145 



of 7 eggs in a nest have occurred in Durham (twice), N. Wales, Pomerania, 

 etc., but the largest clutch I know of is one of 8 eggs in J. G, Tuck's 

 collection, taken in W. Suffolk. In Germany 11 per cent of the nests found 

 by Rey contained 6 eggs, and the remainder 5. The variation in colour 

 and markings is extraordinary. It is almost impossible to describe all the 

 known varieties, of which eleven of the more usual types are figured on 

 Plate 18. Exceptionally eggs with purple blotches on a pale blue ground 

 have been met with. (R. H. Read.) Roughly classifying the eggs as 'grey' 

 or 'brown' and 'red' in general effect, it will be found that among the 'grey' 

 eggs in some cases a few bold spots only of dark sepia with soft edges 

 are found, in others the spots are evenly distributed as in Motacilla alba 

 (fig. 9), and sometimes the ground is almost completely concealed (fig. 10), 

 or else the spots form a cap or zone (fig. 11). Somewhat similar variations 

 are to be found among the 'red' eggs, and occasionally a bold spot or hair 

 line almost black in colour is found at the big end. There is always a great 

 similarity in appearance between eggs from the same nest. The curious 

 egg figured on Plate 41 appears to have all the colouring matter con- 

 centrated on one half of the egg. It will be noticed that some eggs show 

 much more gloss than others. 



In England the breeding season begins about mid May, and fresh Breeding 

 eggs may be obtained till the beginning of July, but most eggs are laid ^®^^°"- 

 in the midlands between May 20 and June 10. In Germany the nesting 

 time is very similar, but most eggs are found in June; and in the high 

 north eggs are rarely found before the middle of the month. In most 

 cases only one brood is reared, but apparently a second is sometimes 

 hatched off. When surprised on the nest the hen will sometimes run a 

 few yards in order to draw attention from the eggs, but as a rule she 

 does not sit very closely, but slips off and joins the cock in uttering the 

 monosyllabic alarm note, while the intruder remains in the neighbourhood. 



Average of 174 eggs (82 by Bau, 72 by Rey and 20 by the writer), Measure- 

 20.09 X 15.1 mm.. Max. 23.4 X 15.4 and 23 X 17.2 mm., Min. 18 X 14 "''°*'- 

 mm. A dwarf egg measures 13 X 10.1 mm. (Derbyshire). Average weight 

 of 82 eggs, 132 mg. (Bau), of 72 eggs, 135 mg. (Rey). 



74. Petschora Pipit, Anthus gustavi Swiiih. 



Plate 26, fig. 11 (R. Yenesei, 3. VII. 77, Seebohm). 



Anthus seehohmi Dress. Dresser, Birds of Europe, III, p. 295. A. 

 gustavi Sw^inh. Id. Man. Pal. Birds, p. 217; Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, 

 p. 274. 



Breeding Range: N. E. Russia, from the lower Petschora eastward. 

 [Also N. Siberia eastward to Bering's Sea.] 



10 



