HEWITSON'S "BRITISH OOLOGY." 79 



hibiting a moderate degree of variation, but neither of them what 

 we should consider as exactly typical of the egg of this species. 

 No. 1 is, as the author states, the most common ; 3 has the spots 

 fewer and of larger size ; 2 is intermediate. A frequent variety 

 is thickly besprinkled with rufous spots, rather larger than in No. 

 1. A few dusky specks are always discernable. We have known 

 the nest of this species to be situate in the hole of an elm, about 

 twenty feet from the ground. From such a place, we once saw 

 three young ones taken. 



Eggs of the Eave Swallow, Bank Swallow, and Swift, all white, 

 differing only in size. We disagree with Mr. Hewitson, about the 

 Swift's nidification. Granting that it will often usurp the domi- 

 cile of a House Sparrow, and therein lay without further prepara- 

 tion, we happen to know that it will as frequently construct a curi- 

 ously cemented nest of its own, and this in a very short space of 

 time. Several such nests are in the writer's cabinet. 



One egg of the Motheater, or Evejar, (Phalcenivora Europcea, 

 Caprimulgus of Linneus), most unnecessarily occupying a whole 

 plate. We possess perfect fac-similies of this representation, but, 

 nevertheless, consider it of too light a colour for an average exam- 

 ple. Another variety might have been advantageously introduced. 



An egg of the Collarless Pyelet (Pied Flycatcher of most au- 

 thors), and two of the Grey Flycatcher ( Muscicapa grisolaj. The 

 former of e. deeper blue than those in our cabinet, or than any that 

 we have hitherto seen, which, in general, have been also much 

 rounder ; but no doubt a correct representation of the specimen 

 drawn from. We are informed, however, that ' f the eggs differ 

 considerably in size and conformation, those contained in one nest 

 being unusually small, nearly oval, and almost white." We have 

 known several instances of this bird breeding in the south-eastern 

 counties, but it is of excessively rare occurrence. It is remarkably 

 attached to the place it has once selected for nidification, and will 

 not desert the hole though robbed repeatedly. In an instance 

 wherein the eggs had been destroyed by a Snake, another nest was 

 built upon the broken egg-shells contained in the last. The Pye- 

 lets are double-moulting birds, songsters, and in every respect 

 differ greatly from the Muscicapte, or Flycatchers : they are also 

 much more lively in their manners. The ground colour of No. 2 

 of the eggs of the Grey Flycatcher should have been greenish. 



Lanius collurio, or Flusher Shrike. These are among the most 

 variable eggs we know, and Mr. Hewitson has accordingly furnish- 

 ed us with three figures of them, all very correct and characteristic. 



