  White-winged  Crossbill  are  almost  com- 
pletely unknown  and  undescribed.  Its  haunts  are  ac- 
cessible, and  have  been  well  explored  by  many  competent 
naturalists.  The  reason  for  this  want  of  knowledge  is 
probably  due  to  the  fact  that  the  bird  is  a  very  early 
breeder,  and  has  finished  nesting  before  the  northern 
forests  are  free  from  snow,  or  visited  by  travellers.  A 
specimen  of  the  nest  of  this  Crossbill,  which  was  sent 
to  Mr.  Dresser  from  Archangel,  is  described  by  that 
naturalist  as  smaller  than  that  of  the  Common  Crossbill 
and  somewhat  slighter  in  structure,  which  amounts  to 
no  description  at  all,  and  deserves  to  be  pilloried  as  a 
fine  example  of  slipshod  work  and  opportunity  neglected. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
Precisely  similar  remarks  apply  to  the  description  of  the 
eggs  of  this  Crossbill  ;  for  to  state  that  they  are  smaller 
and  rather  darker  in  colour  than  those  of  the  Common 
Crossbill  is  a  most  unsatisfactory  statement.  Period  of 
incubation  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  In  the  absence  of  any 
trustworthy  specimens  of  the  eggs  of  this  species,  I  am 
not  prepared  to  say  v/hether  they  may  or  may  not  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  allied  species. 


The  Parrot  C\<.0'ti'^'^\\A.{Loxia pityopsittacus),\  may 
here  remark,  is  merely  a  race  of  the  Common  Crossbill, 
not  recognized,  even  sub-specifically,  by  recent  writers. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  g 

Family  FRINGILLID^.  Genus  Loxia. 

Sub-family  FRINGILLINM. 

PINE-GROSBEAK. 

Loxia  enucleator,  Liniiceus. 

(British  :  Very  rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  late  in  May  and  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palsearctic 
regions.  The  Pine-Grosbeak  is  a  circumpolar  species, 
and  breeds  principally  in  the  coniferous  forests  border- 
ing the  Arctic  circle.  In  the  Old  World  its  breeding 
range  extends  from  Norwegian  Lapland  across  North 
Russia  and  Siberia  to  Kamtschatka,  and  south  to  the 
mountain  pine  forests  near  Lake  Baikal.  In  the  New- 
World  it  extends  from  Alaska  to  Labrador,  and  pro- 
bably includes  the  whole  of  Canada,  even  the  southern 
provinces  of  Ontario  and  New  Brunswick,  in  both  of 
whicli  the  nest  of  this  bird  has  been  taken. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  favourite  breeding  haunts 
of  the  Pine-Grosbeak  are  the  open  spaces  in  the  pine 
woods,  and  rough  uneven  country  where  the  spruce  firs 
and  the  larches  occur  in  scattered  groves  or  in  single 
trees,  and  by  the  sides  of  the  Arctic  streams  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  forests.  Nothing  appears  to  be  known 
of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  species.  Apparently  it  is 
not  gregarious  during  the  breeding  season,  but  the  avail- 
able evidence  points  to  a  certain  amount  of  sociability. 
John  Wolley  was  the  first  naturalist  to  obtain  any 
reliable  information  concerning  the  nest  and  eggs  of 
the  Pine-Grosbeak.  He  found  it  breeding  near  Muonio- 
niska  in  Lapland  in  1855  ;  and  in  1862  Wheelwright, 
better  known  as  the  "  Old  Bushman,"  procured  a  series 
of  five  nests  near  Quickiock  in  Northern  Sweden,  dur- 
ing  the   same  year  that  he  was    fortunate  enough    to 


lo  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

obtain  the  eggs  of  the  Waxwing.  The  nest  of  the 
Pine-Grosbeak  is  usually  made  in  a  spruce  fir,  or  less 
frequently  in  a  birch,  some  ten  or  twelve  feet  from  the 
p-round,  on  a  horizontal  branch  near  the  trunk.  It  is 
somewhat  loosely  put  together,  and  made  much  on  the 
same  model  as  that  of  the  Bullfinch  or  the  Crossbill. 
Externally  it  is  made  of  fir  or  birch  twigs  carelessly 
interlaced,  and  internally  of  roots,  grass,  and  fine  hair- 
like lichens.  It  is  rather  flat,  and  the  finer  materials 
project  for  some  way  over  the  foundation  of  twigs.  Dur- 
ing the  nesting  season  this  bird  is  shy  and  seclusive, 
especially  the  female,  who  when  flushed  from  her  charge 
makes  little  demonstration  unless  the  eggs  are  much 
incubated. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Pine-Grosbeak  are  normally  four  in 
number,  but  occasionally  three.  They  are  clear  greenish- 
blue  in  ground  colour,  handsomely  spotted  or  speckled 
with  rich  blackish-brown  and  paler  brown,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  lavender-gray.  On  some  eggs 
the  spots  form  an  irregular  zone  round  the  larger  end, 
many  being  frequently  confluent,  whilst  on  most  the 
markings  are  chiefly  about  that  part  of  the  ^g%.  An 
occasional  streak  of  dark-brown  sometimes  occurs.  On 
some  eggs  the  markings  are  smaller — little  more  than 
specks — and  more  evenly  dispersed  over  the  entire  sur- 
face. Average  measurement,  ro  inch  in  length,  by 
72  inch  in  breadth.  Period  of  incubation  apparently 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Pine- 
Grosbeak  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  British  species,  their  large  size  readily  identifying 
them  amongst  those  of  all  other  Finches  reputed  British. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  ii 


Family  FRINGILLID^.  Genus  Carpodacus. 

Sub-family  FRlNG/LLlNyE. 

SCARLET     ROSE    EINCH. 

Carpodacus  erythrinus  {Fa/las). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May,  June,  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Palaearctic  region.  The  Scarlet 
Rose  Finch  breeds  from  the  Baltic  Sea  across  Europe 
and  Asia  to  the  Pacific.  Its  most  westerly  breeding- 
grounds  are  situated  in  Finland,  the  Baltic  Provinces  of 
Russia,  and  North-east  Prussia  (Silesia,  Konigsberg, 
Memel).  Thence  they  extend  eastwards  into  the  Urals, 
the  Caucasus,  Asia  Minor,  Turkestan,  Central  Asia, 
Cashmere,  and  Mongolia  to  Kamtschatka,  and  north- 
wards to  about  the  latitude  of  the  Arctic  circle. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Scarlet  Rose  Finch  arrives 
at  its  breeding  grounds  in  Western  Europe  about  the 
middle  of  May.  Its  winter  quarters  are  in  India ! 
Whether  this  species  pairs  annually  or  remains  united 
for  life  appears  not  to  be  known.  It  probably  pairs 
every  year.  The  favourite  haunts  of  this  bird  are  marshy 
forests  and  swamps  with  plenty  of  underwood.  In 
Prussia  its  chief  summer  haunts  are  alder  swamps  ;  it 
also  shows  some  partiality  for  dense  willow  thickets. 
During  the  earlier  periods  of  the  breeding  season  the 
male  makes  himself  very  conspicuous,  sitting  on  the  top- 
most twigs  of  the  bushes  and  small  trees,  and  uttering 
from  time  to  time  his  singular  song,  which  is  described 
as  a  loud  clear  whistle,  which  arrests  the  attention  at 
once.  The  Scarlet  Rose  Finch,  if  not  gregarious,  must 
at  least  be  very  social  during  the  breeding  season,  for 
Herr  E.  Hartert  records  that  in  North-eastern  Prussia 


12  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

seventeen  nests  were  found  in  one  wood  during  a  single 
season.  The  nest  is  generally  placed  in  a  convenient 
crotch  of  some  bush  or  low  tree,  and  is  of  a  flimsy 
character — a  most  unusual  type  of  nest  in  this  family 
of  birds.  It  is  somewhat  deep  and  made  of  dry  stalks 
of  grasses,  lined  with  horse-hair,  beautifully  rounded  and 
neatly  put  together.  Of  the  behaviour  of  the  bird  when 
disturbed  at  the  nest  1  can  find  nothing  recorded ;  but 
the  female  apparently  is  shy  and  retiring  at  this  period. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Scarlet  Rose  Finch  are  from  four  to  six 
in  number ;  five  is  the  average  clutch.  They  are  deep 
bluish-green  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  speckled 
somewhat  sparingly  with  rich  blackish-brown  and  paler 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  On 
many  eggs  the  spots  form  an  irregular  zone  round  the 
larger  end.  Average  measurement,  '8  inch  in  length,  by 
•59  inch  in  breadth.  The  period  of  incubation  (which 
is  performed  by  the  female)  appears  to  be  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  reliable 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Scarlet  Rose  Finch 
can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Bullfinch.  The 
spots  may  be  darker  and  certainly  fewer  than  on  the 
eggs  of  the  latter  bird,  but  this  test  is  worthless.  The 
nests  of  the  tw^o  birds  cannot  possibly  be  confused,  how- 
ever, even  if  the  parents  are  not  seen. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  13 


Family  FRINGILLTD.^.  Genus  Serinus. 

Sub-family  FRINGILLINjE. 

CANARY. 

Serinus  hortulanus  canarius  {Li?i7iceus). 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  January  to  July,  according 
to  altitude. 

Breeding  area  :  Portions  of  Cisatlantean  sub-region 
of  Pala^arctic  region.  The  Canary  breeds  and  is  a 
resident  in  the  Canary  Islands,  Madeira,  and  the  Azores. 
It  is  merely  an  island  race  of  the  Serin  Finch. 

Breeding  habits  :  Unfortunately  we  are  in  posses- 
sion of  little  detailed  knowledge  concerning  the  repro- 
duction of  the  canary  in  a  wild  state.  The  bird  probably 
pairs  annually,  and  there  appears  to  be  some  evidence 
that  it  is  to  some  extent  social  during  the  nesting  season, 
and  congregates  into  flocks  of  varying  size  after  that 
period  is  passed  and  the  young  are  reared.  The  breeding 
haunts  of  the  Canary  embrace  a  great  variety  of  scenery. 
The  bird  not  only  breeds  in  the  gardens  and  country 
near  the  towns,  but  is  found  in  the  mountain  pine  forests 
up  to  an  altitude  of  six  thousand  feet.  Like  so  many 
of  our  own  Finches  at  home,  the  Canary  usually  selects 
a  nesting  site  in  an  evergreen  tree  or  bush,  sometimes 
at  a  considerable  height  from  the  ground,  and  seldom 
less  than  six  or  eight  feet  from  it.  The  nest  is  made 
externally  of  the  stems  of  plants  and  coarse  grass,  and 
lined  with  finer  grass  and  vegetable  down.  I  find  little 
or  nothing  recorded  of  the  behaviour  of  the  parent  birds 
at  the  nest  when  disturbed. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Canary  are  from  four  to  six  in  number. 


14  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

They  are  pale  bluish-green  in  ground  colour,  spotted 
and  speckled  with  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  gray.  On  many  eggs  the  markings  are  dis- 
tributed in  an  irregular  zone  round  the  large  end. 
Clutches  are  sometimes  found  pure  white.  Average 
measurement,  '8  inch  in  length,  by  '55  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  by  the  female,  lasts  twelve  or 
thirteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  reliable 
character  which  will  serve  to  distinguish  eggs  of  the 
Canary  from  those  of  the  Linnet  and  the  Greenfinch. 
The  style  of  the  nest  is  of  some  service,  but  the  eggs  of 
this  species  require  very  careful  identification  and  strict 
authentication  to  be  of  any  scientific  value. 


Family  FRINGILLID^E.  Genus  Serinus. 

Sub-family  FRINGILLINAL. 

SERIN     FINCH. 

Serinus  hortulanus,  Koch. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  March,  April,  and  May. 

Breeding  area:  South-west  Pal^earctic  region.  The 
Serin  Finch  is  confined  during  the  breeding  season  to 
South-western  Europe,  Asia  Minor,  and  North-western 
Africa.  It  breeds  in  South  Prussia,  Luxemberg,  Central 
and  Southern  France,  the  Spanish  peninsula,  Switzerland, 
Italy,  Austria,  Turkey,  Greece,  and  Asia  Minor,  and 
south  of  the  Mediterranean  in  Algeria  and  Morocco. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  haunts  of  the  Serin  during 
the   breeding   season    are   orchards,   gardens,    pleasure- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  15 

grounds  and  vineyards,  as  well  as  the  mountain  thickets 
and  conifer  woods.  It  is  by  no  means  a  retiring  species, 
and  I  have  repeatedly  seen  it  within  arm's  length  of 
houses.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  appears  to  have 
been  recorded.  It  is  not  gregarious  during  the  breeding 
season,  but  is  certainly  socially  inclined,  and  several 
pairs  frequently  nest  in  one  orchard  or  garden.  During 
the  early  part  of  the  breeding  season,  the  male  makes 
himself  very  conspicuous,  perching  on  the  topmost  branch 
of  a  tree,  or  on  the  extremity  of  a  large  branch  at  some 
distance  from  the  ground,  and  uttering  his  clear  sweet 
little  song.  The  female  is  much  more  seclusive,  and 
during  the  breeding  season  keeps  chiefly  to  the  cover. 
The  nest  of  the  Serin  is  generally  built  in  a  dense  bush 
or  at  a  moderate  height  in  a  fruit  or  other  tree.  I  have 
noticed  the  partiality  of  this  bird  for  oleander  bushes 
and  pomegranates.  The  nest  is  small  and  neat,  made 
externally  of  roots  and  dry  stalks  cemented  with  bits  of 
lichen,  cocoons,  or  spiders'  webs,  and  lined  with  vegetable 
down,  and  sometimes  wool  and  moss.  Occasionally 
hair  and  feathers  are  used  in  the  lining. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Serin  are  four  or  five  in  number. 
They  vary  from  pale  bluish-green  to  greenish-white  in 
ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with  light-brown 
and  dark  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings 
of  paler  brown  and  gray.  Occasionally  a  few  dark- 
brown  streaks  occur,  chiefly  at  the  large  end  of  the  ^^g, 
round  which  most  of  the  markings  are  distributed, 
frequently  in  the  form  of  a  zone.  On  some  eggs 
most  of  the  markings  partake  more  of  the  character  of 
blotches  than  spots.  Average  measurement,  "62  inch  in 
length  by  "47  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
chiefly  if  not  entirely  by  the  female,  lasts,  according  to 
Bechstcin,  thirteen  or  fourteen  days. 


i6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Serin  can 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Goldfinch  and  the 
Siskin.  They  require  the  most  careful  identification 
and  reliable  authentication  to  render  them  of  any 
scientific  value. 


Family  FRINGILLID.-E.  Genus  Fringilla. 

Sub-family  FKINGILLIN^. 

BRAMBLING. 

Fringilla  montifringilla,  LinncEus. 

(British  :  Common  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Pal^earctic  region.  The 
Brambling  breeds  in  the  pine  and  birch  forests  of  the 
Arctic  regions  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  In 
Scandinavia  it  does  not  appear  to  breed  south  of  lat.  60°, 
but  in  the  far  East  in  the  valley  of  the  Amoor,  where  the 
mean  summer  temperature  is  lower,  it  does  so  as  far 
south  as  lat.  50°. 

Breeding  habits  :  Although  the  Brambling  is  ob- 
viously very  closely  allied  to  the  Chaffinch,  the  habits 
of  the  two  species,  especially  during  the  breeding  season, 
differ  considerably.  The  Brambling  is  much  more  of  an 
Arctic  bird,  and  even  in  the  southern  limits  of  its  breed- 
ing area  its  ally  the  Chafiinch  becomes  decidedly  rare. 
During  the  nesting  season  the  Brambling  is,  if  not  exactly 
so  gregarious  as  during  winter,  at  least  social,  and  numbers 
of  pairs  generally  breed  in  company.  The  favourite  breed- 
ing grounds  of  the  Brambling  arc  birch  forests,  and  open 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  17 

straggling  woods  composed  of  firs  and  birches,  with  a 
{g.\w  larches  and  alders  intermingled.  Birch,  willow,  and 
alder  thickets  are  also  frequented.  It  is  probable  that 
the  Brambling  pairs  annually,  and  from  what  I  have 
observed  I  should  think  that  this  event  takes  place  in 
spring  before  the  birds  leave  their  winter  quarters. 
Amongst  large  timber  the  nest  is  generally  made  at 
heights  varying  from  ten  to  thirty  feet  above  the  ground, 
but  amongst  smaller  trees  and  in  thickets  it  is  placed  at 
a  much  lovver  elevation.  A  favourite  site  is  in  a  crotch 
where  some  branch  joins  the  trunk,  or  in  a  fork  of  a  limb 
at  some  distance  from  the  stem.  In  bushes  several  small 
branches  often  support  the  nest.  This  is  cup-shaped, 
but  nothing  near  so  neat  a  structure  as  that  of  the 
Chaffinch,  and  is  more  loosely  put  together  and  larger. 
Externally  it  is  composed  of  moss,  lichens,  and  birch 
bark  studded  with  cobwebs  and  vegetable  down,  which 
serve  to  bind  the  other  materials  together,  and  lined 
with  fine  dry  grass  and  quantities  of  feathers.  Whether 
the  female  is  the  sole  builder,  as  is  the  case  with  the 
Chaffinch,  appears  not  to  have  been  determined,  and  the 
actions  of  the  birds  when  disturbed  at  their  nesting- 
places  appear  also  to  be  undescribed. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Brambling  are  from  five  to  seven  in 
number,  six  being  an  average  clutch.  They  arc  bluish- 
green  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  speckled  with  under- 
lying markings  of  pale  reddish-brown  and  surface  spots 
of  very  dark  brown,  andj  generally  more  or  less  clouded 
and  suffused  with  irregular  blurred  blotches  of  very  pale 
brown.  The  dark  spots  are  often  very  rotund,  and 
surrounded  by  paler  discs  of  colour.  One  type  is  almost 
devoid  of  these  dark  surface  spots  ;  another  has  a  circular 
patch  of  gradated  colour  like  a  cap  over  the  larger  end 
of  the  c^^g  ;  another  type  is   almost  uniform  pale-green 

c 


1 8  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

without  markings.  Average  measurement,  '8  inch  in 
length  by  -6  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  the  female,  but  the  length  of  the  period  appears  to  be 
unknown  ;  probably  it  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Chaffinch, 
and  lasts  from  twelve  to  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  only  eggs  with  which 
those  of  the  Brambling  can  be  confused  are  those  of  the 
Chaffinch,  and  unfortunately  no  reliable  character  can  be 
given  to  distinguish  them.  As  a  rule  the  eggs  of  the 
Brambling  are  more  vivid  green  in  ground  colour,  more 
clouded,  and  the  spots  are  not  so  large  and  distinct. 


Family  FRINGILLID^E.  Genus  Linota. 

Sub- family  FRINGILLINyE. 

MEALY    RED  POLE. 

Linota  linaria  {Lumceiis). 

(British  :  Autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Pal^arctic 
regions.  The  Mealy  Redpole  breeds  principally  in  the 
birch  regions,  at  or  near  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in 
Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America.  Its  southern  range 
is  not  very  accurately  determined,  inasmuch  that  the 
bird  has  been  confused  with  the  Lesser  Redpole, 
especially  in  the  Alpine  districts  of  Europe. 

Breeding  habits  :  So  far  as  can  be  gathered  from 
the  somewhat  meagre  details  on  record  regarding 
the  nidification  of  the  Mealy  Redpole,  there  is  little 
if  any  difference  between  this  species  and  the,  to  British 
ornithologists,  better  known  Lesser  Redpole.  The 
Mealy  Redpole  probably  pairs  annually.     The  favourite 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  19 

breeding  haunts  of  this  species  appear  to  be  birch  woods 
and  tliickets,  and  in  the  high  north  near  the  Hmits  of 
forest  growth,  where  these  trees  dwindle  down  into  mere 
bushes,  they  still  seem  to  be  preferred,  but  stunted  willow 
thickets  are  often  selected.  The  nest  is  rarely  if  ever 
built  at  any  great  distance  from  the  ground,  even  where 
the  timber  is  of  fair  size,  and  in  districts  where  the 
growth  is  stunted  it  is  seldom  more  than  four  feet  above 
it.  Sometimes  it  is  placed  almost  on  the  ground  in  a 
tuft  of  herbage.  The  nest  is  made  externally  of  twigs, 
roots,  moss,  and  dry  grass,  lined  with  vegetable  down  of 
some  kind,  principally  from  willow  catkins  and  cotton 
grass,  or  feathers,  and  hair.  The  lining  varies  a  good 
deal  according  to  locality  and  availability.  It  is  not 
known  that  the  conduct  of  the  female  at  the  nest  differs 
from  that  of  the  Lesser  Redpole. 

Range  of  egCx  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Mealy  Redpole  are  five  or  six  in  number. 
They  are  blue  in  ground  colour,  but  on  some  a  greenish 
tinge  predominates,  on  others  it  is  scarcely  perceptible. 
They  are  spotted  and  speckled  with  purplish-brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  paler  brown  and  gray. 
Most  of  the  markings  are  on  the  larger  end  of  the  tgg'^ 
and  on  some  eggs  a  few  streaks  of  dark  brown  occur. 
A  rare  variety  is  very  sparingly  marked.  Average 
measurement,  */  inch  in  length,  by  "5  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  probably  performed  by  the  female  alone, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown.  It  is  pro- 
bably the  same  as  that  of  the  Lesser  Redpole,  namely, 
fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  jMealy 
Redpole  are  perceptibly  larger  than  those  of  the  Lesser 
Redpole,  but  do  not  differ  in  colour  or  character  of 
markings.  The  locality  of  the  eggs  is  a  fairly  reliable 
means  of  identification. 


20  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  FRINGILLID.E.  Genus  Linoia. 

Sub-family  FRINGILLIN^E. 

GREENLAND     REDPOLE. 

LiNOTA    LINARIA    HORNEMANNI,    TlolboU. 

(British  :    Rare  abnormal  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North-east  of  Nearctic  region,  and 
extreme  north-west  of  Palaearctic  region.  The  Green- 
land Redpole  breeds  in  Spitzbergen,  Iceland,  Greenland 
(north  of  lat.  69°),  and  possibly  in  Canada. 

Breeding  habits  :  But  little  has  been  recorded  of 
the  nidification  of  this  race  of  the  Mealy  Redpole,  but 
probably  it  differs  little,  if  at  all,  from  that  of  the  pre- 
ceding bird,  due  allowance  being  made  for  local  con- 
ditions. The  nest  so  closely  resembles  that  of  the  Mealy 
Redpole  that  a  detailed  description  is  unnecessary,  and 
it  appears  to  be  made  in  precisely  similar  situations — in 
stunted  bushes,  or  even  on  the  ground  above  the  limits 
of  forest  growth,  in  small  trees  in  lower  latitudes. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Greenland  Redpole  are  five  or  six  in 
number.  They  range  from  bluish-green  to  greenish-blue 
in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  speckled  with  dark  purplish- 
bruwn,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  paler  brown 
and  gray  :  a  few  streaks  occasionally  occur.  The  mark- 
ings are  often  distributed  in  a  zone  round  the  larger  end 
of  the  ^g^^  and  are  almost  invariably  most  numerous  on 
that  portion.  Average  measurement,  75  inch  in  length 
by  "54  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  probably  performed 
by  the  female  ;  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown, 
but  is  probably  t!ie  same  as  that  of  the  allied  races. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  Green- 
land Redpole  are  the  largest  of  the  three  races  of  Red- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  21 

pole  that  occur  within  the  area  of  the  British  Islands,  but 
do  not  differ  in  colour  or  character  of  markings.  The 
locality  is  a  tolerably  safe  guide  to  their  identification,  if 
it  can  be  relied  upon. 


Family  FRTNGILLID.-E.  Genus  Calcarius. 

Sub- family  EMBERIZIN^. 

LAPLAND     BUNTING. 

Calcarius  lapponicus  {Linnccus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  Lapland  Bunting  breeds  on  the  tundras 
and  barren  grounds  above  the  limit  of  forest  growth  in 
Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America,  and  in  a  similar 
region  at  high  elevations  in  various  parts  of  the  Dovre 
Fjeld  in  Norway.  Singularly  enough  it  is  not  known  to 
breed  in  Iceland,  Spitzbergen,  or  Nova  Zembla,  but  is 
common  across  Northern  Europe  and  Asia,  in  Europe 
extending  as  far  north  as  continental  land  exists,  but  in 
Asia  not  apparently  beyond  about  lat.  73°.  In  Greenland 
it  breeds  as  far  north  as  lat.  70'',  and  is  said  to  be 
abundant  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  the  New  World  from 
Alaska  eastwards. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Lapland  Bunting  is  another 
typical  boreal  species,  only  breeding  on  the  treeless 
wastes  of  the  north,  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth — 
on  the  Arctic  prairies  or  flower-decked  moors  that  stretch 
away  beyond  the  forests  to  the  shores  of  the  Polar  seas. 


22  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Here,  however,  the  bird  appears  to  show  partiahty  for 
certain  haunts.  Its  favourite  nesting  places  are  the 
swampy  grounds  and  marshes  studded  with  hassocks  of 
grass  and  flowers  which  afford  dry  accommodation  for  its 
home,  and  reheved  here  and  there  with  stunted  willows 
and  birches,  which  afford  the  bird  a  resting-place. 
The  Lapland  Bunting  pairs  annually,  and  the  males 
arrive  some  little  time  before  the  females  at  the  breeding 
grounds.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  latter  but  little  time 
is  wasted  before  the  duties  of  the  year  commence.  The 
birds  are  not  gregarious  during  the  breeding  season, 
but  numbers  of  pairs  may  be  found  breeding  within 
a  small  area.  The  cock-birds  are  very  musical  during 
the  early  days  of  the  breeding  period,  warbling  whilst 
soaring  in  the  air  after  the  manner  of  a  Pipit.  The 
nest  is  generally  placed  in  a  hollow  in  the  side  of  one 
of  the  grassy  hummocks  or  tufts  of  herbage,  and  is 
composed  externally  of  dry  grass,  scraps  of  moss  and 
roots,  and  lined  with  finer  grass  and  an  abundance  of 
feathers.  The  female  is  a  rather  close  sitter,  often  be- 
traying the  nest  by  flying  up  at  the  observer's  feet,  and 
when  disturbed  evinces  considerable  anxiety,  especially 
if  the  eggs  be  much  incubated. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Lapland  Bunting  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  olive  or 
grayish-brown  to  chocolate  or  sienna-brown,  blotched, 
spotted,  and  streaked  with  brown  of  various  shades. 
Although  subject  to  considerable  variety,  the  eggs  in 
each  clutch  are  pretty  uniform  amongst  themselves. 
Most  of  the  larger  markings  are  pale  and  underlying 
ones,  the  surface  spots  being  much  less  numerous,  darker 
and  richer,  and  often  taking  the  form  of  streaks  and  hair- 
like lines  intermingled  with  blotches.  Average  measure- 
ment, -82  inch  in  length,  by  "6  inch  in  breadth.     Incuba- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  23 

tion  is  chiefly  performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Lapland 
Bunting  may  be  confused  with  those  of  the  Tree  Pipit 
and  the  Red-throated  Pipit,  and  as  the  measurements 
of  the  eggs  of  all  three  species  intergrade  no  reliable 
point  of  distinction  can  be  given.  It  may  be  remarked, 
however,  that  the  Tree  Pipit  does  not  intrude  upon  the 
breeding  area  of  the  Lapland  Bunting,  so  that  locality  is 
sufficient  to  identify  the  eggs  of  the  latter  ;  whilst  in 
both  these  Pipits  the  nest  is  never  lined  with  feathers, 
but  the  Bunting's  invariably  is. 


Family  FRINGILLID.E.  Genus  Emberiza. 

Sub-family  EMBERIZIN^. 

BLACK -HEADED    BUNTIiNG. 

Emberiza  melanocephala,  Scopoli. 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and 
early  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Pala^arctic  region. 
The  Black-headed  Bunting  breeds  in  Northern  Italy, 
Dalmatia,  Turkey,  Greece,  the  Danubian  Provinces, 
Southern  Russia,  the  Caucasus,  Asia  Minor,  Palestine, 
and  Northern  Persia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black-headed  Bunting  does 
not  arrive  at  its  western  breeding  grounds  until  the  end 
of  April.  It  is  in  no  way  gregarious  during  the  summer 
months,    not    even    social,    but   in   districts   where   it   is 


24  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

common  many  pairs  may  be  found  nesting  within  a  very 
small  area.  This  bird  pairs  annually,  and  the  evidence 
seems  to  suggest  that  the  event  takes  place  before 
departure  from  the  winter  quarters  in  India.  The 
favourite  haunts  of  this  Bunting  during  the  breeding 
season  appear  to  be  the  lower  mountain  slopes  and 
uneven  plains  at  no  great  distance  from  the  sea.  It  does 
not,  however,  go  so  far  up  the  mountains  as  the  pine 
regions.  In  these  districts  it  frequents  gardens,  vine- 
yards, olive-groves,  and  the  open  rough  country  clothed 
with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  clematis,  fig,  almond,  pome- 
granate, oleander  and  briars,  and  studded  with  rock 
fragments.  Here  the  Black-headed  Bunting  is  just  as 
pertinacious  as  its  cousin  the  Yellow  Bunting  is  in  our 
English  fields,  and  the  males  may  be  seen  sitting  con- 
spicuously on  the  tall  bushes  and  trees  singing  in  rivalry. 
The  nest  of  this  species,  built  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  ground,  and  even  on  the  ground  itself,  is  made  in 
a  dense  bush  or  amongst  the  wild  untrimmed  growth  of 
briar,  clematis,  or  vine,  whilst  in  gardens  rows  of  peas 
or  beans  are  generally  selected.  The  nest,  which  is  cup- 
shaped,  is  made  externally  of  coarse  grass,  the  dry  stems 
of  plants,  with  the  seeds  or  dry  flowers  attached,  and 
dead  leaves,  and  internally  of  dry  grass  bents,  roots,  and 
hair,  although  the  latter  material  is  not  always  used, 
probably  because  it  is  not  available.  The  nest  is  a 
remarkably  easy  one  to  find,  and  very  often  the  obtruding 
loquacious  male  betrays  its  whereabouts.  The  female, 
in  her  much  more  sombre  dress,  is  quiet  and  unassuming, 
and  sits  closely. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-headed  Bunting  are  without  the 
characteristics  of  most  Buntings'  eggs.  They  are  from 
four  to  six  in  number,  four  or  five  being  most  frequently 
found.     The  ground  colour  is  very  pale  greenish-blue; 


NON-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  25 

the  surface  spots  are  brown,  the  underlying  ones  are 
gray.  The  egg*^  vary  considerably  in  size  and  character 
of  markings.  On  some  eggs  the  latter  are  few,  large,  and 
irregular,  on  others  small  and  evenly  sprinkled  over  the 
entire  surface,  whilst  on  others  the  small  spots  pre- 
dominate, intermingled  here  and  there  with  larger  mark- 
ings. As  a  rule  niost  of  the  spots  are  distributed  over 
the  larger  end  of  the  egg,  and  sometimes,  being  con- 
fluent, form  an  irregular  zone.  Average  measurement, 
'85  inch  in  length,  by  "/  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Some  of  the  eggs  of  this 
species  closely  resemble  those  of  the  White  and  Pied 
Wagtails,  but  the  locality  and  structure  of  the  nest  is  a 
pretty  safe  guide.  They  cannot  be  confused  with  those 
of  any  other  Bunting,  except  perhaps  wilh  those  of 
Eviberiza  liiteola^  a  species  however  which  does  not  breed 
in  the  same  area. 


Family  FRINGILLID/E.  Genus  Emberiza. 

Sub-family  EMBERIZINAL. 

ORTOLAN     BUNTING. 

Emberiza  hortulana,  Lmficcus. 

(British  :  Abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and 
early  June. 

Breeding  area  :  W^estern  Pal?earctic  region.  The 
Ortolan  Bunting  breeds  throughout  continental  Europe 
in  all  suitable  localities,  extending  as  far  north  as  the 


26  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Arctic  circle  in  Scandinavia,  but  not  beyond  lat.  57°  in 
the  Urals.  It  also  breeds  in  Asia  Minor,  Palestine, 
Persia,  Turkestan,  and  Siberia,  as  far  east  as  the  valley 
of  the  Irtish  and  the  Great  Altai.  It  is  said  also  to 
breed  sparingly  in  North-west  Africa,  but  details  of  its 
distribution  are  wanting. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Ortolan  Bunting  arrives  at 
its  more  southerly  breeding  grounds  in  Europe  during 
the  first  half  of  April,  but  it  is  about  a  month  later  in 
the  northern  districts.  The  haunts  of  this  species  are  in 
cultivated  localities  as  well  as  in  mountain  forest  areas, 
and  the  more  open  country  in  wilder  districts.  Of  its 
pairing  habits  we  possess  no  information,  but  doubtless 
the  bird  mates  annually.  The  nest,  made  on  the  ground, 
is  generally  concealed  amongst  herbage  or  under  the 
shelter  of  a  low  bush,  frequently  amongst  the  grass  in 
an  open  field  or  on  a  hassock  of  drier  vegetation  in  a 
wet  meadow  or  clearing  of  the  forest.  It  is  cup-shaped 
and  somewhat  loosely  made,  composed  externally  of  dry 
grass,  stalks  of  plants  and  coarse  roots,  and  lined  with 
fine  roots  and  hair.  The  female,  like  most  ground- 
building  birds,  is  a  close  sitter,  and  when  flushed  makes 
little  or  no  demonstration  at  the  nest.  This  species  is 
neither  gregarious  nor  social  during  the  breeding  season, 
living  in  scattered  pairs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Ortolan  Bunting  are  usually  five,  but 
four  and  six  are  sometimes  found.  They  vary  in  ground 
colour  from  bluish-white  to  very  pale  purplish-gray, 
spotted  and  blotched,  and  more  rarely  streaked  with  very 
dark  purplish-brown  and  paler  brown,  and  with  under- 
lying markings  of  gray.  As  a  rule  the  spots  are  large 
and  round,  but  the  streaks  and  lines  are  short  and  not 
continuous.  As  usual  most  of  the  colouring  is  on  the 
larger  end   of  the   ^gg,  and   frequently   forms   a   zone. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  27 

Average  measurement,  '81  inch  in  length  by  "62  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  appears  not  to  have  been 
observed. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Ortolan 
Bunting  most  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Reed  Bunt- 
ing, but  are  larger,  not  so  clouded  in  appearance,  and 
the  markings  partake  more  of  the  character  of  spots  than 
interlaced  streaks. 


Family  FRINGILLID^.  Genus  Emberiza. 

Sub-family  EMBERIZINyE. 

LITTLE    BUNTING. 

Emberiza  pusilla,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  beginning  of  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Little  Bunting  breeds  from  the  eastern  shores  of  the 
White  Sea  across  Northern  Europe  and  Asia  to  the 
Tchuski  Land  and  the  valleys  of  the  Lower  Amoor.  It 
is  a  thoroughly  boreal  species,  and  seldom  breeds  south 
of  the  Arctic  circle,  except  at  high  elevations,  as  for 
instance  on  the  mountains  of  Eastern  Siberia  and  in  the 
Baikal  area.  It  was  met  with  in  the  valley  of  the 
Petchora  as  far  north  as  lat.  68° ;  in  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay  up  to  lat.  71°. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Little  Bunting,  like  most 
other  Arctic  birds,  is  a  late  migrant,  not  reaching  its 
breeding  grounds  in  the  Arctic  regions  before  the  end 


28  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

of  May  or  the  first  week  in  June,  according  to  the  state 
of  the  season.  If  it  does  not  actually  migrate  in  pairs 
it  soon  mates  after  its  arrival  in  its  summer  haunts. 
The  males  are  persistent  singers,  as  is  usual  in  this  group 
of  birds.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  the  Little 
Bunting  are  the  small  pine  and  fir  woods  intermixed 
with  birches  and  alders,  and  where  the  undergrowth  is 
fairly  dense.  Although  Schrenck  took  the  nest  of  this 
Buntine  on  the  Lower  Amoor,  and  Middendorff  obtained 
others  on  the  banks  of  the  Boganida,  these  naturalists 
do  not  give  many  details  of  their  discovery,  and  by  far 
the  best  account  of  the  nidification  of  th's  species  is  that 
written  by  Mr.  Seebohm,  who  has  added  so  much  to  our 
information  of  the  habits  of  birds  in  the  Arctic  regions, 
and  v/hose  discoveries,  made  both  by  himself  and  when 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Harvie-Brown,  are  tolerably  well 
known  to  most  ornithologists.  He  found  the  Little 
Bunting  very  common  in  Siberia,  in  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay,  and  discovered  the  first  nest  on  the  23rd  of 
June  ;  and  between  that  date  and  the  6th  of  July  suc- 
ceeded in  taking  three  others.  They  were  made  on  the 
ground  amongst  the  grass  and  moss  and  fallen  leaves, 
and  were  hollows  amongst  the  dead  leaves,  moss  and 
grass  lined  with  dry  grass,  and  in  two  instances  reindeer 
hair.  The  nest  found  by  Schrenck  was  also  on  the 
mossy  ground,  and  made  of  dry  grass  and  the  needle-like 
leaves  of  the  fir.  The  sitting  bird  is  described  as  being 
remarkably  tame  when  flushed  from  the  eggs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Bunting  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number.  Those  that  I  have  examined  vary  in  ground 
colour  from  pale  grayish-olive  to  pale  reddish-brown, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  dark  olive-brown,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  paler  brown.  The  larger  mark- 
i:igs  are  irregular  in  shape,  but  many  of  the  smaller  ones 


NOX-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  29 

are  round.  Average  measurement,  73  inch  in  length 
by  '57  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Little 
Bunting  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  species  ;  they  most  nearly  resemble  those  of  the 
Corn  Bunting,  but  are  of  course  much  smaller. 


Family  ALAUDID.E.  Genus  Otocoris. 

SHORE-LARK. 

Otocoris  alpestris  {LtmicEus). 

(British  :  Nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Partially  Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  middle  of  May  to 
end  of  June. 

Breeding  .-VREA  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Northern 
Palaearctic  regions.  The  Shore-Lark  is  another  strictly 
Arctic  species,  breeding  on  the  tundras  and  barren  lands 
above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  both  hemispheres. 
In  the  Old  World  it  breeds  in  the  north-east  of  Norway, 
and  on  the  fells  as  far  south  as  lat.  67^ ;  thence  it  extends 
eastwards  across  Russian  Lapland,  the  province  of  Arch- 
angel, including  Nova  Zembla,  and  the  north  of  Siberia 
to  Bering  Strait.  In  the  New  World  it  breeds  above 
forest  growth  from  Alaska  to  Greenland  ;  it  is  said  that  a 
few  pairs  remain  to  breed  near  Toronto  {fide  Rainc). 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Shore-Lark,  like  most 
nomadic  migrants,  appears  early  at  its  breeding  grounds, 


30  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

reaching  them  the  moment  sufficient  snow  has  melted  to 
allow  of  its  obtaining  food.  Owing  to  its  partiality  for 
sandy  ground,  bare  rocky  hills,  and  the  sloping  banks  of 
clay  that  confine  the  Arctic  rivers  in  many  places,  the 
Shore-Lark  is  certainly  a  local  bird.  It  is  especially 
fond  of  such  portions  of  the  tundras  and  barren  grounds 
as  are  sandy  and  clothed  with  scrub,  eschewing  the  more 
marshy  portions  of  these  Arctic  moors.  It  migrates 
north  in  spring  in  flocks  of  varying  size,  but  these 
disband  after  pairing,  and  during  the  breeding  season  it 
lives  in  scattered  pairs.  The  male  is  a  most  persistent 
singer,  warbling  whilst  soaring  after  the  manner  of  a 
Sky-Lark,  or  when  sitting  on  some  building,  but  this 
species  rarely  if  ever  perches  in  trees.  The  nest  of  the 
Shore-Lark  is  invariably  made  upon  the  ground,  and,  as 
is  the  case  with  other  Larks,  usually  in  a  hollow  of  some 
kind.  Very  bare  and  exposed  situations  are  sometimes 
selected,  as  for  instance  amongst  loose  stones,  or  even  on 
a  frequented  path,  but  more  usually  the  shelter  of  a  tuft 
of  herbage  is  sought.  The  nest,  which  is  cup-shaped,  is 
made  externally  of  dry  grass,  bits  of  moss,  and  the  stalks 
of  plants,  and  lined  with  vegetable  down  of  some  kind, 
or  reindeer  hair  if  it  can  be  obtained.  It  is  said  that 
feathers  are  also  sometimes  used.  It  is  somewhat  care- 
lessly put  together  like  the  nests  of  most  of  the  Larks. 
The  female  is  a  close  sitter,  remaining  until  almost 
trodden  upon  ere  she  rises. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Shore-Lark  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number,  four  being  the  average  clutch.  They  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  greenish-white  to  brownish-white, 
indistinctly  mottled,  freckled,  and  spotted  with  olive- 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  paler  brown  and 
gray.  Occasionally  a  few  hair-like  very  dark  brown 
streaks  and  spots  at  the  large  end,  more  rarely  over  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  31 

entire  surface,  occur.  As  a  rule  the  surface  markings  are 
so  numerous  that  most  of  the  ground  colour  is  concealed, 
and  the  underlying  markings  are  inconspicuous.  On 
some  eggs  the  markings  are  unusually  dense  round  the 
larger  end,  forming  a  cap  or  a  zone.  A  rarer  type 
displays  more  ground  colour,  and  the  underlying 
markings  are  very  conspicuous  and  deep  violet-gray. 
Average  measurements,  '9  inch  in  length  by  '63  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female,  but 
the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Shore-Lark  may 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Sky-Lark.  On  an 
average  they  are  slightly  smaller,  and  perceptibly  more 
olive  in  general  appearance.  The  Sky-Lark,  however, 
does  not  frequent  the  breeding  area  of  the  Shore-Lark, 
and  never  lines  its  nest  so  warmly. 


Family  ALAUDID/E.  Genus  Melanocorypha. 

CALANDRA    LARK. 

Melanocorypha  calandra  (^Liimccus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  to  June,  according  to 

locality. 

Breeding  area:  South  and  South-west  PaLxarctic 
region.  The  Calandra  Lark  breeds  in  all  suitable 
localities  throughout  the  basin  of  the  Mediterranean,  but 
not  north  of  lat.  46°  in  the  west  although  slightly  beyond 
in  the  east.     It  breeds  in  Africa  north  of  the  Atlas,  and 


32  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

thence  through  Asia  Minor  into  Persia  and  Turkestan  to 
the  western  slopes  of  the  Great  Altai. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  many  of  its  habits  the  Calandra 
Lark  closely  resembles  the  Sky-Lark,  but  it  is  more 
fastidious  in  its  choice  of  a  haunt.  It  loves  warm  sandy 
soils,  and  is  especially  fond  of  steppe  country  in  districts 
where  cereals  are  largely  grown.  I  remarked  its  pre- 
ference for  such  country  especially  in  Algeria.  During 
the  breeding  season  the  males  are  for  ever  fluttering  into 
the  air  and  dropping  down  again  into  the  cover,  some- 
times singing,  sometimes  merely  uttering  their  liquid 
call-note.  This  Lark  is  gregarious  enough  in  winter, 
but  during  the  nesting  season  lives  in  scattered  pairs, 
which  in  some  localities  are  often  very  thick  on  the 
ground.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  definite  appears 
to  be  known.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  pairs 
annually,  and  at  this  season  the  males  may  be  seen 
chasing  each  other  and  toying  with  the  females.  The  nest 
is  always  made  upon  the  ground  in  a  slight  hollow  of 
some  kind,  and  well  concealed  amongst  growing  corn  or 
other  herbage.  It  is  a  loosely  made  structure,  composed 
externally  of  coarse  dry  grass,  roots,  and  stalks  of  plants, 
and  lined  with  finer  grass  and  roots.  It  is  a  very  close 
sitter,  and  when  flushed  from  the  nest  flies  right  away  at 
once  with  no  demonstration  of  anxiety. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  ea:G:s  of  the  Calandra  Lark  are  four  or  five  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  grayish-white 
to  white  with  a  very  perceptible  yellowish  tinge,  thickly 
mottled  and  freckled  with  olive-brown,  and  with  under- 
lying markings  similar  in  character  of  violet-gray.  The 
markings  are  fairly  well  defined  and  close  together,  but  a 
considerable  amount  of  ground  colour  is  visible.  As  a 
rule  the  spots  are  most  numerous  on  the  larger  end  of 
the  egg,  and  sometimes  form  a  cap  or  irregular  zone. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  33 

Average  measurement,  '95  inch  in  length  by  7  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  v/hich  the  eggs  of  the  Calandra  Lark 
can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  White-winged 
Lark,  but  as  a  rule  they  are  smaller.  From  those  of  the 
Sky-Lark  they  may  be  separated  by  their  more  pyriform 
shape  and  slightly  larger  size  ;  the  markings  are  also 
more  scattered,  and  much  more  clearly  defined. 


Family  ALAUDID^.  Genus  Melanocorypha. 

WHITE- WINGED     LARK. 

Melanocorypha  sibirica  {G?neHn). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.   Laying  season,  late  in  April  and  in  !NLay. 

Breeding  area:  South-central  Palaearctic  region. 
The  White-winged  Lark  has  a  somewhat  restricted  range, 
and  breeds  in  the  extreme  south-east  of  Russia  from  the 
province  of  Stavrapol,  north  of  the  Caucasus,  across  the 
steppes  of  Astrakhan  and  Saratov  to  Orenberg.  East- 
wards in  Asia  it  breeds  upon  the  Barabinska  and 
Kirghiz  steppes  to  as  far  cast  as  the  Great  Altai. 

Breeding  habits:  The  favourite-  haunts  of  the 
White-winged  Lark  are  steppes  bare  of  trees  and  open 
grassy  plains.  In  its  habits,  so  far  as  they  are  known,  it 
very  closely  resembles  the  preceding  species.  In  the 
pairing  season  it  may  be  seen  constantly  soaring  in 
short  flights  to  sing.     In  the  winter  it  is  gregarious,  but 

D 


34 


THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


during  the  breeding  season  appears  to  live  in  scattered 
pairs.  Very  little  is  known  of  the  nidification  of  this 
species.  The  nest  is  said  to  be  placed  upon  the  ground 
amongst  herbage,  either  cultivated  or  wild,  and  to  be 
made  of  grass,  the  finer  kinds  being  reserved  for  the 
lining.  Of  its  actions  at  the  nest  nothing  has  been 
recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White-winged  Lark  are  four  or  five  in 
number,  sometimes,  it  is  said,  only  three.  They  are 
grayish  or  yellowish-white  in  ground  colour,  freckled  and 
mottled  with  brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of 
lilac-gray.  As  a  rule  the  markings  are  large  and  distinct, 
and  generally  distributed  over  the  surface  of  the  ^gg,  but 
on  some  they  are  more  confined  to  the  larger  end  of  the 
Ggg>  where  they  frequently  form  a  zone.  The  under- 
lying markings  are  also  very  conspicuous  and  numerous. 
Average  measurement,  '95  inch  in  length  by  '65  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  appears  to  be  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  Unfortunately  the  eggs 
of  the  White-winged  Lark  cannot  with  certainty  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Calandra  Lark  ;  their 
more  pyriform  shape,  larger  size,  and  more  scattered 
markings  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  the 
Sky-Lark. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  35 

Family  ALAUDID.E.  Genus  Calandrella. 

SHORT-TOED    LARK. 

Calandrella  brachydactyla  {Leiskf). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,   May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-\vest  PaL-earctic  region.  The 
Short-toed  Lark  breeds  in  Central  and  Southern  France, 
the  Spanish  Peninsula,  Southern  Germany,  Italy, 
Turkey,  Greece,  the  Danubian  Provinces,  and  Southern 
Russia ;  it  also  breeds  on  the  various  islands  in  the 
Mediterranean,  in  North-west  Africa,  and  on  the 
Canaries.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Asia  Minor,  Palestine, 
Persia,  Turkestan,  and  South-west  Siberia  as  far  east 
as  the  province  of  Semipolatinsk. 

Breeding  area  :  The  Short-toed  Lark  is  another 
bird  of  the  steppes,  especially  such  as  are  of  a  sandy 
character.  Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are  open  plains 
and  grassy  downs,  large  fields  of  cereals  and  rough 
uncultivated  lands  often  some  distance  above  sea-level. 
It  is  a  very  obtrusive  bird,  incessantl}'-  taking  song- 
flights,  and  it  has  been  heard  even  to  warble  on  the 
ground.  Although  gregarious  in  winter  it  lives  in 
scattered  pairs  during  the  breeding  season.  The  nest 
is  invariably  made  upon  the  ground,  either  amongst 
herbage  or  beneath  the  shade  of  a  little  bush,  or  even 
a  clod  of  earth  or  dry  dung,  or  a  tuft  of  grass.  It  is 
usually  made  in  a  little  hollow,  either  scraped  out  by 
the  parent  bird  or  selected  ready  for  the  purpose.  This 
nest  is  cup-shaped,  and  made  externally  of  dry  grass, 
roots,  and  stalks  of  small  plants,  and  lined  with  finer 
grass  and  roots.  In  some  districts  the  nests  appear  to 
be  much  more  elaborately  made  than  in  others,  being 


36  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

lined  with  vegetable  down  and  a  few  feathers.  An 
instance  is  on  record  where  a  piece  of  white  sail-cloth 
was  inserted  amongst  the  lining  material.  Curiously 
enough  these  warmer  nests  are  recorded  from  the 
valley  of  the  Danube  and  Northern  Spain,  and  not  from 
the  cooler  portions  of  the  range  of  this  species.  The 
bird  is  a  close  sitter  and  undemonstrative. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Short-toed  Lark  are  four  or  five  in 
number,  but  it  is  said  three  are  occasionally  found. 
They  are  yellowish-white  in  ground  colour,  freckled  with 
grayish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  lilac- 
gray.  As  a  rule  the  profusion  of  the  spotting  almost 
obliterates  the  ground  colour,  but  there  are  types  in 
which  the  markings  are  somewhat  scattered.  Occasion- 
ally the  markings  are  intensified,  and  form  a  zone  round 
the  larger  end  of  the  ^gg  :  they  vary  considerably  in 
size.  Average  measurement,  78  inch  in  length  by  "57 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  comparatively  small 
size  and  yellowish  tinge  serve  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of 
the  Short-toed  Lark  from  other  British  species,  but  no 
character  is  known  by  which  they  may  be  separated 
from  those  of  various  closely  allied  species  and  races. 


# 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  37 


Family  ALAUDID.E.  Genus  Galerita. 

CRESTED    LARK. 

Galerita  cristata  i^Limiceus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  end  of 
March  to  early  June,  according  to  latitude. 

Breeding  area  :  South-west  Palaearctic  region. 
The  typical  form  of  the  Crested  Lark  breeds  in  Central 
and  Southern  Europe  from  about  lat.  60°  down  to  the 
Mediterranean.  It  is  rare  in  the  extreme  northern 
limits  of  its  distribution,  but  south  of  the  Baltic  may 
be  said  to  be  common  in  all  localities  suited  to  its 
requirements. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Crested  Lark  has  a  strong 
partiality  for  loose  sandy  soils,  and  its  favourite  breeding 
grounds  are  sandy  heaths,  and  fields,  and  rough  unen- 
closed lands,  although  in  Algeria  I  met  with  it  {G.  cris- 
tata magna)  in  the  Atlas  at  an  elevation  of  five  thousand 
feet  on  the  rough  stony  hill-sides.  It  is  gregarious  to  a 
certain  extent  during  winter,  but  passes  the  summer  in 
scattered  pairs  without  any  perceptible  approach  to  socia- 
bility. The  males  are  persistent  singers  during  the  early 
part  of  the  breeding  season,  warbling  in  a  Pipit-like  way 
in  the  air  as  well  as  on  the  ground,  or  whilst  perched  on 
a  bush  or  a  telegraph  wire.  The  nest  of  the  Crested  Lark 
is  almost  invariably  made  upon  the  ground,  although 
instances  are  on  record  where  it  has  been  found  on  old 
earth-walls  or  amongst  the  thatch  of  sheds  in  the  fields. 
The  favourite  sites  are  amongst  the  herbage  of  the 
fields,  even  on  fallows,  but  in  wilder  districts  the  nest  is 
frequently  placed  under  a  bush  or  amongst  stones.  It 
is  composed  externally  of  dry  grass,  stalks  of  plants, 


38  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

straws,  and  roots,  and  lined  with  finer  grass,  roots,  and 
sometimes  hair.  The  female  is  said  to  do  the  building, 
the  male  collecting  the  materials,  and  the  nest  is  loosely- 
made.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and  when  disturbed 
flies  away  with  no  demonstration  of  alarm. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Crested  Lark  are  four  or  five  in  number. 
They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  yellowish-white 
to  white  with  a  faint  tinge  of  green  or  blue,  mottled, 
freckled,  and  blotched  with  various  shades  of  olive- 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  Several 
distinct  types  are  noticeable.  One  type  has  the  mark- 
ings dark  and  clearly  defined,  the  gray  spots  very 
conspicuous,  and  both  classes  of  spots  evenly  distributed. 
Another  has  the  markings  dark  and  very  minute  dusted 
over  the  surface,  but  most  numerous  at  the  larger  end, 
where  they  frequently  form  a  zone.  A  third  is  so 
closely  mottled  as  to  hide  almost  all  trace  of  the  pale 
ground  colour.  Average  measurement,  '95  inch  in 
length  by  '68  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
by  the  female,  lasts  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Crested 
Lark,  as  I  pointed  out  ten  years  ago  in  the  History  of 
British  Birds,  very  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Wood 
Lark,  and  I  am  unable  to  give  any  reliable  character 
by  which  they  may  be  separated.  On  an  average  those 
of  the  present  species  are  larger,  bulkier,  and  greener. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  39 

Family  MOTACILLID.E.  Genus  Anthus. 

ALPINE     PIPIT. 

Anthus  spipoletta  {^Lmiimis), 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  from  end  of  April  to  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-west  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Alpine  Pipit  breeds  locally  on  the  mountains  of  Europe 
eastwards  to  Persia  and  Baluchistan.  It  is  not  known 
to  breed  in  Scandinavia,  but  does  so  on  the  mountains 
of  Central  Europe,  the  Alps,  the  Pyrenees,  the  higher 
Spanish  ranges,  the  Urals  (as  far  north  as  lat.  64°),  and 
the  Caucasus.  Eastwards  it  breeds  on  the  highlands  of 
Persia,  Baluchistan,  probably  Afghanistan,  and  Turkestan 
as  far  east  as  the  Great  Altai. 

Breeding  habits  :  There  is  much  similarity  between 
the  habits  of  the  Alpine  Pipit  and  those  of  the  Rock 
Pipit,  only  one  bird  loves  a  mountainous  habitat  and 
the  other  a  littoral  one.  Both  are  rock-haunting  species, 
only  the  Alpine  Pipit,  as  its  name  implies,  is  a  dweller  on 
the  mountains  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  during 
the  breeding  season.  Its  favourite  breeding  places  are 
the  swampy  spots  surrounded  by  rocks  and  clothed  with 
a  brilliant  array  of  alpine  blooms.  Its  habits  do  not 
differ  in  any  important  respect  from  those  of  allied  and 
more  generally  distributed  species.  It  pairs  annually, 
but  at  what  season  we  have  no  information.  Although 
gregarious  during  winter,  it  lives  in  scattered  pairs  during 
the  breeding  season.  The  nest  is  placed  either  upon  the 
ground,  amongst  loose  stones,  in  a  rock  crevice,  or 
beneath  the  shelter  of  an  alpine  bush  or  tuft  of  herbage, 
and  is  cup-shaped,  composed  externally  of  dry  grass, 
moss,  straws,  and  roots,  and  lined  with  fine  grass,  roots^ 


40  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

hair,  and,  it  is  said,  with  wool  or  even  feathers — which 
seems  to  show  an  adaptation  to  the  low  and  probably 
varying  temperature  of  the  bird's  haunts.  When  flushed 
from  the  nest  this  Pipit  often  betrays  anxiety  by  flitting 
restlessly  about  and  uttering  its  plaintive  call-note. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Alpine  Pipit  are  four  or  five  in  number, 
generally  the  latter.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from 
bluish  or  greenish-white  to  creamy-white,  mottled, 
freckled,  and  spotted  with  olive  or  purplish-brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  gray,  and  occasionally 
streaked  with  very  dark  brown.  As  is  usual  with  the 
eggs  of  Pipits,  we  find  several  well-marked  types,  the 
most  pronounced  being  olive,  brown,  and  reddish-purple. 
As  a  rule  the  markings  are  small,  and  conceal  most  of 
the  ground  colour,  whilst  zones  or  caps  often  occur. 
Average  measurement,  '85  inch  in  length  by  '63  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
lasts  thirteen  or  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Alpine  Pipit  can 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Rock  Pipit,  but  the 
locahty  is  quite  sufficient  to  identify  them. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  41 


Family  MOTACILLID.^.  Genus  Anthus. 

TAWNY    PIPIT. 

Anthus  campestris  {Li?inceus). 

(British  :  Abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-west  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Tawny  Pipit  breeds  throughout  Europe  in  suitable 
localities  south  of  about  lat.  57°.  It  breeds  regularly 
in  Northern  France,  in  Holland,  the  extreme  south  of 
Sweden,  the  Baltic  islands  and  the  Baltic  provinces, 
thence  across  Russia  to  the  Urals,  southwards  to  the 
shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  eastwards  to  Asia 
Minor  and  Palestine.  It  also  breeds  in  Africa  north 
of  the  Atlas  range. 


Breeding  habits  :  The  favourite  haunts  of  the 
Tawny  Pipit  during  the  breeding  season  are  sand  dunes, 
dry  commons,  and  wide  plains  where  the  soil  is  loose 
and  sandy.  I  saw  much  of  the  Tawny  Pipit  in  Algeria, 
especially  on  the  plateaux  of  the  Atlas,  where  it 
frequented  the  rich  meadows  and  barley  fields,  and 
notably  the  wide  expanses  of  fallow  land  in  abund- 
ance, where  tortoises  dwelt  in  thousands.  Although  the 
birds  are  so  common  they  are  not  at  all  gregarious  during 
the  breeding  season,  and  live  in  isolated  pairs,  but  it  was 
no  uncommon  thing  to  flush  several  pairs  within  a  very 
.short  distance.  During  the  nesting  seaso'.i  the  male 
frequently  essays  short  flights  upwards  to  sing.  This 
bird  breeds  no  earlier  in  Algeria  than  in  Greece,  and 
probably  as  late  as  in  Germany.  The  nest  is  built 
amongst  the  herbage  of  the  plains  and  fields,  sometimes 
sheltered  by  a  tuft  of  grass  or  isolated  bush,  and  some- 
times by  a  projecting  stone  or  earth-clod.     It  is  open 


42  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

and  cup-shaped,  made  externally  of  dry  ^^rass  and  stalks 
of  plants,  straws,  and  roots,  and  lined  with  finer  grass 
and  horsehair,  although  roots  are  sometimes  substituted 
for  the  latter  in  districts  where  it  cannot  be  obtained. 
The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and  when  flushed  usually  flies 
straight  away. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Tawny  Pipit  are  five  or  six  in  number. 
They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  greenish-blue  to 
white  strongly  suffused  with  yellow,  mottled,  streaked, 
and  spotted  with  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  lavender-gray.  They  are  subject  to  con- 
siderable variation.  As  a  rule  the  markings  are 
numerous,  but  never  so  much  so  as  to  conceal  all  the 
ground  colour,  and  become  most  dense  round  the  larger 
end  of  the  ^g^.  Generally  the  surface  spots  are  large, 
irregular  in  shape  and  pale,  but  sometimes  round  and 
very  dark  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  'Zj  inch  in 
length  by  '65  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
chiefly  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is 
apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  g\v& 
any  character  which  will  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the 
Tawny  Pipit.  They  can  be  confused  with  those  of  the 
Crested  Lark — which  is  most  unfortunate,  as  the  two 
species  frequent  very  similar  ground — and  even  with 
those  of  the  Rufous  Warbler,  but  the  latter  bird  does 
not  breed  upon  the  ground. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  43 

Family  MOTACILLID.^.  Genus  Anthus. 

RICHARD'S     PIPIT. 

Anthus  richardi,    Vieillot. 

(British  :  Abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  July. 

Breeding  area  :  East-central  Palaearctic  region. 
Richard's  Pipit  is  confined  during  the  breeding  season 
to  the  great  steppe  regions  of  Central  Asia.  It  has 
been  met  with  breeding  as  far  north  as  lat.  58°  in  the 
valley  of  the  Yenesay,  and  nests  in  great  numbers  on 
the  steppes  of  the  Baikal  area,  and  Dauria,  southwards 
to  Eastern  Thibet,  and  thence  westwards  to  Eastern 
Turkestan. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  haunts  of  Richard's  Pipit 
during  the  breeding  season  are  well-watered  plains,  wet 
meadows  and  pastures,  and  the  swampy  areas  of  the 
steppes.  Like  the  Meadow  Pipit  this  bird  is  essentially 
aquatic  in  its  choice  of  a  breeding  place.  But  little  has 
been  recorded  of  the  nidification  of  this  species,  owing 
to  observers  neglecting  their  opportunities.  It  was  met 
with  breeding  by  Dybowsky  on  the  elevated  plateaux 
of  the  Baikal  area,  and  this  naturalist  gives  many 
particulars  concerning  it.  Prjevalsky  observed  it  nesting 
on  the  East  Mongolian  steppes,  frequenting  wet  land 
studded  with  rushes  ;  and  Dr.  Scully  found  it  during 
the  summer  near  Yarkand,  frequenting  swampy  turf- 
covered  ground  ;  whilst  lastly,  TAbbe  David  found  it 
breeding  also  in  Mongolia,  and  states  that  it  nests 
amongst  grass  near  water.  Incredulous  as  it  may  seem, 
not  one  of  these  fortunate  naturalists  has  taken  the 
trouble  to  describe  the  nest  of  Richard's  Pipit,  and  it 
remains  absolutely  unknown  save  to  the  few  men  who 


44  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

have  taken  the  eggs.  Dybowsky  even  states  that  the 
nest  is  usually  made  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground  such  as 
the  footprint  of  a  cow  or  horse.  The  nest,  he  says,  is 
very  hard  to  find,  the  male  keeping  watch  and  alarming 
the  sitting  female,  who  leaves  the  nest  and  runs  along 
the  ground  in  a  Lark-like  manner  for  some  distance  ere 
flying  up  to  join  her  mate,  when  both  endeavour  to 
decoy  the  intruder  away  from  the  spot  with  anxious 
notes.  The  Cuckoo  is  said  by  this  naturalist  usually  to 
select  the  nest  of  Richard's  Pipit  in  this  locality.  There 
can  be  Httle  doubt  that  the  nest  does  not  differ  in  any 
important  respect  from  those  of  allied  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Richard's  Pipit  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number,  five  being  the  usual  clutch.  They  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  pale  greenish-white  to  white  suffused 
with  brownish-pink,  sprinkled  and  dusted  over  the 
entire  surface  with  olive-brown  or  reddish-brown,  and 
with  indistinct  underlying  markings  of  gray.  Two 
fairly  distinct  types  are  noticeable,  the  green-brown 
spotting  being  usually  correlated  with  the  greenish-white 
ground  ;  and  the  red-brown  spotting  with  the  brownish- 
pink  ground.  Average  measurement,  '%6  inch  in  length 
by  '68  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  size,  dusted  char- 
acter of  the  markings,  and  the  locality  of -the  eggs  serve 
to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  the  Rock  Pipit,  with 
which  perhaps  they  are  most  Hkely  to  be  confused. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  45 

Family  MOTACILLID.'E.  Genus  Anthus. 

RED-THROATED     PIPIT. 

Anthus   cervinus   {Pallas). 

(British:  Rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  beginning  of  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Red-throated  Pipit  breeds  on  the  tundras  above  the 
limits  of  forest  growth,  from  the  /\tlantic  to  the  Pacific. 
It  breeds  locally  and  in  comparatively  small  numbers 
in  Northern  Scandinavia,  in  Lapland,  and  Northern 
Russia.  East  of  the  Urals  it  becomes  more  abundant, 
and  breeds  on  the  tundras  of  Siberia  as  far  east  as 
Kamtschatka  and,  it  is  to  be  presumed,  Bering  Island. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Red-throated  Pipit  is  an- 
other marsh-loving  species,  frequenting  during  the 
breeding  season  the  vast  Arctic  tundras,  where  it  is 
described  as  being  one  of  the  commonest  birds.  Its 
favourite  haunts  are  similar  to  those  selected  by  the 
Lapland  Bunting — swamps  where  the  grass  is  short, 
and  the  wetter  portions  are  divided  up  into  sections  by 
a  multitude  of  drier  ridges  and  tussocks  of  turf.  Al- 
though it  migrates  to  its  breeding  grounds  in  flocks, 
the  males  generally  being  the  first  to  arrive,  the  bird 
is  not  gregarious  during  the  breeding  season,  but  many 
scattered  pairs  dwell  in  more  or  less  close  companion- 
ship. This  Pipit  arrives  at  its  summer  haunts  shortly 
after  the  break-up  of  winter,  and  begins  to  breed  very 
soon  after  its  arrival.  Pairing  apparently  does  not  take 
place  until  the  nesting  grounds  are  reached.  In  its 
habits  it  differs  little  from  allied  species.  The  nest  is 
made  upon  the  ground,  and  the  favourite  site  is  in  the 
side  of  a  tussock  on   the  drier  part  of  the  tundra.     It 


46  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

is  cup-shaped,  and  composed  entirely  of  dry  grass,  the 
coarser  pieces  being  used  outside  and  the  fine  bents  for 
the  Hning.  Of  the  actions  of  this  Pipit  at  the  nest  I 
find  nothing  particular  recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-throated  Pipit  are  from  four  to 
six  in  number,  and  it  is  interesting  to  remark  that  they 
frequently  resemble  in  their  colouration  the  eggs  of  the 
Lapland  Bunting,  which  nests  on  similar  ground.  They 
vary  in  ground  colour  from  buffish-white  to  very  pale 
greenish-blue — almost  the  colour  of  skimmed  milk, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  olive-brown  and  reddish- 
brown  of  various  shades,  and  with  underlying  markings 
of  paler  brown  and  gray.  Two  very  distinct  types 
occur.  On  one  most  of  the  markings  are  large  and 
washy,  with  a  i^\N  darker  specks,  but  the  ground  colour 
is  well  exposed.  On  the  other  the  markings  are  small 
and  uniformly  distributed  over  the  entire  surface,  so  that 
the  pale  ground  is  almost  entirely  concealed.  We  might 
even  add  a  third  type,  in  which  the  markings  are  very 
streaky,  interspersed  with  a  few  spots.  Average  mea- 
surement, 77  inch  in  length  by  '58  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  reliable 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  Pipit  may  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  the  Tree  Pipit  and  those  of  the 
Lapland  Bunting,  but  the  Tree  Pipit  does  not  breed  in 
the  Red-throated  Pipit's  area,  and  the  Lapland  Bunting 
always  lines  its  nest  with  feathers. 


NON-INDIGEKOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  47 

Family   CERTHIID^.  Genus  Tichodroma. 

WALL-CREEPER. 

TiCHODRO-MA    MURARIA    {LilUUeUS). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Said  to  be   Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  to  June 

and  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Pal^earctic  and  extreme 
northern  Oriental  regions.  The  Wall-Creeper  breeds 
in  the  mountain  districts  of  Southern  Europe  and  Asia, 
from  the  Spanish  peninsula  to  the  mountains  of  Kansu. 
It  breeds  throughout  the  mountain  system  of  Spain  and 
Portugal,  in  the  Pyrenees,  the  Alps,  the  Vosges,  the 
mountains  of  Italy,  Sicily,  Sardinia,  Elba,  the  Tyrol, 
and  Styria.  It  also  breeds  in  the  Carpathians,  the 
mountains  of  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  and  Palestine,  and  in 
the  Caucasus.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  the  mountain 
ranges  of  Turkestan,  Afghanistan,  and  Cashmere,  and 
is  also  an  inhabitant  of  the  Himalayas. 

Breeding  habits:  The  haunts  of  the  Wall-Creeper 
are  rocky  defiles,  gorges,  and  the  wall-like  cliffs  that 
hem  in  the  mountain  torrents.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
that  this  beautiful  bird  pairs  for  life,  as  even  in  mid- 
winter it  may  be  seen  in  company  with  its  mate,  and 
together  they  perform  their  wanderings  at  that  season, 
returning  in  spring  to  the  old  accustomed  cliffs  where 
they  breed.  Although  the  bird  is  fairly  common  in 
most  of  the  mountains  of  Southern  Europe, — even  close 
to  world-famed  tourist  resort^  and  notwithstanding  the 
fact  of  its  being  such  an  attractive  species,  but  little 
has  been  recorded  or  observed  of  its  habits  by  English 
naturalists.  The  nest  is  invariably  made  in  some  crevice 
of  the  cliffs,  often  in  a   situation  quite  inaccessible.     I 


48  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

have  examined  and  described  a  very  perfect  nest  of  this 
species  In  the  collection  of  Mr.  Seebohm.  It  Is  com- 
posed principally  of  moss,  amongst  which  a  few  grass 
stalks  are  Interwoven,  and  the  whole  is  felted  together 
with  hair,  wool,  and  feathers.  The  lining  is  also  com- 
posed of  wool  and  hair  massed  very  compactly  together. 
It  Is  an  open  cup-shaped  structure,  about  six  Inches  In 
diameter  over  all,  the  cavity  containing  the  eggs  being 
about  three  inches  across  and  one  and  a  half  inches 
deep.  Of  the  actions  of  the  birds  at  the  nest  all 
observers  appear  to  be  silent. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Wall-Creeper  are  from  three  to  five  In 
number.  They  are  pure  white  in  ground  colour,  min- 
utely freckled  with  reddish-brown,  and  with  numerous 
underlying  markings  of  lilac-gray.  As  a  rule  most  of 
the  spots  are  on  the  large  end  of  the  Qg'g.  Average 
measurement,  78  inch  in  length  by  '56  inch  in  breadth. 
It  is  not  known  whether  male  or  female,  or  both,  Incu- 
bate the  eggs,  and  the  duration  of  the  period  remains 
undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  and  minute 
markings  of  the  eggs  of  the  Wall-Creeper  distinguish 
them  from  those  of  the  Common  Creeper,  but  from  eggs 
of  the  Wren  and  the  Nuthatch  they  are  not  so  readily 
separated  ;  the  style  and  situation  of  the  nest  is,  how- 
ever, a  sufficient  guide  to  their  correct  identification. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  49 


Family  PARID.E.  Genus  Regulus. 

Sub-family  REGUIJNM. 

FIRECREST. 

Regulus  kjnicapillus  {BreJiui). 

(British  :  Abnormal  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  March  to  May,  according  to 

latitude. 

Breeding  area  :  South-west  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Firecrest  is  somewhat  restricted  in  its  distribution 
during  the  breeding  season.  It  breeds  locally  in  the 
Baltic  Provinces  (although,  according  to  Herr  E.  Hartert, 
there  is  no  record  of  its  occurrence  in  East  Prussia),  in 
Central  and  Southern  Germany,  in  France,  the  Spanish 
Peninsula,  various  islands  in  the  Mediterranean,  Italy, 
Switzerland,  Austria,  Hungary,  the  Danubian  Provinces, 
Turkey,  Greece,  Southern  Russia,  and  Asia  Minor. 
South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  commonly  in  the 
mountain  districts  of  the  Atlas. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Firecrest  resembles  the 
Goldcrest  very  closely  in  its  habits,  and  to  a  great 
extent  the  haunts  of  the  two  species  are  similar.  The 
favourite  breeding  places  of  the  Firecrest  in  Europe  are 
woods  and  plantations  of  firs,  even  small  clumps  of 
these  trees  in  gardens  and  pleasure-grounds  being  fre- 
quented. In  Algeria,  where  I  met  with  this  species  in 
abundance,  its  favourite  haunts  are  cedar  forests,  and 
the  extensive  evergreen  oak  woods  that  clothe  the  sides 
of  the  mountains.  The  Firecrest  most  probably  pairs 
for  life,  and  although  a  new  nest  is  made  each  spring, 
the  birds  resort  to  certain  trees  with  much  attachment. 
The  bird  is  sociable  enough  in  autumn  and  winter,  but 
always  breeds  in  scattered  pairs.     The  nest  is  like  that 


so  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

of  the  Goldcrest,  nearly  globular  in  shape,  and  slung 
from  the  drooping  extremities  of  a  branch,  several  of 
the  twigs  being  interwoven  with  the  structure.  It  is 
composed  of  moss,  bound  together  with  spiders'  webs, 
and  studded  with  lichens,  and  warmly  lined  with  great 
quantities  of  feathers.  In  Algeria,  and  other  places, 
where  the  timber  is  heavily  draped  with  long  lichens 
and  tree  moss,  this  material  forms  the  greater  part  of 
the  nest,  and  renders  its  discovery  most  difficult.  In 
the  vicinity  of  the  nest  the  Firecrest  is  remarkably  shy 
and  retiring,  and  the  female  sits  closely. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Firecrest  are  from  six  to  ten  in  number, 
seven  or  eight  being  a  usual  clutch.  They  are  very 
pale  brick-red  in  ground  colour,  mottled,  clouded,  and 
speckled  over  the  whole  surface  with  brownish-red. 
Occasionally  a  few  specks  and  short  streaks  of  darker 
brown  occur.  As  a  rule  the  markings  are  evenly  dis- 
tributed and  conceal  most  of  the  ground  colour,  but  on 
some  varieties  the  surface  colour  is  most  abundant  at 
the  large  end  of  the  ^g'g->  in  the  form  of  a  cap  o,r  zone. 
Average  measurement,  '53  inch  in  length  by  '43  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
lasts  about  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  only  ^gg  with  which 
the  ^gg  of  the  Firecrest  can  be  confused  is  that  of  the 
Goldcrest,  but  it  is  readily  distinguished  by  its  much 
redder  appearance. 


iYON-Ii\DIGEyOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  51 

Family  AMPELID.E.  Genus  Ampelis. 

WAXWING. 

Ampelis  garrulus,  Lin?icc2is. 

(British  :  Nomadic  autumn  and  \vinter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Pal?earctlc 
regions.  The  Waxwing  is  very  erratic  in  its  choice  of 
breeding  grounds,  changing  them  more  or  less  capri- 
ciously from  year  to  year.  It  breeds  in  the  pine  forests 
near  the  Arctic  circle  in  both  hemispheres,  but  its  exact 
nesting  places  are  little  known.  It  is  widely  distributed, 
if  local,  in  Lapland  and  Finland  ;  it  has  been  met  with 
during  summer  in  the  valleys  of  the  Petchora  and 
Yenesay.  On  the  American  continent  its  eggs  have 
been  taken  near  Fort  Yukon  in  Alaska,  and  the  bird 
observed  during  the  breeding  season  in  the  valley  of 
the  Anderson  river,  which  locality  may  possibly  mark 
the  limit  of  its  eastern  distribution  in  the  New  World. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  nidification  of  few  birds  is 
surrounded  with  such  a  voluminous  literature  as  that  of 
the  Waxwing,  but  unfortunately  most  of  it  is  the  veriest 
padding,  and  contains  little  practical  information.  The 
discovery  of  the  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Waxwing  is  due 
to  the  unwearied  exertions  of  the  late  John  Wolley,  who 
spent  no  less  than  five  consecutive  summers  and  two 
of  the  four  intervening  winters  in  Lapland  in  eager 
quest  of  them.  Previous  to  his  discoveries  the  nidifi- 
cation of  the  Waxwing  was  surrounded  by  romance, 
and  the  eggs  were  generally  presumed  to  be  laid  in 
holes  in  trees  and  rocks  !  The  Waxwing,  like  the  Rose- 
coloured  Starling,  is  very  erratic  in  its  choice  of  a 
breeding  place,  and  appears    to   settle    in    the    nearest 


52  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

convenient  spot  to  where  its  nomadic  winter  wanderings 
have  led  it.  One  season  it  may  breed  in  a  locaHty  in 
vast  abundance,  and  perhaps  not  a  solitary  pair  will 
resort  to  the  old  station  the  season  following.  The 
Waxwing  is  chiefly  gregarious  during  the  nesting 
period,  and  breeds  in  large  scattered  colonies.  Of  its 
pairing  habits  nothing  appears  to  have  been  observed. 
Its  favourite  breeding  grounds  are  the  more  open 
forests  of  fir  and  spruce  intermixed  with  birches.  The 
nest  is  made  at  a  moderate  height  from  the  ground — ■ 
eight  to  twelve  feet — on  a  branch,  and  is  composed  ex- 
ternally of  dead  twigs  and  reindeer-moss,  and  lined  with 
dry  grass,  quantities  of  a  hair-like  black  tree  lichen, 
strips  of  inner  birch  bark,  and  feathers.  It  is  cup- 
shaped,  bulky,  and  rather  deep,  the  cavity  containing 
the  eggs  being  about  four  inches  in  diameter  and  two 
inches  in  depth.  Many  nests  of  the  Waxwing  have 
been  secured  since  Wolley's  day,  but  the  eggs  have 
never  been  taken  in  such  vast  numbers  as  they  were  by 
his  collectors  in  the  summer  of  1858,  when  the  spoil 
reached  the  tempting  total  of  nearly  seven  hundred  eggs 
from  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  nests  ! 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Waxwing  are  from  five  to  seven  in 
number.  Most  of  the  magnificent  series  of  eggs  obtained 
by  WoUey  remain  in  the  collection  of  Professor  Newton, 
and  I  cannot  do  better  than  give  the  description  of  them 
in  the  latter  gentleman's  own  words.  ''  The  ground  is 
most  generally  of  a  delicate  sea-green,  sometimes  fading 
to  French  white,  but  very  often  of  a  more  or  less  pale 
olive,  and  occasionally  of  a  dull  purplish-gray.  On  this 
arc  almost  always  bold  blotches,  spots,  and  specks  of 
deep  brownish-black  [blackish-brown  would  be  a  better 
expression,  as  no  eggs  are  known  to  be  marked  with 
black\  though  sometimes  the  edges   are   blurred.     Be- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  53 

neath  these  stronger  markings  there  is  nearly  always 
a  series  of  blotches  or  streaks  of  grayish-lilac,  and 
among  them  well-defined  spots  or  specks  of  yellowish- 
brown  are  interspersed.  In  some  eggs  the  darkest 
markings  are  quite  wanting,  in  others  the  ground  is  of 
a  deep  olive  colour."  Average  measurement,  '97  inch  in 
length  by  '6^  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  appears  to 
be  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the 
period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Wax- 
wing  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
species,  except  with  those  of  the  American  Waxwing  or 
Cedar  Bird,  and  possibly  with  those  of  the  Japanese 
Waxwing.  They  are,  however,  normally  much  larger  ; 
and  the  locality  is  of  some  importance  in  determining 
them. 


