Family LANIIDAE. 



Lanius collurio L. — Redbacked Shrike. 



(Plate 10, fig. a-f). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 34, No. 78). 



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: 



3, 4, 5 



varying from whitish to sea green (type I); 

 varying from light cream colour to red- 

 dish (type II). 



olive green; yellowish; reddish brown, in 

 various variegations; blood red (occurring 

 exclusively in the more or less erythristic 

 objects of type II); the spots lying deeper 

 are of a grey appearance in all the eggs. 



22 X 16.75 millimetres. 



0.186 gram. 



fine. 



varying between short-oval, obtuse and more 

 elongated. 



is built of vegetable material and is lined 

 with hair and wool. 



especially in hawthorn and blackthorn shrubs; 

 in hedges; in young conifers; up to a 

 height of about 2 metres. 



5—7 (after-set: 4—5). 



second half of May to middle of June. 



about 14 days. 



Explanation of plate. 

 and 2: variations of type I. 

 and 6: „ „ „ II. 



