^^
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1869
THE LIBRARY
OOLOGIA NEERLANDICA
q,xq-ll1-\
„OOLOGIA NEERLANDICA" ^'^
EGGS
OF
BIRDS
BREEDING IN THE NETHERLANDS
BY
A. A. VAN PELT LECHNER
Member of the Board of the „Nederlandsche Ornithologische Vereeniging'
(Netherland Ornithological Society)
With 191 plates containing 667 objects of which 617 printed in colours and
50 in collotype, taken from specimens in the author's collection.
FIRST VOLUME
THE HAGUE
MARTINUS NIJHOFF
1910—1913
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CONTENTS.
With a general view of the Family. Plates 27— 36.
I. CORViDAE. With a general view of the Family. Plates 1—6.
II. Oriolidae. pi. 7.
III. Laniidae. With a general view of the Family. Plates 8—10.
IV. Sturnidae. pi. 11.
V. Fringillidae. With a general view of the Family. Plates 12—26.
VI. Alaudidae. )
VII, MOTACILLIDAE. )
VIII. Certhiidae. pi. 37.
IX. SlTTIDAE. PI. 38.
X. Paridae. With a general view of the Family. Plates 39—44.
XI. Panuridae. pi. 45.
XII. Regulidae. pi. 46.
XIII. Troglodytidae. pi. 47.
XIV. ACCENTORIDAE. PI. 48.
XV. Sylviidae, With a general view of the Family. Plates 49—65.
XVI. Turdidae. ) ^ ^^ „,
,,., ' With a general view of the Family. Plates 66—81.
XVII. MUSCICAPIDAE. 1
XVIII. HiRUNDiNiDAE. Plates 82—84.
XIX. PiciDAE. With a general view of the Family. Plates 85—88.
XX. CucuLiDAE. With separate text. Plates 89—90.
XXI. Macropterygidae. pi. 91.
CONTENTS.
XXII. Caprimulgidae. pi. 92.
XXIII. Upupidae. With separate text. PI. 93.
XXIV. Alcedinidae. pi. 94.
XXV. BUBONIDAE.
With a general view of the Family. Plates 95—99.
XXVI. Strigidae.
I. Family CORVIDAE.
Family CORVIDAE.
(Plates 1—6).
In this family corax, corone and frugilegus form an oologically
closely allied group, from which monedula deviates by the lack of
one of the most typical characteristics (v. infra).
Pica which, like glandarius, stands more by itself, sometimes
shows an approach to certain variations of the corax group, some-
times to those of monedula.
Glandarius, especially by the texture of the shell, is farthest
removed from the typical Corvine character of which the corax
group is the bearer.
I consider those eggs to be typically coloured ones of corax,
corone and frugilegus, showing the above mentioned near kinship,
of which the uppermost layer of chalk — as the results of Kruken-
berg's investigations give rise for us to assume to be the case —
is covered by a green pigment, called biliprasin, while oorhodein
occurs diffusedly in the uppermost glutinous layer; this gives to
the surface of the shell a green colour (varying in shade according
to the percentage of biliprasin mixed with the oocyan), with
olive, frequently longitudinal markings. This type is characteristic
for the corax group.
CORVIDAE.
In the so-called cyanic eggs, i. e. eggs of a blue or bluish green
colour, biliprasin is either wholly absent or occurs in extremely
small quantities, the oocyan occurring purely or almost purely as
surface colour.
The result of the examination of eggshell-mammillae of corone,
cornix and corone X cornix by W. von Nathusius, gives good
grounds for the suspicion that bastardization is of influence on the
size of the mammillae, and that of eggs of corone X cornix this
size lies between those of the two species.
In 1907 Baron R. Snouckaert van Schauburg, LL.D., obtained
from the Province of Zeeland well characterized native bastard
eggs (now in my collection); these eggs, in conformity with reports
received from abroad respecting similar eggs, offer no external
points of difference from pure corone or cornix eggs.
Family CORVIDAE.
Corvus frugilegus L. — Rook.
(Plate 1, fig. a-d).
(Snouckacrt: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 8, No. 4).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
green, in various variegations; blue (= cy-
anic) or bluish white (= leucitic objects);
mostly of a lighter shade than those of
corone.
olive in various green and brown shades;
sometimes a few pitch-black spots on the
outermost (glutinous) layer; when lying
deeper they are of a grey appearance.
40.25 X 27 millimetres; as a rule, therefore,
smaller than those of corone.
1.08 grams; this smaller weight is one of
the most decisive criteria for determinat-
ion against corone.
has no special characteristic.
oblong oval, or more shortened.
consists of dry twigs, sticks and lumps of
earth ; lined with dry grass, roots, and
straw, sometimes wool.
by preference in very tall trees, in colonies,
which are sometimes joined by jackdaws.
4—5, sometimes 6.
about the middle of April— May.
about 21 days.
Family CORVIDAE.
Corvus corax L. — Raven.
(Plate 2, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 7, No. 1).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots;
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
green, in various variegations ; blue (— cyanic)
or bluish white (= leucitic objects).
olive, in various green and brown shades;
sometimes a few pitch-black spots on the
outermost (glutinous) layer; when lying
deeper these have a grey appearance.
48.36 X 34 millimetres.
1.955 grams.
has no special characteristic.
oblong ovoidal.
consists of branches and twigs, covered with
roots and lumps of earth; lined with moss,
grass and wool.
in the tallest trees.
4-6.
beginning of March (sometimes end of Fe-
bruary)-April.
Duration of incubation;
about 21 days.
Family CORVIDAE.
Corvus monedula L. — Jackdaw.
(Plate 3, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 8, No. 5).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape:
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
bright bluish green; bluish or greenish white.
olive brown; dark brown; yellowish grey;
when lying deeper they have a light grey
appearance.
34 X 25 millimetres.
0.763 gram.
has no special characteristic,
ovoidal.
consists of twigs, straw and similar material;
lined with hair and feathers.
in colonies, in towers, old buildings, ruins,
chimneys, hollow trees, etc.; also amongst
rookeries.
5-6.
middle of April— end of May.
about 17 days.
Family CORVIDAE.
Corvus corone L. — Crow.
