Measure- 

 menta. 



169 



blotches, chiefly at the big end; while another uncommon type has the 

 numerous markings of a much warmer brown than usual, recalling the 

 brown variety of the eggs of M. alba alba figured by Seebohm (Col. 

 Fig. pi. 58). Pure white eggs have also been taken in Shropshire. 



Two broods are reared in the season as a rule: the first clutch B««^in8 



Season, 



being generally laid towards the end of April or the early part of May, 

 while the second is generally to be found about the second or third 

 week in June in the Midlands. Occasionally a third brood is reared 

 (Cf. Zool. 1878, p. 28, 1903, p. 313), and possibly the exceedingly late 

 nests with fresh eggs which are sometimes met with even as late as the 

 first week of August belong to this category. Incubation is performed 

 chiefly by the hen, and lasts according to W. Evans 13—14: days. 



Average of 100 English eggs (64 by Rey and 36 by the writer), 

 20.16 X 15.13 mm., Max. 22.2 X 15 and 21 X 16.5, Min. 18.6 X 14.3 

 and 19.8 X 14.2 mm. Two dwarf eggs in the Brit. Mus, from Hants 

 measure 13 X 11 and 12.3 X 10 mm. Average weight, 137 mg. (Rey). 

 Average weight of 4 full eggs, 2 g. (Foster); of 16,2.309 g. (R. H. Read). 



b. White AVag-tail, M. alba alba (L.). 



Plate 18, fig. 19—23 (Germany). 



Eggs: Thienemann, Fortpfl. Tab. XXV, fig. 1, a — c. Hewitson, 

 III. Ed. I, pi. XLI, fig. 3, 4. Baedeker, Tab. 35, fig. 12. Taczanowski, 

 Tab. LVIII, fig. 1. Seebohm, Br. Birds, pi. 14 (2 figs.) id. Col. Fig. 

 pi. 58. Frohawk, Br. Birds, I. pi. Ill, fig. 92. Dresser, pi. — , 

 fig. 7—12. 



Foreign Names: Bohemia: Koniims bily. Denmark: HvidVipstjaert. 

 Finland: Valkea vastardkki. France: Lavandiere. Germany: Weisse 

 BachsteUe. Helgoland: Blii Lungen. Holland: Witte Kwikstaart. Hun- 

 gary: Bardzda billegeto. Iceland: Mdriatla. Italy: Ballerina. Lapland: 

 Festur. Norway: Linerle. Poland: Pliszka biala. Portugal: Lavandeira. 

 Russia: Bieloe Trjasoguska. Sweden: Sddesarla. Spain: Lavandera. 



MotaciUa alba (L.). Newton, ed. Yarrell, I, p. 548. Dresser, Birds 

 of Europe, III, p. 233; id. Man. Pal. Birds, p. 200. Saunders, Man. p. 

 123. M. alba alba (L.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 302. 



Breeding Range: Iceland and Europe generally, with the exception 

 of the British Isles, and apparently also the islands of the Mediterranean. 



The British Isles are annually visited by flocks of this race on their B,itigh 

 northward migration, and a few pairs remain to breed, generally in isiea. 

 maritime counties, such as York, Lincoln, Suffolk, Kent, Sussex, the Isle 

 of Wight, Devon, and the coast of N. Wales, but also occasionally inland 

 (Middlesex, Cambs., Hunts., Northants. and Bucks,). Instances of inter- 



