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. 