(Plate 4, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 8, No. 3).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
green in various variegations; blue (= cyanic)
or bluish white (= leucitic objects).
olive, in various green and brown tints;
sometimes a few pitch-black spots on the
outside (glutinous) layer; when lying deeper
these are of a grey appearance.
42.13 X 29.7 millimetres.
1.28 grams.
has no special characteristic.
varying between short oval, oblong oval or
ovoidal.
consists of twigs, roots, stalks, and earth or
clay; lined with moss, hair, wool, feathers,
rags, etc.
by preference in lofty trees; in the absence
of tall trees, e. g. in dunes : on the ground
itself.
4-6.
April— May.
about 20 days.
Family CORVIDAE.
Pica Pica (L.) — Magpie.
(Plate 5, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 9, No. 6).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
greenish or bluish white.
olive brown; when lying deeper they appear
to be grey (with a faint purple tinge).
32.9 X 23 millimetres.
0.565 gram.
has no special characteristic.
short bellied or oblong ovoidal.
is built of twigs and thorns; on which earth
or clay, and roots, stalks, etc. are laid;
the top is covered over with branches;
entrance: on one side.
by preference in lofty trees; also, in accor-
dance with existing conditions, in hedges,
or larger bushes; in low willows 1 to 2
metres from the ground (e.g. intheNaar-
dermeer = Naarden Lake).
6-8.
middle of April— May.
about 18 days.
Family CORVIDAE.
Garrulus glandarius (L.) — Jay.
(Plate 6, fig. a— d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 9, No. 8).
Colour of surface of shell ;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
greyish green.
of a greyish brown cloudy appearance; at
the larger end there are often a few dark
brown veinlike streaks.
31 X 23 millimetres.
0.569 gram.
coarse.
ovoidal.
is made of twigs, heather, stalks and small
roots.
in young trees; especially in pole-wood of
firs and pines.
5—7; in exceptional cases a larger number.
April— May.
about 17 days.
Fam. CORVIDAE.
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Corvus frugilegus L.
Fam. CORVIDAE.
wihmi
Corvus corax L.
Fam. CORVIDAE.
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Corvus monedula L.
Fam. CORVIDAE.
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Corvus corone L.
Fam. CORVIDAE.
Pica pica (L.)
Fam. CORVIDAE.
Garrulus glandarius (L.)
II. Family ORIOLIDAE.
Family ORIOLIDAE.
Oriolus oriolus (L.)» — Golden Oriole.
(Plate 7, fig. a— c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 11, No. 12).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots :
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
white, sometimes tinged with pink. The
yolk gives a soft butteryellow tint to the
shells of full eggs,
dark blackish brown; when lying deeper they
are of a violet grey appearance. Of eggs
tinged with pink the spots blend in a light
wine-red penumbra, thereby acquiring the
character of blotches. The uppermost spots
are only conglutinated very loosely with
the upper layer of chalk.
30.65 X 21.37 millimetres.
0.381 gram.
not smooth ; often wrinkled transversely,
and sometimes furrowed lengthways; fairly
glossy.
ovoidal.
is built of blades of grasses, bark fibres,
roots, moss, feathers, wool; frequently
with addition of various other substan-
ces, such as paper, string, etc.
by preference in young, smaller trees, mostly
fairly high; and far from the trunks.
4-5.
second half of May— June.
about 15 days.
Fam. ORIOLIDAE.
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Oriolus oriolus (L.)
III. Family LANIIDAE.
Family LANIIDAE.
(Plates 8, 9 and 10).
In this Family Lanius excubltor while deviating by a coarser text-
ure of shell and fuller markings from the two other species which
come into consideration here, shows an approach to the family
Corvidae; the excubitor-egg reminds one more particularly of one
of the p/ca-types.
Lanius collurio and Lanius senator are oologically nearly allied;
no general specific distinguishing characteristic is known; however,
taken as a whole, it can be said that of senator the type of egg
with a greenish ground colour is predominant; the eggs are usually
spotted more coarsely and are slightly larger; while, finally, erythrism
(the occurrence of a reddish ground colour with spots in a darker
shade of the same colour) seems to occur much more rarely than
with collurio.
It has never yet been ascertained with absolute certainty that the
age of the cullorio female birds is of influence on the colour of the
egg shells, which is alleged to pass gradually from greenish to
reddish ; and the most recent statements of Dr. Rey on this subject
do not strengthen this suspicion. Indeed, the said oologist established,
in 1908, the fact of a one year old female bird sitting on eggs which
LANIIDAE.
were spotted red; he ascertained, moreover, from the proportion of a
large number of clutches, that the erythristic eggs (laid, according
to Naumann's opinion, by old female birds, and largest in number) do
not exceed the others in numerical strength. The fact, referred to
by Thienemann, the Nestor of scientific oology, that he scarcely
ever received other than reddish collurio eggs from Dalmatia, does
not tend to confirm this transition hypothesis, either. It would
appear to me to be more probable — as I also assume to be the
case, for instance for Cuculus canorus — that the cullorio individ-
uals belong to oologically differentiated „tribes" (gentes), of
which, therefore, each has its own type of egg (not to be confused
with variety).
For collurio I assume the existence of two such tribes; within
each tribe we see a limited variation in intensity of the shell pigment
proper to the type of egg.
The distinctions between the two types which I have classified
are the following:
I. Colour of shell: varying from whitish to sea green. (The comming-
ling of oocyan with carbonate of lime (-f- keratin, an albuminoid) in var-
ying proportions; oorhodein being wholly or almost wholly absent).
II. Colour of shell: varying from light cream-colour to reddish.
[Oorhodein, commingled in varying proportions with carbonate of
lime occurring strongly predominantly as against oocyan).
The question as to how far within each type the intensity of the
colouring and marking of the shell is dependent on the age of the
female birds, or whether influence is exercised thereon only, or also,
by food and climate, is an open one.
The explanation given by Hocke for the occurrence of erythrism,
to the effect that it can arise from an exceptionally favourable
condition of well-being of the individual birds, appears to me to
LANIFDAE.
be scarcely acceptable. For the question would then be justifiable
why such well-being should regularly and by preference fall to the
lot of a part of the individuals of Lanius collurio and Sylvia atricapilla
or, assuming that this condition prevails more generally (which may
well be supposed to be the case), why it should regularly receive
expression oologically almost exclusively in only these two species
of the order Oscines.
