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. 



