29 



Amter, while according to Collett it has also been found as far south as 

 Kristiania and south Telemark {59^1^° N. lat.). In Sweden Hennicke has 

 recorded it in August from Stollet in Wennland (south of 60^/2° N. lat.), 

 but it is absent from Gotarike, though distributed over the country N. of 

 Lat. 60° — 61". In Lapland it is found wherever conifers exist, and in 

 Finland is most numerous on the eastern border (Sandman). In the forests 

 of eastern Esthonia and Livonia it is also a resident, and is common in 

 the Kola peninsula. [East of the Urals it is replaced by P. infaustiis 

 sihericus (Bodd.).] 



Like those of the Nutcracker, the eggs of this species were unknown Nest. 

 to science half a century ago, and for the same reasons. Many interesting 

 details as to its nidification may be found in Ootheca woUeyana, part II, 

 p. 478. Most of Wolley's nests were found in Scotch firs and spruce, 

 and were as a rule placed about 12 ft. from the ground, though some- 

 times as low as 7 ft., or as high as 20 ft. The nest is constucted of 

 bleached sticks, sometimes covered with black lichens, but mostly without 

 bark, then lighter coloured lichens and a thick layer of feathers,* lichens 

 ( Usnea harhata, Everina sarmentosa, Parmelia saxatilis, etc.) reindeer hair, 

 hare's down, spider's nests, leaves and portions of wasps' nests, as weU as 

 the down of Eriophorum, grass stalks, moss and bits of bark. Dimensions: 

 diameter 5.5 to 8 in., depth 2.75 to 4.75 in., diameter of cup 2.35 to 

 3.4 in., depth of cup 1.6 to 2 in. (Collett and Benzon). 



The nest is sometimes very conspicuous, but is often placed in a 

 thick, bushy tree, and is easily overlooked on account of the vast extent 

 of the forests and the silent and retiring habits of the bird durins; the 

 nesting season. It is usually built close to the stem and often on the 

 outskirts of a wood or close to a track. 



Three or four in number, but occasionally five have been found. Eggs. 



These are somewhat variable both in ground colour and in distribu- 

 tion of markings. The ground colour varies from dirty white to pale 

 greenish, but some eggs have a decidedly warmer tint. The surface spots 

 are of dark or light yellowish brown, sometimes evenly distributed, but 

 more often congregated ot the big end, sometimes forming a zone or cap. 

 Occasionally they are found chiefly at the small end. The underlying blotches 

 are violet grey in colour. 



The nest is built early in the year, when snow is deep on the ground Breeding 

 and the cold very severe, and most eggs appear to be laid in Lapland season, 

 towards the end of April, but full clutches may be obtained from April 6 

 onward to about May 10. Perhaps April 24 may be taken as the average 

 date. In mid-Sweden fledged young have been met mth on May 20, and 



* Chiefly from the Willow Grouse, Capercaillie and Lapp Owl. 