Family LANIIDAE.
Lanius excubitor L. — Great Grey Shrike.
(Plate 8, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 33, No. 76).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
dull white (only perfectly fresh objects show
a light green tint), which soon becomes
slightly yellow.
yellowish or greyish brown; when lying
deeper they are of a grey appearance.
26.7 X 19.3 millimetres.
0.302 gram.
rather coarse.
mostly short-oval ; when cut transversely
unequal halves are produced.
consists of vegetable material, lined with
hair and feathers.
in tall trees or large thornbushes, usually
far from the trunk.
5—7.
middle of April— May.
about 15 days.
Family LANIIDAE.
Lanius senator L. — Woodchat Shrike.
(Plate 9, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 34, No. 77),
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
dull greenish; brownish yellow; sometimes
almost pure white or creamcoloured.
grey or greenish brown; those lying deeper
are grey in appearance.
23 >: 17.3 millimetres.
0.203 gram.
fine.
varying between short-oval, obtuse or more
elongated.
consists of vegetable material, lined with
hair, feathers or wool, and embellished
with green and flowering, often fragant
plants.
In young trees and shrubs.
5-6.
May — June.
about 14 days.
Fam. LANIIDAE.
»rj ^^
• 7.
Lanius excubitor L.
Fam. LANIIDAE.
Lanius senator L.
Fam. LANIIDAE.
m.
Lanius collurio L.
Family LANIIDAE.
Lanius collurio L. — Redbacked Shrike.
(Plate 10, fig. a-f).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 34, No. 78).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
3, 4, 5
varying from whitish to sea green (type I);
varying from light cream colour to red-
dish (type II).
olive green; yellowish; reddish brown, in
various variegations; blood red (occurring
exclusively in the more or less erythristic
objects of type II); the spots lying deeper
are of a grey appearance in all the eggs.
22 X 16.75 millimetres.
0.186 gram.
fine.
varying between short-oval, obtuse and more
elongated.
is built of vegetable material and is lined
with hair and wool.
especially in hawthorn and blackthorn shrubs;
in hedges; in young conifers; up to a
height of about 2 metres.
5—7 (after-set: 4—5).
second half of May to middle of June.
about 14 days.
Explanation of plate.
and 2: variations of type I.
and 6: „ „ „ II.
IV. Family STURNIDAE.
Family STURNIDAE.
Sturnus vulgaris L. — Starling.
(Plate 11, fig. a— c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 10, No. 10).
Colour of surface of shell;
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
light blue, slightly greenish (yolk showing
through); the quantity of oocyan is some-
times so small that the colour of the shell
appears to be white.
28.85 X 20.84 millimetres.
0.44 gram.
clearly visible pores; furrowed lengthways.
oblong ovoidal or short and bellied.
consists of vegetable material, hair and
feathers.
in hollow trees; under roof-tiles; in holes
in walls.
5-6 (after-set: 4—5).
middle of April — beginning of July.
about 14 days.
Fam. STURNIDAE.
Sturnus vulgaris L.
V. Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
(Plates 12—26).
I divide this family oologically into:
I. CANNABiNA-group, with :
cannabina, spinas and carduelis.
II. COELEBS-group, with:
coelebs, pyrrhula and chloris.
III. COCCOTHRAUSTES.
IV. EMBERiZA-group, to be divided as follows:
a. citrinella.
b. schoeniclus, hortulana.
c. calandra.
V. PASSER-group, with:
domestica and montana.
The Coelebs- and Cannabina-groups are closely allied to one
another by chloris.
As regards the colour of the shell (percentage of oocyan) coccothraus-
tes could be annexed quite well to the Coelebs-group: moreover, a
type exists the markings of which bear the character of the well
known blotches with blurred edges of coelebs, and I am surprised to
FRINGILLIDAE.
find no attention drawn to this resemblance anywhere in oological
literature; in texture of shell it is more independent; it has decidedly
no correspondence with the texture of the Emberizinae, and I do
not understand how Des Murs can give to it all the oological
characters of the Emberizinae. If it is desired to compare the
coccothraustes-egg, which most decidedly bears by its markings an
Emberiza-Wke character, with one of the species of this group,
schoeniclus will, in my opinion, come most into consideration for
such comparison, and not calandra as is sometimes stated in oolog-
ical literature.
For us citrinella is the species which is especially characterised
by the so-called Ember iza-markings, markings for which I propose
to adopt the name of „vein-markings"; German writers speak of
y,Haarlinien".
The eggs of schoeniclus and hortulana are more strongly spotted ;
blotches with blurred edges, like those of coelebs, are found on eggs
of these two species.
Calandra, though variable in markings, does not, indeed, disown
the character of the genus Emberiza (certain variations of citrinella,
hortulana) but deviates rather considerably in some of its types.
Passer stands oologically by itself among the Fringillidae ; however,
like the eggs of Emberiza melanocephala Scop, (not native) which
show kinship, e. g. with those of Passer domestica, so also eggs of
citrinella are sometimes found which lack the typical markings of
the genus Emberiza, and which stand in character between the
genera Passer and Emberiza.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.) — Hawfinch.
(Plate 12, fig. a-c).
(Snouckacrt: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 12, No 13).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions :
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
pale bluish green; yellowish green; dusky
grey; greyish.
olive brown ; olive green ; the uppermost spots
grey to very dark olive coloured blackish
brown; spots, etc. lying deeper are of a
violet grey appearance.
vein-markings occur especially in the deeper
shell layers; the colour of some of the spots,
etc , and the manner in which they are
blended, frequently give the impression as
if together with the pigment an oily sub-
stance is also secreted.
24.46 X 17.5 millimetres.
0.236 gram.
Has no special characteristic.
varying between oblong and short ovoidal
(usually strongly rounded at the base).
consists of vegetable material, lined with small
roots, and sometimes with hair or wool.
higher or lower in mostly young trees, where
these do not stand close together; often on
or between thick branches.
5—6 (after-set: 4).
end of April— June.
about 14 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Chloris chloris (L). — Greenfinch.
(Plate 13, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 12, No. 14).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
bluish white; sometimes slightly yellowish.
rust coloured; dark brownish red; when
lying deeper they are of a faint reddish
and violet grey appearance.
