175 



Foreign Names: France: Orimperean. Germany: Baumlciufer. 

 Hungary: Fakusz. Italy: RampicJdno. 



C. familiaris L. Dresser, tt. c. (part.). C. familiaris macrodactyla 

 Brehm. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna p. 319, 



Breeding Range: Central Europe, induding France, Belgium, 

 Switzerland, N, Italy, W. Germany and Austro-Hungary.* 



This race is generally distributed throughout the wooded districts con- 

 of Central Europe in company with the next species (C. hrachydadyla ^^^^°'*^ 

 Brehm), with which it is frequently confused. Much of the literature on 

 the subject is therefore unreliable, as the notes may apply to either 

 species. It is however tolerably clear that C. f. macrodactyla haunts 

 coniferous woods by preference, and in the Alps is found in the forests 

 from about 2400 or 3000 ft. up to the tree limit, whereas C. brachy- 

 dactyla is more at home in the plains and among willows by the water 

 side, and is rarely found higher than 3000 ft. In the Haute Engadine 

 C f. macrodactyla has been observed as high as 5700 ft. In Holland 

 such specimens as have been critically examined belong to C. Wachy- 

 dactyla, but C. f. macrodaciyla has been recorded from Belgium and 

 the mountains of France, and is not uncommon in the Pyrenean forests. 

 In Italy it appears to be confined to the mountainous districts of the 

 north, and in Germany is ouly met with west of the R. Oder. It is 

 however found throughout A^ustro-Hungary, and has been recorded from 

 Bosnia and Herzegovina, but not from Montenegro or Bulgaria. 



In nesting habits this race appears not to differ from those already uest. 

 described; but as a rule it does not breed more than about 18 ft. from 

 the ground, while the dimensions of the nest vary according to the size 

 of the cavity. 



Although according to the older writers as many as 9 eggs were Eggs. 

 occasionally met with, most modern writers agree in giving the usual 

 number of eggs in the first brood as 5 — 7, generally 6, and 4 — 5 in the 

 second. According to Deichler the eggs are as a rule less strongly 

 marked than those of C. brachydactyla and not so elongated in shape, 

 but in a large series there is apparently much variation. It is moreover 

 worth noting than in Great Britain, where only one form is found, • there 

 is quite as much variety as in a series fi-om Central Europe, where two 

 species occur. 



The eggs of the first brood are generally laid in the latter part of Breeding 

 April or early in May on the lower ground, and those of the second season, 

 during June. In some districts eggs are said to have been found at the 



* It is not known yet which race inhabits the forests of Denmark. 