Family   LANIID.'E.  Genus   Lanius. 

LESSER    GRAY    SHRIKE. 

Lanius  minor,    Gmelin. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and  in 

June. 

Breeding  area:  South-west  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Lesser  Gray  Shrike  breeds  in  the  Baltic  Provinces 
of  Prussia,  in  Germany,  France  (as  far  west  as  the 
valley  of  the  Rhone),  Switzerland,  Italy,  Sicily,  Dalmatia, 
Austria,  the  Danubian  Provinces,  Turkey,  Greece, 
Russia  (south  of  lat.  57^),  Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Persia, 
Turkestan,  and  Siberia  as  far  north  as  Omsk  in  the 
valley  of  the  Irtish,  and  as  far  east  as  Lake  Saisan. 


54  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Lesser  Gray  Shrike  is  a 
late  migrant  to  Europe,  not  reaching  its  breeding 
grounds  even  in  the  south  before  the  middle  of  April 
and  in  Germany  not  before  the  beginning  of  May. 
The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  Shrike  are  in 
cultivated  districts,  in  the  vicinity  of  gardens  and 
plantations  ;  in  some  localities  it  prefers  the  shrub- 
covered  sides  of  rocky  slopes,  amongst  which  are 
scattered  small  trees.  The  bird  makes  itself  very  con- 
spicuous, sitting  on  the  tops  of  bushes  and  trees.  It 
appears  to  pair  for  life,  and  will  yearly  return  to  a 
favourite  nesting  place.  The  nest  is  generally  made  in 
a  fruit  or  olive  tree,  a  poplar,  an  oak,  or  a  mulberry, 
usually  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  a 
large,  bulky,  cup-shaped  structure,  composed  externally  of 
roots,  twigs,  coarse  grass,  straws,  and  stalks  of  plants,  and 
lined  with  wool,  hair,  feathers,  and  some  aromatic  plant, 
such  as  lavender  or  thyme.  The  nests  vary  a  good  deal 
in  materials.  Some  are  made  entirely  of  an  aromatic 
plant,  others  almost  completely  of  cudweed  ;  whilst  in 
Prussia  Herr  E.  Hartert  states  that  the  nest  is  invariably 
lined  with  these  strongly-scented  plants.  If  the  nest 
is  menaced  by  predaceous  birds  or  animals  the  parents 
become  very  bold  and  pugnacious. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Lesser  Gray  Shrike  are  from  four  to 
seven  in  number,  and  vary  considerably  in  size  and 
shape.  They  are  pale  bluish-green  in  ground  colour, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  olive-brown,  and  with  under- 
lying markings  of  pale  greenish-brown.  The  spots 
normally  are  somewhat  large  and  irregular,  and  in 
exceptionally  fine  examples  the  markings  form  a  zone 
round  the  larger  end,  the  spaces  between  the  larger 
masses  of  surface  colour  being  filled  in  with  the  smaller 
underlying  spots.     Some  eggs  are  very  sparsely  spotted, 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  55 

chiefly  on  the  larger  end.  The  rufous  type  of  egg  does 
not  appear  to  occur  in  this  species.  Average  measure- 
ment, '98  inch  in  length  by  77  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  almost  entirely  by  the  female, 
lasts  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  green  ground  colour 
of  the  eggs  of  the  Lesser  Gray  Shrike  readily  dis- 
tinguishes them  from  those  of  allied  species,  more 
especially  when  combined  with  size. 


Family  LANIID.^.  Genus  Lanius. 

GREAT    GRAY    SHRIKE. 

Lanius  excubitor,  Li?inceus. 

(British  :    Uncommon  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Erooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and 
in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Great  Gray  Shrike  breeds  from  about  lat.  70°  in 
Scandinavia,  and  in  Russia  as  far  east  as  the  Urals, 
southwards  through  Denmark,  Holland,  Belgium, 
Germany,  France,  and  various  parts  of  Central  Europe. 
Owing  to  interbreeding  with  sub-specific  forms,  it  is  dififi- 
cult  to  define  the  exact  area  occupied  by  this  species. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Great  Gray  Shrike  is  very 
partial  to  exposed  haunts  during  the  non-breeding 
season,  and  renders  itself  conspicuous  enough,  like  all 
birds  of  its  kind,  by  sitting  on  the  topmost  twigs  of 
bushes  and  low  trees ;  but  when  the  nesting  period 
arrives  it  shows  a  preference  for  more  sheltered  localities. 
Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are  in  plantations  and  the 


56  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

open  places  in  woods.  Nothing  appears  to  be  known 
respecting  the  pairing  habits  of  this  species,  or  whether 
it  is  in  the  habit  of  returning  yearly  to  a  particular  spot 
to  breed,  as  the  Red-backed  Shrike  invariably  does. 
The  nest  is  placed  in  trees,  either  evergreens  or  decidu- 
ous, usually  in  a  fork  of  a  large  tree  or  at  the  summit  of 
a  small  one.  It  is  large,  bulky,  and  cup-shaped,  composed 
externally  of  dead  twigs,  dry  grass,  roots,  and  stalks  of 
plants,  lined  with  finer  roots,  wool,  hair,  and  feathers, 
the  lining  material  depending  a  good  deal  on  what 
may  chance  to  be  available,  but  always  of  some  soft 
substance.  This  Shrike  is  a  close  sitter,  even  before 
incubation  has  actually  commenced,  and  when  disturbed 
frequently  flies  about  from  tree  to  tree  in  the  vicinity, 
and  shows  much  solicitude  for  its  nest.  It  is  bold 
enough  in  driving  off  predaceous  birds  from  the  spot. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Great  Gray  Shrike  are  from  five  to 
seven  in  number.  They  vary  from  bufiish-white  to  the 
palest  of  green  in  ground  colour,  spotted,  blotched,  and 
speckled  with  olive-brown,  and  with  underlying  mark- 
ings of  lilac-gray.  As  a  rule  most  of  the  surface  spots, 
which  vary  from  light  to  dark  brown,  are  on  the  largest 
end  of  the  Q.^%,  are  seldom  very  clearly  defined,  but 
many  are  often  confluent,  and  frequently  form  a  zone. 
I  have  never  seen  the  red  type  of  egg  in  this  species. 
Average  measurement,  ri  inch  in  length  by  "8  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation,  performed  almost  entirely  by  the 
female;  lasts  fifteen  or  sixteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Great 
Gray  Shrike  are  generally  easily  distinguished  by  their 
size,  but  in  all  cases  I  would  advise  careful  identification 
at  the  nest.  The  nest  and  eggs  might  easily  in  some 
districts  be  confused  with  those  of  Eaiiius  leiicopterus, 
and  even  more  so  with  L.  exaibitor  major. 


NON-INDIGEAOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  57 

Family  TURDID.^.  Genus  Phylloscopus. 

Sub-family  SYL  VIINM. 

YELLOW-BROWED   WILLOW   WREN. 

Phylloscopus  superciliosus  {Gnicli?i). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  June. 

Brep:ding  area  :  North-east  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Yellow-browed  Willow  Wren  is  presumed  to  breed 
in  the  pine  regions  of  Siberia,  from  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay  eastwards  to  the  Pacific  as  far  north  as  the 
Arctic  circle,  and  as  far  south  as  the  mountains  in  the 
Baikal  area.  It  has,  however,  only  been  discovered 
breeding  in  the  valley  of  the  Yenesay,  where  its  nest 
and  ^ggs  were  taken  by  Mr.  Seebohm  during  the 
summer  of  1877. 

Breeding  habits  :  But  little  is  known  of  the  nidi- 
fication  of  the  Yellow-browed  Willow  Wren.  The 
account  of  the  nesting  of  this  species  given  in  Professor 
Newton's  edition  of  Yarrell's  History  of  Bj^itish  Birds, 
and  in  Mr.  Dresser's  Birds  of  Europe,  refer  to  a  totally 
distinct  species,  an  Indian  Willow  W'ren  {Phylloscopus 
Jitnmi).  To  Mr.  Seebohm  we  are  entirely  indebted 
for  a  description  of  the  breeding  habits  of  this  interesting 
little  bird.  It  did  not  arrive  at  its  breeding  haunts 
until  the  fourth  of  June,  when,  in  company  with  the 
Common  W'illow  Wren  and  the  Siberian  Chiffchaff,  it 
was  observed  amongst  the  bare  branches  of  the  willow 
and  birch  trees  on  the  banks  of  the  Yenesay,  where 
the  snow  had  melted.  This  species  evidently  migrates 
in  parties,  and  probably  pairs  after  its  arrival.  AMiether 
the  sexes  separate  to  perform  the  journey,  as  the 
Common  Willow  Wren  does,  appears  not  to  be  known. 
Probably  such  is  the  case,  as  Mr.  Seebohm  informs  us 


58  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

that  the  birds  were  In  no  apparent  hurry  to  breed,  and 
the  males  were  possibly  awaiting  the  arrival  of  their 
partners.  About  a  fortnight  after  its  arrival  nest- 
building  commenced.  The  favourite  haunts  were  the 
pine  forests  on  the  banks  of  the  Koo-ray-i-ka  and  the 
Yenesay.  The  song  is  apparently  little  more  than  that 
of  the  Wood  Wren,  and  uttered  with  the  same  shivering 
of  the  wings.  The  nest  found  by  Mr.  Seebohm,  and 
which  together  with  the  eggs  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
examining,  was  made  amongst  the  bilberry  wires,  moss, 
and  grass  at  the  foot  of  a  birch  tree.  It  is  semi-domed, 
like  that  of  the  Willow  Wren,  but  more  open  than  that 
of  the  Chiffchaff,  and  made  externally  of  dry  grass  and 
bits  of  moss,  and  lined  with  reindeer-hair.  The  actions 
of  the  bird  at  the  nest  are  precisely  the  same  as  those 
of  the  British  species.  It  is  very  restless,  hopping  about 
in  the  vicinity  of  its  home,  and  tiring  out  all  but  the 
most  persevering  patience,  before  betraying  its  secret. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurexMent: 
The  eggs  of  the  Yellow-browed  Willow  Wren,  so  far 
as  is  known,  are  six  in  number.  They  are  pure  white 
in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  speckled  with  reddish- 
brown,  and  with  a  few  underlying  markings  of  paler 
brown.  The  spots,  which  are  numerous,  are  mostly  on 
the  larger  end  of  the  ^g^,  some  of  them  confluent  and 
forming  an  irregular  zone.  Average  measurement,  '6 
inch  in  length  by  -45  inch  in  breadth.  The  period  of 
incubation,  of  course,  remains  unknown,  and  whether 
one  or  both  parents  perform  the  task  was  unfortunately 
not  remarked. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  species 
will  always  require  the  most  careful  identification.  In- 
deed but  few  ornithologists,  in  my  opinion,  are  competent 
to  take  them  at  all,  and  I  know  of  no  character  which 
will  distinguish  them  from  those  of  several  allied  species. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  59 

Family  TURDID.^.  Genus   Sylvia. 

Sub-family  SYLVIINj^. 

ORPHEAN    WARBLER. 

Sylvia  orphea,    Temtninck. 
(British  :  Possibly  breeds  ;  very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  April  and  in  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-west  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Orphean  Warbler  breeds  in  Central  and  Southern 
France,  German  Lorraine,  throughout  the  Spanish 
Peninsula  in  suitable  districts,  in  Dalmatia,  Turkey, 
Greece,  Southern  Russia,  Asia  Minor,  and  Palestine.  It 
should  be  remarked  that  examples  from  the  two  latter 
countries  are  intermediate  between  typical  Sylvia  orphea 
and  5.  orphea  jerdoni^  which  ranges  through  Persia  and 
Turkestan  to  India.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  the 
typical  Orphean  Warbler  breeds  in  Morocco  and 
Algeria. 

Breeding  habits:  As  is  almost  universally  the 
case  with  birds  that  do  not  breed  so  far  north  or  west 
as  the  British  Islands,  the  Orphean  Warbler  is  a  some- 
what late  migrant,  not  reaching  its  more  southerly 
European  haunts  before  the  first  or  second  week  in 
April.  Like  its  near  ally  the  Blackcap,  it  is  a  secretive 
species,  and  loves  to  frequent  localities  in  which  there 
is  plenty  of  cover.  Olive  groves,  cork  woods,  and 
vineyards  are  a  favourite  resort,  as  well  as  the  rough 
uncultivated  ground  covered  with  bushes  and  thickets, 
between  the  zone  of  the  vines  and  olives  and  the  pine 
zone.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  species  nothing 
appears  to  be  recorded.  It  probably  pairs  annually. 
The  nest  is  made  in  a  bush  of  some  kind  or  in  a  low 
tree — it  has  been  found  in  a  cork-oak  twelve  feet  from 


6o  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

the  ground.  It  is  a  fairly  compact  structure,  cup-shaped, 
composed  externally  of  dry  grass  and  the  fine  stalks  of 
plants,  and  lined  with  finer  grass  and  a  small  quantity  of 
vegetable  down.  It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  such  a 
lining  should  be  added  by  a  species  breeding  in  such  a 
high  temperature,  while  the  Blackcap,  which  so  frequently 
nests  in  a  much  lower  temperature,  makes  no  such 
provision.  Of  the  actions  of  this  bird  at  the  nest  nothing 
is  recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Orphean  Warbler  are  four  or  five  in 
number,  generally  the  latter.  They  are  white,  or  tinged 
with  gray  or  brown  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  olive-brown  and  very  dark  brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  pale  gray  or  pale  brown. 
Most  of  the  markings  are  on  the  larger  end  of  the  egg, 
and  often  form  an  irregular  zone ;  the  smaller  spots  are 
generally  most  intense  in  colour,  and  many  of  the 
larger  ones  are  often  confluent  and  run  into  irregular 
blotches  or  streaks.  Average  measurement,  '8  inch  in 
length  by  "6  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
chiefly  by  the  female,  lasts  fourteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  and  general 
colouration  of  the  eggs  and  the  structure  of  the  nest  is 
a  tolerably  safe  guide  to  the  determination  of  the  eggs 
of  the  Orphean  Warbler,  but  they  should  always  be 
carefully  authenticated.  The  Cuckoo  frequently  uses 
the  nest  of  this  species,  and  usually  deposits  an  Ggg 
so  closely  resembling  those  of  the  Orphean  Warbler  in 
appearance  that  it  is  only  determined  by  microscopic 
examination.     It  is,  however,  always  larger. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  6i 


Family  TURDID.^.  Genus  Sylvia. 

Sub- family  SYL  VIINA-l, 

BARRED  WARBLER. 

Sylvia  xisoria  {Bec/istei?i). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  May  and  in 
]  une. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  PaL-earctic  region. 
The  Barred  Warbler  breeds  sparingly  in  South  Sweden 
and  Denmark,  more  commonly  in  Germany  east  of  the 
valley  of  the  Rhine,  Northern  Italy,  Transylvania, 
Bulgaria,  Turkey,  Southern  Russia,  Persia,  and  Tur- 
kestan up  to  an  elevation  of  from  6,000  to  10,000  feet. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Barred  Warbler  is  another 
late  migrant,  not  reaching  its  breeding  grounds  before 
the  very  end  of  April  or  early  in  May.  Nothing  appears 
to  be  known  respecting  its  pairing  habits,  but  the  bird 
probably  mates  annually.  Its  favourite  resorts  during 
the  nesting  season  are  small  plantations  and  ground 
covered  with  scrub  and  thickets.  Owing  to  its  shy, 
retiring  disposition  it  is  much  liable  to  be  overlooked. 
The  nest  is  generally  placed  in  a  thick  bush  a  few  feet 
above  the  ground,  but  instances  are  on  record  where  it 
has  been  found  almost  on  the  ground  itself,  whilst,  in 
one  instance  only,  it  has  been  discovered  at  the  summit 
of  a  birch  tree,  twenty-five  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is 
a  somewhat  bulky  structure,  and  though  net-like  and 
flimsy-looking,  is  rather  more  compactly  made  than  is 
usual  in  this  class  of  birds.  It  is  cup-shaped,  and  made 
externally  of  dry  stalks  and  roots,  small  withered  plants, 
and  occasional  scraps  of  thistledown  or  cocoons  of 
insects,  and  is  lined  with  finer  roots  and  horsehair.     The 


62  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

bird  is  a  close  sitter,  but  not  demonstrative,  and  when 
flushed  conceals  itself  amongst  the  surrounding  vege- 
tation, the  male  often  uttering  his  warning  tec  or  rar. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Barred  Warbler  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number,  five  being  the  average  clutch.  They  vary  from 
grayish-white  to  buffish-white  in  ground  colour,  mottled 
and  freckled  with  gray,  and  more  rarely  spotted  with 
brown.  The  eggs  of  this  bird  are  very  remarkable, 
inasmuch  that  most  of  the  markings  are  underlying 
ones,  or  covered  with  a  thin  layer  of  ground  colour, 
the  surface  spots  being  few  and  indistinct.  A  rare  type, 
however,  occurs  in  which  these  conditions  are  reversed, 
and  the  surface  spots  are  larger,  clearly  defined,  and 
greatly  outnumber  the  underlying  markings.  Herr 
E.  Hartert  records  a  very  handsome  clutch  of  the  latter 
type,  in  which  the  eggs  are  "spotted  with  deep  chestnut- 
brown."  Average  measurement,  '85  inch  in  length  by 
•62  inch  in  breadth.  Whether  both  sexes  incubate,  or 
only  one,  appears  not  to  be  known,  as  is  also  the 
duration  of  the  period. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Barred 
Warbler  are  very  distinct,  and  cannot  readily  be  con- 
fused with  those  of  any  other  species.  The  predominating 
underlying  markings,  combined  with  the  size  of  the  ^^'g, 
are  safe  distinguishing  characters. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  63 


Family  TURDID.E.  Genus  Aedon. 

Sub-family  S  YL  VII N^. 

RUFOUS    WARBLER. 

Aedon  galactodes  {Teuuniiick). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and  in 
June. 

Breeding  area  :  Extreme  south-western  Pal^earctic 
region.  The  Rufous  Warbler  breeds  commonly  in  the 
Spanish  Peninsula,  in  Morocco,  Algeria,  Tunis,  Tripoli, 
Egypt,  and  Palestine  as  far  north  as  about  lat.  34°. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Rufous  Warbler  is  another 
very  late  migrant,  not  crossing  the  Mediterranean  before 
the  end  of  April.  In  its  choice  of  a  haunt  the  Rufous 
Warbler  shows  considerable  divergence  from  that  of  its 
near  relations,  often  frequenting  very  bare  and  sterile 
spots.  In  Algeria  I  remarked  its  preference  for  the 
Arab  gardens  of  prickly  pears,  and  the  date  palm 
forests  where  little  undergrowth  is  to  be  seen.  In  other 
localities  it  selects  olive  groves  and  vineyards,  and  the 
thickets  of  tamarisk  by  the  river  sides.  This  Warbler 
pairs  annually,  and  in  the  season  of  courtship  the  male 
may  often  be  seen  in  chase  of  the  female,  both  spending 
much  of  their  time  upon  the  ground.  The  nest  is 
placed  in  a  tamarisk  tree  or  bush,  in  a  hedge,  or  between 
the  leaves  of  a  cactus,  at  heights  varying  from  one  to 
six  feet  from  the  ground.  Mr.  Salvin  records  a  nest 
which  he  found  amongst  the  exposed  roots  of  a  tree  on 
a  bank.  It  is  a  large  and  somewhat  bulky,  cup-shaped 
structure,  composed  externally  of  dead  shoots,  roots, 
straws,  coarse  grass,  and  bits  of  lichen,  lined  with  wool, 
vegetable   down,  a    few    feathers    or   hair.     The    lining 


64  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

varies  a  good  deal  according  to  locality,  but  is  always 
composed  of  some  soft  substance,  and  almost  invariably 
includes  a  piece  of  dry  serpent's  skin — a  charm  to  pro« 
tect  the  eggs  from  snakes,  according  to  popular  legend. 
The  birds  make  little  or  no  attempt  to  conceal  their 
nest,  which  from  its  very  conspicuousness  often  escapes 
discovery. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Rufous  Warbler  are  from  three  to  five 
in  number,  the  latter  being  the  usual  clutch.  They 
vary  from  pale  gray  to  very  pale  blue  in  ground  colour, 
spotted  with  pale  and  dark  brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  lilac-gray.  Two  distinct  types  occur.  Tlie 
first  has  the  markings  large  and  splashed,  and  sparingly 
streaked;  the  second  has  them  finely  sprinkled  over  the 
entire  surface,  but  most  numerous  at  the  larger  end  of 
the  &^g.  As  a  rule  the  first  type  is  correlated  with  the 
gray  and  the  second  with  the  pale  blue  ground  colour, 
and  in  the  first  the  underlying  markings  are  the  most 
apparent.  Average  measurement,  'Zj  inch  in  length  by 
•63  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by 
the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Rufous 
Warbler  are  fairly  distinct,  their  size  and  colouration 
preventing  confusion  with  those  of  allied  species.  From 
the  eggs  of  the  Tawny  Pipit  they  are  not  so  readily 
distinguished,  but  always  appear  to  be  less  bulky. 
Careful  identification  is  required,  although  the  nesting 
habits  of  the  two  birds  arc  different. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  65 


P'amily  TURDID.E.  Genus  Acrocephalus. 

Sub-family  SYLVIINyE. 

GREAT     REED    WARBLER. 

Acrocephalus  turdoides  {Meyer). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  May  and  early- 
June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Great  Reed  Warbler  breeds  in  all  suitable  districts 
throughout  Europe  south  of  the  Baltic  and  the  British 
Islands.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  is  said  to  breed 
in  Morocco  and  Algeria  ;  whilst  eastwards  it  breeds  in 
Palestine,  Asia  Minor,  Northern  Persia,  and  Turkestan. 

Breeding  habits  :  It  is  rather  a  remarkable  fact 
that  the  Great  Reed  Warbler  occurs  so  rarely  in  the 
British  Islands,  seeing  that  it  breeds  commonly  in 
Holland,  Belgium,  and  even  so  close  as  Calais,  almost 
within  sight  of  our  shores.  As  is  usual  with  such  species, 
it  is  a  remarkably  late  migrant,  not  arriving  at  its  most 
northerly  breeding  places  before  the  first  or  second  week 
in  May.  The  sole  breeding  haunts  of  this  fine  Warbler 
are  the  belts  and  forests  and  beds  of  the  common  reed 
[Arujido  phraginites).  It  is  a  rather  local  species,  bi:t 
frequents  reeds  on  small  ponds  as  well  as  those  that 
fringe  lakes,  broads,  and  slow  running  rix-ers.  It 
probably  pairs  annually,  but  our  information  on  this 
point  is  scanty.  The  nest  is  almost  invariably  sup- 
ported by  from  three  to  five  stems  of  the  reeds,  and 
is  situated  about  midway  from  the  water  to  their 
summits.  The  selected  reeds  are  generally  well  in  the 
thicket  where  sufficient  seclusion  is  afforded.  Instances 
are,  however,  on  record  v/here  the  nest  of  this  species  has 


66  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

been  found  on  the  twigs  of  willows  (^fide  Hartert),  and  it 
has  been  known,  according  to  the  same  authority,  "  high 
up  in  a  birch  tree."  The  nest  is  large  and  strongly  put 
together,  funnel-shaped  and  deep,  and  the  conical  base 
which  supports  the  cup  of  the  nest  is  often  bulky. 
Externally  the  nest  is  made  of  the  dry  withered  leaves 
of  the  reeds,  intermixed  with  a  few  roots  and  withered 
reed  flowers,  and  lined  with  the  latter  together  with  a 
few  grass  stems.  Sometimes  one  or  two  leaves  growing 
on  the  selected  reeds  are  interwoven  with  the  nest,  and 
some  nests  are  lined  with  scraps  of  moss,  vegetable  down, 
or  even  a  few  feathers.  Externally  it  is  about  five  inches 
in  height,  but  not  more  than  half  this  space  is  occupied 
by  the  cavity  containing  the  eggs.  When  disturbed 
from  the  nest  the  parent  birds  evince  considerable 
anxiety,  venturing  close  to  the  intruder,  and  resenting 
interference  with  their  home  by  uttering  croaking  notes 
of  displeasure. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  cG^G^s  of  the  Great  Reed  Warbler  are  from  four  to 
six  in  number.  They  vary  from  pale  greenish-blue  to 
blue  more  strongly  tinged  with  pale  green  or  gray, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  olive-brown  and  russet-brown, 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  The  markings 
are  generally  very  handsome  and  bold  blotches,  inter- 
mixed with  smaller  spots,  and  the  gray  underlying 
markings  are  pretty  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire 
surface.  The  eggs  vary  much  in  size  :  average  measure- 
ment, '9  inch  in  length  by  '65  inch  in  breadth.  Incuba- 
tion, performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  lasts,  according  to 
Thienemann,  fourteen  or  fifteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Great 
Reed  Warbler  are  readily  distinguished  from  those  of 
allied  species  by  their  much  larger  size. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  67 


Family  TURDID^.  Genus  Acrocephalus. 

Sub-family  SYLVIIN^.. 

AQUATIC    WARBLER. 

Acrocephalus  aquaticus  {Gj?ielin). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and  early 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  PaLearctic  region. 
The  Aquatic  Warbler  has  a  somewhat  restricted  breeding 
range,  being  for  the  most  part  confined  to  Central 
Europe.  It  breeds  in  Denmark,  Germany,  the  Nether- 
lands, France,  Italy  (including  Sardinia  and  Sicily), 
Austria,  and  Central  Russia,  as  far  east  as  the  Southern 
Urals.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  is  said  to  breed 
sparingly  in  Algeria  and  Tunis,  but  its  distribution  is 
very  imperfectly  defined. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  habits  of  the  Aquatic 
Warbler  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Sedge  Warbler, 
and  the  kind  of  localities  it  frequents  are  very  much  the 
same.  It  reaches  its  more  northern  summer  haunts 
during  the  third  week  in  April.  Its  favourite  haunts 
are  swampy  localities,  the  vegetation  on  the  banks 
of  rivers  and  ponds  ;  ditches  which  are  almost  choked 
with  aquatic  herbage,  brambles,  and  briars  ;  thickets 
of  willows  and  osier  beds.  It  is  a  shy  and  secretive 
species,  keeping  much  to  the  cover  of  the  vegetation. 
It  pairs  soon  after  its  arrival,  but  very  often  nesting  does 
not  commence  for  several  weeks  after  that  event.  The 
nest  is  open  and  cup-shaped,  and  though  never  exactly 
upon  the  ground  is  often  built  a  few  inches  above  it, 
and  rarely  more  than  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  from  it. 
It  is  said  to  be  suspended  between  the  stalks  of  plants 


68  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

growing  round  it,  and  which  are  often  interwoven  with  it, 
in  the  tussocks  of  sedge  or  the  small  thorns  and  willows 
by  the  water  side.  It  is  a  small  and  carelessly  made 
structure,  but  the  cup  is  neat  and  rounded,  composed 
externally  of  dry  coarse  grass  and  roots,  and  lined  with 
fine  grass  and  horsehair.  Occasionally  cocoons,  feathers, 
and  the  flowers  of  aquatic  plants  are  wov'en  into  the  nest, 
but  the  lining  appears  always  to  be  hair.  The  bird  is  a 
close  sitter,  very  skulking  when  disturbed,  and  fond  of 
manifesting  its  displeasure  at  the  intrusion  by  a  series  of 
scolding  cries. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Aquatic  Warbler  are  from  four  to  six 
in  number,  five  being  a  usual  clutch.  They  are  brownish- 
white  in  ground  colour,  clouded  and  mottled  over  the 
whole  surface  with  yellowish-brown,  and  occasionally 
streaked  with  a  few  hair-like  lines  or  scrolls  of  very  dark 
brown.  Average  measurement,  '6%  inch  in  length  by 
•5 1  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by 
the  female,  lasts  fourteen  or  fifteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Unfortunately  there  is  no 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Aquatic  Warbler 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Sedge  Warbler. 
Eggs  that  are  not  thoroughly  and  trustworthily  identified 
are  not  of  the  slightest  value. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  69 


Family  TURDID.E.  Genus  Hypolais. 

Sub-family  SYLVIINyE. 

ICTERINE    WARBLER. 

Hypolais  hypolais  {Li?i?ice7is) . 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.    Laying  season,  latter  end  of  May  and  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  West-central  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Icterine  Warbler  breeds  in  Norway  as  far  north  as 
the  Arctic  circle,  but  in  Sweden  and  West  Russia  not 
beyond  lat.  6^^,  and  in  East  Russia  no  higher  than  lat. 
57°.  Southwards  it  breeds  in  Central  Russia,  the  Baltic 
Provinces,  throughout  Germany,  Denmark,  Holland, 
Belgium,  Northern  France,  Italy,  and  Sicily. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Icterine  Warbler  is  another 
very  late  migrant,  not  reaching  its  more  northerly 
breeding  grounds  before  the  first  or  even  the  second 
week  in  May.  It  is  probable  that  the  males  arrive  a 
little  before  the  females,  and  song  does  not  commence 
until  the  latter  appear.  Pairing  takes  place  annually. 
The  favourite  breeding  places  of  this  Warbler  are 
gardens  and  hedgerows  which  contain  trees  and  high 
bushes,  orchards  and  well-cultivated  lands  near  to 
houses.  During  the  nesting  season  the  male  is  a  very 
persistent  singer,  very  jealous  of  his  particular  haunt, 
and  ready  to  quarrel  with  and  beat  off  any  intruder. 
The  nest  is  usually  made  in  a  fork  of  the  branches  of  a 
small  tree  or  large  bush — a  lilac  tree  is  a  favourite  spot 
— not  more  than  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  It 
is  made  on  a  somewhat  similar  plan  to  that  of  the  Gold- 
finch, but  in  a  series  of  nests  great  variation  is  to  be 
observed,  some  being  much  better  made  than  others.  It 
is  cup-shaped,  and   made  externally   of   moss   and  dry 


70  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

grass,  strips  of  bark  and  roots,  felted  together  and 
cemented  with  cocoons,  thistle-down,  wool,  and  flakes 
of  lichen,  and  lined  with  fine  round  grass  stems  and 
horsehair.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and  when  dis- 
turbed glides  up  and  down  the  cover  in  a  restless 
manner,  uttering  a  shrill  tec  of  alarm  and  remonstrance, 
often  in  company  with  its  mate. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Icterine  Warbler  are  from  four  to  six 
in  number,  five  being  the  usual  clutch.  They  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  grayish-pink  to  pink  with  a  brownish 
cast,  spotted  over  the  entire  surface,  and  occasionally 
streaked  with  dark  blackish-brown,  and  with  indistinct 
underlying  markings  of  paler  brown.  One  type  has 
numerous  fine  streaks  of  paler  brown  ;  another  has  the 
spots  small  and  dusted  over  the  surface.  Average 
measurement,  72  inch  in  length,  by  '55  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  lasts  four- 
teen days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  rose-pink  ground 
colour  is  a  reliable  character  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of 
the  Icterine  Warbler  from  those  of  most  other  species. 
I  do  not,  however,  find  any  reliable  character  to  distin- 
guish them  from  those  of  the  nearly  allied  Hypolais 
polyglotta.  They  require  careful  identification  and  reliable 
authentication. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  71 


Family  TURDID.E.  Genus  Geocichla. 

Sub-family  TURDIN.E. 

WHITE'S    GROUND    THRUSH. 

Geocichla  varia  {Pallas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  May  (?). 

Breeding  area:  Eastern  PaliEarctic  region.  Wiiite's 
Ground  Thrush  is  presumed  to  breed  in  South  Siberia 
from  the  Baikal  area  eastwards  along  the  valleys  of 
the  Amoor,  in  North-east  Mongolia,  Manchooria,  and 
Northern  China,  but  its  alleged  nest  has  only  been  taken 
in  the  latter  locality.  Dr.  Menzbier  is  of  the  opinion 
that  this  Thrush  is  distributed  during  the  breeding 
season  "  throughout  the  whole  wooded  districts  of 
Siberia"  to  as  far  west  as  the  forests  of  the  Urals.  In 
support  of  this  latter  statement  he  records  {Ibis^  1893, 
p.  372)  three  examples  obtained  in  July  and  August  in 
the  Governments  of  Ufa  and  Perm.  Prof.  Kovtzov 
states  that  it  is  rare  in  Southern  Tobolsk  and  common 
in  Northern  Admalinsk. 

Breeding  habits  :  Our  information  respecting  the 
nidification  of  White's  Ground  Thrush  is  only  of  the 
most  meagre  kind,  and  to  a  certain  extent  of  a  very 
unsatisfactory  nature.  Indeed,  cautious  naturalists  are 
fully  justified  in  casting  doubt  upon  the  discovery  of  the 
nest  and  eggs  of  this  species,  inasmuch  that  they  were 
never  authenticated  in  the  only  possible  way  that  could 
dispel  all  uncertainty,  namely,  the  shooting  of  one  or 
both  parents  at  the  nest.  The  late  Mr.  Swinhoe,  who 
obtained  this  nest  and  eggs  in  Northern  China  in  the 
spring  of  1872,  is  known  to  have  been  a  careful  student  ; 
but  as  he  only  saw  the  birds  that  he  presumed  rightly 


72  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

or  wrongly  to  belong  to  the  nest  which  some  boys  had 
taken  from  a  tree  just  previously,  there  must  always 
remain  an  element  of  doubt  until  birds  are  absolutely 
shot  at  or  seen  on  the  nest.  This  nest  was  made  in  the 
upper  branches  of  a  pine  tree.  From  Mr.  Swinhoe's 
collection  it  passed  into  that  of  Mr.  Seebohm,  where  I 
had  the  opportunity  of  examining  it,  together  with  the 
eggs.  It  is  about  the  size  of  that  of  the  Blackbird,  and 
made  on  a  very  similar  plan.  Externally  it  is  composed 
of  fine  and  coarse  grass,  dead  rush  leaves,  moss,  a  few 
twigs,  and  an  occasional  withered  leaf  ;  in  this  shell  a 
first  lining  of  wet  mud  had  been  placed,  amongst  which 
are  sticking  a  few  bits  of  weed,  which  were  doubtless 
growing  in  the  mud  when  it  was  taken  to  the  nest  ;  the 
final  lining  consists  of  coarse  fibrous  roots  and  a  {(t\\ 
bits  of  sedge.  The  birds  are  described  as  being  very 
anxious  when  their  nest  was  removed,  and  were 
recognized  by  Mr.  Swinhoe  as  the  present  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  nest  obtained  by  Mr.  Swinhoe  contained  three  eggs, 
but  probably  this  number  does  not  represent  a  full 
clutch.  They  are  greenish-white  in  ground  colour, 
minutely  and  evenly  spotted  with  reddish-brown  over 
most  of  the  surface.  Average  measurement,  \'2  inch  in 
length  by  "9  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  incu- 
bation period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  As  the  eggs  of  this 
species  may  possibly  be  yet  unknown  to  science,  it  is 
not  wise  to  form  any  diagnosis  from  the  above  descrip- 
tion, even  if  such  were  possible.  There  is  always  the 
possibility  that  this  nest  and  eggs  belonged  to  Mernla 
mandarina,  a  species  to  which  Mr.  Swinhoe  himself  at 
first  thought  them  to  belong,  and  to  which  admittedly 
they  bear  a  very  strong  resemblance. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  73 

Family  TURDID^.  Genus  Turdus. 

Sub-family   TURDIN^E. 

FIELDFARE. 

Turdus  pilaris,  Liimceus. 

(British  :  Common  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded   probably.     Laying  season,  May  to  beginning 

of  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palsearctic  region.  The 
Fieldfare  breeds  commonly  throughout  Scandinavia, 
Finland,  Northern  Russia,  and  Siberia,  as  far  east  as  the 
watershed  of  the  Yenesay  and  Lena,  Southwards  it 
breeds  more  sparingly  and  locally  in  Central  Russia,  the 
Baltic  Provinces,  Prussia,  Poland,  and  Central  Germany, 
in  Bavaria,  and  the  Austrian  Provinces  of  liohemia  and 
Moravia.  That  it  still  continues  to  discard  the  British 
Islands  as  a  breeding  place  is  very  remarkable,  but  is 
probably  due  to  the  much  higher  spring  temperature 
prevailing  in  them. 

Breeding  area  :  The  Fieldfare  reaches  its  breeding 
places  in  May  or  June  according  to  latitude.  Its 
favourite  nesting  grounds  are  the  more  open  pine,  fir, 
and  birch  woods,  but  in  more  northern  regions,  where 
the  timber  becomes  small  and  stunted,  the  thickets  of 
willows  and  birches  afford  a  haunt ;  whilst  on  the  Arctic 
tundras  the  bird  is  compelled  to  nest  upon  or  near 
the  ground  like  the  Ring  Ouzel  on  our  own  moors. 
The  Fieldfare  may  pair  annually,  but  of  this  we  know 
nothing ;  I  suspect  that  it  may  possibly  pair  for  life  and 
return  each  season  to  old  breeding  colonies,  but  doubt- 
less the  old  nests  are  renewed  each  year.  During  the 
laying  season  the  male  is  most  musical,  often  com- 
mencing to  sing  whilst  flying  to  a  perching  place.     The 


74  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

bird  for  the  most  part  is  gregarious  during  the  breeding 
season,  and  nests  in  colonies  of  varying  size  according 
to  the  abundance  or  rarity  of  the  individuals  in  a 
certain  area.  Many  outlying  nests  are  made  some 
distance  from  each  other  on  the  outskirts  of  the  colony, 
but  in  the  colony  itself  they  are  close  together.  The 
nests  are  made  on  the  flat  branches  of  the  pines,  in 
forks  of  the  birch  trees  close  to  the  trunks,  or  in  suitable 
crotches  in  the  alders.  Occasionally  an  odd  nest  will 
be  made  in  an  outhouse  or  amongst  a  heap  of  wood 
near  the  peasants'  cottages.  Nests  on  the  tundras  are 
usually  placed  on  the  ground  near  a  ridge  or  ledge. 
Mr.  Seebohm  remarked  that  the  colonies  of  this  species 
were  not  so  large  in  Siberia  as  in  Norway,  and  that  the 
bird  either  bred  in  isolated  pairs  or  in  small  parties.  The 
nest  is  made  on  a  similar  plan  to  that  of  the  Blackbird, 
being  composed  externally  of  dry  grass,  moss,  and  a  few 
twigs,  then  lined  with  mud,  and  finally  with  an  abundance 
of  fine  grass.  The  birds  become  very  noisy  when  dis- 
turbed, but  do  not  remain  long  in  the  vicinity  of  their 
nests,  being  nothing  near  so  bold  as  the  Missel  Thrush. 
The  birds  in  a  colony  do  not  all  begin  nesting  together, 
and  young  birds  and  eggs  in  various  stages  of  develop- 
ment may  be  found  at  the  same  time,  just  as  is  the  case 
in  a  rookery  or  a  gullery. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Fieldfare  are  usually  from  four  to  six  in 
number,  but  occasionally  seven  are  found,  and  excep- 
tionally only  three.  They  are  subject  to  enormous 
variation,  but  probably  every  type  is  represented  in  the 
eggs  of  the  Blackbird  and  the  Ring  Ouzel.  They  vary 
in  ground  colour  from  bluish-green  to  greenish-blue, 
blotched,  spotted,  freckled  and  marbled  over  the  entire 
surface  with  rich  reddish-brown.  A  rare  variety  is 
almost  blue  in  ground  colour  with  only  a  few  rich  brown 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  75 

streaks  or  spots  chiefly  at  the  larger  end.  Generally 
the  markings  are  most  numerous  and  intricate  over  the 
larger  end  of  the  cl%%  and  conceal  much  of  the  ground 
colour,  but  varieties  are  not  uncommon  in  which  the 
blotches  are  scattered,  and  show  much  of  the  ground 
colour  between  them.  A  few  pale  gray  underlying 
markings  are  visible  on  many  eggs.  Average  measure- 
ment, 12  inch  in  length  by  -85  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  by  both  sexes,  lasts  from  fourteen 
to  sixteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Fieldfare  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Blackbird  or  the  Ring 
Ouzel.  Both  the  latter  species  are  non-gregarious, 
however ;  from  eggs  of  the  Redwing  they  are  easily 
separated  by  their  larger  size  and  generally  handsome 
appearance.  They  should  be  carefully  identified,  how- 
ever, in  every  case. 


Family  TURDID.^.  Genus  TuRDUS. 

Sub-family   TURDINyE. 

REDWING. 

TuRDUS  iLiACUs,  Lhi7iceus. 

(British  :  Common  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June  to  middle 
of  July. 

Breeding  area:  Northern  Pahearctic  region.  The 
Redwing  breeds  in  suitable  localities  throughout  Scandi- 
navia, and  in  Russia  from  about  lat.  54°  northwards  to 
the   coast.       Herr    E.    Hartert    states    that    it    breeds 


76  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

regularly  near  Memel  in  the  extreme  north-east  of 
Prussia,  and  that  it  occasionally  nests  in  Germany. 
East  of  the  Urals  the  Redwing  breeds  in  Northern 
Siberia,  probably  from  about  lat.  60°,  and  extending 
north  beyond  the  limits  of  forest  growth  to  at  least  lat. 
ji"^  but  becomes  very  rare  east  of  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Redwing  arrives  at  its 
breeding  grounds  in  Scandinavia  towards  the  end  of 
April  or  early  in  May.  Further  east  in  Northern  Russia 
where  the  springs  are  later  it  seldom  arrives  before  the 
middle  of  May  ;  whilst  in  Siberia  it  does  not  make  its 
appearance  until  the  first  week  in  June.  The  breeding 
haunts  of  the  Redwing  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
Fieldfare,  indeed  odd  pairs  of  the  present  species  may 
frequently  be  found  nesting  within  the  limits  of  that 
bird's  colonies.  Its  favourite  nesting  places  are  the 
more  open  parts  of  the  pine  and  birch  forests  where  the 
trees  are  small,  and  separated  by  boggy  ground  into 
scattered  groves  and  clumps.  Beyond  the  limits  of 
forest  growth  the  Redwing  breeds  on  the  ground, 
generally  choosing  a  ridge  or  a  sloping  bank  for  the 
purpose.  It  is  not  improbable  that  this  Thrush  pairs 
for  life,  as  the  birds  are  much  attached  to  certain  spots 
in  the  south  and  return  to  them  yearly.  Whether  the 
same  breeding  localities  are  used  each  summer  no 
naturalist  appears  to  have  taken  the  trouble  to  de- 
termine. Although  the  Redwing  is  not  so  gregarious 
in  the  breeding  season  as  the  Fieldfare,  it  is  to  a  certain 
extent  social,  and  numbers  of  nests  may  be  found 
within  a  small  area.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  the 
branches  of  a  small  fir  or  birch,  or  in  bushes  of  alder 
and  willows,  at  a  low  altitude  ;  very  often  it  is  bui'.t  at 
the  foot  of  the  tree  on  the  ground,  and  in  treeless  areas 
on  a   fence,  or  on   the   ground.     It  is  bulky  and   cup- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  jj 

shaped.  Externally  it  is  composed  of  twigs,  dry  grass, 
and  moss,  then  lined  with  mud,  and  finally  lined  with 
fine  dry  grass  and  sometimes  a  few  roots.  When  dis- 
turbed at  the  nest  the  Redwing  often  becomes  very 
clamorous,  like  its  near  relative  the  Song  Thrush, 
fluttering  to  and  fro  in  anxiety,  uttering  harsh  grating 
notes. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Redwing  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number.  They  are  bluish-green  in  ground  colour, 
mottled  and  spotted  with  reddish-brown  or  greenish- 
brown.  As  a  rule  but  little  of  the  ground  colour  is 
visible,  the  markings  covering  most  of  the  surface,  and 
many  of  them  are  confluent.  One  variety  has  the 
surface  colour  distributed  in  streaky  marks  ;  another 
has  most  of  the  spotting  confluent  and  in  a  zone  round 
the  larger  end  of  the  tgg  ;  another  is  clear  green  and 
almost  spotless,  but  this  latter  type  is  exceptional. 
Average  measurement,  '98  inch  in  length  by  75  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
lasts  from  thirteen  to  fifteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Redwing 
are  readily  distinguished  from  those  of  all  other  Pate- 
arctic  Thrushes  by  their  small  s'ze,  and  by  the  markings 
which  are  normally  small. 


78  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  TURDID/E.  Genus  Merula. 

Sub-family  TURDIN^. 

B  L  A  C  K-T  HROATED    OUZEL. 

Merula  atrigularis  {Temi?iinck). 
(British  :    Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 
Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season  unknown. 

Breeding  area  :  Eastern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Black-throated  Ouzel  appears  to  breed  in  the  valleys 
of  the  Yenesay  and  the  Obb  from  at  least  lat.  63° 
southwards,  in  the  pine  regions  of  Eastern  Turkestan, 
and  probably  on  the  mountains  of  the  Baikal  area.  It 
may  also  possibly  breed  at  high  elevations  in  the 
Himalayas.  The  breeding  area  of  this  Ouzel  is  very 
imperfectly  defined. 

Breeding  habits  :  Nothing  is  known  of  the  breed- 
ing habits  of  the  Black-throated  Ouzel.  In  the  late 
summer  Mr.  Seebohm  met  with  a  brood  of  these  birds 
and  their  parents  on  the  margin  of  the  pine  forests  in 
Siberia,  and  remarked  their  preference  for  the  vicinity 
of  villages  on  the  Yenesay — rough  pastures  studded 
with  clusters  of  small  trees.  Severtzow,  who  states  that 
this  bird  breeds  in  Eastern  Turkestan,  found  it  frequent- 
ing the  cultivated  areas,  as  well  as  the  grass-clothed 
steppes  and  salt  plains.  The  pairing  habits  of  this  Ouzel, 
its  nest,  and  its  habits  generally  during  the  season  of 
reproduction  have  never  been  described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-throated  Ouzel  have  been  pro- 
cured on  the  Altai  mountains,  and  I  do  not  see  any 
reason  to  doubt  their  authenticity,  although  it  may  be 
remarked  that  no  scientific  naturalist  has  yet  taken 
them.     They  so  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Blackbird 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  79 

that,  with  the  series  accessible  to  present  description,  it 
is  quite  unnecessary  to  repeat  their  characteristics.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  but  it  is 
probably  chiefly  performed  by  the  female. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  No  character  exists  by 
which  the  eggs  of  this  Ouzel  can  be  separated  from 
those  of  allied  species,  and  unless  thoroughly  well 
authenticated,  they  are  of  no  scientific  value  whatever. 


Family  TURDID.^.  Genus  Erithacus. 

Sub-family   TURDIN.-E. 

ARCTIC    BLUE-THROATED    ROBIN. 

Erithacus  suecica  {Brelwi). 

(British  :   Abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.    Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Arctic  Blue-throated  Robin,  as  its  name  implies,  breeds 
in  the  regions  lying  north  of  the  Arctic  circle,  from 
Scandinavia  in  the  west  to  the  Tchuski  Land  in  the 
east,  and  in  a  similar  climate  at  high  elevations  in 
more  southern  areas.  Thus  it  is  known  to  breed  in 
Kamtschatka,  as  well  as  on  the  lofty  heights  of  the 
Pamirs,  and  on  the  Himalayas. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Arctic  Blue-throated  Robin 
arrives  at  its  breeding  grounds  in  Scandinavia  early  in 
May,  but  not  until  the  end  of  the  month  in  Northern 
Russia,  and  in  Siberia  a  week  or  ten  days  later  still.  Its 
favourite  breeding  grounds  and  summer  haunts  are  the 
swampy  thickets  of   birch    and   willow,  the  clumps   of 


8o  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

underwood  in  pine  and  juniper  forests,  and  the  willow 
scrub  and  hummocky  portions  of  the  open  Arctic  tundra. 
The  male  is  very  remarkable  for  his  varied  and  melodious 
song,  often  uttered  whilst  he  hovers  Pipit-like  in  the  air, 
which  arrests  the  attention  at  once  the  moment  his 
haunts  are  reached.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Robin 
nothing  appears  to  be  known.  It  may  mate  annually  at  its 
breeding  grounds,  as  there  is  some  evidence  to  suggest 
that  the  sexes  do  not  migrate  in  company.  The  nest  of 
this  bird  is  made  on  the  ground  in  some  swampy  spot 
in  the  forest  or  in  one  of  the  endless  hummocks  of  the 
tundra.  These  mounds  are  a  mixture  of  rough  grass, 
rushes,  carices,  ground  fruits,  and  dwarf  willows  and 
birches.  The  nest  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Robin, 
being  made  on  the  same  model,  placed  in  a  hollow,  the 
cup  containing  the  eggs  being  well  at  the  back,  and  the 
frontage  to  the  nest  being  broad.  Externally  it  is  made  of 
dry  grass,  roots,  reindeer-moss,  and  dead  leaves  of  various 
Arctic  plants,  lined  with  fine  roots  and  hair.  It  is  so 
cunningly  concealed  as  to  be  found  with  the  greatest 
difficulty,  and,  as  is  usual  with  species  nesting  in  such 
spots,  the  bird  sits  closely.  This  species  is  not  gregarious 
during  the  breeding  season,  but  numbers  of  pairs  may 
be  found  nesting  within  a  small  area. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Arctic  Blue-throated  Robin  are  five  or 
six  in  number.  They  vary  from  bluish-green  to  pale  olive 
in  ground  colour,  somewhat  indistinctly  mottled  with 
pale  reddish-brown.  As  a  rule  most  of  the  markings 
are  pretty  evenly  distributed,  but  types  occur  in  which 
the  colouring  matter  is  mostly  in  a  cap  or  zone  round 
the  larger  end  of  the  egg.  Average  measurement,  75 
inch  in  length  by  "55  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
performed  chiefly  if  not  entirely  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  8i 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  Arctic 
Blue-throat  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Southern  Blue-throat,  although  the  two  species  do  not 
inhabit  the  same  breeding  areas  :  locality  is  of  first 
importance  in  identifying  specimens.  They  also  closely 
resemble  those  of  the  Nightingale  in  colour,  but  are  much 
smaller. 


Family  TURDID.E.  *  Genus  Saxicol^. 

Sub-family  TURDIN^. 

ISABELLINE    WHEATEAR. 

Saxicola  isabellina,  Ruppell. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  February,  March,  and 
June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region  and 
North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Isabelline  Wheat- 
ear  breeds  in  East  Africa  from  Somali  Land,  Masai 
Land,  and  Abyssinia  to  Egypt,  and  northwards  to 
Palestine,  Asia  Minor,  and  the  steppes  and  plains  of 
South-east  Russia.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Arabia, 
Persia,  and  across  Siberia  (south  of  about  lat.  56')  and 
the  plains  and  plateaux  of  Central  Asia  (reaching  an 
altitude  of  io,ooo  feet)  to  the  upper  valleys  of  the  Amoor 
and  North  China. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Isabelline  Wheatear  is  an 
early  migrant  to  its  northern  breeding  stations,  reaching 
those  in  Asia  Minor  towards  the  middle  of  March.  Its 
haunts  are  barren  grounds  strewn  with  rock  fragments  and 
loose  stones,  and  hillsides  clothed  sparingly  with  scrub. 
Mr.  Danford  states  that  in  Asia  Minor  it  frequented  the 


82  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

fir  woods.  Of  its  pairing  habits  we  have  no  information. 
It  lives  in  scattered  pairs  during  the  breeding  season, 
and  evinces  no  gregarious  instincts.  Its  simple  song  is 
generally  uttered  whilst  the  bird  is  hovering  in  the  air. 
The  nest  of  this  Wheatear  is  always  made  upon  the 
ground,  and  a  covered  site  appears  invariably  to  be 
chosen.  It  is  frequently  placed  in  the  disused  hole  or 
burrow  of  some  rodent  animal,  and  is  a  cup-shaped 
structure,  loosely  put  together,  composed  externally  of 
dry  grass  and  roots,  and  lined  with  fine  grass,  hair,  and 
feathers.  The  bird,  like  all  its  kindred,  is  a  close  sitter, 
seldom  betraying  the  whereabouts  of  the  nest,  which  is 
consequently  difficult  to  find. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  ecrcrs  of  the  Isabelline  Wheatear  are  four  or  five  in 

oo 

number.  They  are  very  pale  blue  in  colour,  and  rarely 
exhibit  any  trace  of  pale  brown  markings.  Average 
measurement,  "82  inch  in  length  by  '65  inch  in  breadth. 
The  period  of  incubation  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 
any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Isabelline 
Wheatear  may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  Wheatear  and  other  allied  species.  They 
require  the  most  careful  identification,  and  the  locality 
should  always  be  carefully  noted. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  83 


Family  TURDID.E.  Genus  Saxicola. 

Sub-family  TURDINAi. 

BLACK-THROATED    WHEATEAR. 

Saxicola  stapazina,    Vieillot. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  April  and  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Black-throated  Chat  (of  which  there  are  two  fairly 
well-defined  eastern  and  western  races)  breeds  in  Southern 
France,  the  Spanish  Peninsula,  Algeria,  Morocco,  Tunis, 
Italy,  Greece,  Southern  Russia,  Asia  Minor,  Palestine, 
and  Southern  Persia.  I  have  not  examined  the  specimen 
v/hich  was  obtained  in  the  British  Islands,  and  am  not 
prepared  to  say  to  which  race  it  belongs.  The  two  races 
appear  to  coalesce  in  Italy. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black-throated  Wheatear 
reaches  its  breeding  grounds  in  Southern  Europe  from 
the  middle  to  the  end  of  March.  Its  favourite  breeding 
grounds  are  the  rough  uncultivated  sides  of  mountains, 
sterile  plains,  and  grass  and  rock-covered  slopes  above 
the  vineyards  and  the  olive  groves,  and  below  the  growth 
of  pines.  This  species  pairs  annually,  soon  after  arriving 
at  its  summer  quarters,  and  nest-building  commences 
almost  at  once.  The  nest  is  invariably  placed  in  a  well- 
sheltered  spot,  either  in  a  crevice  of  the  rocks  beneath 
the  shelter  of  a  large  stone,  or  in  a  hole  of  a  ruin.  It  is 
a  cup-shaped  structure,  loosely  and  somewhat  carelessly 
made  externally  of  dry  grass,  moss,  and  roots,  and 
rather  more  neatly  lined  with  finer  roots  and  sometimes 
hair.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  shy  and  wary  when 
disturbed,  and  contributes  little  in  its  behaviour  to  the 
discovery  of  the  nest.     Many  nests  may  be  found  within 


84  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

a  small  area,  but  the  birds  are  not  gregarious,  and  live  in 
isolated  pairs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-throated  Wheatear  are  four  or 
five  in  number,  usually  the  latter.  They  vary  in  ground 
colour  from  pale  blue  to  dark  bluish-green,  marked  with 
small  spots  of  reddish-brown  and  occasionally  with 
darker  brown.  Usually  the  markings  are  mostly  on  the 
large  end  of  the  ^^^-^  many  of  them  confluent,  where 
they  form  an  irregular  zone,  but  sometimes  they  are 
distributed  over  the  entire  surface.  On  some  eggs  the 
spots  run  small  and  very  dark,  on  others  they  are  blotchy 
and  paler.  Another  type,  less  commonly  seen,  is  almost 
spotless.  Average  measurement,  75  inch  in  length  by 
•59  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  appears  not  to  be 
known. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Black- 
throated  Wheatear  require  careful  identification,  as  they 
can  be  readily  confused  with  those  of  several  allied 
species. 


Family  TURDID^.  Genus   Saxicola, 

Sub-fanuly   TURDIN.^.. 

DESERT    WHEATEAR. 

Saxicola  deserti,   Teuimmck. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  May  (?). 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Pal?earctic  region 
and  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Desert  Wheat- 
ear  breeds  in  the  deserts  of  Northern  Africa  from  Morocco 
to  Egypt  and  Nubia,  northwards  into  Palestine,  Arabia, 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  85 

and  Southern  Persia,  and  eastwards  to  the  plains  and 
plateaux  of  Turkestan,  where  it  is  found  as  high  as 
12,000  feet,  and  the  mountains  of  Northern  Cashmere. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Desert  Wheatear,  as  its 
name  impHes,  is  a  dweller  amongst  the  deserts,  an  in- 
habitant of  sterile  sandy  plains,  rock-strewn  mountain 
sides,  steep  gorges  and  defiles,  and  the  shifting,  crumbling 
drifts  of  sand.  How  a  bird  can  support  life  in  many  of 
these  localities  always  seemed  a  puzzle  to  me.  The 
present  species  appears  to  mate  annually,  is  not  at  all 
gregarious,  and  lives  in  scattered  pairs.  Sometimes 
several  pairs  may  be  found  dwelling  in  close  companion- 
ship on  a  small  area  of  desert  ground,  yet  each  keeps 
closely  to  itself  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  many 
naturalists  have  met  with  this  bird  in  its  summer  haunts, 
only  the  most  meagre  details  have  been  published  con- 
cerning its  nidification.  The  nest  always  appears  to  be 
made  upon  the  ground,  sometimes  sheltered  by  a  little 
bush,  sometimes  in  a  fissure  of  the  rocks  or  under  a  large 
stone,  occasionally  in  a  hole  in  the  wall  of  a  desert  well, 
or  even  in  the  burrow  of  a  marmot  or  other  rodent.  It 
is  a  loosely-made,  cup-shaped  structure,  composed  of  dry 
grass  and  bents,  and  lined  with  finer  grass  and  roots. 
Of  the  actions  of  the  birds  at  the  nest  nothing  appears 
to  have  been  recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  number  of  eggs  laid  by  the  Desert  Wheatear  is 
apparently  unknown,  the  eggs  themselves  being  very 
rare.  Specimens  that  I  have  examined  are  pale  greenish- 
blue  in  ground  colour,  with  numerous  small  spots  of  rich 
dark  brown  and  paler  brown,  usually  in  the  form  of  a 
zone  round  the  larger  end.  Average  measurement,  77 
inch  in  length  by  '49  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of 
the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which 
parent  performs  the  duty. 


86  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  am  unable  to  give  any 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Desert  Wheatear 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Black-throated 
Wheatear  (possibly  they  are  a  trifle  paler  and  the  spots 
larger)  and  other  allied  species. 


Famil)'  TURDID^.  Genus  Monticola. 

Sub-family  TURDINAt. 

ROCK    THRUSH. 

Monticola  saxatilis  {^Linnceus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Said  to  be  Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  to  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Rock  Thrush  breeds  in  Eastern  France,  Southern 
Germany,  the  Spanish  Peninsula,  Switzerl  md,  Austria, 
Turkey,  Greece,  Southern  Russia,  Asia  Minor,  Persia, 
Turkestan,  and  Southern  Siberia  as  far  as  the  Baikal 
area,  South-east  Mongolia,  and  Northern  China.  South 
of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  somewhat  sparingly  in 
the  mountain  ranges  of  the  Atlas. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Rock  Thrush  is  a  somewhat 
early  migrant,  reaching  many  of  its  more  northerly 
breeding  places  during  the  first  half  of  April.  The 
favourite  haunts  of  this  bird  are  mountain  slopes  covered 
with  boulders  and  loose  stones,  and  studded  with  stunted 
trees  ;  ruins,  vineyards,  and  wild  ravines  up  to  a  consider- 
able elevation,  quite  up  to  the  region  of  pines.  Like  its 
near  allies  the  Redstarts,  the  Rock  Thrush  probably 
pairs  for  life  ;  it  is  known  to  migrate  in  pairs,  and  to 
arrive  at  its  old  breeding  places  in  pairs.  This  species 
is  not  gregarious  during  the  breeding  season,  although 


NOX-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  ^7 

it  travels  in  flocks  of  varying  size,  the  companies  dis- 
banding and  dispersing  over  a  wide  area  as  the  summer 
haunts  are  reached.  The  nest  of  this  species  is  made  in 
a  great  variety  of  situations,  but  almost  invariably  in  a 
covered  site  and  well  concealed.  It  is  made  under  a 
mass  of  rock,  or  amongst  heaps  of  loose  stones,  some- 
times in  crevices  of  rocks,  or  in  holes  of  ruined  masonry, 
in  the  walls  of  houses,  or  in  trees.  Exceptionally  it  is 
made  under  the  shelter  of  a  bush,  or  beneath  a  large 
tuft  of  drooping  grass.  The  same  variation  is  to  be 
remarked  in  the  materials.  In  some  districts  roots, 
moss,  dry  grass,  and  stalks  of  plants  form  the  exterior, 
lined  with  hair  or  feathers,  fine  roots  and  grass  ;  in 
others,  roots  and  dry  grass  and  a  few  dead  leaves  are 
the  only  materials.  In  wild  regions  the  lining  of  hair 
and  feathers  is  rarely  employed.  The  nest  is  open,  cup- 
shaped,  and  rather  loosely  put  together.  The  bird  is  a 
close  sitter,  but  generally  shows  little  anxiety  when 
flushed  from  the  nest  unless  the  eggs  are  hatched. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Rock  Thrush  are  four  or  five  in  number. 
They  are  a  pale  clear  turquoise  blue,  sometimes  faintly 
speckled  round  the  larger  end  with  pale  brown,  but  very 
often  entirely  spotless.  Frequently  one  Qgg  only  in  a 
clutch  will  be  marked,  a  fact  which  seems  to  show  that 
the  colour  glands  in  this  species  have  become  almost 
obsolete.  Average  measurement,  ro  inch  in  length  by 
76  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both 
sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  and  colour  (espe- 
cially when  spotted)  of  the  eggs,  combined  with  the 
position  of  the  nest,  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  those 
of  other  Palxarctic  species,  except  from  those  of  the 
Blue  Rock  Thrush,  from  which  they  cannot  be  separated. 
They  require  careful  identification. 


THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  TURDID^.  Genus  Accentor. 

Sub-family  ACCENTORIN^. 

ALPINE    ACCENTOR. 

Accentor  alpinus  {Gnielin). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season  May  and  July. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Alpine  Accentor  breeds  in  the  mountains  of  Spain, 
from  the  Sierra  Nevada  northwards  to  the  Cantabrian 
Chain  and  the  Pyrenees.  Eastwards  it  breeds  through- 
out the  system  of  the  Alps,  the  Apennines  (including 
Sardinia  and  Sicily),  the  Carpathians,  the  mountains  of 
Greece  and  Asia  Minor,  the  Caucasus,  Northern  Persia, 
and  Turkestan,  in  which  latter  country,  however,  the 
examples  of  this  species  show  some  affinity  with  Accentor 
nipalensis. 

Breeding  habits  :  As  soon  as  the  higher  ranges 
become  sufficiently  free  from  snow  the  Alpine  Accentor 
quits  the  lower  valleys  and  returns  to  its  breeding  places. 
These  are  the  boulder-covered  slopes  and  plateaux 
clothed  with  grass  and  various  alpine  plants  and  flowers, 
that  form  the  zone  of  vegetation  lying  above  the  limits 
of  trees  and  below  the  line  of  perpetual  snow.  It  seems 
probable  that  the  gregarious  habits  of  this  bird  during 
the  winter  are  continued  more  or  less  through  the 
breeding  season.  In  support  of  this  it  may  be  mentioned 
that  Count  Wodzicki  met  with  colonies  of  Alpine  Ac- 
centors on  the  mountains  of  Galizia  containing  as  many 
as  forty  pairs.  This  seems  incredible,  and  one  would 
much  like  to  hear  further  details  or  some  confirmation 
of  the  circumstance  from  an  independent  observer.  The 
nest  of  this  species  is  invariably  made  upon  the  ground. 


NON-INDIGEAOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  89 

either  under  the  shelter  of  a  rock  or  an  alpine  bush. 
It  is  cup-shaped,  and  made  externally  of  grass  stalks 
and  roots,  and  lined  with  moss,  and  exceptionally  with 
feathers,  wool,  or  hair.  Nothing  appears  to  have  been 
recorded  of  the  actions  of  this  species  at  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Alpine  Accentor  are  from  four  to  six 
in  number.  They  are  of  a  pale  turquoise  blue  without 
markings  of  any  kind.  Average  measurement,  '95  inch 
in  length  by  -GS  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  probably 
performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  and  colour  of 
the  eggs  of  the  Alpine  Accentor  readily  prevent  them 
from  being  confused  with  the  other  European  species. 
The  locality  is  of  some  service  too  in  their  identification. 


Family  CINCLID^.  Genus  Cinclus. 

B  L  A  C  K-B  ELLIED     DIPPER. 

Cinclus  aquaticus  melanogaster,  Brehm. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season.  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  PalcTearctic  region. 
The  Black-bellied  Dipper  is  not  known  to  breed  any- 
where except  in  Scandinavia,  Lapland,  and  Finland. 
The  Dippers  breeding  in  the  Baltic  Provinces  appear 
to  be  undetermined. 

Breeding  habits  :  It  is  not  known  that  the  habits 
of  the   Black-bellied    Dipper  differ  from   those   of  the 


90  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

common  British  form  in  any  important  respect.  The  bird 
is  a  dweller  on  the  banks  of  the  Scandinavian  and  North 
Russian  streams,  making  its  globular  nest  in  crevices 
of  the  rocks,  amongst  the  exposed  roots  of  trees,  and 
other  suitable  localities.  The  nest,  so  far  as  I  am  aware, 
is  not  kno\vn  to  differ  from  that  of  its  southern  ally, 
due  allowance  being  made  for  locality  and  materials 
obtainable. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-bellied  Dipper  are  not  known 
to  differ  in  number,  colour,  or  size  from  those  of  the 
Common  Dipper. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  present 
form  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Common 
Dipper.  The  locality  of  the  specimens  should  amply 
determine  the  species. 


Family  MUSCICAPID.^.  Genus  Muscicapa. 

RED-BREASTED    FLYCATCHER. 

Muscicapa  parva,  Bec/istei?i. 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 
Single  Blooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Red-breasted  Flycatcher  breeds  in  Germany,  in  Russia 
as  far  north  as  the  Baltic  Provinces,  the  Caucasus, 
Northern  Persia,  probably  Turkestan  (although  Severt- 
zow  only  records  it  as  passing  through  on  migration), 
and  Southern  Siberia  as  far  as  the  Baikal  area. 

Breeding    habits  :    The    Red-breasted    Flycatcher 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  91 

reaches  the  h'mits  of  its  western  migrations  early  in 
May.  It  is  a  shy,  skulking  Httle  bird,  fond  of  retire- 
ment, and  very  apt  to  be  overlooked  even  in  districts 
where  it  is  fairly  abundant,  owing  principally  to  its 
partiality  for  the  summits  of  lofty  trees.  1  do  not 
find  any  gregarious  tendency  in  this  species  during 
summer,  eich  pair  living  isolated  by  themselves.  The 
favourite  nesting  haunts  of  this  Flycatcher  are  forests 
of  beech  and  hornbeam.  The  bird  possibly  pairs  for 
life,  as  many  of  its  congeners  do,  and  returns  to  one 
locality  each  year  to  breed.  The  nest  is  either  placed 
in  some  convenient  hollow  in  a  tree-trunk  or  on  a  branch 
or  bunch  of  twigs  close  to  the  stem,  in  just  such  a  situa- 
tion as  the  spotted  Flycatcher  so  frequently  selects.  It 
is  a  cup-shaped  structure,  small  and  neat,  and  composed 
externally  of  moss  studded  with  a  few  scraps  of  lichen, 
or  one  or  two  small  feathers,  and  lined  with  dry  grass 
and  hair.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  often  allowing  itself 
to  be  taken  on  tlie  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  ; 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-breasted  Flycatcher  are  from  five 
to  seven  in  number.  They  are  very  pale  bluish-green 
in  ground  colour,  mottled  and  freckled  with  reddish- 
brown  and  with  underlying  markings  of  grayish-brown. 
Considerable  variation  occurs  amongst  them.  On  some 
the  markings  are  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire 
surface  of  the  ^g^,  on  others  they  are  chiefly  collected 
in  a  zone  round  the  larger  end,  others  are  so  clouded  or 
washed  with  pinkish-brown  as  to  hide  almost  all  of  the 
ground  cokur.  Average  measurement, '63  inch  in  length 
by  "5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  appar- 
ently unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Fly- 
catcher cannot  readily  be  confused  with  any  other  Euro- 


92  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

pean  species  ;  they  somewhat  closely  resemble  those  of 
the  Spotted  Flycatcher,  or  even  those  of  the  Robin  in 
colour,  but  are  at  once  distinguished  by  their  smaller 
size. 


Family  HIRUNDINID.E.  Genus  Progne. 

PURPLE     MARTIN. 

Progne  purpurea  {Lhmceus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  early  May,  and  June. 

Breeding  area:  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Purple  Martin  breeds  throughout  the  United  States  of 
North  America  and  in  Canada,  even  visiting  the  regions 
above  the  Arctic  circle.  It  is  said  also  to  breed  in 
Mexico  on  the  mountains  in  small  numbers. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  spring  migrations  of  the 
Purple  Martin  commence  in  the  most  southern  localities 
at  the  end  of  February  or  early  in  March,  the  central 
areas  are  not  reached  until  early  in  April,  and  the  more 
northerly  localities  not  until  Ma}^  1  his  homely  Ameri- 
can species  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  northern 
continent  in  summer,  and  seems  to  frequent  towns  and 
villages  as  much  as  the  quieter  country  districts.  The 
nesting  habits  of  this  bird  have  undergone  considerable 
change  within  the  memory  of  civilized  man.  When 
houses  were  scarce,  it  used  generally  to  breed  in  holes 
of  rocks  and  trees,  but  since  buildings  have  become 
common,  it  has  deserted  many  of  its  old  haunts,  and 
taken  up  its  residence  on  them.  This  bird  probably 
pairs   for  life,  and   seems   much  attached    to   its  mate. 


NOA^-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  93 

The  nest  is  a  loose,  slovenly  structure,  cup-shaped, 
shallow,  and  made  externally  of  twigs,  dry  grass,  straws, 
and  leaves,  and  lined  with  feathers.  Such  unusual 
materials  as  rags  and  twine  are  sometimes  found  in 
the  nest  of  this  species,  which  is  another  proof  of  its 
having  adapted  itself  to  civilization.  The  nest  is  said 
to  be  thoroughly  repaired  and  renovated  before  the  eggs 
for  the  second  brcod  are  laid. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Purple  Martin  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number.  They  are  pure  white  without  markings  of  any 
kind.  Average  measurement,  -97  inch  in  length  by  72 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  I  am  not  aware  of  any 
character  that  will  serve  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the 
Purple  Martin  from  those  of  allied  species. 


Faniily  CUCULID/E.  Genus  Coccystes. 

GREAT    SPOTTED    CUCKOO. 

Coccystes  glandarius  [Li7i7iceus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  and  more  generally 

May. 

Breeding  area:  South-w^estern  Pala^arctic  region 
and  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Great 
Spotted  Cuckoo  only  breeds  in  Europe  in  the  Spanish 
Peninsula.  Elsewhere  it  breeds  in  Northern  Africa 
from  Morocco  to  Egypt  and  Nubia,  and  northwards  in 
Palestine,  Asia  Minor,  and  Northern  Persia. 


94  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Breeding    habits:    The    migration    of    the    Great 
Spotted   Cuckoo  into  Europe    begins    early  in    March, 
and  continues  through  that  month  into  April,  and  about 
the  same   dates   apply  to   Palestine,  although   in   Asia 
Minor  the  bird   is  said  not  to  arrive  until  the   end  of 
March.     The    migration    lasts   through  April    in    some 
localities.      This     Cuckoo    is    gregarious    on    passage, 
journeying  in  flocks.     The  haunts  of  the  Great  Spotted 
Cuckoo    are  well-timbered   localities,  wooded    districts, 
especially  where  the  timber  occurs  in  groves.     The  bird 
is    no    nest-builder,    and,    like    the    Common     Cuckoo, 
deposits  its  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  species,  to  whom 
all    care  of  the    young    is    transferred.     Although    this 
habit  had  long  been  suspected,  to  Brehm  must  be  given 
the  credit  of  its  absolute  discovery,  which  he  made  in 
Egypt    in     1850.     Some     species    of    Crow    is    usually 
selected    by  this    Cuckoo    to   play    the    part   of   foster- 
parent.     The    selected    species  varies    considerably  ac- 
cording to  locality.     Thus  in  Egypt  the  Hooded  Crow 
is  chosen,  in  Palestine  the  Black-headed  Jay,  in  Algeria 
the  Moorish  Magpie  and  perhaps  the  Little  Owl,  and  in 
Spain  usually  the  Common  Magpie.     Nothing  appears 
to  be  known  respecting  the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird. 
The  hen  Cuckoo  carries  her  ^^^  in  her  beak,  and  inserts 
it  in  the  selected  nest,  which  seems  a  very  unnecessary 
proceeding,  seeing  that  the  nests  used  by  this  species 
are  easily  accessible,  and  seems  to  be  an  inherited  habit 
probably  common    to    all   parasitic   Cuckoos.     Perhaps 
the  habit  has  arisen  through  motives  of  safety,  the  bird 
running  much  less  chance  of  detection  from  the  rightful 
owners  of  the  nest  during  the  few  moments  taken  up  in 
dropping  an  Q.gg  from  her  bill,  than  she  would  otherwise 
incur  if  she  sat  for  some  time  on  the  nest  to  lay  it  there 
in  the  usual  way. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  95 

It  Is  difficult  to  say  the  number  of  eggs  usually  pro- 
duced by  each  individual  Cuckoo  every  season,  but 
sometimes  as  many  as  four  are  laid  in  the  same  nest 
(whether  by  one  female  or  several  is  not  known),  but 
usually  only  two,  and  in  some  cases  but  one.  They  are 
pale  bluish-green  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched 
with  pale  brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  lilac- 
gray.  They  are  subject  to  some  local  variation,  but  to 
nothing  near  the  extent  presented  in  the  eggs  of  the 
Common  Cuckoo.  On  some  varieties  the  surface  spots 
are  small  and  few,  but  the  underlying  markings  are 
numerous  and  conspicuous ;  on  others  most  of  the 
markings  are  collected  in  a  zone  round  the  larger  end  of 
the  ^%%,  and  take  the  form  of  streaks  and  scratches  with 
a  few  spots  between.  The  markings  on  most  eggs  are 
pretty  generally  distributed  over  the  surface,  but  are 
slightly  more  numerous  round  the  larger  end.  Average 
measurement,  V2  inch  in  length  by  "92  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  the  foster-parent,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Cuckoo 
very  closely  resemble  certain  types  of  those  of  the 
Common  Magpie,  but  are  readily  distinguished  by  their 
smoother  grain,  greater  rotundity,  smaller  size,  and 
reddish-brown  (not  olive-brown)  surface  spots. 


96  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  CUCULID.^.  Genus  Coccyzus. 

BLACK-BILLED    CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus  ( Wihoii). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  May,  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Eastern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Black-billed  Cuckoo  breeds  in  suitable  districts  through- 
out the  North  American  Continent  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  as  far  north  as  Labrador,  and  as  far  south 
as  Georgia  and  Texas. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black-billed  Cuckoo  reaches 
its  more  northerly  breeding  places  in  May,  but  its  eggs 
appear  to  be  laid  by  that  date  in  the  southern  districts. 
It  is  a  shy,  seclusion-loving  bird,  and  its  favourite  haunts 
are  woods  and  thickets,  and  the  belts  of  timber  on  the 
banks  of  streams.  This  Cuckoo  is  not  parasitic,  but 
builds  a  nest  and  hatches  its  eggs  in  the  normal  way  ; 
whether  it  pairs  annually  or  for  life  appears  not  to  be 
known.  It  is  not  gregarious  during  the  breeding  season, 
but  lives  in  scattered  pairs.  The  nest  is  usually  placed 
on  the  flat,  horizontal  branch  of  a  tree  at  some  height 
from  the  ground,  or  in  the  centre  of  a  dense  bush — a 
thorn-bearing  one  being  preferred.  It  is  a  well-made 
structure,  resembling  the  coarse  architecture  of  the 
crows,  rather  flat  and  shallow,  yet  open,  and  composed 
externally  of  coarse  and  fine  twigs  and  roots,  and  lir.ed 
with  finer  roots  and  grass.  The  bird  makes  little  or  no 
demonstration  when  flushed  from  the  eggs,  and  soon 
conceals  itself  in  the  surrounding  cover. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo  are  from  three  to 
five  in   number.     They  are  somewhat   rough    in  grain, 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  97 

without  gloss,  and  uniform  pea-green  in  colour  without 
markings.  Average  measurement,  ri  inch  in  length 
by  •85  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  also  which  parent  performs  the 
task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  present 
species  may  generally  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  by  their  much  smaller  size 
and  darker  colour  ;  but  as  small  eggs  of  the  latter 
species  cannot  be  separated,  the  greatest  care  is  required 
in  their  identification. 


Family  CUCULID.^.  Genus  Coccyzus. 

YELLOW-BILLED    CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus  americanus  {Li?mmis). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  May,  and  June. 


Breeding  area:  Southern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  breeds  throughout  the  continent 
of  North  America  in  suitable  districts  from  New 
Brunswick  and  Minnesota,  in  the  north,  southwards 
to  Mexico  and  the  West  Indies.  It  is,  however,  less 
common  in  the  northern  areas. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  arrives 
at  the  northern  Hmits  of  its  migrations  towards  the  end 
of  April,  but  is  a  month  or  more  earlier  in  the  south. 
This  bird  is  also  shy  and  secretive  in  its  habits,  keeping 
much  amongst  the  dense  foliage,  and  is  far  more  often 
heard  than  seen.  Its  favourite  haunts  are  woods  and 
clumps   or  "bluffs"  of  trees,   but   the    bird    may   also 

H 


98  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

be  seen  in  orchards  and  well-wooded  parks.  Although 
it  migrates  in  flocks  to  and  from  its  breeding  grounds,  it 
is  not  in  any  way  gregarious  during  the  nesting  season, 
but  lives  in  scattered  pairs.  As  the  males  are  said  to 
arrive  before  the  females,  this  Cuckoo  probably  pairs 
annually.  It  is  not  parasitic  in  its  habits,  but  provides 
for  and  rears  its  young  in  the  normal  way.  The  nest  is 
either  placed  in  a  tree  or  in  a  large  dense  bush,  and  is 
carelessly  and  loosely  made,  flat  and  shallow  but  open, 
composed  externally  of  twigs  and  roots,  and  lined  with 
dry  grass  and  finer  roots.  The  male  is  said  to  keep 
close  watch  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  nest,  and  to  be 
very  jealous  and  pugnacious  in  beating  off  intruding 
birds  or  animals. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  are  from  three 
to  five  in  number.  They  are  without  gloss,  rough  in 
texture,  almost  like  the  eggs  of  a  Heron,  and  of  a  clear 
pea-green  colour  without  markings.  Average  measure- 
ment, 1*25  inch  in  length  by  '92  inch  in  breadth.  In- 
cubation appears  to  be  performed  chiefly  if  not  entirely 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  As  the  eggs  of  this  Cuc- 
koo and  those  of  the  preceding  species  overlap  in  size, 
no  character  can  be  given  which  will  distinguish  them  in 
every  case,  so  that  they  require  careful  identification. 
The  eggs  of  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  are  generally 
much  the  largest  in  size  and  palest  in  colour. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  99 

Family  CYPSELID.E.  Genus  Cypselu:. 