20.2 X 14.5 millimetres.
0.123 gram.
shows no special characteristic.
mostly oblong.
consists of vegetable material, hair and
feathers.
in various trees, mostly in the axil of a
branch; also in shrubberies.
5—7 (after-set: 5—6).
April— June.
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Fringilla coelebs L. — Chaffinch.
(Plate 14, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 17, No. 30).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of Nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
light blue; greyish blue; greyish red; reddish
brown. The coelebs-egg presents a great
variety both in colour of the surface of
the shell and in markings. Some eggs
show much resemblance with eggs of
chloris and pyrrhula.
blackish brown; those eggs with bluish
surface of shell often have fairly large
spots lying deeper and of a violet grey
appearance. Blotches with blurred edges,
i. e. : surrounded by a lighter shade of
their own colour (penumbra), are charact-
eristic for the type with reddish or brown-
ish coloured surface of shell.
19.3 X 14.6 millimetres.
0.114 gram.
bears no special characteristic.
varying.
consists of vegetable material, lined with
wool, feathers, horse-hair. etc.
in trees, mostly far from the trunk.
5—6 (after-set: 3—4).
end of April — June.
about 14 days-
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Carduelis carduelis (L.) — Goldfinch.
(Plate 15, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 12, No. 15).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
faint bluish white.
reddish; brown; when lying deeper their
appearance is a faint violet grey.
17.4 X 12.58 millimetres.
0.085 gram.
offers no special characteristic.
varying.
consists of vegetable material, lined with
wool, hair and seed down.
in various trees, mostly rather high.
5—6 (after-set: 4—5).
end of April (beginning of May) — June
(beginning of July).
Duration of incubation:
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Chrysomitris spinus (L.) — Siskin.
(Plate 16, fig. a— c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 13, No, 16).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
light blue.
faint rust colour; dark brown.
15.05 X 11.78 millimetres.
0.088 gram.
has no special characteristic.
varying.
consists of vegetable material, bound together
with spinning material of insects, and lined
with feathers, wool and seed down.
mostly high up, in the tops of conifers ;
more rarely in alders and other broad-
leaved trees.
5-6.
end of April or beginning of May— June.
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Cannabina cannabina (L). — Linnet.
(Plate 17, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 13, No. 17).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
soft blue, varying in tint between bright
blue and almost white.
the lowest spots are reddish dusky grey;
the following ones are greenish or dull
brownish red; the uppermost are dark red,
purple or blackish brown.
18.25 X 13.11 millimetres.
0.098 gram.
not specially characterized.
strongly varying.
consists of vegetable material, lined with
hair, seed down, and sometimes with
feathers also.
at various heights in small firs and pines,
shrubs, hedges, climbing plants, etc.;
sometimes on the ground.
5—7 (after-set: 3—5).
beginning of April— July.
about 11 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Passer domestica (L.) — House-Sparrow.
(Plates 18-19, fig. a-j)-
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 18, No. 33).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Pure white; bluish, sometimes greenish,
white; brownish grey.
violet grey; ash-grey; brown, in various
tints: greenish.
22 X 15.6 millimetres.
0.207 gram.
not specially characterized.
as a rule oblong ovoidal.
consists of hay, straw, rags, hair, feathers, etc.
under roofs, in holes in walls, and similar
places; as an exception in trees (nest with
side-entrance).
5—7 (after-set: 3—5).
April— August.
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Passer montana (L.) — Tree-Sparrow.
(Plates 20-21, fig. a— h).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 19, No. 34).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots;
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation :
white, sometimes slightly greenish, completely
covered by the very full cloudy markings.
grey; greyish brown; reddish brown.
Almost without exception every set of eggs
contains at least one which differs from the
others, the cloudy markings being replaced
by a few large spots which leave a portion
of the light coloured shell surface unmarked.
19.5 X 13.9 millimetres.
0.159 gram.
strong.
mostly short ovoidal.
consists of the same material as that of which
the House-Sparrow's nest is built.
by preference in hollow trees; also in holes
in walls, and similar cavities; sometimes
under roofs.
5—6, sometimes 7 (after-set : 4—5).
end of April— July.
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Pyrrhula pyrrhula europaea (Vieillot). — Common
Bullfinch.
(Plate 22, fig. a— c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 15, No. 24).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of Incubation:
light sky blue, slightly greenish; dull bluish.
dark violet brown; cloudy markings lying
deeper are of a violet grey appearance.
19 X 14 millimetres.
0.119 gram.
not specially characterized.
rotund short or oblong.
consists of vegetable material, sometimes
lined with hair.
in smaller trees and tall shrubs.
4—5, sometimes 6.
May— July.
about 14 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Emberiza schoeniclus L. — Reed-Bunting.
(Plate 23, fig. a-e).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 22, No. 43).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs :
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
olive brownish; brownish yellow; reddish
brown yellow; greyish brown.
blackish brown, frequently with blotches
with blurred edges like those of eggs of
coelebs; when lying deeper they are of an
ash-grey appearance.
19.4 X 14.5 millimetres.
0.135 gram.
not specially characterized.
usually short ovoidal.
is built of dry parts of plants, lined with
hair and seed down.
usually near the ground, sometimes on it,
but also sometimes half a metre from the
ground between willow shoots standing
circularly close together.
5, sometimes 6 (after-set: 3—4).
May— July.
about 13 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Emberiza citrinella L. — Yellow Bunting.
(Plate 24, fig. a-f).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 19, No. 36).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
dull white: faint reddish or bluish grey.
brown, in various variegations, sometimes
very dark; pigment lying deeper is of a
violet grey appearance.
21.2 X 15.9 millimetres.
0.206 gram.
not specially characterized.
usually short ovoidal.
is formed of various parts of plants, lined
with horse-hair.
on the ground under the shelter of dense
vegetation; or in bushes of diverse nature
at a height of sometimes more than a metre.
5 (after-set: 3—4).
April— July.
about 14 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Emberiza hortulana L. — Ortolan.
(Plate 25, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 20, No. 39).
Colour of surface of shell ;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell :
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season :
Duration of incubation:
soft ash-blue; reddish u^hite.
dark brown, sometimes with light reddish
brown penumbra (blotches with blurred
edges). The typical markings of eggs of
the Emberiza-genus are less prominent in
this species.
