96 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BJRDS. 



and a close sitter, but the peculiar high-pitched call- 

 notes readily betray its presence, and render the dis- 

 covery of the nest a by no means difficult task. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Goldcrest are usually from five to eight 

 in number, but ten have been occasionally found. They 

 are pale reddish-white in ground colour, sometimes 

 pure white, minutely speckled with brownish-red, chiefly 

 on the larger end. Some eggs have the colouring 

 matter confluent, clouded, and suffused over the entire 

 surface. Average measurement, "53 inch in length, by 

 ■41 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by 

 the female, lasts twelve or thirteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The small size, minute 

 markings, and reddish tinge are sufficient to distinguish 

 the eggs of the Goldcrest from those of any other 

 species breeding in the British Islands. The nest also 

 is unique. 



Family LANIID^. Genus Lanius. 



RED-B ACK E D SHRIKE. 



Lanius collurio, Liimceiis. 



Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



British breeding area: The Red-backed Shrike 

 is decidedly a southern species, but one nevertheless 

 pretty generally distributed during summer over the 

 southern and central portions of England and Wales. 

 It is said to be rare in Cornwall, but is certainly 

 common in Devonshire, and thence in all the southern 