WHITE-BELLIED    SWIFT. 

Cypselus  melba  (^Linncetis). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  AREA  :  Southern  Palaearctic,  North-eastern 
Ethiopian,  and  Oriental  regions.  The  White-bellied 
Swift  breeds  on  the  mountains  of  Eastern  France,  the 
Pyrenees,  and  mountains  of  Spain,  the  Alps,  the  Car- 
pathians, Apennines,  and  other  high  ranges  of  South  and 
Central  Europe,  to  the  Urals,  where  it  goes  as  far  north 
as  lat.  55°.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  the  mountains  of 
Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  Turkestan,  the  Himalayas, 
the  mountains  of  Western  India,  and  Ceylon.  South  of 
the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  throughout  the  Atlas  range 
and  in  the  mountains  of  Abyssinia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  White-bellied  Swift  begins 
to  cross  the  Mediterranean  during  the  latter  half  of 
March,  and  does  not  reach  its  more  northerly  breeding 
places  before  May.  This  bird  is  more  or  less  gregarious 
during  the  breeding  season,  nesting  in  scattered  colonies  ; 
it  is  also  social,  and  in  many  districts  fraternizes  with 
the  Common  Swift,  the  two  species  rearing  their  young 
in  the  same  colony.  Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are 
in  the  mountains,  amongst  lofty  cliffs,  steep  gorges,  and 
the  precipitous  sides  of  ravines  and  passes.  It  frequents 
buildings  in  mountainous  areas,  however,  to  some  extent, 
one  of  its  most  famous  nesting  places  being  in  the 
cathedral  at  Berne,  and  others  occur  on  lofty  buildings 
in  the  Alps.  I  met  with  colonies  of  this  fine  Swift  on 
the  towering  precipices  at  Constantine,  also  in  the  gorge 
at  El  Kantara,  most  of  its  nests  being  quite  inaccessible 
to   man.     The   White-bellied   Swift   pairs    for  life,  and 


loo  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

yearly  returns  to  its  old  nesting  places.  The  nest  is 
always  made  in  a  covered  site,  either  in  a  cranny  or  a 
cleft  of  the  cliffs,  or  in  the  tower  of  a  cathedral  or  a 
mosque,  and  when  in  the  cliffs  is  generally  inaccessible, 
being  as  far  up  the  cleft  as  possible.  The  nest  is  flat 
and  saucer-shaped,  and  is  composed  of  dry  grass,  scraps 
of  paper  and  fir  bark,  bits  of  straw,  and  dead  leaves, 
all  more  or  less  cemented  together  and  covered  with  the 
dry  saliva  or  mucous  fluid  which  must  of  necessity  get 
upon  them  whilst  being  conveyed  to  the  hole  and 
arranged  in  place  ;  the  lining  is  of  feathers.  Nests  are 
often  placed  close  together.  Hume  describes  a  cluster 
of  three  or  four  nests  grouped  together  in  one  solid  mass, 
in  a  series  of  chambers  ;  whilst  Mr.  Wilson,  who  recently 
examined  the  colony  of  this  species  in  Berne  Cathedral, 
found  several  nests  within  a  space  of  three  yards  on  the 
same  beam.  The  Rev.  H.  A.  Macpherson,  who  has  also 
visited  this  colony,  states  that  he  noticed  green  grass  in 
many  of  the  nests.  Canon  Tristram  has  found  a  nest  in 
a  cave  on  Mount  Gilead  which  appeared  to  have  been 
made  in  the  deserted  nest  of  a  Rock  Nuthatch  {Sitta 
syriaca). 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eesfs  of  the  White-bellied  Swift  are  from  two  to 
four  in  number,  but  the  usual  clutch  is  two,  the  larger 
number  probably  being  made  up  by  two  females.  They 
are  very  long  and  narrow,  without  gloss,  almost  chalky 
in  texture,  and  pure  white.  Average  measurement,  i*2 
inch  in  length  by  77  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
performed  by  both  sexes,  the  male  relieving  the  female 
at  the  nest,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  large  size  of  the  eggs 
of  this  Swift  prevents  them  from  being  confused  with 
those  of  any  other  European  species. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  loi 

Family  CAPRIMULGID.E.  Genus  Caprimulgus. 

RED-NECKED     NIGHTJAR. 

Caprimulgus  ruficollis,   Temnwick. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  (?)  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palsearctic  region. 
The  Red-necked  Nightjar  breeds  in  the  southern  half  of 
the  Spanish  Peninsula,  and  in  North-west  Africa  from 
Morocco  and  the  Canary  Islands  to  Tunis. 

Breeding  habits  :  But  Httle  has  been  recorded  of 
the  habits  of  the  Red-necked  Nightjar.  It  is  a  regular 
summer  visitor  to  Spain,  and  frequents  wooded  and 
scrub-covered  districts,  but  so  far  as  can  be  determined, 
there  is  nothing  strikingly  different  in  its  economy  from 
that  of  the  common  British  species.  Of  its  pairing  habits 
nothing  appears  to  be  known.  The  nest — if  such  it  can 
be  called — is  merely  a  hollow  in  the  ground. 

Range  OF  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-necked  Nightjar  are  two  in  number, 
and  with  the  exception  of  being  on  an  average  slightly 
less  spotted,  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the  Common 
Nightjar  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  1*3  inch  in 
length  by  'Zj  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  period  un- 
known ;  incubating  sex  also  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  species 
may  usually  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Common 
Nightjar  by  their  slightly  larger  size  and  less  amount  of 
marking.  No  character  is  known  by  which  they  may  be 
completely  diagnosed. 


I02  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  CAPRIMULGIDiE.  Genus  Caprimulgus. 

EGYPTIAN     NIGHTJAR. 

Caprimulgus  ^gyptius,  Lichtensteiji. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  June  and  July. 

Breeding  area:  South-central  Palsearctic  and  North- 
eastern Ethiopian  regions.  The  Egyptian  Nightjar  breeds 
in  Nubia,  Egypt,  probably  Arabia,  Baluchistan,  and 
Western  Turkestan. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Egyptian  Nightjar  is  another 
species  whose  habits  have  been  little  studied  by  natural- 
i.sts.  It  is  a  bird  of  the  desert  regions,  and,  due  allow- 
ance being  made  for  the  difference  of  habitat,  closely 
resembles  the  Common  Nightjar  in  its  economy  and 
movements.  Its  favourite  haunts  are  sandy  plains 
covered  with  scrubby  vegetation.  On  migration  it  is 
more  or  less  gregarious,  but  during  the  breeding  season 
lives  in  scattered  pairs.  It  appears  to  pair  annually,  and 
the  males  are  the  first  to  arrive  at  the  nesting  grounds. 
The  nest  is  a  mere  depression  in  the  sand,  either  amongst 
esparto  grass,  or  under  the  shelter  of  an  acacia  or  tamarisk 
bush.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  as  might  naturally  be 
expected  in  a  species  so  closely  resembling  in  colour  the 
ground  on  which  it  rests,  but  when  flushed  has  been 
observed  to  run  from  the  shelter  of  one  bush  to  that  of 
another,  with  throat  extended  and  uttering  a  croaking 
note. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Egyptian  Nightjar  are  two  in  number, 
and  resemble  closely  those  of  the  Common  Nightjar,  but 
according  to  Von  Heuglin,  who  met  with  this  bird 
breeding  on  some  sandy  islands  in  Dongola,  they  are  a 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  103 

little  smaller  and  paler  and  of  a  more  yellowish  hue.  The 
latter  character  is  probably  a  protective  one,  and  renders 
the  eggs  in  close  harmony  with  the  tints  of  the  sand  on 
which  they  rest.     Average  measurements  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  As  our  information 
respecting  the  eggs  of  the  Egyptian  Nightjar  is  so 
meagre,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  say  whether  any  of  the 
characters  they  present  are  diagnostic.  Information  is 
much  to  be  desired. 


Family  MEROPID.E.  Genus  Merops. 

BEE-EATER. 

Merops  apiaster,  Linnceus. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  April  to  first  half  of 

June. 

Breeding  area:  Southern  Palaearctic  region  and 
North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Bee-Eater  only 
breeds  exceptionally  in  Europe  north  of  lat.  50^  in  the 
west  and  lat.  ^2}^  in  the  east.  It  breeds  commonly  in 
the  Spanish  Peninsula,  much  less  so  in  the  extreme 
south  of  France,  but  is  abundantly  distributed  through- 
out Southern  Europe  below  the  limits  already  given  in 
Italy,  Austria,  the  valley  of  the  Danube,  Turkey,  Greece, 
and  Southern  Russia.  It  also  breeds  in  Asia  Minor, 
Palestine,  Persia,  Turkestan,  and,  it  is  said,  in  the  Altai 
Mountains.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in 
Morocco,  Algeria,  Tunis,  and  Egypt.  It  is  also  said  to 
breed  in  the  Canaries  and  Madeira  ;  and  according  to 
Layard  in  the  Cape  Colony. 


I04  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Bee-Eater  crosses  the  Medi- 
terranean to  its  more  northerly  breeding  haunts  during 
the  whole  of  April  and  the  early  part  of  May.  It  is 
possible  that  this  beautiful  bird  pairs  for  life  ;  I  remarked 
it  in  pairs  on  migration,  and  the  same  nesting  places  are 
frequented  year  by  year.  It  is  also  a  very  gregarious 
bird,  and  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size.  The  favourite 
resorts  of  this  Bee-Eater  are  river  valleys  and  the  vicinity 
of  earth  cliffs  in  open  country  ;  the  bird  also  frequents 
deserted  fortifications  and  earthworks.  This  bird  lays 
its  eggs  in  burrows  or  holes,  which  it  excavates  in  some 
suitable  bank  just  like  a  Sand-Martin  or  a  Kingfisher, 
and  a  new  hole  is  apparently  made  each  season.  Many 
burrows  are  made  close  together  in  the  face  of  a  sino-le 
cliff,  the  colony  being  contracted  or  scattered  according 
to  the  extent  of  available  bank.  The  burrow  is  made  by 
both  birds,  each  working  in  turn  with  bill  and  feet,  and 
sometimes  extends  as  much  as  nine  feet  into  the  solid 
bank  !  As  a  rule  the  burrows  are  from  two  to  four  feet 
in  depth,  straight  and  almost  horizontal,  but  occasionally 
they  are  very  tortuous,  and  one  communicates  with 
another  by  a  narrow  gallery.  In  Spain  the  burrows,  in 
some  cases,  where  cliffs  are  wanting,  are  sunk  into  the 
level  ground  almost  perpendicular  or  in  an  oblique 
direction.  At  the  end  of  the  tunnel  a  little  chamber  is 
formed,  but  no  nest  is  provided,  and  the  eggs  are 
deposited  on  the  bare  ground  or  on  the  wing  cases  of 
insects,  the  refuse  of  the  bird's  food.  The  Bee-Eater  is 
a  close  sitter,  and  usually  allows  itself  to  be  removed 
from  its  eggs.  The  scene  outside  a  colony  is  a  very 
pretty  one,  the  birds  entering  and  leaving  their  holes  and 
skimming  about,  displaying  their  rich  plumage  to  best 
advantage  in  the  brilliant  sun. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Bee-Eater  are  from  five  to  eight  or  even 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  105 

nine  in  number.  They  are  very  rotund,  highly  polished, 
and  pure  white.  Average  measurement,  i*o  inch  in 
length  by  "9  inch  in  breadth.  Incubcition  is  performed 
chiefly  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
appears  to  be  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  character 
which  will  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the  Bee-Eater  from 
those  of  certain  allied  species.  They  require  careful 
identification. 


Family  CORACIID.'E.  Genus  Coracias. 

ROLLER. 

Coracias  garrulus,  LinncBus. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  first  half  of  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region 
and  North-western  Oriental  region.  The  Roller  breeds 
throughout  Europe,  south  of  about  lat.  60°,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Denmark  (where  it  is  rare),  the  Netherlands, 
Belgium,  and  Northern  France.  It  becomes  most 
abundant  in  the  countries  bordering  the  Mediterranean, 
Black,  and  Caspian  Seas.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Asia 
Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  Turkestan,  Afghanistan,  Cash- 
mere, North-west  India  (the  Punjaub),  and  Southern 
Siberia,  as  far  north  as  Omsk  and  as  far  east  as  the 
Altai  Mountains.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds 
in  North-west  Africa,  from  Morocco  to  Tunis. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  migration  of  the  Roller  across 
the  Mediterranean  northwards  into  Europe  takes  place 
at  about  the  same  time  as  that  of  the  Bee-eater,  and  lasts 
through  April  to  the  beginning  of  May.     On  migration 


io6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

the  Roller  is  gregarious,  and  continues  gregarious  for 
some  time  after  arriving  at  its  breeding  grounds.  These 
flocks  eventually  disband  into  pairs,  and  scatter  them- 
selves over  the  country,  but  Canon  Tristram  asserts  that 
he  met  with  this  bird  breeding  in  a  colony  in  Palestine. 
It  is  probable  that  the  Roller  pairs  for  life,  but  whether 
it  returns  to  one  particular  spot  to  breed  each  season 
I  am  unable  to  say.  The  favourite  breeding  grounds 
of  the  Roller  are  open  woodlands,  and  broad  plains 
studded  with  clusters  of  trees.  I  found  it  in  Algeria 
most  partial  to  park-like  country ;  it  is  said  also  to 
frequent  river  valleys,  where  the  banks  are  steep. 
During  the  love  season  the  Roller  often  indulges  in 
curious  aerial  evolutions,  something  after  the  manner  of 
a  Tumbler  Pigeon,  male  and  female  chasing  each  other, 
and  very  noisy.  The  Roller  makes  its  nest  in  a  hole  of 
a  tree,  or  in  the  crevice  of  a  rock,  but  holes  in  banks  or 
walls  are  almost  as  frequently  selected.  When  in  trees, 
no  nest  is  made,  and  the  eggs  rest  upon  the  powdered 
wood  at  the  bottom,  but  when  in  other  situations  a  slight 
nest  of  dry  grass,  twigs,  roots,  and  occasionally  a  few 
feathers  is  formed.  The  bird  does  not  always  excavate 
the  hole  itself,  for  in  Algeria  the  timber  was  full  of  suitable 
hollows  ready  made,  but  in  many  cases  it  certainly  does 
so.  The  Roller  is  a  close  sitter,  often  allowing  itself 
to  be  dragged  out  of  its  retreat  without  any  attempt  to 
escape. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Roller  are  from  four  to  six  in  number, 
sometimes  only  three.  They  are  globular  in  form,  highly 
polished,  and  pure  white.  They  vary  a  good  deal  in  size 
and  shape.  Average  measurement,  1*4  inch  in  length  by 
I 'I  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  both  sexes, 
lasts  from  eighteen  to  twenty  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  It  is  impossible  to  give 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  107 

any  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Roller  may  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  several  allied  species.  Care- 
ful identification  is  required. 


Family  ALCEDINID.E.  Genus  Ceryle. 

BELTED     KINGFISHER. 

Ceryle  alcyon  (^Linnceus). 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Partially  Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  May,  and 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  Nearctic  region.  The  Belted 
Kingfisher  breeds  throughout  the  North  American  con- 
tinent from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  north  to  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  and  south  to  Central  America. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  favourite  haunts  of  the 
Belted  Kingfisher  are  streams,  lakes,  and  ponds  whose 
banks  are  sufiftciently  wooded  or  clothed  with  vegetation 
to  afford  cover  and  concealment,  and  steep  enough  to 
furnish  a  requisite  breeding  place.  It  is  unsociable  and 
lives  a  solitary  life,  each  pair  having  particular  beats  to 
which  they  closely  keep.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that 
this  Kingfisher  pairs  for  life,  and  resorts  to  a  chosen 
nesting  place  year  after  year.  Like  the  Common  King- 
fisher of  our  English  streams,  it  rears  its  young  in  a  hole 
in  a  bank.  This  hole  is  excavated  by  the  birds  them- 
selves, each  working  in  turn,  and  often  so  rapidly  that  it 
is  completed  in  a  single  night.  The  burrow  is  usually 
from  two  to  four  feet  in  depth,  but  instances  have  been 
known  where  it  has  extended  as  much  as  fifteen  feet 
into  the  bank.     As  a  rule  it  is  pretty  straight,  slightly 


io8  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

curving  upwards,  but  is  sometimes  more  tortuous,  accord- 
ing to  the  state  of  the  ground  which  has  to  be  pierced. 
At  the  end  of  the  burrow  a  small  chamber  is  formed. 
It  has  been  said  that  this  species  makes  a  slight  nest  of 
dry  grass,  but  the  probability  is  the  eggs  are  deposited 
on  a  layer  of  fish  bones,  scales,  etc.,  the  remains  of  the 
bird's  food.  Nests  are  not  always  made  near  water,  and 
the  bird  has  been  known  to  breed  upwards  of  a  mile 
from  it.  The  bird  is  much  attached  to  its  nest-hole,  is 
a  close  sitter,  and  has  even  been  known  to  feign  being 
wounded  to  allure  an  intruder  from  its  helpless  young. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Belted  Kingfisher  are  six  or  seven  in 
number.  They  are  very  rotund  in  shape,  glossy  in 
texture,  and  pure  white.  Average  measurement  1*35 
inch  in  length  by  1*05  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation, 
performed  by  both  sexes,  lasts,  on  the  authority  of 
Audubon,  sixteen  days,  but  I  should  feel  disposed  to 
put  it  more  probably  at  four  or  five  days  more. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  character  by 
which  the  eggs  of  this  Kingfisher  can  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  Roller,  the  Pied  Kingfisher,  or  the 
Smyrna  Kingfisher,  but  of  course  these  species  do  not 
breed  in  America.  Locality  is  therefore  of  some  service 
in  identifying  them. 


NON-JNDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  109 

Family  STRIGID.E.  Genus  Nyctala. 

Sub-family  BU BONING. 

TENG  MALM'S    OWL. 

Nyctala  tengmalmi  {Gmeliti). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  Tengmalm's  Owl  breeds  in  the  pine  regions 
south  of  the  Arctic  circle  in  Europe  and  Asia.  It 
breeds  in  Northern  Scandinavia,  in  Lapland,  Finland, 
and  Russia,  to  at  least  as  far  south  as  Orenberg.  It 
also  breeds  in  the  Alps  and  the  Carpathians,  but  is  not 
yet  proved  to  do  so  in  the  Pyrenees.  Herr  Hartert 
states  that  it  may  probably  breed  in  North-eastern 
Prussia.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  the  pine  forests  of 
Siberia  to  the  Pacific.  In  the  New  World  it  breeds 
right  across  the  continent,  as  far  north  as  the  Arctic 
circle,  from  Alaska  to  Labrador. 

Breeding  habits  :  Tengmalm's  Owl  is  for  the  most 
part  a  resident  in  the  pine  forests  of  the  Arctic  regions. 
But  little  is  known  of  its  nesting  economy,  and  for  what 
little  information  we  do  possess  we  are  indebted  to  the 
researches  of  Wolley  and  Wheelwright,  who  met  with 
tills  bird  in  Lapland.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing 
definite  is  known,  but  it  probably  mates  for  life  as  so 
many  other  Owls  are  known  to  do.  This  Owl  appears 
not  to  make  any  nest,  but  to  take  possession  of  the 
deserted  hole  of  a  Black  Woodpecker  or  other  cavity 
in  a  tree  trunk  :  whilst  Wolley  found  it  occupying  the 
hollowed  logs  which  the  peasants  place  for  the  Golden- 
eyes  to  breed  in.  No  nest  of  any  kind  is  made,  and  the 
eggs  rest  upon  the  powdered  w^ood  or  the  layer  of  pellets 
and  food  refuse  cast  up  by  the  parent  birds. 


no  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Tengmalm's  Owl  are  from  four  to  seven  in 
number.  Instances  are  on  record  where  as  many  as  ten 
have  been  found,  but  these  were  probably  the  produce 
of  two  females.  They  differ  a  good  deal  in  shape,  some 
being  much  more  elongated  than  others,  and  are  pure 
white  and  somewhat  smooth  in  texture.  Average 
measurement,  i'28  inch  in  length  by  I'l  inch  in  breadth. 
The  duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as 
is  also  the  sex  which  undertakes  it. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  Tengmalm's 
Owl,  if  the  locality  can  be  relied  upon,  are  not  easily 
confused  with  those  of  any  other  species,  but  unless 
they  are  carefully  identified  and  authenticated  they  are 
worthless. 


Family  STRIGID.'E.  Genus  Athene. 

Sub-family  BUBONIN^. 

LITTLE    OWL. 

Athene  noctua  {Scopoli). 

(Biitish  :  Rare  abnormal  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  April  and  first 
half  of  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Little  Owl  breeds  throughout  Europe  south  of 
Scandinavia  and  lat.  56°  in  Russia,  becoming  most  abun- 
dant in  the  south,  especially  in  those  countries  bordering 
the  Mediterranean. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  haunts  of  the  Little  Owl  are 
as  much  in  the  wooded  cultivated  districts  near  villas^es 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  in 

and  farm-houses,  as  In  the  more  desolate  portions  of  the 
mountain  sides  and  uninhabited  plains.  It  frequents 
olive  groves  and  vineyards  as  well  as  most  of  the  classic 
ruins  in  Italy  and  Greece.  There  is  no  gregarious  tend- 
ency in  this  species,  and  it  lives  in  scattered  pairs.  It 
probably  pairs  for  life,  and  continues  in  many  cases  to 
haunt  one  particular  spot  in  which  to  roost  and  to  breed 
year  after  year.  As  is  usual,  the  nesting  place  is  generally 
the  daily  retreat  as  well.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  hollow 
trees,  in  crevices  of  rocks,  in  holes  of  buildings  and  ruins, 
and  exceptionally  under  the  exposed  roots  of  a  tree. 
In  Algeria  I  have  found  nests  of  the  southern  race  of 
this  Owl  {Athene  glaiix)  under  a  rock  boulder  on.  the 
mountain  side,  and  in  a  hole  in  a  low  range  of  mud  cliffs. 
Little  or  no  nest  is  ever  made,  the  eggs  resting  upon  any 
dust  or  refuse  that  may  chance  to  be  in  the  hole,  or  upon 
a  layer  of  pellets  containing  food  refuse. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Owl  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number,  rarely  only  three.  They  are  oval  in  shape, 
somewhat  smooth  in  texture,  and  white.  Average 
measurement,  v^  inch  in  length  by  1*15  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  is  said,  on 
the  authority  of  Mr.  Meade-Waldo,  to  last  twenty-eight 
days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  thoroughly 
reliable  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Little  Owl 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Scops  Owd  (the 
only  European  species  with  which  they  can  be  confused)  ; 
they  are  slightly  larger  on  an  average,  not  quite  so 
rotund  in  form,  and  the  texture  is  a  little  coarser. 


112  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 


Family  STRIGID^.  Genus  Nyctea. 

Sub-family  BUBONINM. 

SNOWY    OWL. 

Nyctea  nyctea  {Lt7i?iceus). 

(British  :  Fairly  regular  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  May  or  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  Snowy  Owl  is  principally  confined  during 
the  breeding  season  to  the.  country  north  of  the  Arctic 
circle.  It  breeds  on  the  fells  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  in 
Lapland,  North  Russia,  and  Nova  Zembla.  Eastwards 
in  Asia  it  breeds  on  the  tundras  in  the  most  northerly 
parts  of  Siberia  to  the  Pacific.  In  the  New  World  it  is 
only  known  to  breed  in  the  extreme  north  from  Alaska 
to  Labrador,  and  northwards  to  Grinnell  Land,  where  it 
was  observed  nesting  by  Col.  Feilden  in  lat.  82|°. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Snowy  Owl  wanders  little 
from  its  home  during  winter,  retiring  perhaps  as  far 
south  as  the  forests,  but  returning  with  the  advent  of 
summer.  Its  only  breeding  haunts  are  the  fells  and 
tundras  and  barren  grounds  that  stretch  from  the  limits 
of  forest  growth  northwards  to  the  coasts  and  islands  of 
the  Arctic  Sea.  It  is  not  in  the  usual  sense  a  gregarious 
bird,  living  for  the  most  part  solitary,  except  during  the 
short  period  of  the  breeding  season  ;  but  flocks  of  this 
Owl  have  from  time  to  time  been  met  with  far  at  sea. 
Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Owl  nothing  is  recorded. 
It  probably  mates  for  life,  but  the  two  birds  only  live  in 
close  companionship  during  reproduction.  The  nest  of 
the  Snowy  Owl  is  either  placed  on  the  ground,  or  on  a 
ledge  of  a  cliff,  either  overlooking  a  river  or  the  sea,  or 
on  some  slight  mound  on  the  tundra.     It  is  merely  a 


NON-IiXDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  113 

hollow  trampled  down  in  the  soil  or  moss,  in  which  a 
few  feathers  and  pellets  accumulate  and  form  the  only 
bed  on  which  the  eggs  repose.  The  eggs  in  most  cases 
appear  to  be  laid  in  pairs  at  intervals,  the  bird  com- 
mencing incubation  at  once,  so  that  by  the  time  all  are 
deposited,  some  of  the  earlier  ones  may  be  hatched,  and 
the  young  assist  in  incubating  the  rest.  Eggs  and  young 
birds  in  various  stages  of  growth  may  therefore  be  found 
at  the  same  time  in  one  nest.  The  male  bird  keeps 
jealous  watch  near  the  nest  ready  to  defend  it  and  beat 
off  any  intruding  creature,  or  to  warn  the  female  of  the 
approach  of  danger.  She  sits  lightly,  and  is  up  at  the 
least  alarm,  the  two  birds  careering  wildly  about  round 
the  spot,  screaming  incessantly. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Snowy  Owl  are  usually  from  six  to 
eight  in  number,  but  ten  have  been  found.  They  are 
rather  rough  in  grain,  show  but  little  polish,  and  are 
white,  often  with  a  scarcely  perceptible  yellow  tinge. 
Average  measurement,  2-3  inches  in  length  by  17  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  the  female,  lasts 
(in  confinement)  thirty-two  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  absolutely  no 
reliable  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Snowy  Owl 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Eagle  Owl  (the 
only  species  with  which  they  can  be  confused  in  Europe). 
Generally  they  are  a  little  smaller  than  that  bird's,  which 
also  never  show  any  yellow  tint,  and  are  more  oval  in 
shape.  The  breeding  grounds  of  the  two  species  are 
also  quite  difterent. 


114  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 


Family  STRIGTD^.  Genus  Surnia. 

Sub-family  BUBONINyE. 

HAWK    OWL. 

Surnia  funerea.  {Li7zncBus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  April  to  end 
of  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palsearctic 
regions.  The  Hawk  Owl  is  divisible  into  three  fairly 
well-defined  races,  inhabiting  Europe,  Siberia,  and 
America  respectively,  but  for  the  purposes  of  the  present 
article  I  have  deemed  it  most  expedient  to  treat  them 
as  one.  It  breeds  in  the  pine  forests  of  Scandinavia 
and  North  Russia,  occasionally  inhabiting  the  birch 
woods  on  the  borders  of  the  tundras.  It  is  said  to  breed 
as  far  south  in  Russia  as  the  Governments  of  Moscow 
and  Smolensk,  and  in  the  Urals  as  low  as  Orenburg. 
East  of  the  Urals  it  breeds  in  similar  localities  across 
Siberia,  south  to  Northern  Turkestan  and  the  Amoor. 
In  the  New  World  it  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  from 
Alaska  to  Labrador  and  Newfoundland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Hawk  Owl  is  practically  a 
resident  in  its  northern  forests,  only  undertaking  such 
nomadic  wanderings  as  scarcity  of  food  may  cause.  Its 
favourite  breeding  grounds  are  the  Arctic  pine  forests, 
but  it  is  also  partial  to  the  forests  of  birch,  especially  in 
localities  where  the  timber  is  old  and  large.  It  is  not  a 
gregarious  species  at  any  season,  and  for  the  most  part 
lives  a  solitary  life  except  during  the  breeding  season, 
when  the  probably  life-mated  pair  live  in  closer  company. 
This  Owl,  at  least  in  the  Pahiearctic  region,  is  not  known 
to  make  any  nest,  but  to  deposit  its  eggs  in  a  hole  in  a 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  115 

tree,  especially  in  the  deserted  nest  of  a  Black  Wood- 
pecker, or  in  the  hollowed  logs  and  the  nest-boxes  placed 
for  the  accommodation  of  Ducks  by  the  peasants.  It  has 
also  been  known  to  lay  its  eggs  on  the  top  of  a  broken 
pine  trunk,  in  which  a  female  Golden-eye  was  sitting  on 
her  nest  some  six  feet  below  ;  the  top  of  a  broken  birch 
stem  has  also  been  selected.  In  America,  the  Hawk 
Owl  is  stated  by  Macfarlane  to  build  a  nest  of  sticks, 
and  the  observation  is  confirmed  by  later  observers. 
Mr.  Raine,  in  his  interesting  work  on  Bird-nesting  in 
North-west  Canada^  gives  the  date  and  locality  of  at 
least  three  nests,  two  of  which  were  made  of  "sticks  and 
leaves,"  and  one  of  them  lined  with  grass  and  feathers. 
Further  information  is  much  to  be  desired,  as  it  seems 
probable  that  the  nests  were  those  of  some  other  birds 
which  the  Owls  had  appropriated.  These  birds  are  very 
pugnacious  when  disturbed  at  the  nest.  The  eggs  appear 
often  to  be  laid  at  intervals,  and  to  be  incubated  at  once. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Hawk  Owl  are  from  five  to  eight  in 
number,  smooth  in  grain,  with  some  polish,  and  pure 
white.  Average  measurement  i"55  inch  in  length  by 
1*2  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both 
sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  Hawk 
Owl  unfortunately  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Long-eared  Owl  and  the  Short-eared  Owl,  so  that 
they  require  the  most  careful  identification  to  render 
them  of  any  scientific  value. 


ii6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  STRIGID^.  Genus  ScoPS. 

Sub-family  BUBONIN^. 

SCOPS    OWL. 

Scops  scops  {Lin7icBus). 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :    South-western  Palsearctic   region. 
The  Scops  Owl  breeds  in  Central  and  Southern  Europe, 
but  becomes  most  abundant  in  the  countries  bordering 
the  Mediterranean.     It  breeds  in  Switzerland,  Southern 
France,  the  Spanish  Peninsula,  Italy,  Austria,  Turkey, 
the  Danubian  provinces,  Greece,  and  Southern  Russia. 
It   also   breeds    in   Asia    Minor,   Palestine,  Persia,  and 
Turkestan.     South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds   in 
West  and   North-west  Africa,  but  these   examples  are 
said  to  be  smaller  and  possibly  sub-specifically  distinct. 
Breeding  habits  :  This  pretty  little  Owl  is  for  the 
most  part  a  migrant  north  of  the  Mediterranean,  arriving 
from  its  African  winter  haunts  about  the  end  of  March 
or  early  in  April.     As  it  returns  season  by  season  to  its 
old  nesting  place,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Scops 
Owl  pairs  for  life.     It  is  not  at  all  gregarious,  and  lives 
in  scattered  pairs,  but  it  may  be  very  common  in  certain 
districts   where  food    and    shelter   are   abundant.     The 
favourite  haunts  of  this  Owl  are  olive  groves,  vineyards, 
gardens,  and  groves  of  trees  ev^en  in  large  towns.    It  also 
frequents  the  wilder  and  less  cultivated  districts,  ascend- 
ing the   mountains  to  at  least  as  far  as  the  pine  zone. 
In  Africa  the  cork  woods  are  a  favourite  retreat.     This 
Owl  also  makes  no  nest,  but  lays  its  eggs  generally  in  a 
hole  in  a  tree,  less  frequently  in  a  hole  in  a  wall,  on  the 
dust   or   refuse  of  its   food   that  m.ay  by  chance  have 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  117 

accumulated  there.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  like  all 
hole-building  species,  and  generally  allows  itself  to  be 
taken  from  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Scops  Owl  are  five  or  six  in  number. 
They  are  somewhat  rotund  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture, 
and  pure  white.  Average  measurement,  1*25  inch  in 
length  by  ro5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  reliable  cha- 
racter by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Scops  Owl  may  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Little  Owl  (the  only 
European  species  with  which  they  can  be  confused)  : 
they  are  a  little  smaller  on  an  average,  more  globular, 
and  the  grain  is  perhaps  a  trifle  finer. 


Family  STRIGID^.  Genus  Bubo. 

Sub-family  BUBONIN^. 

EAGLE     OW  L. 

Bubo  maximus,  Gerini. 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  March  and  April. 

Breeding  area  :  Palaearctic  region.  The  Eagle  Owl 
(typical  form)  breeds  throughout  Europe  in  suitable 
localities  from  Scandinavia  and  Northern  Russia  south- 
wards to  the  Mediterranean,  and  beyond  that  sea  in 
Africa  north  of  the  Atlas.  East  of  the  Ural  Mountains 
in  Siberia,  Persia,  Afghanistan,  the  Himalayas,  and 
Turkestan,  a  pale  race  of  Eagle  Owl  is  found  {B.  sibiricus) ; 


ii8  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

but  beyond  this  area  the  typical  form  re-appears  in  the 
Amoor,  China,  and  Japan. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  migrations  of  the  Eagle  Owl 
are  extremely  limited,  and  are  merely  nomadic  wander- 
ings in  quest  of  food.  It  is  not  gregarious  nor  social, 
and  lives  principally  alone  except  during  the  breeding 
season.  This  Owl  probably  pairs  for  life,  and  apparently 
continues  to  haunt  a  certain  spot  for  years,  the  daily 
retreat  being  as  usual  the  breeding  place  too.  The 
haunts  of  the  Eagle  Owl  are  large  forests,  especially 
such  where  the  trees  are  for  the  most  part  non-deciduous. 
In  wild,  uncultivated  localities  it  shows  much  preference 
for  mountain  forests  and  woods,  in  which  rocks  contain- 
ing caves  and  hollows  occur.  This  Owl  also  never  makes 
a  nest  for  itself,  but  either  takes  possession  of  a  deserted 
nest  of  an  eagle  or  other  large  bird,  or  selects  a  con- 
venient ledge  on  a  cliff.  Less  frequently  it  has  been 
known  to  breed  upon  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a  tree, 
probably  because  a  convenient  nest  was  not  to  be  found  ; 
and  WoUey  had  the  eggs  from  under  the  roots  of  a 
fallen  tree  in  Lapland.  The  eggs  are  laid  upon  a  slight 
heap  of  pellets  and  food  refuse,  the  bird  apparently 
doing  nothing  in  the  way  of  providing  accommodation 
for  them,  beyond  scraping  or  treading  a  slight  hollow, 
when  an  old  nest  is  not  used. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Eagle  Owl  are  usually  two  in  number 
and  never  exceed  three.  They  are  rotund  in  shape, 
rather  coarse  in  grain,  and  pure  white.  Average  measure- 
ment, 2'3  inches  in  length  by  1*9  inch  in  breadth.  In- 
cubation lasts  from  thirty-four  to  thirty-six  days  in  con- 
finement, where  this  species  frequently  breeds,  and  is 
doubtless  of  the  same  duration  when  the  bird  is  at 
liberty.  The  female  probably  performs  most  if  not  all 
of  the  task,  but  on  this  authorities  are  silent. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  119 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  Eagle 
Owl  can  only  be  confused  with  those  of  the  Snowy  Owl 
in  Europe.  They  are  on  an  average  slightly  larger  and 
more  globular,  never  also  displaying  any  yellow  tinge. 
The  breeding  grounds  of  the  two  species  do  not  impinge. 


Family  VULTURID.-E.  Genus  Gyps. 

GRIFFON    VULTURE. 

Gyps  fulvus  {Brisson). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  January  to  March. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region 
and  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Griffon 
Vulture  breeds  in  the  mountainous  districts  of  the 
Spanish  Peninsula,  in  the  Pyrenees,  the  Alps,  the  moun- 
tains of  Sardinia  and  Sicily,  the  Carpathians,  the  moun- 
tains of  Turkey,  Greece,  and  Asia  Minor,  and  in  the 
Caucasus  and  Southern  Urals.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in 
Persia  and  Turkestan  ;  whilst  south  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  is  a  common  bird  in  Africa  north  of  the  Great  Desert 
from  Morocco  to  Egypt,  and  southwards  into  Nubia. 

Breeding  habits:  Although  the  Griffon  Vulture 
wanders  far  and  wide  over  the  countries  it  inhabits, 
during  the  nesting  season  it  is  practically  confined  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  precipices,  the  steep  rugged  slopes  of 
mountains  and  ranges  of  cliffs,  especially  those  of  a 
limestone  formation,  and  full  of  hollows  and  caves. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Griffon  Vulture  pairs  for 
life,  and  continues  to  breed   in  one  particular  place  for 


I20  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

years  in  succession.  This  Vulture  is  gregarious  and 
breeds  in  colonies,  the  nests  being  scattered  here  and 
there  amongst  the  cliff's  which  the  birds  frequent.  The 
nest,  which  is  patched  up  and  often  added  to  each  year, 
is  often  a  massive  bulky  structure,  and  is  generally  made 
on  the  floor  of  a  little  cave  near  the  entrance,  or  at  the 
bottom  of  some  wide  hollow,  especially  in  such  spots 
where  the  cliffs  overhang  and  are  covered  above  and 
below  with  a  dense  and  impenetrable  growth  of  aloes, 
prickly  pears,  and  other  vegetation.  It  is  made  of  sticks, 
twigs,  and  branches  of  trees,  and  lined  with  dry  grass, 
leaves,  and  dead  palmettoes.  Some  nests  are  very  neatly 
finished,  the  bowl  or  cup  containing  the  eggs  being  some 
fifteen  inches  across  and  four  or  five  inches  deep.  The 
newer  nests  are  usually  not  so  elaborate  nor  so  neatly 
finished  as  the  older  ones,  which  are  the  work  of  years. 
All  round  about  the  place  where  the  nest  is  situated  is 
splashed  with  the  white  droppings  of  the  birds,  and  a 
sickly  often  almost  unbearable  stench  pervades  the 
whole  colony.  When  disturbed  the  birds  rise  into  the 
air  and  wheel  about,  occasionally  swooping  past  their 
nests,  but  never  showing  the  slightest  inclination  to 
attack  the  intruder.  If  the  first  eggs  are  taken  others 
are  generally  laid. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Griffon  Vulture  are  rarely  two  in  number 
and  generally  only  one.  They  are  coarse  in  grain,  have 
little  or  no  polish,  and  are  generally  white  without  mark- 
ings, save  perhaps  a  few  nest-  or  blood-stains.  Many 
eggs,  however,  are  somewhat  sparingly  marked  with 
genuine  colour  pigment.  I  have  examined  many  of 
these  spotted  eggs  in  the  National  and  other  collections. 
Some  eggs  are  sparingly  streaked  with  grayish-brown, 
others  are  blotched  and  spotted  with  reddish-brown  over 
most  of  the  surface,  whilst  others  yet  again  are  irrcgu- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  121 

larly  zoned  round  the  end  with  deep  redd;sh-bro\vn  spots. 
Eggs  are  occasionally  seen  with  one  or  two  splashes  or 
blotches  of  very  pale  brown.  It  must  be  remembered, 
however,  that  these  marked  eggs  are  very  exceptional, 
and  represent  a  selection  from  vast  numbers  of  the 
normal  type,  which  is  colourless  or  nearly  so.  Average 
measurement,  37  inches  in  length  by  2*8  inches  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Griffon 
Vulture  may  be  generally  identified  by  the  absence  of 
colouring  matter ;  the  marked  varieties,  however,  cannot 
safely  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Black  Vulture. 
It  may  be  remarked  that  the  latter  species  always  nests 
in  a  tree  and  the  Griffon  always  on  rocks. 


Family  VULTURIDyE.  Genus  Neophron. 

EGYPTIAN    VULTURE. 

Neophron  percnopterus  {Lm?imis). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  and  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palcxarctic  region 
and  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Egyptian 
Vulture  breeds  in  the  mountains  of  the  Spanish  Peninsula, 
the  Pyrenees,  the  Alps,  and  the  mountainous  regions  of 
Southern  Europe  generally,  especially  those  of  Turkey, 
Greece,  and  Asia  Minor.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  the 
Caucasus,  Northern  Persia,  and  Turkestan.  South  of 
the  Mediterranean   it  breeds  in  the   Canaries,  Madeira 


122  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

and  Cape  Verd  Islands,  and  across  Africa  north  of  the 
Great  Desert  from  Morocco  to  Egypt,  and  southwards 
to  Nubia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Egyptian  Vulture  is  only  a 
summer  visitor  to  the  countries  north  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean, reaching  its  old  breeding  places  early  in  March 
in  the  west,  but  not  until  late  in  that  month  in  the 
extreme  east,  and  in  Asia  Minor.  It  is  not  gregarious 
during  the  nesting  season,  breeding  in  scattered  pairs. 
There  is  little  doubt  that  it  pairs  for  life,  and  appears 
generally  to  return  to  one  particular  spot  to  rear  its 
young.  The  favourite  breeding  places  of  this  Vulture 
are  ranges  of  limestone  cliffs,  and  as  the  bird  appears  to 
be  less  fastidious  in  the  selection  of  a  site,  its  nests  are 
more  generally  distributed  than  those  of  the  Griffon 
Vulture,  and  as  a  rule  much  more  accessible.  In  Turkey, 
however,  the  Egyptian  Vulture  often  nests  in  a  cypress 
tree  or  on  the  walls  of  a  mosque,  and  it  has  even  been 
known  to  use  the  old  nest  of  a  Short-toed  Eagle  situated 
in  a  cork  oak :  old  nests  of  the  Bearded  Vulture  are  also 
employed.  In  Algeria  the  old  nests  of  Ravens  are  fre- 
quently tenanted.  This  Vulture,  when  it  does  make  its 
own  nest,  is  not  much  of  an  architect,  usually  contenting 
itself  with  a  few  dead  sticks — a  mere  platform — on  which 
a  little  dry  grass  and  wool  has  been  carelessly  arranged. 
The  nest  and  its  immediate  vicinity  are  splashed  with 
the  white  droppings  of  the  parent  birds.  This  Vulture 
when  disturbed  contents  itself  with  wheeling  round  about 
the  spot  or  occasionally  sweeping  past  the  nest,  never 
showing  any  pugnacious  tendency. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Egyptian  Vulture  are  usually  two  in 
number,  but  sometimes  three  are  found.  They  are  very 
handsome  objects,  varying  in  ground  colour  from  buffish- 
white  to  yellowish-white,  washed,  clouded,  blotched,  and 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  123 

spotted  with  rich  brownish-red.  On  some  eggs  the 
colour  is  so  thickly  if  somewhat  unevenly  washed  over 
the  entire  surface  that  no  ground  colour  is  visible  ;  on 
others  the  markings  take  the  form  of  blotches  and  spots 
amongst  which  the  ground  colour  shows  plainly  enough, 
except  on  the  larger  end  of  the  &gg,  where  the  blotches 
become  confluent  and  form  a  zone.  Occasionally  this 
zone  is  round  the  smaller  end  of  the  Qgg.  Average 
measurement,  2-6  inches  in  length  by  2*0  inches  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  rich  colour  and  size 
of  the  eggs  of  this  Vulture  prevent  them  from  being 
confused  with  those  of  any  other  European  species. 


Family  FALCONID.E.  Genus  Hierofalco. 

Sub-family  FALCONING. 

WHITE    JER-FALCON. 

Hierofalco  candicans  {Gmelin). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
White  Jer-Falcon  is  only  known  to  breed  in  North 
Greenland,  where  it  has  been  noticed  nesting  as  far 
north  as  Grinnell  Land  in  lat.  79°  41',  and  Arctic  North 
America  westwards  apparently  to  Alaska  and  the 
Asiatic  coast  of  Bering  Strait. 

Breeding  habits  :  But  little  is  known  of  the  nidi- 
fication  of  this  handsome  bird,  and  its  habits  during  the 
breeding  season  remain  for  the  most  part  undescribcd. 


124  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

The  breeding  haunts  of  the  White  Jer-Falcon  are  prin- 
cipally confined  to  woodlands,  to  ranges  of  cliffs  near  the 
sea,  and  possibly  to  the  ridges  and  steep  banks  of  the 
barren  grounds  of  Arctic  America.  Of  the  pairing  habits 
of  this  bird  nothing  is  known.  It  is  not  in  any  way 
gregarious,  and  appears  to  live  a  more  or  less  solitary 
life  except  when  the  necessities  of  the  breeding  season 
compel  a  closer  companionship  between  the  sexes.  The 
nest  of  this  Falcon,  often  made  whilst  deep  snow  is  still 
upon  the  ground,  is  a  mere  hollow  on  a  ledge  or  shelf 
of  some  cliff;  or  it  is  said  the  bird  sometimes  takes 
possession  of  the  deserted  nest  of  some  other  species, 
usually  one  at  the  top  of  a  pine  or  other  tree.  Whether 
it  ever  makes  a  nest  for  itself  is  not  clear  :  Macfarlane 
infers  that  it  does.  It  has  also  been  known  to  nest  on 
the  rough  ground  at  the  side  of  a  steep  hill.  It  is  very 
noisy,  pugnacious,  and  daring  when  disturbed  at  the 
nest  ;  Sir  John  Richardson  gives  a  graphic  account  of 
the  actions  of  a  pair  of  these  Falcons  that  resented  his 
interference  with  their  nest,  which  was  built  on  a  lofty 
precipice  on  the  shores  of  Point  Lake  in  lat.  65  J°. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White  Jer-Falcon  are  three  or  four  in 
number.  They  are  creamy-white  in  ground  colour,  but 
so  closely  freckled,  clouded,  blotched,  and  washed  with 
surface  markings,  that  but  little  of  this  is  ever  visible. 
The  surface  markings,  are  orange-brown,  brick-red,  and 
dark  reddish-brown  in  colour ;  the  underlying  ones  clear 
lilac-gray.  The  usual  type  has  the  surface  colour  more 
or  less  evenly  washed  over  the  entire  surface  ;  in  another 
type  the  colour  is  broken  up  into  blotches  and  spots, 
many  of  them  confluent,  and  most  numerous  on  the 
larger  end  of  the  ^g%  ;  whilst  a  third  and  much  rarer 
type  has  most  of  the  spots  gray  underlying  ones  with 
an  occasional  pale  brown  surface  mark  here  and  there. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  125 

Average  measurement,  2*3  inches  in  length  by  i'8  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  (often  begun  as  soon  as  the 
first  ^^^  is  laid)  is  apparently  performed  chiefly  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  1  know  of  no  character 
which  will  serve  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  this  Falcon 
from  those  of  the  other  Jer-Falcons.  As  a  rule  the 
locality  is  of  the  first  importance  in  their  identification. 
From  eggs  of  the  Peregrine  they  may  be  distinguished 
by  their  larger  size,  more  ovate  form,  coarser  grain,  and 
on  an  average  orange-brown  instead  of  reddish-brown 
colour. 


Family  FALCONID.E.  Genus  Hierofalco. 

Sub-family  FALCONING. 

ICELAND    JER-FALCON. 

Hierofalco  islandus  {Gmcli?i). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.       Laying  season,  middle  of  April  to 
middle  of  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Extreme  North-western  Pal^arctic 
region.  The  Iceland  Jer-Falcon  appears  only  to  breed 
in  Iceland. 

Breeding  habits  :  Although  great  numbers  of  eggs 
of  the  Iceland  Jer-Falcon  have  been  collected,  the 
nesting  habits  of  the  bird  itself  are  little  known.  Its 
favourite  and  apparently  only  nesting  places  are  on  the 
cliffs  and  crags  that  bound  the  sea-coast,  or  that  hem  in 
the  inland  lakes  and  fjords.  This  Falcon  is  not  known 
to  make  any  nest,  beyond  a  mere  hollow  in  the  scanty 
soil  on    a    ledge  or   shelf  of  the    cliffs,  but    it    is   said 


126  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

occasionally  to  make  use  of  the  deserted  nest  of  a 
Raven  in  these  localities.  The  bird  probably  pairs  for 
life,  and  either  uses  the  same  nesting  site  yearly,  or  has 
a  selection  of  several  in  various  parts  of  its  rocky  haunt 
which  are  used  alternately.  Of  its  actions  at  the  nest 
nothing  of  exceptional  interest  has  been  recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Iceland  Jer-Falcon  are  three  or  four  in 
number,  but  in  some  cases  apparently  only  two.  They 
are  exceedingly  handsome,  and  subject  to  much  the 
same  range  of  variation  as  those  of  the  Greenland  Jer- 
Falcon.  Eggs  in  the  same  clutch  not  unfrequently  vary 
considerably  amongst  themselves,  as  is  often  the  case 
in  this  group  of  birds.  They  are  buffish-white  or  very 
pale  buffish-brown  in  ground  colour,  spotted,  blotched, 
mottled,  and  washed  with  reddish-brown,  brick-red,  and 
paler  brown,  and  with  a  few  and  indistinct  underlying 
markings  of  gray.  '  The  usual  type  is  so  thickly,  if 
somewhat  unevenly,  washed  with  reddish-brown  as  to 
conceal  all  trace  of  the  ground  colour,  but  other  types 
occur  in  which  the  markings  —  either  brick-red  or 
reddish-brown — are  scattered  and  defined,  and  show 
much  of  the  pale  ground  between  them.  Average 
measurement.  2*4  inches  in  length  by  tq  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  probably  performicd  chiefly  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Iceland 
Jer-Falcon  present  no  constant  character  by  which  they 
can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  other  Jer- 
Falcons.  The  locality,  in  this  case,  is  sufficient  to 
identify  them.  Their  larger  size,  coarser  grain,  and 
generally  more  ovate  form  prevent  them  from  being 
confused  with  those  of  the  Peregrine. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  127 


Family  FALCONID^.  Genus  Hierofalco. 

Sub-family  FALCONINyE. 

SCANDINAVIAN    JER-FALCON. 

Hierofalco  gyrfalco  {Linnceus). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  and  May. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Palaearctic  region, 
so  far  as  is  at  present  known.  The  Scandinavian  Jer- 
Falcon  breeds  on  the  fells  of  Norway  and  Sweden, 
especially  in  the  Norwegian  province  of  Fin  mark. 
Whether  this  form  of  Jer-Falcon  inhabits  the  northern 
portions  of  Russia  and  Siberia  seems  by  no  means  clear. 
It  may  ultimately  be  found  to  do  so,  and  to  interbreed 
with  H.  candicans  in  the  far  east,  as  it  appears  to  do 
with  H.  islmidus  in  the  west. 

Breeding  habits  :  With  the  exception  of  the  obser- 
vations made  by  Wolley  and  the  Swedish  naturalist 
Collett,  we  have  little  information  concerning  the  nesting 
habits  of  the  Scandinavian  Jer-Falcon.  Even  within 
the  limits  of  this  restricted  observation  there  is  much 
evidence  of  a  conflicting  nature,  which  seems  to  suggest 
that  the  bird  is  well  able  to  adapt  itself  to  local  circum- 
stances. Whether  this  Falcon  ever  builds  an  elaborate 
nest  for  itself  is  by  no  means  clear.  Collet  says  that 
the  bird  almost  always  builds  a  nest  at  the  top  of  a 
large  fir  tree  ;  and  an  (tgg  was  brought  to  Wolley  with 
the  information  that  it  had  been  taken  from  a  nest  in  a 
tree.  On  the  other  hand,  Wolley 's  personal  experience 
was  to  find  the  bird  breeding  on  a  ledge  of  the  rocks, 
he  describing  the  nests  as  very  flat  and  large,  made  of 
dead,  barkless  sticks,  and  lined  with  dry  grass,  or  com- 
posed of  fresh  sticks,  lined  with  willow  twigs  and  sedge ; 


128  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

other  nests  were  lined  with  feathers.  There  is  no  evi- 
dence to  prove  that  the  Falcons  made  these  nests  them- 
selves, and  whether  they  were  deserted  nests  of  Ravens 
or  other  birds  still  seems  to  me  a  moot  point.  When 
disturbed  at  the  nest  the  old  birds  become  very  anxious, 
often  careering  wildly  about  uttering  shrill  chattering 
cries. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Scandinavian  Jer-Falcon  are  three  or 
four  in  number.  They  are  very  handsome,  and  present 
practically  the  same  characteristics,  the  same  range  of 
variation  as  those  of  the  two  other  Jer-Falcons  already 
described.  The  ground  colour  varies  from  creamy-white 
to  huffish  or  reddish-white,  but  as  regards  the  latter  tint  it 
is  difficult  to  say  whether  a  pale  wash  of  surface  colour 
has  not  produced  it.  The  surface  spots  and  blotches 
are  reddish-brown  and  orange-brown  of  various  shades, 
the  underlying  markings  are  pale  gray.  The  usual  type 
is  more  or  less  evenly  washed  with  colour,  with  darker 
patches  here  and  there  ;  less  frequent  types  have  the 
markings  defined  and  of  varying  size,  or  the  gray  shell 
markings  clear,  numerous,  and  large.  Average  measure- 
ment, 2*3  inches  in  length  by  rS  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  chiefly  performed  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  locality  is  the  best 
guide  to  the  identification  of  the  eggs  of  this  Jer-Falcon. 
See  also  remarks  on  pp.  125,  126. 


NOy-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  129 

Family  FALCONID.-E.  Genus  Falco. 

Sub-family  FALCONING. 

ORANGE-LEGGED    HOBBY. 

Falco  vespertinus,  Lifincens. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area:  North-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Orange-legged  Hobby  breeds  throughout  Russia, 
south  of  about  lat.  65°,  in  the  Danubian  provinces,  and 
in  Hungary.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  South-western 
Siberia,  at  least  as  far  east  as  the  valley  of  the  Yenesay. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Orange-legged  Hobby 
reaches  its  European  breeding  haunts  during  the  last 
half  of  April  in  the  west,  but  is  a  week  or  so  earlier  in 
the  extreme  south  and  east.  It  is  a  gregarious  species 
on  passage,  and  to  a  great  extent  during  the  breeding 
season  too,  the  extent  of  the  colonics  depending  a  good 
deal  on  the  amount  of  accommodation  available.  The 
principal  breeding  haunts  of  this  Falcon  are  well-wooded 
localities,  especially  parks,  swamps  covered  with  scattered 
trees,  pleasure-grounds,  and  large  gardens.  The  Orange- 
legged  Hobby  apparently  never  makes  its  own  nest,  but 
selects  the  deserted  one  of  a  Crow,  a  Magpie,  or  a  Rook, 
in  which  to  deposit  its  eggs.  In  rookeries  it  may  be 
said  to  breed  in  colonies,  but  elsewhere  it  lives  in  scattered 
pairs  simply  because  the  nests  it  breeds  in  are  isolated. 
In  a  rookery  as  many  as  five  or  six  nests  are  tenanted 
in  a  single  tree.  I  cannot  find  that  these  selected  nests 
undergo  any  alteration,  but  the  lining  is  probably 
removed.  Of  the  habits  of  this  Falcon  at  the  nest  and 
during  the  pairing  and  incubating  periods  nothing 
appears  to  have  been  recorded.  The  bird  probably 
pairs  for  life,  and  seems  to  visit  certain  places  annually. 

K 


I30  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Orange-legged  Hobby  are  from  four  to 
six  in  number.  They  are  rotund  in  shape,  creamy- 
white  in  ground  colour,  washed,  spotted,  and  blotched 
with  orange-brown.  As  a  rule  most  of  the  surface 
markings  are  confluent,  and  more  or  less  evenly  washed 
over  the  entire  surface,  concealing  every  trace  of  ground 
colour  ;  but  varieties  may  be  seen  in  which  the  markings 
are  more  broken  and  disconnected.  The  eggs  of  this 
Falcon  cover  almost  precisely  the  same  range  of  variation 
as  those  of  the  Common  Kestrel.  Average  measure- 
ment, i'5  inch  in  length  by  r2  inch  in  breadth.  Incu- 
bation, performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  lasts  about  a 
month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  character 
by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Orange-legged  Hobby  may  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Lesser  Kestrel.  They 
are  generally  smaller  than  those  of  the  Common  Kestrel 
and  perceptibly  yellower  in  tint.  Goebel  also  remarks 
that  the  grain  is  finer,  and  the  weight  of  the  empty  shell 
proportionately  and  absolutely  less  than  that  of  the  eggs 
of  the  Common  Kestrel.  They  require,  however,  the 
most  careful  identification. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  131 


Family  FALCONIDiE.  Genus  Falco. 

Sub-family  FALCONINyE. 

LESSER    KESTREL. 

Falco  cenchris,  Naumann. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  April  and  in  May. 

.  Breeding  area:  South-western  Palaearctic  and 
North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Lesser  Kestrel 
breeds  in  the  Spanish  Peninsula,  in  Sardinia  and  Sicily, 
in  Southern  Austria,  in  Turkey  and  Greece,  and  in  the 
extreme  south  of  Russia.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Asia 
Minor,  Palestine,  the  Caucasus,  Persia,  and  Western 
Turkestan.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in 
Northern  Africa  from  Morocco  to  Egypt. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Lesser  Kestrel  is  a  bird  of 
passage,  and  reaches  its  breeding  grounds  from  its 
winter  quarters  in  Southern  Africa  during  the  last  half 
of  March.  No  raptorial  bird  is  more  gregarious,  per- 
haps, than  the  Lesser  Kestrel ;  it  migrates  in  flocks,  and 
breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size.  Its  favourite  breeding 
haunts  are  the  vicinity  of  ruins  and  rocky  country 
fairly  well  timbered.  It  is  also  extremely  partial  to 
villages  and  small  towns.  It  is  probable  that  this 
Kestrel  pairs  for  life,  and  returns  season  by  season  to  the 
same  nesting  places.  Like  its  ally  the  Common  Kestrel, 
it  never  makes  a  nest  for  itself,  but  selects  some  hole  in 
a  rock,  a  building,  or  a  tree.  The  bird  is  very  partial  to 
holes  in  ruins,  church  towers,  and  even  the  eaves  of 
houses.  Colonies  of  this  species  have  been  observed 
even  in  the  streets  of  a  town  under  the  eaves  ;  a  deserted 
nest  in  a  tree  is  sometimes  selected.  The  eggs  are  laid 
in  slight   hollows,  and   are  generally   surrounded  with 


132  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

pellets  and  food  refuse.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and 
views  disturbance  with  little  concern,  the  members  of  a 
colony  flying  to  and  fro  and  in  and  out  of  their  nest- 
holes  with  little  shyness  or  fear. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Lesser  Kestrel  are  from  four  to  seven  in 
number,  five  or  six  being  the  usual  clutch.  They  are 
globular  in  form,  and  yellowish-white  in  ground  colour, 
but  very  often  this  is  so  washed  with  surface  colour  as 
to  appear  pale  brick-red.  The  markings  are  pale  and 
dark  orange-brown,  and  are  generally  washed  over  the 
entire  surface  concealing  the  ground  colour,  but  varieties 
occur  in  which  the  spots  and  blotches  are  scattered,  and 
the  pale  ground  shows  distinctly  between  them.  The 
eggs  of  this  species  cover  much  the  same  range  of 
variation  as  those  of  the  Common  Kestrel  and  the 
Orange-legged  Hobby.  Average  measurement,  v\  inch 
in  length  by  I'l  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  per- 
formed by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  constant 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Lesser  Kestrel  can 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Orange-legged  Hobby. 
They  are  on  an  average  smaller.  From  eggs  of  the 
Common  Kestrel  their  small  size  and  yellower  tints — 
orange  not  red — serve  to  distinguish  them.  They  should 
always  be  carefully  identified. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  133 


Family  FALCONID^.  Genus  Aquila. 

Sub-family  AQUILIN^E. 

SPOTTED    EAGLE. 

Aquila  n.-evia,  Meyer. 

(British  :    Very  rare  abnormal  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area:  Western  Palaearctic  region.  The 
small  race  of  Spotted  Eagle  has  a  somewhat  restricted 
breeding  range,  being  confined  to  Prussia  and  the  North 
German  Confederation,  the  Baltic  Provinces  of  Russia, 
Poland,  and  South-west  Russia  down  the  valleys  of  the 
Dnieper  and  the  Dniester  to  the  Caucasus. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Spotted  Eagle  reaches  the 
north-western  limits  of  its  breeding  range  at  the  begin- 
ning of  April.  Its  breeding  haunts  are  the  great  forests, 
especially  such  as  are  swampy  or  situated  near  to 
morasses  and  bogs.  This  Eagle  is  not  gregarious,  but 
lives  in  scattered  pairs.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that 
it  pairs  for  life,  and  yearly  returns  to  one  particular  spot 
to  breed,  generally  making  a  new  nest  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  one  of  the  previous  season.  The  nest  is  placed  at 
varying  heights  of  from  thirty  to  eighty  feet  from  the 
ground  on  large  trees — beeches,  firs,  oaks,  and  birches 
being  used  indiscriminately — either  near  the  top  where 
several  branches  meet,  or  on  a  limb  near  the  trunk.  A  nest 
is  recorded  as  having  been  built  upon  the  ground.  It  is 
a  large  flat  structure,  several  feet  across,  and  sometimes 
a  couple  of  feet  in  height,  composed  externally  of  sticks 
of  various  thickness,  the  stouter  ones  being  placed  at  the 
bottom,  and  lined  with  fresh  green  twigs  with  the  leaves 
attached,  or  green  grass.  The  bird  sits  closely,  but  when 
disturbed  makes  little  demonstration,  either  flying  com- 


134  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

pletely  away,  or  retiring  to  a  distant  tree  to  watch  the 
fate  of  its  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Spotted  Eagle  are  generally  two  in 
number,  very  often  only  one,  and  very  exceptionally  as 
many  as  three.  The  Seebohm  collection  contains  a  very 
handsome  series  of  these  eggs  from  the  collection  of  Dr. 
Holland.  They  vary  from  grayish-white  to  creamy- 
white  in  ground  colour,  blotched  and  spotted  with 
reddish-brown,  brick-red,  and  rich  dark  blood-red,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  pale  purplish-brown.  They 
vary  considerably  in  the  amount  and  intensity  of  the 
markings,  some  being  very  sparsely  spotted,  others  richly 
and  boldly  blotched,  many  of  the  patches  being  confluent, 
either  at  the  large  or  small  end  of  the  &^^^  where  they 
are  also  most  numerous.  A  rare  type  has  most  of  the 
markings  underlying  ones  and  very  large.  Average 
measurement,  2*5  inches  in  length  by  2*i  inches  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
and  is  said  to  last  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  is  the  best 
character  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  this  Eagle,  at  least 
as  far  as  European  species  are  concerned.  The  locality 
too  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  otherwise  they  may  be 
confused  with  the  eggs  oi  Aquila  claiiga. 


NON INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  135 


Family  FALCONID.^.  Genus  Milvus. 

Sub-family  BUTEONlNyE, 

BLACK     KITE. 

Milvus  ater  {Gmelifi). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  May,  and  June. 

Breeding  area:  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  typical  form  of  the  Black  Kite  breeds  throughout 
Europe  in  suitable  localities  from  Finland  and  Central 
Russia  southwards  to  the  Caspian,  Black,  and  Mediter- 
ranean Seas,  with  the  exception  of  Scandinavia,  Den- 
mark, the  Netherlands,  Belgium,  and  Northern  France. 
Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  and 
Turkestan,  while  south  of  the  Mediterranean  it  is  widely 
dispersed  in  North-west  Africa  north  of  the  Atlas. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Black  Kite  reaches  its 
European  breeding  grounds  in  March  or  early  in  April. 
Its  favourite  haunts  are  marshy  forests,  but  it  may  also 
be  met  with  in  a  great  variety  of  other  places.  In 
Algeria  I  met  with  it  on  the  bare  mountains,  and  on 
desolate  stony  plains,  as  well  as  in  towns.  It  is  also 
known  to  breed  in  or  near  various  European  towns. 
Few  other  birds  of  prey  are  more  widely  dispersed  or 
inhabit  such  a  varied  description  of  scenery.  The  Black 
Kite  is  a  gregarious  bird,  and  certainly  breeds  in  colonies 
in  many  places  where  it  is  not  much  molested  by  man. 
Mr.  Saunders  met  with  a  colony  containing  more  than 
ten  nests  in  a  small  wood  in  Spain ;  Captain  Verner 
found  great  numbers  of  nests  in  the  pine  woods  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Guadalquivir  ;  whilst  in  Algeria  I 
remarked  a  colony  in  the  stupendous  gorge  of  El 
Kantara.     The  bird  probably  pairs  for  life.     The  nest  of 


136  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

this  Kite  is  built  in  a  variety  of  situations  depending  a 
good  deal  upon  the  kind  of  accommodation  afforded.  In 
some  districts  trees  are  the  favourite  situation,  sometimes 
very  low  ones  growing  amongst  reeds,  as  recorded  by 
Bogdanow,  in  the  delta  of  the  Volga,  and  sometimes 
amongst  the  roots  of  trees  growing  out  of  cliffs,  as 
recorded  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  Algeria,  in  the  Eastern  Atlas. 
In  other  districts  a  ledge  or  shelf  or  crevice  of  a  cliff  is 
selected  ;  in  others  a  ruin  or  a  tower.  The  nest  varies 
somewhat  in  size,  the  smallest  apparently  being  made  in 
Southern  Russia,  where  Goebel  states  that  the  head  and 
tail  of  the  sitting  bird  project  over  each  side  of  the 
structure.  Larger  nests  measure  a  yard  or  more  across. 
The  nest  is  rather  flat,  and  composed  externally  of  sticks, 
and  lined  with  dry  moss,  paper,  and  rags,  usually  in  a 
more  or  less  filthy  condition.  Captain  Verner  also  found 
a  mixture  of  dry  dung  as  well  as  paper  in  the  lining. 
Coloured  rags  and  papers  are  frequently  preferred. 
When  disturbed  from  the  nest  the  old  birds  fly  round 
and  round  above  the  spot  uttering  shrill,  tremulous  cries 
of  alarm. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black  Kite  are  from  two  to  five  in 
number,  but  the  latter  is  very  exceptional.  In  Prussia  and 
Spain  two  is  the  normal  clutch,  in  Southern  Russia  three. 
They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  white  to  the  palest 
perceptible  blue,  spotted  and  blotched  with  rich  reddish- 
brown  and  pale  brown,  and  with  underlying  m.arkings 
of  lilac-gray.  They  are  subject  to  much  variation  both 
in  the  intensity  and  the  character  of  the  markings.  On 
some  eggs  large  blotches  and  splashes  of  dark  brown 
occur  intermingled  with  spots  and  streaks  of  lighter 
brown  ;  on  others  the  markings  are  very  minute  and 
dusted  over  the  entire  surface,  most  numerous  round  the 
larger  end  ;  others  are  clouded  and  washed  with   pale 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  137 

brown,  and  sparingly  marked  with  richer  brown.  Rarer 
types  have  most  of  the  markings  gray  underlying  ones, 
or  the  brown  surface  markings  distributed  in  net-like 
and  confluent  streaks.  Average  measurement,  2'2  inches 
in  length  by  17  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
chiefly  by  the  female,  lasts  about  three  weeks.  If  the 
first  clutch  of  eggs  be  taken  others  are  generally  laid. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Black 
Kite  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Common 
Buzzard,  the  Common  Kite,  and  the  Rough-legged 
Buzzard.  They  require  careful  identification.  The  rag- 
lined  nest  is  characteristic  of  the  two  Kites  only,  but 
in  every  case  great  care  should  be  used  in  identifying 
them. 


Family  FALCONID.^.  Genus  Elaxoides. 

Sub-family  BUTEONIN.^. 

SWALLOW -TAILED     KITE. 

Elanoides  furcatus  i^LinncBus), 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Nearctic  region  and 
extreme  north  of  Neotropical  region.  The  Swallow- 
tailed  Kite  breeds  from  the  mountains  of  Central 
America  northwards  into  the  United  States  as  far  as 
Southern  Wisconsin,  and  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Swallow-tailed  Kite  is  a 
regular  migrant  to  the  United  States,  reaching  its 
breeding  areas  early  in  April.  It  is  a  decidedly 
gregarious  bird  whilst  on  passage,  and  so  far  as  is 
known  apparently  breeds  in  societies.  Of  its  pairing 
habits  nothing  definite  has  been  observed  beyond  what 


138  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

was  recorded  by  Audubon.  Although  this  graceful  bird 
is  so  common  in  certain  districts,  but  Httle  has  been 
recorded  of  its  nidification  or  of  its  habits  during  the 
season  of  reproduction.  According  to  Audubon,  this 
Kite  pairs  directly  after  its  arrival,  and  the  courtship  is 
carried  on  in  mid-air  like  that  of  the  Swift.  The  nest 
is  described  by  this  naturalist  as  being  made  in  the 
highest  branches  of  lofty  trees  growing  on  the  banks  of 
a  pond  or  river,  and  resembling  that  of  a  crow,  composed 
externally  of  sticks  intermixed  with  moss  and  lined  with 
coarse  grass  and  feathers.  No  recent  observer  appears 
to  have  described  the  nest  of  this  bird  from  personal 
observation.  Mr.  Dresser  states  that  in  Texas  he  was 
assured  that  this  species  nested  in  oak,  cotton-wood,  and 
sycamore  trees. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Swallow-tailed  Kite  are  said  by 
Audubon  to  be  from  four  to  six  in  number,  but  other 
observers  assert  that  two  is  the  regular  clutch.  I  have 
only  examined  two  eggs  of  this  species,  and  they  are,  or 
were,  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Dresser  and  were  taken  in 
Iowa.  Mr.  Raine  [pp.  clt.,  pi.  iv.  p.  130)  figures  an  ^gg  of 
this  species,  very  richly  marked  on  the  larger  end.  They 
are  the  palest  of  blue — almost  white — in  ground  colour, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  deep  reddish-brown.  One  of 
Mr.  Dresser's  eggs  is  handsomely  blotched  over  most  of 
the  surface  ;  the  other  is  sparingly  and  minutely  speckled, 
with  only  one  or  two  irregular  blotches.  Average  mea- 
surement of  three  specimens,  1*9  inch  in  length  by 
I '5  inch  in  breadth.     Incubation  period  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  bluish  ground  colour 
and  bold  blotches,  combined  with  the  size,  are  sufficient 
to  determine  the  eggs  of  this  species.  They  closely 
resemble  those  of  the  Sparrow-Hawk  or  even  the  Sharp- 
shinned  Hawk  in  colour,  but  are  much  larger. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  139 


Family  FALCONID^.  Genus  Archibuteo. 

Sub-family  BUTEONIN.^. 

ROUGH-LEGGED    BUZZARD. 

Archibuteo  lagopus  (yGmelin  ex  Brimnich). 

(British  :  Fairly  common  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  early  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Rough-legged  Buzzard  breeds  in  all  parts  of  Scandinavia 
suited  to  its  requirements  as  far  as  the  North  Cape,  and 
North  Russia  as  low  as  the  Baltic  Provinces,  where,  how- 
ever, it  is  rare.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Northern  Siberia 
to  at  least  as  far  east  as  the  watershed  of  the  Yenesay 
and  the  Lena. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Rough-legged  Buzzard 
returns  from  the  south  to  its  northern  breeding  grounds 
in  April.  Although  the  bird  cannot  perhaps  be  classed 
as  gregarious  whilst  on  passage,  it  is  by  no  means  an 
unsociable  one,  and  even  in  the  breeding  season  many 
pairs  may  be  found  nesting  within  a  comparatively 
small  area.  The  favourite  breeding  grounds  of  this 
Buzzard  are  rocky  fells  and  hilly  tracts  of  country  in 
which  the  forests  are  more  or  less  broken  up  and  studded 
with  swamps  and  sheets  of  open  water.  It  shows  less 
partiality  for  the  interior  of  forests  than  the  Common 
Buzzard,  and  is  much  more  of  a  mountain  and  open 
country  species.  I  would  suggest  that  this  bird  pairs 
for  life,  and  yearly  resorts  to  one  particular  spot  to 
breed.  The  nest  is  variously  placed  on  rocks,  on  fell 
ridges,  or  on  trees,  the  largest  and  most  elaborate 
structures  being  usually  in  the  latter  sites.  Externally 
it  is  made  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  lined  with  fine  dry 
grass — a  large  flat  and  open  structure.     Many  nests  on 


I40  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

ridges  and  shelves  of  rock  are  mere  hollows  lined  with  a 
little  grass.  The  bird  is  a  remarkably  close  sitter,  and 
when  disturbed  wheels  round  and  round  the  nesting 
place,  sometimes  uttering  a  mewing  note,  and  usually 
quickly  joined  by  its  mate.  Mr.  Harvie-Brovvn  gives  a 
very  interesting  instance  of  a  male  bird  getting  another 
mate,  after  the  first  female  had  been  shot  from  the  nest, 
within  twenty-four  hours. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Rough-legged  Buzzard  are  from  two  to 
five  in  number,  three  or  four  being  an  average  clutch. 
They  vary  from  white  suffused  with  pale  brown  to  pale 
bluish-green  in  ground  colour,  blotched,  clouded,  spotted, 
and  streaked  with  rich  reddish-brown  and  pale  brown, 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  violet-gray.  They  are 
subject  to  considerable  variation,  the  amount  of  the 
spotting  and  the  intensity  of  its  colour  differing  con- 
siderably even  in  the  same  clutch.  The  two  rarest 
types  are  perhaps  those  in  which  the  markings  are  small 
and  delicately  streaked  or  pencilled  over  most  of  the 
surface,  and  in  which  most  of  the  markings  are  under- 
lying ones.  The  eggs  of  this  bird  cover  the  same  range 
of  variation  as  those  of  the  Common  Buzzard.  Average 
measurement,  2*25  inches  in  length  by  1*8  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  almost  if  not  entirely  by  the 
female,  and  lasts  about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  species 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Common 
Buzzard.  As  a  rule  they  are  more  heavily  marked  and 
a  trifle  larger.  The  breeding  range  is  also  much  more 
Arctic. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  141 


Family  FALCONID.^.  Genus  AsTUR. 

Sub-family  ACCIPITRIN^, 

GOSHAWK. 

ASTUR    PALUiMBARIUS    {Li?tfice7is). 

(British  :  Possibly  bred  ;  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  April  and 
first  half  of  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Palaearctic  region.  The  Goshawk 
breeds  locally  and  somewhat  sparingly  throughout 
Europe  in  the  forest  districts  from  the  Mediterranean 
northwards  to  the  limits  of  trees.  South  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean it  has  been  known  to  breed  in  Morocco.  East- 
wards it  breeds  throughout  Siberia  south  of  the  limit  of 
forest  growth,  and  in  Asia  Minor,  Northern  Palestine, 
Persia,  Turkestan,  the  Himalayas,  iMongolia,  and  North- 
ern Cl:ina. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Goshawk  is  a  migrant  only 
in  the  most  northerly  portions  of  its  area.  Its  favourite 
breeding  haunts  are  forests,  large  woods,  and  plantations  ; 
although  the  bird  hunts  for  prey  a  good  deal  in  open 
country  it  invariably  nests  within  the  cover  of  trees.  I 
do  not  find  that  this  species  show^s  any  gregarious 
tendency^  It  lives  in  solitary  isolated  pairs,  and  un- 
questionably mates  for  life,  breeding  in  the  same  nest 
year  after  year,  or  making  a  new  nest  in  the  old 
neighbourhood.  The  nest  is  generally  placed  high  up 
in  a  lofty  tree,  either  in  a  crotch  formed  by  several  fork- 
ing branches,  or  on  a  broad  horizontal  limb  close  to  the 
trunk.  According  to  the  age  of  the  nest  it  varies  some- 
what in  size,  the  biggest  structures  being  those  that 
have  been   increased    in   bulk   during   many  successive 


142  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

seasons.  It  is  broad  and  flat,  but  the  cup  containing 
the  eggs  is  somewhat  deep.  Externally  it  is  made 
of  sticks  and  twigs  and  lined  with  finer  twigs,  roots, 
moss,  and  flakes  of  bark.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter, 
but  when  flushed  usually  flies  away  making  little  or  no 
demonstration. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Goshawk  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number,  four  being  the  average  and  usual  clutch.  They 
are  pale  bluish-green,  and  generally  entirely  devoid  of 
markings,  except  perhaps  a  few  stains  of  yellowish- 
brown.  Very  rarely  eggs  are  seen  with  a  few  rich  brown 
spots  :  Wolley  states  that  occasionally  they  are  marked 
with  pale  olive.  Average  measurement,  2*25  inches  in 
length  by  175  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
chiefly  if  not  entirely  by  the  female,  is  said  to  last  three 
weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters:  Theeggsof  the  Goshawk 
may  be  generally  distinguished  by  their  size  and  absence 
of  markings, but  as  unspotted  eggs  of  some  of  the  Buzzards 
are  the  same  size,  they  require  careful  identification. 


Family  FALCONID^.  Genus  Astur. 

Sub- family  ACCIPITRINM. 

AMERICAN    GOSHAWK. 

Astur  atricapillus  ( \Vilso7i). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  habits  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.     The 
American    Goshawk    breeds   in    some   of  the   northern 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  143 

States,  and  throughout  British  North  America  and 
Alaska,  up  to  the  h'mits  of  forest  growth. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  American  Goshawk  is  only 
a  migrant  from  the  colder  portions  of  its  breeding  area. 
Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are  in  pine  and  other 
woods,  bluffs  (small  clumps  of  trees  on  prairies),  and  the 
outskirts  of  forests.  In  its  habits  it  is  not  known  to 
differ  from  its  Old  World  ally,  from  which  it  is  possibly 
only  sub-specifically  distinct.  The  flat  open  nest  is 
generally  made  in  a  fir  tree,  on  a  horizontal  branch  close 
to  the  trunk,  and  is  made  externally  of  large  and  small 
sticks,  and  lined  with  dead  leaves  and  flakes  of  bark. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Goshawk  are  from  three  to 
five  in  number,  three  or  four  being  generally  found,  and 
sometimes  only  two.  They  are  pale  bluish-green,  and, 
so  far  as  I  can  determine,  never  show  any  traces  of 
spots  beyond  an  occasional  nest  stain.  Average 
measurement,  2-2  inches  in  length,  by  17  inch  in 
breadth.  Short  eggs  are  generally  the  broadest,  and 
vice  versa.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female, 
but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  undetermined.  It 
is  probably  the  same  as  that  of  the  Pal^earctic  species. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  American 
Goshawk  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  its  Old 
World  ally,  nor  from  certain  and  unspotted  varieties  of 
those  of  some  other  species. 


