37 



February. Where two broods are reared the eggs of the second hatch may- 

 be met with in the first week of June, usually 3 or 4 days only elapsing 

 between the flight of the young and the cleaning out of the nest for the 

 second brood. A few instances are on record of three broods having been 

 reared {Nat. 1891, p. 49, etc.). Rey gives the second half of April as the usual 

 time for full clutches in Germany, while in Finland the eggs are laid early in May. 



Enghsh eggs appear to be larger than Continental. 51 from Gennany Measure- 

 only average 28.83 X 20.84 mm. (Rey), while 50 English eggs average ments. 

 30.33X21.4 mm. Mean average of 100 eggs 29.57X21.11 mm., Max. 

 34.1 X 22.4 and 31.2 X 22.8 mm., Min. 27 X 20.4 and 28.6 X 20 mm. 

 A dwarf e^g measures 25.2 X 19.5 mm. (R. H. Read coll.). Irregular 

 longitudinal grooves are frequently found on eggs of this species. Average 

 weight of 51 German eggs 431 mg. (Rey). 



Geographical Races, 

 a. Common Starling^, S. vulg'aris vulg^aris L. See above, 

 b. Faeroe Starling', S. vulgaris faroensis Felld. 

 Local Name: Fseroes: Steari. 



S. vulgaris faroensis Feild. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 44. 

 Breeding Range: the Faeroes. 



This easily recognized race is a common resident in the Faeroes, 

 breeding in colonies in the rocks and also in the walls of stone outhouses. 

 Feilden found well-feathered young on Sando on May 22, but also obtained 

 clutches of 5 — 6 fresh eggs on May 23 and from June 2 to 23. The eggs 

 are similar to those of other races, but as might be expected, average 

 somewhat larger. 



Average of 27 eggs 30.9 X 21.56 mm.. Max. 33.5 X 22.6 and 

 32.3 X 23 mm., Min. 29 X 21.1 and 32.1 X 20 mm. 



c. Caucasian Starling, S. vulgaris caucasicus Lorenz. 



Local Name: Russia: Blestyastclie-sTcvoretz. 



S. caucasicus Lor. Dresser, Birds of Europe, IX, p. 234; Man. Pal. 

 Birds, p. 400. S. v. caucasicus Lor. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 46. 



Breeding Range: The Caucasus. [Also in N. Persia and in the 

 highlands of the S. W.] 



Rey gives measurements of 5 eggs, which average 28.1 X 21.16 mm., 

 Max. 29.6 X 22.6 mm., Min. 27.1 X 20 and 29.1 X 19.3 mm. Average 

 weight 365 mg. 



d. Purple winged Starling, S. vulgaris purpurascens Gould. 



S. purpurascens Gould. Dresser, Birds of Europe, IV, p. 419; Man. 

 Pal. Birds, p. 400. S. v. purpurascens Gould. Harteii, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 46. 



