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. 



