EGGS OF SOMERSETSHIRE BIRDS. ya! 
as are eggs of most of the wading birds; 1 inch 6 lines 
by 1 inch 1 line, of a greenish white, the large end 
spotted with two or three shades of brown. 
TRINGA. 
91.—Tringa maritima.— Purple Sandpiper. 
This bird till within the last few years, bred on the little 
island of Birnbeck, at Weston-super-Mare, but I fear 
does so no longer ; at least neither rewards nor ardent 
search have been able to procure them; the eggs are 
1 inch 6% lines by 1 inch, in colour yellowish grey, 
irregularly spotted with pale brown. 
RALLIDAE. CREX. 
92.—Crex pratensis.— Landırail. | 
This bird breeds in June, laying from seven to ten eggs, 
of a reddish white, spotted with grey and brown, 1 
inch 6 lines by 1 inch 1 line. 
RALLUS, 
93.—Rallus aquaticus.— Water-rail. 
Though well known as a species, going by the provincial name 
of skitty, this bird is by no means common, and conse- 
quently the eggs are rare ; they much resemble those 
of the landrail, but smaller, being 1 inch 4 lines by 
l inch; eream coloured, speckled with ash grey and 
reddish brown. 
GALLINULA. 
94.—Gallinula chloropa.— Water Hen. 
Eggs reddish white, spotted and speckled with orange 
brown, l inch 8 lines by 1 inch 34 lines. 
LOBIPEDIDAE. FULICA, 
95.—Fulica atra.— Coot. 
Eggs 2 inches 1 line by 1 inch 6 lines, of a stone colour, 
speckled with pale brown. 
3% 