20 X 15.5 millimetres.
0.150 gram.
not specially characterized.
varying between short-compact and more
elongated.
is built of dry parts of plants, usually lined
with hair.
on the ground, under the shelter of a tree
or shrub, in dense vegetation; especially
in corn fields.
5-6.
May — June.
about 14 days.
Family FRINGILLIDAE.
Emberiza calandra L. — Corn-Bunting.
(Plate 26, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neeriandica, p- 19, No. 35).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
reddish grey; reddish yellow; sometimes
slightly ash-bluish.
dark brown; yellowish brown; greyish red
or brown ; when lying deeper they are of
a violet grey appearance.
24.5 X 17.6 millimetres.
0.186 gram.
offers no special characteristic.
varying between short and oblong ovoidal.
consists of coarse vegetable material, lined
with small roots and hair.
on or immediately above the ground, on the
sides of ditches, in arable land and hay
fields.
4—6.
April— July.
about 14 days.
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
Coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
Chloris chloris (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
Fringilla coelebs L.
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
H&
Carduelis carduelis (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
■'%'i^.
Chrysomitris spinus (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
'
%
Cannabina cannabina (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
:5^>
V! V .y
"♦■ -'.A
Passer domestica (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE
r? 'In
*'*»i
V;' ' ■*
Passer domestica (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
Passer montana (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
m
f
Passer montana (L.)
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
'fVA
aV*^
/ «
. '?^..
Pyrrhula pyrrhula europaea (Vieillot).
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
^^frv'
*,/•'., "'
7 • ,.
Emberiza schoeniclus L.
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE,
/
r
'^^-.
' 1&r-r
-.isi^"-^-
'r,
#
. . ^
Emberiza citrinella L.
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
Emberiza hortulana L.
Fam. FRINGILLIDAE.
% p
»..
Emberiza calandra L.
VI. Family ALAUDIDAE.
VII. Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Families ALAUDIDAE and MOTACILLIDAE.
(Plates 27—36).
Thienemann considers the texture of the shell of Alauda, Galerida
and Lullula to be nearly allied, e.g., to that of Anthus, but always
distinguishable by a part of the pores; namely, pores which are
very large and slightly flat, with a deep point in the centre, the
edge being set in a granulated ring; one or more of such pores —
Thienemann states — are to be found on every Alauda-egg. I
have, however, I believe, also found similar pores on Anthus trivi-
alis-, pratensis- and campestris-eggs; and Rey does not mention this
characteristic: rightly, I think.
Anthus campestris, among which arvensis-, cristata- (these two
species are nearly allied) as well as arborea-iy^ts are found, link
the Alaudidae and Motacillidae together oologically.
Among the so very diverse egg-types of trivialis the brown or
grey thickly speckled type distinctly shows a near relationship to
the genus Alauda.
Motacilla flava and M. boarula, mutually nearly allied, differ
greatly oologically from M. alba; a careful examination of the tex-
ture of the shell and of the nature of distribution of pigment ^rovt(iL
to me how nearly the first mentioned two species are allied.
ALAUDIDAE AND MOTACILLIDAE.
oologically as well, with the genus Anthus, a relationship which is
not immediately suspected upon making a superficial examination.
Respecting the character of the markings of the various types of
egg of Anthus trivialis the following observations are supplementary
to the class of particulars given in the short descriptive text facing
the plates.
From the point of view in question I classify three types, viz:
1. with fine cloudy speckles, varying in extent down to little
streaks such as occur on Motacilla alba-eggs.
2. more thickly mottled with coarser cloudy markings, showing
much resemblance to one of the types of Alauda arvensis.
3. with larger spots, including blotches with blurred edges such
as occur, e.g., on Emberiza schoeniclus-eggs.
Yarrell says: „What may perhaps be regarded as the normal
„type is a ground colour of french-white so closely mottled or
^speckled with deep brown as almost to hide the ground", by
which he undoubtedly indicates the type referred to sub 2.
If by the word ,, normal", used in this quotation is meant: the
average character, corresponding most to the oological character,
of the genus Anthus and of nearly allied genera — in my opinion
the only conception of importance in this case — Yarrell's view
would appear to me to be correct, especially on the ground of
the character of the eggs, which have since become known, of
i4/2//z«s-species distributed throughout the whole world. Less exclu-
sively, however, than Yarrell does, I would not only indicate
„deep brown", but also brown and grey in various shades (like
those of Alauda arvensis), as the colours of the markings of the
most original type.
Family ALAUDIDAE.
Alauda arvensis L. — Sky-Lark.
(Plate 27, fig. a-e).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neeriandica, p. 23. No. 48).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots;
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
greenish grey; brownish; yellowish or red-
dish white.
brown; when lying deeper they are of a
dark grey appearance. The markings mostly
bear a cloudy character and cover the
eggshell all over.
22.8 X 16.4 millimetres.
0.188 gram.
bears no specific characteristic.
when cut transversely very unequal halves
are produced.
consists of vegetable materials, lined with
some horsehair.
in a little hollow in the ground, in meadows
and arable land.
usually 5 (after-set: 3—4).
April— July (sometimes August).
about 14 days.
Family ALAUDIDAE.
Galerida cristata (L.) — Crested Lark.
(Plate 28, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 23, No. 46).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation :
Remarks :
greenish, yellowish, brownish, or greyish
white.
brownish green; yellowish brown; brown;
when lying deeper they are of an ash-
blue appearance. They do not cover the
ground colour so completely as is the
case with arvensis. The arrangement as
well as the form of the uppermost spots
frequently give the impression of running
longitudinally.
22.65 X 16.7 millimetres.
0.191 gram.
bears no specific characteristic,
on the whole they are distinguishable from
arvensis-Qggs, by a more bellied shape.
consists of withered parts of plants, some-
times lined with horsehair.
on the ground, more on uncultivated than
on cultivated land, near field-roads, etc.
Sometimes on embankments, low thatched
roofs, and similar sites; by preference
near houses.
4-5.
April— June.
about 13 days.
smaller, light coloured eggs much resemble
arborea-eggs.
Family ALAUDIDAE.
Lullula arborea (L.) — Wood-Lark.