144  1'HF.   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Cygnus. 

Sub-family  CYGNINAL. 

HOOPER    SWAN. 

Cygnus  musicus,  Bechstei7i» 
(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  late  in  May  and  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Pal^earctic  region.  The 
Hooper  Swan  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  Europe 
and  Asia,  from  the  Atlantic  probably  to  the  Pacific.  It 
breeds  in  Iceland  and  in  Scandinavia  north  of  the  Arctic 
circle,  but  in  Finland  and  Northern  Russia  is  said  to  do 
so  as  low  as  lat.  62^.  Eastwards  it  breeds  across  the 
tundras  of  Arctic  Siberia  as  far  as  Bering  Strait. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Hooper  Swan  begins  to 
appear  in  its  summer  haunts  about  the  middle  of  May, 
just  as  the  ice  on  the  great  rivers  that  flow  into  the 
Arctic  seas  is  breaking  up,  and  it  continues  to  arrive  in 
vast  numbers  up  to  the  beginning  of  June,  following  the 
break-up  of  winter  northwards.  This  Swan  is  not 
gregarious  during  the  breeding  season,  living  in  scattered 
pairs,  each  pair  keeping  its  own  haunt  free  from  in- 
trusion. The  Hooper  Swan  mates  for  life.  Its  favourite 
breeding  grounds  are  situated  on  the  islands  in  the  deltas 
of  the  Arctic  rivers,  or  near  the  lakes  on  the  open 
tundras,  or  on  the  banks  of  the  creeks  that  run  inland 
from  the  main  river.  The  nest  is  generally  made  amongst 
willow  scrub,  or  the  tall  grasses  and  reeds  that  fringe  the 
pools.  It  is  a  huge  pile  of  coarse  grass,  sedge,  and  frag- 
ments of  herbage,  often  largely  increased  in  bulk  as 
incubation  advances — elevated  and  strengthened,  as  it 
were,  in  anticipation  of  any  sudden  rise  of  the  adjoining 
water. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  145 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Hooper  Swan  are  from  four  to  seven  in 
number.  In  Northern  Russia  two  to  four  are  described 
as  the  usual  clutch  ;  in  Iceland  five  ;  whilst  the  larger 
clutches  are  probably  laid  by  females  in  the  prime  of 
life.  They  are  creamy-white,  rough  in  grain,  and  nearly 
oval  in  shape.  Average  measurement,  4*5  inches  in 
length  by  28  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
largely  if  not  entirely  by  the  female,  lasts  from  five  to 
six  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  only  eggs  likely  to 
be  confused  with  those  of  the  present  species  are  the 
eggs  of  Bewick's  Swan,  but  the  latter  are  always  smaller 
in  size  (either  in  length  or  breadth  or  both),  and  the 
empty  shells  much  lighter  in  weight. 


Family  ANATID.E.  Genus  Cygnus. 

Sub-family    CYGNIN.^. 

BEWICK'S    SWAN. 

Cygnus  bewicki,    Yarrell. 

(British  :  Fairly  common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Pala^arctic  region.  Be- 
wick's Swan  breeds  on  the  tundras  of  Arctic  Europe 
and  Asia,  probably  as  far  east  as  Bering  Strait.  It 
appears  to  breed  in  the  valleys  of  the  Petchora  (where 
Messrs.  Seebohm  and  Harvie-Brown  obtained  the  first 
authenticated  eggs),  the  Obb,  the  Yencsay,  and  the 
Lena,  as  well  as  on  the  islands  of  the  Arctic  Ocean 
north  of  these  areas. 

L 


146  THE   NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Breeding  habits  :  Bewick's  Swan  reaches  its  Arctic 
breeding  grounds  towards  the  end  of  May  or  early  in 
June,  as  soon  as  the  south  wind  has  sufficiently  ensured 
the  presence  of  open  water.  Although  gregarious  on 
migration,  the  bands  disperse  for  the  breeding  season 
and  nest  in  scattered  pairs.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
that  this  Swan  mates  for  life,  but  builds  a  new  nest  each 
season.  Its  breeding  grounds  are  not  known  to  differ 
from  those  of  the  Hooper  Swan — the  shores  of  lakes  on 
the  tundra,  the  banks  of  creeks,  and  scrub-clothed  islands 
in  the  deltas  of  the  Arctic  rivers.  But  little  is  known  of 
the  habits  and  nest  of  this  Swan,  and  its  eggs,  so  far  as 
I  know,  have  never  been  taken  from  the  nest  by  any 
scientific  collector  or  naturalist.  Eggs  of  this  bird,  of 
whose  authenticity  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt, 
were  brought  to  Messrs.  Harvie-Brown  and  Seebohm 
during  their  visit  to  the  Petchora  in  1875,  which  had 
been  obtained  on  the  island  of  Pyonin  in  the  delta  of 
that  river;  whilst  others  were  secured  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances by  Mr.  Seebohm  during  his  sojourn  in  the 
Yenesay  in  1877,  taken  from  an  island  and  from  the 
mainland  near  that  river's  delta.  Natives  describe  the 
nest  as  being  like  that  of  the  Hooper  Swan,  and  built 
in  a  similar  situation.  This  species  is  remarkably  wary 
at  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  full  number  of  eggs  in  a  clutch  of  this  Swan  is  not 
known  with  certainty,  but  more  than  three  have  not  yet 
been  found  in  any  one  nest.  They  are  almost  pure 
white.  Average  measurement,  4*0  inches  in  length  by 
2*6  inches  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown.  Probably  the  female  undertakes 
most  of,  if  not  entirely  all  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Swan 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Hooper  Swan — 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  147 

the  only  species  with  which  they  are  Hkely  to  be 
confused — by  their  smaller  size  (either  in  length  or 
breadth  or  both)  and  lighter  shell  weight.  They  are 
also  perceptibly  whiter. 


Family  ANATID/E.  Genus  Chen. 

Sub-family  ANSERIN.E. 

LESSER    SNOW    GOOSE. 

Chen  hyperboreus  {Fallas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Apparently  North-western  Nearctic 
region,  and  probably  extreme  North-eastern  Palsearctic 
region.  The  Lesser  Snow  Goose  is  only  known  to  breed 
in  the  north-west  of  Arctic  America  (Esquimaux  Lake, 
Liverpool  Bay,  etc.),  in  Alaska,  and  possibly  on  the 
tundras  of  the  Tchuski  Land  in  North-eastern  Siberia, 
and  the  islands  off  that  coast,  as  the  bird  was  met  with 
by  Pallas  in  that  area. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Lesser  Snow  Goose  reaches 
its  breeding  grounds  towards  the  end  of  May  or  early 
in  June.  It  migrates  in  flocks,  but  whether  it  is  gre- 
garious during  the  breeding  season  is  not  known.  It 
is  probably  to  a  certain  extent  social  during  this  period, 
and  seems  to  pair  for  life.  Only  the  most  meagre 
details  have  been  recorded  of  this  bird's  habits  during 
the  season  of  reproduction.  Nests  found  on  an  island 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Anderson  river,  are  described 
by  MacFarlane  as  mere  hollows  in  the  sandy  ground 
warmly  lined  with  down,  but  he  does  not  appear  to  have 
seen  them  in  situ. 


148  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Lesser  Snow  Goose  are  said  usually  to 
be  five  in  number.  They  are  dull  white,  with  little  or 
no  polish.  Average  measurement,  3'4  inches  in  length 
by  2*2  inches  in  depth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  character 
which  will  serve  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the  Lesser 
Snow  Goose  from  those  of  several  allied  species — notably 
from  those  of  the  Gray  Lag  Goose  {Aitser  cmereiis)  and 
the  Snow  Goose  {Chen  Jiyperboreus  nivalis).  Information 
is  much  to  be  desired  respecting  these  eggs.  So  few 
specimens  are  at  present  known  that  it  is  not  safe  to 
o-eneralize  on  their  characteristics. 


Family  ANATIDyE.  Genus  Anser. 

Sub-family  ANSERINE. 

BEAN     GOOSE. 

Anser  segetum  {Gvielin). 
(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area:  Northern  and  Central  Palaearctic 
region.  The  Bean  Goose  breeds  in  Scandinavia  north 
of  lat.  64°,  but  in  Northern  Russia  north  of  about  lat. 
65°,  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth.  It  may  probably 
breed  on  Nova  Zembla,  and  eastwards  is  known  to  do 
so  across  Siberia  on  the  tundras,  and  in  a  similar  climate 
at  high  elevations  on  the  mountains  in  the  Baikal  area 
and  on  the  Stanavoi  mountains. 

Breeding  habits  :    The  Bean  Goose  returns  to  its 


NON-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  149 

breeding  grounds  in  the  Arctic  regions  as  soon  as  they  are 
free  from  ice,  following  the  breaking-up  rivers  north- 
wards in  May.  The  favourite  haunts  of  this  Goose  are 
tundras  and  treeless  plains,  especially  such  as  are  studded 
with  pools  and  traversed  by  rivers.  The  Bean  Goose 
is  gregarious  and  social  enough  whilst  on  passage,  but 
appears  to  breed  in  scattered  pairs.  It  probably  mates 
for  life,  as  so  many  other  Geese  are  known  to  do.  The 
nest  is  either  placed  amongst  the  tall  grasses  and  sedges 
by  the  margin  of  a  pool,  in  the  long  vegetation  clothing 
an  island,  or  on  a  hillock  on  the  shore.  It  is  merely  a 
hollow  lined  with  dry  grass  and  other  vegetable  frag- 
ments and  lined  with  down  and  a  few  feathers  from  the 
old  bird's  body. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Bean  Goose  are  three  or  four  in  number. 
They  are  rather  coarse  in  grain,  and  creamy-white. 
Average  measurement,  3-2  inches  in  length  by  2' 15 
inches  in  breadth.  Incubation  Is  performed  almost  if 
not  entirely  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Bean 
Goose  cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Gray  Lag  Goose  in  colour  or  in  size,  but  are  lighter 
in  shell  weight.  I  know  of  no  character  whatever  by 
which  they  may  be  separated  from  those  of  the  Pink- 
footed  Goose  and  the  White-fronted  Goose.  It  will 
thus  be  seen  of  what  vital  importance  correct  identifica- 
tion is. 


I50  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 


Family  ANATID/E.  Genus  Anser. 

Sub-family  ANSERINE, 

PINK-FOOTED    GOOSE. 

Anser  brachyrhynchus,  Baillon. 
(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Palsearctic  region. 
The  Pink-footed  Goose  is  only  known  to  breed  in 
Spitzbergen,  and  may  do  so  in  Franz-Josef  Land  and 
Iceland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Pink-footed  Goose  appears 
upon  its  breeding  grounds  in  May  or  early  June.  But 
little  is  known  of  its  nesting  economy,  and  observers  who 
have  been  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  its  eggs  have 
neglected  to  describe  the  habits  of  the  bird.  It  probably 
mates  for  life,  and  nests  in  scattered  pairs,  the  flocks 
which  have  spent  the  winter  in  company  separating 
during  the  short  period  of  incubation.  The  nest  of  this 
Goose  is  said  to  be  made  on  low  rocks  near  the  sea  ; 
but  Messrs.  Evans  and  Sturge  relate  that  in  Spitzbergen 
some  nests  seemed  to  be  made  in  high  cliffs  "a  mile  or 
two  from  the  sea."  No  description  of  the  nest  appears 
yet  to  have  been  published,  but  the  structure  is  not  known 
to  differ  from  that  of  allied  species.  The  male  is  said  to 
keep  constant  watch  near  the  nest  to  warn  his  mate  of  the 
approach  of  danger,  and  if  necessary  to  defend  her. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Pink-footed  Goose  are  four  or  five  in 
number.  They  are  somewhat  smooth  in  grain,  and 
creamy- white.  Average  measurement,  3' 15  inches  in 
length  by  2T5  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
by  the  female,  lasts  twenty-eight  da}'s. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  151 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Unfortunately  no  char- 
acter can  be  given  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Pink-footed 
Goose  can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Bean  Goose 
and  the  White-fronted  Goose.  They  may  be  separated 
from  those  of  the  Gray  Lag  Goose  by  their  hghter  shell 
weight. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Anser. 

Sub-family  ANSERINE.. 

WHITE-FRONTED    GOOSE. 

Anser  albifrons  {Scopoli). 

(British  :  Local  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Pala^arctic  region.  The 
White-fronted  Goose  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  of 
Europe  and  Asia.  It  breeds  in  Iceland,  Northern  Scan- 
dinavia, and  Russia,  and  eastwards  through  Northern 
Siberia,  probably  as  far  as  Bering  Strait. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  White-fronted  Goose  returns 
to  its  Arctic  haunts  as  soon  as  they  become  habitable, 
which  is  seldom  before  the  end  of  May  or  early  in  June. 
It  is  gregarious  whilst  on  passage,  but  whether  it  breeds 
in  societies  is  not  known.  Von  Middendorfif  met  with 
it  breeding  in  great  numbers  on  the  tundras  of  the 
Taimyr  peninsula,  but  the  probability  is  the  birds  were 
nesting  in  scattered  pairs.  This  goose  also  may  mate 
for  life.  The  nests  found  by  Middendorff  are  described 
as  being  built  on  the  hummocks  which  are  so  charac- 
teristic of  the  tundras,  and  mere  hollows  lined  with 
down.  The  nests  described  by  Dall  in  Alaska,  as 
mere  depressions  in  the  sand,  and  by  MacFarlane  on 


152  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

the  Anderson  river  as  warmly  lined  with  dry  grass  as 
well  as  with  down  and  feathers,  belonged,  of  course,  to 
the  Nearctic  form  of  this  Goose,  Anser  albifrons  ganibeli, 
a  larger  bird  with  more  black  on  the  underparts,  but 
they  may  be  taken  as  a  fair  description  of  the  nest 
of  this  species  in  its  entirety,  as  I  described  it  (with 
the  eggs)  in  m}^  work  on  British  Gcnne  Birds  and  Wild 
Foivl. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White-fronted  Goose  are  from  five  to 
seven  in  number  ;  ten  have  been  found  by  Dall  in 
Alaska,  but  this  refers  to  the  Nearctic  race.  They  are 
creamy-white.  Average  measurement,  3'0  inches  in 
length  by  2'0  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
probably  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
has  not  been  observed. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  character 
by  which  the  eggs  of  this  Goose  may  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  several  allied  species.  They  require  the 
most  careful  identification,  or  are  otherwise  worthless 
as  scientific  specimens. 


NON-Ii\DIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Anser. 

Sub-family  ANSERINyE. 

LESSER   WHITE-FRONTED    GOOSE. 

Anser  albifrons  minutus,  Naumann. 

(British  :  Rare  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  and  Western  Palaearctic 
region.  The  Lesser  White-fronted  Goose  breeds  in  the 
northern  portions  of  Scandinavia,  across  Arctic  Russia 
and  Siberia  to  at  least  as  far  east  as  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Lesser  White-fronted  Goose 
(which  by  a  slip  of  the  pen  in  my  work  on  Game  Birds 
and  Wild  Fozvl  I  notice  I  have  described  as  a  Northern 
Nearctic  instead  of  Palcearctic  species)  reaches  its 
northern,  breeding  grounds  as  soon  as  the  ice  on  the 
rivers  breaks  up  and  the  snow  melts  from  the  tundras. 
It  is  gregarious  in  winter,  but  appears  to  separate  into 
pairs  to  breed.  Of  its  breeding  habits  little  definite  has 
been  recorded,  owing  probably  to  its  being  confused 
with  its  larger  ally.  Indeed  I  may  here  take  the 
opportunity  of  stating  that  the  nesting  economy  of  most 
of  the  Geese  is  very  imperfectly  known,  and  a  vast 
amount  of  work  remains  to  be  done  by  the  oologists  of 
the  future.  It  is  a  hopeless  task  to  attempt  to  give 
anything  like  a  full  account  of  the  nidification  of  these 
birds  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge.  By  pointing 
out  our  deficiencies  I  may  possibly  help  to  render  them 
perfect.  The  nest  of  this  Goose  is  said  not  to  differ 
from  that  of  allied  species.  Of  the  bird's  pairing  habits 
nothing  is  known. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 


154  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

The  eggs  of  the  Lesser  White-fronted  Goose  are  from 
five  to  seven  in  number.  They  are  creamy-white. 
Average  measurement,  2-9  inches  in  length  by  to 
inches  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  but  the  female  probably  alone 
performs  that  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  In  the  present  state  of 
our  knowledge  it  is  impossible  to  attempt  to  give  any 
character  which  might  be  distinctive.  Sufficient  reliable 
information  is  not  yet  obtainable  on  which  to  found  any 
diagnosis  of  the  eggs  of  this  Goose,  providing  such  is 
really  possible. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Bernicla. 

Sub-family  ANSERINM. 

BRENT    GOOSE. 

Bernicla  brenta  {Brisson). 
(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  late  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  typical  form  of  the  Brent  Goose  breeds  on 
Spitzbergen,  Franz-Josef  Land,  and  Nova  Zembla, 
and  possibly  along  the  coasts  of  Arctic  Siberia  and 
the  islands  ofif  them,  but  how  far  to  the  east  is  not 
known. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Brent  Goose  is  a  migratory 
bird,  and  returns  to  its  breeding  grounds  in  the  Arctic 
regions  late  in  May  or  early  in  June.  When  I  wrote 
my  account  of  the  nidification  of  the  Brent  Goose  in 
the  work  on  Game  Birds  aiid  Wild  Fozvl,  I  relied  for 
my  information  on  the  observations  made  by  Captain 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  155 

Feildcn  near  Knot  Harbour  in  Grinnell  Land,  as  applic- 
able to  both  forms  of  Brent  Goose  occurring  in  the 
British  Islands.  His  information,  of  course,  refers  to 
the  White-bellied  form  of  Brent  Goose,  and  strictly 
speaking  should  be  confined  to  that  form.  In  the  utter 
absence  of  information,  however,  concerning  the  typical 
form,  it  is  perhaps  advisable  to  continue  to  allow  these 
details  to  refer  to  both  forms  of  Brent,  and  to  trust  to 
future  observations  to  fill  in  the  blanks.  This  Goose 
apparently  pairs  for  life,  and  is  gregarious  enough 
during  its  migrations,  but  whether  it  continues  so 
through  the  nesting  season  is  unknown.  It  certainly 
appears  to  be  a  social  species,  many  birds  breeding 
within  a  comparatively  small  area.  The  nest  is  made 
in  a  hollow  in  the  ground,  and  composed  of  dry  grass, 
moss,  and  other  vegetable  fragments,  and  warmly  lined 
with  down.  The  male  keeps  careful  watch  near  the 
nest,  ready  to  give  the  alarm  or  to  defend  it  from 
enemies. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Brent  Goose  are  four  or  five  in  number. 
They  are  somewhat  smooth  in  texture,  slightly  polished, 
and  creamy-white.  Average  measurement,  275  inches 
in  length  by  1*85  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
apparently  performed  entirely  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Goose 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Bernacle 
Goose.  They  also  closely  resemble  those  of  the  White- 
fronted  Goose,  but — size  for  size — are  perceptibly  lighter 
in  shell  weight. 


i;6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  ANATIDtE.  Genus  Bernicla. 

Sub-family  ANSERIiV^. 

WHITE-BELLIED    BRENT    GOOSE. 

Bernicla  brenta  glaucogaster  {BreJwi). 

(British  :  Uncommon  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
White-bellied  Brent  Goose  breeds  across  Arctic  Aoierica 
on  the  coasts  and  islands  lying  north  of  lat.  72°  from  the 
Arctic  Archipelago  east  to  Greenland  and  north  as  far 
as  land  is  known.  Captain  Feilden  met  with  this  Goose 
breeding  near  Knot  Harbour  in  lat.  82^°. 

Breeding  habits:  The  White-bellied  Brent  Goose 
arrived  at  its  breeding  grounds  at  Knot  Harbour  on 
the  9th  of  June,  and  shortly  afterwards  the  male  and 
female  were  observed  rising  to  a  great  height  in  a  spiral 
course  toying  with  and  chasing  each  other.  This  bird 
is  gregarious  during  winter  and  whilst  on  passage,  and 
even  in  the  breeding  season  continues  somewhat  social, 
numbers  of  pairs  nesting  in  close  proximity.  The  nests 
were  either  made  on  the  hillsides,  between  the  snow-line 
and  the  sea,  or  were  placed  on  an  island  beyond  the 
line  of  open  water,  separated  from  the  mainland  by 
rough  hummocks  of  snow  and  ice.  The  nests  were  in 
hollows  and  composed  of  grass,  moss,  and  saxifrages, 
warmly  lined  with  down.  The  male  is  very  assiduous 
in  keeping  guard  over  the  nest,  ready  to  give  the  alarm 
to  the  female  or  to  defend  her  and  it  from  enemies. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White-bellied  Brent  Goose  are  four  or 
five  in  number.  They  are  somewhat  fine  in  grain, 
rather  polished,  and  creamy-white.     Average  measure- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  157 

ment,  275  inches  in  length  by  1-85  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Goose 
cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Bernacle  Goose,  but  from  those  of  the  White-fronted 
Goose,  which  they  also  resemble  in  size  and  colour,  they 
may  be  separated  by  their  lighter  shell  weight — eggs  of 
the  same  size  beino;  of  course  selected  for  the  test. 


Family  ANATID/E.  Genus  Bernicla. 

Sub-family  ANSERINE. 

BERNACLE    GOOSE. 

Bernicla  leucopsis  {Bechstein). 

(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  probably  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Palasarctic  region. 
The  Bernacle  Goose  has  been  met  with  during  summer 
in  Greenland,  Iceland,  Spitzbergen,  and  Nova  Zembla, 
and  has  been  said  to  nest  on  the  Loffoden  Islands,  but 
its  exact  breeding  grounds  remain  to  be  discovered. 

Breeding  habits  :  Nothing  is  known  of  the  breed- 
ing habits  and  the  nest  of  the  Bernacle  Goose.  This 
species  has  been  said  to  breed  on  the  Loffoden  Islands, 
and  specimens  of  the  eggs,  together  with  a  description  of 
the  nest,  were  sent  to  Collett,  but  these  eggs  are  certainly 
too  small.  These  islands  are  also  far  south  of  the  usual 
haunts  of  this  Goose,  which  probably  nests  as  far  north 
as    land    occurs.     A    description    of   the    nest    and    the 


158  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

habits  of  the  birds  during  the  breeding  season  still 
renfiains  to  be  written. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement 
{m  co?ifinement) :  The  eggs  of  the  Bernacle  Goose,  judging 
from  those  laid  by  birds  in  captivity,  are  somewhat 
coarse  in  grain,  with  no  polish,  and  creamy-white. 
Average  measurement,  2*85  inches  in  length  by  1*95 
inch  in  breadth.     Incubation  period  unrecorded. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Bernacle 
Goose  are  on  an  average  slightly  larger  than  those  of 
the  Brent  Goose,  but  no  absolutely  reliable  character 
can  be  given  by  which  they  may  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  that  species. 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  Bernicla. 

Sub-family  ANSERINAi,. 

RED-BREASTED     GOOSE. 

Bernicla  ruficollis  {Pallas). 
(British  :   Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  early  in  July. 

Breeding  area:  North-central  Pabearctic  region. 
The  Red-breasted  Goose  is  only  known  to  breed  on  the 
tundras  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  the  valleys 
of  the  Obb,  Yenesay,  Piasina,  and  Boganida  rivers. 

Breeding  habits  :  Nothing  whatever  appears  to 
be  known  of  the  habits  of  the  Red-breasted  Goose  during 
the  breeding  season.  The  bird  is  migratory,  leaving  its 
winter  quarters  in  the  Caspian  basin  and  retiring  to  the 
Arctic  regions  to  breed.  It  is  certainly  very  gregarious 
in  its  winter  resorts  and  whilst  on  passage;  and  judging 
from  the  few  meaq-re  details  recorded  I  should  infer  a 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  159 

certain  amount  of  sociability  during  the  breeding  season, 
many  pairs  nesting  within  a  small  area.  I  cannot  find 
that  the  nest  of  this  Goose  has  ever  been  described  by 
a  naturalist.  Von  Middendorff  states  that  he  met  with 
this  species  breeding  in  some  numbers  in  the  valley 
of  the  Boganida,  and  he  was  the  first  naturalist  to 
obtain  its  eggs.  Another  nest  was  discovered  on  one  of 
the  islands  in  the  delta  of  the  Yenesay  (inadvertently 
given  as  the  Petchora  in  my  work  on  Game  Birds  and 
Wild  Fozvl)  containing  two  eggs,  one  of  which  was 
broken,  as  the  female  was  shot  upon  them,  and  the  other 
was  brought  to  Mr.  Seebohm,  then  on  his  visit  to  that 
region.  This  nest  was  described  by  its  unscientific 
discoverer  as  being  like  that  of  a  Bean  Goose,  but  not  so 
large. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  number  of  eggs  laid  by  the  Red-breasted  Goose  is 
unknown  ;  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Seebohm  did 
not  at  least  count  the  broods  swimming  with  their 
parents,  which  he  saw  on  the  Yenesay,  as  this  would 
have  furnished  some  clue  to  the  extent  of  the  clutch. 
They  are  creamy-white,  obscurely  marked  with  green, 
smooth  in  grain,  and  for  a  Goose  (tg^  remarkably  fragile. 
Average  measurement,  275  inches  in  length  by  176 
inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of  incuba- 
tion is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  parent  performs  the 
task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  If  the  traces  of  an  under- 
lying green  shell  that  show  here  and  there  through  the 
creamy-white  are  constant,  then  this  peculiarity,  com- 
bined with  the  very  fragile  shell,  is  enough  to  distinguish 
them  from  those  of  every  other  Goose  known  to  me.  If 
my  memory  serves  me  correctly  Middendorff  fiorures  the 
egg  of  this  Goose  displaying  similar  indistinct  pale  green 
patches. 


i6o  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 


Family  ANATID.'E.  Genus  Tadorna. 

Sub-family  ANATIN.^. 

RUDDY    SHELDRAKE. 

Tadorna  casarca  [Linncezis). 

(British  :    Rare  abnormal  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  and  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region  and 
North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Ruddy  Sheldrake 
breeds  sparingly  in  the  south  of  Spain  and  in  North  Africa 
from  Morocco  to  Egypt.  North  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  breeds  south  of  the  valley  of  the  Danube  and  east 
of  the  Adriatic,  and  in  Southern  Russia.  Eastwards 
in  Asia  it  breeds  throughout  Persia,  Turkestan,  and 
Southern  Siberia  as  far  north  as  the  Baikal  area  and  the 
valley  of  the  Amoor.     It  is  said  also  to  breed  in  Japan. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  Europe  the  Ruddy  Sheldrake 
is  sedentary,  but  in  Asia,  where  the  climate  of  its  breed- 
ing area  is  more  rigorous,  it  leaves  its  summer  haunts 
to  winter  in  China,  Burma,  and  India.  It  reaches  its 
northern  breeding  grounds  again  in  April  or  early  May, 
migrating  in  flocks,  but  separating  into  scattered  pairs 
for  the  nesting  season.  The  Ruddy  Sheldrake  pairs  for 
life.  The  favourite  haunts  of  this  species  are  reed- 
fringed  rivers  in  which  sandy  islands  occur,  and  which 
flow  over  wide  fertile  plains,  also  lagoons,  and  less 
frequently  bare  mountainous  districts  often  far  from 
water.  The  nest  is  made  in  a  great  variety  of  places,  but 
almost  invariably  in  a  covered  site.  Sometimes  holes  in 
cliff's  are  selected,  or  burrows  and  clefts  in  the  ground, 
even  in  the  centre  of  a  cornfield  ;  whilst  holes  in  trees 
and  logs,  and  the  deserted  nests  of  birds  of  prey,  are  also 
chosen.     Prjevalsky  mentions   fire-places   in  the  houses 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  i6i 

of  deserted  Mongol  villages  as  an  occasional  site  ;  whilst 
it  has  been  found  amongst  a  colony  of  Griffon  Vultures, 
or  near  to  nests  of  the  Raven,  Black  Kite,  and  Egyptian 
Vulture  in  the  cliffs.  Usually  the  nest  is  not  far  from  water, 
but  instances  are  by  no  means  rare  in  which  it  has  been 
found  long  distances  from  it.  The  nest  is  made  almost 
entirely  of  down,  mixed  with  a  few  straws  or  bents. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Ruddy  Sheldrake  are  from  eight  to  six- 
teen in  number,  but  eight  or  ten  is  the  average  clutch. 
They  are  smooth  in  grain,  very  fragile,  and  creamy- 
white.  Average  measurement,  27  inches  in  length  by 
1*8  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  said  only  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  female,  but  probably  by  both  sexes,  lasts 
thirty  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Ruddy 
Sheldrake  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  Sheldrake.  Unfortunately  the  down  of  this 
species  appears  not  to  have  been  described,  but  will 
probably    prove  of  some   assistance  in   identifying  the 

ecfcrs. 


Family  ANATID.E.  Genus  Anas. 

Sub-family  ANA  TINAL. 

AMERICAN    WIDGEON. 

Anas  Americana,  Gmelin. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  last  half  of  May,  in  June, 
and  possibly  July. 

Breeding    area  :    Northern    Nearctic   region.     The 
American  Wigeon  breeds  in  Alaska,  probably  through- 

M 


i62  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

out  British  America,  as  far  north  as  lat.  70°,  and 
southwards  to  the  most  northern  United  States — 
Dakota,  Minnesota,  etc. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  American  Wigeon  reaches  its 
more  southerly  breeding  grounds  in  April  or  early  in 
May,  but  it  is  about  a  month  later  in  the  high  north. 
Although  gregarious  during  the  winter  the  flocks 
disperse  in  spring,  and  breed  in  scattered  pairs.  Of  the 
pairing  habits  of  this  Duck  nothing  appears  to  be 
known.  The  favourite  nesting  haunts  of  the  American 
Wigeon  are  swampy  grounds,  either  on  the  treeless 
tundras,  or  near  the  prairie  lakes,  and  rough  marshy 
grounds  studded  with  trees  and  bushes.  The  nest 
appears  always  to  be  made  on  the  ground,  often 
beneath  the  shelter  of  a  tuft  of  rushes  or  coarse  grass, 
or  under  a  bush,  a  dry  patch  of  ground  being  selected 
if  possible.  The  nest  is  merely  a  hollow  lined  with  dry 
grass  or  a  few  leaves,  to  which,  however,  is  added  a 
thick  and  abundant  lining  of  down  and  a  few  feathers. 
The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  remaining  on  the  nest  until 
almost  trodden  upon,  and  when  flushed  flying  straight 
away,  with  little  or  no  demonstration. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Wigeon  are  from  six  to 
twelve  in  number.  They  are  creamy-white  or  pale  buff 
in  colour.  Average  measurement,  2*2  inches  in  length 
by  1*5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  has  not  been 
determined. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  American 
Wigeon  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  Wigeon,  and  as  the  down  is  not  described,  it 
is  impossible  to  say  whether  it  is  of  any  service  in 
identifying  the  eggs.  The  locality  is  of  value,  for  the 
Common  Wigeon  docs  not  breed  in  the  New  World. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  163 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Anas, 

Sub-family  ANATINM. 

AMERICAN    TEAL. 

Anas  carolinensis,   G?nelt7i. 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
American  Teal  breeds  in  the  Arctic  and  sub-arctic 
regions  of  North  America,  from  the  Aleutian  Islands 
and  Alaska  eastwards  to  Greenland,  and  southwards 
through  Canada  to  the  more  northern  United  States. 

Breeding  habits  :  To  its  more  northern  breeding 
places  the  American  Teal  is  only  a  summer  visitor, 
returning  to  them  in  April  and  May.  In  winter  it  is 
gregarious,  but  during  the  breeding  season  lives  in 
scattered  pairs.  Its  favourite  haunts  are  small  pools, 
and  swamps  in  which  the  open  sheets  of  water  are 
separated  by  strips  of  rough  wet  land,  studded  with 
tussocks  of  grass  and  rushes.  It  is  probable  that  this 
Duck  pairs  for  life,  but  nothing  positive  is  known.  The 
nest  is  invariably  placed  on  the  ground,  usually  amongst 
long  coarse  grass  or  rushes,  often  sheltered  by  a  tuft  of 
vegetation,  or  amongst  willow  thickets.  It  is  merely  a 
hollow  carefully  lined  with  scraps  of  dead  herbage  and 
quantities  of  down  and  feathers.  The  bird  sits  closely, 
when  flushed  flying  straight  away  without  demonstration. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Teal  are  from  eight  to  ten 
or  even  twelve  in  number,  nine  being  an  average  clutch. 
They  are  smooth  in  grain,  polished,  and  creamy-white. 
Average  measurement,   I'S  inch  in  length  by  1-3  inch 


i64  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

in  breadth.     Incubation,  performed  by  the  female,  lasts 
about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Teal 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  European 
Teal,  or  from  those  of  the  Blue-winged  Teal.  As  the 
European  Teal  does  not  breed  in  the  New  World  there 
is  no  chance  of  confusion  between  the  eggs  in  situ,  and 
it  is  probable  that  the  down  of  the  two  American  Teals 
is  different,  serving  to  identify  the  eggs,  but  as  usual 
our  transatlantic  naturalists  have  failed  to  describe  it. 
They  are  ready  enough  to  tell  us  that  the  nests  of  these 
Ducks  are  warmly  lined  with  down,  but  the  character- 
istics of  that  down  are  beneath  their  consideration  or 
description. 


Family  ANATID/E.  Genus  Anas. 

Sub-family  ANA  TINyE. 

B  L  U  E-W  INGED    TEAL. 

Anas  discors,  Li?ificBus. 

(British  :   Very   rare   abnormal   autumn   migrant,   of    doubtful 
occurrence.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season.  May  and  early 
June. 

Breeding  area  :  Central  and  Southern  Nearctic 
region.  The  Blue-winged  Teal  breeds  throughout  the 
North-American  continent  up  to  about  lat.  60"",  and  as  far 
south  as  Florida  and  Northern  Mexico  (to  the  Tropic  of 
Cancer).  It  is  much  rarer  and  more  local  west  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Blue-winged  Teal  is  not 
nearly  so  boreal  a  species  as  the  American  Teal,  but 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  165 

frequents  very  similar  localities.  In  northern  areas  it  is 
a  migrant,  leaving  for  the  south  in  autumn  and  returning 
in  April  and  ]\Iay.  Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are 
swampy  ponds  fringed  with  willows  and  coarse  grass 
and  rushes  :  ponds  containing  small  islands  are  preferred. 
The  nest  is  invariably  made  upon  the  ground,  either 
amongst  the  dense  vegetation  on  the  bank  of  the  pool, 
or  on  an  island,  beneath  a  tuft  of  grass  or  other  herbage. 
The  nest  is  a  mere  hollow,  lined  with  scraps  of  dead 
vegetation  and  a  copious  supply  of  down  and  feathers. 
Tlie  bird  sits  closely,  waiting  till  almost  trodden  upon 
before  starting  rapidly  from  the  nest,  and  usually  taking 
refuge  some  distance  away  amongst  the  vegetation,  or 
settling  on  the  open  water. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Blue-winged  Teal  are  from  eight  to 
twelve  in  number,  ten  being  an  average  clutch.  They 
are  creamy-white,  smooth  and  somewhat  polished. 
Average  measurement,  1*9  inch  in  length  by  i"3  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  the  female,  lasts 
about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  As  the  down  of  this  species 
still  remains  undescribed,  I  am  unable  to  give  any 
character  by  which  the  eggs  can  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  allied  birds. 


i66  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^. 

RED-CRESTED     POCHARD. 

Fuligula  rufina  {Pallas). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  to  June,  according  to 

locality. 

Breeding  area:  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Red-crested  Pochard  breeds  locally  in  the  Spanish 
Peninsula,  principally  in  the  eastern  portion,  in  the  Bale- 
aric Islands,  Sardinia,  Sicily,  Italy,  Central  and  Southern 
Germany,  the  valley  of  the  Danube,  and  Southern  Russia. 
South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  on  the  lakes  of 
Northern  Africa,  principally  in  the  north-west.  Whether 
it  breeds  in  Asia  Minor  or  Armenia  appears  not  to  be 
known,  but  it  certainly  does  so  in  Northern  Persia  and 
Turkestan. 

Breeding  habits:  In  the  more  northerly  portions  of 
its  distribution  the  Red-crested  Pochard  is  a  migrant, 
reaching  its  breeding  haunts  in  April.  This  Duck  is  not 
only  gregarious  during  winter,  but  is  more  or  less  social 
during  summer,  many  pairs  often  nesting  in  close  prox- 
imity. The  bird  probably  pairs  for  life.  Ponds,  broads, 
and  lakes  with  plenty  of  cover — rushes,  willow  and  alder 
scrub,  long  grasses — round  the  margin,  and  especially 
such  as  contain  islands,  are  the  favourite  nesting  grounds 
of  this  Pochard.  The  nest  is  generally  made  amongst 
the  flags,  rushes,  and  coarse  long  grass  near  the  water. 
Externally  it  is  composed  of  dead  rushes,  leaves,  bits  of 
reed,  and  other  vegetable  refuse,  and  warmly  lined  with 
down  and  a  few  feathers.  In  some  cases  the  old  nest 
of  a  Coot  or  Moorhen  is  annexed.     The  bird  is  a  close 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  167 

sitter,  and  when  leaving  the  nest  voluntarily  covers  the 
eggs  v/ith  down,  a  proceeding  common  to  most  if  not 
all  species  in  this  order. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-crested  Pochard  are  from  seven  to 
ten  in  number.  Specimens  taken  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  Algeria 
are  described  as  of  "a  most  brilliant  fresh  green  colour 
when  unblown  ;  the  contents  were  no  sooner  expelled, 
and  the  q^^  dry,  than  the  delicate  tints  were  gone,  and 
their  beauty  sadly  diminished."  After  being  in  collections 
for  any  length  of  time  they  may  be  described  as  grayish- 
olive.  Average  measurement,  2'3  inches  in  length  by 
1*6  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Unfortunately  the  down 
of  this  Duck  does  not  appear  to  have  been  described, 
and  we  are  left  without' a  valuable  clue  to  the  correct 
identification  of  its  eggs.  They  very  closely  resemble 
those  of  the  Pochard,  but  always  appear  to  be  greener, 
approaching  in  colour  those  of  the  Golden  Eye,  but  the 
down  of  the  latter  species  is  pale. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^. 

WHITE-EYED     POCHARD. 

Fuligula  nyroca  iyGilldenstddt). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring,  autumn,  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  April  to  June, 
according  to  latitude. 

Breeding  area  :    Southern    PaLnearctic   region    and 
extreme   North-western    Oriental    region.     The   White- 


i68  THE  NESTS   AND   EGGS   OF 

eyed  Pochard  has  a  very  extensive  distribution,  breeding 
throughout  Europe  from  the  Mediterranean  northwards 
to  Holland,  the  southern  shores  of  the  Baltic,  Moscow, 
Kazan,  and  Ekaterinburg.  South  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  breeds  in  North  Africa  from  Morocco  to  Tunis,  whilst 
eastwards  it  does  so  in  Asia  Minor,  Armenia,  Northern 
Persia,  Turkestan,  Cashmere,  and  probably  through 
Mongolia,  Manchooria,  and  the  Amoor  districts.  It  is 
not  known  to  breed  anywhere  in  Siberia,  although  it  was 
seen  by  Finsch  in  the  valley  of  the  Obb  as  far  north  as 
the  Arctic  circle. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  the  warmer  portions  of  its  dis- 
tribution the  White-eyed  Pochard  is  sedentary,  but  in 
colder  areas  it  is  a  bird  of  regular  passage,  reaching  its 
breeding  grounds  in  March  and  April,  or  early  in  May. 
The  breeding  season  of  this  Duck  varies  a  good  deal 
according  to  locality.  In  Germany  and  the  valley  of 
the  Danube  it  lays  in  May  ;  in  Spain  towards  the  end  of 
April ;  in  Algeria  not  before  June,  which  is  also  the  date 
for  Cashmere.  The  principal  breeding  haunts  of  this 
Pochard  are  slow-running  rivers,  ponds,  broads,  and 
lakes,  especially  such  as  contain  islands,  and  where  the 
banks  are  swampy  and  covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth 
of  rushes,  tall  grass,  shrubs,  and  other  aquatic  vegetation. 
The  nest  is  generally  made  among  the  reeds  and  rushes 
on  the  banks  of  the  pool,  either  on  the  land  or  on  float- 
ing masses  of  rotten  fallen  vegetation  or  drifting  weed. 
Sometimes  it  is  made  on  a  tuft  or  hassock  of  sedge 
or  rush  ;  whilst  Taczanowski  records  it  being  carefully 
concealed  in  a  bush  several  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is 
made  of  dry  rushes,  sedge,  and  other  vegetable  refuse, 
the  finer  materials  being  used  for  the  interior,  which  is 
again  lined  with  down  and  a  few  feathers  plucked  from 
the  body  of  the  female.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this 
Duck  nothing  appears  to  be  known.     It  is  a  close  sitter, 


NOy-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  169 

but  flies  right  away  when  flushed,  covering  its  eggs, 
however,  with  down  when  leaving  them  voluntarily; 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White-eyed  Pochard  are  from  eight 
to'  fourteen  in  number,  ten  being  an  average  clutch. 
They  are  pale  creamy-buff,  sometimes  with  a  perceptible 
tinge  or  suffusion  of  green.  Average  measurement,  2*i 
inches  in  length  by  149  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation, 
performed  by  the  female,  lasts,  according  to  Favier, 
thirty  days  ;  Naumann  says  twenty-two  to  twenty-three 
days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Pochard 
very  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Gadwall  and  the 
Wigcon,  but  the  down  tufts,  which  are  small  and  very 
dark  brown  without  any  pale  tips,  will  serve  to  distinguish 
them.  The  eggs  of  the  Harlequin  Duck  and  the  Smew 
also  resemble  them,  but  the  breeding  grounds  do  not 
impinge,  the  nests  are  different,  and  the  shell  weight  of 
the  Pochards  is  heavier  than  any  of  the  rest,  size  for 
size. 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  FULIGULA. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN.^. 

SCAUP. 

FULIGULA    MARILA    [LtunCSJis). 

(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palsearctic 
regions.  The  Scaup  breeds  sparingly  in  the  P'aroes, 
abundantly  in  Iceland,  and  throughout  the  Arctic  regions 
of  Europe  and  Asia,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 


I70  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

as  far  north  as  lat  70°,  and  at  high  elevations  on  the 
mountains  of  Southern  Scandinavia.  In  the  New  World 
it  breeds  as  far  north  as  lat.  70°  from  east  to  west,  and 
as  far  south  as  the  Hudson  Bay  Territory.  Whether  it 
breeds  in  Greenland  is  not  yet  determined. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Scaup  is  a  migrant,  reaching 
its  Arctic  breeding  grounds  with  the  break  up  of  the  ice 
and  the  melting  of  the  snow  towards  the  end  of  May 
or  early  in  June.  During  winter  this  Duck  is  gregarious 
enough,  and  even  in  summer  continues  sociable,  many 
pairs  nesting  within  a  small  area  and  collecting  at 
certain  spots  to  feed.  This  bird  apparently  pairs  for 
life.  Its  favourite  breeding  grounds  are  the  tundras 
near  the  lakes,  which  are  fringed  with  rushes  and  grass, 
and  often  surrounded  with  thickets  of  birches,  junipers, 
and  willows.  The  nest  is  made  upon  the  ground  by  the 
water-side  among  willows  and  junipers,  or  on  a  bank 
clothed  with  species  of  Ericaceae,  and  studded  with  tufts 
of  sedge  and  coarse  grass.  In  Iceland  it  was  found  by 
Proctor  amongst  large  stones  near  the  water's  edge.  It 
is  merely  a  hollow  lined  with  dry  grass,  bits  of  sedge, 
and  withered  leaves,  but  warmly  finished  off  with  down, 
which  increases  in  amount  as  the  full  clutch  of  eggs  is 
laid.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  waiting  until  the  last 
moment  before  quitting  the  eggs,  which,  however,  are 
carefully  covered  for  concealment  when  left  voluntarily. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Scaup  are  from  six  to  nine  in  number, 
but  where  several  females  lay  in  the  same  nest,  as  is 
sometimes  the  case.  Dr.  Kruper  found  as  many  as 
twenty-two.  They  are  pale  greenish-gray,  and  smooth 
in  texture.  Average  measurement,  2*6  inches  in  length 
by  1*7  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Scaup 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  i^ji 

and  those  of  the  Pochard  overlap  in  size  and  are  the 
same  in  colour,  but  the  down  of  the  latter  is  grayer,  that 
of  the  present  species  being  large  tufted  and  dark  brown, 
with  pale  centres. 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^. 

HARLEQUIN     DUCK. 

Fuligula  histrionica  {Lt?mceiis). 

(British  :  Very  rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area:  Eastern  Palaearctic  and  Nearctic 
regions.  The  Harlequin  Duck  breeds  in  Iceland,  Green- 
land south  of  the  Arctic  circle,  and  thence  across  the 
North  American  continent  ^  from  about  the  latitude  of 
the  Arctic  circle  south  to  lat.  45°.  Westwards  it  breeds 
in  the  Aleutian  Islands,  and  probably  in  Kamtschatka, 
the  Stanavoi  Mountains,  the  valley  of  the  Amoor,  and 
the  Baikal  area.  There  is  no  absolutely  reliable  evidence 
of  this  bird  breeding  anywhere  in  Western  Siberia  or  on 
continental  Europe. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Harlequin  Duck  is  a 
nomadic  migrant,  rarely  straying  much  south  of  open 
water  during  winter.  It  is  not  gregarious  during  the 
breeding  season,  living  in  scattered  pairs  :  the  flocks  of 
this  Duck  noted  by  Elliott  in  the  Pribylov  Islands  being 
probably    composed    of   immature    non-breeding    birds. 

1  It  is  rather  remarkable  that  this  Duck  was  never  met  with 
by  Macfarlane  during  his  long  sojourn  in  the  Arctic  regions  of 
America. 


172  THE   NESrS  AND  EGGS   OF 

The  favourite  haunts  of  the  Harlequin  Duck  are  swift- 
flowing  rivers  and  streams,  such  as  are  broken  up  into 
falls  and  rapids  being  preferred.  It  has  been  stated 
that  this  species  nests  in  holes  on  the  banks  of  rivers 
and  in  tree-trunks,  but  this  is  probably  erroneous. 
Reliable  authorities  state  that  the  nest  is  made  upon  the 
ground  close  to  the  edge  of  the  stream,  but  I  cannot 
find  that  it  has  ever  been  seen  i7t  situ,  or  described  by 
a  competent  naturalist.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this 
beautiful  Duck  nothing  apparently  is  known.  It  seems 
marvellous  that  the  nesting  economy  of  a  bird  breeding 
as  near  to  our  shores  as  Iceland  should  be  so  utterly 
unknown,  or  that  what  little  information  we  do  possess 
should  be  so  unreliable. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Harlequin  Duck  are  from  eight  to  ten 
in  number,  six  or  seven  being  the  average  clutch.  They 
are  smooth  in  texture,  with  some  polish,  and  according 
to  Mr.  Raine,  who  has  received  upwards  of  200  eggs  of 
this  bird  from  his  collector  in  Iceland  within  the  past 
five  years,  are  "  deep  rich  buff,  some  having  a  yellowish 
tinge,  others  are  pale  buffy  cinnamon."  Average  measure- 
ment, 22  inches  in  length  by  17  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  the  female,  but 
the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  Harlequin 
Duck  somewhat  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Smew  in 
colour,  but  may  always  be  distinguished  by  their  richer 
tint,  larger  size,  and  heavier  shell-weight.  The  down  is 
described  by  Mr.  Raine  as  "  dark  grayish-brown,"  which 
is  also  a  further  point  of  distinction,  that  of  the  Smew 
being  very  pale  grayish-white. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  173 


Family  ANATID.4^.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULINM. 

LONG-TAILED     DUCK. 

Fuligula  glacl\lis  (Lifmceus). 

(British  :  Fairly  common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  from  end  of  May  to  the 
first  half  of  July,  according  to  locality. 

Breeding  AREA :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Paloearctic 
regions.  The  Long-tailed  Duck  breeds  on  the  tundras 
and  barren  grounds  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in 
Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America,  as  far  north  as  land 
exists,  and  in  a  similar  climate  at  high  elevations  in 
Scandinavia,  Iceland,  and  perhaps  the  Faroes. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Long-tailed  Duck  is  a 
migrant,  and  returns  to  its  breeding  grounds  in  the 
Arctic  regions  as  soon  as  open  water  can  be  found,  when 
the  ice  on  the  great  rivers  breaks  up,  and  the  snow  melts 
from  the  tundras.  The  favourite  summer  haunts  of  this 
Duck  are  the  Arctic  tundras  and  barren  grounds  of  both 
hemispheres,  which  extend  from  the  limits  of  forest 
growth  to  the  Polar  seas.  Here  it  frequents  the  pools 
and  lakes,  especially  such  as  are  studded  with  islands. 
During  winter  the  bird  is  gregarious,  and  even  in  the 
breeding  season  a  certain  amount  of  sociability  is  observ- 
able. Scattered  pairs  frequent  the  smaller  pools,  but  the 
larger  sheets  of  water  are  the  resort  of  perhaps  a  dozen 
or  twenty  pairs.  This  Duck  probably  mates  for  life, 
but  precise  information  is  wanting.  The  nest  is  gener- 
ally placed  upon  the  ground  in  some  sheltered  nook, 
often  amongst  willow  and  birch  scrub,  or  on  the  drifted 
rubbish  left  by  the  floods  when  the  big  northern  riv^ers 
break  up  in  spring,  or  amongst  long  grass.    An  island  is 


174  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

selected  if  one  is  to  be  had.  The  nest  is  merely  a  hollow 
amongst  the  herbage,  lined  with  an  abundance  of  down 
and  a  few  feathers  plucked  from  the  body  of  the  female. 
The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and,  when  voluntarily  leaving 
her  eggs,  covers  them  for  concealment.  The  male  assists 
the  female  in  bringing  up  the  brood,  which  is  a  very 
exceptional  circumstance. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Long-tailed  Duck  are  from  seven  to 
twelve  in  number,  eight  or  nine  being  the  average 
clutch.^  They  are  smooth  in  texture,  have  some  polish, 
and  vary  in  colour  from  pale  buffish-green  to  greenish- 
buff.  Average  measurement,  2'i  inches  in  length  by 
1*5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  appar- 
ently by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Long- 
tailed  Duck  cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those 
of  the  Pintail  Duck,  or  even  from  those  of  the  Mallard, 
but  the  down  from  the  nest  is  a  tolerably  safe  guide  to 
their  identification.  The  tufts  are  small,  warm  brown  in 
colour,  without  any  white  tips. 

1  Macfarlane  writes  :  "  Considerably  over  one  hundred  nests 
were  taken,  and  the  eggs  varied  from  five  to  seven,  the  latter  being 
the  maximum  number  recorded  in  any  one  instance,"  so  that  the 
clutches  in  the  Nearctic  region  are  probably  smaller  than  those  in 
the  Pala^arctic  region.    (Conf.  Proc.  U.  S,  Nat.  Mus.,XlY.,  p.  421.) 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  175 


Family  ANATID.E.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FUUGULIN^E. 

VELVET     SCOTER. 

Fuligula  fusca  {Linnceus). 

(British  :  Fairly  common  aiitmnn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  June  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  PaLnearctic  region.  The 
Velvet  Scoter  breeds  in  the  Arctic  and  sub-arctic  regions 
of  Europe  and  Asia,  as  far  north  as  lat.  69°,  and  as  far 
south  as  the  Baltic  Provinces  in  the  west  and  lat.  55°  in 
the  east.  The  Nearctic  representative  is  F.  fusca 
felvetma. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Velvet  Scoter  is  a  n:iigratory 
bird,  coming  south  in  winter,  but  retiring  north  again  in 
spring  to  breed,  reaching  its  nesting  grounds  with  the 
break-up  of  the  ice  and  the  melting  of  the  snow.  Its 
breeding-  o-rounds  are  situated  at  some  distance  from  the 
coast,  as  a  rule,  and  not  unfrequently  the  nest  is  made 
a  long  way  from  any  water  at  all.  It  is  gregarious 
during  winter,  but  appears  to  live  in  scattered  pairs  only 
during  the  breeding  season.  Its  favourite  haunts  are 
the  tundras,  usually  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  rivers 
and  lakes.  The  nest  is  made  upon  the  ground  amongst 
scrub  or  the  coarse  vegetation  of  the  tundra,  or  under 
the  shelter  of  a  rush-tuft  or  solitary  bush  near  the  water, 
but  sometimes  on  a  dry  part  of  the  moor.  It  is  merely 
a  hollow,  in  which  a  little  dry  grass,  a  few  dead  leaves 
or  other  vegetable  fragments  have  been  placed,  and 
lined  with  down  and  a  few  feathers  from  the  body  of 
the  female.  The  bird  sits  closely,  and  always  covers 
the  eggs  for  concealment  when  leaving  them  voluntarily. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 


176  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

The  eggs  of  the  Velvet  Scoter  are  from  five  to  eight  or 
nine  in  number,  generally  eight.  They  are  smooth  in 
texture,  with  little  polish,  and  pale  grayish-buff  in 
colour.  Average  measurement,  2*8  inches  in  length 
by  r9  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  combined  with 
the  colour  is  a  pretty  safe  guide  to  the  determination  of 
the  eggs  of  this  Scoter.  They  are  larger  than  those  of 
the  Common  Scoter  and  the  Surf  Scoter.  The  down 
tufts  are  also  larger  than  the  down  tufts  of  the  Common 
Scoter :  brown  shot  with  gray,  and  with  indistinct  pale 
centres. 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  Fuligula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^E. 

SURF     SCOTER. 

Fuligula  perspicillata  {Lt?mceus). 
(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  June  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Surf  Scoter  breeds  in  the  Arctic  and  sub-arctic  regions 
of  North  America  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  as 
far  north  as  lat.  70°,  and  as  far  south  as  lat.  50°. 

Breeding  habits  :  Like  most  other  Arctic  Ducks, 
the  Surf  Scoter  appears  at  its  breeding  grounds  in  spring 
with  the  break-up  of  the  ice,  and  as  summer  bursts  with 
startling  suddenness  over  the  lonely  forests  and  barrens. 
It  is  a  very  gregarious  bird  during  winter,  and  even  in 
summer,  as  soon  as  the  females  have  scattered  them- 
selves over  the  suitable  nesting  grounds,  the  males  begin 


NON-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  177 

again  to  flock  and  to  keep  company  until  the  following 
spring.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Duck  nothing 
appears  to  be  known.  Its  favourite  breeding  grounds 
are  the  open  wooded  areas  studded  with  lakes  and 
streams  and  swamps,  as  well  as  the  bare  treeless  barren 
grounds,  with  their  rush  and  grass-fringed  pools  and 
bogs.  The  nest  is  usually  made  near  the  water  amongst 
scrub  and  coarse  vegetation.  MacFarlane  and  others 
have  found  the  nest  of  this  Scoter  at  the  foot  of  pine 
trees  concealed  by  the  drooping  lower  branches ;  Audubon 
shot  the  female  from  a  nest  in  a  tussock  of  grass  in  a 
marsh.  The  nest  is  merely  a  hollow  in  the  ground, 
lined  with  any  scraps  of  vegetation  that  may  chance  to 
be  near,  and  also  with  quantities  of  down  and  a  few 
feathers  plucked  from  the  body  of  the  female.  The 
bird  sits  closely,  and  when  leaving  the  nest  to  go  and 
feed  carefully  covers  the  eggs,  to  shield  them  from  the 
prying  glances  of  enemies. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Surf  Scoter  are  from  five  to  eight  in 
number,  the  latter,  however,  being  exceptional.  They 
are  smooth  in  texture,  with  little  polish,  and  pale 
grayish-buff  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  2*3 
inches  in  length  by  1-65  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation 
is  performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the 
period   is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Scoter 
are  distinguished  by  their  size  and  colour,  being  smaller 
than  those  of  the  Common  Scoter  and  those  of  both 
forms  of  the  Velvet  Scoter.  Whether  the  down  is  of 
any  service  as  an  additional  means  of  identification 
I  cannot  say,  as  no  naturalist  appears  ever  to  have 
described  it. 


178  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  ANATID/E.  Genus  Clangula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^. 

BUFFEL-HEADED    DUCK. 

Clangula  albeola  {Li?incsus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Buffel-headed  Duck  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  of 
North  America  up  to  the  limits  of  forest  growth,  and 
as  far  south  as  the  northern  states  of  Maine  and 
Wisconsin. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Buffel-headed  Duck  is  a 
migratory  species,  and  returns  to  its  northern  breeding 
grounds  as  soon  as  the  ice  breaks  up  and  it  can  obtain 
food.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  pretty 
Duck  are  wooded  areas  in  which  plenty  of  lakes  and 
pools  occur.  Although  gregarious  during  the  winter 
it  appears  to  live  in  scattered  pairs  during  the  nesting 
season,  and  the  male  seems  to  keep  closer  companion- 
ship with  the  female  than  is  usual  in  this  class  of  birds. 
The  nest  is  made  in  a  hollow  tree,  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  above  the  ground,  either  a  hole  in  a  branch  or  in 
the  trunk  being  selected.  It  would  appear,  however, 
that  in  districts  where  suitable  trees  are  scarce  a  hole  in 
a  bank  will  be  used.  Mr.  Raine  {op.  cit.^  p.  62)  gives  a 
very  interesting  account  of  his  finding  a  nest  of  this 
Duck  containing  twelve  eggs  in  a  gopher  hole  (the 
gopher  is  a  little  burrowing  animal),  made  in  the  bank 
of  a  lake  overgrown  with  bushes  and  honeycombed  with 
the  burrows  of  this  quadruped.  The  duck  flew  from  the 
hole  and  alighted  on  the  adjoining  lake,  where  it  was 
joined  by  the  drake.     The  eggs  were  laid  on  a  bed  of 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  179 

down  three  feet  from  the  entrance  to  the  burrow. 
Beyond  lining  the  selected  hole  copiously  with  down 
this  Duck  makes  no  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Buffel-headed  Duck  are  from  six  to  ten 
or  twelve  in  number.  They  are  smooth  in  texture, 
with  some  polish,  and  greenish-gray  \\\  colour.  Mr. 
Raine  describes  his  eggs  as  "warm  dull  buff  colour, 
with  a  grayish  tinge."  Average  measurement,  2*0  inches 
in  length,  by  r45  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  may 
possibly  be  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  matter 
still  requires  determination.  The  duration  of  the  period 
is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Buffel- 
headed  Duck  somewhat  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
Gadwall,  but  the  situation  of  the  nest  is  different,  as  is 
also,  most  probably,  the  down,  although  American 
naturalists  have  as  yet  omitted  to  describe  it.  Their 
colour  readily  distinguishes  them  from  those  of  the 
Golden-eye  and  Barrow's  Golden-eye ;  they  are  also 
smaller. 


Family  ANATID^.  Genus  Claxgula. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN/E. 

GOLDEN-EYE. 

Clangula  glaucion  {Linnceus). 

(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  "area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Pala^arctic 
regions.  The  Golden-eye  breeds  in  Iceland,  and 
throughout  the  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  regions  of  Europe 
and  Asia  up  to  the  limits  of  forest  growth.     In  Europe 


i8o  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

it  breeds  as  far  south  as  Holstein,  Brandenburg, 
Pomerania,  and  Prussia,  and  in  Russia  as  far  south  as 
the  Caucasus.  In  Asia  it  breeds  throughout  Siberia 
south  of  the  Hmits  of  forest  growth.  In  the  New  World 
(if  we  admit  that  the  birds  are  identical)  it  breeds 
throughout  British  North  America,  and  Alaska,  south 
of  the  limits  of  forest  growth. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Golden-eye  is  a  somewhat 
hardy  species,  and  its  migrations  are  consequently 
limited.  It  returns  to  its  old  breeding  places  as  soon 
as  they  are  free  from  ice,  the  date  varying  according  to 
locality  and  state  of  the  season.  During  winter  the 
Golden-eye  is  more  or  less  gregarious,  and  in  many  cases 
continues  social  throughout  the  breeding  season,  numbers 
of  nests  being  made  within  a  small  area  if  suitable  sites 
are  to  be  had.  This  Duck  probably  pairs  for  life  and 
returns  to  the  same  nesting  place  every  season.  The 
Golden-eye  may  frequently  be  seen  to  perch  in  a  tree. 
The  favourite  breeding  haunt  of  this  Duck  is  open 
forest  country  where  the  trees  are  large  and  many  of 
them  decayed,  and  where  the  ground  is  broken  up  into 
swamps  and  lakes  with  the  timber  more  or  less  thickly 
interspersed  between  them.  The  nest  is  usually  made 
in  a  hollow  tree  as  much  as  thirty  feet  from  the  ground, 
either  in  a  hole  in  the  trunk  or  in  a  hollow  branch, 
the  deserted  hole  of  a  Black  Woodpecker  sometimes 
being  used.  Naumann  asserts  that  the  nest  is  frequently 
made  amongst  rushes  and  other  aquatic  vegetation,  or 
on  the  top  of  a  pollard  either  near  the  water  or  at  some 
distance  from  it :  this  is  probably  in  districts  where  no 
hollow  trees  can  hz  found.  The  Lapp  and  Finnish 
peasants  place  boxes  and  hollow  logs  for  this  Duck  to 
breed  in,  regularly  but  judiciously  removing  the  eggs. 
The  partiality  of  this  species  for  a  nesting  site  near  a 
waterfall  or  quick-flowing  stream  has  been  remarked  by 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  i8i 

several  observers.  No  nest  beyond  a  thick  warm  bed  of 
down  is  provided.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and  when 
flushed  flies  straight  away  at  once. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Golden-eye  are  usually  from  ten  to 
thirteen  in  number,  but  exceptionally  as  many  as 
nineteen  have  been  found,  probably  the  produce  of  two 
females.  They  are  smooth  in  texture,  somewhat  glossy, 
and  bright  grayish-green  in  colour.  Average  measure- 
ment, 2*3  inches  in  length,  by  I  "6  inch  in  breadth.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown. 
Whether  both  sexes  incubate  is  still  undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size,  green  colour  of 
the  eggs,  and  situation  of  the  nest  combined  with  the 
colour  of  the  down  are  sufficient  to  identify  the  eggs  of 
the  Golden-eye.  The  down  is  pale  lavender-gray,  with 
obscure  pale  centres.  The  eggs  of  Barrow's  Golden-Eye 
are  larger  (average  2*4  by  172)  and  paler. 


Family  ANATIDiE.  Genus  Somateria. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIN^. 

STELLER'S     EIDER. 

SOiMATERIA    STELLERI    [PaUas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  June  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  North-eastern  Paknearctic  region, 
and  possibly  the  extreme  North-western  Palaearctic 
region.  Steller's  Eider  is  only  known  to  breed  normally 
and  with  certainty  in  Kamtschatka,  on  the  islands  in 
Bering  Strait,  and  the  Aleutian  Islands ;  in  the  delta  of 


i82  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

the  Lena,  and  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula.  It  has  been 
said  to  breed  on  the  coast  of  Russian  Finmark,  and  in 
the  Varanger  Fjord,  but,  if  true,  the  occurrence  is  most 
exceptional. 

Breeding  habits  :  Steller's  Eider  wanders  no  further 
from  its  breeding  grounds  than  the  severity  of  the 
weather  compels.  It  is  a  nomadic  migrant,  only  coming 
south  to  where  open  water  can  be  found,  and  retiring 
north  again  with  the  break-up  of  the  ice.  It  is  gregarious 
during  winter,  and  more  or  less  social  in  summer,  numbers 
of  ducks  nesting  in  close  proximity,  and  the  drakes 
swimming  and  feeding  in  company.  The  breeding  haunts 
of  this  beautiful  Eider  are  the  rocky  coasts  of  the  Arctic 
Ocean.  Of  its  pairing  habits  we  know  nothing.  But 
little  has  been  recorded  of  the  nidification  of  this  species  ; 
indeed  the  only  information  we  possess  is  that  obtained 
by  Von  Middendorff  in  Siberia.  He  met  with  this  Duck 
breeding  in  some  numbers  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula, 
which  is  remarkable  for  being  the  most  northerly 
continental  land  in  the  world.  The  nests  were  made  on 
the  tundra,  and  are  described  as  deep  hollows  in  the 
moss-clothed  ground,  lined  with  quantities  of  down 
plucked  from  the  body  of  the  female.  The  ducks  sit  very 
closely,  the  drakes  swimming  in  attendance  on  the 
adjoining  sea,  and  meeting  their  mates  when  they  leave 
their  nests  for  a  brief  period  to  feed. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Steller's  Eider  are  from  seven  to  nine  in 
number.  They  are  smooth  in  texture,  slightly  polished, 
and  pale  buffish-green  in  colour.  Average  measurement, 
2'35  inches  in  length,  by  r55  inch  in  breadth.  Incuba- 
tion is  performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the 
period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  bird  are 
very  rare  in  collections,  and  unfortunately  they  possess  no 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  183 

character  by  which  they  can  be  always  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  Pintail  Duck.  The  down  of  this  Eider 
is  undescribed,  but  will  doubtless  prove  sufficiently 
characteristic  to  render  the  identification  of  the  eggs 
complete.  Eggs  of  this  species,  unaccompanied  by 
down,  unless  thoroughly  well  authenticated,  are  worthless 
as  scientific  specimens. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Somateria. 

Sub-family  FULIGULIiVyE. 

KING     EIDER. 

Somateria  spectabtlis  {Liiinaus). 

(British  :  Probably  breeds  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  first  half  of  July. 
(June,  if  in  British  Islands.) 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  King  Eider  breeds  on  the  islands  off  the 
coast  of  Northern  Siberia,  on  Nova  Zembla,  Franz-Josef 
Land,  probably  Spitzbergen,  and  in  Greenland,  and  on 
the  islands  and  coasts  of  Arctic  North  America,  perhaps 
as  far  north  as  land  extends. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  King  Eider  is  another 
nomadic  species  which  only  wanders  south  in  winter  as 
far  as  or  little  beyond  where  the  ice  compels  it.  It  is 
more  or  less  gregarious  throughout  the  year,  the  females 
nesting  in  close  company,  and  the  males  consorting 
together  on  the  sea  close  to  the  breeding  places.  Of 
the  pairing  habits  of  this  Eider  nothing  appears  to  be 


i84  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

known,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  birds  mate  for  Hfe. 
The  breeding  haunts  of  this  species  are  the  coasts  of  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  and  various  low  rocky  islands  that  stud 
that  sea  probably  as  far  as  the  Pole.  But  little  is  known 
of  its  nesting  habits.  Von  Middendorff  met  with  this 
Duck  breeding  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula  ;  Captain 
Feilden  observed  it  doing  so  on  Floeberg  Beach,  in  lat. 
82|°  ;  whilst  MacFarlane  obtained  nests  on  the  Arctic 
coast  of  America  near  Franklin  Bay,  and  states  that 
occasionally  a  few  pairs  may  be  found  breeding  in  close 
proximity  to  the  Pacific  Eider,  Soinateria  v.  nigrum. 
The  nest,  which  is  placed  in  a  similar  situation  to  that 
of  the  Common  Eider,  is  merely  a  hollow,  warmly  lined 
with  down  from  the  body  of  the  female,  gradually 
accumulated  as  the  eggs  are  laid. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  King  Eider,  so  far  as  is  at  present 
ascertained,  are  from  four  to  six  in  number.  They  are 
smooth  in  texture,  with  little  polish,  and  pale  greenish- 
gray  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  2*6  inches  in 
length,  by  175  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  not 
known. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  this  Eider 
are  best  distinguished  by  their  size,  being  much  smaller 
than  those  of  the  Common  Eider,  and  larger  than  those 
of  Steller's  Eider.  They  somewhat  closely  resemble 
those  of  the  Red-breasted  Merganser,  but  are  always 
greener.  The  down  resembles  that  of  the  Common 
Eider,  which  varies  from  brownish-gray  to  grayish-brown, 
with  obscure  pale  centres. 


AON-JXDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  iS: 


Family  ANATID^L.  Genus  Mergus. 

Sub-fainily  MERGIN.^. 

HOODED     MERGANSER. 

Mergus  cucullatus,  LiimcBus. 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  Tlie 
Hooded  Merganser  breeds  in  Arctic  and  north  temperate 
North  America,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  as  far 
north  as  the  Arctic  Circle,  and  as  far  south  as  lat.  45°. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Hooded  Merganser  returns 
to  its  summer  haunts  as  soon  as  they  are  free  from  ice. 
In  winter  this  species  is  gregarious,  but  during  the 
nesting  season  the  flocks  disperse  and  live  in  scattered 
pairs.  The  favourite  breeding  grounds  of  this  Merganser 
are  wooded  areas,  in  which  the  timber  is  old,  where 
lakes,  streams,  and  swamps  occur  amongst  the  trees  and 
break  the  monotony  of  the  forests.  It  probably  mates 
for  life,  although  definite  information  is  wanting.  It 
should  be  an  easy  matter  to  learn  whether  the  same 
nesting  places  are  resorted  to  each  year.  The  nest  is 
made  in  a  hole  in  a  tree,  or  in  a  hollow,  fallen  log.  It  is 
probable  that  the  bird  makes  use  of  a  hole  in  a  bank 
in  districts  where  the  trees  are  unsuitable.  No  nest  is 
made  beyond  a  plentiful  lining  of  down,  which  gradually 
accumulates  as  the  eggs  are  laid.  The  bird  is  a  close 
sitter,  but  when  flushed  flies  straight  off  to  the  nearest 
water  without  any  demonstration  of  anxiety. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Hooded  Merganser  are  from  fi\'e  to 
nine  in  number.  They  are  smooth  in  texture,  polished, 
remarkably  rotund — a  shape,  it  may  be  remarked,  very 


i86  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

prevalent  among  birds  nesting  in  holes  where  space  is 
limited — and  pure  white  when  blown.  Before  the  contents 
are  removed  they  have  a  beautiful  pearly  appearance. 
Average  measurement,  2*i  inches  in  length,  by  \"j  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed,  it  is  said,  by  the 
female  alone,  and  lasts  thirty-one  days.  Further  research 
may  show  that  the  male  bird  occasionally  sits  upon  the 
eggs. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  As  a  rule  the  eggs  of  the 
Hooded  Merganser  are  larger  than  those  of  the  Wood 
Duck — a  species  that  also  nests  in  hollow  trees — but 
they  should  always  be  carefully  identified.  The  down 
is  an  important  point,  and  is  very  pale  gray  in  colour. 
The  colour  of  the  eggs  will  readily  serve  to  distinguish 
them  from  those  of  the  Smew,  the  Buffel -headed  Duck, 
and  the  Golden-eye. 


Family  ANATID.^.  Genus  Mergus. 

Sub-family  MERGINAL. 

S  M  E  W. 

Mergus  albellus,  LinficBus. 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  June  and  in  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Smew  breeds  in  Finnish  Lapland,  and  in  Russia  as  far 
north  as  the  Arctic  Circle,  and  as  far  south  as  about  lat. 
60''  in  the  west,  and  the  valleys  of  the  Kama  and  Lower 
Volga  in  the  east.  In  Asia  it  breeds  across  Northern 
Siberia,  south  of  the  Arctic  Circle  or  the  limits  of 
forest  growth,  but  its  southern  limits  appear  to  be 
undetermined. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  187 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Smew  is  a  nomadic  migrant, 
a  bird  that  wanders  no  further  south  of  its  breeding 
grounds  than  the  snow  and  ice  compel  it,  returning  to 
them  at  the  first  opportunity,  when  the  south  wind 
banishes  winter,  towards  the  end  of  May  or  early  in 
June.  Its  favourite  breeding  haunts  are  the  forest 
districts  in  which  the  timber  is  of  mature  growth, 
studded  with  lakes  and  swamps,  and  intersected  by 
streams.  In  winter  it  is  more  or  less  gregarious,  but 
during  the  breeding  season  lives  in  scattered  pairs^ 
probably  as  much  because  suitable  nesting  sites  do  not 
admit  of  many  birds  incubating  in  company,  as  from 
any  inclination  to  breed  in  solitude.  Of  the  pairing 
habits  of  the  Smew  nothing  appears  to  be  known,  but 
probably  the  bird  mates  for  life,  and  returns  regularly 
to  one  spot  to  breed.  The  nest  is  made  either  in  a  hole 
in  a  tree  trunk  or  a  branch,  or  in  a  hollow  log  or  stump. 
No  nest  beyond  a  warm  lining  of  down  is  prepared  for 
the  eggs,  the  first  being  deposited  upon  the  wood  dust 
at  the  bottom  of  the  hole.  The  Smew  is  a  close  sitter, 
but  when  flushed  flies  straight  to  the  nearest  water 
without  any  demonstration. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Smew  were  first  made  known  to  science 
by  Wolley.  They  were  sent  to  him  by  his  collector,  who 
had  obtained  a  nest  with  the  female  bird  from  a  hole  in 
a  rotten  birch  trunk  in  Russian  Lapland.  Messrs.  See- 
bohm  and  Harvie-Brown  procured  others  in  the  valley 
of  the  Petchora,  during  the  summer  of  1875.  They 
are  from  seven  to  eight  or  nine  in  number,  smooth  in 
texture,  somewhat  polished,  and  creamy-white  in  colour. 
Average  measurement,  2'c  inches  in  length,  by  1*47  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown.  It  is 
possible  that  the  male  may  occasionally  sit  upon  the  eggs. 


i88  THE  NESTS  A\D  EGGS   OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Smew 
cannot  b2  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Wigeon,  so 
far  as  colour  is  concerned,  but  though  they  are  about 
the  same  size  they  are  proportionately  much  heavier  in 
shell  weight.  The  down,  which  is  pale  grayish-white, 
is  a  further  aid  to  their  correct  identification. 


Family  PHCEXICOPTERID.E.  Genus  Phcenicopterus. 

FLAMINGO. 

Phcenicopterus  roseus,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  May  and  early  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  PaLxarctic  region 
and  northern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Flamingo  breeds 
in  Spain,  Southern  France  (marismas  of  the  Guadalquivir, 
marshes  of  the  Camargue,  etc.),  and  various  other  por- 
tions of  Southern  Europe,  as  far  east  as  the  low  swampy 
northern  shores  of  the  Caspian.  Eastwards  in  Asia  it 
certainly  breeds  on  the  Kirghiz  Steppes  and  in  Persia,  but 
how  far  north  and  east  is  very  imperfectly  known,  some 
authorities  stating  that  it  occurs  as  far  as  the  Baikal  area, 
which  seems  probable,  seeing  that  it  is  a  winter  visitor  to 
India.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in  Algeria 
and  Tunis.  It  may  possibly  breed  on  the  Canaries  and 
Cape  Verd  Islands,  although  no  evidence  of  the  fact  was 
obtained  by  Mr.  Meade  Waldo  in  the  former  group  ; 
but  in  the  latter  loc  dity  nests  were  actually  seen  by 
Captain  Dam  pier  {Collect.  Voyages,  \.  pp.  70,  71  ;  1729)  : 
later  information    is  wanting.     The  breeding    range  of 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  189 

this  species  in  the  Ethiopian  region  still  remains  un- 
determined, but  the  bird  is  known  to  nest  in  Central 
Africa. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  most  if  not  all  parts  of  its 
range  the  Flamingo  appears  to  be  migratory,  but  the 
dates  of  its  annual  movements  have  been  little  recorded. 
The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  bird  are  vast  mud 
flats  and  the  low  islands  in  deltas — the  low  flat  shores 
of  lakes  and  inland  seas  where  the  water  is  shallow.  Of 
the  pairing  habits  of  the  Flamingo  nothing  appears  to 
have  been  observed.  At  all  seasons  it  is  a  gregarious 
bird,  and  seems  always  to  breed  in  colonies  of  varying 
size.  By  far  the  best  description  of  the  breeding  habits 
of  this  interesting  bird  is  that  recorded  in  the  Ibis  by 
Mr.  Abel  Chapman,  who  visited  a  vast  colony  in  the 
marismas  of  the  Guadalquivir.  The  colony  was  situated 
on  some  low  mud  islands,  and  long  before  the  nests 
were  reached  "the  strange  forms,"  says  Mr.  Chapman, 
"  of  hundreds  of  Flamingoes  met  one's  eye  in  every 
direction — some  in  groups  or  in  dense  masses,  others 
with  rigidly  outstretched  neck  and  legs  flying  in  short 
strings,  or  larger  flights  'glinting'  in  the  sunlight  like 
a  pink  cloud.  Many  pairs  of  old  red  birds  were  observed 
to  be  accompanied  by  a  single  white  (immature)  one. 
But  the  most  extraordinary  effect  was  produced  by  the 
more  distant  herds,  the  immense  numbers  of  which 
formed  an  almost  unbroken  white  horizon,  a  sort  of  thin 
white  line  separating  sea  and  sky  round  a  great  part  of 
the  circle."  He  further  writes  :  "  On  reaching  the  spot 
we  found  a  perfect  mass  of  nests  ;  the  low  mud  plateau 
was  crowded  with  them  as  thickly  as  the  space  permitted. 
These  nests  had  little  or  no  height :  some  were  raised 
two  or  three  inches,  a  few  might  be  five  or  six  inches  ; 
but  the  majority  were  merely  circular  bulwarks  of  mud, 
with  the  impression  of  the  bird's  legs  distinctly  marked 


I90  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

on  it.  The  general  aspect  of  the  plateau  was  not  unlike 
a  large  table  covered  with  plates.  In  the  centre  was  a 
deep  hole  full  of  muddy  water,  which,  from  the  gouged 
appearance  of  its  sides,  appeared  to  be  used  as  a  reservoir 
for  nest-making  materials.  Scattered  all  round  this 
main  colony  were  numerous  single  nests  rising  out  of 
the  water  and  evidently  built  up  from  the  bottom. 
Here  and  there  two  or  three  or  more  of  these  were 
joined  together — *  semi-detached/  so  to  speak  ;  these 
separate  nests  rose  some  six  or  eight  inches  above  the 
water-level,  and  were  about  fifteen  inches  across.  The 
water  was  about  twelve  or  fifteen  inches  deep."  Although 
hundreds  of  Flamingoes  were  seen  sitting  on  their  nests, 
•'  their  long  red  legs  doubled  under  their  bodies,  the 
knees  projecting  as  far  as,  or  beyond,  the  tail,  and  their 
graceful  necks  neatly  curled  away  among  their  back 
feathers,  like  a  sitting  Swan,  with  their  heads  resting  on 
their  breasts,"  none  of  them  contained  any  eggs  on  the 
nth  of  May,  and  these  were  not  obtained  until  a  fort- 
night later.  It  may  here  be  remarked  that  for  years  it 
was  believed  that  the  Flamingo  incubated  its  eggs  whilst 
sitting  astride  of  its  conical  nest.  Waterton,  I  believe, 
was  the  first  naturalist  to  expose  this  error  ;  Mr.  Chap- 
man's observations  confirm  the  exposure  and  set  all 
doubt  at  rest.  The  birds  are  wary  enough  at  the 
breeding  places,  posting  sentries  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
colony,  which  raise  the  alarm  and  warn  the  sitting  birds 
of  impending  danger. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Flamingo  are  two  in  number ;  in 
very  exceptional  cases  one.  They  are  rough  in  texture, 
somewhat  pyriform  in  shape,  and  pale  greenish-blue 
without  markings.  Most  of  this  colour,  however,  is  con- 
cealed by  a  thick  coating  of  chalky-white  shell.  Average 
measurement,    37    inches    in   length,  by    2-3    inches   in 


NON^INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  191 

breadth.  Whether  the  female  alone  performs  the  duty 
of  incubation  is  undetermined,  but  seems  probable. 
Incubation  is  said  by  Brehm  to  last  from  30  to  32  days. 
Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Flamingo 
cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
Pal^earctic  species,  their  size  and  shape,  combined  with 
their  chalky  appearance  and  green  under  surface,  render- 
ing confusion  almost  impossible. 


