32 



moss, warmly and neatly lined with wool, or cow and goat hair. Approximate 

 diameter of nest 10 in., the height depending on the size of the crevice 

 or shelf. The same site is occupied year after year, and a second clutch 

 is sometimes deposited in the same nest after the first has been taken. 

 Ussher mentions an instance of a breeding place occupied for over 40 years 

 consecutively. 



Eggs. Usually 4 — 5, but 3 are not uncommon, and Ussher records instances 



of 2 only, while 6 have been known to occur. The Chough is single 

 brooded, but second and third layings are deposited when the first clutches 

 are taken. Incubation appears to begin after the laying of the first egg, 

 and as the eggs in a clutch are often in different stages of development, 

 it is probable that they are not always laid on consecutive days. The yolk 

 is of an extraordinarily deep, rich, red colour. 



The ground colour varies from creamy white (rare) to very pale 

 yellowish green and pale brownish yellow, while some eggs have a bluish 

 cast. The underlying blotches and spots are pale lilac, while the surface 

 markings vary from sepia to reddish brown, but are most frequently yellowish 

 brown, and vary much in depth of colour. The character of the markings 

 is very variable: sometimes a few bold blotches and spots, sometimes 

 numerous fine speckles, at one time evenly distributed over the surface, 

 at another forming a distinct zone or cap, generally at the big end. About 

 10 per cent, show traces of a black streak at the blunt end. The shell 

 is somewhat glossy with numerous minute projections and occasionally 

 small lumps of calcareous matter are found on the surface. 



Breeding The earliest Irish date for a full clutch is April 10, but most eggs 



Season, ^re laid there in the last week of April and May 1 — 8. On the Cornish 

 and Welsh coasts the breeding time is perhaps rather later — earliest date 

 April 19 — and most eggs in the first fortnight of May. In the Alps eggs 

 are found from the end of April onward, but in south Spain clutches may 

 be obtained at the beginning of April, and on Palma in the last week of 

 March, and probably about the same time in Greece. 



Measure- Average of 100 eggs from Cornwall and Ireland 39.46x27.94 mm., 



ments. Max. 42.6 X 29 and 41 x 29.5 mm., Min. 34 x 26 and 36.9 x 24.6 mm. 

 Spanish eggs appear to be larger and perhaps warmer in colour. Average 

 of 19 eggs (9 by E. Rey and 10 by author) 41.05x28.26 mm.. Max. 

 44.1X28.5 and 42.1X29.5 mm., Min. 36.5X27.8 and 40X21.1 mm. 

 Average weight of 45 Irish eggs 994 mg., but 9 Spanish eggs average 

 1.020 g., varying from 0.910 to 1.150 g. (Rey). 



