218 



Breeding Eggs may be taken in Andalucia from February 20 to early April, 



^'""°"- while in Corsica Whitehead took full clutches on April 20 and May 23, 



and in Italy most eggs appear to be laid in April. 

 Measure- Average of 18 Corsican eggs: 14.14x10.77 mm., Max. 15.5x11, 



ments. jyjjjj 13 X 10.3 mm. Three Spanish eggs are larger, averaging 15.5 X 12.3 mm., 

 Max. 16.5 X 12.1, Min. 15 X 12.3 mm. 



g:. Sicilian Long tailed Tit, M. caadatus siculns (Whit.). 

 Acr. sicida Whit. Dresser, Man. Pal. Birds, p. 160. jE. caudatus sicula 

 (Whit.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 386. 



Breeding Range: Sicily. 



According to Whitaker {Ibis, 1902, p. 54) it inhabits the wooded 

 inland districts, and breeds in the higher mountain forests, rarely if ever 

 descending below 2100 ft. Two nests were found in forks of olive trees 

 about 8 ft. from the ground, with half fledged young in June, probably 

 second broods. 



h. Caucasian Long: tailed Tit, M. caudatus major (Radde). 



Acr. caucasica (Lor.). Dresser, Birds of Europe, IX, p. 113; id. Man. 

 Pal. Birds, p. 159. ^. caudatus major (Hadde). Hartert, Vog. Pal. 

 Fauna, p. 486. 



Breeding Range: The Caucasus. 



Lorenz records this bird from the northern slopes, and Radde from 

 the Talysch lowlands and the Tiflis district. Fledged young were ob- 

 tained from the end of May onward in Transcaucasia. 



j. Turkish Long tailed Tit, JE. caudatus tephronotus (Giinth.) 



Egg: Dresser, pi. — , fig. 22. 

 Acr. tep)ironota (Giinth.). Dresser, Birds of Europe, III, p. 75; id. Man. 

 Pal. Birds, p. 160. jE. caudatus tephronotus (Giinth.). Hartert, Vog. 

 Pal. Fauna, p. 387. 



Breeding Range: E. Turkey (Constantinople district). [Also Asia 

 Minor to the Taurus and the S. shore of the Caspian in Persia.] 

 (,(,„. In Europe the range of this black -throated race appears to be 



tinentai confiued to the district adjoining the Bosporus, where it is not uncommon, 

 and in Transcaucasia (Talysch). [On the Asiatic side it is found in Asia 

 Minor as far as the Taurus, and also to the southern shores of the 

 Caspian.] 

 Nest. Little has been recorded as to its breeding habits, which however 



are said not to differ from those of the British race. Robson describes 

 the nest as usually placed in a yew tree. 

 Egss. Average size of 3 eggs taken by Robson, 13.76 X 10.86 mm.. Max. 



14x11, Min. 13.6x10.6. They are laid in March or early April. 