Family  IBIDID.^.  Genus  Plegadis. 

GLOSSY    IBIS. 

Plegadis  falcinellus  {Liiinceus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palsearctic  region, 
and  Oriental  region.  The  Glossy  Ibis  breeds  in  Spain 
and  in  the  delta  of  the  Rhone.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in 
the  valleys  of  the  Danube — especially  the  Obedska  bar  a 
— and  the  Volga  as  far  north  as  lat.  48°,  in  the  plains  of 
the  Caucasus,  and  throughout  Turkestan  and  south-west 
Siberia,  in  suitable  localities  as  far  north  as  lat.  48°.  It 
also  breeds  in  the  valley  of  the  Indus  and  in  Ceylon. 
South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  is  only  known  to  breed 
with  certainty  in  North-west  Africa,  and  even  there  its 
distribution  appears  to  be  poorly  defined. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Glossy  Ibis  arrives  at  its 
breeding  haunts  in  Europe  towards  the  end  of  March 
or  in  April.  Its  favourite  haunts  are  swamps  and 
extensive  marshes,  rivers  subject  to  periodical  inun- 
dations, which  every  year  are  flooded,  and  turn  the 
forests  of  willows  and  alders  on  their  banks  into  haunts 


192  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

almost  impenetrable  to  man.  The  most  remarkable 
breeding  place  of  this  Ibis  in  Europe  is  situated  on  the 
Obedska  bara  in  Sclavonia,  a  vast  region  of  reeds  and 
willows  and  swamps  and  inundated  forests  of  alder 
and  other  trees,  flooded  every  year  by  the  rising  of  the 
Danube  which  flows  through  it.  This  Ibis  is  gregarious, 
and  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size,  often  in  company 
with  various  species  of  Herons,  Cormorants,  Darters, 
and  other  swamp-loving  birds.  In  Europe  the  nests  are 
usually  made  in  partly  submerged  willows  ;  in  India 
Mr.  Doig  found  them  in  kundy  trees  ;  in  Ceylon  Col. 
Legge  states  that  they  were  built  in  thorny  trees 
growing  in  the  half-dried  bed  of  a  small  pool.  The 
nests  of  several  other  species  breeding  in  the  colony 
may  often  be  found  on  the  same  tree.  The  nests  are 
flat  and  made  of  sticks  and  dry  reeds,  but  those  found 
by  Col.  Legge  were  mostly  made  of  twigs  and  grass 
roots.  In  Europe  where  the  selected  trees  arc  small — 
— little  more  than  bushes — the  nest  is  never  far  from  the 
water,  and  often  within  a  {^\n  inches  of  it,  but  in  Ceylon 
where  the  trees  are  high  the  birds  build  at  a  much 
greater  elevation.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Ibis 
nothing  is  known. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Glossy  Ibis  are  three  or  four  in  number, 
generally  three.  They  are  a  clear  greenish-blue — almost 
turquoise-blue — in  colour,  rough  in  grain,  the  shell  being 
minutely  pitted.  Average  measurement,  2"i  inches  in 
length,  by  1*5  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the 
incubation  period  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex 
performs   the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Glossy 
Ibis  are  readily  distinguished  from  those  of  every  other 
European  bird  by  their  size,  blue  colour,  and  pitted 
surface. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  193 

Family  PLATALEID^.  Genus  Platalea. 

SPOONBILL. 

Platalea  leucorodia,  Liiinceus. 

(British  :  Formerly  bred  :  Occasional  straggler  on  migration. 7 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season  in  Europe,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  PaLnearctic  region.  Nor- 
thern Ethiopian  region,  and  Oriental  region.  The 
Spoonbill  still  continues  to  breed  in  Holland  and  the 
South  of  Spain.  Eastwards  it  becomes  more  plentiful 
in  the  valley  of  the  Danube,  and  breeds  in  the  delta  of 
the  Volga  and  in  the  Aral  basin.  Eastwards  it  breeds 
in  Asia  Minor,  Turkestan,  and  West  Siberia,  where  it 
was  met  with  by  Finsch  as  far  north  as  lat.  48°.  It  also 
breeds  regularly  in  Southern  Dauria,  the  valley  of  the 
Amoor,  and  South-eastern  Mongolia  ;  whilst  southwards 
it  does  so  over  the  whole  of  India  and  Ceylon.  South 
"of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in  suitable  localities 
throughout  Africa  as  far  south  as  the  Soudan,  and,  it  is 
said,  the  Dahalak  Archipelago  (lat.  16°)  in  the  Red  Sea. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Spoonbill  arrives  at  its 
more  southerly  breeding  places  in  Europe  about  the 
middle  of  April,  but  is  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  later 
in  the  north.  It  is  a  gregarious  bird,  breeding  in  colonies 
of  varying  size,  keeping  to  itself  and  not  intermixing 
with  the  Herons,  Ibises,  and  Cormorants  that  may  also 
be  nesting  in  the  same  locality.  There  can  be  little 
doubt  that  the  Spoonbill  mates  for  life,  for  it  returns 
yearly  to  the  wonted  place  to  breed,  repairing  or  renew- 
ing the  old  nests  as  may  be  required.  The  usual 
summer  haunts  of  this  bird  are  swamps,  lakes  with 
shallow  margins  covered  with  reeds  and  other  aquatic 
vegetation,  and  the  partly  submerged  forests  of  willow  and 
alder  trees  on  the  banks  of  rivers  that  are  flooded  every 


194  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 

spring.  The  nests  are  either  made  upon  the  ground — 
as  is  almost  always  the  case  at  the  Horster  Meer  in 
Holland — or  upon  low  willow  or  alder  bushes,  or,  as  in 
India,  on  the  summits  of  lofty  trees.  When  in  a  tree 
the  nest  is  much  larger  and  more  compact  than  when 
made  amongst  tussocks  of  grass  upon  the  ground.  In 
the  latter  situation  the  nest  is  made  of  a  few  sticks  and 
quantities  of  dead  reeds,  and  lined  with  dry  grass  ;  but 
when  in  bushes  or  trees  it  is  a  large  pile  of  sticks,  some- 
times as  much  as  a  yard  across  and  a  foot  in  height. 
The  cavity  containing  the  eggs,  in  these  latter  nests,  is 
shallow,  and  generally  lined  with  dry  grass.  When  dis- 
turbed at  the  nests  the  old  birds  rise  and  wheel  silently 
about  above  the  place,  many  of  them  flying  right  away 
without  any  further  demonstration. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Spoonbill  are  four  or  five  in  number, 
generally  the  former.  They  are  coarse  and  chalky  in 
grain,  without  polish,  and  white  in  ground  colour,  some- 
what sparingly  spotted  and  blotted  with  reddish-brown, 
and  with  a  few  underlying  markings  of  pale  gray.  They 
vary  considerably  in  shape  and  colour,  some  being  oval, 
others  round,  others  pyriform.  On  some  eggs  the  spots 
are  small  and  streaky,  and  distributed  here  and  there 
over  the  entire  surface  ;  on  others  the  markings  are 
congregated  in  a  zone  round  the  larger  end  ;  others 
have  a  few  blurred  blotches  amongst  the  smaller  spots 
and  short  streaks.  Average  measurement,  2-5  inches  in 
length,  by  i'8  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the 
incubation  period  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  sex  which 
performs  the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  chalky  grain,  white 
ground  colour,  and  brown  markings  readily  distinguish 
the  eggs  of  the  Spoonbill  from  those  of  all  other 
European  species. 


NON-IXDICENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  195 

Family  CICONIIDi-E.  Genus  Ciconia. 

WHITE     STORK. 

Ciconia  alba,  Brissoii. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  March  to  May  according  to 

locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palaearctic  region.  The 
White  Stork  breeds  in  Southern  Sweden,  in  Denmark, 
Holland,  Germany,  and  the  Spanish  peninsula.  It  also 
breeds  in  Austria,  the  Danubian  provinces,  Turkey, 
Greece,  and  throughout  Russia  as  far  north  as  the  Baltic 
provinces  ;  in  the  Caucasus,  Armenia,  Asia  Minor, 
Palestine,  Persia,  and  Turkestan,  as  far  east  as  Yarkand. 
South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  commonly  in 
North-west  Africa  from  Morocco  to  Tunis. 

Breeding  habits:  The  White  Stork  throughout 
its  vast  breeding  area  is  a  migrant,  arriving  at  its  more 
southerly  nesting  places  in  March,  but  a  month  or  more 
later  at  its  northern  ones.  The  arrival  of  the  Stork  in 
countries  where  the  bird  is  common,  is  looked  for  as 
eagerly  as  the  appearance  of  the  Cuckoo  and  the 
Swallow  in  our  own.  It  is  a  homely  species,  tame 
and  confiding,  because  left  unmolested,  and  breeding 
commonly  in  villages  and  towns,  or  near  farmsteads. 
Indeed,  in  many  localities  a  platform  is  erected  for  its 
accommodation  by  the  farmer  or  the  villager.  In  some 
places  the  White  Stork  is  gregarious  and  breeds  in 
colonies,  as  I  remarked  in  Algeria,  but  in  others  it  only 
occurs  in  scattered  pairs.  A  village  will  frequently 
contain  from  six  to  a  dozen  nests,  and  in  Algeria,  in 
Batna,  I  counted  several  from  the  window  of  my  hotel. 
The  White  Stork  pairs  for  life,  and  returns  each  season 


196  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OE 

to  its  old  nest.  This  may  either  be  built  upon  the  roof 
of  a  house  or  other  building,  the  tower  of  a  mosque  or  a 
church,  the  ledge  of  a  precipice  (as  I  remarked  at  Con- 
stantine),  or  in  the  branches  of  a  tree.  The  nest  varies 
a  good  deal  in  size,  the  largest  structures  (five  or  six 
feet  in  height)  being  the  oldest,  and  the  accumulation  of 
many  years.  It  is  generally  a  huge  pile  of  sticks  four 
or  five  feet  across,  amongst  which  twigs,  dead  reeds,  and 
lumps  of  earth  or  clay  are  mixed  ;  the  cavity  containing 
the  eggs  is  shallow,  and  lined  with  almost  any  soft 
material  that  can  be  procured — dry  grass,  rags,  feathers, 
straws,  masses  of  hair,  bits  of  paper,  moss,  or  wool.  The 
Stork  sits  closely  and  very  tamely,  with  its  long  legs 
folded  up  beneath  its  body,  and  its  equally  long  neck 
drawn  in  between  the  shoulders.  If  disturbed  it  wheels 
round  above  the  spot,  or  glides  to  and  fro  past  the  face 
of  the  cliff,  but  quite  silent. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eees  of  the  White  Stork  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number.  They  are  rough  in  grain,  unpolished,  and  pure 
white.  Average  measurement,  2-8  inches  in  length,  by 
2" I  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly,  if 
not  entirely,  by  the  female,  lasts  from  twenty-eight  to 
thirty-one  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  White 
Stork  are  slightly  larger  than  those  of  the  Black  Stork, 
and  when  empty  and  held  up  to  the  light  are  yellowish- 
white  inside,  those  of  the  latter  bird  being  green. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  197 

Family  CICONIID/E.  Genus  CicoNiA. 

BLACK    STORK. 

CicoNiA  NIGRA  {Li?mce2is). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April. 

Breeding  area:  Southern  Pal?earctic  region.  The 
Black  Stork  breeds  sparingly  in  Southern  Sweden,  much 
more  commonly  in  Hanover,  Pomerania,  and  Prussia 
(Herr  E.  Hartert  states  that  it  is  nowhere  as  abundant 
in  Germany  as  in  East  Prussia).  It  also  breeds  in 
Poland,  the  valley  of  the  Danube,  Spain,  Central  and 
Southern  Russia,  Turkey,  and  the  Caucasus.  South- 
wards it  is  said  to  breed  in  Palestine,  and  does  so  in 
Persia,  Turkestan,  and  Southern  Siberia,  reaching  as 
high  as  lat.  55°  in  the  valley  of  the  Obb  ;  eastwards 
through  the  Baikal  area,  the  Amoor  valley,  and  Northern 
China.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  I  can  find  no 
definite  evidence  of  its  breeding  anywhere  on  the  African 
continent. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black  Stork  is  a  regular 
migrant,  arriving  in  its  more  southerly  summer  haunts 
in  March,  but  nearly  a  month  later  in  the  north.  It  is 
a  much  wilder  and  more  wary  bird  than  the  White 
Stork,  and  never  nests  in  towns  or  much-frequented 
places,  at  least  in  Europe.  It  is  also  solitary  in  its 
habits,  each  pair  keeping  to  one  particular  locality, 
although  an  instance  is  on  record  where  two  pairs  bred 
in  company.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  the 
Black  Stork  are  large  little-frequented  forests,  especially 
such  as  are  swampy  or  near  to  marshes  in  which  the 
bird  can  find  food.  This  Stork  also  pairs  for  life,  re- 
turning to  the  same  nest  year  after  year.     The  nest  is 


198  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

generally  made  in  a  large  and  lofty  tree,  on  a  flat 
horizontal  branch,  or  in  a  fork  near  the  trunk,  but  some- 
times it  is  built  in  a  cleft  of  the  rocks  or  on  the  cliffs. 
Occasionally  it  has  been  known  in  a  tree  on  the  old  nest 
of  a  White-tailed  Eagle.  It  is  a  ponderous  structure 
from  four  to  six  feet  across,  very  flat,  and  made  chiefly 
of  sticks  of  all  sizes  and  thicknesses.  The  cavity  con- 
taining the  eggs  is  very  shallow,  and  lined  with  tufts  of 
green  moss.  This  lining  is  renewed  each  year.  The 
bird  is  a  close  sitter,  especially  when  incubation  is  far 
advanced,  and  when  flushed  rises  into  the  air  and  wheels 
round  and  round  above  the  tree,  anxiously  awaiting  the 
fate  of  the  nest,  usually  being  joined  by  its  mate. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black  Stork  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number.  They  are  rough  in  texture,  porous,  with  little 
or  no  polish,  and  pure  white.  Average  measurement, 
26  inches  in  length,  by  2"0  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation, 
performed  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  by  the  female,  lasts 
about  a  month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Black 
Stork  are  smaller  than  those  of  the  White  Stork,  and 
when  empty  and  held  up  to  the  light  are  green  inside, 
those  of  the  latter  bird  being  yellowish-white. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  199 

Family  ARDEID.E.  'Genus  Ardetta. 

LITTLE     BITTERN. 

Ardetta  minuta  {LitincEus). 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  :  Spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region, 
north-eastern  Ethiopian  region,  and  north-western 
Oriental  region.  The  Little  Bittern  breeds  throughout 
Europe  in  suitable  localities  south  of  the  Baltic.  It  also 
breeds  in  Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  Baluchistan, 
North-west  India  (including  Cashmere),  and  North- 
western Turkestan.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it 
breeds  in  the  Azores,  Madeira,  and  Northern  Africa, 
from  Morocco  to  Egypt,  but  principally  in  the  north- 
west. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Little  Bittern  arrives  at  its 
European  breeding  places  in  the  south  during  March 
and  April,  but  not  until  May  in  the  north.  It  is  a  shy, 
skulking,  solitary  species,  frequenting  marshes  and 
swamps  and  the  reed  and  rush-fringed  margins  of  pools. 
Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird  nothing  appears  to  be 
known.  The  nest  is  built  amongst  the  dense  aquatic 
vegetation,  sometimes  amongst  the  belt  of  reeds  at  some 
distance  from  the  shore,  half  floating  in  the  stagnant 
shallow  water,  or  on  the  bank  in  rushes  and  coarse 
grass.  Less  frequently  it  is  made  on  the  flat  top  of 
a  pollard  willow  ;  whilst  the  bird  has  even  been  known 
to  make  use  of  the  old  nest  of  a  Magpie  built  in  a  tree 
near  the  swamps.  In  India  the  favourite  situation  is 
amongst  wild  rice  or  rushes.  The  nest  is  a  large 
slovenly  mass  of  half-rotten  vegetation,  the  cup,  which 
is  shallow  and  saucer-like,  being  made  of  drier  and  finer 


20D  THE  NESTS  AND    EGGS   OF 

material,  such  as  the  dead  flowers  and  leaves  of  reeds, 
fine  grass,  etc.  The  nests  made  in  India  do  not  appear 
to  be  so  elaborate.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  but  usually 
slips  off  the  nest  unseen  and  hides  itself  in  the  dense 
cover,  making  no  demonstration  of  anxiety  for  the 
eggs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Bittern  are  usually  four  or  five  in 
number,  but  nine  have  been  recorded  !  They  are  oval 
in  shape,  chalky  in  texture,  minutely  pitted,  and  pure 
white.  Average  measurement,  1*4  inch  in  length,  by 
ro  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly,  if 
net  entirely,  by  the  female,  lasts,  on  the  authority  of 
Naumann,  sixteen  or  seventeen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  rough  chalky  and 
pitted  shell,  small  size,  and  white  colour  readily  dis- 
tinguish the  eggs  of  the  Little  Bittern  from  those  of  all 
species  Hkely  to  be  confused  with  them. 


Family  ARDEID.^.  Genus  Botaurus. 

AMERICAN     BITTERN. 

Botaurus  lentiginosus  (AIo?itagu). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season.  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area:  Nearctic  region  except  the  extreme 
north.  The  American  Bittern  breeds  throughout  British 
North  America  south  of  about  lat.  58°,  and  over  the 
whole  of  the  United  States  down  to  Texas. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  201 

Breeding  habits:  In  the  northern  portions  of  its 
distribution  the  American  Bittern  is  a  migrant,  leaving 
in  autumn  and  returning  in  April  and  early  May.  It 
is  a  shy,  skulking,  solitary  species,  much  more  often 
heard  than  seen,  and  keeping  close  to  the  dense  cover 
of  the  haunts  it  frequents.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this 
Bittern  nothing  apparently  is  known.  Its  favourite 
nesting  haunts  are  marshes  and  swamps  and  the  dense 
belts  of  aquatic  vegetation  round  the  more  open  waters. 
Much  difference  of  opinion  prevails  concerning  the  nest- 
ing habits  of  the  American  Bittern.  Some  writers  assert 
that  the  bird  breeds  in  colonies,  others  that  it  lives  in 
solitary  pairs.  There  can  be  no  question,  to  my  mind, 
that  the  latter  view  is  the  correct  one.  The  nest  is  made 
in  the  swamps,  either  on  the  ground  amongst  the  aquatic 
vegetation,  or  more  frequently  amongst  the  rushes  in 
shallow  water  a  little  distance  from  the  shore.  It  has 
been  said  that  the  nest  is  built  in  trees  and  bushes,  and 
that  the  eggs  are  laid  on  the  bare  ground  or  under  a 
bush,  but  all  these  statements  may,  I  think,  be  safely 
discarded.  The  nest  is  a  large  bulky  structure,  more 
than  a  foot  in  height,  and  composed  of  half-rotten  sedges 
and  rushes,  the  saucer-like  cavity  at  the  top  being  lined 
with  the  driest  and  finest  material.  The  bird  is  a  close 
sitter,  and  when  flushed,  hurriedly  leaves  the  nest  and 
seeks  seclusion  in  the  nearest  cover. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Bittern  are  usually  four  or 
five  in  number,  but  it  is  said  that  seven  are  exception- 
ally found.  They  are  uniform  brownish-olive  or  buff. 
Average  m.easurement,  2*0  inches  in  length,  by  v^  inch 
in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is 
unknown,  also  which  parent  performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  the  American 
Bittern  are  not  easily  confused  with  those  of  any  other 


202  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 

species  breeding  in  the  Nearctic  region,  but  cannot  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Pala^arctic  or  Common 
Bittern.  The  locality  of  the  eggs  is  sufficient  therefore 
to  determine  their  species. 


Family  ARDEID^.  Genus  Nycticorax. 

NIGHT     HERON. 

Nycticorax  griseus  {Li7inceus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season  in  Europe,  end  of  April  and 
in  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  and  western  Pal?earctic 
region,  Nearctic  region,  Ethiopian  region,  Oriental 
region,  and  northern  Neotropical  region.  The  Night 
Heron  may  yet  breed  sparingly  in  Germany  and 
Holland,  but  most  of  its  old  nesting  places  are  de- 
serted. It  still  however  breeds  in  Southern  France,  the 
Spanish  peninsula,  Northern  Italy,  Sardinia,  the  valley 
of  the  Danube,  South-eastern  Austria,  Southern  Russia, 
and  the  Caucasus.  It  also  breeds  in  Armenia,  Asia 
Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  Western  Turkestan,  Mongolia, 
China,  and  the  south  island  of  Japan  ;  the  Burma  penin- 
sula, Ceylon,  and  India.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it 
breeds  throughout  Africa  in  suitable  districts  down  to 
the  Cape  Colony.  In  the  New  World  it  breeds  over  the 
United  States  and  the  extreme  south  of  Canada,  and  as 
far  south  as  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  Brazil. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Night  Heron  is  only  a 
summer  visitor  to  Europe,  reaching  its  breeding  grounds 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  203 

during  April  and  May.  The  favourite  breeding  grounds 
of  this  Heron  in  Europe  are  swamps  and  the  submerged 
willow  and  alder  forests  on  the  banks  of  rivers  which  are 
flooded  every  spring.  This  bird  breeds  abundantly  in 
various  parts  of  the  valley  of  the  Danube  in  company 
with  other  birds  of  the  same  family.  It  is  gregarious 
during  the  breeding  season,  also  social.  In  most  parts  of 
the  world  the  Night  Heron  habitually  nests  in  trees, 
but  in  America  it  is  said  occasionally  to  breed  on  the 
ground  in  marshes  and  amongst  rice  swamps.  In 
Europe  low  willow  and  alder  trees  are  occupied,  but  in 
India  taller  trees  are  selected,  and  Swinhoe  mentions  a 
colony  of  this  Heron  which  was  established  in  some  old 
banyan  trees  in  the  courtyard  of  the  great  Honam 
Temple  at  Canton.  Bushes  are  however  used  in  China 
as  well  as  in  Europe,  the  same  naturalist  describing  an 
enormous  colony  of  this  bird  in  such  places  near  another 
temple,  the  nests  being  placed  on  every  available  branch, 
sometimes  only  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.  The  nest 
is  somewhat  small,  flat  and  shallow,  and  made  of  sticks. 
The  nests  observed  by  Mr.  Seebohm  in  the  valley  of  the 
Danube  are  described  by  him  as  having  the  sticks 
arranged  like  radii  from  the  centre,  not  in  arcs  round  it. 
When  in  swamps  it  would  appear  that  reeds  and  stalks 
of  other  aquatic  vegetation  are  used  instead  of  sticks. 
When  disturbed  at  their  colony  the  birds  become  very 
anxious,  fluttering  off  their  nests,  and  flying  to  and  fro  in 
noisy  alarm. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Night  Heron  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number.  They  are  chalky  in  texture,  without  polish, 
and  bluish-green  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  20 
inches  in  length,  by  1*4  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
apparently  performed  by  the  female  alone,  but  the 
duration    of  the    period    is    unknown.       According    to 


204  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Swinhoe's  experience  of  this  species  in  China  the  eggs 
are  laid  at  intervals,  and  sat  upon  at  once. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Night 
Heron  cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Little  Egret,  but  are  generally  much  larger.  Eggs  of 
the  Buff-backed  Heron  also  resemble  them  in  size,  but 
are  always  much  paler  in  colour.  The  eggs  of  all  these 
smaller  herons  require  the  most  careful  identification. 


Family  ARDEID^.  Genus  Ardea. 

BUFF-BACKED     HERON. 

Ardea   bubulcus,  Aicdoui?t. 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 
(N.  Hemisphere.) 

Breeding  area  :  Ethiopian  region  and  extreme 
south-western  Pala^arctic  region  '  (Spain  and  Palestine). 
The  Buff-backed  Heron  breeds  commonly  in  the  south- 
ern portions  of  the  Spanish  peninsula  (in  the  marshes 
of  Andalucia),  and  throughout  Africa,  from  Morocco  to 
Egypt  in  the  north,  down  to  the  Cape  Colony  and 
Madagascar  in  the  south. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Buff-backed  Heron  is  a 
summer  migrant  to  the  only  part  of  Europe  in  which 
it  breeds,  reaching  Andalucia  in  March  ;  elsewhere  it 
appears  to  be  sedentary.  This  Heron  is  gregarious 
like  so  many  of  its  congeners,  breeding  in -colonies  of 
varying  size.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  apparently 
is  known.      Its  breeding  haunts  are  not  only  in  swampy 


NON-INDIGE.\OUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  205 

woods,  but  in  woods  where  the  ground  is  dry  ;  in  tree- 
less districts  the  bird  breeds  amongst  reeds,  and  in 
Egypt,  according  to  HeugHn,  sometimes  even  in  gardens. 
A  large  colony  visited  by  Mr.  Gurney  in  Algeria  was 
situated  in  a  bed  of  dead  tamarisks  only  a  few  feet 
above  the  water.  The  nest  is  flat,  shallow,  and  made 
of  sticks,  when  in  trees  or  bushes,  and  composed  of 
dead  reeds  and  other  aquatic  refuse  when  in  marshes 
and  swamps  where  trees  are  absent.  In  its  behaviour 
at  the  nest  the  Buff-backed  Heron  does  not  differ  from 
its  allies,  rising  in  a  slow,  awkward  manner,  and  hover- 
ing noiselessly  above  the  colony  until  the  alarm  subsides. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Buff-backed  Heron  are  from  three  to 
five  in  number.  They  are  chalky  in  texture,  oval  in 
form,  without  polish,  and  almost  white,  with  a  scarcely 
perceptible  tinge  of  bluish-green.  Average  measurement, 
I'S  inch  in  length,  by  1*3  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration 
of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which 
sex  performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  combined  with 
the  pale  colour  sufficiently  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the 
Buff-backed  Heron  from  those  of  other  European 
species.  Unfortunately,  however,  they  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  eggs  of  Montagu's  Harrier.  Except  in 
the  Spanish  peninsula,  however,  the  breeding  areas  of 
these  two  birds  do  not  impinge. 


2o5  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  ARDEID/E.  Genus  Ardea. 

SQUACCO    HERON. 

Ardea  comata,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  summer  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May,  and  in 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region, 
and  Ethiopian  region.  The  Squacco  Heron  breeds  in 
the  Spanish  peninsula,  throughout  the  valley  of  the 
Danube  in  suitable  locaHties,  Southern  Russia,  the  basin 
of  the  Caspian,  and  Syria.  South  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  breeds  throughout  Africa,  from  Morocco  to  Egypt  in 
the  north,  down  to  Namaqua  Land,  Natal,  and  probably 
Madagascar. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Squacco  Heron  is  only  a 
summer  visitor  to  Europe,  reaching  its  breeding  grounds 
during  April  or  early  in  May.  Like  its  congeners  it  is 
gregarious  and  social,  breeding  in  colonies  composed  of 
various  species.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  appears 
to  be  known.  Its  breeding  haunts  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  Night  Heron  and  the  Little  Egret,  flooded 
willow  and  alder  forests,  and  in  treeless  districts  amongst 
the  reeds  in  swamps  and  marshes.  Mr.  Seebohm  gives 
a  very  graphic  account  of  his  visit  to  the  vast  colony  of 
Herons  in  the  valley  of  the  Danube  near  Hirsova.  This 
colony  is  situated  in  a  flooded  forest  of  pollard  willows, 
and  was  estimated  to  contain  some  five  thousand  nests 
of  various  species,  chiefly  Herons.  The  nest  of  the 
Squacco  Heron  he  found  made  on  precisely  the  same 
model  as  that  of  the  Night  Heron — twigs  arranged  from 
a  centre  like  radii.  They  were  slight,  but  rather  deep, 
and  the  eggs  could  be  seen  through  them  from  below. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  207 

Nests  of  this  species  made  in  swamps  are  composed  of 
dead  reeds  and  other  aquatic  herbage,  and  are  larger 
and  m.ore  bulky  than  the  nests  made  in  trees.  The 
actions  of  this  species  at  the  nest,  and  when  the  colony 
is  invaded,  are  precisely  the  same  as  those  of  the  pre- 
ceding species. 

Range  OF  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Squacco  Heron  are  from  four  to  six  in 
number.  They  are  chalky  in  texture,  unpolished,  and 
greenish-blue.  Average  measurement,  1*5  inch  in  length, 
by  1*1  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  sex  which  performs 
the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Squacco 
Heron  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  European  species,  their  size  and  colour  combined 
readily  distinguishing  them. 


Family  ARDEID^-E.  Genus  Ardea. 

LITTLE    EGRET. 

Ardea  garzetta,  Li7incBus. 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  summer  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region,  Ethi- 
opian and  Oriental  regions.  The  Little  Egret  breeds 
in  Europe  in  the  Spanish  peninsula,  in  Southern  France 
(Rhone  delta),  Sardinia,  Sicily,  the  valley  of  the  Danube, 
and  Southern  Russia.  In  Asia  it  breeds  in  Asia  Minor, 
Palestine,  Persia,  India  and  Ceylon,  Burma,  China  and 
Japan.     In  Africa  it  breeds  in  suitable  districts  through- 


2o8  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

out  the  continent,  and  extends  its  nesting  area  west- 
wards to  the  Cape  Verd  Islands. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Little  Egret  is  a  migrant 
to  Europe,  reaching  its  breeding  grounds  between  the 
end  of  March  and  the  beginning  of  May.  It  is  grega- 
rious and  social,  breeding  not  only  in  company  with  its 
own  kind,  but  in  that  of  various  other  species.  Of  its 
pairing  habits  I  find  nothing  definite  recorded,  but  it 
is  possible  that  this  and  all  other  Herons  pair  for  life, 
returning  as  they  do  to  the  old  nesting  places  every 
year.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  the  Little  Egret 
in  Europe  are  the  flooded  willow  and  alder  thickets  in 
river  valleys  which  are  annually  flooded,  and  in  similar 
trees  on  the  banks  of  lakes,  or  on  bent  down  reeds,  and 
in  swamps.  The  nest,  which  is  slight  and  shallow,  is 
made  of  twigs,  and  these  are  arranged,  as  remarked  by 
Mr.  Seebohm,  like  spokes  of  a  wdieel  from  a  common 
centre.  He  also  observed  that  many  of  the  twigs  were 
green,  and  on  some  of  them  leaves  still  remained.  The 
nests  made  in  swamps  are  composed  of  dead  reeds  and 
other  aquatic  vegetation.  This  Egret  becomes  very 
noisy  when  disturbed  at  the  nest,  and  rises  wdieeling 
into  the  air  to  join  the  crowds  of  other  Herons  that  are 
flying  about  in  alarm  at  the  intrusion. 

Range  OF  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Egret  are  from  three  to  six  in 
number.  They  are  chalky  m  texture,  unpolished,  and 
bluish-green  in  colour.  Average  measurement,  175 
inch  in  length,  by  r3  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration 
of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the 
sex  that  performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  constant 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Little  Egret  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  Night  Heron  ;  all  that 
can  be  said  is  that  on  an  average  they  are  smaller. 


XON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  209 

Family  ARDEID^.  Genus  Ardea. 

GREAT    WHITE     EGRET. 

Ardea  alba,  Li?tnceus. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season  in  Europe,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Paleearctic  region.  The 
typical  form  of  the  Great  White  Egret  breeds  in  the 
valley  of  the  Lower  Danube,  in  Southern  Russia,  Asia 
Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  Turkestan,  South-western 
Siberia  (north  to  lat.  47  ),  the  Amoor  valley,  Man- 
chooria,  and  Japan.  Whether  this  Egret  breeds  any- 
where in  the  Ethiopian  region  appears  not  to  be  known. 
Even  its  nesting  in  North  Africa  is  very  problematical. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Great  White  Egret  arrives 
at  its  European  breeding  grounds  in  April.  It  does 
not  appear  to  be  quite  so  gregarious  as  its  allies,  but 
probably  this  is  due  to  the  great  decrease  of  this  species 
owing  to  incessant  persecution  for  the  sake  of  its 
plumage.  It  seems,  however,  to  be  just  as  socially 
inclined,  and  often  to  breed  in  the  company  of  other 
Herons,  as  well  as  Ibises  and  Pygmy  Cormorants.  Its 
favourite  breeding  haunts  are  inundated  forests  of  low 
trees,  and  on  the  outskirts  of  dense  thickets  of  reeds. 
Thirty  years  ago  Von  Homeyer  found  a  solitary  nest 
of  this  bird  in  Silesia,  made  in  an  old  fir  tree  ;  whilst  in 
India  the  small  race  of  this  species  {Ardea  alba)  habitually 
breeds  on  trees.  The  nest  is  flat,  and  platform-like,  com- 
posed entirely  of  sticks,  the  finer  twigs  being  used  for 
the  lining.  Nests  made  in  swamps  are  formed  of  dead 
reeds  and  other  aquatic  vegetation.  It  is  probable  that 
this  Egret  pairs  for  life,  as  it  is  said  to  return  to  its 
old  breeding  places,  and   to  repair  its  old   nests.     The 


210  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

actions  of  this  bird  at  the  nest  are  not  known  to  differ 
fronn  those  of  alHed  species  already  described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Great  White  Egret  are  from  three  to 
five  in  number,  but  the  latter  amount  is  exceptional. 
They  are  chalky  in  texture,  with  no  polish,  and  green- 
ish-blue in  colour.  Average  measurement,  2*5  inches 
in  length,  by  i"5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  lasts 
about  a  month,  but  whether  the  male  shares  the  duty 
with  the  female  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Great 
White  Egret  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  and  Purple  Herons,  rendering  their  identifica- 
tion at  the  nest  an  imperative  task,  which  is  made  easy 
by  the  fact  of  the  present  bird  being  very  distinct  in 
colouration. 


Family  ARDEID.E.  Genus  Ardea. 

PURPLE     HERON. 

Ardea  purpurea,  Lhnuens. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season  in  Europe,  April  to  June  : 
varies  greatly  elsewhere. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region,  Ethi- 
opian and  Oriental  regions.  The  Purple  Heron  breeds 
in  Central  and  Southern  Germany,  in  Holland,  France, 
the  Spanish  peninsula,  Italy,  Sicily,  the  valley  of  the 
Danube,  and  Southern  Russia.  It  also  breeds  in  Asia 
Minor  and  Palestine,  Persia,  Turkestan,  India,  Ceylon, 
and  Burma.  Whether  it  breeds  in  Borneo,  Celebes,  the 
Philippine  Islands,  Sumatra,  Java,  etc.,  appears  not  to  be 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  211 

known,  and  the  evidence  for  Its  nesting  In  China,  Japan, 
and  Southern  Siberia  is  not  conclusive.  In  Africa  It 
appears  to  breed  in  suitable  localities  throughout  the 
continent  up  to  considerable  elevations  (Abyssinia,  9000 
feet),  and  possibly  also  in  Madagascar. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Purple  Heron  reaches  Its 
European  breeding  haunts  during  March  and  April.  It 
is  not  such  a  gregarious  bird  as  the  other  species  in  this 
family  previously  described,  and  appears  either  to  breed 
In  very  small  colonies  or  In  scattered  pairs  In  the 
colonies  of  Its  relations.  It  is  somewhat  skulking  In  its 
habits.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  appears  to  be 
known,  but  the  bird  probably  mates  for  life  like  its 
allies.  Its  choice  of  a  breeding  ground  is  varied.  In 
some  localities  the  flooded  forests  of  willow  and  alder 
and  other  trees  are  preferred  ;  In  others  dense  reed  beds 
are  the  attraction.  When  In  a  tree  the  nest  Is  large  and 
flat,  and  made  of  sticks,  as  it  also  is  in  some  cases  when 
built  on  crushed  and  broken  reeds,  as  was  remarked  by 
Mr.  Oates  In  Burma,  who  states  that  he  found  large 
colonies  of  this  Heron.  When  amongst  reeds  It  Is 
generally  supported  on  a  bunch  of  these  plants  which 
have  been  crushed  down  into  a  kind  of  platform,  and  is 
composed  of  broken  pieces  of  reed  and  other  aquatic 
vegetation.  When  flushed  from  the  nests  the  actions 
of  this  bird  resemble  those  of  allied  species  already 
described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Purple  Heron  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number,  generally  three.  They  are  chalky  In  texture, 
unpolished,  and  greenish-blue.  Average  measurement, 
2-2  inches  in  length,  by  v6  inch  in  breadth.  The  dura- 
tion of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown.  Whether 
the  male  takes  any  share  in  the  duty  appears  not  to 
have  been  determined. 


212  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Purple 
Heron  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Com- 
mon Heron,  and  unless  thoroughly  well  authenticated 
are  of  no  scientific  value.  To  a  great  extent  the  nesting 
habits  of  each  species  are  different. 


Family  GRUID^.  Genus  Grus. 

COMMON    CRANE. 

Grus  communis,  Bechstein. 

(British  :  Formerly  bred  :  Rare  spring  and  autumn  coasting 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  from  end  of  April  to  June, 
according  to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Palaearctic  region.  The  Common 
Crane  breeds  across  Europe  and  Asia,  from  Scandinavia 
to  Kamtschatka,  in  Europe  reaching  as  far  north  as  lat. 
6%''^  but  in  West  Siberia  apparently  not  beyond  the 
Arctic  Circle,  and  in  the  far  east  no  higher  than 
Kamtschatka.  It  also  breeds  in  Eastern  Asia  as  far 
south  as  the  valley  of  the  Amoor,  the  Baikal  area,  and 
Russian  Turkestan,  whilst  its  southern  limits  in  Europe 
include  South  Russia  down  to  the  Black  Sea,  Turkey, 
the  Danube  valley,  Italy,  and  Andalucia  in  Spain,  North 
Germany,  Poland,  Prussia,  and  Pomerania  to  the  Elbe. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  migration  of  the  Crane  from 
its  winter  quarters  to  its  breeding  grounds  commences 
as  early  as  February  and  March,  and  continues  through 
April  into  May.  It  is  a  gregarious  bird  in  winter  and 
on  passage,  but  appears  to  disperse  into  scattered  pairs 
for  the  nesting  season.     The  Crane  most  probably  pairs 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  213 

for  life,  and  there  is  evidence  to  show  that  it  returns 
year  after  year  to  one  place  to  breed,  and  in  many  cases 
uses  the  same  nest  each  season.  The  breeding  haunts 
of  this  bird  are  swamps,  near  which  open  water  occurs, 
either  in  the  vicinity  of  forests,  or  on  treeless  steppes  and 
tundras.  The  nest  varies  a  good  deal  in  size,  the  largest 
structures  usually  being  in  the  most  swampy  situations, 
and  the  smaller  nests  on  the  comparatively  dry  hum- 
mocks or  mounds  in  the  swamps.  If  the  nest  is  small 
it  is  little  more  than  a  trampled  hollow,  lined  with  dead 
leaves  of  sedges,  or  bits  of  withered  broken  rush.  If  the 
nest  is  large  it  is  a  heap  of  dead  and  half-rotten  reeds, 
sedges,  and  other  aquatic  herbage,  and  branches  of  heath 
and  twigs,  as  much  as  two  feet  across,  the  hollow  holding 
the  eggs  being  lined  with  the  finest  and  driest  material. 
The  birds  are  wary  enough  at  the  nest,  the  male  keeping 
watch  near  at  hand,  and  the  female  slipping  off  the 
moment  danger  is  detected. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  inieasurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Crane  are  almost  invariably  two  in 
number,  but  very  exceptionally  three.  They  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  brownish-buff  to  greenish-buff, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  rich  reddish-brown  and  pale 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  The 
shell  is  rather  rough  in  texture,  pitted  almost  like  tanned 
pigskin,  and  without  polish.  On  some  specimens  the 
markings  are  mostly  confluent  and  massed  on  the  larger 
end  ;  on  others  they  form  a  zone  round  the  larger  end  ; 
others  have  the  markings  pretty  evenly  distributed  over 
the  entire  surface,  and  pale  and  indistinct ;  whilst  others 
have  most  of  the  surface  colour  suffused  over  the  surface, 
here  and  there  intermingled  with  very  dark  brown  spots. 
Average  measurement,  3*9  inches  in  length,  by  2*5  inches 
in  breadth.  Incubation,  apparently  performed  by  the 
female,  is  said  to  last  a  month. 


214  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  large  size  is  a  reliable 
character,  and  serves  to  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the 
Common  Crane  from  those  of  allied  British  species. 


Family  GRUID.E.  Genus  Grus. 

DEMOISELLE    CRANE. 

Grus   virgo  {Lhinaus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season  from  end  of  April  to  June  and 
even  July,  according  to  locality  and  state  of  season. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region.  In 
Europe  the  Demoiselle  Crane  breeds  in  Southern  Spain, 
on  the  low-lying  western  shores  of  the  Black  Sea,  and  on 
the  treeless  steppes  of  Southern  Russia,  between  the 
Caucasus  and  the  fiftieth  parallel  of  north  latitude.  In 
Asia  it  breeds  in  Turkestan,  South-western  Siberia 
(north  to  lat.  53),  Dauria,  the  Baikal  area,  Eastern 
Mongolia,  and  North-western  China. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Demoiselle  Crane  reaches  its 
breeding  grounds  during  March  and  April.  During 
winter  this  Crane  is  gregarious,  and  even  throughout  the 
breeding  season  is  social  to  a  great  extent,  although  the 
nests  are  scattered  up  and  down  the  frequented  district. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  Crane  also  pairs  for 
life,  and  returns  regularly  to  certain  places  to  breed.  The 
favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  bird  are  in  the  vicinity 
of  water  on  steppes,  and  vast  sandy  plains,  little  partiality- 
being  shown  for  swamps.  The  nest  is  always  made  upon 
the  ground,  either  amongst  grain  or  grass,  or,  according  to 


NOX-LYDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  215 

Dybowski,  on  the  rocky  banks  of  a  river.  It  is  a  slight 
structure,  a  mere  hollow  trodden  in  the  ground,  and  lined 
with  a  few  bits  of  herbage.  Nests  described  by  Dybowski 
are  said  to  have  been  made  of  small  stones  fitting  close  to 
each  other,  the  surface  being  flat,  and  deepening  towards 
the  centre.  I  have  found  nests  of  the  Fulmar  very  similar 
in  construction.  The  parent  birds  are  very  wary  at  the 
nest,  one  being  stationed  near  by  to  give  the  alarm  of 
approaching  danger,  when  the  sitting  bird  slips  quietly 
away,  running  or  walking  for  a  little  distance,  then  taking 
flight.  They  are  very  pugnacious,  and  beat  off  any 
predaceous  bird  or  animal  with  considerable  courage. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Demoiselle  Crane  are  two  in  number. 
They  vary  from  pale  buff  to  olive-brown  in  ground  colour, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  umber-brown,  and  with  under- 
lying markings  of  lilac-gray.  Two  very  distinct  types 
occur,  one  in  which  the  surface  spots  predominate,  the 
other  in  which  the  underlying  markings  are  most  numer- 
ous and  conspicuous.  Average  measurement,  3"5  inches 
in  length,  by  2'0  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation,  per- 
formed by  both  sexes,  lasts  about  a  month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Demoiselle 
Crane  cover  much  the  same  range  of  colour  variation  as 
those  of  the  Common  Crane,  but  may  always  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  that  species  by  their  much 
smaller  size. 


2i6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  OTIDID.^.  Genus  Otis. 

GREAT    BUSTARD. 

Otis  tarda,  Linnceus. 

(British  :  Formerly  bred  ;  irregular  nomadic  spring,  autumn, 
and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Great  Bustard  breeds  locally  in  Northern  Prussia,  Pomer- 
ania,  Poland,  Denmark,  Spain,  Italy,  the  steppes  of  the 
Danube  and  Turkey,  and  in  Russia  south  of  lat  55  . 
Eastwards  in  Asia  it  breeds  in  Palestine,  Turkestan, 
Siberia  as  far  north  as  Omsk,  the  Baikal  area,  and  the 
valley  of  the  Amoor,  southwards  into  Manchooria.  It 
is  not  known  with  certainty  whether  this  species  still 
continues  to  breed  in  North-west  Africa. 

Breedinc;  HABITS:  The  migrations  of  the  Great 
Bustard  are  limited  to  the  northern  portions  of  its 
breeding  area.  It  is  an  early  migrant,  too,  as  is  usual 
in  this  class  of  travellers,  and  appears  in  its  summer 
haunts  in  the  north  as  early  as  March  or  April.  The 
favourite  haunts  of  this  Bustard  are  vast  plains  and 
steppes  devoid  for  the  most  part  of  trees,  and  extensive 
grain  lands.  At  all  seasons  this  species  is  a  social  one, 
for  during  the  breeding  season  several  pairs  of  birds  will 
meet  and  feed  in  company ;  in  winter  the  flocks  become 
larger.  Some  observers  have  asserted  that  the  Great 
Bustard  is  polygamous,  but  the  evidence  is  by  no  means 
conclusive  ;  on  the  other  hand,  Naumann,  who  had 
abundant  means  of  verifying  his  opinion,  states  that  it 
pairs  early  in  spring.  In  confirmation  of  this,  it  may 
be  remarked  that  the  sexes  are  said  to  keep  in  separate 
flocks  during  winter.     The  nest  is  always  placed  upon 


XON-L\DIGEi\OUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  217 

the  ground,  often  in  a  bare  situation  on  the  open  steppe, 
or  in  a  field  of  young  corn.  It  is  merely  a  hollow 
trampled  out  by  the  female,  about  eighteen  inches 
across,  but  not  more  than  one  or  two  inches  deep,  and 
lined  with  a  few  scraps  of  dry  herbage.  The  bird  is 
a  close  sitter,  but  a  wary  one,  and  runs  from  the  nest 
as  soon  as  danger  threatens,  taking  wing  a  short  distance 
away,  and  generally  resorting  to  some  remote  spot, 
Avithout  demonstration  of  any  kind. 

Ran(;e  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Great  Bustard  are  two  or  three  in 
number,  usually  the  former.  They  are  coarse  in  texture, 
the  surface  full  of  minute  pores,  and  vary  from  olive- 
green  to  olive-brown  and  pale  buff  in  ground  colour, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  pale  lilac-gray.  The  markings 
are  seldom  very  bold  or  decided,  and  for  the  most  part 
distributed  here  and  there  over  the  entire  surface  of  the 
egg.  On  some  specimens  a  few  blackish-brown  streaks 
occur.  Average  measurement,  3'o  inches  in  length,  by 
2*2  inches  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  the 
female,  lasts  from  three  weeks  to  a  month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  colour  or  size  of 
these  eggs  readily  distinguish  them  from  those  of  allied 
species. 


2i8  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  OTIDID.E.  Genus  Otis. 

LITTLE     BUSTARD. 

Otis  tetrax,  Lifinceus. 
(British  :  Rare  nomadic  spring,  autumn,  and  winter  migrant.) 

Possibly  Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  July. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Little  Bustard  breeds  in  suitable  localities  in  the 
Spanish  peninsula  and  in  France,  more  commonly  on 
the  steppes  of  the  Danube,  Turkey,  Southern  Russia, 
and  Western  Siberia,  as  far  north  as  lat.  55  ,  and  as  far 
east  in  the  latter  country  as  Lake  Saisan.  It  also  breeds 
in  Russian  Turkestan,  Northern  Persia,  North-v/est 
Africa,  and  the  islands  of  Sardinia  and  Sicily. 

Breeding  habits  :  Although  many  Little  Bustards 
remain  on  the  northern  shores  of  the  Mediterranean 
during  winter,  the  greater  number  cross  that  sea  to 
winter  in  Africa,  returning  the  following  April.  It  is 
gregarious  enough  in  winter  and  whilst  on  migration, 
but  soon  after  the  breeding  grounds  are  reached  the 
flocks  disband,  and  not  even  a  social  tendency  is 
observable  until  the  young  are  abroad.  The  Little 
I^ustard  pairs  annually.  At  this  season  numbers  of 
birds  congregate  on  certain  spots,  and  the  males  appear 
to  go  through  a  sort  of  "  lek,"  like  many  Game  Birds, 
and  fights  take  place  for  the  possession  of  the  females. 
As  soon  as  pairing  is  over,  each  couple  retire  to  a 
selected  haunt  until  the  young  are  grown.  The  favourite 
breeding  grounds  of  this  Bustard  are  wide  treeless  plains 
and  steppes.  The  nest  is  invariably  made  upon  the 
ground,  and  is  a  mere  trampled  hollow,  seven  or  eight 
inches  across,  rather  deep,  and  lined  with  a  few  bits  of 
dry  grass  and  weed.     The  birds  are  wary  at  the  nest, 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  219 

the  female  slipping  off  at  the  approach  of  danger,  usually 
being  warned  by  the  male,  who  keeps  a  close  and 
constant  watch  in  the  neighbourhood.  When  flushed, 
the  bird  flies  straight  away  without  demonstration  of 
anxiety  or  any  alluring  action. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Bustard  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number,  four  being  the  average  clutch.  They  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  olive-brown  to  olive-green,  and  are 
indistinctly  mottled  with  pale  reddish-brown.  The  shell  is 
polished  and  smooth,  the  pores  being  only  slightly  defined. 
As  a  rule,  the  larger  end  of  the  ^gg  shows  the  most  colour- 
ing, sometimes  the  smaller  end.  Average  measurement, 
2*o  inches  in  length,  by  r5  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation 
is  performed  apparently  entirely  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Little 
Bustard  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  western  Pal^earctic  species,  and  are  easily  dis- 
tinguished by  their  colour  and  size. 


Family  OTIDID.^.  Genus  Oris. 

MACOUEEN'S     BUSTARD. 

Otis  macqueeni,   Gray. 

(British  :  \"ery  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  apparently 
unknown. 

Breeding  area  :  South-central  Palasarctic  region. 
Macqueen's  Bustard  breeds  in  extreme  south-western 
Siberia,  as  far  east  as  Lake  Saisan,  in  Turkestan  and 
Persia,  and  southwards  into  Afghanistan,  and  possibly 
Arabia. 


220  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Breeding  habits  :  Of  the  habits  of  Macqueen's 
Bustard  during  the  nesting  season  absolutely  nothing 
appears  to  be  known.  It  is  a  migratory  bird,  and 
arrives  at  its  winter  quarters  in  the  Indian  region  in 
September,  leaving  them  again  for  its  northern  breeding 
grounds  in  March  or  April.  It  is  said  to  be  mono- 
gamous, and  pairs  annually.  Its  breeding  haunts  are 
vast  plains,  apparently  such  as  are  dry,  arid,  or  sandy 
being  preferred.  The  nest  of  this  bird  has  never  been 
described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  r 
The  number  of  eggs  laid  by  Macqueen's  Bustard  is 
unknown.  Eggs  of  this  bird  obtained  by  Herr  Tancre's 
collectors  on  the  Altai  Mountains  are  buffish  or  olive- 
brown  in  ground  colour,  blotched  and  spotted  with  rich 
dark  brown  and  pale  brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  dull  gray.  Average  measurement,  2'55  inches 
in  length,  by  175  inch  in  breadth.  It  is  impossible  to 
say  whether  the  two  eggs  purchased  from  an  Arab  at 
Aden  in  March  by  Lieut.  Barnes  belong  to  this  species. 
These  eggs  were  highly  incubated  at  that  date.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is 
also  which  sex  performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  Macqueen's 
Bustard  resemble  very  closely  those  of  the  Houbara 
Bustard,  but  are  a  trifle  larger  and  darker  in  ground 
colour.  Unless  thoroughly  well  authenticated  and  with 
a  reliable  locality,  the  eggs  of  the  present  bird  are  of 
no  scientific  value,  as  the  breeding  areas  of  these  two 
Bustards  approach  very  near  in  Palestine.  It  will  be 
remarked  that  the  eggs  of  both  these  Bustards  are  more 
Plover-like  in  colour  than  those  of  the  two  preceding 
species,  owing  probably  to  the  birds  breeding  on  dry 
arid  plains,  instead  of  on  grain  or  grass-covered  steppes. 


XON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  221 


Family  CHARADRIID/E.  Genus  Cursorius. 

Sub-family  CHAKADRIINAi. 

C  R  E  A  M-C  OLOURED    COURSER. 

Cursorius  gallicus  {Gmelin). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  March  to 

August,  according  to  locaHty. 

Breeding  area:  South-western  Pala^arctic  region, 
north-western  Oriental  region,  and  north-eastern  Ethi- 
opian region.  The  Cream-coloured  Courser  does  not 
breed  anywhere  in  Europe.  It  does  so  in  the  Canary 
Islands,  and  thence  across  Northern  Africa  from  Morocco 
to  Egypt  southwards  to  Kordofan,  and  possibly  Abys- 
sinia. In  Asia  it  breeds  probably  throughout  Arabia 
and  the  trans-Caucasian  steppes,  in  Persia,  Afghanistan, 
Baluchistan,  Rajputana,  Scinde,  and  the  Punjaub.  It 
is  possible  that  the  race  known  as  C.  gallicus  bogohihovi 
is  the  one  predominating  in  some  of  the  latter  regions, 
and  that  C.  somalensis  may  predominate  in  Arabia. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Cream-coloured  Courser 
can  scarcely  be  called  a  migratory  bird,  except  in  the 
Caucasus.  It  is  very  bustard-like  in  its  habits,  fre- 
quenting vast  arid  plains  and  desert  regions,  where  little 
or  no  cover  occurs.  It  is  one  of  the  most  characteristic 
birds  of  the  Sahara,  living  amongst  the  sand-hills  and 
dunes,  either  on  the  borders  of  the  oases  or  far  in  the 
actual  desert.  The  pairing  habits  of  this  bird  almost 
exactly  resemble  those  of  the  Great  Bustard.  It  is 
monogamous,  pairing  every  season, but  as  soon  as  the  eggs 
are  laid  the  males  apparently  flock  by  themselves  until 
the  young  are  hatched,  when  they  rejoin  their  mates, 
and  assist  in  rearing  their  offspring.  In  winter  this 
Courser  is  even  more  gregarious,  whilst  in  summer  tlic 


222  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

flocks    of   immature    non-breeding    birds    keep    mostly 
together.     The  bird  does  not  breed  in  colonies,  but  in 
scattered    pairs.      In    the    Canary   Islands  (where    Mr. 
Meade  Waldo   [Ibis,  1893,  p.   203]   states  that   in    1891 
about    a   thousand    eggs    of    this   bird    were   taken    at 
Fuerteventura)    and    on    the    deserts   of  North    Africa, 
the    Cream-coloured    Courser    makes    no    nest,    laying 
its    eggs  amongst    small   stones,  or  in   a  slight  hollow 
in   the    sandy  ground.      In    India,    however,   according 
to  Hume,  the  nest    is  occasionally  placed    on    stubble, 
or   near   a   tuft    of  grass,    under   a   bush,    or   amongst 
jungle,  and  is  a  hollow  about   five    inches   across  and 
two   inches    deep,   sometimes    lined    with  a    little    dry 
grass.     This  different  mode  of  nesting  appears  to  have 
some  effect  on  the  colour  of  the  eggs,  those  from  India 
being  much  darker  than  those  from  Africa.     The  nests 
are  extremely  difficult  to  find,  the  bird  slipping  off  at 
the  first  alarm,  and  going   straight   away,   leaving  the 
Qggi  to  the  safety  which  their  protective  colours  ensure. 
Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The   eggs  of   the  Cream-coloured   Courser  are   usually 
two,  and  very  rarely  three  in  number.     They  are  pale 
buff  in  ground   colour,   spotted,  blotched,  and  freckled 
with  buffish-brown,  and  marbled  with  underlying  mark- 
ings of  gray.     They  are  rotund  in  form,  and  smooth  in 
texture.     Average  measurement,   i*2  inch  in  length,  by 
vo  inch  in  breadth.     Incubation   is  performed  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  undetermined. 
Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size,  form,  and  colour 
of   the   eggs   of  the    Cream-coloured    Courser   prevent 
them  being  confused  with  those  of  any  other  European 
bird.     We  are  not  in  possession  of  sufficient  information 
and  material  to  say  whether  the  eggs  of  this  Courser 
can   be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  allied   species, 
and  if  so,  in  what  manner. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS. 


Family  CHARADRIIDyE.  Genus  Glareola. 

Sub-family  CHARADRIIN.H. 

C  O  M  M  ON     PRATINCOLE. 

Glareola  pratincola  (^Linnceus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palsearctic  region. 
The  Common  Pratincole  breeds  sparingly  in  Savoy,  in 
France  (principally  in  the  south  and  central  portions), 
Spain,  the  Balearic  Islands,  possibly  the  west  coast  of 
Italy,  in  Sicily,  the  lower  valley  of  the  Danube,  Greece, 
Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Persia,  and  Russian  Turkestan 
as  far  as  Ala-Kul  on  the  frontiers  of  Mongolia.  South 
of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in  North  Africa,  from 
Morocco  eastwards  to  Tunis,  and  possibly  further. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Pratincole  is  a  somewhat 
early  migrant,  reaching  its  breeding  grounds  in  North 
Africa  and  South  Europe  in  April.  It  is  a  gregarious 
bird  during  passage,  but  can  scarcely  be  considered  so 
at  all  of  its  breeding  grounds,  although  many  scattered 
nests  may  be  found  within  a  comparatively  small  area 
in  some  colonies,  much  closer  together  in  others.  Of 
the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird  nothing  appears  to  be 
known.  It  probably  mates  for  life,  and  returns  season 
after  season  to  certain  places  to  breed.  Its  haunts  are 
marshes,  sandy  plains,  lagoons,  and  low  flat  islands,  the 
latter  being  preferred  wherever  choice  is  possible.  The 
Pratincole  makes  no  nest,  laying  its  eggs  on  the  black, 
hard,  sun-baked  mud,  without  even  a  hollow  to  hold 
them.  When  their  breeding  grounds  are  invaded  the 
Pratincoles  are  gregarious  enough,  and  flocking  together 
from  all  parts  of  the  scattered  colony  become  restless 


224  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

and  noisy,  and  often  indulge  in  various  antics,  even  sham- 
ming death  or  broken  limbs  to  lure  intruders  away. 
Before  the  eggs  are  actually  laid  the  bird  is  very  prone 
to  these  strange  actions. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Pratincole  are  two  or  three  in  number, 
rarely  four.  They  are  very  fragile,  very  oval,  and 
without  polish.  They  vary  from  buff  or  citron  to  pale 
gray  in  ground  colour,  spotted,  blotched,  and  streaked 
with  blackish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings 
similar  in  character  of  grayish-brown.  Usually  the 
markings  are  generally  distributed  over  the :  entire 
surface,  but  sometimes  become  most  abundant  at  the 
larger  end  of  the  ^%g,  and  the  gray  underlying  markings 
are  numerous  and  clearly  defined.  Average  measure- 
ment, 1*2  inch  in  length  by  '9  inch  in  breadth.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is 
also  which  sex  performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Pratin- 
cole cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
British  species,  but  from  those  of  allied  species  I  am 
unable  to  give  characters  by  which  they  may  be 
separated.  The  locality  is  of  some  service  in  identifying 
them. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS. 


Family  CHARADRIID.^.  Genus  Vanellus. 

Sub-family   CHARADRIIN.^. 

SOCIABLE    LAPWING. 

Vanellus  gregarius  {Fal/as). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season  unknown. 

Breeding  area:  South  Central  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Sociable  Lapwing  is  believed  to  breed  on  the 
steppes  of  South-eastern  Russia,  from  the  Crimea  as 
far  north  as  Sarepta,  and  lat.  33°,  and  southwards  to 
Astrakhan  and  the  Caucasus.  It  is  also  presumed  to 
breed  in  South-western  Siberia  and  Turkestan  as  far 
east  as  Lake  Saisan  and  Western  Mongolia. 

Breeding  habits  :  Of  the  habits  of  the  Sociable 
Lapwing  during  the  nesting  season  nothing  whatever 
is  known.  It  is  said  to  frequent  the  steppes  and  plains 
for  breeding  purposes,  but  its  nest  has  never  been 
described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
All  that  is  known  respecting  the  eggs  of  the  Sociable 
Lapwing  is  contained  in  Dresser's  Birds  of  Europe. 
That  naturalist  writes — "  A  single  ^'g^  sent  to  me  by 
Mr.  Moschler,  who  informs  me  that  it  was  obtained  by 
his  Sarepta  collector,  v/ith  the  birds,  closely  resembles 
eggs  of  the  Common  Lapwing  ( Vanellus  cristatus),  but 
is,  if  anything,  rather  paler  in  ground  colour,  and  a  trifle 
more  sparingly  marked  w^ith  spots  and  blotches." 

Diagnostic  characters:  In  the  present  state  of 
our  knowledge  it  is  impossible  to  attempt  to  give  any 
characters  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Sociable  Lapwing 
may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  allied  species. 


226  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID.E.  Genus  .'Egialitis. 

Sub-family    CHARADRIIN.^. 

KILLDEER    PLOVER. 

^GIALITIS    VOCIFERA    {LimicEUS). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  (?)  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April,  May,  and  June, 
according  to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Nearctlc  region,  except  the  ex- 
treme north.  The  Killdeer  Plover  breeds  sparingly  in 
Mexico,  and  more  generally  throughout  the  United 
States  northwards  to  Southern  Canada,  as  far  as  about 
lat.  53\ 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Killdeer  Plover  is  a  migrant 
only  in  the  colder  portions  of  its  range,  but  returns  very 
early  in  spring  as  soon  as  its  haunts  are  free  from  ice 
and  snow.  It  is  an  inland  bird,  and  its  favourite 
breeding  grounds  are  on  the  prairies  on  the  banks  of 
rivers  and  lakes,  in  more  or  less  swampy  districts.  It 
is  not  exactly  a  gregarious  bird  during  the  breeding 
season,  but  numbers  of  pairs  nest  within  a  small  area 
of  suitable  country,  and  arc  to  a  certain  extent  social 
in  their  habits.  This  Plover  probably  pairs  annually. 
The  nest  is  always  made  upon  the  ground,  sometimes 
on  bare  sandy  tracts,  at  others  on  ground  studded  with 
grass  and  rush  tufts.  It  is  merely  a  hollow  in  the 
ground  scantily  lined  with  a  few  bits  of  dry  grass  or 
other  herbage,  but  in  some  cases  even  this  slight 
provision  is  omitted.  This  Plover  is  wary  at  the  nest, 
leaving  its  eggs  at  the  first  sign  of  danger,  just  like  our 
own  Lapwing,  the  male  usually  giving  the  alarm,  flying 
towards  the  intruder  and  uttering  its  plaintive  too  it,  and 
soon  being  joined  by  most  of  the  other  Plovers  nesting 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  227 

in    the     vicinity.      Sometimes    alluring     motions     are 
employed. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Killdeer  Plover  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pear-shaped,  smooth  in  texture,  and  pale  buft' 
of  various  shades  in  ground  colour,  blotched  and  spotted 
with  blackish-brown  and  with  underlying  markings  of 
brownish-gray.  As  a  rule  most  of  the  blotches  are  on 
the  larger  end  of  the  ^^g,  forming  a  semi-confluent  cap 
or  an  irregular  zone.  A  not  unfrequent  type  has  the 
markings  in  the  form  of  scratches  and  irregular  spots. 
Average  measurement,  v6  inch  in  length,  by  i*i  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both  parents,  but 
the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Killdeer 
cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
allied  species  breeding  in  the  same  area,  their  size  and 
colouration  beincr  sufficient  to  distinguish  them,  with 
the  sole  exception  of  those  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper, 
from  which,  however,  their  much  larger  size  serves  to 
separate  them. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  ^gialitis. 

Sub-family  CHARADRIINyE. 

RINGED     PLOVER. 

/Egialitis  hiaticula  {Liiinceus). 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  ;  common  spring  and  autumn  coasting 

migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  April  to  June,  according  to 

locality. 

Breeding    area  :     Western    PaLxarctic    region    and 
north-eastern   Neartic  region.     The  typical  form  of  the 


228  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Ringed  Plover  breeds  in  Cumberland  Bay,  on  the 
American  coast  of  Davis  Strait,  on  the  coasts  of  Green- 
land up  to  lat.  79°  ;  in  Iceland,  Spitzbergen,  Nova 
Zembla,  and  probably  Franz-Josef  Land.  In  Europe 
it  breeds  in  suitable  localities  north  of  the  Alps,  and  in 
Northern  Africa,  including  the  Canary  Islands  (although 
I  notice  Mr.  Meade  Waldo  only  records  it  as  passing  on 
migration)  and  Madeira.  In  Asia  it  is  known  to  breed 
as  far  east  as  the  Taimyr  peninsula  in  the  north,  and  the 
Baikal  area  in  the  south,  in  Turkestan,  and  Western 
Siberia.  It  is  said  also  to  breed  on  the  coasts  of  the 
Red  Sea,  but  confirmation  is  wanting. 

Breeding  habits  :  This  form  of  Ringed  Plover  is  a 
migrant,  and  regularly  passes  the  British  coasts  to  those 
portions  of  its  breeding  area  that  lie  to  the  north  of  our 
islands.  A  few  pairs  may  possibly  breed  within  our 
area,  especially  on  the  coasts  of  Kent  and  Essex.  It 
arrives  in  the  Arctic  regions  towards  the  end  of  May  or 
early  in  June.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  appears  to 
be  known,  but  the  bird  probably  mates  annually,  the 
flocks  disbanding  at  the  breeding  grounds.  Although 
ereearious  in  winter  it  does  not  breed  in  colonies,  but  in 
more  or  less  scattered  pairs,  which  are  certainly  socially 
inclined.  This  Plover  is  not  known  to  differ  in  its 
nesting  habits  from  the  larger  race.  It  is  rather  remark- 
able, however,  that  Capt.  Feilden  found  a  nest  of  this 
form  lined  with  the  green  fleshy  leaves  and  stems  of 
Atriplex  littoralis,  a  fact  which  suggests,  if  it  does  not 
actually  prove,  some  difference  of  habit.  It  may  be  that 
in  the  high  north  some  sort  of  lining  is  added  to  the 
sandy  nest  for  the  purposes  of  warmth. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Ringed  Plover  are  four  in  number, 
pyriform,  and  smooth  in  texture.  They  cover  the  same 
range  of  colour  variation  as  those  of  the  Greater  Ringed 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  229 

Plover.  Average  measurement,  1*3  inch  in  length,  by 
•9  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  both 
sexes,  lasts  about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Ringed 
Plover  do  not  differ  in  colour  from  those  of  the  Greater 
Ringed  Plov^er,  but  are  perceptibly  smaller  in  size.  The 
locality  is  of  great  importance  in  their  identification. 


Family  CHARADRIID.4^.  Genus  ^gialitis. 

Sub-family  CHARADRIINAi. 

LITTLE  RINGED  PLOVER. 

^^i^GiALiTis  MINOR  (  Wolf  a?id  Meyer). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  first  half  of  Ju!.e. 

Breeding  area:  PaLnearctic  region.  The  Little 
Ringed  Plover  breeds  throughout  Europe  and  Palsearctic 
Asia  south  of  lat.  6o^  and  south  of  the  Mediterranean,  in 
Africa  north  of  the  Great  Desert,  and  possibly  in  the 
Canaries,  although  Mr.  Meade  Waldo  does  not  record 
this  species. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  the  more  northerly  portions 
of  its  distribution  the  Little  Ringed  Plover  is  a  migrant, 
retiring  south  to  Africa  in  winter,  and  returning  north 
again  in  April.  This  bird  is  not  so  gregarious  as  the 
Ringed  Plovers,  even  in  winter,  but  is  to  a  certain  extent 
social,  numbers  of  pairs  frequenting  a  comparatively 
small  area.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  Plover 
are  the  sandy  banks  of  rivers  and  inland  lakes,  low  flat 
islands,  and    less    frequently    sand    dunes    and    shingly 


2  30  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

beaches  close  to  the  sea.  It  pairs  annually,  and  just 
about  the  period  the  male  may  be  frequently  seen 
soaring  in  the  air  uttering  a  by  no  means  unmusical  trill. 
I  observed  many  pairs  of  this  Plover  in  the  fast  drying- 
up  bed  of  a  river  in  the  oasis  of  Biskra,  and  from  time 
to  time  remarked  the  males  careering  about  the  air  after 
they  had  reached  the  zenith  of  their  flight.  The  Little 
Ringed  Plover  does  not  make  any  nest,  the  eggs  being 
laid  in  a  little  hollow  in  the  sand  or  shingle,  no  lining  of 
any  kind  apparently  ever  being  inserted.  Mr.  Abel 
Chapman  states  that  he  frequently  found  the  eggs  in  a 
slight  hollow  scraped  in  dry  cattle-droppings.  The  bird 
sits  very  lightly,  and  as  it  leaves  the  nest  the  moment 
danger  threatens,  the  eggs  are  only  found  by  a  close 
search,  as  they  resemble  the  ground  around  them. 
During  hot  sunny  weather  the  eggs  are  often  left  un- 
covered for  a  considerable  time,  whilst  the  parent  birds 
are  feeding  in  the  vicinity. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Ringed  Plover  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  very  pyriform  in  shape,  buff  in  ground  colour, 
speckled  and  streaked  with  various  shades  of  brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  ink-gray.  Most  of  the 
markings  are  on  the  larger  end  of  the  Q.^^,  but  others 
are  fairly  well  sprinkled  over  the  surface.  Average 
measurement,  1*15  inch  in  length,  by  '85  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation,  performed  by  both  sexes,  lasts  about  three 
weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  streaky  character  of 
the  markings  on  the  eggs  of  the  Little  Ringed  Plover 
make  them  somewhat  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
Kentish  Plover,  from  which,  however,  they  are  readily 
distinguished  by  their  smaller  size. 


NOiW-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS. 


Family  CHARADRIID.E.  Genus  .FIgialophilus. 

Sub-family  CHARADKIlNAi. 

CASPIAN     SAND    PLOVER. 

^^GIALOPHILUS    ASIATICUS    {Pallas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 
Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season  unknown. 

Breeding  area  :  South  central  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Caspian  Sand  Plover  is  only  presumed  to  breed  in 
the  basins  of  the  Caspian  and  Aral  seas.  Its  distribution 
during  summer  is  most  imperfectly  known,  and  eggs,  so 
far  as  I  can  learn,  have  been  taken  in  two  localities  only. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  habits  of  the  Caspian  Sand 
Plover  during  the  breeding  season  are  practically  un- 
known. It  is  a  migratory  bird,  and  in  summer  frequents 
sandy  plains,  and  the  banks  and  shores  of  rivers  and  seas. 
The  nest  appears  never  to  have  been  described  by  any 
English  naturalist. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Caspian  Sand  Plover  are  described  by 
Mr.  Dresser  as  oval  and  tapering  in  shape,  warm  buff 
with  a  faint  tinge  of  green  in  ground  colour,  and  the 
spots  nearly  black.  This  description  appears  to  me  a 
doubtful  one.  Middendorff  figures  an  ^^^  of  this  bird  in 
his  Rcise  in  Nord-  tind  Ost-Sibirien,  vol.  II.  pi.  xix. 
fig.  4. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  In  the  present  state  of 
our  knowledge  it  is  impossible  to  say  whether  any 
character  exists  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  bird  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  alHed  species. 


232  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Charadrius. 

Sub-family  CHAKADRIINAL. 

GRAY    PLOVER. 

Charadrius  helveticus  {Brissofi). 

(British  :    Common  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant ;  few  in 

winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  June,  and  eaily 

in  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Pal?earctfc 
regions.  The  Gray  Plover  is  only  known  to  breed  on 
the  tundras  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  the 
valley  of  the  Petchora,  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula,  and 
in  the  delta  of  the  Lena  ;  and  in  North  America  in 
Alaska,  on  the  banks  of  the  Anderson  river,  and  on 
Melville  peninsula. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Gray  Plov^er  is  a  regular 
migrant  to  the  Arctic  regions,  where  it  breeds,  reaching 
them  during  the  latter  half  of  May  or  early  in  June. 
During  winter  and  whilst  on  passage  this  Plover  is 
gregarious,  but  at  the  breeding  places  the  birds  distri- 
bute themselves  in  scattered  pairs,  which  nest  in  more 
or  less  close  proximity,  the  males  being  social  and  often 
seen  in  small  parties.  The  birds  pair  annually,  and  not 
apparently  until  they  reach  their  destinations.  The 
favourite  breeding  grounds  of  this  Plover  are  the  tundras 
and  barren  grounds  between  the  limits  of  forest  growth 
and  the  Arctic  Ocean,  especially  such  portions  as  are 
swampy  and  covered  with  ridges.  Previous  to  1875 
the  breeding  habits  of  the  Gray  Plover  were  but  little 
known,  and  eggs  were  very  rare  in  collections.  The 
first  authentic  eggs  were  those  taken  by  Von  Midden- 
dorff,  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula,  in  1843.  In  1864  Mac 
Farlane  obtained  eggs  on  the  tundras  near  the  Arctic 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  233 

Ocean  in  North  America.  In  1875  Messrs  Seebohm 
and  Harvie-Bruwn  discovered  the  first  breeding  grounds 
of  this  bird  in  Europe  on  the  tundras  of  Northern  Russia 
in  the  valley  of  the  Petchora.  Between  June  the  22nd 
and  July  the  12th,  these  two  naturalists  obtained  ten 
nests,  carefully  identifying  the  parents  at  each.  The 
nest  is  merely  a  slight  hollow  in  the  moss  or  lichen - 
covered  ground,  in  which  a  few  twigs,  scraps  of  reindeer- 
moss,  and  other  vegetable  refuse  are  arranged.  The 
birds  were  observed  to  indulge  in  rather  curious  flights 
as  they  rose  from  their  nests.  After  being  driven  from 
the  nest  the  female  was  usually  the  first  to  return,  but 
she  generally  came  less  conspicuously  than  the  male, 
making  her  appearance  on  a  distant  ridge  of  the  tundra, 
then  after  looking  round  for  a  short  time  running  quickly 
to  the  next  lidge,  and  again  looking  round,  calling  at 
intervals  to  her  mate  with  a  single  note.  To  this, 
hou^ever,  the  male  seldom  replied,  but  when  he  did  so 
it  was  with  a  double  note.  After  the  female  had  run 
about  thus  for  some  time  the  male  began  to  move,  but 
he  generally  joined  his  mate  by  flying  boldly  up  to  her. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  female  rarely  took  to  her  wqngs. 
She  was  very  cautious,  and  passed  and  repassed  her 
nest  several  times  until  she  finally  settled  upon  it.  All 
the  time  that  the  nest  was  being  watched,  the  female 
was  \'ery  restless,  and  ran  about  a  good  deal,  but  the 
male  generally  remained  stationary  on  a  hillock  or 
ridge,  apparently  watching  the  movements  of  his  mate. 
Range  OF  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Gray  Plover  are  four  in  number.  They 
are  pyriform  in  shape,  not  quite  so  buff  in  ground  colour 
as  those  of  the  Golden  Plover,  nor  quite  so  olive  as 
those  of  the  Lapwing,  spotted  and  blotched  w^ith  black- 
ish-brow^n  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray. 
Several  very  distinct   types   occur.     One   is   very  spar- 


234  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

ingly  marked,  the  spots  being  somewhat  small,  streaky, 
and  irregular  in  shape,  with  one  or  two  irregular  lines  ; 
another  has  the  blotches  predominating,  but  small  in 
size  and  mostly  on  the  larger  end  of  the  ^g^  ;  another 
is  very  heavily  blotched,  chiefly  at  the  large  end  of  the 
^gg,  most  of  them  being  confluent  and  joined  by  nar- 
rower makings  ;  whilst  another  has  large  blotches,  some 
of  them  confluent  over  most  of  the  surface.  Average 
measurement,  2'0  inches  in  length,  by  1*4  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  both  sexes,  as 
MacFarlane  records  that  a  male  was  snared  on  one  of 
the  nests  obtained  by  him.  The  duration  of  the  period 
is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Gray 
Plover  resemble  those  of  the  Lapwing  in  colour,  and 
are  about  the  same  size,  but  the  breeding  grounds  of 
the  two  species  do  not  impinge,  so  that  the  locality  is 
sufficient  to  identify  them. 


Family  CHARADRIID.'E.  Genus  Charadrius. 

Suli-family  CHARADRIIN^. 

ASIATIC    GOLDEN     PLOVER. 

Charadrius  fulvus,   Gmelin. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  June,  or  first  half  of 

July. 

