56 The. Oologisis' Record, September i, 1922. 



The longest egg has the greatest breadth, and the shortest egg 

 had the narrowest breadth. 



I find, on looking up my register, that I did measure the set found 

 on May 30, 19 18 : — • 



•92 X -69, -93 X -71, -91 X -70, -96 X -71, -90 X -70, 

 •90 X -69. — Average of 6 eggs = -92 x -70. 



This makes the average of 19 eggs -932 x -692, and gives the 

 minimum length -90 x -69. 



Eggs varied very considerably in size, and the set taken on 

 June 5 was distinctly on the large size : — 



•96 X -70, -94 X -68, -98 X -71, I -00 X -71, '97 X -70, 

 '99 X -71. — Average of 6 eggs = -973 x -702. 



Nests were invariably placed in olive trees several feet above the 

 ground, the highest one being 9 feet. They were compact and solid, 

 besides which they were neatly built. They were composed almost 

 throughout of the dry stalks and stems of sweet-smelling aromatic 

 herbs and flowering plants, with a little wool interwoven as a binding 

 material. There was no lining except the soft dry leaves of such 

 stems. The general outward appearance of the nest was a grey- 

 green colour which assimilated well with its surroundings and 

 tended towards concealment. Measurements of nest cups : — 



3 X 3 X if inches. 3 X 3 X li inches. 



The normal clutch appears to be six eggs. In colour and markings 

 they vary a good deal. 



The ground colour varies from a greenish white to yellowish 

 white and cream ; these colours become rather dead after the eggs 

 are blown. The surface markings are of several shades of brown, 

 and are chiefly confined to the larger end, which is frequently thickly 

 marked and blotched as well as ringed. I have found eggs well 

 marked all over. The shell spots are of various shades of grey, 

 purplish grey and grey-blue, and are also chiefly found at the larger 

 end, but are very apparent. 



Lanins nithicus. Masked Shrike. 



The Masked Shrike was found in the same localities as t|^e 

 Woodchat, but was not so common. The nests are not so easy to 

 find, and are very similar to those of L. collurio, and usually placed 



