51 



in the Cyclades, Crete, Cyprus, etc., while in Italy it is plentiful, and is 

 found also in Sicily. 



In breeding habits it is resembles C. c. hritannica, and its nest and Nest. 

 eggs are also similar. Hartert has known two broods reared from the 

 same nest at Wesel. 



In Scandinavia the eggs of the first brood are usually 4 in number; Eggs. 

 the second brood generally consists of 5 — 6 (Ottosson), but in Germany 

 the first laying consists of 5, rarely 6, and the second of 5 eggs (Rey). 



First broods in Gennany in April or the beginning of May, second Breeding 

 in June (Rey); in Greece from mid April onwards, earlier in the plains Season, 

 than in the hills (Kriiper); while in Scandinavia the first eggs are laid in 

 May or early June. 



Average of 22 German eggs (12 by Rey and 10 by the writer). Measure 

 17.3X12.65 mm.. Max. 18x13.2 and 17X13.5 mm., Min. 15.6x12.7 "^^nts. 

 and 17.3 X 12.3 mm. Average weight (12 eggs) 85 mg. (Rey). Eggs from 

 Greece are decidedly smaller: 23 from Parnassus average 15.9 X 12.4 mm.. 

 Max. 17 X 12.3 and 16.6 X 13.5 mm., Min. 15.1 X 12 and 15.5 X 11.7 mm. 



b. British Goldfiiich, C. carduelis britannica (Hart.). See p. 49. • 



c. Sardinian Goldfinch, C. carduelis tschusii Arrig-. 



Local Names: Sardinia: Cardanera, Cardellina. 



A. carduelis tschusii (Arrig.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 68. 



Breeding Range: Sardinia and Corsica. 



Common and resident in Corsica, where Whitehead found many nests, 

 some of which contained young, in the beginning of April, and obtained 

 eggs up to June 10. In Sardinia it is the commonest Finch on the island 

 and begins to pair in the first week of April (Brooke). The eggs are 

 rather small: 5 in the Tring Museum average 16.3 X 12.36 mm.. Max. 

 16.8X12.3 and 16.6X13 mm., Min. 15.8x12 mm. 



d. Barbary Goldfincli, C. carduelis africana (Hart.). 



Local Names: Portugal: Pintasilgo. Spain: Oilguero. 



A. carduelis africanus Hart. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 69. 



Breeding Range: Southern Spain. [Also Marocco, Algeria and Tunis.] 



Goldfinches are among the commonest birds of southern Spain, and 

 appear to rear at least two broods; for fresh eggs are to be found from 

 the middle of April to the end of May, while the young of the first brood 

 are on the wing by mid-May. Many pairs breed in the orange groves, 

 building most beautiful little nests, smaller than those of C c. britannica 

 (diameter of cup If in.), composed almost entirely of white plant down 

 and a little moss, woven together with fine roots and hair. [In the Barbary 



states it is also very common, breeding in the orange groves and olive 



4* 



