25 



districts on the southern slopes of the Grampians from Dumbarton to Forfar, 

 and occurs in suitable localities south of this line, but to the north and west 

 it is decidedly rare and has only been recorded from a few localities as a 

 resident, such as Glengarry, Inverness, Benderloch, west Kintyre, etc. Unlike 

 the Rook and the Starling, it does not appear to be extending its range, but 

 rather to be stationary or even decreasing in numbers in the north. In 

 the Hebrides and northern islands it is unknown. 



The sites used for this purpose vary considerably. Perhaps the most Nest. 

 usual situation is among the thick foKage of undergrowth in woods, such 

 as hazel, blackthorn, hoUy or evergreens, as a rule not more than 20 ft. 

 from the ground and frequently half that height, or even less. Another 

 favourite site is among the outgrowth which sprouts where a bough has 

 been sawn off. The leafy lower boughs of oak trees are also sometimes 

 chosen, as are also plantations of thick young spruce, and in Derbyshire 

 I have seen two or three nests in tall larches or Scotch firs, within a yard 

 or two of the top, and not less than 60 ft. from the ground. An even 

 more remarkable site is recorded in the Zoologist for 1863, p. 8720, where 

 a nest was found within a foot of the ground in tall ling, on Witley 

 Common, Surrey. The foundation of the nest consists of sticks and twigs, 

 with sometimes a little earth, while the cup is neatly and thickly lined 

 with fine roots and occasionally dry grasses. Horsehair is also said to be 

 occasionally found in the lining. The nest distinctly recalls that of the 

 Bullfinch, but of course is built on a much larger scale. 



Usually 5 or 6 in number, but 4 are not uncommon, and 3 young Eg-g». 

 have been found in a nest, while clutches of 7 are occasionally found. 

 The ground colour is generally pale sage green or olive buff, finely mottled 

 with rather darker markings of olive or liver brown, which sometimes 

 tend to form a zone at the big end; while a hair line or streak of very 

 dark brown (almost black) is often present at the same end. Some eggs 

 show a strong tendency to the rufous type of colouring found in other 

 species of Corvidae, and others are almost devoid of markings and show only 

 the bluish green ground. 



Rather variable, but usually in the south of England between April 25 Breedinr 

 and May 20, and about a week later in the north-midland counties. Season. 



The period of incubation is said to be 16 days, and the sitting bird 

 often does not leave the nest until almost touched. 



Average of 100 eggs from England 31.73 x 22.85 mm., Max. Measure- 

 34.3 X 24 and 34 X 24.6 mm., Min. 28.2 X 22 and 32.1 X 21.1 mm. "^ents. 

 Average weight of 6 eggs 562 mg. English eggs appear to be slightly 

 longer and not so rounded in form as continental specimens, but the eggs 

 of all the races of G. glandarius are practically indistinguishable. 



