20 Mr. J. A. Bucknill on the 



numerous specimens in his spring journey through the same 

 mountains in 1909, and on June 1st discovered a nest ready 

 for eggs. On the 8th June, 1909, Mr. Nicolls took a fresh 

 clutch of five eggs, which he sent to me. I do not think 

 that the eggs have heen described before ; hut I know 

 Glaszner ha9 obtained them, as he shewed me some in 1907. 

 They are exactly similar to those of G. glandarius, but, as 

 in the case of the eggs of some other Cypriote birds, are 

 distinctly small, averaging only 1*18 x '85 inch. In its 

 habits the Cypriote Jay does not differ from its English 

 congener ; but it has, in my opinion, a much weaker cry. 

 It is, I am sorry to say, much pursued by the younger 

 Cypriote gunners, and is habitually eaten. 



596. Pica rustica (Scop.). 



The Magpie is a common resident, but dres not frequent 

 the very highest portions of the southern mountains. It 

 breeds in Cyprus during April and May, and I have notes 

 of nests uith clutches of not less than five eggs from 

 April the 15th to May the 20th. 



The Magpie appears to be one of the hosts of the Great 

 Spotted Cuckoo (vide infra, p. 31). In size the Magpies' 

 eggs found in the island vary considerably, but on average 

 are fairly normal; the mean of twenty-three being 1*32 X 

 •93 inch. Sir Charles Tyser, the present Chief Justice, saw 

 seventeen Magpies together, near Larnaca, on November the 

 11th, 1903. 



Lord Lilford mentions that some of his specimens showed 

 a good deal of brown on the primaries and rectrices. I have 

 not yet observed this in the few specimens Horsbrugh and 

 I took the trouble to obtain. 



599. Corvus monedula Linn. 



The Jackdaw is a very common resident, and is generally 

 distributed. In habits it does not appear to differ from the 

 bird found in England. It nests freely in the old houses 

 and ruins in the towns, and on the cliffs and high rocks near 

 the sea and in the hills. It commences repairing its nests 

 in early March, and about mid-April I have had a good 