Breeding  area  :  North-eastern  Palaearctic  region. 
The  Asiatic  Golden  Plover  breeds  on  the  tundras  above 
the  limits  of  forest  growth  of  Eastern  Siberia,  from  the 
valley  of  the  Yenesay  to  the  Pacific  coast.  It  has  been 
said  to  breed  in  New  Caledonia. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  235 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Asiatic  Golden  Plover  is  a 
migrant,  and  was  observed  to  pass  uj3  the  valley  of  the 
Yenesay  to  its  breeding  grounds  in  Siberia,  during  the 
first  week  in  June,  and  doubtless  reaches  its  summer 
haunts  a  week  later.  In  winter  and  on  migration  it  is 
gregarious,  but  our  information  of  its  habits  during 
the  breeding  season  is  so  meagre  that  we  cannot  say 
more  than  that  it  is  to  a  certain  extent  social  in  summer, 
apparently  nesting  locally  in  scattered  pairs  over  the 
ground.  It  probably  pairs  in  spring,  like  its  allies. 
The  breeding  haunts  of  this  Plover  are  the  tundras 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  forests,  where  the  ground  is 
clothed  more  with  moss  and  lichen  than  with  grass, 
studded  with  patches  of  bare  pebbly  ground,  and  the 
dead  flat  relieved  by  hummocky  plains.  In  such  a 
locality  the  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Asiatic  Golden  Plover 
were  discovered  by  Mr.  Seebohm  during  his  visit  to 
Siberia  in  the  summer  of  1877.  On  the  14th  of  July 
he  observed  a  pair  of  these  Plovers,  and  after  much 
fruitless  watching,  one  of  them,  the  male,  was  shot. 
The  nest  was  found  shortly  afterwards,  amongst  the 
moss  and  lichen,  containing  the  full  complement  of  eggs. 
It  was  merely  a  slight  hollow  lined  with  broken  stalks 
of  reindeer-moss.  A  week  later  the  same  naturalist 
found  this  Plover  very  common  on  the  tundra  at  Gol- 
cheeka,  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  young  in  down. 
So  far  as  I  am  aware  these  eggs  are  the  only  ones  known 
to  science.  The  behaviour  of  the  old  birds  at  the  nest 
is  very  similar  to  that  of  allied  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Asiatic  Golden  Plover  are  four  in 
number.  They  are  precisely  similar  to  those  of  the 
Golden  Plover,  in  colour  and  character  of  markings, 
varying  in  ground  colour  from  light  buff  to  very  pale 
buff  with  a  tinge  of  olive,  blotched  and  spotted  with 


236  THE   NESTS   AND   EGGS   OF 

rich  dark  brown,  and  with  small  underlying  markings 
of  gray.  Average  measurement,  TQ  inch  in  length,  by 
V}^  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  Is  unknown,  as  is  also  whether  the  male 
takes  any  share  in  the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Asiatic 
Golden  Plover  very  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Golden 
Plover,  but  are  smaller.  The  locality  of  the  eggs  also 
assists  very  considerably  in  their  identification,  as  the 
European  Golden  Plover  does  not  breed  in  the  same 
area. 


Family  CHARADRIID/E.  Genus  Charadrius. 

Sub-family  CHARADKIIN.^. 

AMERICAN     GOLDEN     PLOVER. 

Charadrius  fulvus  americanus  {Sc/ilegel). 

(British.     Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.    Laying  season,  end  of  June  or  first  half  of  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
American  Golden  Plover  breeds  on  the  barren  grounds 
above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  North  America  from 
Alaska  to  Greenland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  American  Golden  Plover  is 
a  summer  visitor  to  the  barren  grounds  bordering  the 
Arctic  Ocean  in  the  New  World,  reaching  Its  nesting 
places  at  the  end  of  May  or  in  June.  But  little  has 
been  recorded  of  its  habits  during  the  breeding  season, 
but  as  far  as  they  are  known  they  closely  resemble  those 
of  the  preceding  race.  MacFarlane  met  with  the  nest 
of  this  Plover.  It  was  merely  a  hollow  in  the  moss-  or 
lichen-clothed  ground,  carelessly  lined  with  a  few  scraps 


NON-JNDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  237 

of  herbage.  The  actions  of  the  parents  at  the  nest 
resemble  those  of  alHed  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Golden  Plover  are  four  in 
number.  MacFarlane,  who  obtained  170  nests,  records 
a  ciutch  oi  five.  They  so  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
Asiatic  form  that  a  description  is  unnecessary.  Mac- 
Farlane gives  the  average  measurements  as  precisely  the 
same  as  those  of  the  Old  World  bird. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  race  of 
Golden  Plover  can  be  safely  identified  by  the  locality 
from  which  they  come. 


Family  CIIARADRIID.E.  Genus  Himantopus. 

Sub-family    TOTANINyS. 

C  O  M  M  O  N     STILT. 

HiMAXTOPUS  MELANOPTERUS,  Meye?'. 

(British.     Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant,  chiefly  the 

former.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  from  end  of  April  to  June, 
according  to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  and  Western  Pal^earctic 
region,  Ethiopian  and  Oriental  regions.  The  Common 
Stilt  breeds  in  the  marshes  of  the  Spanish  peninsula,  in 
the  Delta  of  the  Rhone,  in  Sicily,  the  valley  of  the 
Danube,  and  on  the  Lagoons  of  the  Black  Sea.  East- 
wards it  breeds  on  the  Kirghiz  and  Kalmuk  Steppes,  in 
Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Northern  Persia,  Turkestan, 
Afghanistan,  India,  and  Ceylon.  South  of  the  Medi- 
terranean it  breeds  locally  throughout  the  African 
continent  as  far  south  as  the  Berg  river,  and  probably  in 
Madagascar. 


238  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Common  Stilt  is  with  a  few 

exceptions  a  summer  migrant  to  Europe,  and  to  such  of 

its  breeding  grounds  in  Asia  as  are  situated  in  northern 

districts.     The  bird  is  gregarious,  and  breeds  in  colonies 

of  varying  size,  some  consisting  only  of  a  few  pairs,  others 

of  hundreds  of  pairs.     The  favourite  haunts  of  this  Stilt 

during;  the  nestincj  season  are  salt  marshes,  the  shores  of 

lagoons,  and  low  mud  islands  and  banks.     The  nests  are 

made  in  a  great  variety  of  situations,  and  vary  considerably 

both  in  size  and  material.     If  the  ground  is  wet  the  nest 

is  bulkier  than  when  on  a  dry  site.     Some  nests  are  made 

absolutely  in  the  water,  heaps  of  dead  reeds  and  other 

aquatic  vegetation,  rising  several  inches  above  the  level 

of  the  water  ;  others  are  made  on  the  mud,  and  are  mere 

hollows  lined  with  dry  grass,  broken  reeds,  and  bits   of 

rush-leaf.     A  most  interesting  breeding  place  of  this  Stilt 

is  situated  at  some  salt  works  near  Delhi,  in  Upper  India. 

These  works  consist  of  many  acres  of  shallow  lime-lined 

pools,  divided  from  each  other  by  strips  of  ground,  from 

one  to  six  feet  in  width.     On  these  narrow  strips  and  in  the 

shallow  pools  the  nests  are  made.     They  are  very  curious 

structures,  little  platforms  made  of  bits  of  lime,  raised 

about  three  inches  high,  and  from  seven  to  twelve  inches 

across,  on   which   a  slight  bed    of  dry  grass   is   placed. 

Many   nests   are   made    close    together,  and    the    birds, 

through  being  left    unmolested,   are    remarkably    tame, 

allowing  the  workmen  to  pass  them  closely  as  they  sit 

upon   their  eggs.     When   disturbed  at  the    colony,  the 

birds  rise  from  their  eggs,  or  run  from  them  with  elevated 

wings   before  taking  flight,  becoming   very   noisy   and 

anxious  for  the  safety  of  their  nests. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Common  Stilt  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape  and  pale  or  dark  buflish- 
brown  in  ground  colour,  streaked,  spotted,  and  blotched 


NON-L\DIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  239 

with  blackish-brown  of  various  shades,  and  with  under- 
lying markings  of  gray.  Much  variation  occurs  in  the 
character  of  the  marking.  Some  eggs  are  covered  with 
moderately  large  and  irregular  blotches,  some  of  the  latter 
joined  together  with  irregular  streaky  marks ;  others 
have  the  markings  small  and  streaky  ;  others  have  them 
large  and  pale.  As  a  rule  most  of  the  spotting  is  on  the 
major  half  of  the  e.gg,  and  the  gray  underlying  markings 
are  seldom  conspicuous  or  numerous.  Average  measure- 
ment, 17  inch  in  length,  by  1*2  inch  in  breadth.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  neither 
has  the  sex  which  performs  the  task  been  determined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Many  of  the  eggs  of  the 
Common  Stilt  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Avocet  in 
colour,  but  are  much  smaller  in  size.  I  cannot  find  any 
reliable  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  Stilt  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  certain  allied  species,  but  the 
locality  is  sufficient  to  identify  them. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus   Recurvirostra. 

Sub-family    TOTANINAi. 

COMMON    AVOCET. 

Recurvirostra  avocetta,  Li7inaius. 

(British  :  Formerly  bred  ;  rare  spring  and  autumn  coasting 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  INIay,  and  early  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Pal^earctic  and  Ethiopian 
regions.  The  Common  Avocet  breeds  on  some  of  the 
islands  off  the  Dutch  and  Danish  coasts,  on  the  marshes 
in  the  delta  of  the  Rhone,  in  the  marismas  of  Southern 
Spain,  in  the  valley  of  the  Danube,  and  on  the  lagoons 


240  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

of  the  Black  Sea.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in  Palestine, 
Persia,  Northern  Turkestan,  South-western  Siberia, 
South-eastern  Mongolia,  and  Southern  Dauria.  South 
of  the  Mediterranean  it  is  said  to  breed  in  all  suitable 
localities  throughout  Continental  Africa,  and  probably 
in  Madagascar. 

Breeding  habits  :  To  Europe  and  to  the  more 
northern  breeding  grounds  in  Asia  the  Avocet  is  only 
a  summer  visitor,  arriving  from  its  winter  quarters  in 
April  or  May.  At  all  seasons  it  is  gregarious,  and 
breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size.  It  probably  pairs 
for  life,  as  every  season  the  same  nesting  places  appear 
to  be  visited.  The  favourite  haunts  of  the  Avocet  in 
summer  are  low  sandy  coasts,  salt  marshes,  lagoons,  and 
mud  islands.  The  nests  are  either  placed  on  the  bare 
sand  or  mud,  or  amongst  the  short  herbage  of  marshes, 
and  are  mere  hollows  lined  with  a  few  bits  of  dry  grass 
or  dead  leaves.  The  Avocet  is  not  a  close  sitter,  leaving 
its  eggs  at  the  first  sign  of  danger,  and  flying  to  and  fro 
above  the  colony  ;  it  is  ever  ready,  however,  to  try  and 
drive  off  any  intruding  bird  which  might  possibly  have 
evil  designs  upon  its  eggs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Avocet  are  generally  three  or  four  in 
number,  but  five  or  even  six  have  been  found  in  very 
exceptional  cases.  They  are  pyriform,  smooth  in  texture, 
and  pale  buff  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
blackish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray. 
Generally  the  eggs  of  the  Avocet  are  covered  on  the  large 
end  with  irregular  and  often  confluent  blotches,  but  a 
type  occurs  in  which  the  spots  are  smaller  and  distributed 
over  most  of  the  surface.  Average  measurement,  r95 
inch  in  length,  by  1*4  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  per- 
formed by  both  sexes,  lasts,  accordmg  to  Naumann, 
seventeen  to  eighteen  days. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  241 

Diagnostic    characters  :     Due    allowance    being- 

o 

made  for  locality,  the  only  eggs  likely  to  be  confused 
with  those  of  the  Avocet  are  those  of  the  Lapwing,  but 
from  these  their  lighter  appearance  and  less  bold  mark- 
ings are  sufficient  to  distinguish  them  :  they  never  also 
show  any  olive  tint  in  the  ground  colour.  Eggs  of  the 
Gray  Plover  also  approach  them  in  general  appearance, 
but  the  breeding  areas  of  the  two  species  are  quite 
distinct. 


Family  CHARADRTID.E.  Genus  Numemus. 

Sub-family    TOTANIN^. 

ESKIMO    WHIMBREL. 

NuMENius  BOREALis  [J.  R.  Forsier). 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Number  of  broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  June  and 
early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Eskimo  Whimbrel  breeds  on  the  barren  grounds  above 
the  limits  of  forest  growth  of  Arctic  America  from 
Alaska  to  the  shores  of  Hudson  Bay  and  Davis  Strait. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Eskimo  Whimbrel  is  a 
regular  migrant,  passing  the  United  States  in  May,  but 
not  arriving  at  its  summer  quarters  until  the  ground  is 
free  from  snow  in  June.  On  migration  it  is  gregarious, 
but  the  flocks  disperse  Into  scattered  pairs  at  the  breed- 
ing grounds.  This  Whimbrel  pairs  annually,  but  of  its 
habits  at  that  period  I  find  nothing  recorded.  The 
favourite  nesting  haunts  of  the  Eskimo  Whimbrel  are  in 
the  marshy  portions  of  the  barren  grounds  apparently 
at  no  great  distance  from  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean. 


242  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

The  nest  is  always  made  upon  the  ground,  and  Is  a 
hollow  scantily  lined  with  a  few  scraps  of  dry  herbage 
and  withered  leaves.  Although  MacFarlane,  Richard- 
son, and  other  naturalists  have  had  ample  opportunities 
of  studying  the  habits  of  this  bird  during  the  breeding 
season,  but  little  has  been  recorded,  and  many  interest- 
ing points  remain  still  undetermined.  MacFarlane 
states  that  great  difficulty  was  frequently  experienced 
in  finding  the  nest  of  this  species,  the  eggs  closely 
resembling  surrounding  objects  in  colour,  and  the  hen 
gliding  off  her  charge  before  being  closely  approached. 
He  describes  the  note  at  the  breeding  grounds  as  a 
"  prolonged  mellow  whistle." 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Eskimo  VVhimbrel  are  four  in  number, 
although  Richardson  states  that  he  has  seen  a  female 
sitting  on  three — probably  the  fourth  was  about  to  be 
laid.  They  are  pyriform,  and  range  from  brownish-  or 
grayish-buff  to  greenish-olive  in  ground  colour,  blotched 
and  spotted  with  brown  of  various  shades,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  pale  grayish-brown.  The  surface 
markings  are  generally  large  and  boldly  defined,  and  are 
chocolate  or  sepia-brown  in  colour,  most  numerous  at 
the  larger  end  of  the  ^%%^  often  confluent  and  sometimes 
forming  an  irregular  cap.  The  gray  underlying  mark- 
ings are  similar  in  character  and  fairly  numerous. 
Average  measurement,  2"0  inches  in  length,  by  i'4  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the 
female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  Is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Whlm- 
brel  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
species,  the  size,  colour,  and  locality  being  sufficient  to 
identify  them. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  243 


Family  CHARADRIID.^.  Genus  Phalaropus. 

Sub-family   TOTANINAL. 

GRAY    PHALAROPE. 

PhaLxVROPUS   fulicarius  {Linnccus). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant ;  few  in 
spring.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  first  half  of  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  Gray  Phalarope  is  not  known  to  breed 
anywhere  in  continental  Europe.  It  breeds  locally  on 
the  islands  and  coasts  of  Arctic  Asia  and  America, 
reaching  at  least  as  far  north  as  lat.  82^°,  and  probably 
extending  as  high  as  land  exists.  It  also  nests  in  Iceland 
and  Spitzbergen,  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula,  in  the  delta 
of  the  Lena,  the  Tchuski  Land,  Alaska,  the  Parry  Islands, 
Grinnell  Land,  and  Greenland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Gray  Phalarope  is  a  nomadic 
migrant,  wintering  as  far  north  as  it  can  with  safety, 
and  returning  to  its  breeding  grounds  late  in  May  and 
early  in  June.  The  pairing  habits  of  the  Phalaropes  are 
very  abnormal,  the  females  conducting  the  courtship, 
and  leaving  the  males  to  incubate  the  eggs !  The  birds 
pair  annually  shortly  after  arriving  in  their  summer 
quarters.  This  Phalarope  is  gregarious,  winter  and 
summer  alike,  and  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size 
dependent  upon  local  conditions.  The  favourite  breed- 
ing haunts  of  the  Gray  Phalarope  are  the  marshy  pools 
and  lakes  on  the  tundras  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
Arctic  Ocean.  The  nest  is  made  upon  the  ground  close 
to  the  pools,  and  is  merely  a  hollow  in  the  moss  or  lichen, 
sometimes  lined  with  a  few  dry  leaves,  or  bits  of  grass. 
In  their  actions  at  the  nests,  when  disturbed  by  man, 


244  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

these  birds  are  not  known  to  differ  from  allied  species, 
being  very  tame  and  confiding,  and  often  displaying 
alluring  antics. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Gray  Phalarope  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
pale  buff  with  an  olive  tinge  in  ground  colour,  blotched 
and  spotted  with  rich  dark  brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  pale  brown.  The  surface  markings  are 
generally  large  and  boldly  defined,  the  underlying  ones 
few  and  indistinct.  As  usual  most  of  the  blotches  are 
on  the  larger  end  of  the  ^%g,  and  for  the  most  part 
confluent.  Average  measurement,  r25  inch  in  length, 
by  -Zj  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
male,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown  :  it  is 
probably  about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Gray 
Phalarope  may  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Red- 
necked Phalarope  by  their  much  larger  size.  They 
closely  resemble  those  of  Wilson's  Phalarope  ;  but  the 
breeding  areas  of  the  two  species  are  distinct,  the  locality 
of  the  eggs  being  quite  sufficient  to  identify  them. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  245 


Family  CHARADRIIDvE.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family  TOTANINAi. 

B  A  R  T  R  A  M  'S    SANDPIPER. 

Totanus  bartrami  ( Wilson), 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May  and  early 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  Central  Nearctic  region,  Bartram's 
Sandpiper  breeds  in  Alaska,  Rupert's  Land,  Southern 
Canada,  and  the  more  northerly  United  States,  from 
Pennsylvania  westwards  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Breeding  habits:  Bartram's  Sandpiper  migrates 
north  in  April  and  May,  crossing  the  prairies  in  vast 
numbers  as  well  as  following  the  coasts.  For  the 
greater  part  of  the  year  this  Sandpiper  is  very  grega- 
rious, and  even  in  the  breeding  season  numbers  of 
pairs  frequently  nest  close  together,  resembling  the 
Lapwing  in  this  respect.  The  favourite  haunts  of 
Bartram's  Sandpiper  are  the  open  prairies  and  uplands, 
especially  such  as  are  studded  w^ith  swamps  and  open 
pools :  marshy  places  in  wooded  districts,  where  the 
timber  is  more  or  less  scattered,  are  also  frequent  resorts. 
The  pairing  habits  of  this  bird  closely  resemble  those  of 
other  Sandpipers.  The  bird,  at  that  season,  may  be 
seen  perching  on  trees  and  fences,  running  along  the 
branches  or  rails  with  uplifted  wings,  and  uttering  a  long 
tremulous  note.  The  nest  is  always  made  upon  the 
ground  amongst  the  herbage,  and  is  merely  a  hollow 
lined  with  a  little  dry  grass  or  a  few  dead  leaves.  The 
bird  is  a  somewhat  close  sitter,  and  when  alarmed 
usually  runs  from  the  nest,  being  apparently  averse  to 
flying    until    actually   compelled.      Very    often    various 


246  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

alluring  antics  are  performed  to  endeavour  to  decoy  an 
intruder  from  the  nest.  Many  eggs  of  this  species  are 
collected  for  food. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Bartram's  Sandpiper  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  not  quite  so  pear-shaped  as  usual,  smooth  in 
texture,  and  vary  from  pale  grayish-buff  to  pale  buffish- 
brown  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray. 
The  markings  are  not  large,  and  the  surface  spots  are 
more  or  less  circular,  becoming  most  numerous  on  the 
larger  end  of  the  ^%Q,y  where  occasionally  a  few  fine 
streaks  of  dark  brown  occur.  Average  measurement, 
r8  inch  in  length,  by  1*3  inch  In  breadth.  Incubation  is 
performed  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  not  determined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  Bartram's 
Sandpiper  are  readily  distinguished  by  their  size  and 
colouration  from  those  of  all  other  allied  species  in  the 
Nearctic  region. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family  TOTANINM. 

SPOTTED    SANDPIPER. 

Totanus  macularius  {Liimceus). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area:  Nearctic  region.  The  Spotted 
Sandpiper  breeds  in  all  suitable  districts  throughout  the 
United  States  and  British  North  America,  as  far  north 
as  about  lat.  60°. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  247 

Breeding  area  :  The  Spotted  Sandpiper  is  a  regular 
bird  of  passage,  arriving  in  its  more  southerly  breeding 
quarters  in  April,  but  a  little  later  in  the  extreme 
northern  limits  of  its  distribution.  As  might  naturally 
be  expected,  the  habits  of  this  species  very  closely 
resemble  those  of  the  Common  Sandpiper,  but  American 
ornithologists  do  not  appear  to  know  whether  the  bird 
pairs  for  life,  as  its  Palcearctic  representative  most  cer- 
tainly does.  The  favourite  breeding  places  of  the 
Spotted  Sandpiper  are  the  banks  of  rivers  and  the 
shores  of  lakes,  either  in  wooded  districts  or  on  the 
open  prairies,  where  only  the  scattered  "  bluffs  "  relieve 
the  monotony  of  the  otherwise  treeless  expanse.  The 
nest  is  made  upon  the  ground,  and-  is  merely  a  hollow 
lined  with  a  few  bits  of  dry  grass,  pine  needles,  or  small 
dead  leaves.  Audubon  states  that  in  Labrador  a  much 
more  elaborate  structure  is  made,  consisting  of  moss, 
grass,  and  feathers !  but  with  all  my  respect  for  the 
great  naturalist's  observations,  I  cannot  accept  them 
unsubstantiated  by  the  experience  of  other  observers. 
The  actions  of  this  bird  at  the  nest  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  Old  World  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper  are  four  in  number. 
They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  creamy-white  to  rich 
buff,  the  paler  eggs,  according  to  Mr.  Raine,  being  from 
the  shores  of  alkaline  lakes,  and  in  a  series  very 
apparent.  They  are  spotted  and  more  rarely  blotched 
with  very  dark  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  pale  gray.  As  a  rule  the  spots  are  small 
and  circular,  and  the  blotches  are  never  very  large. 
Most  of  the  markings  are  generally  on  the  larger  end  of 
the  Gggi  but  varieties  are  common  in  which  they  are 
pretty  equally  distributed  over  the  whole  surface. 
Average  measurement,   1*3  inch  in  length,  by   vo  inch 


248  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

in  breadth.     Incubation  is  probably  performed  by  both 
sexes,  and  lasts  about  three  weeks. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Spotted 
Sandpiper  are  distinguished  from  those  of  alHed  species 
by  their  colour  and  size.  They  cannot  be  easily  confused 
with  those  of  the  Common  Sandpiper,  but  somewhat 
resemble  those  of  the  Killdeer  Plover,  although  they  are 
perceptibly  smaller  and  blunter. 


Family  CHARADRIID.4^.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family   TOTANINyE. 

GREEN    SANDPIPER. 

Totanus  ochropus  {Linnmis). 

(British  :  Spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant  ;  some,  winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  middle  of  April  to  end  of 
June,  according  to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  and  Central  Pal?earctic 
region.  The  Green  Sandpiper  breeds  in  the  swampy 
forests  about  the  vicinity  of  the  Arctic  Circle  across 
Europe  and  Asia,  and  in  a  similar  climate  at  high 
elevations  in  more  southerly  latitudes,  in  the  Pyrenees, 
the  Alps,  the  Carpathians,  and  the  Caucasus,  and  east- 
wards on  the  mountains  of  Turkestan  and  Southern 
Siberia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Green  Sandpiper  reaches  its 
southern  breeding  grounds  in  April,  but  further  north  it 
is  from  one  to  two  months  later.  It  can  scarcely  be 
classed  as  gregarious,  nor  is  it  at  all  social,  even  during 
winter.  At  its  breeding  grounds  it  lives  in  scattered 
pairs,  which  appear  to  keep  exclusively  to  themselves. 


NON-IXDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS,  249 

Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Sandpiper  nothing  appears 
to  have  been  recorded.  With  the  possible  exception  of 
txhe  Solitary  Sandpiper,  the  breeding  habits  of  the  present 
species  are,  so  far  as  is  known,  unique.  Instead  of 
making  its  nest  upon  the  ground,  it  lays  its  eggs  in  trees, 
usually  in  the  deserted  home  of  some  other  bird.  This 
extraordinary  fact  had  long  been  known  to  some  conti- 
nental naturalists  (although  apparently  the  great  German 
bird  man,  Naumann,  was  unaware  of  it),  but  was  not 
generally  known  to  British  ornithologists  until  Professor 
Newton  brought  the  circumstances  before  the  Zoological 
Society  of  London,  his  communication  being  published 
in  the  Proceedings  oi  that  body  in  1863.  During  the 
breeding  season  the  Green  Sandpiper  is  seen  as  often  in 
trees  and  bushes  as  upon  the  ground.  The  favourite 
breeding  haunts  of  this  bird  are  open,  marshy  forests, 
the  banks  of  wooded  streams,  and  swampy  thickets. 
A  deserted  nest  of  a  Blackbird  or  a  Thrush,  a  Jay  or  a 
Ring  Dove,  or  even  a  Crow  is  often  selected.  As  a  rule 
old  nests  are  preferred  from  three  to  twelve  feet  from 
the  ground,  but  the  eggs  have  been  taken  from  an  old 
drey  of  a  squirrel  as  much  as  thirty  feet  above  it,  whilst 
others  have  been  found  in  a  hole  in  a  fallen  tree,  and  on 
the  stump  of  a  tree  which  had  either  been  felled  or 
blown  down.  Less  frequently  the  eggs  are  laid  in  the 
hollow  of  a  forking  branch,  on  a  heap  of  drifted  leaves, 
or  on  lichen.  Almost  invariably  the  selected  spot  is 
close  to  water,  and  often  in  marshes. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Green  Sandpiper  are  four  in  number. 
As  seven  have  been  found  together,  it  would  appear  that 
two  females  sometimes  agree  to  share  the  same  spot. 
They  vary  from  creamy-white,  sometimes  tinged  with 
pale  olive,  to  pale  bufif  in  ground  colour,  spotted  with 
dark  reddish-brown,  and   with   underlying  markings  of 


250  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 

pale  grayish-brown.  The  markings  are  seldom  large 
and  blotchy,  as  is  so  characteristic  in  this  group  of 
birds,  and  are,  of  course,  most  numerous  on  the  larger 
end  of  the  q^^.  Average  measurement,  1*55  inch  in 
length,  by  it  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the 
period  of  incubation  is  unknown.  Whether  the  male 
assists  in  the  duty  is  also  undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Sand- 
piper perhaps  approach  most  closely  to  those  of  the 
Common  Sandpiper,  but  the  markings  are  generally 
smaller.  The  situation  of  the  "  nest,"  however,  is  quite 
sufficient  to  identify  them. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family   TOTANINAi.. 

YELLOW-LEGGED    SANDPIPER. 

Totanus  flavipes  {Gmelin). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  end  of  May  and  early 
June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Yellow- legged  Sandpiper  breeds  across  the  North 
American  continent  from  the  Yukon  valley  in  Alaska, 
in  the  west,  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Territory  and  Greenland 
in  the  east,  extending  as  far  south  as  about  lat.  44'. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Yellow-legged  Sandpiper  is 
a  migrant,  arriving  at  its  more  southerly  breeding  grounds 
in  May,  but  a  month  later  in  the  extreme  northern 
portions  of  its  distribution.  This  species  is  not  gregarious 
during  the  nesting  season,  but  lives  in  scattered  pairs. 
Of  its    pairing    habits    nothing    appears   to    have    been 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  251 

observed.  The  bird  probably  mates  in  spring,  and  carries 
on  part  of  its  courtship  in  the  air  accompanied  by  trilling 
notes,  like  so  many  other  allied  species  are  known  to  do. 
The  favourite  breeding  grounds  of  this  Sandpiper  are 
open  marshy  districts,  especially  such  as  are  studded 
with  lakes,  and  the  banks  of  rivers.  The  nest,  which  is 
made  upon  the  ground,  is  often  under  the  shelter  of  a 
bush  or  tussock  of  sedge.  It  is  merely  a  small  hollow, 
sometimes,  but  not  always,  lined  with  a  few  dead  leaves 
and  twies.  MacFarlane  noticed  on  several  occasions  the 
male  bird  perch  on  a  tree  near  the  nest,  and  remarks  its 
noisy  habits. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Yellow-legged  Sandpiper  are  four  in 
number,  pear-shaped,  and  smooth  in  texture.  I  have 
examined  but  few  specimens  of  the  eggs  of  this  bird,  but 
Mr.  Seebohm,  who  has  seen  the  remarkably  fine  series 
in  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at  Washington,  reports 
that  the  ground  colour  varies  "from  creamy-white  to 
grayish-brown.  The  surface  spots  are  dark  rich  reddish- 
brown,  and  vary  in  size  from  a  large  pea  downwards, 
many  of  them  becoming  confluent  and  forming  large 
irregular  blotches,  or  occasionally  taking  the  form  of 
streaks.  Most  of  the  markings  arc  generally  on  the 
larger  end  of  the  (^g^,  but  on  some  specimens  they  are 
more  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire  surface.  The 
underlying  markings  are  pale  gray,  or  grayish-brown, 
and  are  large  and  conspicuous."  Average  measurement, 
1-65  inch  in  length,  by  ri  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration 
of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which 
parent  performs  the  task  :  doubtless  it  is  the  female. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  this  Sand- 
piper cover  much  the  same  range  of  colour  variation  as 
those  of  the  Greenshank,  but  are  distinguished  from  those 
of  allied  species  by  their  size  and  somewhat  narrow  shape. 


252  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family   TOTANIN^. 

DUSKY    REDSHANK. 

Totanus  fuscus  {Liimceus). 

(British  :  Rare  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant ;  some, 
winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  -May,  or  early 
in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palsearctic  re.^ion.  The 
Dusky  Redshank  breeds  on  the  tundras  above  the  hmits 
of  forest  growth  (but  nowhere  apparently  south  of  the 
Arctic  Circle  unless  on  the  highlands  of  Turkestan)  in 
Arctic  Europe  and  Asia,  from  Lapland  in  the  west  to 
the  Tchuski  Land  in  the  east. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Dusky  Redshank  begins  to 
cross  the  Mediterranean  in  March,  and  continues  to  do 
so  until  the  middle  of  May,  reaching  its  summer  quarters 
as  soon  as  the  ground  is  clear  of  snow.  Except  on 
migration  this  bird  is  not  very  gregarious,  and  when 
nesting  is  only  found  in  widely  scattered  pairs.  Of  the 
pairing  habits  of  this  bird  nothing  has  been  recorded  ; 
whilst  of  its  habits  during  the  nesting  season  generally 
we  possess  only  the  interesting  observations  made  by 
WoUey  in  Lapland.  He  states  that  the  favourite  nesting 
grounds  of  this  species  w^ere  in  the  open  parts  of  the 
forests,  not  necessarily  near  water,  and  especially  in 
places  where  the  trees  had  been  burnt  and  the  vegetation 
was  scanty.  He  found  the  nests  generall}^  on  rising 
ground,  near  the  tops  of  hills,  in  open  clearings  amongst 
the  pines  where  the  earth  was  clothed  with  such  plants 
as  heath  and  reindeer-moss.  They  were  mere  hollows 
in   the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  dead  "  needles  "  of  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  253 

Scotch  fir.  Wolley  remarked  that  the  bird  sat  closely, 
although  its  white  rump  was  very  conspicuous  as  it 
brooded  over  the  eggs  with  its  long  neck  drawn  in. 
When  flushed  it  either  ran  for  a  little  way  before  taking 
wing,  or  flew  into  the  air  at  once,  and  wheeled  round 
and  round  uttering  its  note  at  intervals  ;  but  sometimes 
it  perched  on  the  top  of  a  tree  near  by.  Although  it 
sits  so  closely,  it  is  described  as  being  very  wary  in 
returning  to  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Dusky  Redshank  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and  vary 
from  pale  brown  to  pale  green  in  ground  colour,  hand- 
somely blotched  and  spotted  with  rich  dark  browni,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  pale  brown  and  ink-gray. 
On  many  eggs  a  {(t\\^  bold  hair-like  lines  occur.  The 
eggs  of  this  species  are  very  boldly  marked,  often  so 
much  so  as  to  cover  the  greater  portion  of  the  large  end 
with  a  nearly  confluent  cap.  Average  measurement, 
1-85  inch  in  length,  by  1*3  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration 
of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which 
sex  performs  the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Dusky 
Redshank  so  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Great  Snipe, 
that  I  can  give  no  reliable  character  by  which  they  may 
be  distinguished.  The  markings  are  not  so  obliquely 
distributed  as  on  those  of  the  Snipe,  and  the  ground 
colour  of  those  of  the  latter  are  rarely  green. 


254  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  LiMOSA. 

Sub-family  TOTANIN^. 

B  L  A  C  K-T  AILED    GODWIT. 

LiMOSA  MELANURA,  Leiskr. 

(British  :   Formerly  bred  ;  regular  spring  and  autumn  coasting 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June^  according 
to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Black-tailed  Godwit  breeds  in  Iceland  and  the  Faroes. 
On  Continental  Europe  it  breeds  in  Belgium,  Holland, 
Denmark,  Scandinavia  (occasionally  as  far  north  even 
as  the  Arctic  Circle),  Central  and  Southern  Russia, 
Poland,  and  Northern  Germany.  In  Asia  it  breeds  in 
South-west  Siberia  as  far  north  as  lat.  60°,  and  as  far 
east  as  the  western  tributaries  of  the  Obb,  and  in  Western 
Turkestan. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black-tailed  Godwit  begins 
to  leave  its  winter  quarters  in  Africa  in  February,  and 
continues  to  move  north  until  the  middle  of  March  ;  it 
travels  somewhat  slowly,  and  does  not  reach  its  breeding 
grounds  until  April  or  May.  It  is  gregarious  during 
winter  and  whilst  on  passage,  but  the  flocks  disband  at 
the  nesting  places  and  scatter  themselves  in  pairs  over 
their  haunts,  many  nests  often  being  made,  however, 
within  a  small  area  of  suitable  ground.  The  favourite 
breeding  places  of  this  Godwit  are  marshes  and  swampy 
meadows.  The  nest,  invariably  made  upon  the  ground, 
is  usually  well  concealed  amongst  the  herbage,  and  is 
often  placed  in  a  tussock  of  sedgy  grass.  A  dry  spot  in 
the  marsh  is  generally  selected.  The  nest  is  merely  a 
hollow  about  three  inches  deep,  but  rather  neatly  lined 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  255 

with  dry  grass  and  other  vegetable  refuse.  As  soon  as 
their  breeding  haunts  are  invaded,  the  old  birds  rise  and 
fly  to  and  fro  with  noisy  clamour,  rarely,  if  ever,  remaining 
on  their  nests  until  closely  approached. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
Tile  eggs  of  the  Black-tailed  Godwit  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform,  smooth  in  texture,  and  vary  from 
olive-brown  to  olive-green  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and 
blotched  w^ith  darker  olive-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  pale  brown  and  gray.  The  markings  as  a 
rule  are  somewhat  pale  and  ill-defined,  but  types  occur 
in  which  they  are  bolder  and  clearer.  Average  measure- 
ment, 2*15  inches  in  length,  by  rs  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  constant 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  Godwit  can  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  the  Bar-tailed  Godwit.  As  the 
latter  are  far  and  away  the  rarest,  great  care  should  be 
exercised  in  their  identification.  The  breeding  range 
of  the  two  species  does  not  impinge,  that  of  the  Bar- 
tailed  Godwit  being  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in 
the  Arctic  regions. 


256  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRTID^.  Genus  LiMOSA. 

Sub-family  TOTANINAi. 

BAR-TAILED    G  O  D  W  I  T. 

LiMOSA  RUFA,  Brisson. 

(British  :   Common  spring  and  autumn  migrant  ;  some,  late  in 
winter.) 

Double  Brooded.    Laying  season,  late  in  May,  and  early  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  and  Western  Pal^arctic 
region.  The  Bar-tailed  Godwit  apparently  breeds  on 
the  tundras  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  Arctic 
Europe  and  Asia,  from  Lapland  in  the  west  to  the 
valley  of  the  Yenesay  in  the  east.  As  yet  it  has  only 
been  observed  in  Lapland  actually  breeding. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Bar-tailed  Godwit  begins  to 
leave  its  winter  quarters  in  Northern  Africa  in  February, 
and  the  stream  of  migrants  is  slowly  percolating  north- 
wards into  Europe  from  that  date  until  the  end  of  April, 
but  the  breeding  grounds  on  the  Arctic  tundras  are  not 
reached  until  the  end  of  May  or  early  in  June.  During 
winter  this  bird  is  gregarious,  as  it  also  is  whilst  on 
passage.  During  the  pairing  season  in  spring  the  male 
utters  a  trill  whilst  in  the  air.  Of  the  actual  breeding 
habits  of  this  Godwit  we  possess  but  little  information. 
Its  breeding  grounds  are  known  to  be  the  swampy 
moors  of  the  Arctic  regions,  but  the  bird  seems  very 
locally  distributed  over  them.  Wolley  obtained  eggs 
in  Finland,  and  he  states  that  it  breeds  in  marshes,  the 
nest  being  very  hard  to  find.  The  nest  is  described  as 
merely  a  hollow,  in  some  dry  spot,  lined  with  a  little 
dead  vegetable  refuse.  The  bird's  actions  at  the  nest 
are  not  known  to  differ  from  those  of  allied  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Bar-tailed  Godwit  are  four  in  number. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  257 

They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  olive-green  of  various  shades 
in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with  darker 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  In  Mr. 
Secbohm's  collection  there  are  two  eggs  presumed  to  be 
of  this  species,  which  are  very  boldly  marked,  one 
specimen  being  also  streaked  with  very  dark  brown  on 
the  larger  end.  Average  measurement,  2'2  inches  in 
length,  by  i"45  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the 
period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  parent 
performs  the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  God  wit 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Black-tailed 
Godwit.  But  very  few  genuine  eggs  of  this  bird  are 
known  in  collections,  and  the  student  is  warned  against 
possible  and  easy  fraud.  The  breeding  area  of  the  two 
species,  however,  is  distinct.  It  may  also  be  remarked 
that  the  eggs  of  this  and  the  preceding  species  some- 
what closely  resemble  those  of  Buffon's  Skua — an 
additional  reason  for  their  careful  identification. 


Family  CHARADRIID.^.  Genus  Ereunetes. 

Sub-family  TOTANINA\. 

RED-BREASTED    SNIPE. 

Ereunetes  griseus  {Gmeliii). 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North  central  Nearctic  region. 
The  Red-breasted  Snipe  breeds  throughout  the  Arctic 
regions  of  North  America  from  the  Rocky  Mountains 
in  the  west,  to  Baffin  Bay  in  the  east,  south  to  Hudson 
Bay,  and  probably  the  Great  Lakes,  in  about  lat.  44°. 


258  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Red-breasted  Snipe  is  a 
somewhat  late  migrant,  as  is  usual  with  strictly  boreal 
species,  not  reaching  its  breeding  grounds  until  the  end 
of  May  or  early  in  June,  even  later  in  the  extreme 
north.  During  winter  and  whilst  on  migration  this  bird 
is  gregarious,  but  in  summer  it  lives  in  more  or  less 
scattered  pairs,  the  immature  non-breeding  birds  how- 
ever remaining  in  flocks,  some  distance  south  of  the 
nesting  grounds.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird 
nothing  appears  to  be  known.  The  nesting  grounds  of 
the  Red-breasted  Snipe  are  situated  on  the  tundras,  or 
as  the  Americans  call  them  "barren  grounds,"  in  swamps 
and  near  to  lakes.  Sometimes  it  breeds  close  to  the 
sea,  at  others  considerable  distances  inland.  The  nest 
is  always  made  upon  the  ground,  often  in  a  tuft  of 
marsh  grass,  or  amongst  the  short  vegetation  on  the 
shores  of  the  moorland  lakes.  It  is  a  mere  hollow, 
scantily  lined  with  a  few  dead  leaves  orbits  of  withered 
herbage.  One  of  the  birds  which  MacF'arlane  flushed 
from  the  nest  rose  for  some  height  into  the  air,  uttering 
a  long  shrill  note  of  alarm.  The  bird  is  a  somewhat 
close  sitter,  resembling  the  Common  Snipe  in  this 
respect. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-breasted  Snipe  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform,  and  smooth  in  texture,  and  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  pale  greenish-brown  to  pale  buffish- 
brown,  blotched  and  spotted  with  dark  reddish-brown 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  pale  grayish-brown. 
Sometimes  a  few  very  dark  streaks  occur.  These  eggs 
are  very  handsome  ones,  most  of  the  big  blotches  being 
confluent  and  congregated  on  or  near  the  large  end.  As 
in  eggs  of  the  Common  Snipe,  many  of  the  blotches  are 
obliquely  distributed.  Average  measurement,  17  inch  in 
length,  by  it 5  inch  in  breadth.    Incubation  is  performed 


KON-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  259 

apparently  by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  character  by 
which  the  eggs  of  this  bird  can  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  Common  Snipe  and  its  Nearctic  represent- 
ative, Wilson's  Snipe.  To  a  certain  extent  the  latter 
bird  does  not  breed  within  the  same  area,  not  north  of 
the  Arctic  Circle.  If  the  eggs,  however,  are  not  thoroughly 
well  identified,  they  are  worthless  as  scientific  specimens, 
for  they  cannot  be  separated  after  they  have  once  left 
the  nest. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Strepsilas. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINyE. 

TURNSTONE. 

Strepsilas  interpres  {Liniiceus). 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  ;  common  spring  and  autumn  coasting 
migrant ;  few,  winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palxarctic 
regions.  The  Turnstone  probably  breeds  as  far  north 
as  land  extends  in  both  hemispheres.  In  Europe  it 
breeds  in  Iceland,  Scandinavia,  Denmark,  and  on  some 
of  the  Baltic  Islands,  but  its  southern  breeding  limits 
elsewhere  are  very  imperfectly  determined.  It  is  said 
to  breed  on  Lord  Howe's  Island,  off  the  coast  of  New 
South  Wales,  and  there  is  ground  for  believing  that  it 
may  do  so  on  the  Azores  and  the  Canaries. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Turnstone  reaches  its  more 
southern  breeding  grounds  in  May,  but  not  until  June 
those  in  the  far  north.     On  passage  it  is  gregarious,  and 


26o  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

even  during  summer  is  more  or  less  social,  several  pairs 
frequently  nesting  in  the  same  vicinity.  The  breeding 
grounds  of  this  species  are  close  to  the  sea,  rocky  coasts 
and  islands  over  which  tufts  of  coarse  grass  and  a  few 
bushes  are  scattered,  being  preferred.  The  Turnstone 
pairs  annually,  probably  when  the  nesting  grounds  are 
reached,  and  its  habits  during  this  period  are  vQ.\y  similar 
to  those  of  allied  species,  the  bird  uttering  a  trill  in  mid- 
air. The  nest,  generally  placed  under  the  shelter  of  a 
grass  tuft,  a  plant,  or  a  small  bush,  is  merely  a  hollow 
lined  with  a  few  scraps  of  vegetable  refuse.  Of  the 
actions  of  this  bird  at  the  nest  little  has  been  recorded, 
but  alluring  antics  are  said  to  be  indulged  in. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Turnstone  are  four  in  number.  They 
are  broadly  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
vary  from  pale  olive-green  to  pale  buff  in  ground  colour, 
blotched,  spotted,  and  clouded  with  olive-brown,  and 
dark  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of 
lilac-gray.  On  some  eggs  a  series  of  net-like  streaks  of 
dark  brown  occur  on  the  large  end.  A  frequent  type 
has  the  large  blotches  running  obliquely  across  the 
surface.  As  usual,  most  of  the  large  bold  markings  are 
on  the  major  half  of  the  ^g^  ;  a  type  is  not  un frequent  in 
which  the  spotting  is  blurred  or  poorly  defined.  Average 
measurement,  i'6  inch  in  length,  by  I'l  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters:  Their  form  and  size, 
colouration,  and  character  of  the  markings  are  suffi- 
ciently distinct  to  prevent  the  eggs  of  the  Turnstone 
from  being  confused  with  those  of  allied  birds.  It  is  far 
easier  to  determine  these  eggs  by  comparison  with  actual 
specimens  than  by  any  written  description. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  261 

Family  CHARADRIID.E.  Genus  Trixga. 

Sub-family  SCOL OPA  CINjE. 

BONAPARTE'S    SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  fuscicollis,    Vieillot. 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 
Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  Bona- 
parte's Sandpiper  breeds  throughout  the  Arctic  regions 
of  America,  from  Greenland  in  the  east  to  the  Mackenzie 
River  in  the  west. 

Breeding  habits  :  Bonaparte's  Sandpiper  is  a 
migrant,  and  reaches  its  breeding  grounds  at  the  end  of 
May,  or  early  in  June.  It  is  gregarious  and  social  in 
winter  and  whilst  on  passage,  but  nests  in  scattered 
pairs.  The  breeding  haunts  of  this  Sandpiper,  so  far  as 
they  are  known,  are  situated  close  to  the  sea,  on  the 
barren  grounds,  or  on  the  banks  of  rivers  in  its  vicinity. 
Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  has  been  recorded.  Mac 
Farlane  met  with  the  nest  of  Bonaparte's  Sandpiper  in 
this  region,  and  describes  it  as  merely  a  hollow  in  the 
ground,  lined  with  a  few  dead  leaves.  The  bird's  actions 
at  the  nest  appear  never  to  have  been  described. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Bonaparte's  Sandpiper  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
vary  in  ground  colour  from  olive  to  grayish-buff,  blotched 
and  spotted  with  dark  reddish-brown  and  pale  brown, 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  As  usual  the 
major  half  of  the  ^^%  is  the  most  heavily  marked,  many 
of  the  blotches  becoming  confluent.  Average  measure- 
ment, 1-25  inch  in  length,  by  "9  inch  in  breadth.  The 
duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is 
also  which  sex  performs  the  duty. 


262  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  bird 
require  careful  identification.  With  the  small  amount 
of  material  at  my  command,  I  do  not  feel  justified  in 
attempting  to  give  any  distinctive  characters. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINM. 

PURPLE    SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  maritima,  Gmelin, 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds.     Fairly  common  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  Purple  Sandpiper  breeds  in  Iceland,  the 
Faroes,  Norway,  Spitzbergen,  and  Nova  Zembla,  on  the 
Taimyr  peninsula,  and  probably  the  islands  off  the 
North  Siberian  coasts  as  well  as  on  the  coasts  of  Bering 
Strait,  and  across  Arctic  America  to  Greenland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Purple  Sandpiper  migrates 
no  further  than  it  is  compelled,  and  seldom  wanders 
much  south  of  those  coasts  that  are  free  from  ice  during 
winter.  It  arrives  at  its  breeding  grounds  in  May  or 
June,  according  to  latitude  or  local  conditions.  The 
favourite  nesting  haunts  of  this  Sandpiper  are  rarely 
situated  far  from  the  sea,  either  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  beach,  amongst  broken  ground  covered 
with  scanty  herbage,  or  in  marshy  districts  at  the 
summit  of  adjoining  hills.  In  the  Faroes  it  breeds  on 
the  fells,  commencing  to  do  so  before  the  snow  has 
melted  from  the  sheltered  hollows  and  the  tops  of  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  263 

hills.  It  seems  probable  that  this  species  pairs  for  life, 
as  there  is  evidence  to  show  that  it  returns  annually  to 
one  spot  to  breed.  The  nest  is  a  mere  hollow,  lined 
with  a  few  bits  of  dry  vegetable  refuse,  such  as  moss  or 
grass.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  sometimes  remaining 
brooding  over  the  eggs  until  nearly  trodden  upon,  and 
then  suddenly  rising  and  feigning  lameness. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Purple  Sandpiper  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  olive  to  buffish-brown, 
spotted,  blotched,  mottled,  and  streaked  with  dark 
blackish-brown  and  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  pale  brown  and  lilac-gray.  The  eggs  of  this 
Sandpiper  are  very  beautifully  marked.  One  type  has 
the  markings  large  and  bold,  and  scattered  obliquely 
round  the  major  half  of  the  tgg,  the  smaller  markings 
being  on  the  minor  half;  another  has  them  large  and 
small,  evenly  distributed  over  most  of  the  surface ; 
another  has  spots,  streaks,  and  dark  scratches  inter- 
mingled with  the  ordinary  blotches.  On  most  the 
underlying  markings  are  very  conspicuous,  and  add 
much  to  the  beauty  of  the  Qgg.  Average  measurement, 
1*5  inch  in  length,  by  1*05  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation 
is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the 
period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Purple 
Sandpiper  cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Common  a:id  Jack  Snipes,  but  the  ground  colour  is 
generally  much  more  olive.  They  require  careful  iden- 
tification in  many  localities,  where  the  breeding  areas  of 
these  species  impinge. 


264  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINAL. 

BROAD-BILLED     SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  platyrhyncha,    Temminck. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May,  and 
in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  Al- 
though the  Broad-billed  Sandpiper  has  been  met  with 
in  various  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia  during  summer,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  its  breeding  grounds  are 
practically  untraced.  It  has  only  been  met  with  nesting 
on  the  Scandinavian  fells  as  far  south  as  lat.  60°,  and  in 
Finland.  It  may  possibly  breed  in  the  Baikal  area,  and 
on  the  Stanavoi  mountains  in  Eastern  Siberia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Broad-billed  Sandpiper 
reaches  such  of  its  breeding  grounds  as  are  known  about 
the  last  week  in  May.  It  is  perhaps  more  of  a  social 
species  than  a  gregarious  one,  but  it  appears  to  breed 
in  small  if  scattered  colonies.  It  pairs  annually,  and,  as 
usual,  much  of  its  courtship  is  carried  on  in  the  air,  the 
bird  careering  about  like  a  Snipe,  and  uttering  a  rapid 
note.  Richard  Dann  met  with  this  bird  breeding  in 
small  colonies  in  the  grassy  morasses  and  swamps  at  the 
head  of  the  Bothnian  Gulf,  and  in  the  swamps  of  the 
Dovre-fjcld,  three  thousand  feet  above  sea-level.  Just 
after  its  arrival  it  was  very^  wild  and  war}%  feeding  on  the 
banks  of  the  pools  and  lakes.  As  the  breeding  season 
approached,  it  became  more  skulking,  creeping  through 
the  long  grass,  and  when  flushed,  dropping  again  almost 
at  once.  He  describes  the  nest  as  being  like  that  of  a 
Snipe,  and  made  in  a  tuft  of  grass.  Wolley  also  was 
fortunate  enough  to  meet  with  this  species.   He  says  that 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  265 

its  favourite  nesting  places  were  soft  open  spots  in  the 
marshes,  where  the  ground  was  clothed  with  bog-moss 
and  sedge,  and  the  nests  were  often  placed  on  tufts  of 
grass  just  above  the  water.  He  describes  the  nest  as  a 
rounded  hollow,  lined  with  a  little  dry  grass.  The  sitting 
bird  was  not  only  observed  to  run  from  the  nest,  but 
to  fly  from  it,  and  when  the  eggs  were  much  incubated, 
to  become  very  tame  and  confiding.  Nests  of  this 
Sandpiper,  found  by  Mr.  Mitchell  on  the  Dovre-fjeld, 
were  in  open  parts  of  the  marshes,  and  more  elaborately 
made  than  usual,  the  hollow  being  deeper  and  more 
carefully  lined.  He  also  remarked  the  exceedingly 
interesting  fact  that  the  lining  in  each  nest  resembled 
the  colour  of  the  eggs  it  contained,  the  darker  varieties 
being  laid  on  withered  leaves  of  the  willow,  the  paler 
ones  on  dry  grass.  What  a  pity  it  is  other  collectors 
do  not  observe  more  of  these  curious  facts  and  minor 
details,  especially  with  regard  to  the  rarer  birds,  whose 
nidification  is  so  little  known  ! 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Broad-billed  Sandpiper  are  four  in 
number.  They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture, 
and  buffish-white  in  ground  colour,  densely  mottled  and 
spotted  with  rich  chocolate-brown  and  paler  brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  Various  distinct 
types  occur.  One  has  the  spotting  so  dense  and  close 
as  to  hide  nearly  all  trace  of  the  pale  ground  colour  ; 
another  is  more  thinly  spotted  with  a  larger  amount  of 
ground  colour  visible  between  the  spots  ;  another  has 
most  of  the  markings  on  the  major  half  of  the  ^gg,  many 
of  them  confluent,  and  the  pale  gray  underlying  spots 
on  the  minor  half  are  very  distinct  and  large.  Average 
measurement,  i'3  inch  in  length,  by  "9  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 


266  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS    OF 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Broad- 
billed  Sandpiper  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those 
of  any  other  Palaearctic  species,  the  small  size  of  the 
markings,  their  density  and  colour,  being  sufficient  for 
easy  identification. 


Family  CHARADRIID.^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINyE. 

AMERICAN    PECTORAL    SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  acuminata  pectoralis  {Say). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
American  Pectoral  Sandpiper  breeds  on  the  barren 
grounds  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  Arctic 
America,  from  Alaska  in  the  west  to  Davis  Strait  in 
the  east. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  American  Pectoral  Sind- 
piper  passes  along  the  coasts  and  river  valleys  of  the 
United  States  on  its  way  north  in  spring,  and  reaches 
its  breeding  grounds  towards  the  end  of  May.  It 
migrates  in  flocks,  but  these  disperse  at  the  summer 
haunts  after  the  birds  liave  paired.  Of  the  nesting 
habits  of  this  Pectoral  Sandpiper  absolutely  nothing 
was  known  until  the  eggs  were  obtained  near  Point 
Barrow,  in  Alaska,  at  the  end  of  June  1883.  The  nest 
is  said  always  to  be  made  amongst  the  grass  in  a  dry 
part  of  the  tundra,  but  has  not  yet  been  minutely 
described.  Of  the  habits  of  the  bird  at  the  nest  nothing 
has  yet  been  recorded. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  267 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Pectoral  Sandpiper  are  four 
in  number.  They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in 
texture,  and  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  olive-brown 
to  pale  buff,  spotted  and  blotched  with  rich  reddish- 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  As 
usual  most  of  the  largest  markings  are  on  the  major 
half  of  the  Ggg,  where  they  are  often  confluent ;  the  pale 
underlying  markings  are  also  conspicuous  and  well 
defined.  Average  measurement,  1*5  inch  in  length,  by 
ri  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex  performs 
the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Sand- 
piper closely  resemble  those  of  the  American  Stint  in 
colour,  but  are  much  larger  in  size.  They  cannot  readily 
be  confused  with  those  of  any  other  species  breeding  in 
this  area. 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOFACINyE. 

LITTLE     STINT. 

Tringa  minuta,  Leisler. 

(British  :  Fairly  common  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  June,  and  early 

in  July. 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Pal?earctic  region. 
The  Little  Stint  breeds  somewhat  locally  on  the  tundras 
above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  from  Northern  Scandi- 
navia eastwards  to  the  Taimyr  peninsula.  It  has  been 
found  nesting  at  Kistrand,  in  Northern  Norway,  on  the 


268  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Kola  peninsula  in  Lapland,  the  delta  of  the  Petchora  in 

Russia,  may  probably  do  so  on  the  Waigats  and  Nova 

Zembla,  and  is  known  to  breed  on  theYalmal  peninsula, 

in  the  valley  of  the  Yenesay,  and  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula. 

Breeding   habits  :    The   Little   Stint  arrives  at  its 

breeding  grounds  in  June,  with  the  departure  of  winter, 

the  exact  date  of  its  appearance  varying  locally  owing 

to  the  state  of  the  season.     It   migrates   in   flocks,  but 

these  disperse  at  the  nesting  places,  although  the  bird 

is  certainly  a  social  one  all  through  the  summer,  and 

several    nests    may     frequently    be    found    quite    close 

together.     Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this   bird   nothing 

is    known.      This  is   not   the  fault   of  the  two   British 

naturalists  who  discovered  its  breeding  grounds  in  the 

Petchora  Valley  in   1875,  but   the  misfortune  of  their 

arriving  at  them  too  late,  when  the  birds  had  already 

paired.     The   first   naturalist  to   discover  the  nest  and 

eggs  of  the  Little  Stint  was  Middendorff,  who  obtained 

them   on    the    Taimyr   peninsula   in    Northern   Siberia, 

nearly  fifty  years  ago.     In  1875   Messrs.  Seebohm  and 

Harvie  Brown  found  the  breeding  grounds  of  this  Stint 

in   Northern   Russia,  at  the  delta  of  the  Petchora.     In 

1876  Finsch  got  a  nest  on  the  Yalmal  peninsula;  Hencke 

states  that  he  has  taken  the  nest  near  Archangel ;  Mr. 

Rae  got  another  nest  on  the  Kola  peninsula  ;  whilst  the 

Swedish   naturalist,   CoUett,   found  eggs  near   Kistrand 

in    the    Porsanger    Fjord    in    Northern    Norway.       Mr. 

Seebohm   has  also  obtained  eggs  of  this   Stint   in   the 

valley  of  the  Yenesay  in    1877.     At   the  mouth  of  the 

Petchora  the  breeding  grounds  of  the  Little  Stint  were 

situated    on   a   comparatively    dry   and    gently    sloping 

part  of  the  tundra,  close  to  the  inland  sea,  at  the  mouth 

of  the  great  river.     Here  the  tundra  was  thickly  studded 

with   tussocks  of  grass,   and   the   swampy  ground   was 

almost   concealed   by   cotton  grass.     These  grass   tufts 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  269 

were  covered  with  green  moss,  and  smaller  patches  of 
reindeer-moss,  the  whole  almost  hidden  with  a  thick 
growth  of  cloud-berry  and  carices,  dwarf  shrubs,  and 
sundry  Arctic  flowers.  Some  of  the  nests  were  found 
on  more  sandy  ground  full  of  small  pools,  and  covered 
with  short  grass  and  plants.  The  nest  of  the  Little 
Stint,  which  Mr.  Seebohm  brought  home,  and  which  I 
have  examined,  was  merely  a  slight  hollow  lined  with  a 
few  dead  leaves  of  the  cloud-berry  and  other  scraps  of 
vegetable  refuse.  The  female  alone  appears  to  frequent 
the  nest,  and  when  this  is  approached  she  makes  little 
dem.onstration,  and  is  remarkably  quiet.  Her  tameness 
is  often  most  extraordinary.  At  one  nest  she  ap- 
proached within  eighteen  inches,  and  when  a  hand  was 
stretched  towards  her  she  quietly  retreated  a  few  feet ; 
but  the  moment  the  nest  was  left  she  commenced  to 
flutter  along  the  ground  as  if  wounded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Stint  are  four  in  number.  They 
are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and  vary  in 
ground  colour  from  pale  greenish-gray  to  pale  brown, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  rich  reddish-brown,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  paler  brown  and  gray.  Occa- 
sionally a  few  dark  streaks  occur  on  the  larger  end  of 
the  ^gg.  As  usual,  most  of  the  larger  blotches  are  on 
the  major  half  of  the  ^g^,  and  more  or  less  confluent. 
Average  measurement,  ri  inch  in  length,  by  '8  inch  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  the 
female  only,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Little 
Stint  require  careful  identification  in  all  localities  east 
of  the  Urals,  owing  to  the  presence  of  allied  species  or 
races  in  Siberia,  whose  breeding  areas  are  by  no  means 
clearly  known.  From  European  localities  they  are 
readily   distinguished    by    their    size    and    colour    from 


270  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

those  of  all  other  Sandpipers,  with  the  one  exception  of 
Temminck's  Stint.  As  a  rule,  the  eggs  of  the  Little 
Stint  are  yellower  than  those  of  the  latter  bird,  partaking 
more  of  the  character  of  those  of  the  Dunlin.  It  is 
easier  to  separate  the  eggs  of  a  mixed  series  than  to 
point  out  the  differences  in  words. 


Family  CHARADRTID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub- family  SCOLOPACIN.^. 

AMERICAN    STINT. 

Tringa  subminuta  minutilla,   Vieillot. 

(British  :  Ver}^  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  June,  and  early 

in  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
American  form  of  Middendorff's  Stint  breeds  in  the 
Arctic  regions  of  America,  from  Alaska  to  Labrador  and 
Newfoundland,  and  as  far  south  as  Nova  Scotia. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  American  Stint  begins  to 
arrive  in  the  Southern  States  from  Central  and  South 
America  in  April,  slowly  travels  on  to  New  England 
early  in  May,  reaches  North  Carolina  towards  the  end 
of  the  month,  and  appears  on  the  Arctic  "  barren  "  grounds 
early  in  June,  when  they  are  '*  barren  "  grounds  no 
longer,  but  teem  with  animal  and  vegetable  life.  This 
Stint  is  gregarious  in  winter  and  on  migration,  but 
separates  into  more  or  less  scattered  pairs  for  the 
summer.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  are  the  marshy 
moors  near  the    sea,   sometimes    near    the  coast,   more 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  271 

frequently  a  short  distance  inland,  on  the  margins  of 
the  lakes  and  pools.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird 
I  find  nothing  recorded,  but  they  doubtless  do  not  differ 
from  those  of  allied  species.  The  nest,  which  is  merely 
a  slight  hollow  lined  with  a  little  withered  grass  and 
dead  leaves,  is  often  made  under  the  shelter  of  a  small 
bush.  The  female  is  described  as  being  very  tame  and 
trustful  at  the  nest,  but  sometimes  tries  to  allure  an 
intruder  away  from  its  vicinity  by  feigning  lameness. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  American  Stint  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
vary  from  pale  buff  to  pale  olive  in  ground  colour, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown  and  dark 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  paler  brown 
and  gray.  They  appear,  so  far  as  is  known,  to  cover 
exactly  the  same  range  of  colour  variation  as  those  of 
the  Little  Stint  and  Temminck's  Stint.  Average  mea- 
surement, ro  inch  in  length,  by  '8  inch  in  breadth.  In- 
cubation is  performed  chiefly  by  the  female,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Stint 
closely  resemble  those  of  the  allied  species,  but  are  a 
little  smaller  than  those  of  Temminck's  Stint.  The 
locality,  if  it  can  be  thoroughly  relied  upon,  should  be 
sufficient  to  identify  the  eggs  of  the  American  Stint. 


272  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINAi.. 

TEMMINCK'S     STINT. 

Tringa  temmincki,  Leisler. 

(British  :  Rare  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palaearctic  region.  Tem- 
minck's  Stint  breeds  on  the  tundras  above  the  h'mits  of 
forest  growth  from  Scandinavia  across  Arctic  Europe 
and  Siberia  to  the  Tchuski  Land  on  the  Pacific  coast. 
In  the  west  in  Europe  it  breeds  as  far  south  as  lat.  65° 
on  the  White  Sea  and  Bothnian  Gulf,  but  ten  degrees 
lower  in  the  far  east  on  the  shore  of  the  Okhotsk  Sea. 
The  evidence  of  its  breeding  on  the  lofty  mountains  of 
Southern  Siberia  is  not  conclusive. 

Breeding  habits  :  Tcmminck's  Stint  reaches  its 
breeding  grounds  in  Northern  Europe  at  the  end  of 
May,  and  about  a  week  later  those  in  Northern  Asia. 
On  migration  it  is  gregarious,  but  in  the  breeding  season 
nests  in  isolated  pairs,  many  however  living  within  a 
small  area  of  suitable  ground.  This  Stint  pairs  soon 
after  its  arrival  in  the  north.  During  this  operation  it 
frequently  perches  in  small  trees,  or  stands  on  a  post 
or  fence,  vibrating  its  wings  and  trilling  lustily.  This 
trill,  however,  is  generally  uttered  whilst  the  bird  is 
wheeling  round  and  round,  or  hovering  and  floating  in 
the  air,  although  it  is  sometimes  heard  as  the  bird  runs 
along  the  ground  with  uplifted  wings.  The  favourite 
breeding  haunts  of  this  bird  are  the  marshy  parts  of 
the  tundras,  especially  such  where  long  grass  and  scat- 
tered dwarf  willows  occur  near  to  open  water.  The  nest 
is   invariably  made   upon   the   ground,  and   is  merely  a 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  273 

hollow  amongst  the  sedge,  rushes,  or  grass,  scantily 
lined  with  dry  grass  and  withered  leaves.  When  dis- 
turbed at  its  nesting  place,  this  Stint  becomes  very 
demonstrative  and  noisy,  often  betraying  the  locality  of 
the  nest  by  careering  wildly  about  above  it.  When  it 
finds  that  its  secret  is  actually  known  it  becomes  much 
quieter,  unnaturally  tame  and  confiding,  and  endeavours 
to  draw  all  attention  upon  itself. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Temminck's  Stint  are  four  in  number. 
They  are  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
vary  from  pale  buff  to  pale  olive  of  various  shades  in 
ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish-brown 
and  dark  brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  paler 
brown  and  gray.  The  large  markings,  as  usual,  are 
most  numerous  on  the  major  half  of  the  ^gg,  sometimes 
forming  a  semi-confluent  zone  or  irregular  cap,  but  the 
smaller  spots  are  pretty  evenly  distributed  over  most 
of  the  surface.  Occasionally  a  few  dark  streaks  occur 
on  the  larger  end  of  the  ^gg.  Average  measurement, 
1*1  inch  in  length,  by  '85  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation 
appears  to  be  performed  by  the  male,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  There  is  no  reliable 
character  by  which  the  eggs  of  Temminck's  Stint  can 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Little  Stint  and 
several  other  allied  species.  Careful  identification  at 
the  nest  is  absolutely  necessary. 


274  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACIN^. 

SANDERLING. 

Tringa  arenaria,  Lmnceus. 

(British  :  Common  autumn  and  coasting  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  The  Sanderling  has  only  been  met  with 
nesting  in  the  Old  World  in  Iceland,  but  has  been 
observed  in  summer  on  the  Golaievskai  Islands  in  the 
Petchora  Gulf,  on  the  Waigats  and  Nova  Zembla,  in  the 
delta  of  the  Yenesay,  on  the  Taimyr  peninsula,  and  the 
Liakoff  Islands.  In  the  New  World  it  probably  breeds 
in  Alaska,  and  has  been  found  nesting  on  the  Anderson 
River  (lat.  6'^''\  on  the  Parry  Islands  (lat.  ']'^''\  in 
Grinnell  Land  (lat.  82^^°),  and  in  Greenland,  on  the  west 
coast  near  Smith  South  (lat.  79^),  and  Godthaab  (lat. 
63°)  ;  on  the  east  coast,  Sabine  Island  (lat.  74j°). 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Sanderling  reaches  its  far- 
away Arctic  haunts  late  in  May,  or  early  in  June,  as  soon 
as  open  water  and  bare  ground  can  be  found.  It  is 
gregarious  during  winter,  and  migrates  north  in  flocks, 
but  these  ultimately  separate  into  pairs,  and  scatter  over 
the  breeding  grounds  for  the  summer.  Of  the  pairing 
habits  of  the  Sanderling  nothing  has  been  recorded, 
fortunate  observers  woefully  neglecting  their  oppor- 
tunities, as  usual.  We  have  little  information  respecting 
the  habits  of  this  Sandpiper  during  the  breeding  season. 
MacFarlane  was  probably  the  first  naturalist  to  take 
the  eggs,  killing  a  female  from  the  nest  in  North-west 
America  on  the  29th  of  June,  1863.  The  breeding 
haunts  of  this  bird  are  the  barren  grounds  and  tundras 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  275 

near  and  the  beaches  of  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Mac- 
Farlane's  nest  was  discovered  on  the  tundra  about  ten 
miles  west  of  FrankHn  Bay,  and  was  merely  a  hollow 
scantily  lined  with  dry  grass  and  leaves.  Thirteen  years 
afterwards,  almost  to  the  very  day  (24th  June),  Capt. 
Feilden  found  another  nest  close  to  Cape  Union  in 
Grinnell  Land.  This  nest  was  made  on  a  ridge  of  gravel 
several  hundred  feet  above  sea-level,  and  was  a  slight 
hollow  in  the  centre  of  a  bent-down  willow  plant,  lined 
with  a  few  dead  leaves  and  withered  catkins. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Sanderling  are  four  in  number.  They 
are  somewhat  pyriform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture,  and 
buffish-olive  in  ground  colour,  densely  mottled,  and 
spotted  with  pale  olive-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  ink-gray.  Two  distinct  types  occur,  so  far 
as  our  knowledge  extends  at  present.  One  of  these 
has  the  markings  thickly  congregated  on  the  major  half 
of  the  ^^g ;  the  other  is  more  uniformly  marked  over 
the  entire  surface.  Average  measurement,  1*4  inch  in 
length,  by  ro  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is 
unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  peculiar  character  of 
the  markings  (small  and  mottled),  combined  with  the 
shape  and  size,  readily  distinguish  the  eggs  of  the 
Sanderling  from  those  of  allied  species. 


276  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID/E.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACIN^. 

BUFF-BREASTED    SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  rufescens,   Vieillot. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area:  Northern  Nearctic  region,  and 
possibly  extreme  north-eastern  Palaearctic  region.  The 
Buff-breasted  Sandpiper  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  of 
America,  from  Alaska  probably  to  Baffin  Bay,  and 
south  to  about  lat.  53°.  It  is  just  possible  that  this 
species  may  cross  Bering  Strait,  and  breed  on  the 
Siberian  coasts. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Buff-breasted  Sandpiper 
travels  to  and  from  its  breeding  grounds  by  inland 
rather  than  coast  routes,  crossing  the  prairies,  and 
arriving  in  the  Arctic  regions  early  in  June.  On  migra- 
tion it  is  certainly  gregarious,  but  the  flocks  apparently 
disperse  in  scattered  pairs  over  the  breeding  grounds, 
although  many  nests  may  be  found  within  a  small  area 
of  suitable  country.  Of  the  habits  of  this  bird  in  the 
nesting  season  but  little  has  been  recorded,  not  from 
want  of  opportunities  on  the  part  of  naturalists,  but  from 
lack  of  observation.  MacFarlane,  who  found  this  bird 
breeding  in  large  numbers  on  the  barren  ground  between 
the  Horton  River  and  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean, 
states  that  the  nest  is  always  made  upon  the  ground, 
and  resembles  that  of  the  American  Golden  Plover. 
Other  observers  describe  it  as  a  slight  hollow  scantily 
lined  with  dry  grass.  Mr.  Murdoch  also  met  with  this 
Sandpiper  breeding  at  Point  Barrow  in  Alaska,  and 
says  that  it  frequented  the  dry  portions  of  the  barren 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  277 

grounds,  the  nest  being  a  mere  hollow  lined  with  a  little 
moss.  The  parent  birds  are  said  to  be  very  tame  at 
the  nest,  only  flying  for  a  little  distance  when  flushed 
from  the  eggs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Buff-breasted  Sandpiper  are  four  in 
number.  They  are  pj^riform  in  shape,  smooth  in  texture, 
and  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  buff  to  deep  buff, 
sometimes  tinged  with  olive,  blotched  and  spotted  with 
rich  reddish-brown,  and  with  numerous  underlying 
markings  of  ink-gray.  As  usual,  most  of  the  larger 
blotches  are  on  the  major  half  of  the  Qgg,  and  often 
confluent,  and  types  occur  in  which  the  markings  are 
diagonally  distributed.  Occasionally  a  few  dark-brown 
streaks  occur  on  the  larger  end  of  the  Qgg  ;  the  under- 
lying markings  are  very  distinctly  defined.  Average 
measurement,  1*45  inch  in  length,  by  ro  inch  in  breadth. 
The  duration  of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown, 
as  is  also  which  sex  performs  the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  bird 
require  very  careful  identification,  as  they  closely  re- 
semble those  of  other  allied  species  breeding  within  the 
same  area;  and  from  which  I  am  at  present  unable  to 
give  any  thoroughly  reliable  character  to  distinguish 
them. 


278  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIIDyE.  Genus  Scolopax. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACIN^. 

GREAT    SNIPE. 

Scolopax  major,   G^jielin. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  late  in  May  and  in  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palsarctic  region.  The 
Great  Snipe  breeds  in  Holland,  Denmark,  Northern 
Germany,  Poland,  throughout  Scandinavia,  and  in 
Russia  from  as  far  south  as  lat.  50°,  north  to  the  coast. 
In  Western  Siberia  it  appears  to  breed  as  far  north  as 
lat.  6'j\''  in  the  valley  of  the  Obb,  but  only  to  661"  in 
the  valley  of  the  Yenesay,  which  is  probably  its  eastern 
limit. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Great  Snipe  arrives  at  its 
Scandinavian  breeding  grounds  during  the  latter  half 
of  May,  but  in  the  Arctic  regions  further  east  in  the  first 
half  of  June.  Whilst  on  migration  and  during  the 
pairing  season  the  Great  Snipe  is  somewhat  gregarious. 
When  mating,  the  males  appear  often  to  collect  into 
parties,  and  go  through  various  strange  antics  in  the  air 
and  on  the  ground.  Mr.  Seebohm  relates  how  he  has 
watched  them  "  stretch  out  their  necks,  throw  back  the 
head  almost  upside  down,  and  open  and  shut  their 
beaks  rapidly,  uttering  a  curious  noise  like  that  pro- 
duced b}^  running  the  finger  along  the  edge  of  a  comb." 
Sometimes  these  notes  were  uttered  just  after  the  bird 
had  taken  a  short  flight,  or  spread  its  wings  and  tail. 
As  many  as  six  birds  were  counted  in  the  air  together, 
during  this  singular  tournament,  in  another  locality. 
The  favourite  breeding  grounds  of  this  Snipe  are  in 
swamps,  especially  those  in  which  bare  patches  of  mud. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  279 

peat,  or  sand  occur ;  and  the  marshy  margins  of  rivers 
and  lakes,  where  tall  rank  grass-tufts,  sedges,  and  other 
aquatic  vegetation  occur.  As  soon  as  pairing  is  com- 
pleted, the  birds  scatter  over  such  districts  to  breed. 
The  nest  is  either  made  amongst  the  long  coarse  grass, 
or  in  the  centre  of  a  tuft  of  rush  or  sedge,  and  is  a 
mere  hollow  lined  with  dry  grass  or  a  little  moss.  The 
bird  sits  closely,  and  usually  flies  right  away  when 
flushed  from  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Great  Snipe  are  four  in  number.  They 
are  pyriform,  smooth  in  texture,  and  vary  in  ground 
colour  from  olive  and  grayish-bufl"  to  brownish-buff, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  rich  dark  brown  and  pale 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  lilac-brown 
and  gray.  The  eggs  are  exceedingly  handsome  ones. 
Most  of  the  blotches  are  obliquely  distributed,  and  on 
many  eggs  net-like  masses  of  dark-brown  streaks  occur 
on  the  larger  end.  Most  of  the  larger  blotches,  some  of 
them  confluent,  are  on  the  major  half  of  the  ^gg,  and 
the  underlying  markings  are  generally  large  and  con- 
spicuous. Average  measurement,  i'8  inch  in  length,  by 
1*25  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  chiefly  if 
not  entirely  by  the  female,  lasts  seventeen  or  eighteen 
days. 

Diagnostic  characters:  Their  large  size  and 
handsome  and  oblique  character  of  the  markings,  readily 
distinguish  the  eggs  of  this  Snipe  from  those  of  every 
other  British  species. 


28o  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  CHARADRIID^.  Genus  Scolopax. 

Sub-family  SCOL  OP  A  CINAL. 

JACK    SNIPE. 

Scolopax  gallinula,  Linnceus. 

(British  :  Common  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Palsearctic  region.  The 
Jack  Snipe  breeds  on  the  tundras  above  the  limits  of 
forest  growth  in  Arctic  Europe  and  Asia  ;  on  the  swamps 
of  the  Dovre-fjeld  and  Lapland,  and  in  Western  Russia 
to  as  far  south  as  St.  Petersburg.  In  Asia  it  apparently 
breeds  as  high  as  lat.  70°,  and  probably  as  low,  in  some 
districts,  as  lat.  6o^ 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Jack  Snipe  reaches  its  more 
southerly  breeding  places  in  May,  but  does  not  arrive  in 
the  extreme  northern  ones  until  June.  It  is  a  solitary 
bird,  and  breeds  in  isolated  pairs.  The  Jack  Snipe 
apparently  mates  in  spring,  and  after  arriving  in  its 
bre?ding  haunts.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the  male  drums 
like  the  Common  Snipe  at  this  season,  although  much 
of  its  courtship  takes  place  in  the  air.  I  should  say, 
judging  from  the  description  given  by  Wolley  and 
Naumann,  that  the  note  is  similar  to  that  uttered  by 
the  Great  Snipe  under  sexual  excitement,  and  made  in 
the  same  way  by  the  bird  rapidly  opening  and  shutting 
its  beak.  Our  information  respecting  the  nidification 
of  the  Jack  Snipe  was  principally  obtained  by  Wolley 
in  Lapland.  He  found  nests  of  this  bird,  after  a  most 
persevering  and  patient  search,  placed  in  dry  spots 
amongst  the  sedge  and  grass  close  to  the  borders  of  the 
more  open  swamps.  They  were  mere  hollows  lined 
with   a    little   dry  grass,  cquisetuin^  and   dead   withered 


NON-INDIGENOUS   BRITISH  BIRDS.  281 

leaves  of  the  dwarf  birch.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter, 
its  plumage  closely  resembling  surrounding  tints,  and 
remains  brooding  over  the  eggs  until  almost  trodden 
upon.  Wolley  was  allowed  to  approach  one  nest  within 
six  inches  before  the  bird  rose. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Jack  Snipe  are  four  in  number,  and 
very  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  a  clutch  weighing 
nearly  as  much  as  the  hen  herself.  They  are  pyriform 
in  shape,  and  vary  from  buff  to  olive  in  ground  colour, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  rich  reddish-  or  blackish- 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  pale  brown 
and  gray.  These  eggs  are  very  handsome  ones.  Most 
of  the  larger  markings  are  on  the  major  half  of  the  <^gg, 
where  they  are  often  confluent.  A  few  streaks  of 
blackish-brown  also  frequently  occur  on  this  part,  whilst 
the  pale  underl)ang  markings,  from  their  number,  size, 
and  distinctness,  add,  by  contrast,  to  the  beauty  of  the 
cg^.  Average  measurement,  1*5  inch  in  length,  by  i"0 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  appears  to  be  performed 
by  the  female,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Jack 
Snipe  require  the  most  careful  identification,  as  no 
character  can  be  given  by  which  they  can  be  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  Common  Snipe,  the  Buff- 
breasted  Sandpiper,  the  Purple  Sandpiper,  and  some 
other  allied  species.  If  not  thoroughly  well  authenticated, 
they  are  simply  valueless  as  scientific  specimens. 


282  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Family  STERCORARIID^.  Genus  Stercorarius. 

BUFFO  N'S    SKUA. 

Stercorarius  buffoni  {Boie). 

(British  :  Rather  rare  nomadic  autumn  and  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  early  in  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palsearctic 
regions.  Buffon's  Skua  breeds  on  the  tundras  and  barren 
grounds  above  the  limits  of  forest  growth  in  both 
hemispheres,  and  in  a  similar  climate  on  the  treeless 
moors  of  the  Dovre-fjeld,  as  far  south  as  lat.  62 J°.  It 
breeds  in  Lapland,  probably  Spitzbergen,  on  Nova 
Zembla,  and  thence  across  the  tundras  of  Europe  and 
Asia  eastwards  to  Bering  Strait.  In  the  New  World 
it  breeds  on  the  barren  grounds  of  the  Arctic  regions  of 
America,  from  Alaska  to  Greenland. 