(Plate 29, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 23, N°. 47).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation :
dull white, frequently slightly reddish.
brown; greyish or reddish brown; when lying
deeper they are of a violet grey appearance.
21 X 15.4 millimetres.
0.155 gram.
finer than that of the genera Alauda and
Galerida.
fine ovoidal.
is built of withered parts of plants and moss,
often lined with hair or wool.
in a little hollow on the ground, concealed
under overhanging low plants or shrubs.
4—5 eggs.
April— June.
About 13 days.
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Motacilla alba L. White Wagtail.
Motacilla alba lugubris Temm. -^ Pied Wagtail.
(Plate 30, fig. a-f).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 28, Nos. 60 and 61).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
bluish, greyish, or greenish white; rarely
yellowish white-
dark ash-grey; greyish brown; those lying
deeper are of a clear ash colour.
20 X 15 millimetres.
0.135 gram.
not specially characterized.
varying.
is built of vegetable materials, lined with
hair, and sometimes with feathers.
under tree-roots, bridges, thatched-roofs; in
hollow trees (especially in or on pollard
willows), wood stacks, holes in walls, etc.
5 — 6, sometimes 7.
April— July.
about 14 days.
M. alba and M. lugubris cannot be separated
either oologically or nidologically.
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Motacilla boarula L. — Grey Wagtail.
(Plate 31, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 27, No. 59).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season :
Duration of incubation:
whitish, yellowish greyish or greenish;
reddish brown. The ground colour is usually
lighter and slightly yellower or more
greenish yellow than that of flava-eggs.
darker variegations of the ground colour
which, as a rule, inclines to a red-brown
more than is the case with /lava-eggs.
19 X 14.5 millimetres.
0.114 gram.
bears no characteristic of its own.
varying.
is built of vegetable materials; the inside is
finished with much more care than that
of alba; lined with horsehair.
by preference in the immediate vicinity of
water; in a little hollow on the banks of
brooks; in holes of walls covered with
vegetation.
5, as an exception : 6 (after-set : 3—4).
middle of April— July.
about 14 days.
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Motacilla flava L. — Blue-headed Wagtail.
Motacilla flava rayi (Bonaparte). Yellow Wagtail.
(Plate 32, fig. a-e).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 26-27, Nos. 56 and 58).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
yellowish white; brownish yellow; greenish ;
reddish.
darker variegations of the ground colour.
18.7 X 13.8 millimetres.
0.106 gram.
has no characteristic of its own.
usually short ovoidal.
consists of vegetable materials, lined with
seed down and horsehair, sometimes also
with feathers.
on the ground in a little hollow, especially
on the banks of ditches and trenches in
arable land and meadows.
5-6.
June— July,
about 13 days.
one of the types shows in colour and mar-
kings as well as in size and shape a marked
resemblance to certain eggs of Calamodus
schoenobaenus.
M. flava and M. flava rayi present no oological
points of difference. *
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Anthus trivialis (L.) ») — Tree-Pipit.
(Plates 33 and 34, fig. a— h).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 25, No. 52).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions :
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
greyish, reddish or bluish white; brownish;
bluish; ash-blue; greyish yellow; reddish.
In relevant literature mention is made in
two instances (in Denmark in 1898, and
in England in 1909) of a plain sea-green
set of eggs, of the tint of Saxicola oenanthe-
eggs.
greyish, dark, or reddish brown ; red.
20 X 15 millimetres; varying fairly consider-
ably in size.
0.134 gram.
presents no special characteristic.
mostly compact.
is built of vegetable materials, especially of
moss, and lined with some horsehair.
on the ground in a little hollow, under the
shelter of grass or bushes.
5, sometimes 6. Of each set all the eggs
invariably belong to one and the same type.
May— July.
about 13 days.
^) See for this species the general observations respecting the Family.
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Anthus pratensis (L.) — Meadow-Pipit.
(Plate 35, fig. a-f).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 25, No. 53).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
greyish; brownish yellow; sometimes slightly
greenish.
dark brown; a few dark coloured vein-like
streaks frequently occur on the basal half.
19.1 X 14.1 millimetres.
0.117 gram.
less glossy than that of A. trivialis.
slimmer than that of A. trivialis.
is built of vegetable materials and lined with
hair.
on the ground, concealed among grass or
under bushes.
5-6.
May— June.
about 13 days.
Family MOTACILLIDAE.
Anthus campestris (L.) — Tawny Pipit.
(Plate 36, fig. a-f).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 25, No. 51).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
whitish; greenish; sometimes yellowish.
dark brown; reddish brown.
The markings generally leave a large portion
of the surface of the shell plain.
21 X 15.7 millimetres.
0.157 gram.
not specially characterized.
short-oval.
is built of vegetable materials and lined with
some horsehair.
in a little hollow on the ground; under a
small tree, in a bush, concealed behind a
stone or a lump of earth.
4-5, sometimes 6.
May —July.
about 14 days.
Fam. ALAUDIDAE.
Alauda arvensis L.
Fam. ALAUDIDAE.
't ■ .
'^>:-'^'
Galerida cristata (L.)
Fam. ALAUDIDAE.
Lullula arborea (L.)
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
■;Vi^
"^1
^,\
Motacilla alba L.
Motacilla alba lugubris Temminck.
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
Motacilla boarula L.
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
Motacilla flava L.
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
Anthus trivialis (L.)
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
,i V,
^m^
Anthus trivialis (L.)
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
Anthus pratensis (L.)
1
Fam. MOTACILLIDAE.
bv^ S'
mm
Anthus campestris (L.)
VIII. Family CERTHIIDAE.
Family CERTHIIDAE.
Certhia brachydactyla Brehm. -
Tree-Creeper.
Short-clawed
(Plate 37, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 29, No. 62).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell;
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white.
reddish-brown, in various shades. In the
zone round the thicker end of thickly spotted
eggs, a few spots occur which lie deeper and
are of a violet grey appearance; these con-
stitute a characteristic which distinguishes
the eggs of this species from those of
Parus cristatus mitratus.
16.3 X 12 4 millimetres.
0.069 gram.
not specially characterized.
diverse.
consists of vegetable materials, feathers and
material spun by insects.
in holes and crevices in trees, by preference
behind the bark; behind laths and against
thatched walls, and in similar places; at
heights of from about 1 to 6 Metres above
the ground.
