Family CORVIDAE. 



Pica Pica (L.) — Magpie. 



(Plate 5, fig. a-d). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 9, No. 6). 



Colour of surface of shell: 

 Colour of spots: 



Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell: 

 Texture of shell: 

 Shape : 

 Nest: 



Site of nest: 



Number of eggs: 

 Breeding season: 

 Duration of incubation: 



greenish or bluish white. 



olive brown; when lying deeper they appear 

 to be grey (with a faint purple tinge). 



32.9 X 23 millimetres. 



0.565 gram. 



has no special characteristic. 



short bellied or oblong ovoidal. 



is built of twigs and thorns; on which earth 

 or clay, and roots, stalks, etc. are laid; 

 the top is covered over with branches; 

 entrance: on one side. 



by preference in lofty trees; also, in accor- 

 dance with existing conditions, in hedges, 

 or larger bushes; in low willows 1 to 2 

 metres from the ground (e.g. intheNaar- 

 dermeer = Naarden Lake). 



6-8. 



middle of April— May. 



about 18 days. 