Breeding  habits  :  Buffon's  Skua  reaches  its  Arctic 
breeding  grounds  during  the  first  half  of  June.  At  all 
seasons  this  Skua  is  more  or  less  gregarious :  it  breeds 
in  colonies  which  are,  however,  scattered,  and  cover  a 
wide  area  of  ground.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  bird 
nothing  appears  to  have  been  observed  or  recorded. 
The  breeding  haunts  of  this  Skua  are  the  most  barren 
portions  of  the  tundras  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  where  the  grass,  moss,  and  lichens  that 
clothe  the  ground  grow  in  scattered  patches  with  strips 
of  bare  sand  or  clay  between  them.  The  nest  is  merely 
a  shallow  hollow  amongst  the  moss  or  grass,  scantily 
lined  with  dead  leaves  of  the  dwarf  birch  or  the  cran- 
berry, and  a  little  dry  grass  or  moss.  The  birds  are 
very  bold  and  pugnacious  at  their  breeding  grounds, 
resenting  any  intrusion,  and  according  to  MacFarlane 
the  female  occasionally  shams  lameness  when  disturbed 
from  her  eggs. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  283 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  egg-s  of  Buffon's  Skua  are  usually  two  in  number, 
very  rarely  one  or  three.  They  are  sometimes  pyriform, 
sometimes  rotund  in  shape,  and  vary  in  ground  colour 
from  olive  to  brown  of  various  shades,  spotted,  speckled, 
and  streaked  with  dark  brown,  and  with  a  few  faint 
underlying  markings  of  grayish-brown.  They  cover  the 
same  range  of  colour  variation  as  those  of  Richardson's 
Skua.  Average  measurement,  2'0  inches  in  length,  by 
1*4  inch  in  breadth,  Incubation  is  performed  by  the 
female,  and  is  said  to  last  about  a  month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  Buffon's 
Skua  resemble  those  of  Richardson's  Skua,  but  are 
much  smaller,  more  constantly  green  in  ground  colour, 
and  the  markings  are,  as  a  rule,  a  trifle  more  streaky. 
The  breeding  area  of  Buffon's  Skua  is  also  much  more 
northerly. 


Family  STERCORARIID^.  Genus  Stercorarius. 

P  O  M  ATORHINE    SKUA. 

Stercorarius  pomatorhinus  {Temminck). 

(British  :    Fairly  common  autumn  and   spring  coasting  migrant  ; 
few,  winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  PaLnearctic 
regions.  The  Pomatorhine  Skua  is  not  known  to  breed 
anywhere  on  continental  Europe,  but  may  probably  do 
so  on  Franz-Josef  Land,  Spitzbergen,  and  Nova  Zembla. 
Eastwards  it  has  been  met  with  nesting  on  the  Yalmal 
and  Taimyr  peninsulas,  and  in  the  north-east  of  Siberia, 


284  THE   NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

whilst  it  very  probably  breeds  on  the  Liakoff  Islands  off 
the  coast  of  that  country  in  the  Arctic  Ocean.  On  the 
American  continent  it  breeds  in  Alaska,  and  probably 
on  the  barren  grounds  across  to  Greenland,  in  which 
latter  country  it  is  known  to  do  so  in  Egedes  Land  on 
the  east  coast  in  about  lat.  67°. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Pomatorhine  Skua  is  a  bird 
of  somewhat  restricted  migration,  wintering,  as  a  rule, 
as  far  north  as  it  can  with  safety.  It  arrives  at  its 
Arctic  breeding  grounds  during  the  first  half  of  June. 
But  little  has  been  recorded  of  the  habits  of  this  bird 
during  the  breeding  season.  Von  Middendorff  found 
colonies  of  this  Skua  nesting  near  the  Taimyr  Lake  on 
the  peninsula  of  that  name  in  Northern  Siberia  ;  and 
Finsch  met  with  it  breeding  on  the  Yalmal  peninsula  in 
the  same  country.  It  appears  to  breed  in  colonies.  Of 
its  pairing  habits  I  find  nothing  recorded.  The  nest  is 
merely  a  hollow  in  the  moss-  and  lichen-covered  ground 
of  the  tundra.  The  behaviour  of  the  birds  when  their 
breeding  grounds  are  invaded  by  man  is  not  known 
to  differ  from  that  of  allied  species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Pomatorhine  Skua  are  two  in  number, 
sometimes  but  one.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from 
pale  olive  to  dark  oliv^e,  with  a  huffish  tinge,  spotted  and 
speckled  with  dull  reddish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  similar  in  character  of  grayish-brow^n.  The 
spots  are  not  very  large,  nor  very  distinctly  defined,  are 
irregular  in  shape,  and  usually  most  numerous  and 
largest  on  the  major  half  of  the  ^^"g.  Average  measure- 
ment, 2*4  inches  in  length,  by  17  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  the  female,  but 
the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Poma- 
torhine Skua  are  larger  than  those  of  Richardson's  Skua, 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  285 

but  in  some  cases  otherwise  closely  resemble  them  in 
colour.  They  also  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  certain 
varieties  of  those  of  the  Common  Gull,  but  the  locality 
should  be  sufficient  to  determine  them,  as  that  bird  does 
not  breed  within  the  same  area. 


Family  LARID.E.  Genus  Pagophila. 

Sub-family  LARIN^E. 

IVORY    GULL. 

Pagophila  eburnea  {Phipps). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  early  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Extreme  Northern  Nearctic  and 
Palsearctic  regions.  The  Ivory  Gull  is  confined  prac- 
tically to  the  land  in  the  North  Polar  basin  during  the 
breeding  season,  and  nests  as  far  south  as  Franz-Josef 
Land,  Spitzbergen,  Nova  Zembla,  Herald  Island,  the 
Parry   Islands,    and    Grinnell    Land. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Ivory  Gull  does  not  wander 
much  south  of  open  water  during  winter,  and  retires  to 
the  Polar  regions  as  early  as  it  can  find  food.  Our  in- 
formation respecting  the  nidification  of  this  Gull  is  only 
of  the  most  meagre  description.  Of  its  pairing  habits 
absolutely  nothing  has  been  recorded.  It  is  apparently 
gregarious  during  the  breeding  season.  Its  favourite 
nesting  places  are  lofty  precipices  above  the  sea,  but  in 
some  localities  where  such  cannot  be  had,  it  resorts  to  the 
sea-beach,  or  to  a  low  island  in  the  Polar  Sea.  It  appears 
sometimes  to  nest  in  company  with  allied  birds,  such  as 


286  THE   NESTS  AND    EGGS   OF 

Kittivvakes  and  Glaucous  Gulls.  The  nests  found  by  Dr. 
Malmgren  on  the  cliffs  of  Spitzbergen  are  described  as 
shallow  hollows  in  the  soil  on  the  ledges,  lined  with 
dry  grass,  moss,  weeds,  and  a  few  feathers.  Those  found 
by  M'Clintock  on  the  Parry  Island  group  were  made 
upon  the  ground  entirely  of  moss,  but  one  of  them 
contained  a  few  feathers  and  a  little  white  down. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Ivory  Gull  are  never  more  than  two  in 
number,  and  very  frequently  appear  only  to  be  one. 
They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  olive-brown  to  bufifish- 
brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  pale  brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  lilac-gray.  In  the  distri- 
bution of  the  markings  two  types  occur,  one  in  which 
they  are  pretty  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire  surface 
of  the  ^%%-,  and  the  other  in  which  they  are  mostly  on 
the  major  half,  where  they  sometimes  form  an  irregular 
zone.  Average  measurement,  2*5  inches  in  length,  by  17 
inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of  incu- 
bation is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex  performs  the 
duty.  Professor  CoUett  has  described  a  fine  series  of  the 
eggs  of  this  Gull  in  the  Ibis  (1888,  p.  440). 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Gull 
somewhat  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Common  Gull  in 
colour,  but  are  larger  in  size.  The  locality  of  the  eggs 
should  be  sufficient  to  determine  their  identity,  as  the 
Common  Gull  does  not  breed  within  the  same  area. 
The  eggs  of  the  Kittiwake  are  also  much  smaller. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  287 


Family  LARID.-E.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-family  LARIN^:. 

ICELAND    GULL. 

Larus  leucopterus,  Faber. 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  early  July, 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  The 
Iceland  Gull  is  only  known  to  breed  in  Greenland,  and 
probably  across  Arctic  America  to  Alaska  and  the 
Aleutian  Islands. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Iceland  Gull  is  another 
species  that  wanders  but  a  short  distance  south  of  open 
water  during  winter,  and  retires  to  its  breeding  haunts 
as  soon  as  the  adjoining  seas  are  free  from  ice.  This 
Gull  breeds  more  or  less  in  colonies,  and  its  favourite 
nesting  places  are  either  the  lofty  cliffs  above  the  Arctic 
Ocean  or  the  sandy  beaches  at  the  mouths  of  rivers  that 
fall  into  that  sea  ;  in  some  districts  small  islands  appear 
to  be  preferred.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of  this  Gull  I 
find  nothing  recorded.  The  only  nests  of  this  species 
that  appear  to  have  been  described  are  those  found  by 
Dall  on  the  banks  of  the  Yukon  in  Alaska.  These  were 
merely  shallow  hollows  in  the  sand. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Iceland  Gull  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  grayish- 
buff  to  dark  buff  and  olive,  blotched  and  spotted  with 
dark  brown  and  pale  brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  lilac-gray.  The  markings  are  seldom  large, 
and  either  uniformly  distributed  over  the  surface  of  the 
^<g^  or  mostly  confined  to  the  major  half,  where  they 
not    unfrequcntly  form  a  zone.     The    gray    underlying 


288  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

markings  are  large,  and  both  numerous  and  well- 
defineJ.  Average  measurement,  275  inches  in  lengtii, 
by  I '8  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex  performs 
the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Iceland 
Gull  cannot  always  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Lesser  Black -backed  Gull  and  the  Herring  Gull,  but  as  a 
rule  they  are  not  nearly  so  blotched  as  those  of  the  former 
species,  nor  ever  so  dark  in  ground  colour  as  those  of 
the  latter.  The  locality  of  the  eggs  should  settle  their 
identity  at  once,  as  the  breeding  areas  of  these  two 
species  do  not  impinge  upon  that  of  the  Iceland  Gull. 


Family  LARID^.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-Family  LARINM. 

GLAUCOUS    GULL. 

Larus  glaucus,  Fabricins. 

(British  :  Irregular  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Pal^arctic 
regions.  The  Glaucous  Gull  breeds  in  Iceland,  Spitz- 
bergen,  Nova  Zembla,  at  Vardo  in  North-eastern  Norway, 
and  along  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean  across  Europe, 
Asia,  and  America  to  Greenland,  where  it  ranges  as  far 
north  as  lat.  82°. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Glaucous  Gull  is  a  nomadic 
migrant,  wandering  little  from  the  vicinity  of  its  breeding 
area  during  winter,  and   retiring   north   as   soon   as  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  289 

season  permits.  It  is  a  gregarious  bird,  and  breeds  in 
colonies  of  varying  size.  This  species  probably  pairs 
for  life,  and  returns  to  the  saine  nesting  places  each 
season,  although  further  information  is  much  to  be 
desired.  I'his  Gull  breeds  on  cliffs  in  some  localities, 
on  the  ground  in  others.  In  some  districts  low  flat 
islands  of  sand  in  the  deltas  of  rivers  are  resorted  to. 
When  placed  on  the  ledges  of  precipices  it  is  a  some- 
what massive  structure  composed  of  dead  seaweed  and 
drift,  and  lined  with  dry  grass,  but  when  on  the  ground 
it  is  little  more  than  a  shallow  cavity  lined  with  a  ^q\v 
bits  of  dry  grass.  Nests  found  by  Messrs.  Seebohm  and 
Harvie-Brown  on  a  sand-bank  in  the  delta  of  the 
Petchora,  are  described  by  them  as  heaps  of  sand 
hollowed  slightly  at  the  apex,  and  lined  with  a  few  tufts 
of  coarse  sea-weed.  MacFarlane  states  that  they  were 
mere  depressions  in  the  beach.  This  Gull  is  bold  and 
pugnacious  at  the  nesting  grounds,  rising  in  flocks  from 
the  eggs,  and  circling  above  the  intruder,  or  swooping 
past  him  uttering  noisy  cries. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Glaucous  Gull  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  They  are  somewhat  rough  in  texture,  and 
vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  olive-brown  of  various 
shades  to  pale  bluish-green,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
dark  brown  and  with  underlying  markings  of  brownish- 
gray.  As  a  rule,  the  spots  are  not  very  large,  and  fairly 
distributed  over  most  of  the  surface  of  the  ^gg,  but  less 
frequently  the  markings  are  moderately  large  blotches 
mostly  on  the  major  half,  where  they  sometimes  form 
an  irregular  zone.  I  have  examined  eo-s^s  from  Vardo, 
which  are  said  to'  belong  to  the  Glaucous  Gull,  pale 
red  in  ground  colour,  spotted  with  darker  red  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  lilac-gray.  Axerage  measure- 
ment, 3"0  inches    in    length,  by  2*0    inches    in  breadth. 

u 


290  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Incubation   lasts  a  month,  but  whether  both  sexes  or 
which  performs  the  duty  is  apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Unfortunately  I  know  of 
no  character  by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Glaucous  Gull 
can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Herring  Gull  or 
from  small  examples  of  those  of  the  Great  Black-backed 
Gull.     They  require  careful  identification. 


Family  LARID^.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-family  TARING. 

GREAT    BLACK-HEADED   GULL. 

Larus  ichthyaetus,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-central  Palaearctic  region^ 
and  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The  Great  Black- 
headed  Gull  breeds  in  Egypt,  Cyprus,  Palestine,  on  the 
Seal  Islands  in  the  Caspian  Sea,  also  on  the  low-lying 
coasts  of  that  sea  Itself,  northwards  to  the  lakes  of 
Turkestan,  South-western  Siberia,  Western  Mongolia, 
and  Thibet. 

Breeding  habits  :  But  little  is  known  respecting 
the  nidification  of  this  Gull.  It  is  a  migrant  in  the 
more  northern  portions  of  its  range,  reaching  them  for 
breeding  purposes  in  May  or  early  in  June.  It  breeds 
on  the  low-lying  coasts  and  islands  as  well  as  on  the 
banks  of  inland  lakes.  Of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  Is 
known,  nor  can  I  find  that  its  nest  has  been  accurately 
described  by  any  competent  naturalist. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  291 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  Qggs  of  the  Great  Black-headed  Gull  are  three  in 
number.  They  are  pale  buff  or  drab  in  ground  colour, 
blotched,  spotted,  and  streaked  with  various  shades  of 
reddish-brown,  sometimes  approaching  black  in  intensity, 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  paler  brown  and  gray. 
Average  measurement,  3'0  inches  in  length,  by  2"0 
inches  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex  performs 
the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  pale  ground  colour, 
small  and  dark  markings,  and  large  size  of  the  eggs  of 
this  Gull  prevent  them  from  being  readily  confused 
with  those  of  any  other  species  breeding  in  the  same 
area. 


Family  LARID.-E.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-family  LARINrE. 

MEDITERRANEAN  BLACK-HEADED 
GULL. 

Larus  melanocephalus,  Natterer, 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  PaLxarctic  recrion. 
The  breciding  grounds  of  the  Mediterranean  Black- 
headed  Gull  are  most  imperfectly  known.  This  bird 
may  breed  on  the  Atlantic  coasts  of  Southern  France, 
and  certainly  docs  so  on  those  of  South-western  Spain — 
in  the  delta  of  the  Guadalquivir.  It  is  also  presumed 
to  breed  in  various  parts  of  the  basin  of  the  Mediterranean, 


292  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

but  the  only  known   locality  appears  to  be  Smyrna.    It 
is  also  said  to  breed  on  the  coasts  of  the  Black  Sea. 

Breeding  habits  :  I  find  but  little  information 
recorded  of  the  habits  of  this  bird  during  the  nesting 
season.  They  apparently  differ  very  slightly  from  those 
of  the  nearly  allied  Black-headed  Gull,  which  breeds  so 
commonly  in  many  parts  of  the  British  Islands.  It 
breeds  in  colonies.  Its  favourite  nesting  places  appear  to 
be  marshes,  flat  islands  in  the  deltas  of  rivers,  and  low- 
lying  coasts.  The  nest  of  this  bird  is  described  by  Mr. 
Dresser  as  being  made  of  twigs,  placed  on  the  ground, 
generally  under  or  near  a  low  scrubby  bush. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Mediterranean  Black-headed  Gull  are 
two  or  three  in  number,  and  closely  resemble  those  of 
the  Black-headed  Gull  in  colour,  but  are  generally  more 
inclined  to  buff  than  olive.  Average  measuremotit,  2'0 
inches  in  length,  by  1*4  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of 
the  period  of  incubation  is  undetermined,  but  is  probably 
a  little  over  three  weeks,  as  in  the  commoner  species. 
Probably  both  male  and  female  perform  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  more  con- 
stant character  by  which  the  eggs  of  this  Gull  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  allied  species  than  that  of 
smaller  size.  I  have  examined  but  few  eggs  of  this  Gull, 
and  therefore  am  not  prepared  to  say  whether  any  other 
and  more  reliable  character  exists. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  293 


Family  LARID.^.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-family  LARINyE. 

BONAPARTE'S    GULL. 

Larus  Philadelphia,   Ord. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  winter  and  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June,  and  first  half  of  July. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region.  Bona- 
parte's Gull  breeds  in  the  sub-arctic  regions  of  America, 
from  Alaska  in  the  west  to  Labrador  in  the  east.  It 
appears  not  to  breed  anywhere  much  above  the  Arctic 
Circle,  and  as  far  south  as  Manitoba,  presuming  that  the 
species  was  correctly  identified  by  Mr.  Raine,  who  visited 
colonies  on  Crescent  Lake  and  elsewhere  in  this  resfion. 

Breeding  habits  :  Bonaparte's  Gull  is  a  migratory 
bird,  and  reaches  its  breeding  grounds  in  May.  It  is 
very  gregarious,  and  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size,  the 
birds  apparently  returning  to  certain  places  every  year. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  bird  pairs  for  life. 
The  breeding  grounds  of  this  Gull  are  near  lakes  and 
pools,  especially  such  as  are  close  to  trees  and  bushes, 
and  on  the  margins  of  prairie  lakes  and  sloughs.  The 
most  interesting  feature  in  the  nidification  of  Bonaparte's 
Gull  is  the  fact  of  the  birds  nesting  in  bushes  and  trees. 
This,  however,  is  not  a  universal  practice,  and  in  districts 
where  such  sites  cannot  be  got,  they  breed  in  marshes  on 
the  ground,  as  for  instance  on  the  margins  of  the  lakes 
on  the  prairies,  or  on  low  sandy  islands  in  those  lakes. 
In  the  latter  situations  the  nest  of  this  Gull  is  merely  a 
shallow  cavity  in  the  sand,  lined  with  a  little  dry  grass. 
The  nest  in  a  tree  or  a  bush  is  a  much  more  substantial 
structure.  When  in  a  tree  it  is  usually  made  on  a  flat 
horizontal   branch    at   some    distance    from    the    trunk. 


291  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

and  froPxi  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and 
when  in  a  bush  is  seldom  less  than  four  feet  from  the 
ground.  Several  nests  are  frequently  made  in  the  same 
tree.  The  nest  is  made  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  lined 
with  dry  grass,  moss,  or  bits  of  dry  reed.  MacFarlane 
describes  one  of  the  nests  (out  of  thirty-seven  taken)  as 
"  composed  of  down  and  velvety  leaves,  held  together 
by  some  stringy  turf."  When  disturbed  at  their  nests, 
the  birds  rise  and  fly  to  and  fro  in  alarm,  uttering 
anxious  cries. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Bonaparte's  Gull  are  two  or  three  in  number. 
They  vary  considerably  in  ground  colour,  from  rich- 
brown  through  every  shade  to  yellowish-buff  on  the  one 
hand,  and  to  olive-brown  and  olive-green  on  the  other, 
spotted  with  dark  brown,  and  with  underlying  markings 
of  pale  brown  and  brownish-gray.  The  spots  are  seldom 
large,  and  pretty  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire 
surface  of  the  Ggg,  but  as  a  rule  the  larger  ones  are  on 
the  major  half,  where  also  the  markings  generally  are 
most  numerous,  and  sometimes  form  an  irregular  zone. 
Average  measurement,  2'0  inches  in  length,  by  1*4  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  and 
lasts  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-four  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  Bonaparte's 
Gull  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Black-headed  Gull, 
but  are  smaller.  The  locality  of  course  will  distinguish 
them  in  doubtful  cases.  They  also  resemble  those  of 
Franklin's  Gull,  but  are  smaller. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  295 


Family  LARID.^.  Genus  Larus. 

Sub-family  LARIN.-E. 

LITTLE    GULL. 

Larus  minutus,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Irregular  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area:  Northern  Palasarctic  region.  The 
Little  Gull  formerly  bred  in  Gottland,  also  not  far  from 
Dantzic,  and,  according  to  Herr  E.  Hartert,  may  still 
do  so  in  some  parts  of  North-eastern  Germany.  It 
breeds  in  Esthonia,  more  commonly  on  the  lakes  of 
Ladoga  and  Onega  in  Western  Russia,  probably  in  the 
vicinity  of  Archangel,  and  abundantly  in  the  morasses 
of  the  Ural.  Eastwards  it  breeds  across  Southern 
Siberia  to  the  Stanavoi  Mountains  and  the  shores  of 
the   Ochotsk  Sea. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Little  Gull  is  a  rather  late 
migrant,  not  arriving  at  its  breeding  grounds  until  they 
are  free  from  ice  in  May,  or  early  in  June,  according  to 
locality.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  Gull  are 
inland  swamps  and  lakes,  especially  such  as  contain 
islands  of  semi-floating  weed  and  aquatic  plants.  It  is 
gregarious,  and  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying  size.  As 
it  returns  each  season  to  certain  localities,  there  seems 
little  doubt  that  this  Gull  pairs  for  life.  In  many  of  the 
Baltic  colonies  it  breeds  in  company  with  the  Common 
Tern.  The  nests,  which  are  often  made  close  together, 
are  placed  amongst  the  coarse  grass,  sedge,  reeds,  and 
other  aquatic  vegetation  on  the  margin  of  the  lake,  or 
upon  the  masses  of  floating  weed  and  debris  at  some 
distance  from  the  shore.  The  nests  are  well-made  and 
somewhat  bulky  structures,  composed  externally  of  dead 


296  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS    OF 

reeds,  sedge,  and  grass,  and  lined  with  finer  sedge  and 
dry  grass.  When  disturbed  the  birds  rise  in  a  fluttering 
throng,  and  fly  round  and  round  above  their  nests  utter- 
ing their  pecuHar  short,  screeching  note,  and  behave 
generally  like  the  Black-headed  Gull  under  similar 
circumstances. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Gull  are  generally  three,  but  in 
rare  instances  four  in  number.  They  vary  in  ground 
colour  from  pale  buffish-brown  to  olive-brown  and  olive- 
green,  spotted  and  more  rarely  blotched  and  streaked 
with  dark  brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  pale 
gray.  As  a  rule,  the  spots  are  not  very  large,  and  the 
blotches,  formed  by  one  or  two  spots  becoming  con- 
fluent, are  not  numerous.  Average  measurement,  17 
inch  in  length,  by  1*2  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is 
performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period 
is  apparently  unknown. 

DiACiNOSTlC  characters  :  Unless  the  eggs  of  the 
Little  Gull  are  thoroughly  well  authenticated  they  are 
absolutely  worthless.  I  know  of  no  character  v/hich  will 
distinguish  the  buffer  b.own  varieties  from  those  of  the 
Common  Tern.  The  nest,  however,  is  very  different ;  it 
may  also  be  remarked  that  the  eggs  of  the  l>rn  rarely, 
if  ever,  show  any  trace  of  olive  or  green  in  the  ground 
colour. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  297 

Family  LARID.^.  Genus  Xema, 

Sub-family  LARIN^. 

SABINE'S    GULL. 

Xe.ma  sabinii  (y.   Sabi7ie). 

(British  :  Rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June  and  July,  according 
to  locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palaearctic 
regions.  Sabine's  Gull  is  either  very  locally  distributed 
during  the  breeding  season,  or  its  nesting  places  are  most 
imperfectly  known,  notwithstanding  its  circumpolar 
summer  area.  It  appears  to  breed  in  Spitzbergen,  and 
was  observed  nesting  by  Middcndorff  on  the  Taimyr 
peninsula.  It  may  also  breed  on  the  Siberian  coasts  of 
Bering  Strait,  whence  it  is  said  to  nest  in  suitable 
localities  across  Arctic  America  from  Ab.ska  to  Baffin 
Bay,  including  Western  Greenland,  Avhere  this  species 
was  first  discovered  by^  Sir  Edward  Sabine,  who  found 
it  breeding  in  about  lat.  75^°.  MacFarlane  records  that 
a  large  number  of  nests  were  found  on  the  shores  of 
Franklin  Bay. 

Breeding  habits  :  Sabine's  Gull  wanders  no  further 
south  in  winter  than  absolutely  compelled  by  stress  of 
weather,  and  returns  to  its  usual  Arctic  haunts  as  soon 
as  they  become  free  from  ice  in  June.  Its  favourite 
breeding  grounds  are  the  marshy  tundras  and  barren 
grounds  close  to  the  Polar  Sea,  especially  on  some 
peninsula,  or  even  on  an  island  in  a  lake  or  river  near 
the  coast,  or  occasionally  at  some  distance  from  it.  But 
little  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  Gull  during  the 
breeding  season.  It  is  gregarious  and  nests  in  colonies, 
often  in  company  with  the  Arctic  Tern.  Von  Middcn- 
dorff describes  the  nest  as  a  mere  hollow  in  the  moss, 


298  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

lined  with  a  little  dry  grass  ;  Sabine  found  the  eggs  on 
the  bare  ground  ;  whilst  Richardson  describes  it  as  a 
hollow  in  the  short  mossy  turf.  When  disturbed  at  the 
nest,  the  birds  rise  in  an  anxious  fluttering  crowd,  utter- 
ing an  incessant  note  and  flying  to  and  fro  until  left  in 
peace. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  Sabine's  Gull,  so  far  as  is  known,  are  two  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  brown 
to  dark  brown,  occasionally  tinged  with  olive,  spotted 
with  darker  brown,  and  with  very  indistinct  underlying 
markings  of  grayish-brown.  On  some  eggs  a  few  short 
streaks  occur  on  the  larsfer  end.  Averacre  measurement, 
17  inch  in  length,  by  1*25  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration 
of  the  period  of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  sex 
performing  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Gull 
somewhat  resemble  the  more  sparingly  marked  eggs  of 
the  Arctic  Tern  in  colour,  but  are  distinguished  by  their 
larger  size  and  darker  ground  colour. 


Family  LARID.^.  Genus  Anous. 

Sub-family  STERNINyE. 

NODDY    TERN. 

A  NOUS  STOLiDUS  {LinncBiis). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded  (?).     Laying  season,  May  and  June  (Northern 
Hemisphere),  September  to  January  (Southern  Hemisphere). 

Breeding  area  :  Oceanic  tropical  zone.  The  Noddy 
Tern  breeds  on  the  various  islands  and  reefs  that  stud 
the  tropic  seas   right  round   the  world.     Amongst  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  299 

principal  breeding  stations  may  be  mentioned  those  on 
the  West  Indies,  off  the  coasts  of  Florida  (Bahamas, 
Tortugas),  and  Central  America,  various  islands  in 
Polynesia  and  off  the  coasts  of  Australia,  the  Laccadives 
and  other  isles  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  various  islands  in 
the  Red  Sea,  and  Tristan  d'Acunha,  St.  Helena,  and 
Ascension  in  the  tropical  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Breeding  habits  :  According  to  latitude  the  Noddy 
Tern  visits  its  breeding  stations  in  May  or  September  to 
breed.  It  is  a  very  gregarious  species,  and  some  of  its 
colonies  are  very  extensive.  Of  the  pairing  habits  of 
this  bird  I  find  nothing  recorded,  but  probably  the  union 
endures  for  life,  as  the  same  colonies  are  frequented  year 
after  year.  The  site  for  the  nest  varies  a  good  deal  ac- 
cording to  locality.  In  some  districts  the  nest  is  placed 
on  a  mangrove  or  in  the  crown  of  a  cocoa-nut  palm  ;  in 
others  on  the  ledges  beneath  overhanging  precipices  ;  in 
others,  but  more  rarely,  on  level  patches  of  sand  or  on 
grass-covered  slopes.  It  is  described  as  often  being  a 
large  structure,  made  of  dry  grass,  sea-weed,  and  twigs 
rudely  heaped  together,  with  a  shallow  cavity  at  the  top 
for  the  eggs. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Noddy  Tern  are  probably  three  in 
number.  There  seems  to  be  some  doubt  about  this, 
several  naturalists  asserting  that  the  full  clutch  consists 
of  one  Qgg  only  ;  but  as  the  eggs  of  this  Tern  are  gathered 
systematically  for  food  in  every  well-known  breeding 
station,  it  is  very  probable  the  eggs  are  taken  as  they  are 
laid.  (Conf.  Ibis,  189 1,  p.  146.)  They  are  rough  and 
chalky  in  texture,  and  vary  from  reddish-white  to  pale 
buff  in  ground  colour,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish- 
brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  pale  brown. 
The  markings  are  not  very  numerous  nor  large,  and 
are  usually  pretty  evenly  distributed   over   the  surface 


300  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

of  the  &^^.  Average  measurement,  2'0  inches  in  length, 
by  I '4  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  sex  which  performs 
the  task. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  this  Tern 
cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any  other 
"  British"  species,  but  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  whether 
they  can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  allied  birds. 


Family  LARTD.-E.  Genus  Sterna. 

Sub-family  STERNlNAi. 

SOOTY    TERN. 

Sterna  fuliginosa,  Gmeli7i. 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  (?)  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded  (?),  Laying  season,  September  to  January  (South- 
ern Hemisphere),  April  and  May  (Northern  Hemisphere). 

Breeding  area:  Oceanic  tropical  zone.  The  Sooty 
Tern,  like  the  Noddy,  breeds  on  the  various  islands  that 
dot  the  tropic  seas  right  round  the  world.  Amongst  its 
principal  breeding  places  may  be  mentioned  the  islands 
off  the  coast  of  Florida,  the  West  Indies,  the  island  of 
Ascension,  St.  Helena,  Madagascar,  Rodriguez,  Mauri- 
tius, the  Chagos  Archipelago,  the  Laccadives,  the  islands 
in  the  Red  Sea  and  Persian  Gulf,  Ceylon,  many  parts  of 
the  Malay  Archipelago,  the  coasts  of  Australia,  various 
islands  throughout  Polynesia,  and  in  Lower  California. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Sooty  Tern  visits  its  various 
breeding  places  for  purposes  of  reproduction  in  May 
and  September,  according  to  locality  and  latitude.  It 
is  a  gregarious  species,  some  of  its  colonies  being  very 
extensive,  but  of  its  pairing  habits  nothing  appears  to 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  301 

have  been  recorded.  Probably  it  mates  for  life,  as  it 
uses  the  same  localities  year  by  year.  One  of  the  most 
remarkable  breeding  places  of  this  Tern  is  situated  on 
the  island  of  Ascension,  and  consists  of  two  small  colonies 
and  one  very  large  one.  Here  the  eggs  are  so  thick 
upon  the  ground  that  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  walk 
amongst  them  without  treading  on  them.  The  nest  is 
merely  a  hollow  in  the  ground.  I  have  seen  photographs 
of  this  curious  and  interesting  colony,  which  resembles 
the  usual  breeding  places  of  sea-birds,  say  at  the  Fame 
Islands  or  Scoulton  Mere  ;  that  is  to  say,  the  ground 
covered  with  nests  (the  Terns  all  sitting  head  to  wind), 
and  the  air  clouded  with  birds.  Vast  numbers  of  eggs 
are  taken  in  Ascension  for  food — three  thousand  being 
picked  up  in  a  single  morning — and  the  laying  season 
is  abnormally  prolonged,  as  at  the  Fame  Islands,  as  the 
poor  deluded  birds  are  induced  to  replace  their  losses. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Sooty  Tern  are  normally  three  in  num- 
ber. (Conf.  Ibis,  1 89 1,  p.  145.)  They  are  smooth  in 
texture,  and  vary  in  ground  colour  from  white,  through 
cream  to  pale  buff,  spotted  with  reddish-brown,  and 
with  underh'ing  markings  of  pale  brown  and  gray.  The 
spots  are  not  very  large,  but  are  irregular  in  shape,  and 
somewhat  evenly  distributed  over  most  of  the  surface  of 
the  egg,  occasionally  forming  an  irregular  zone  round 
the  major  half  Average  measurement,  20  inches  in 
length,  by  i  -5  inch  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period 
of  incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  sex  which 
performs  the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Sooty 
Tern  somewhat  closely  resemble  certain  types  of  those 
of  the  Sandwich  Tern,  but  the  spots  are  never  so  dark 
in  colour.  From  eggs  of  the  Nodd}^  Tern  they  are  at 
once  distin:ruished  bv  their  smooth  shell. 


302  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Fnmily  LARID.^.  Genus  Sterna. 

Sub-family  STERNIN.^. 

CASPIAN     TERN. 

Sterna  caspia,  Fallas. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Temperate  and  tropical  zones. 
The  Caspian  Tern  (with  the  exception  of  South  America, 
and  where  it  may  possibly  yet  be  found  to  breed,  if  it 
is  not  entirely  replaced  by  the  nearly  allied  Sterna 
maxima)  breeds  on  the  coasts,  and  by  some  inland  waters 
in  various  districts,  right  round  the  world.  Amongst 
its  breeding  places  maybe  mentioned  the  island  of  Sylt, 
off  the  west  coast  of  Schleswig,  various  low  coasts  and 
isles  in  the  basin  of  the  Baltic,  possibly  on  the  south 
coast  of  Holland,  on  the  eastern  coasts  of  Spain,  on 
various  islets  near  Sardinia,  and  elsewhere  in  the  basin 
of  the  Mediterranean,  on  the  lagoons  of  the  Danube, 
and  elsewhere  on  the  shores  of  the  Black  and  Caspian 
Seas.  It  also  breeds  in  the  deltas  of  the  Nile  and  the 
Zambesi,  on  various  islands  in  the  Persian  Gulf,  and  by 
the  salt  lakes  of  Turkestan.  It  is  known  to  breed  in 
Ceylon,  in  Australia,  and  New  Zealand.  In  the  New 
World  it  ranges  about  as  far  north  as  in  Western  Europe,' 
namely,  to  Labrador  and  Alaska,  and  southwards  to 
California  and  Mexico. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Caspian  Tern  returns  to 
its  accustomed  breeding  places  early  or  late  in  May 
according  to  locality.  This  Tern  breeds  in  societies, 
but  many  of  its  European  colonies  are  sadly  reduced 
in  numbers  owing  to  incessant  plundering  of  the  nests. 
The   favourite  breeding   grounds   are  on  the  shores  of 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  303 

lagoons,  on  low  sandy  islands,  and  on  the  flat,  sandy 
shores  of  inland  salt-lakes.  Doubtless  this  Tern  pairs 
for  life,  returning  as  it  does  with  great  regularity  to 
certain  breeding  places.  The  nest  is  of  the  scantiest 
description,  a  mere  hollow  in  the  sand,  sometimes,  but 
not  always,  with  a  few  bits  of  sea-weed  or  dry  grass 
round  the  rim.  When  disturbed  at  their  breeding  place 
the  birds  rise  and  hover  in  the  air  above  their  nests, 
becoming  very  clamorous,  and  boldly  swooping  down 
round  the  head  of  the  intruder. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Caspian  Tern  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  creamy- 
white  to  buffish-brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown,  and 
with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  The  surface  mark- 
ings are  not  very  large,  and  generally  pretty  evenly 
distributed,  but  sometimes  most  numerous  on  the  major 
half  of  the  Ggg,  and  forming  an  irregular  zone.  Occa- 
sionally a  few  streaky  spots  occur  amongst  the  others, 
and  the  underlying  markings  are  often  large  and  gener- 
ally conspicuous.  Average  measurement,  2'55  inches 
in  length,  by  17  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  according 
to  Meyer,  lasts  about  twenty  days,  but  whether  both 
parents  assist  in  the  duty  is  not  known. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Caspian 
Tern  are  distinguished  from  those  of  all  other  Terns  by 
their  large  size,  with  the  possible  exception  of  those  of 
vS.  maxima. 


304  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS  OF 


Fairily  LARID.^.  Genus  Sterna, 

Sub-Family  STERNIN^. 

GULL-BILLED    TERN. 

Sterna  anglica,  Montagu. 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  April,  and  in 
May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Patearctic  region,  North- 
western Oriental  region,  North-eastern  Ethiopian  region, 
and  Eastern  Nearctic  region.  So  far  as  I  can  determine, 
the  breeding  area  of  the  Gull-billed  Tern  is  absolutely- 
discontinuous,  the  isolated  individuals  being  those  that 
breed  in  the  Nearctic  region.  The  Gull-billed  Tern 
breeds  on  the  island  of  Sylt  off  the  west  coast  of 
Sclilcswig,  and  in  Denmark.  There  appear  to  be  no 
other  northern  breeding  places  in  Europe,  and  the  bird's 
next  stations  are  in  the  south  of  Spain  and  in  the  delta 
of  the  Rhone  in  Southern  France.  Thence  we  trace  its 
colonies  through  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  and  the  bnsins  of 
the  Black  and  Caspian  Seas.  South  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  breeds  locally  in  Northern  Africa  from  Morocco  to  the 
shores  of  the  Red  Sea.  Eastwards  in  Asia  it  breeds  by 
the  lakes  of  Persia,  Turkestan,  Cashmere,  and  Southern 
Mongolia.  In  the  New  World  it  is  generally  distributed 
along  the  Atlatitic  coasts  of  North  America  from  about 
lat.  40°  south  to  Texas,  Mexico,  and  the  West  Indies. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Gull-billed  Tern  reaches  its 
southern  breeding  grounds  in  Europe  in  April,  but  is  a 
month  later  in  the  more  northerly  ones.  It  is  gregarious 
like  its  conveners,  breedin^^  in  colonies,  and  returninG:  to 
certain  spots  year  by  year,  so  that  it  probably  pairs  for 
life.     Its  favourite  breeding  grounds  are  the  shores  of 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  305 

lagoons,  and  low  islands  in  deltas,  the  shores  of  lakes, 
sandy  islands,  and  banks.  The  nest  is  merely  a  slight 
hollow  scraped  out  in  the  sand,  and  sometimes  lined  with 
a  few  bits  of  dry  sea-weed  and  grass,  but  in  some  cases 
the  eggs  are  deposited  in  some  natural  hollow,  without 
any  further  provision  or  alteration.  When  disturbed  at 
the  colony  the  birds  rise  in  a  fluttering  crowd,  become 
very  noisy,  and  fly  to  and  fro  in  great  anxiety  until  left 
to  themselves  again. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Gull-billed  Tern  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  creamy-white 
to  buffish-brown,  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown, 
and  with  underlying  markings  of  gray.  The  spots  are 
not  very  large — varying  from  the  size  of  buck-shot 
downwards — and  usually  pretty  evenly  distributed  over 
the  surface  of  the  ^g'g,  but  sometimes  most  numerous 
on  the  major  half.  The  gray  underlying  markings  are 
similar  in  character,  and  very  conspicuous.  Average 
measurement,  2-0  inches  in  length,  by  \'\  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eg^s  of  the  Gull- 
billed  Tern  are  not  easily  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  Pal?earctic  species.  Small  eggs  similar  in  colour 
might  be  confused  with  those  of  the  Sandwich  Tern,  but 
are  always  duller  in  colour. 


3o6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  LARID/E.  Genus  Hydrochelidon. 

Sub-family  STERNIN^. 

WHISKERED    TERN. 

Hydrochelidon  hybrida  {Fallas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  to  July,  according  to 
locality. 

Breeding  area  :  Tropical  and  sub-tropical  regions 
of  the  Eastern  Hemisphere.  The  Whiskered  Tern  breeds 
in  Spain,  very  sparingly  in  the  south  of  France  (Rhone 
delta),  in  the  valley  of  the  Danube  (and  it  is  said 
sparingly  at  Lublin  in  Poland),  in  Southern  Russia, 
Turkey,  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  Armenia, 
Turkestan,  Cashmere,  Northern  Lidia,  and  Mongolia. 
It  also  breeds  in  North-eastern  Australia,  and  may 
probably  do  so  in  the  Philippines  and  the  Malay 
Archipelago.  South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  in 
Northern  Africa  from  Morocco  to  Egypt,  and  may 
possibly  do  so  in  the  Transvaal  and  elsewhere  in  the 
southern  half  of  the  African  continent. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Whiskered  Tern  visits  its 
European  breeding  places  late  in  April,  but  does  not 
breed  in  India  until  June  or  July.  It  is  gregarious,  and 
breeds  in  colonies  like  its  allies,  probably  pairing  for  life, 
as  it  returns  yearly  to  certain  haunts.  The  favourite 
breeding  grounds  of  this  Tern  arc  marshes,  especially 
those  situated  in  or  near  deltas,  or  near  lakes  and  large 
rivers.  The  nest  is  a  somewhat  bulky  structure,  composed 
of  rushes,  sedges,  and  dry  grass,  the  latter  forming  the 
lining.  In  Algeria,  Canon  Tristram  observed  this  species 
breeding  in  the  old  nests  of  the  Eared  Grebe.  Some- 
times the  nest  is  floating — as  observed  by  Anderson  in 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  307 

India — but  is  more  generally  amongst  the  coarse  vegeta- 
tion of  the  marsh.  The  actions  of  this  Tern  when 
disturbed  at  the  nest  are  similar  to  those  of  allied 
species. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Whiskered  Tern  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  They  vary  in  ground  colour  from  pale  buff  to 
pale  grayish-green,  blotched  and  spotted  with  various 
shades  of  reddish-brown  and  blackish-brown,  and  with 
underlying  markings  of  pale  brown  and  gray.  The 
markings  are  neither  very  numerous  nor  very  large,  and 
as  a  rule  pretty  evenly  distributed  over  the  surface  of  the 
Qgg.  On  some  eggs  the  markings  are  elongated  into 
short  streaks  intermixed  with  faint  scratches  and  scrawls. 
Average  measurement,  r55  inch  in  length,  by  ri5  inch 
in  breadth.  Incubation  is  apparently  performed  by  both 
sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Tern  are 
readily  separated  from  those  of  the  two  following  species 
by  their  larger  size,  smaller  markings,  and  paler  and 
greener  ground  colour.  Some  eggs  of  the  Arctic  Tern 
approach  them  in  colour,  but  are  generally  more  heavily 
marked  and  larger. 


3o8  THE  NESrS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  LARID/E.  Genus  Hydrochelidon. 

Sub-family  S  TERMING. 

BLACK    TERN. 

Hydrochelidon  nigra  {Liimceus). 

(British  :  Formerly  bred  ;  regular  spring  and  autumn  coasting 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  May,  and  in 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  South-western  Palaearctic  region. 
The  typical  form  of  the  Black  Tern  breeds  as  far  north 
as  the  province  of  Esthonia  south  of  the  Gulf  of  Finland, 
thence  southwards  through  the  Baltic  Provinces,  Prussia, 
Southern  Scandinavia,  Denmark,  Holland,  France,  and 
the  Spanish  peninsula,  and  eastwards  throughout  Central 
and  Southern  Europe  in  all  suitable  districts,  to  the 
Caspian.  In  Asia  it  breeds  in  South-western  Siberia 
and  Turkestan,  to  as  far  east  as  the  Altai  Mountains. 
South  of  the  Mediterranean  it  breeds  throughout  North 
Africa  with  the  exception  of  Egypt.  The  Nearctic 
form  of  this  species  is  known  as  Hydrochelidon  nigra 
stirinamensis. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black  Tern  reaches  its 
accustomed  breeding  places  in  May.  It  is  a  gregarious 
bird,  nesting  in  colonies  of  varying  size,  and  sometimes 
in  company  with  the  following  species.  There  can  be 
little  doubt  that  it  pairs  for  life.  The  favourite  breeding 
haunts  are  marshes  and  weed-grown  shallow  lakes  and 
pools,  either  near  the  sea  on  lagoons,  or  in  inland 
localities.  The  nests  are  made  either  amongst  the  reeds 
or  eqnisetums  at  some  distance  from  the  bank  in  shallow 
water,  or  amongst  the  hassocks  of  sedge  and  other  coarse 
vegetation  in  the  marshes.     They  are  large  and  bulky 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  309 

structures — heaps  of  half-rotten  reeds,  sedges,  and  other 
marsh-loving  plants,  lined  with  finer  and  drier  material, 
such  as  sedge,  leaves  of  the  rushes  and  reeds,  and  dry- 
grass.  The  behaviour  of  this  Tern  when  its  breeding 
grounds  are  invaded  is  similar  to  that  of  allied  species, 
the  birds  rising  in  noisy  crowds  and  fluttering  to  and  fro 
in  an  anxious  manner,  until  the  cause  of  their  alarm 
withdraws. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black  Tern  are  three  in  number.  They 
vary  in  ground  colour  from  clay  colour  to  olive-brown  or 
olive-green,  passing  through  almost  every  shade  of  buff, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  reddish-brown  and  dark 
blackish-brown,  and  with  underlying  markings  of  pale 
brown  and  gray.  As  a  rule  the  blotches  are  most 
numerous  on  the  major  half  of  the  egg^  and  are  often 
confluent,  but  types  occur  in  which  the  markings  are 
smaller  and  more  evenly  distributed  over  the  entire 
surface.  Average  measurement,  I '4  inch  in  length  by 
ro  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both 
sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  apparently 
undetermined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Black 
Tern  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  White- 
winged  Black  Tern,  and  unless  identified  at  the  nest  are 
of  no  scientific  value.  It  might  be  remarked,  however, 
that  the  Black  Tern  breeds  in  the  Spanish  peninsula,  but 
the  White-winged  Black  Tern  is  not  known  to  do  so. 
Locality  in  such  cases  is  sufficient  for  identification. 


3IO  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  LARIDyE.  Genus  Hydrockelidon. 

Sub-family  STERNIN^. 

WHITE-WINGED    BLACK    TERN. 

Hydrochelidon  leucoptera  {Meisner  and  Schinz). 

(British  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  end  of  May,  and  in 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region,  and 
possibly  extreme  north-eastern  Ethiopian  region.  The 
White-winged  Black  Tern  breeds  in  Poland,  and  in 
various  suitable  localities  in  Central  and  Southern 
Europe,  including  Sicily,  Northern  Italy,  the  delta  of 
the  Rhone,  Hungary,  and  Southern  Russia.  South  of 
the  Mediterranean  it  is  said  to  breed  in  Algeria  and 
Lower  Egypt.  Eastward  it  breeds  in  suitable  districts 
in  the  Caucasus,  and  may  do  so  in  Turkestan.  It  also 
breeds  throughout  the  extreme  southern  districts  of 
Siberia  to  the  Amoor,  southwards  to  Northern  China 
and  Mongolia. 

Breeding  habits:  The  White-winged  Black  Tern 
visits  its  wonted  breeding  places  early  in  May.  It  is  an 
inland  species,  and,  like  the  other  members  of  this  genus, 
frequents  marshes  rather  than  sands.  This  Tern  is  also 
gregarious,  breeding  in  colonies  by  itself  in  many  local- 
ities, but  in  others  socially  resorting  with  its  ally  the 
Black  Tern.  It  probably  pairs  for  life.  The  favourite 
breeding  grounds  are  shallow  pools  full  of  reeds  and 
rushes,  and  the  swampy  shores  of  lakes  and  pools. 
The  nest  is  either  placed  amongst  the  reeds,  sedges,  and 
other  coarse  vegetation  near  the  shore,  or  on  more  or 
less  floating  masses  of  weed  and  aquatic  plants  at  some 
distance  from  the  bank  in  shallow  water.  It  is  a  some- 
what large,  strong,  and  bulky  structure,  made  of  half- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  311 

rotten  sedges,  reeds,  and  equisetinns,  and  lined  with  bits 
of  dry  reeds,  leaves  of  the  rushes,  or  coarse  grass. 
When  disturbed  at  its  breeding  places  this  Tern  be- 
comes very  anxious  and  noisy,  rising  in  fluttering 
crowds,  and  keeping  in  the  air  until  left  in  peace. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  White-winged  Black  Tern  are  three  in 
number,  but  four  are  said  to  be  laid  in  rare  instances. 
I  have  never  seen  a  clutch  of  this  latter  number,  but 
have  taken  several  clutches  of  four  belonging  to  the 
Lesser  Tern.  They  cover  precisely  the  same  range  of 
colour  variation  as  those  of  the  preceding  species, 
rendering  a  detailed  description  unnecessary.  Average 
measurement,  1*4  inch  in  length  by  I'O  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  apparently  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  White- 
winged  Black  Tern  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those 
of  the  Black  Tern,  and  therefore,  to  be  of  any  scientific 
value,  must  be  carefully  identified  at  the  nest. 


Family  ALCID^.  Genus  Uria. 

BRUNNICH'S     GUILLEMOT. 

Uria  troile  brunnichi,  Sabine. 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  :  Very  rare  nomadic  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  generally.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North  Atlantic  and  Arctic  Ocean 
basins.  Brunnich's  Guillemot  breeds  probably  from  the 
Liakoff  Islands  westwards  to  Nova  Zembla,  Spitzbergen, 
Franz-Josef  Land,  Grimsey  Island  north  of  Iceland,  and 
Greenland,  north  of  about  lat.  64°. 


312  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

Breeding  habits:  Brunnich's  Guillemot  is  a  nomadic 
migrant,  and  wanders  little  south  of  open  water  during 
winter,  retiring  north  again  as  soon  as  the  Polar  seas 
are  free  from  ice.  It  is  a  gregarious  bird,  and  breeds  in 
colonies,  some  of  these  nesting  places  being  tenanted 
by  vast  numbers  of  birds.  Probably  it  pairs  for  life,  as 
season  after  season  the  same  haunts  are  frequented. 
Like  the  Common  Guillemot  the  present  sub-species 
breeds  on  the  ledges  of  the  cliffs  that  overhang  the  sea, 
gathering  at  the  old  accustomed  places  in  May  and 
June.  Its  habits  are  not  known  to  differ  in  any  im- 
portant respect  from  those  of  the  southern  race.  It 
makes  no  nest,  and  lays  its  eggs  on  the  ledges  and  in 
the  hollows  on  the  shelves  of  the  beetling  cliffs.  When 
disturbed  at  the  colony  the  birds  leave  the  cliffs  in 
streams,  and  resort  to  the  water  below,  making  no 
demonstration  of  alarm,  or  showing  any  resentment  at 
the  intrusion  of  their  haunts. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
Brunnich's  Guillemot  lays  only  one  ^^"g^  but  if  this  be 
taken,  it  is  usually  replaced  several  times  in  succession. 
It  covers  precisely  the  same  range  of  colour  variation 
as  that  of  the  Common  Guillemot,  fully  described  in 
Nests  and  Eggs  of  British  Birds,  p.  311.  Average 
measurement,  3*2  inches  in  length,  by  2*2  inches  in 
breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but 
the  duration  of  the  period  is  undetermined.  Possibly 
this  may  be  slightly  different  from  the  period  occupied 
by  the  Common  Guillemot,  when  we  bear  in  mind  the 
much  colder  climate  in  which  the  ^ggs  are  hatched. 

Diagnostic  characters:  The  eggs  of  Brunnich's 
Guillemot  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Common  Guillemot  in  colour,  but  are  generally  broader 
and  blunter  in  shape.  The  locality  is  also  of  some 
service  in  correctly  identifying  them. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  313 

Family  ALCID.^.  Genus   Mergulus. 

LITTLE    AUK. 

Mergulus  alle  {Li?ificEus). 

(British  :  Irregular  nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  North  Atlantic  and  Arctic  Ocean 
basins.  The  Little  Auk  breeds  in  colonies  of  varying 
size  in  Nova  Zembla,  Franz-Josef  Land.  Spitzbergen, 
Grimsey  Island  to  the  north  of  Iceland,  and  the  east 
and  west  coasts  of  Greenland,  from  north  of  about  lat. 
68°,  to  about  lat.  79°. 

Breeding  habits:  The  Little  Auk  is  another  species 
which  wanders  no  further  south  in  winter  from  its  Polar 
haunts  than  the  necessities  of  life  compel  it.  It  is 
gregarious  and  usually  breeds  in  vast  colonies,  some  of 
them  probably  containing  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
pairs.  It  spends  the  greater  part  of  its  life  at  sea,  but 
in  May  resorts  to  the  land  to  breed.  There  can  be  little 
doubt  that  this  Auk  pairs  for  life,  and  yearly  returns 
to  one  place  to  rear  its  young.  Its  breeding  grounds 
are  not  always  situated  by  the  sea,  but  are  sometimes 
at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  coast,  and  are  more 
sloping  rock-covered  banks  than  precipitous  cliffs.  A 
favourite  site  is  on  the  sloping  ground  below  a  range  of 
cliffs,  where  the  bank  is  covered  with  stones  and  broken 
rocks  that  have  from  time  to  time  crumbled  from  the 
precipices  towering  above.  Dr.  Mayes  met  with  a  very 
large  colony  of  this  bird  on  the  Greenland  coast  of 
Smith  Sound,  situated  on  the  slopes  of  both  sides  of  a 
rocky  valley  which  was  crowned  with  lofty  cliffs.  In  its 
breeding  habits  this  bird  very  closely  resembles  the 
Puffin.     It   makes  no  nest,  however,  and  lays   its  eggs 


314  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

under  large  stones  and  rock  fragments,  and  in  hollows 
and  holes  under  the  debris.  When  disturbed  at  the 
nesting  place  the  birds  leave  their  eggs  in  swarms,  and 
fly  towards  the  sea.  It  is  a  noisy  bird,  and  is  even  said 
to  utter  its  notes  whilst  sitting  under  the  rocks  and 
stones. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  Little  Auk  lays  only  one  ^^^  each  season  ;  whether 
this  is  renewed  if  taken  appears  not  to  have  been 
observed.  It  is  pale  greenish-blue,  sometimes  very 
indistinctly  streaked  with  yellowish-brown.  Average 
measurement,  1-9  inch  in  length,  by  1*25  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration 
of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  ^^g  of  the  Little 
Auk  cannot  readily  be  confused  with  those  of  any 
other  species  breeding  in  the  same  area,  its  size  and 
colouration  easily  distinguishing  it.  Whether  it  can  be 
separated  so  surely  from  the  eggs  of  certain  allied 
species  breeding  in  the  North  Pacific  region,  I  am 
unable  to  say. 


Family  ALCID^.  Genus  Alca. 

GREAT    AUK. 

Alca  impennis,  Liimceiis. 

(British  :  Formerly  bred.     Now  extinct.) 

Number  of  Broods  unknown      Laying  season,  June. 

Former  breeding  area  :  North  Atlantic  basin. 
The  Great  Auk  there  is,  alas,  only  too  much  reason  to 
believe  is  now  extinct,  although  the  evidence  of  its 
extinction  is  purely  negative,  and  the  regions  which  it 


NO^f-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  315 

formerly  inhabited  are  by  no  means  completely  ex- 
plored. This  curious  flightless  bird  used  to  breed  on 
the  coasts  of  Newfoundland  (especially  on  Funk  Island) 
and  Labrador,  Southern  Greenland,  Iceland,  St.  Kilda, 
the  Faroes,  and  possibly  the  coasts  of  Norway. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  habits  of  the  Great  Auk 
only  possess  an  historical  interest.  Unfortunately  the 
bird  ceased  to  exist  before  the  era  dawned  when  the 
habits  of  birds  were  studied  minutely  and  in  careful 
detail,  so  that  our  information  is  of  a  general  character 
only.  So  far  as  can  be  gathered,  the  Great  Auk  some- 
what closely  resembled  the  Razorbill  in  its  habits,  due 
allowance  being  made  for  its  flightless  condition.  It 
was  a  gregarious  bird,  and  appeared  to  breed  in  colonies, 
or  in  scattered  pairs  amongst  its  more  flourishing 
congeners.  Its  breeding  places  were  on  such  rocks  that 
could  be  reached  without  the  aid  of  wings,  sloping  to 
the  water,  and  consequently  in  many  places  further 
inland  than  the  Razorbill  selected.  Whether  the  Great 
Auk  made  a  nest  is  not  known,  but  the  probabilities 
are  against  it. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  Great  Auk  is  presumed  to  have  laid  only  one  Qgg 
each  season,  for  Martin  quaintly  says  of  the  bird  at  St. 
Kilda,  "he  flyeth  not  at  all,  lays  his  {sic)  Qgg  upon  the 
bare  rock,  which,  if  taken  away,  he  lays  no  more  for 
that  year."  Only  about  seventy  eggs  of  this  bird  are 
known  to  exist.  I  have  examined  perhaps  half-a-dozen 
of  the  eggs  themselves,  and  about  a  dozen  carefully- 
painted  models.  They  resemble  the  common  type  of 
Razorbill's  eggs,  being  pyriform,  rough  in  texture, 
yellowish-white  or  pale  brown  in  ground  colour,  blotched 
and  spotted  with  brown  of  various  shades,  sometimes 
almost  black  in  hue,  and  with  underlying  markings  of 
paler    brown    and    gray.     One    type    has    the    blotches 


3i6  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

large  and  boldly  defined,  mostly  situated  on  the  major 
half  of  the  ^<g% ;  another  type  is  sparingly  spotted, 
chiefly  on  the  major  half;  another  type  is  beautifully 
and  intricately  pencilled  and  streaked  over  most  of  the 
surface.  Average  measurement,  4*9  inches  in  length,  by 
2"8  inches  in  breadth.  The  duration  of  the  period  of 
incubation  is  unknown,  as  is  also  which  sex  performed 
the  duty. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size,  .shape,  and 
general  colouration  of  the  eggs  of  the  Great  Auk  are 
sufficiently  distinctive  to  prevent  confusion  with  those  of 
any  other  known  species. 


Family  PROCELLARIID^.  Genus  Bulweria. 

BULWER'S     PETREL. 

Bulweria  columbina  {Moquin-TandoJi). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Circumtropical  Seas. 
Bulwer's  Petrel  is  only  known  to  breed  on  the  Canaries, 
Madeira,  and  Porto  Santo  Islands,  on  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  and  on  the  Volcano  Islands. 

Breeding  habits  :  Bulwer's  Petrel  is  an  oceanic 
bird,  and  only  resorts  to  the  land  to  breed.  Its 
favourite  nesting  places  are  isolated  island  groups  with 
a  good  ocean  aspect.  This  bird  probably  pairs  for  life, 
and  resorts  to  certain  spots  each  season  for  breeding 
purposes.  No  nest  is  made,  the  ^gg  being  laid  in 
hollows  under  rock   fragments,  or  beneath  large  stones 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  317 

at  the  foot  of  the  cHffs,  at  a  distance  of  several  feet 
from  the  open.  The  bird  is  a  close  sitter,  and  shuns 
the  light  of  day. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
Bulwer's  Petrel  only  produces  a  single  ^gg  for  a  sitting. 
This  is  pure  white.  Average  measurement,  175  inch  in 
length,  by  r25  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  has  not 
been  ascertained. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  size  and  absence  of 
spotting  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  Qgg  of  Bulwer's 
Petrel  from  those  of  any  other  species  breeding  in  the 
same  area. 


Family  PROCELLARIID.-E.  Genus  Oceanites. 

WILSON'    PETREL. 

Oceanites  wilsoni  {^Bonaparte). 

(British  :  Rare  summer  visitor  during  the  period  of  the 
Antipodean  winter.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  January  and  February 
(Southern  Hemisphere). 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Seas.  Wilson's  Petrel  is 
only  known  to  breed  on  Kerguelen  Island,  but  probably 
does  so  on  the  various  isolated  rocks  and  islands  that 
stud  the  Southern  Ocean  right  round  that  portion  of  the 
globe. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  only  information  respecting 
the  nidification  of  Wilson's  Petrel  is  that  obtained  by 
the  Rev.  A-.  E.  Eaton,  the  naturalist  to  the  Transit  of 
Venus  Expedition,  on  Kerguelen  Island.  This  Petrel 
is  gregarious  at  its  breeding  grounds,  and  there  can  be 


3i8  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

little  doubt  that  it  pairs  for  life,  being  observed  in  pairs 
a  month  or  more  before  the  eggs  were  laid.  The  birds 
arrived  at  their  breeding  haunts  towards  the  end  of 
November,  and  as  usual  kept  pretty  close  during  the 
day,  going  out  to  sea  at  dusk  to  feed.  The  favourite  sites 
for  the  colonies  were  rock  and  stone-strewn  slopes  on 
the  sides  and  summits  of  high  hills,  or  amongst  the 
shattered  rocks  just  above  high-water  mark  on  the  beach. 
No  nest  is  made,  the  ^g^  being  laid  on  the  bare  ground 
in  hollows  under  stones  or  beneath  masses  of  rock. 
When  the  colonies  were  visited  at  night,  the  birds  were 
found  to  be  noisy,  and  flying  to  and  from  their  holes, 
uttering  their  notes  even  vv^hilst  on  their  eggs,  but  when 
alarmed  they  became  silent,  as  if  anxious  not  to  betray 
their  whereabouts. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
Wilson's  Petrel  only  produces  a  single  ^'g%  for  a  sitting. 
This  is  white  in  ground  colour,  generally  with  a  more  or 
less  distinct  zone  of  dust-like  specks  of  reddish-brown 
round  the  larger  end.  Average  measurement,  \"^  inch 
in  length,  by '9  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed 
by  both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  un- 
determined. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Petrel 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Fork-tailed 
Petrel,  but  as  the  latter  only  breeds  in  the  Northern 
Hemisphere,  the  locality  is  sufficient  to  separate  them. 
Whether  the  eggs  can  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
other  Petrels  breeding  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  lack 
of  material  prevents  me  from  stating. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  319 

Family  PROCELLARIID.^.  Genus  Puffinus. 

SOOTY    SHEARWATER. 

Puffinus  griseus  {Gmeliii). 

(British  :  Rare  summer  visitor  during  the  period  of  the  Antipodean 

winter.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  December  and 
January. 

Breeding  area:  Southern  Seas.  The  Sooty  Shear- 
water is  at  present  only  known  to  breed  on  the  Chatham 
Islands,  but  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  many  other 
places  remain  to  be  discov^ercd. 

Breeding  habits  :  As  is  unfortunately  the  case 
with  so  many  species  in  the  present  family,  but  little  is 
known  of  the  nidification  of  the  Sooty  Shearwater.  The 
bird  spends  the  greater  portion  of  the  year  at  sea,  but 
as  the  breeding  season  approaches,  resorts  to  certain 
spots  for  purposes  of  reproduction.  Of  the  pairing 
habits  of  this  Shearwater  nothing  appears  to  have  been 
observed,  but  doubtless  the  bird  mates  for  life.  It  is 
gregarious  and  breeds  in  scattered  colonies.  The  nest 
is  placed  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  made  in  the  soft 
ground,  and  is  merely  a  slight  collection  of  twigs  and 
dry  leaves.  The  burrow,  according  to  i\Ir.  Travers, 
runs  for  some  three  or  four  feet  nearly  straight,  and 
then  turns  for  a  short  distance  to  the  right  or  left.  This 
Shearwater  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  is  described  as 
very  noisy  at  night  at  its  breeding  places.  Like  its  con- 
geners it  is  a  close  sitter,  and  is  consequently  undemon- 
strative at  the  nest. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  Sooty  Shearwater  produces  only  a  single  ^g^  for  a 
sitting.      This  is  somewhat  smooth  in  texture,  oval  in 


320  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

form  (varying  from  a  rotund  to  an  oblong  oval),  and 
pure  white.  Some  difference  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the 
correct  measurements  of  the  eggs  of  this  Shearwater. 
I  am  disposed  to  accept  those  given  by  Sir  Walter 
BuUer  in  his  History  of  the  Birds  of  New  Zealand, 
as  correct,  especially  as  they  have  been  recently  con- 
firmed by  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes,  who  gives  a  series  of 
dimensions  in  the  Ibis  for  1893,  p.  542.  The  measure- 
ments given  by  Saunders  in  his  Manual  of  British  Birds,, 
and  by  some  other  writers,  are  too  small,  and  must  refer 
to  the  eggs  of  other  species.  Average  measurement, 
31  inches  in  length,  by  2'0  inches  in  breadth.  Incuba- 
tion is  apparently  performed  by  both  sexes,  but  the 
duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  Our  knowledge  of  the 
eg-CTs  of  the  Shearwaters  is  too  limited  and  too  uncertain 
to  allow  of  any  characters  being  given,  even  if  such 
exist,  by  which  they  may  be  distinguished.  Size  and 
locality  are  of  some  service,  but  unless  the  eggs  are 
thoroughly  well  identified  they  are  not  o^  the  slightest 
scientific  value. 


Family  PROCELLARIIU.'E.  Genus  Puffinus. 

DUSKY    SHEARWATER. 

Puffinus  obscurus  {Gmeli^i). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  spring  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded  probably.     Laying  season,  December  to 
May,  according  to  latitude. 

Breeding  area:    Tropic  seas.     The  Dusky  Shear- 
water breeds  in  Madeira  and  the  Canaries,  probably  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  321 

Azores,  in  the  Barbadoes,  Bahamas,  and  the  Galapagos 
Islands,  and  possibly  elsewhere  in  the  islands  of  the 
Pacific. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  habits  of  the  Dusky  Shear- 
water are  very  imperfectly  known,  but  what  few  have 
been  observed  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Manx 
Shearwater.  The  bird  is  gregarious  during  the  nesting 
season,  congregating  at  various  islands  to  breed,  and 
probably  pairing  for  life.  It  is  a  strictly  nocturnal  bird, 
scarcely  ever  being  seen  abroad  during  daylight  (even 
infested  by  eyeless  parasites),  and  as  a  consequence 
its  actions  are  little  observed.  It  does  not  appear  to 
make  any  nest,  but  to  deposit  its  Qgg  in  a  burrow  in  the 
ground  or  in  hollows  under  rocks. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  Dusky  Shearwater  only  lays  one  Ggg  for  a  sitting. 
It  is  rough  and  chalky  in  texture,  oval  in  shape,  and 
pure  white.  Average  measurement,  Ti  inches  in  length, 
by  1*4  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by 
both  sexes,  but  the  duration  of  the  period  is  unknown. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  ^gg  of  the  Dusky 
Shearwater  is  much  smaller  than  that  of  the  Manx 
Shearwater,  but  whether  it  can  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  other  allied  species,  I  am  not  prepared  to  say. 
The  egrsfs  of  no  birds  are  so  little  known  as  those  of  the 
species  in  the  present  family.  The  locality  is  of  some 
assistance  in  identifying  them,  but  as  the  breeding  areas 
of  these  birds  are  little  known,  even  this  is  a  doubtful 
guide. 


322  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  COLYMBTD^.  Genus  Colymbus. 

GREAT     NORTHERN     DIVER. 

Colymbus  glacialis,  Liniiceus. 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  ;  fairly  common  nomadic  autumn  and 
winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  region,  extreme 
North-western  Palaearctic  region.  The  Great  Northern 
Diver  is  not  known  to  breed  anywhere  in  Europe  except 
in  Iceland.  It  is  an  American  species,  breeding  from 
Greenland  westwards  across  the  Nearctic  region,  south 
of  the  Arctic  Circle  to  Alaska,  and  southwards  to  the 
Northern  United  States  from  Dakota  to  Michigan,  New 
York,  and  Maine. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Great  Northern  Diver 
reaches  its  breeding  grounds  towards  the  end  of  May, 
or  early  in  June,  as  soon  as  the  waters  it  frequents  are 
free  from  ice.  It  is  a  nomadic  species,  and  wanders  no 
further  south  than  the  necessities  of  life  demand.  The 
favourite  breeding  haunts  of  this  Diver  are  the  wild  and 
secluded  northern  lakes  and  tarns.  It  is  not  gregarious, 
and  breeds  in  isolated  pairs  which  show  no  social 
tendencies.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  Diver 
pairs  for  life,  and  is  much  attached  to  certain  breeding 
places.  Wherever  possible,  an  island  is  preferred  for  a 
nesting  site.  The  nest  varies  a  good  deal  in  construction, 
according  to  the  locality  frequented.  Where  the  ground 
is  marshy,  it  is  large  and  flat,  and  composed  of  a  heap 
of  half-rotten  sedges,  rushes,  reeds,  and  similar  aquatic 
v^egetation,  lined  with  drier  and  finer  material,  such  as 
bits  of  broken  reeds  and  withered  grass.  Wliere  the 
shore  of  the  lake  is  dry  and  bare,  the  nest  is  little  more 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  323 

than  a  hollow  in  the  sand  or  hard  ground,  with  perhaps 
a  few  bits  of  dry  grass  by  way  of  lining,  and  is  frequently 
placed  in  a  very  exposed  situation.  Whilst  one  bird  is 
sitting,  the  other  keeps  in  the  vicinity  to  give  notice  of 
any  approaching  danger.  The  bird  is  a  light  sitter,  and 
usually  slips  off  the  nest  the  moment  it  is  alarmed, 
taking  refuge  in  the  water,  where  it  is  joined  by  its 
mate.  The  note  of  this  Diver  during  the  breeding 
season  is  a  wild  unearthly  scream. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement: 
The  eggs  of  the  Great  Northern  Diver  are  almost  invari- 
ably two  in  number,  but  it  is  said  three  have  been  found 
in  one  nest.  I  consider  this  very  doubtful.  They  vary 
in  ground  colour  from  russet-brown  to  olive-brown, 
spotted  with  dark  blackish-brown,  and  with  underlying 
markings  of  paler  brown.  The  spots  are  not  numerous, 
and  mostly  congregated  on  the  major  half  of  the  <^gg, 
ranging  from  the  size  of  a  buck-shot  downwards.  The 
underlying  markings  are  small  and  (qw.  Average 
measurement,  3*5  inches  in  length,  by  2*5  inches  in 
breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  both  sexes,  lasts 
about  a  month. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Great 
Northern  Diver  may  be  generally  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  Red-  and  Black-throated  Divers  by  their 
larger  size,  but  exceptionally  small  eggs  cannot  be  separ- 
ated from  those  of  the  latter  species.  Careful  identifica- 
tion is  therefore  necessary.  From  eggs  of  the  White- 
billed  Diver  I  am  unable  to  give  any  character  by  which 
they  may  be  distinguished,  as  the  eggs  of  that  bird  still 
remain  unknown  to  science.    {Cojif.  Appendix  I.  p.  344.) 


324  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Family  PODICIPEDID^.  Genus  Podiceps, 

BLACK-NECKED    GREBE. 

Podiceps  nigricollis,  Brehm. 

(British  :  Abnormal  spring  and  autumn  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  latter  half  of  May,  and  early 

June. 

Breeding  area  :  Southern  Palaearctic  region,  Ethi- 
opian region.  The  Black-necked  Grebe  breeds  in 
Prussia,  and  elsewhere  in  Northern  Germany,  and  is 
said  to  do  so  in  Denmark.  Southwards  it  breeds  in 
suitable  localities  throughout  Central  and  Southern 
Europe  and  Russia,  as  far  north  as  Moscow.  It  breeds 
commonly  in  the  basin  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  is 
said  to  do  so  in  Africa  as  far  south  as  Damara  Land, 
the  Transvaal,  and  Cape  Colony.  Eastwards  it  breeds 
in  Southern  Siberia,  sparely  in  Turkestan,  and  probably 
in  Mongolia  and  Manchooria. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Black-necked  Grebe  is  a 
migrant  in  the  colder  and  more  northern  portions  of 
its  range,  returning  to  its  breeding  haunts  as  soon  as 
they  are  free  from  ice,  which  in  Europe  is  towards  the 
end  of  March  or  early  in  April,  but  in  Asia  some  weeks 
later.  This  Grebe  cannot  be  regarded  as  generally 
gregarious  or  even  social ;  it  lives  in  scattered  pairs, 
and  even  in  districts  where  it  is  abundant  each  pair 
keep  much  to  them.selves,  although  other  nests  may  be 
in  the  immediate  vicinity.  The  bird  pairs  for  life.  In 
the  love  season  the  note  of  this  Grebe,  usually  heard 
on  warm,  still  evenings,  is  so  quickly  repeated  as  to 
sound  almost  like  a  trill.  The  breeding  haunts  of  the 
Black-necked  Grebe  are  fresh-water  lakes  and  slow- 
runnine  rivers  whose  shores  and  banks  are  clothed  with 


NON-INDIGE.YOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  325 

reeds,  sedge,  and  other  aquatic  vegetation.  The  nest  is 
generally  a  floating  structure  amongst  the  reeds  or 
rushes,  but  is  frequently  placed  on  a  hassock  of  sedge 
or  coarse  grass  at  some  distance  from  the  open  water. 
The  nest  is  moderately  large  and  compact,  and  com- 
posed of  half-rotten  sedges,  rushes,  reeds,  and  aquatic 
plants  massed  and  heaped  together,  the  cavity  contain- 
ing the  eggs  being  lined  with  finer  and  drier  material, 
leaves  of  the  rushes,  bits  of  reed,  and  dry  grass.  It 
would  appear  that  in  some  districts  more  gregarious 
instincts  prevail  ;  for  Canon  Tristram  states  that  he 
found  a  densely-crowded  colony  of  this  Grebe  on  Lake 
Hallo ula  in  Algeria,  the  nests  being  so  close  together 
in  some  places  as  almost  to  touch  each  other.  Some 
of  these  nests  were  made  on  foundations  that  reached 
from  the  bottom  of  water  more  than  a  yard  in  depth. 
When  leaving  the  nest  voluntarily  the  parent  bird 
carefully  covers  the  eggs  with  pieces  of  moss  or  wet 
grass  to  conceal  them  from  view. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Black-necked  Grebe  are  four  or  five  in 
number.  They  are  rough  in  texture,  almost  as  much 
pointed  at  one  end  as  the  other,  and  yellowish-white, 
sometimes  with  obscure  traces  of  the  green  interior 
showing  through.  Average  measurement,  1*8  inch  in 
length,  by  r2  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed 
by  both  sexes,  lasts  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-four 
days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Black- 
necked  Grebe  are  readily  distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Little  Grebe  by  their  larger  size,  but  are  absolutely 
indistinguishable  from  those  of  the  Sclavonian  Grebe. 
They  can  be  separated  from  those  of  the  Red-necked 
Grebe  by  their  smaller  size,  the  two  measurements  on 
any  single  Qgg  never  overlapping.    It  should  be  remarked 


326  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

that  the  breeding  areas  of  the  present  species  and  the 
Sclavonian  Grebe  are  to  a  great  extent  distinct,  so 
that  the  locahty  is  of  some  assistance  in  identifying 
the  eggs. 


Family  PODICIPEDID^.  Genus  Podiceps. 

SCLAVONIAN     GREBE. 

Podiceps  cornutus  {Gjfielin). 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  :  Nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Northern  Nearctic  and  Palsearctic 
regions.  The  Sclavonian  Grebe  breeds  in  Iceland,  the 
Faroes,  and  throughout  Europe  in  suitable  localities 
north  of  about  lat.  54°  up  to  the  Arctic  Circle,  except 
in  Scandinavia,  where  owing  to  the  influence  of  the  Gulf 
Stream  its  range  extends  beyond  that  limit.  Eastwards 
it  breeds  in  South-western  Siberia,  the  Baikal  area, 
Dauria,  and  the  valley  of  the  Amoor.  On  the  American 
continent  it  breeds  in  Alaska,  and  throughout  British 
North  America  as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  Circle.  It 
may  also  breed  in  the  south  of  Greenland. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Sclavonian  Grebe  is  a 
migrant,  and  returns  to  its  summer  haunts  late  in  April 
or  during  May,  according  to  locality  and  state  of  the 
season.  I  cannot  find  that  this  Grebe  is  gregarious 
during  the  breeding  season  ;  it  lives  in  more  or  less 
scattered  pairs,  each  keeping  to  themselves  although 
nesting  in  the  vicinity  of  others.  Its  favourite  breeding 
grounds  are  lakes  and  pools,  where  the  sides  are  shallow 
and  clothed  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  reeds,  sedges, 


NON-IXDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  327 

and  other  aquatic  vegetation.  This  Grebe  also  pairs 
for  Hfe,  but  whether  the  same  nest  is  used  each  season 
I  am  unable  to  say.  The  nest,  which  is  a  large,  flat 
structure,  is  usually  floating  amongst  the  reeds  and 
other  vegetation,  but  sometimes  is  built  upon  a  tussock 
in  very  shallow  water.  It  is  merely  a  heap  of  half- 
rotten  sedge,  rush,  reed,  and  grass,  the  cavity  containing 
the  eggs  being  lined  with  the  finer  and  drier  material. 
The  parent  bird  covers  her  eggs  for  concealment  with 
bits  of  reed  or  grass  upon  leaving  them  voluntarily, 
even  before  she  begins  to  sit,  or  the  full  complement  is 
laid.  If  flushed  from  the  nest  the  bird  usually  takes 
refuge  in  the  water. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Sclavonian  Grebe  are  four  or  five  in 
number,  sometimes  only  three  ;  and  occasionally  as 
many  as  six.  Mr.  Raine  records  a  clutch  of  the  latter 
number  taken  at  Long  Lake  near  Lake  Winnipeg,  on 
the  1 8th  of  June.  They  are  rough  in  texture,  pointed 
at  both  ends,  and  yellowish-white  in  colour — pea-green 
w^hen  held  up  to  the  light,  and  viewed  through  the  hole 
w^here  the  contents  have  been  removed.  Average  mea- 
surement, 1*8  inch  in  length,  by  I  "2  inch  in  breadth. 
Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes,  and  lasts  from 
twenty-one  to  twenty-four  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Scla- 
vonian Grebe  are  easily  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
Little  Grebe  by  their  larger  size,  but  are  indistinguish- 
able from  those  of  the  Black-necked  Grebe.  They  are 
smaller  than  those  of  the  Red-necked  and  Great  Crested 
Grebes. 


328  THE  NESTS   AND  EGGS   OF 


Family   PODICIPEDIDyE.  Geuus  Podiceps. 

R  E  D-N  ECKED    GREBE. 

Podiceps   rubricollis  {Gmelin). 