6-9 (after-set : 4—7).
April— beginning of June.
about 13 days.
Fam. CERTHIIDAE.
Certhia brachydactyla Brehm.
IX. Family SITTIDAE.
Family SITTIDAE.
Sitta europaea caesia Wolf. — Nuthatch.
(Plate 38, fig. a— c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 29, No. 63).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white.
reddish brown, in various shades.
19.8 X 14.5 millimetres.
0.134 gram.
presents no special characteristic.
ovoidal.
a heap of vegetable materials as an under-
layer for the eggs.
at from about 3 to 4 Metres from the ground;
especially in old Woodpecker nests, the
entrance of which is narrowed with earth
(mixed with saliva) in proportion to the
size of the own body.
6-9.
end of April— June.
about 14 days.
Fam. SITTIDAE.
^-iv.
X }
Sitta europaea caesia Wolf.
X. Family PARIDAE.
Family PARIDAE.
(Plates 39-44).
The Paridae form an oologically uniform Family concerning which
Nehrkorn ^) rightly says in respect of certain species to be named
hereafter: ,,Ein Unterschied ist durch Worte schwer zu fixieren".
His next words: „Ein geiibtes Auge wird indes bestimmte Under-
schiede herausfinden", will apply, in my opinion, in so far that
if several complete sets of eggs of Parus coeruleus, ater, atric.
rhenanus, pal. longirostris and crist. mitratus are compared with
one another, it can be said:
1. that coeruleus-eggs are usually spotted less strongly than those
of the other species;
2. that the spots of ater-eggs are as a rule slightly larger than
those of coeruleus;
3. that the markings of eggs of atric. rhenanus and pal. longirostris
are on the whole fuller and more distinct than those of the
other species.
4. that the spots of crist. mitratus-eggs are mostly coarser and
occur more concentrated at the thicker end than is the case
with most of the other species.
') A. Nehrkorn: Katalog der Eiersammlung (II. Aufl. Berlm, 1910), page 264,
Family PARIDAE.
Parus major L. — Great Titmouse.
(Plate 39, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 29, No. 64).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white.
reddish brown, in light and dark shades.
17.3 X 13.5 millimetres.
0.1 gram.
not specially characterized.
ovoidal.
consists of vegetable materials, hair, wool
and feathers.
in holes in trees, walls, posts, etc.; in the
sides of forsaken nests of birds of the
Corvidae-family, and of Squirrel-nests, etc.
8-12 (after-set: 6-8).
end of April— beginning of July.
about 14 days.
Family PARIDAE.
Parus coeruleus L. — Blue Titmouse.
(Plate 40, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 30, No. 65).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white.
reddish brown, in light and dark shades.
15.4 X 11.9 millimetres.
0.07 gram.
not specially characterized.
ovoidal.
consists of vegetable materials, feathers and
hair.
in holes of trees, and in various other holes.
7—12 (after-set: 6).
May— beginning of July.
about 13 days.
Family PARIDAE.
Parus ater L. — Coal-Titmouse.
(Plate 41, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert : Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 30, No. 66).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots :
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
milk-white.
reddish brown, in light and dark shades. As
a rule a more or less distinct zone occurs
at the thicker ends of the eggs.
14.8 X 11.6 millimetres.
0.064 gram.
not specially characterized.
ovoidal, mostly pointed.
consists of vegetable materials, hair and
sometimes feathers.
more or less close to the ground in holes
of trees; in hollow tree stumps and roots;
in mouse and rabbit holes, etc. ^)
7—10 (after-set: 6—7).
May, beginning of July.
about 13 days.
Ater-eggs cannot always be distinguished
with certainty from those of coeruleus or
of pal. longirostris and atric. rhenanus ;
the latter, however, are usually marked
brighter and more thickly, and are consid-
erably larger. Many ater-Qggs are not
larger than caudatus-eggs ; but the ground
colour of ater-eggs is of a purer white
and their markings are more distinct.
1) Mr. J. B. Bernink discovered (July 1909) on one of the banks of the Dinkel
a breeding place in a forsaken hole of Riparia riparia (L).
Family PARIDAE.
Parus palustris longirostris Kleinschm. 0
Parus atricapillus rhenanus Kleinschm. ^)
Marsh-Titmice.
(Plate 42, fig. a-d).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 31, Nos. 68 en 69).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest :
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
milk-white. I have never yet noticed a bluish
green tint which is said to disappear after
the eggs have been prepared.
reddish brown, in light and dark shades;
browner, according to Bau, than those of
ater-and coeruleus-eggs.
16.1 X 12.1 millimetres.
0.07 gram.
offers no special characteristic.
ovoidal.
consists of vegetable materials, hair and
feathers.
in holes of trees, and in hollows made by
the bird itself in decayed wood.
8—10 (after-set: 6—7).
May-beginning of July.
about 13 days.
no good oological points of difference be-
tween pal. longirostris and atric. rhenanus
are as yet known.
*) No. 607 in Dr. E. Hartert's „V6gel der palaarktischen Fauna", (Vol. I,
pag. 373).
') No. 617 i. 1. c. (pag. 377).
Family PARIDAE.
Parus cristatus mitratus Brehm. — Crested Titmouse.
(Plate 43, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 30, No. 67).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape:
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white; sometimes tinged with a very
soft pink colour, in consequence of which
some resemblance arises to eggs of Cer-
thia brachydactyla.
reddish brown, in various shades; usually
more coarsely spotted and with a more
distinct zone round the thicker end than
is the case with eggs of other Parus-species.
16.4 X 12.2 millimetres.
0.08 gram.
not specially characterized.
mostly short-ovoidal.
consists of vegetable materials, hair and wool.
in holes of trees, and in hollows made by
the birds themselves in decayed wood; in
old Magpie-and Squirrel-nests.
7-10 (after— set: 6-8).
end of April— end of June.
about 13 days.
Family PARIDAE.
Aegithalos caudatus europaeus (Hermann) —
Long-tailed Titmouse.
(Plate 44, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 31, No. 71).
Colour of surface of shell;
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
lime-white; slightly yellowish or greyish-
yellow, in dull tints.
reddish, in dull or brighter shades. The mark-
ings are frequently very obscure or
altogether lacking.
14X 11 millimetres.
0.05 gram.
like that of the genus Parus.
ovoidal.
is built of moss, bark-fibres, small fragments
of bark, and spiders' webs; lined with
feathers, wool and hair; the orifice is on
one side at the top of the nest.
by preference against the trunk of a tree or
in a fork of a branch, at various heights;
sometimes in thick bushes.
9-12 (after-set: 6-8).
about the middleof April— beginning of June.
about 13 days.
Caudatus-eggs correspond in general character
more to eggs of Regulidae than to those
of Paridae ; the texture of the shell of the
first named family is however quite different.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Parus major L.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Parus coeruleus L.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Parus ater L.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Parus palustris longirostris Kleinschm.
Parus atricapillus rhenanus Kleinschm.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Parus cristatus mitratus Brehm.
Fam. PARIDAE.
Aegithalos caudatus europaeus (Hermann).
XI. Family PANURIDAE.
Family PANURIDAE.
Panurus biarmicus (L.) — Bearded Titmouse.
(Plate 45, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 32, No. 74).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest;
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
milk-white; sometimes strongly inclined to
greyish yellow; rarely lime-white.
small dull brown or blackish brown lines
and curls. In the eggs examined by me
down to the inner membrane, I have not
found the grey or greyish red speckles
which are said by Thienemann to occur
in the deeper layers of the shell.
17.22 X 13.91 millimetres.
0.11 gram.
a granulation of an entirely different nature
to that of Paridae-eggs, and standing by
itself in this respect also.
compact; when cut transversely unequal
halves are produced.
chiefly
is built of withered parts of plants; c
of portions of reeds and reed-grass.
close to the ground, between reeds or reed-
grass, stinging-nettles, etc., in the midst
of extensive reed and willow vegetation.
5-7 (after-set: 4-6).
end of April— July.
about 13 days.
Remarks : Oologically biarmicus stands quite by itself. Upon examining the various layers of
the eggshell of this species 1 ascertained, among other matters, that only the surface of the
upper layer bears spots; in the deeper layers (v. supra) I found no pigment. A deposit of
pigment similar to that occurring on biarmicus-eggs, which 1 have found on the deeper and
deepest layers of eggshells, for instance of Corvidae and Falconidae, and — but almost
hidden to the naked eye — between and immediately under the coarser spots or cloudy
markings in the higher layers of several Passeres-eggs, 1 consider to be a very original
marking; with some species it still occurs on the surface as the typical marking, with others
only as an exceptional one; in the latter case it frequently occurs that fewer layers of car-
bonate of lime have been deposited than normally takes place.
Fam. PANURIDAE.
Panurus biarmicus (L.)
XII. Family REGULIDAE.
Family REGULIDAE.
Regulus regulus (L.) — Golden-crested Wren.
(Plate 46, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 32. No. 72).
Colour of surface of shell
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
grey-yellowish white, inclining either to
greyish yellow or to white; sometimes
slightly flesh-coloured.
greyish red and yellowish brown, shading
insensibly into the ground-colour. The
extremely fine cloudy markings, in a slightly
darker shade of the ground-colour, fre-
quently thickened circularly to a shadow
at the basal end, characterize the eggs of
this species. On eggs which are clouded
more strongly or more reddish, a distinct
zone is found in which spots lying deeper
and of an ash-grey appearance frequently
occur.
13.6 X "10.3 millimetres.
0.04 gram.
rough to the touch.
oblong ovoidal.
consists mainly of various kinds of moss
and of material spun by insects; lined
with hair, feathers and seed-down.
by preference at the ends of horizontal or
drooping branches of coniferous trees,
mostly fairly high; according to Thysse
sometimes also on the ground between
masses of roots and in stacks of brushwood.
8—11 (after-set: 6—9).
May— June.
about 13 days.
Fam. REGULIDAE.
Regulus regulus (L.)
XIII. Family TROGLODYTIDAE.
Family TROGLODYTIDAE.
Anorthura troglodytes (L.) - Wren.
(Plate 47, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 50, No. 123).
Colour of surface of shell:
Colour of spots:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell :
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation;
milk white.
red; brownish red; rarely bright. Unspotted
eggs, or eggs on which pigment spots are
scarcely visible with the unaided eye, oc-
cur now and again.
16.2 X 12.2 millimetres.
0075 gram.
not specially characterized.
ovoidal.
is built of vegetable materials, especially of
dry leaves and moss, and lined with hair,
feathers and down (of plants). (In addition
to the breeding nest, sleeping or winter-!
nests are also made).
under tree roots; in crevices and hollows of
walls and trees; in shrubs thickly covered
with climbing plants; in wood-stacks, etc.
6—8, usually 7.
May— July.
about 13 days.
Fam. TROGLODYTIDAE.
Anorthura troglodytes (L.)
XIV. Family ACCENTORIDAE.
Family ACCENTORIDAE.
Accentor modularis (L.) — Hedge-Sparrow.
(Plate 48, fig. a-c).
(Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 50, No. 122).
Colour of surface of shell:
Average dimensions:
Average weight of shell:
Texture of shell:
Shape :
Nest:
Site of nest:
Number of eggs:
Breeding season:
Duration of incubation:
Remarks :
turquoise blue; no pigment spots or speckles
have ever yet been ascertained on these
eggs.
19.7 X 14.5 millimetres.
0.125 gram.
not specially characterized.
mostly fat-bellied.
consists of vegetable materials, especially
moss; lined with hair, wool and feathers.
in hedges, bushes, young coniferous trees,
etc., rarely high from the ground.
5-6. (after-set: 4-5).
end of April-beginning of July.
about 13 days.
Compared with the eggs of Ph. phoenicurus,
to which they show much resemblance,
those of modularis are:
1°. purer and darker blue; 2°. fatter-bellied,
the point where the two axes intersect
one another being nearer the thicker end;
3°. generally slightly larger; 4°. heavier;
and 5°. when light passes through them
they are of a darker blue appearance.
Fam. ACCENTORIDAE.
Accentor modularis (L.)
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Oologia Neerlandica
Vol. 1 1910-13
Part jr I
59.82:15.6(119.2)
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