(British  :  Nomadic  autumn  and  winter  migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  and  June. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palaearctic  region.  The 
typical  form  of  the  Red-necked  Grebe  breeds  in  Scandi- 
navia as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  Circle,  and  in  Russia,  from 
as  far  north  as  Archangel  southwards  to  the  Caspian 
and  Black  Seas,  but  apparently  absent  from  the  north- 
east of  that  country.  It  also  breeds  in  the  remainder  of 
Europe  which  lies  north  of  the  Danube  valley  and  east 
of  the  Rhine.  South  of  the  Mediterranean,  it  is  said  to 
breed  sparingly  in  Morocco  and  Algeria.  Eastwards  in 
Asia  it  breeds  in  South-western  Siberia  and  Turkestan. 
Podiceps  rubricollis  major  of  Temminck  and  Schlegel 
(the  Podiceps  Jiolboelli  of  Reinhardt)  is  the  East  Asian 
and  Nearctic  representative  race. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Red-necked  Grebe  wanders 
no  further  from  its  breeding  haunts  during  winter  than 
the  necessities  of  life  demand.  It  returns  north  again 
with  the  break-up  of  the  ice,  reaching  its  summer  quarters 
late  in  March,  or  in  April  and  May,  according  to  latitude 
and  state  of  the  season.  To  a  certain  extent  this  Grebe 
is  gregarious,  breeding  not  only  in  odd  pairs,  but  in 
scattered  colonies,  and  continuing  social  right  through 
the  summer.  Its  favourite  breeding  places  are  lakes  and 
ponds  with  shallow  margins  overgrown  with  reeds,  rushes, 
and  other  aquatic  vegetation.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
that  the  bird  pairs  for  life.  The  nests  are  usually  floating 
structures  made  amonccst  the  reeds  at  some  distance  from 


NON-hYDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  329 

the  actual  shore,  sometimes  being  very  exposed  in  spots 
where  the  vegetation  is  thin  or  not  fully  grown.  They 
are  flat,  large,  and  bulky  structures,  mere  heaps  of  rotting 
reeds,  sedges,  grasses,  and  rushes,  with  the  cavity  con- 
taining the  eggs  lined  with  drier  and  finer  material. 
When  disturbed  at  the  nest,  the  sitting  bird  slips  quietly 
off  into  the  water,  but  before  leaving  the  eggs  she  care- 
fully conceals  them  by  covering  them  with  weeds. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Red-necked  Grebe  are  three  or  four  in 
number,  but  sometimes  as  many  as  six.  ]\Ir.  Raine 
records  a  clutch  of  the  latter  number  belonging  to  the 
Nearctic  form  of  this  Grebe.  They  are  rough  in  texture, 
elliptical  in  shape,  and  yellowish-white  in  colour,  but 
traces  of  the  green  interior  lining  frequently  show  upon 
the  surface.  Average  measurement,  2*0  inches  in  length, 
by  1*3  inch  in  breadth.  Incubation,  performed  by  both 
sexes,  lasts  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-four  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  the  Red- 
necked Grebe  are  smaller  than  those  of  the  Great  Crested 
Grebe,  and  larger  than  those  of  the  remaining  European 
species.  The  measurements  may  overlap,  but  never  both 
on  the  same  tgg — a  short  Qgg  is  broad,  a  long  one  may 
be  narrow. 


330  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 


Family  RALLTD^.  Genus   Crex. 

Sub-family  RALLIN^. 

LITTLE    CRAKE. 

Crex  parva  {Scopoli). 

(British  :  Possibly  breeds  :  Rare  abnormal  spring  and  autumn 
migrant.) 

Single  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May. 

Breeding  area  :  Western  Palsearctic  region.  The 
Little  Crake  breeds  in  Holstein,  and  along-  the  southern 
shores  of  the  Baltic  to  Livonia,  and  across  Central  and 
Southern  Russia  to  Astrakhan  in  the  valley  of  the  Volga, 
and  to  the  Caucasus.  It  probably  breeds  in  Denmark, 
and  does  so  in  Southern  Germany,  Austro-Hungary, 
Italy,  Sicily,  Savoy,  Central  and  Southern  France,  and 
possibly  in  Spain  and  Greece.  Eastwards  it  breeds  in 
Russian  Turkestan  and  in  Afghanistan.  South  of  the 
Mediterranean  it  breeds  in  Algeria,  and  probably  else- 
where in  North-west  Africa. 

Breeding  habits  :  The  Little  Crake  returns  to  such 
of  its  haunts  as  a  severe  climate  compels  it  to  leave  in 
winter,  in  April.  It  is  not  a  gregarious  bird,  and  lives  in 
isolated  pairs,  which  keep  exclusively  to  themselves.  It 
probably  pairs  annually.  The  favourite  breeding  haunts 
of  this  Crake  are  in  marshes,  swamps,  reed-beds,  and  the 
rank,  dense  vegetation  on  the  margins  of  lakes  and  pools. 
The  nest  is  artfully  concealed  amongst  the  aquatic 
vegetation,  sometimes  placed  a  foot  or  more  above  the 
surface  of  the  water  on  a  bunch  of  fallen  reeds,  sometimes 
under  the  shelter  of  a  tuft  of  sedge.  It  is  a  somewhat 
large  and  bulky  structure,  as  is  usual  with  nests  made  in 
aquatic  sites,  and  is  composed  of  bits  of  reeds  and  flags, 
dry    grass,    rush-leaves,    and    flower-heads,    the    cavity 


NON-JNDIGENO  US  BRITISH-  BIRDS.  331 

containing  the  eggs  being  shallow,  and  lined  with  rush- 
leaves  or  dry  coarse  grass.  The  bird  sits  very  warily, 
slipping  quietly  off  into  the  adjoining  belts  of  reeds  or 
into  the  water  with  little  or  no  demonstration  of  anxiety. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Little  Crake  are  seven  or  eight  in 
number.  They  are  somewhat  elliptical  in  shape,  smooth 
in  texture,  yellowish-brown  in  ground  colour,  marbled 
and  indistinctly  blotched  with  olive-brown,  and  occa- 
sionally speckled  with  very  dark  brown.  Occasionally 
the  markings,  instead  of  being  uniformly  distributed 
over  the  surface  of  the  Qgg,  are  most  numerous  on 
the  major  half,  or  form  an  ill-defined  cap  on  the  larger 
end.  Average  measurement,  r2  inch  in  length,  by  '85 
inch  in  breadth.  Incubation  is  performed  by  the  female, 
and  lasts  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-four  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  The  eggs  of  this  Crake 
require  careful  identification,  as  they  very  closely  resemble 
those  of  Baillon's  Crake,  only  differing  in  being  slightly 
larger. 


Family  COLUMBID.F:.  Genus  Turtur. 

EASTERN    TURTLE     DOVE. 

TuRTUR  ORiENTALis   {Latham). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

Double  Brooded.     Laying  season,  May  to  August.    (December 
to  March,  Central  Provinces  of  India.) 

Breeding  area  :  North-western  Oriental  region  and 
South-eastern  Palaearctic  region.  The  breeding  area  of 
the  Eastern  Turtle  Dove  is  most  imperfectly  defined, 
owing  partly  to    the    confusion    existing    between    this 


332  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS  OF 

species  and  several  closely  allied  forms.  The  present 
species  breeds  in  India  from  the  Central  Provinces 
northwards  to  the  lower  ranges  of  the  Himalayas  (4000 
to  60CO  feet),  from  Afghanistan  to  Sikhim  ;  it  is  also 
known  to  do  so  in  South-eastern  Siberia,  and  possibly 
in  Mongolia,  Thibet,  and  Northern  China.  Whether  it 
breeds  in  Japan  is  by  no  means  clear. 

Breeding  habits  :  In  most  parts  of  its  northern 
area  of  dispersal  the  Eastern  Turtle  Dove  is  migratory, 
and  even  in  the  south  is  subject  apparently  to  much 
local  movement  during  the  non-breeding  season.  Capt. 
Hutton  states  that  it  arrived  in  its  summer  quarters  at 
Mussoorie  in  April,  leaving  again  in  October.  In  its 
habits  it  is  not  known  to  differ  in  any  important  respect 
from  the  nearly  allied  European  Turtle  Dove.  It 
probably  pairs  for  life,  but  makes  a  new  nest  for  each 
brood.  It  cannot  be  regarded  as  gregarious  during  the 
breeding  season,  but  numbers  of  pairs  nest  within  com- 
paratively small  areas  of  suitable  country,  and  as  soon 
as  the  young  are  reared  the  birds  begin  to  flock.  Its 
favourite  haunts  are  wooded  mountain  sides,  pine  forests, 
groves  and  clusters  of  trees.  The  note  in  the  breeding 
season  is  described  as  a  thrice-repeated  guttural  coo,  and 
unlike  that  of  other  Doves.  The  nest  is  generally  placed 
not  far  from  the  extremity  of  a  horizontal  branch,  and 
is  a  circular,  flat,  mat-like  structure  of  neatly-arranged 
twigs,  the  cavity  in  the  centre  being  somewhat  deep. 
Hume  states  that  the  nest  is  rather  more  substantial 
than  that  of  many  other  Turtle  Doves.  Of  the  actions 
of  the  birds  at  the  nest  I  find  nothing  of  special  interest 
recorded. 

Range  of  egg  colouration  and  measurement  : 
The  eggs  of  the  Eastern  Turtle  Dove  are  two  in  number, 
oval  in  form,  glossy,  and  pure  white.  Average  measure- 
ment, 1-2  inch  in  length,  by  -92  inch  in  breadth.     Incu- 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  333 

bation    is    performed    by  both    sexes,  and    lasts    about 
sixteen  days. 

Diagnostic  characters  :  I  know  of  no  character 
by  which  the  eggs  of  the  Eastern  Turtle  Dove  can  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  allied  races  and  species. 
Locality  is  of  some  service  in  their  identification,  but 
great  care  is  necessary,  and  the  parents  should  be  seen. 
It  may  be  remarked  that  the  eggs  of  the  Common 
Turtle  Dove  are  creamy-white,  not  pure  white,  as  in  the 
present  species. 


APPENDIX    L 

LIST   OF   BRITISH    SPECIES 

WHOSE    NESTS   AND    EGGS    ARE   AT    PRESENT 
UNKNOWN    TO    SCIENCE. 


Family  FRINGILLID^.  Genus  Emberiza. 

Sub-family  EMBERIZIN^. 

RUSTIC    BUNTING. 

Emberiza  rustica,  Pallas. 
(British  :  Rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  in  sub-Arctic 
Europe  and  Asia,  and  extend  from  the  Baltic  in  the 
west  to  Kamtschatka  in  the  east.  This  Bunting  does 
not  appear  to  range  further  north  in  Europe  than  lat.  65°, 
and  in  Asia  not  beyond  lat.  62°.  The  eggs  of  this  species 
have  never  been  thoroughly  authenticated.  Dresser  de- 
scribes eggs  sent  to  him  from  the  vicinity  of  Archangel  ; 
Professor  Newton  furnishes  some  particulars  of  another 
^%%  presumed  to  belong  to  this  species ;  whilst  Mr. 
Seebohm  has  described  others  from  Archangel  and  the 
Altai ;  but  in  all  these  cases  the  identification  is  incom- 
plete. Until  the  parents  are  obtained  with  the  nest  and 
eggs,  we  are  fully  justified  in  rejecting  these  specimens 
as  unreliable. 


NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF  NON-INDIGENOUS  BIRDS.   335 
Family  LANIID/E.  Genus  Lanius. 

PALLAS'S    GRAY    SHRIKE. 

Lanius  major,  Pallas. 

(British  :  Fairly  frequent  autumn  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  in  Siberia 
and  Manchooria,  south  of  about  lat.  65°.  The  nest  and 
eggs  are  still  unknown  to  science. 


Family  TURDID^.  ,  Genus  Geocichla. 

Sub-family  TURBINE. 

SIBERIAN     GROUND     THRUSH. 

Geocichla  sibirica  {Pallas). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  presumed  to 
be  in  the  valleys  of  the  Yenesay  and  the  Lena,  and  in 
Japan.  Nothing  is  known  of  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this 
Thrush. 


Family  CYPSELID^.  Genus  Ch.etura. 

NEEDLE-TAILED    SWIFT. 

Ch/etura  caudacuta  {Lafhaiii). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  in  South- 
eastern Siberia,  Mongolia,  the  Eastern  Himalayas,  Thibet, 
North  China,  and  Japan.  Altiiough  some  details  of  the 
nidification   of  this   Swift  in   Mongolia  are  recorded  by 


336  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

Prjevalsky,  the  eggs  are  still  unknown  to  science.  It 
will  be  very  interesting  to  learn  whether  these  resemble 
in  colour  those  of  the  typical  Swifts.  It  is  said  to  nest 
in  cliffs  and  hollow  trees,  and  to  be  social  if  not  even 
gregarious. 


Family  CHARADRTTD^.  Genus  Totanus. 

Sub-family  TOTANINM. 

SOLITARY    SANDPIPER. 

Totanus  solitarius  ( Wilson). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

This  species  apparently  breeds  in  the  Northern 
United  States,  from  about  lat.  44°  and  up  to  the  limits  of 
forest  growth  near  the  Arctic  Circle.  Incredible  as  it  may 
seem,  the  nest  and  eggs  still  remain  unknown  to  science, 
for  it  is  impossible  to  accept  the  description  of  the  latter 
given  by  the  late  Dr.  Brewer  without  authentication. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  species  lays  its  eggs 
in  the  deserted  nests  of  other  birds  in  low  trees,  like  its 
Old  World  representative  the  Green  Sandpiper  is  known 
to  do.  Search  should  be  made  in  such  places  in  the 
summer  haunts  of  this  species. 


Family  CHARADRIID/E.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACIN^. 

SIBERIAN    PECTORAL   SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  acuminata  {Horsfield). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  autumn  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  probably  in 
Dauria,  the  Tchuski  Land,  and  Kamtschatka.     Nothing 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  337 

whatever  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  species  during 
the  breeding  season,  or  of  its  nest  and  eggs. 


Family  CHARADRIID.E.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPAClNyE. 

CURLEW    SANDPIPER. 

Tringa  subarquata  {Giildenstadt). 

(British  :  Fairly  common  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant ;  few, 

winter.) 

The  breeding  area  of  this  species  is  almost  unknown. 
Middendorff  observed  this  species  in  summer  on  the 
Taimyr  peninsula.  Other  nesting  grounds  may  be 
probably  on  the  Liakoff  Islands,  and  on  undiscovered 
lands  in  the  North  Polar  Basin.  To  the  present  writer 
it  seems  by  no  means  impossible  that  some  individuals 
of  this  species  may  breed  in  the  Antarctic  regions. 
Nothing  is  yet  known  of  its  nest  and  eggs. 


Family  CHARADRIID.E.  Genus  Tringa. 

Sub-family  SCOLOPACINyE. 

KNOT. 

Tringa  canutus,  LinncBus. 

(British  :  Common  spring  and  autumn  coasting  migrant,  especially 
the  latter  ;  few,  winter.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  situated  in  the 
North  Polar  Basin,  mostly,  if  not  entirely,  above  lat.  8o\ 
The  Knot  probably  breeds  on  all  suitable  land  within 
this  area  up  to  the  Pole.     That  the  bird  is  so  rare  in  the 

z 


338  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

northof  continental  Europeand  Asiais  strongpresumptive 
evidence  that  no  suitable  land  exists  in  the  Polar  Basin 
north  of  that  area,  and  that  its  only  breeding  grounds  are 
in  Greenland  and  on  the  various  islands  that  lie  in  high 
latitudes  north  of  the  American  continent.  Although 
many  of  the  habits  of  this  species  during  the  breeding 
season  have  been  observed,  and  its  young  in  down  secured, 
the  eggs  still  remain  undiscovered.  It  always  seems  to 
the  present  writer  a  most  unpardonable  and  incredible 
piece  of  neglect  on  the  part  of  the  naturalist  attached  to 
the  latest  British  Polar  Expedition  to  have  missed  the 
eecrs  of  the  Knot.  The  bird  was  observed  to  arrive  at 
its  breeding  places,  to  pair,  and  then  actually  to  be  lost 
sight  of  until  the  eggs  were  hatched  !  Several  reputed 
eggs  of  the  Knot  are  in  collections,  but  none  of  them  are 
authenticated.  The  reputed  ^^g  obtained  by  the  Greely 
Expedition  near  Fort  Conger  is  unidentified,  and  ap- 
parently too  small  (ri  inch  in  length,  by  ro  inch  in 
breadth).  The  Q:gg  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Seebohm 
(which  I  have  examined),  although  unauthenticated,  is 
more  likely  to  be  genuine  so  far  as  size  is  concerned, 
being  similar  to  that  of  the  Common  Snipe,  but  paler  in 
ground  colour.  This  ^gg  was  obtained  at  Disco  in 
Greenland  ;  in  my  opinion  a  locality  much  too  far  south. 
This,  however,  is  not  the  most  southerly  locality  at 
which  reputed  eggs  of  the  Knot  have  been  obtained. 
Mr.  Raine,  in  his  Bird-nesting  in  Noj-th-west  Canada^ 
figures  and  describes  what  he  asserts  to  be  two  eggs  of 
this  bird,  taken  on  the  20th  of  June,  1889,  at  Raedodavmsi, 
in  Iceland  !  The  account  is  circumstantial  enough,  but 
unfortunately  the  parent  birds  appear  not  to  have  been 
obtained  or  even  identified.  It  is  only  fair  to  say  that 
Mr.  Raine's  eggs  agree  apparently  in  colour  with  that 
obtained  by  Lieutenant  Greely,  but  are  larger  in  size, 
and     certainly,    judging    from     the     illustrations,    very 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  339 

abnormal  In  appearance.  The  nest  is  described  as  a 
depression  lined  with  bits  of  drift-weed  ;  the  eggs,  as 
having  the  ground  colour  pale  pea-green,  finely  speckled 
with  ashy-brown  :  size  i"5  inch  in  length,  by  ro  inch  in 
breadth  \op.  cit.  p.  188,  PI.  II.,  Figs,  i  and  2).  Mr.  Raines 
collectors  seem  to  have  been  fully  aware  of  the  import- 
ance of  their  discovery,  and  were  too  anxious  to  wait,  after 
finding  the  nest  with  two  eggs,  for  the  full  complement  to 
be  laid.  I  can  only  repeat  that  without  authentication 
the  eggs  must  be  rejected  by  scientific  naturalists  as 
valueless.  I  might  also  remark  that  the  Gray  Phalarope 
breeds  in  Iceland,  and  that  in  nuptial  plumage  it  bears 
a  somewhat  close  resemblance  to  the  Knot  in  breeding 
dress,  both  species  having  the  under-parts  rich  chestnut 
durin^r  summer. 


Family  LARlD.4i.  Genus  Rhodostethia. 

Sub- family  LARINyE. 

ROSS'S    GULL. 

Rhodostethia  rosea,  Macgillivray. 

(British  :  Very  rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  species  are  probably  in 
the  Polar  regions  lying  north  of  lat.  75^  or  80°.  There  is 
some  evidence  to  suggest  that  one  great  breeding  place 
of  this  Gull  Is  situated  either  on  the  Liakoff  Islands,  or 
on  undiscovered  land  lying  to  the  north  of  Wrangel 
Island.  Others  probably  occur  on  the  Arctic  Archi- 
pelago, north  of  Prince  Albert  Land.  The  (igg  reputed 
to  be  of  this  species  taken  in  Greenland  and  forwarded 
to  England  from  Disco  is  totally  unauthenticated. 


340  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

Family  PROCELLARIID^.  Genus  PuFFiNUS. 

GREAT    SHEARWATER. 

PuFFiNUS  MAJOR,  F.  Fabcr. 

(British  :  Summer  visitor  during  the  period  of  the  Antipodean 

winter.) 

There  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  that  this  species  is  a 
bird  of  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  and  the  fact,  to  my 
mind,  is  absolutely  proved  by  the  following  circum- 
stances. The  nesting  haunts  of  all  Petrels  that  breed 
in  the  Northern  seas  are  now  fairly  well  known  (especially 
in  the  Atlantic),  but  no  resort  of  the  Great  Shearwater 
has  been  discovered.  In  the  Migration  of  Birds  I 
placed  too  much  reliance  upon  Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer, 
and  Ridgway's  very  circumstantial  statement  that  this 
Shearwater  bred  in  Greenland,  but  subsequent  research 
has  led  me  to  reject  it.  This  species  evidently  spends 
the  period  of  the  southern  winter  in  the  Northern  Hemi- 
sphere, and  after  rearing  its  young  in  still  unknown 
places  in  the  Southern  Seas,  retires  north  to  spend  a 
second  summer  with  us.  The  bird  is  well  known  in  the 
North  Atlantic  during  that  period,  and  has  been  ob- 
served with  great  regularity  to  arrive  at  the  fishing 
grounds  off  the  coasts  of  New  England  and  British 
North  America  in  May,  and  to  remain  until  October  or 
November,  when  it  retires  to  its  home  in  the  Southern 
Hemisphere  to  breed.  Of  the  probable  thousands  of 
individuals  of  this  species  examined  by  Captain  J.  W. 
Collins,  caught  at  these  fishing  grounds,  not  one  showed 
any  traces  of  breeding  f  Again,  this  Shearwater  has  been 
observed  at  Tierra  del  Fuego  and  off  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  The  reason  it  has  not  been  observed  more 
widely  and  commonly  in  the  Southern  Seas  is  because 
it  is  collected  in  a  few  chosen  resorts,  and  at  this  season 
is  very  nocturnal  in  its  habits  ;  during  its  sojourn  in  the 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  341 

North  Atlantic  It  Is  more  wandering  In  Its  habits,  and 
spread  over  a  wider  area,  as  Is  the  case  with  many  other 
species.  Lastly,  and  perhaps  most  significant  fact  of  all, 
I  have  examined  an  example  of  this  Shearwater  from 
Greenland,  still  I  believe  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Hargitt, 
which  is  moulting  Its  quills  and  other  feathers  on  the 
28th  of  June  !  This  unquestionably  confirms  the  sugges- 
tion that  this  species  breeds  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere, 
and  that  it  moults  after  the  season  of  reproduction  is 
over,  In  its  winter  quarters,  as  so  many  other  birds  are 
known  to  do.  That  the  eggs  of  the  Great  Shearwater 
will  eventually  be  found  on  some  ocean  islet  or  coast 
washed  by  the  open  Southern  Seas  amounts  to  an  abso- 
lute certainty.  To  search  for  them  north  of  the  Equator 
is  futile.  The  circumstance  is  quite  in  accord  with  our 
present  knowledge  of  the  Migration  of  Birds.  Migration 
as  a  science  is  yet  In  Its  earliest  Infancy,  and  to  that 
deplorable  fact  must  be  attributed  the  various  erroneous 
statements  that  have  been  made  concerning  the  geo- 
graphical distribution  of  the  Great  Shearwater  and  many 
other  species  of  Petrels.  Unfortunately  they  are  birds 
of  nocturnal  habits,  especially  at  their  breeding  stations, 
and  this  to  a  great  extent  helps  to  keep  our  knowledge 
of  their  whereabouts  so  limited. 


Family  PROCELLARIID.^.  Genus  CEstrelata. 

COLLARED     PETREL. 

CEstrelata  torquata  {Macginivray). 

(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  migrant.) 

The    late    John     MacgiUivray,    who    discovered    this 
Petrel  on  Aneiteum,  one  of  the  New  Hebrides,  and  who 


342  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

states  that  it  is  also  found  on  Tanna  and  Erromango,  in 
the  same  group  of  islands,  found  it  breeding  in  burrows 
on  the  wooded  tops  of  mountains  in  the  interior  of  the 
islands,  but  unfortunately  failed  to  obtain  eggs.  A 
young  chick  covered  with  black  down  was  brought  to 
him  on  the  14th  of  February.  This  Petrel  perhaps 
breeds  too  near  to  the  Equator  to  have  any  very  regular 
or  extended  normal  migration  north,  and  it  can  only  be 
looked  upon  as  a  very  rare  straggler  to  the  Northern  Seas. 
It  is  cause  for  surprise  that  the  eggs  are  still  unknown  to 
science.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  Petrel  also 
breeds  on  the  Fiji  Islands,  as  it  was  obtained  on  Fiji  in 
1878  by  Kleinschmit.  The  laying  season  is  probably 
December  and  January. 


Family  PROCELLARIID.^.  Genus  CEstrelata. 

CAPPED     PETREL. 

CEstrelata  h^esitata  {Kuhl). 
(British  :  Very  rare  abnormal  migrant.) 

According  to  Mr.  Salvin,  our  highest  authority  on  this 
family  of  birds,  the  home  of  the  Capped  Petrel  is  on  the 
Windward  Islands,  some  of  the  most  southerly  of  the 
West  Indies.  It  probably  also  breeds  on  various  islets 
off  the  coast  of  Venezuela,  but  at  present  nothing  what- 
ever is  known  of  its  nest  and  eggs,  whilst  its  exact 
breeding  area  still  remains  undefined.  Breeding  as  it 
most  certainly  does  so  near  to  the  Equator,  its  migrations 
are  necessarily  very  restricted,  and  its  appearance  in  our 
seas  purely  abnormal. 


NONIXDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  343 

Family  PROCELLARIID/E.  Genus  Daptiox. 

CAPE     PETREL. 

Daption  capense  {LitincBus). 

(British  :  Very  rare  straggler,  but  doubtless  a  common  visitor  to 
the  Northern  Seas  during  the  period  of  winter  in  the  Southern 
Hemisphere.) 

This  Petrel  is  another  Southern  Hemisphere  species 
observed  in  abundance  in  most  of  the  Southern  Seas. 
It  is  said  to  breed  on  the  island  of  South  Georgia,  and 
doubtless  does  so  on  many  other  ocean  islands  in  this 
region,  but  its  eggs  still  remain  undescribed.  When 
we  know  so  little  of  the  area  inhabited  by  this  species  in 
summer,  it  may  be  rash  to  state  that  its  appearance  in 
the  Northern  Seas  is  thoroughly  normal  ;  but  in  the  face 
of  what  we  do  know  respecting  the  laws  which  govern 
the  migrations  of  the  Petrels,  it  seems  a  little  premature 
to  say  that  there  is  no  "adequate  reason  for  including 
this  species  among  the  birds  of  Great  Britain"  [the  only 
specimen  observed  in  our  area  is  an  Irish  one,  so  that 
the  remark  is  all  the  more  unhappy]  "or even  of  Europe, 
for  its  home  is  essentially  the  Southern  Hemisphere" 
[JMamial  of  British  Birds,  p.  714).  We  might  just  as 
well  reject  the  Sooty  Shearwater,  the  Great  Shearwater, 
and  Wilson's  Petrel  for  the  same  reason.  It  may  be  that 
the  northern  flights  of  the  Cape  Petrel  extend  to  the 
Indian  and  North  Pacific  Oceans  rather  than  to  the 
North  Atlantic  Ocean,  but  this  is  a  matter  of  detail  and 
quite  beside  the  argument. 


344  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF  NON-INDIGENOUS  BIRDS. 
Family  COLYMBID^E.  Genus  Colymbus. 

WHITE-BILLED     DIVER. 

Colymbus  adamsi,  Gray, 
(British  :  rare  nomadic  winter  migrant.) 

The  breeding  grounds  of  this  Diver  are  probably 
circumpolar,  and  confined  to  the  Arctic  regions  of  both 
hemispheres.  The  northern  limit  is  not  yet  determined. 
MacFarlane  states  that  this  species  abounds  during  the 
breeding  season  in  Franklin  and  Liverpool  Bays,  on 
the  coasts  of  Arctic  America,  and  was  also  met  with 
occasionally  on  the  lakes  in  the  interior,  but  he  failed  to 
obtain  any  authenticated  eggs.  The  two  eggs  referred 
to  by  Messrs.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway  in  their  Water 
Birds  of  North  America^  ii.  p.  452,  as  those  of  this 
species,  may  have  belonged  to  the  Great  Northern  Diver, 
as  suggested  by  MacFarlane.  No  thoroughly  identified 
eggs  are  yet  known  to  science. 


APPENDIX    II. 


LIST   OF    SPECIES   WHOSE  CLAIM   TO   RANK  AS  BRITISH 
IS    DOUBTFUL. 

It  is  a  matter  of  very  great  difficulty  in  many  cases  to 
decide  whether  a  species  has  sufficient  claim  to  rank  as 
"  British  "  or  not.  As  my  readers  know,  I  am  more  apt 
to  err  on  the  side  of  inclusion  than  on  that  of  omission, 
and  I  am  led  to  do  this  partly  through  my  long  study  of 
the  migration  flight  of  birds.  In  a  great  many  cases  I 
admit  that  it  is  simply  wonderful  how  individuals  of  a 
species  have  managed  to  wander  so  far  from  their  normal 
areas  of  dispersal  as  the  British  Archipelago  ;  yet  when 
we  study  their  usual  migrations  in  conjunction  with  their 
habitat,  much  of  the  wonder  is  apt  to  vanish.  In  my 
opinion  some  species  have  been  most  unfairly  expunged 
from  the  British  list  ;  others  have  been  included  with 
perhaps  too  little  cause.  Sedentary  species  should  only 
be  admitted  on  the  clearest  possible  evidence  ;  birds  that 
breed  in  the  southern  Tropics  or  south  temperate  zones 
are  even  less  likely  to  wander  to  our  islands,  because 
their  migrations  are  in  every  known  instance  remarkably 
restricted  ;  aquatic  species  are  more  likely  to  travel  long 
distances  than  terrestrial  species.  Species  that  are  kept 
regularly  and  extensively  in  confinement  should  always 
be  regarded  with  grave  suspicion.  On  the  ether  hand, 
many  birds  of  migratory  habits  breeding  to  the  east  or 


346  THE  NESTS  AXD  EC-GS  OF 

north  of  us  are  V2ry  likely  to  wander  to  us  occasionally  ; 
whilst  birds  whose  range  does  not  extend  so  far  north  as 
our  area  are  in  some  cases  apt  to  overshoot  their  mark 
and  reach  it,  but  the  date  must  in  all  probability  be  in 
spring.     That  some  American  species  have  managed  to 
reach  our   islands  we  are    bound  to  believe,   especially 
water  birds  ;   for  we  know  that  vast  numbers  of  Knots 
do  the  double  passage  every  year,  via  Greenland,  Iceland, 
and  the  Faroes,     On  the  other  hand,  it  is  possible  that 
many    stray   northern     Nearctic   birds     reach    Western 
Europe  by  way  of  Asia.     The  following  is  a  list  of  such 
species,  individuals  of  which  have  been  alleged  to  occur 
within    the    limits    of    the    British    Islands.     With    the 
exception  of  those  species  marked   by  an  asterisk,  I  do 
not  think  any  possible  claims   have  been  ignored,  and 
that  they  are  wisely  excluded  for  reasons  given   under 
each  species.     Those  so  marked  I  consider  the  evidence 
is  not    quite    sufficiently    strong    for    their  inclusion  as 
"British,"  but  the  probability  is  that  future  evidence  of 
a  stronger  and  more  unimpeachable  character  may  be 
obtained  which  will  ultimately  win  for  some  of  them  the 
honour  of  a  place.     Scarcely  a  year  passes  without  some 
bird   new  to  the  British  avi-fauna  reaching  our  islands. 
It  therefore  behoves  the  fortunate  possessors  of  these  rare 
stragglers  to  have  their  specimens  properly  examined  by 
competent  authorities,  to  see  that  all  the  data  concerning 
them  are  collected,  and  by  this  means  to  preclude  the 
possibility  of  future  doubt  being  cast  over  them. 


NON-IiYDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  347 

ALPINE     CHOUGH. 

Pyrrhocorax  ALPiNUS,  Kock. 

Has  once  occurred.  A  sedentary  species,  and  known 
to  have  been  kept  in  confinement  in  our  islands.  The 
individual  probably  escaped,  although  the  date  of  its 
capture  (April)  is  one  point  in  its  favour.  Habitat: 
Mountains  of  Central  and  Southern  Europe  and  Asia, 
as  far  east  as  North-western  China.  It  is  recorded  from 
Heligoland. 


^  R  E  D-W  INGED    STARLING. 

ACELiEUS    PHCENICEUS    {Lt/mcCUs). 

A  dozen  or  more  British  records.  A  migratory 
species,  but  unfortunately  one  often  kept  in  confinement 
and  imported  freely.  It  is  possible  that  some  of  the 
individuals  may  have  been  abnormal  migrants,  but  the 
above  fact  taints  their  record.  Habitat :  North  America, 
up  to  about  lat.  62^. 


^  RUSTY    GRAKLE. 

SCOLECOPHAGUS    FERRUGINEUS,    GnicUn. 

Has  once  occurred.  A  migratory  species,  but  as  it  is 
frequently  kept  in  confinement  it  is  possible  that  the 
individual  had  escaped  from  captivity.  I  have  examined 
this  specimen,  and  must  in  common  fairness  say  that  it 
bears  no  trace  of  having  been  in  a  cage.  Habitat:  Arctic 
regions  of  America,  north  to  the  limits  of  forest  growth. 


348  THE   NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

^MEADOW    STARLING. 

Sturnella  magna,  Lin?iceus. 

Three  British  records.  A  migratory  species,  but  one 
often  kept  in  confinement,  so  that  these  individuals  may 
probably  be  escapes.     Habitat :  Eastern  United  States. 


GOLD-VENTED     BULBUL. 

Pycnonotus  capensis  {LmncEJis). 

Has  once  occurred.  Practically  a  sedentary  species. 
Probably  an  escape,  the  date  of  its  capture  (January) 
and  the  area  it  inhabits  being  utterly  opposed  to  any 
migratory  movement.  Habitat:  South  Africa;  appar- 
ently confined  to  Cape  Colony. 


SOUTH     AFRICAN     SERIN. 

Serinus  canicollis  {Siuaifison). 

Two  British  records.     Practically  a  sedentary  species. 
Certainly  escaped  individuals.     Habitat :  South  Africa. 


YELLOW-RUMPED    SEED-EATER. 

Serinus  icterus  {Bo?i?i  et  Vieillot). 

One  British  record.     Practically  a  sedentary  species. 
Certainly  an  escape.     Habitat :  West  Africa. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  349 

NONPAREIL    FINCH. 

CYANOSPIZA    CIRIS    {Ijjl7iceus). 

One  British  record.  A  species  subject  to  some 
migratory  movement,  but,  as  was  suggested  long  ago  by 
Montagu,  probably  an  escape.  Habitat :  Central  and 
North  America. 


^  WHITE-THROATED    SPARROW. 

ZONOTRICHIA    ALBICOLLIS    iyGnieliu). 

Two  British  records.  A  migratory  species,  and  the 
date  of  capture  (autumn)  is  a  point  in  favour  of  the 
individuals  having  reached  our  area  by  abnormal  migra- 
tion.    Habitat:  North  America. 


*  BRANDT'S    SIBERIAN    BUNTING. 

EMBERIZA    CIOIDES    CASTANEICEPS,    Moore. 

One  British  record.  A  partially  migratory  species, 
and  the  date  (October)  and  locality  (near  Flamborough) 
of  the  specimen  are  strong  points  in  favour  of  the  sup- 
position that  it  was  an  abnormal  migrant  from  the  far 
east.  The  specimen  is  said  to  approach  most  closely  to 
the  Chinese,  and  not  to  the  Siberian  race  of  this  species. 
Habitat :  Northern  China. 


350  THE  NESTS  AND   EGGS   OF 

^RUBY-CROWNED    WREN. 

REGULUS    CALENDULA,    LimiCBllS. 

One  British  record.  A  species  subject  to  some 
migratory  movement.  The  date  of  capture  (summer)  is 
a  point  against  the  individual  occurring  in  a  wild  state  ; 
but  on  the  other  hand  the  species  has  been  known  to 
stray  to  Greenland,  which  fact  is  certainly  in  favour  of  an 
individual  prolonging  its  abnormal  flight  to  our  shores. 
The  fact  that  it  remained  unidentified  for  six  years — it 
is  a  very  strongly  marked  species — also  tells  adversely 
against  its  bona-fides.     Habitat :  North  America. 


*  AMERICAN     ROBIN. 

TURDUS    MIGRATORIUS,    LtmtcEUS. 

Apparently  two  British  records.  A  migratory  species, 
and  probably  the  examples  obtained  were  on  abnormal 
flight,  seeing  that  the  bird  has  also  been  captured  on 
Heligoland,  in  a  very  exhausted  condition.  Unfortunately 
it  is  a  species  often  kept  in  confinement.  These  stray 
individuals  may  have  reached  us  via  Asia.  Habitat: 
North  America  up  to  the  Arctic  regions. 


WHITE-COLLARED     FLYCATCHER. 

MUSCICAPA  coLLARis,  Bechsteiiu 

Apparently  one  British  record.  The  late  Mr. 
Gould  included  this  species  as  British,  but  on  insufficient 
evidence.     Habitat :  Southern  Europe. 


A'ON-INDIGEXOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  351 

*  RED-RUMPED   SWALLOW. 

HiRUNDO  RUFULA,    Tcniviinck. 

One  British  record.  Mr.  Rodd  states  that  an  example 
of  this  species  was  seen  by  him  at  Penzance.  This 
evidence  is  not  sufficient  to  allow  of  the  species  claiming 
a  place  in  the  British  list.  It  is  a  migratory  bird. 
Habitat :  South-eastern  Europe,  Asia  Minor,  and  Pales- 
tine, in  summer  ;  Eastern  Africa  in  winter.  It  has  been 
recorded  from  Heligoland. 


=^  A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    TREE    S  W  A  L  L  O  W. 

TACHYCIXETA    BICOLOR    {Vieillot). 

One  British  record.  A  migratory  species,  and  visiting 
the  Arctic  regions  of  America  in  summer.  I  see  nothing 
improbable  in  a  stray  individual  reaching  our  shores  via 
Greenland,  Iceland,  and  the  Faroes,  or  even  by  way  of 
Asia.  Habitat :  North  America  up  to  the  Arctic  regions 
in  summer  ;  West  Indies,  Central  and  South  America 
in  winter. 


BLUE-TAILED    BEE-EATER. 

MEROPS  PHiLippiNUS,  Li7inceus. 

One  British  record.  A  sedentary  species  inhabiting  an 
area  from  which  it  is  impossible  to  believe  any  individual 
could  by  the  remotest  chance  reach  our  islands  unaided 
by  man.  Probably  an  escape,  or  a  foreign  skin  passed 
off  as  British.  Habitat:  South-eastern  Asia  from  India 
and  South  China  to  the  Malay  Archipelago. 


352  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF 

ABYSSINIAN    ROLLER. 

CORACIAS  LEUCOCEPHALUS,  F.L.S,  Millhr. 

Two  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  The 
history  of  the  two  examples  reputed  to  have  been 
captured  in  our  islands  is  utterly  unreliable,  and  we  may 
dismiss  the  species  without  further  comment.  Habitat: 
Arabia  and  Africa  south  of  the  Desert. 


^  INDIAN    ROLLER. 

CORACIAS  iNDicus,  Lijuiceiis. 

One  recent  British  record.  A  partially  migratory 
species,  and  according  to  the  date  of  capture  (October), 
the  individual  in  question  very  probably  reached  our 
islands  on  abnormal  flight.  Habitat:  Persia,  Afghanistan, 
and  India. 


JUGGER    FALCON. 

FALCO  JUGGER,   Gray. 

One  British  record.  A  sedentary  species,  the  indi- 
vidual obtained  in  our  islands  most  probably  escaping 
from  captivity.     Habitat:  India. 


*  AMERICAN    KESTREL. 

FALCO    SPARVERIUS,    LtmiCBUS. 

One  British  record.     A  migratory  species,  but  unfor- 
tunately the  date  of  capture  (May)  is  against  the  possi- 


NO.Y-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  353 

bility  of  abnormal  flight,  unless  the  individual  in  question 
had  resided  with  us  from  the  previous  autumn  The 
evidence  of  capture  is  far  from  satisfactory.  Habitat: 
North  America  up  to  the  Arctic  regions. 


BLACK- WINGED    KITE. 

ELANUS  ccERULEUS,  Desfo7itaines. 

One  British  record.  A  species  said  to  be  subject  to 
some  migratory  movement.  Habitat:  Tropical  and 
sub-tropical  Africa.  The  example  in  question  may 
have  been  an  imported  skin,  but  the  species  has  occurred 
accidentally  elsewhere  in  Europe. 


^  TRUMPETER   SWAN. 

CYGNUS  BUCCINATOR,  Richardso7i. 

One  British  record  (four  examples).  A  migratory 
species.  The  date  of  capture  (October)  is  a  point  in 
favour.  The  evidence  of  identification  is,  however,  un- 
reliable, and  in  the  instance  of  one  individual  (probably 
in  all  by  inference)  points  to  absolute  error.  Habitat: 
North  America,  from  lat.  42"  northwards  to  the  Arctic 
regions.  Breeds  freely  in  confinement,  and  has  long 
been  naturalized  in  our  islands. 


^AMERICAN    SWAN. 

CYGNUS    AM  ERIC  AN  US,    Sha7'pIeSS. 

Two    British    records    (one    of    five    individuals).     A 
migratory  species,  and  judging  from  the  dates  of  capture 


354  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

(February  and  December)  and  the  locality  (Scotland), 
the  individuals  in  question  probably  reached  our  area 
by  abnormal  flight.  The  identification  is  somewhat 
doubtful.     Habitat :  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  America. 


^BAR-HEADED    GOOSE. 

ANSER  ixDicus  {Latham). 

Several  British  records.  A  migratory  species  ;  but  as 
it  is  one  that  is  frequently  kept  in  semi-captivity  on 
ornamental  waters,  it  is  difficult  to  say  whether  the  indi- 
viduals recorded  were  escaped  birds  or  not.  Habitat: 
Mongolia,  wintering  in  India. 


=^  CHINESE    GOOSE. 

ANSER  CYGNOiDES  {Lin?iceus). 

Several  British  records.  A  migratory  species,  but 
kept  largely  on  ornamental  waters,  a  fact  which  at  once 
casts  doubt  on  the  individuals  obtained.  It  is  far  from 
improbable  that  stray  individuals  may  reach  us  on 
abnormal  flight,  carried  with  the  great  east  to  west  wave 
of  Palaearctic  migration.  Habitat :  East  Siberia  in 
summer  ;  China  in  winter. 


^  CANADA   GOOSE. 

BERNICLA    CANADENSIS    {LillllCeUS). 

Several  British  records.     A  migratory  species,  but  the 
individuals  obtained  are  always  open  to  the  suggestion 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  355 

that  they  are  escaped  birds,  the  species  being  largely 
kept  on  ornan:iental  waters.  Personally  I  am  inclined 
to  think  that  stray  examples  may  reach  us  on  abnormal 
flight.     Blabitat :  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  America. 


EGYPTIAN    GOOSE. 

CHENALOPEX    /EGYPTIACA    {LiunCBUS). 

Several  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  whatever  that  these  records  in  every 
case  refer  to  escaped  birds,  the  species  being  largely 
kept  in  captivity.     Habitat:  East  and  South  Africa. 


SPUR-WINGED   GOOSE. 

PLECTROPTERUS    GAMEENSIS    {Limiceus). 

Several  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  Pre- 
cisely the  same  remarks  apply  as  to  the  preceding 
species.  It  is  widely  kept  in  captivity,  and  its  habits 
and  geographical  area  are  both  opposed  to  any  abnormal 
fllo-ht  to  our  area.     Habitat:  West  and  South  Africa. 


'£> 


*  RING- NECK  ED    DUCK. 

FULIGULA    COLLARIS    {DonOViin). 

One  British  record.     It  seems  hard  to  refuse  a  place 
to  a  species  which  was  first  described  by  Donovan  in  his 


356  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS   OF 

work  on    British  Birds  from  an  individual  obtained  in 
our  islands,  but  as  the  specimen  in  question  was  pur- 
chased in  Leadenhall  Market,  and  as  no  other  examples 
have  been  secured,  the  matter  is  perhaps  best   left    in 
abeyance.     There  can  be  little  if    any  doubt  that  this 
individual    came    from    its    usual    haunts    on    abnormal 
flight,  but  there  is  just  the  possibility  that  it  was  im- 
ported with  other  wild-fowl  from  the  Continent.     We 
must,  however,  bear  in   mind    that    in   Donovan's    day 
(1801)  the  means  of  transit  were  small.     The  bird  has 
far  more  right  to  a  place  in  the  British  list  than  many 
others   whose    position,    sanctioned    solely   by   custom, 
seems  unassailable.     Habitat :  Canada  and  the  Northern 
States   in   summer;  Southern  States,  Central  America, 
and  West  Indies  in  winter. 


LITTLE    GREEN    HERON. 

BUTORIDES    VIRESCENS    {LtflflCCtls). 

One  British  record.  A  migratory  species,  but  one 
whose  range  scarcely  extends  far  enough  north  to  render 
an  abnormal  visit  to  our  islands  possible.  I  find  that 
Mr.  Seebohm  admits  this  species  into  his  recently- 
published  list  of  British  birds  as  an  "  accidental  visitor," 
but  does  not  even  mention  the  preceding  species.  It  is 
difficult  to  explain  such  capricious  treatment,  and  I  leave 
the  reader  to  say  which  of  the  two  has  the  most  right 
even  to  a  bare  allusion.  Habitat :  North  America  ; 
migratory  in  South  Canada  and  the  Northern  States  ; 
resident  further  south. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  357 

SOUDAN    CRANE. 

GRUS    PAVONINA    [Lm7lCEl/s). 

One  British  record.  Said  to  be  a  sedentary  species. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  individual  recorded  was 
an  escape,  the  date  of  capture  (September)  and  the  area 
inhabited  precluding  any  possibility  of  abnormal  flight. 
Habitat :  Central  and  West  Africa. 


ANDALUCIAN    HEMIPODE. 

TURNix  SYLVATICA  i^Desfontavies). 

Three  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  individuals  in  question  had 
been  imported,  and  were  either  turned  out  or  had  es- 
caped. Habitat:  South-western  Europe,  and  North- 
western Africa. 


*   MARSH    SANDPIPER. 

TOTANUS    STAGNATILIS,    Bccksteijl. 

One  British  record.  A  migratory  species.  I  am  in- 
formed by  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild  that  the  reputed 
example  obtained  at  Tring  reservoir  has  been  lost  or 
mislaid.  I  see  no  reason  why  stray  individuals  of  this 
Sandpiper  should  not  reach  our  area,  but  for  the  present 
it  is  perhaps  the  wisest  course  to  exclude  the  species 
from  the  British  list.  Habitat :  Southern  Europe,  North 
Persia,    Southern    Turkestan,  and    Southern  Siberia  in 


358  THE  NESTS    AND  EGGS  OF 

summer ;  Africa,  India,  Burma,  the  Malay  Archipelago, 
and  Australia  in  winter.  An  example  has  been  obtained 
on  Helieoland. 


BRIDLED   TERN. 

STERNA    AN^STHETA,    ScOpoH. 

One  British  record.  It  is  difficult  to  believe  that  the 
individual  in  question  reached  our  area  on  abnormal 
flight.  The  date  of  capture  (September)  is  dead  against 
it  ;  the  area  it  inhabits  is  also  one  from  which  it  is 
highly  improbable  that  it  would  wander  to  our  shores. 
The  species  is  very  rightly  excluded  from  the  British 
list.  Habitat :  Oceanic  tropical  zone.  I  have  only  in- 
cluded the  Sooty  Tern  and  the  Noddy  Tern  as  British 
species  out  of  deference  to  their  long  standing  on  the 
list.  They  may  have  occurred  here  on  abnormal  flight, 
but  the  circumstance  is  very  exceptional,  and  I  should 
like  to  see  them  expunged. 


PIED-BI  LLED  GREBE. 

PODILYMBUS    PODICEPS    {LilUlCZUS). 

One  British  record.  A  stray  example  of  this  species 
might  reach  our  islands,  seeing  that  individuals  have 
occurred  on  the  Bermudas,  but  there  are  circumstances 
in  the  case  which  seem  to  suggest  error,  and  I  think  the 
bird  is  very  rightly  ignored.     Habitat :  America. 


NON-INDIGENOUS  BRITISH  BIRDS.  359 

=^  CAROLINA    RAIL. 

CREX     CAROLINA    {LumcClis). 

One  British  record.  A  migratory  species.  What  I 
said  of  this  example  in  Game  Birds  ajid  Wild  Foivl  may- 
very  aptly  be  repeated  here.  "  Naturalists  for  some 
inscrutable  reason  decline  to  admit  the  Carolina  Crake 
as  an  established  British  species,  but  the  known  wander- 
ing habits  of  birds  of  this  family,  in  addition  to  the  fact 
of  its  occurrence  in  Greenland,  is  strong  evidence  in  its 
favour  of  having  reached  our  islands  voluntarily." 
Habitat :  Northern  United  States  and  Canada,  as  far 
north  as  lat.  62°,  in  summer  ;  Southern  States,  Mexico, 
Central  America,  and  the  West  Indies  in  winter. 


PURPLE    GALLINULE. 

PORPHYRIO   CCERULEUS   {ViindelH). 

Several  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  individuals  recorded  had 
escaped  from  confinement.  Habitat :  Italy,  Spain,  and 
North-west  Africa. 


GREEN -BACKED     GALLINULE. 

PORPHYRIO    SMARAGDONOTUS,    TefUmiuck. 

Several  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  all  the  individuals  obtained  in  our 
islands  are  escaped  birds.  Habitat :  Africa,  with  the 
exception  of  the  North-west,  where  it  is  replaced  by  the 
preceding  species. 


36o  N£STS  AND  EGGS  OF  NON^INDIGENOUS  BIRDS. 

MARTINIQUE    GALLINULE. 

PORPHYRIO    MARTINICUS    {LinnCBUs), 

Two  British  records.  A  sedentary  species.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  individuals  in  question  had 
escaped  from  captivity,  perhaps  from  passing  ships. 
Habitat:  Tropical  and  sub-tropical  America. 


=^PASSENGER   PIGEON. 

ECTOPISTES    MIGRATORIUS    {Liimmts). 

Several  British  records.  A  migratory  species,  and 
one  which  could  probably  cross  the  Atlantic,  but  un- 
fortunately the  species  is  largely  kept  in  confinement, 
and  has  even  been  turned  loose  in  our  islands,  so  that 
the  individuals  recorded  are  subject  to  the  gravest  doubt. 
Habitat:  North  America.  North-eastern  States,  and 
Canada,  up  to  lat.  65^  in  summer  ;  United  States  in 
winter. 


INDEX. 


Abyssinian  Roller,  352 

Accentor,  Alpine,  88 

Accentor  alpinus,  88 

Acrocephalus  aqiuiticiis,  67 

Acrocephalus  turdoides^  65 

A'edon  f:;alactodes^  63 

jEs^ialitis  hiaticiila^  227 

jEgialitis  minor ^  229 

yEgialitis  7'oci/era.  226 

jEgialophihis  asiaticiis^  231 

Agelcciis  phceiiiceHS,  347 

Alca  impeii7iis^  314 

Alpine  Accentor,  88 

Alpine  Chough,  347 

Alpine  Pipit,  39 

American  Bittern,  200 

American  Golden  Plover,  236 

American  Goshawk,  142 

American  Kestrel,  352 

American  Pectoral  Sandpiper, 
266 

American  Robin,  350 

American  Stint,  270 

American  Swan,  353 

American  Teal,  163 

American  Tree  Swallow,  351 

American  White-winged  Cross- 
bill, 6 

American  Widgeon,  161 

Avipelis  garritlus^  51 

Alias  americaiia^  161 

Anas  carolinc7isis^  163 

Anas  discors^  164 

Andalucian  Hemipode,  357 

Aiiotis  sfolidns,  298 

Anser  albifrons,  1 5 1 

Anser  albifrons  viiniitus^  153 

Anser  brachyr/iynchus,  150 

Anser  cyg?ioides,  354 

Anser  indicus^  354 


A  nser  segetu ;;/,  1 48 
Anthiis  canipestrisy  41 
An  thus  cervinns,  45 
Anthiis  richardi^  43 
Anthiis  spipoletta^  39 
Aquatic  Warbler,  67 
Aqnila  ncr^'ia,  133 
Archibjtteo  lagopus,  139 
Arctic  blue-throated  Robin,  79 
Ardea  alba,  209 
Ardea  bie  bit  tens,  204 
Ardea  comata,  206 
Ardea  garzetta,  207 
Ardea  purpurea,  210 
Ardetta  niiynita,  199 
Asiatic  Golden  Plover,  234 
Astur  atricapillus,  142 
Astiir  pahnnba7-ius,  141 
Athe?te  noctua,  no 
Auk,  Great,  314 
Auk,  Little,  313 
Avocet,  Common,  239 

Bar-headed  Goose,  354 
Bar-tailed  God  wit,  256 
Barred  Warbler,  61 
Bartram's  Sandpiper,  245 
Bean  Goose,  148 
Bee-eater,  103 
Bee-eater,  Blue-tailed,  351 
Belted  Kingfisher,  107 
Bernacle  Goose,  157 
Bernicla  brenta,  1 54 
Bernicla  canadensis,  354 
Bernicla  glaucogaster,  1 56 
Bernicla  leucopsis,  157 
Bernicla  ru/icollis,  15S 
Bewick's  Swan,  145 
Bittern,  American,  2co 
Bittern,  Little,  199 


362 


INDEX. 


Black-bellied  Dipper,  89 
Black-billed  Cuckoo,  96 
Black-headed  Bunting,  23 
Black-headed  Gull,  Great,  290 
Black-headed       Gull,      Mediter- 
ranean, 291 
Black  Kite,  135 
Black-necked  Grebe,  324 
Black  Stork,  197 
Black-tailed  Godwit,  254 
Black  Tern,  308 
Black-throated  Ouzel,  'jZ 
Black-throated  Wheatear,  83 
Black-winged  Kite,  353 
Blue- tailed  Bea-eater,  351 
Blue-throated  Robin,  Arctic,  79 
Blue- winged  Teal,  164 
Bonaparte's  Gull,  293 
Bonaparte's  Sandpiper,  261 
Botmirus  lentig-inosus,  200 
Brambling,  16 

Brandt's  Siberian  Bunting,  349 
Brent  Goose,  154 
Brent  Goose,  White-bellied,  1 56 
Bridled  Tern,  358 
Broad-billed  Sandpiper,  264 
Brunnich's  Guillemot,  311 
Bit  bo  DiaxiiHHS^  117 
Buff-backed  Heron,  204 
Buff-breasted  Sandpiper,  276 
Buffel-headed  Duck,  178 
Buffon's  Skua,  282 
Bulbul,  Gold-vented,  348 
Bulwer's  Petrel,  316 
Btdweria  coli(>nbi?ia,  316 
Bunting,  Black-headed,  23 
Bunting,  Lapland,  21 
Bunting,  Little,  27 
Bunting,  Ortolan,  25 
Bunting,  Rustic,  334 
Bustard,  Great,  216 
Bustard,  Little,  218 
Bustard,  Macquecn's,  219 
Butiwides  virescens,  356 
Buzzard,  Rough-legged,  139 

Calandra  Lark,  31 
Calandrella  brachy dactyl a^  35 
Calcajins  lappo7iiais,  2 1 
Canada  Goose,  354 


Canary,  13 

Cape  Petrel,  343 

Capped  Petrel,  342 

Caprimulgus  crgyptms,  102 

Capriviulgjis  rujicollis^  loi 

Carolina  Rail,  359 

Carpodaciis  erythrinus.,  1 1 

Caspian  Sand  Plover,  231 

Caspian  Tern,  302 

Ceryle  alcyon,  107 

ChcEtura  caudacuta^  335 

Charadrius  aviericaniis.^  236 

Charadriiis  fiilvus^  234 

Charadrius  helve  tints,  232 

Chen  hypei-boreus,  147 

Chenalopex  cEgyptiaca,  355 

Chinese  Goose,  354 

Chough,  Alpine,  347 

Cico7iia  alba,  195 

Cico7iia  7iigra,  197 

Ciiiclus  aquaticHS  77iela7iogaster,  89 

Cla7igula  albeola,  178 

Cla7igula  glaucio7i,  179- 

Coccystes  gla7idarius,  93 

Coccysus  a77ie7'ica7ius,  97 

Coccyzus  erythrophthah/iiis,  96 

Collared  Petrel,  341 

Coly7?ibus  adai7isi,  344 

Coly77ibi(s  glacialis,  322 

Common  Avocet,  239 

Common  Crane,  212 

Common  Pratincole,  223 

Common  Stilt,  237 

Co7'acias  ga7'rHlt(s,  105 

Coracias  i7idiciis,  352 

Coracias  leucocephalus,  352 

Courser,  Cream-coloured,  221 

Crake,  Little,  330 

Crane,  Common,  212 

Crane,  Demoiselle,  214 

Crane,  Soudan,  357 

Cream-coloured  Courser,  221 

Creeper,  Wall-,  47 

Crested  Lark,  37 

C7'ex  caroli7ia,  359 

C7'ex parva,  330 

Crossbill,  American  White- 
winged,  6 

Crossbill,  European  W^hite- 
vvinged,  7 


INDEX. 


363 


Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  96 
Cuckoo,  Great  Spotted,  93 
Cuckoo,  Yellow-billed,  97 
Curlew  Sandpiper,  337 
Cursorius  galliciis^  221 
Cya7iospiza  ciris,  349 
Cyij^yiHs  ainericamis^  353 
Cygnus  beivicki,  145 
CygJiKS  buccinator.^  353 
Cygnus  ?n7isicus,  144 
Cypselus  jnelba,  99 

Dap/ion  capcnse,  343 
Demoiselle  Crane,  214 
Desert  Wheatear,  84 
Dipper,  Black-bellied,  89 
Diver,  Great  Northern,  322 
Diver,  White-billed,  344 
Dove,  Eastern  Turtle,  331 
Duck,  Buffel-headed,  178 
Duck,  Harlequin,  171 
Duck,  Long-tailed,  173 
Duck,  Ring-necked,  355 
Dusky  Redshank,  252 
Dusky  Shearwater,  320 

Eagle  Owl,  117 
Eagle,  Spotted,  133 
Eastern  Turtle  Dove,  331 
Ectopistes  viigratorius^  360 
Egret,  Great  White,  209 
Egret,  Little,  207 
Egyptian  Goose,  355 
Egyptian  Nightjar,  102 
Egyptian  Vulture,  121 
Eider,  King,  183 
Eider,  Steller's,  181 
Elanoides  fur  cat  us,  1 3  7 
Elanus  cceruleus^  353 
Embe7'iza  cioides  castaneiceps^  349 
Emberiza  hortulajia^  25 
Etnbcriza  vielanoccphala,  23 
Eviberiza  puszlla,  27 
Emberiza  rustica,  334 
Ei'eufietes griseus,  lyi 
Erithacus  suecica,  79 
Eskimo  Wimbrel,  241 
European   White-winged    Cross- 
bill,  7 

Falco  cenchris,  1 3 1 


Falco  jugger^  352 
Falco  sparvcrius,  352 
Falco  vesperti?ius,  129 
Falcon,  Juggcr,  352 
Fieldfare,  73 
Finch,  Nonpariel,  349 
Finch,  Scarlet  Rose,  1 1 
Finch,  Serin,  14 
Firecrest,  49 
Flamingo,  188 

Flycatcher,  Red-breasted,  90 
Flycatcher,  White-collared,  350 
Fri?igilla  viontifringilla,  16 
Fuligula  collar  is  ^  355 
Fuligu  la  fusca,  1 7  5 
Fulig  ula  g  lacialis,  1 7  3 
Fuligula  histriofiica,  1 7 1 
Fuligula  7?ia?ila,  169 
Fuligula  nyroca^  167 
Fuligula  pospicillata,  1 76 
fuligula  I'ujina,  166 

Galerita  Crist  at  a,  37 

Gallinule,  Green-backed,  359 

Gallinule,  Martinique,  360 

Gallinule,  Purple,  359 

Geocichla  sibirica,  335 

Geocichla  varia,  71 

Glareola  pratincola,  223 

Glaucous  Gull,  191 

Glossy  Ibis,  191 

Godwit,  Bar-tailed,  256 

Godwit,  Black-tailed,  254 

Gold-vented  Bulbul,  348 

Golden-eye,  179 

Golden  Plov^er,  American,  236 

Golden  Plover,  Asiatic,  234 

Goose,  Bar-headed,  354 

Goose,  Bean,  148 

Goose,  Bernacle,  157 

Goose,  Brent,  i  54 

Goose,  Brent,  White-bellied,  156 

Goose,  Canada,  354 

Goose,  Chinese,  354 

Goose,  Egyptian,  355 

Goose,  Lesser  Snow,  147 

Goose,  Lesser  White-fronted,  153 

Goose,  Pink-footed,  150 

Goose,  Red-breasted,  158 

Goose,  Snow,  Lesser,  147 


564 


INDEX. 


Goose,  Spur-winged,  355 
Goose,  White-bellied  Brent,  156 
Goose,  White-fronted,  151 
Goose,  White-fronted,  Lesser,  153 
Goshawk,  141 
Goshawk,  American,  142 
Grakle,  Rusty,  347 
Gray  Phalarope,  243 
Gray  Plover,  232 
Gray  Shrike,  Great,  55 
Gray  Shrike,  Lesser,  53 
Gray  Shrike,  Pallas's,  335 
Great  Auk,  314 
Great  Black-headed  Gull,  290 
Great  Bustard,  216 
Great  Gray  Shrike,  55 
Great  Northern  Diver,  322 
Great  Reed  Warbler,  65 
Great  Shearwater,  340 
Great  Snipe,  278 
Great  Spotted  Cuckoo,  93 
Great  White  Egret,  209 
Grebe,  Black-necked,  324 
Grebe,  Pied-billed,  358 
Grebe,  Red-necked,  328 
Grebe,  Sclavonian,  326 
Green-backed  Gallinule,  359 
Green  Heron,  Little,  356 
Greenland  Redpole,  20 
Green  Sandpiper,  248 
Griffon  Vulture,  119 
Grosbeak,  Pine-,  9 
Ground  Thrush,  vSiberian,  335 
Ground  Thrush,  White's,  71 
Grus  coniuiii/iis^  212 
Gnis  pavonia^  357 
Grus  virgo,  2 1 4 
Guillemot,  Brunnich's,  311 
Gull,  Bonaparte's,  293 
Gull,  Glaucus,  288 
Gull,  Great  Black-headed,  290 
Gull,  Iceland,  287 
Gull,  Ivory,  285 
Gull,  Little,  295 

Gull,       Mediterranean       Black- 
headed,  291 
Gull,  Ross's,  339 
Gull,  Sabine's,  297 
Gull-billed  Tern,  304 
Gyps  fitlvus^  119 


Harlequin  Duck,  171 
Hawk  Owl,  114 
Hemipode,  Andalucian,  357 
Heron,  Buff-backed,  204 
Heron,  Little  Green,  356 
Heron,  Night,  202 
Heron,  Purple,  210 
Heron,  Squacco,  206 
Hie7'ofalco  candicajis^  123 
Hierofalco  gyrfalco,  127 
Hie7-ofalco  islaiidus^  125 
Himantopus  inelanopterus^  237 
Hirimdo  rufiila,  351 
Hobby,  Orange-legged,  129 
Hooded  Merganser,  185 
Hooper  Swan,  144 
Hydt'ochelidon  hybrida^  306 
Hydrochelidon  leiicoptera,  310 
HydrocJielidoii  7tigra^  308 
Hypolais  hypolais,  69 

Ibis,  Glossy,  191 
Iceland  Gull,  287 
Iceland  Jer-Falcon,  125 
Icterine  Warbler,  69 
Indian  Roller,  352 
Isabclline  Wheatear,  81 
Ivory  Gull,  285 

Jack  Snipe,  280 
Jer-Falcon,  Iceland,  125 
Jer-Falcon,  Scandinavian,  127 
Jer-Falcon,  White,  123 
Jugger  Falcon,  352 

Kestrel,  American,  352 
Kestrel,  Lesser,  131 
Killdeer  Plover,  226 
King  Eider,  183 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  107 
Kite,  Black,  135 
Kite,  Black-winged,  353 
Kite,  Swallow-tailed,  137 
Knot,  337 

Lanuis  exci/biior^  55 
Laiiius  via  for.,  335 
Laiiius  viijior^  53 
Lapland  Bunting,  21 
Lapwing,  Sociable,  225 


INDEX. 


Lark,  Calandra,  31 

Lark,  Crested,  37 

Lark,  Shore-,  29 

Lark,  Short-toed,  35 

Lark,  White-winged,  33 

Larus  glaucus.,  288 

Larus  ichthyaetiis,  290 

Lams  lcucopte?iis,  287 

Lanis  vieUviocephalus^  291 

Larus  viiniitus,  295 

Larus  pJiiladelphia^  293 

Lesser  Gray  Shrike,  53 

Lesser  Kestrel,  131 

Lesser  Snow  Goose,  147 

Lesser  White-fronted  Goose,  153 

Limosa  melajiura^  254 

Liinosa  m/a,  256 

Linota  linaria.,  18 

Linota  liiiaria  Jiornemamii^  20 

Little  Auk,  313 

Little  Bittern,  199 

Little  Bunting,  27 

Little  Bustard,  218 

Little  Crake,  330 

Little  Egret,  207 

Little  Green  Heron,  356 

Little  Gull,  295 

Little  Owl,  no 

Little  Ringed  Plover,  229 

Little  Stint,  267 

Long-tailed  Duck,  173 

Loxia  bifasciala,  7 

Loxia  enudeator,  9 

Loxia  leucoptera^  6 

Macqueen's  Bustard,  219 
Marsh  Sandpiper,  357 
Martin,  Purple,  92 
^Martinique  Gallinule,  360 
Meadow  Starling,  348 
Mealy  Redpole,  18 
Mediterranean       Black  -  headed 

Gull,  291 
Mela7ioco7'ypha  calandra.,  31 
Melaiiocorypha  sibirica^  33 
Merganser,  Hooded,  185 
Mergulus  allc,  3 1 3 
Mergus  albelliis^  1 86 
Mergus  cuaillatns,  185 
Merops  apt  aster,  103 


Merops  philippmus,  3  5 1 
Merula  atrigiiiaris,  78 
Milvus  ater,  135 
Monticola  saxatih's,  86 
Miiscicapa  collaiis,  350 
Micscicapa  parva.,  90 

Needle-tailed  Swift,  335 
Neophroi  perciurpterusj  1 2 1 
Night  Heron,  202 
Nightjar,  Egyptian,  102 
Nightjar,  Red-necked,  loi 
Noddy  Tern,  298 
Nonpareil  Finch,  349 
Northern  Diver,  Great,  322 
Nucifraga  caryocatacies.,   i 
Nuineiiins  borealis,  241 
Nutcracker,  i 
Nyctala  tengmahnz,  109 
Nyctea  nyctea,  1 1 2 
Nycticorax  griseus,  202 

Oceanites  luilsoni,  317 
QLstrelata  hcBsitafa,  342 
QLstrclata  torquata,  341 
Orange-legged  Hobby,  129 
Orphean  Warbler,  59 
Ortolan  Bunting,  25 
Otis  ifiacquee7n,  219 
Otis  tarda.,  216 
Otis  tetrax,  2 1 8 
Otocoris  alpcstris,  29 
Ouzel,  Black-throated,  78 
Owl,  Eagle,  117 
Owl,  Hawk,  114 
Owl,  Little,  no 
Owl,  Scops,  1 16 
Owl,  Snowy,  n2 
Owl,  Tengmalm's,  109 

Pagophila  eburnea.,  285 

Pallas's  Gray  Shrike,  335 

Passenger  Pigeon,  360 

Pastor  roseus,  4 

Pectoral     Sandpiper,    American, 

266 
Pectoral  Sandpiper,  Siberian,  336 
Petrel,  Bulwer's,  316 
Petrel,  Cape,  343 
Petrel,  Capped,  342 


366 


INDEX. 


Petrel,  Collared,  316 
Petrel,  Wilson's,  317 
Phalarope,  Gray,  243 
Phalaropus  fiilicarhts^  243 
PJioe?iicopte7'Hs  roseiis,  188 
Phylloscopiis  superd/iosns,  57 
Pied-billed  Grebe,  358 
Pigeon,  Passenger,  360 
Pine-Grosbeak,  9 
Pink- footed  Goose,  150 
Pipit,  Alpine,  39 
Pipit,  Red-throated,  45 
Pipit,  Richard's,  43 
Pipit,  Tawny,  41 
Platalea  leiicorodia,  193 
Plectopterus gambensis^  355 
Plegadis  falcinellus,  1 9 1 
Plover,  American  Golden,  236 
Plover,  Asiatic  Golden,  234 
Plover,  Caspian  Sand,  231 
Plover,  Gray,  232 
Plover,  Killdeer,  226 
Plover,  Little  Ringed,  229 
Plover,  Ringed,  227 
Pochard,  Red-crested,  166 
Pochard,  White-eyed,  167 
Podiceps  corniitus^  326 
Podiccps  ?iigricollis^  324 
Podictps  rubricollzs,  328 
Podilymbus  podiceps^  358 
Pomatorhine  Skua,  283 
Po7'Phyrio  ccenileus^  359 
Porphyrio  fnariinicus,  360 
Porphyria  smaragdonotus^  359 
Pratincole,  Common,  223 
Prague  purpurea,  92 
Puffi?ius  griseus,  3 1 9 
Piiffi.7ms  major,  340 
Piiffifiiis  ob scums y  320 
Purple  Gallinule,  359 
Purple  Heron,  210 
Purple  Martin,  92 
Purple  Sandpiper,  262 
Pyciionotus  capensis,  348 
Pyn-hocorax  aiphms,  347 

Rail,  Carolina,  359 
Recurvirostra  avocetta,  239 
Red-breasted  Flycatcher,  90 
Red-breasted  Goose,  158 


Red-breasted  Snipe,  257 
Red-crested  Pochard,  166 
Red-necked  Grebe,  328 
Red-necked  Nightjar,  loi 
Redpole,  Greenland,  20 
Redpole,  Mealy,  18 
Red-rumped  Swallow,  351 
Redshank,  Dusky,  252 
Red-throated  Pipit,  45 
Redwing,  75 

Red-winged  Starling,  347 
Reed  Warbler,  Great,  65 
Regiilus  calendula,  350 
Regulus  ignicapillus,  49 
Rhodostetkia  rosea,  339 
Richard's  Pipit,  43 
Ring-necked  Duck,  355 
Ringed  Plover,  227 
Ringed  Plover,  Little,  229 
Robin,  American,  350 
Robin,  Arctic  Blue-throated,  79 
Rock  Thrush,  86 
Roller,  105 

Roller,  Abyssinian,  352 
Roller,  Indian.  352 
Rose-coloured  Starling,  4 
Rose  Finch,  Scarlet,  1 1 
Ross's  Gull,  339 
Rough-legged  Buzzard,  139 
Ruby-crowned  Wren,  350 
Ruddy  Sheldrake,  160 
Rufous  Warbler,  63 
Rustic  Bunting,  334 
Rusty  Grakle,  347 

Sabine's  Gull,  297 

Sanderling,  274 

Sandpiper,    American     Pectoral, 

266 
Sandpiper,  Bartram's,  245 
Sandpiper,  Bonaparte's,  261 
Sandpiper,  Broad-billed,  264 
Sandpiper,  Buff-breasted,  276 
Sandpiper,  Curlew,  337 
Sandpiper,  Green,  248 
Sandpiper,  Marsh,  357 
Sandpiper,  Purple,  262 
Sandpiper,  Siberian  Pectoral,  336 
Sandpiper,  Solitary,  336 
Sandpiper,  Spotted,  246 


INDEX. 


367 


Sandpiper,  Yellow-legged,  250 
Sand  Plover,  Caspian,  231 
Saxicohi  deserli,  84 
Saxicola  isabelliiia^  81 
Saxicola  sfapashta^  83 
Scandinavian  Jer-Falcon,  127 
Scarlet  Rose  Finch,  1 1 
Scaup,  169 

Sclavonian  Grebe,  326 
Scolecaphagus  ferrugiiieus,  347 
Scolopax  gallhiula^  280 
Scolopax  major  J  278 
Scops  Owl,  116 
Scops  scops,  1 1 6 
Scoter,  Surf,  176 
Scoter,  Velvet,  175 
Seed-eater,  Yellow-rumped,  348 
Serin  Finch,  14 
Serin,  South  African,  348 
Seri7iHS  caiiicollis,  348 
Serimis  hortulanus,  14 
Seri7iiis  hortula?nis  canarius^  13 
Serinus  icterinus^  348 
Shearwater,  Dusky,  320 

Shearwater,  Great,  340 

Shearwater,  Sooty,  319 

Sheldrake,  Ruddy,  160 

Shore-Lark,  29 

Short-toed  Lark,  35 

Shrike,  Great  Gray,  55 

Shrike,  Lesser  Gray,  53 

Shrike,  Pallas's  Gray,  335 

Siberian  Ground  Thrush,  335 

Siberian  Pectoral  Sandpiper,  336 

Siberian  Sparrow,  Brandt's,  349 

Skua,  Buffon's,  282 

Skua,  Pomatorhine,  283 

Smew,  186 

Snipe,  Great,  278 

Snipe,  Jack,  280 

Snipe,  Red-breasted,  257 

Snow  Goose,  Lesser,  147 

Snowy  Owl,  1 12 

Sociable  Lapwing,  225 

Solitary  Sandpiper,  336 

Somateria  spcctabilis,  1 83 

Somatcria  stelleri^  181 

Sooty  Shearwater,  319 

Sooty  Tern,  300 
Soudan  Crane,  357 


South  African  Serin,  348 
Sparrow,  White-throated,  349 
Spoonbill,  193 
Spotted  Cuckoo,  Great,  93 
Spotted  Eagle,  133 
Spotted  Sandpiper,  246 
Spur-winged  Goose,  355 
Squacco  Heron,  206 
Starling,  Meadow,  348 
Starling,  Red-winged,  347 
Starling,  Rose-coloured,  4 
Steller's  Eider,  181 
Stercorarius  b7tffo7ii^  282 
Stercorariiis  po77iato7-Jii7ius,  283 
Steina  a7icestheta,  358 
Ster7ia  a77glica,  304 
Ster7ia  caspia,  302 
Ster7ia  fuligi7iosa^  300 
Stilt,  Common,  237 
Stint,  American,  270 
Stint,  Little,  267 
Stint,  Temminck's,  272 
Stork,  Black,  197 
Stork,  White,  195 
Strep  si  las  interprcs,  259 
Stur7iella  77iag7ia^  348 
Surf  Scoter,  176 
S7ir7iia  fu7ierea,  1 1 4 
Swallow,  American  Tree,  351 
Swallow,  Red-rumped,  351 
Swallow-tailed  Kite,  137 
Swan,  American,  353 
Swan,  Bewick's,  145 
Swan,  Hooper,  144 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  353 
Swift,  Needle-tailed,  335 
Swift,  White-bellied,  99 
Sylvia  7iisoria,  61 
Sylvia  orpJiea,  59 

TachyciTtcta  bicolor,  351 
Tador7ia  casarca,  160 
Tawny  Pipit,  41 
Teal,  American,  163 
Teal,  Blue- winged,  164 
Temminck's  Stint,  272 
Tengmalm's  Owl,  109 
Tern,  Black,  308 
Tern,  Bridled,  358 
Tern,  Caspian,  302 


368 


INDEX. 


Tern,  Gull-billed,  304 

Tern,  Noddy,  298 

Tern,  Sooty,  3cxd 

Tern,  Whiskered,  306 

Tern,  White-winged  Black,  310 

Thrush,  Rock,  86 

Thrush,  Siberian  Ground,  71 

Thrush,  White's  Ground,  71 

TicJiodroina  initrai-ia^  47 

Totaiiics  bartrami.  245 

Totanus Jiavipes,  250 

Totanus  fusciis^  252 

Totajiiis  maciilarhis^  i\(i 

Totaftus  ochropus^  248 

Totanus  solitaries,  336 

TotaJiHS  stagnatilis,  357 

Tree  Swallow,  American,  351 

Trijij^a  acuiiiinata,  336 

Tri)iga  aciuninata  pectoralis,  266 

Tri7iga  arenaria,  274 

Trifiga  caiuitus,  337 

Tringa  fuscicollis,  261 

Tringa  viaritima,  262 

Triiiga  iniiLuta,  267 

Tringa  platyrhyiicha,  264 

Tringa  rufescens,  2j6 

Tringa  sitbarqnata,  337 

Trifiga  subnmiiita  niimitilla,  270 

Trim^a  temniincki,  272 

Trumpeter  Swan,  353 

Turdus  iliacus,  75 

Ttirdus  Diigratorius,  350 

Turdus  pilaris,  73 

Turnix  sylvatica,  357 

Turnstone,  259 

Turtle  Dove,  Eastern,  331 

1  urtur  orientalis,  331 

Z»/<7  /r^//d?  brunnichi,  3 1 1 

Vanellus  gregarius,  225 
Velvet  Scoter,  175 
Vulture,  Egyptian,  121 
Vulture,  Griffon,  119 


Wall -Creeper,  47 
Warbler,  Aquatic,  67 
W^arbler,  Barred,  61 
Warbler,  Great  Reed,  65 
Warbler,  Icterine,  69 
Warbler,  Orphean,  59 
Warbler,  Rufous,  63 


W 


axwmg,  51 


Wheatear,  Black-throated,  83 
Wheatear,  Desert,  84 
Wheatear,  Isabelline,  81 
W^himbrel,  Eskimo,  241 
Whiskered  Tern,  306 
White-bellied  Brent  Goose,  156 
White-bellied  Swift,  99 
White-billed  Diver,  344 
White-collared  Flycatcher,  350 
White  Egret,  Great,  209 
White-eyed  Pochard,  167 
White-fronted  Goose,  151 
White-fronted  Goose,  Lesser,  153 
White  Jer-Falcon,  123 
White  Stork,  195 
White-throated  Sparrow,  349 
White-winged  Black  Tern,  310 
White-winged   Crossbill,   Ameri- 
can, 6 
White-winged     Crossbill,     Euro- 
pean, 7 
White- winged  Lark,  33 
White's  Ground  Thrush,  71 
Widgeon,  American,  161 
Willow  Wren,  Yellow-browed,  57 
Wilson's  Petrel,  317 
Wren,  Ruby-crowned,  350 
Wren,  Yellow-browed  Willow,  57 

Xenta  sabinii,  297 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  97 
Yellow-browed  W^illow  Wren,  57 
Yellow-legged  Sandpiper,  250 
Yellow-rumped  Seed-eater,  348 

Zonotrichia  albicollis,  349 


Richard  Clay  ^  Sons,  Limited,  Lotidon  ^  Bungay. 


AMNH    LIBRARY 


100100171 


m 


5VW' 


i!^ 


mm