229 



is also found in the low ground of Switzerland. It does not breed in 

 Belgium or Holland, but occurs throughout Germany with the exception 

 of the district N. W. of the Elbe (Hannover and Westphalia). Its 

 numbers however vary considerably from year to year. Although 

 locally common, and not rare in E. Prussia and Silesia, it is scarce 

 in S. Bavaria, Baden and Wiirttemberg. In the Russian Baltic Pro- 

 vinces it is not rare in Kurland and its range extends to W. Livonia, 

 while in S. Russia it is a plentiful species and is found in Caucasia up 

 to about 5000 ft. It is a characteristic species of Austro-Hungary, and 

 is extraordinarily numerous in some parts of Hungary, extending its 

 range southward to Styria aud Dalmatia. It is the commonest Shrike 

 in Montenegro and is also plentiful in the Danube valley (Rumania, 

 Dobrudscha etc.), but is apparently now rather scarce in Greece. 



In middle Europe this bird is especially partial to avenues of Nest. 

 poplars and other trees by the roadsides, but is also found breeding in 

 deciduous woods, parks and orchards. Here it places its nest at a 

 height of 10 to 25 ft. from the ground, sometimes on the fork of a 

 bough close to the main stem, and in the case of small trees, occasionally 

 at the very top. In the S. of Europe it is frequently built in an olive 

 tree. A characteristic feature of the nest is the use of fresh and green 

 plant stems, especially clover. A few twigs are built into the foundation, 

 while various flowering plants, often aromatic, are woven into the structure, 

 such as Onaphalium, Thymus, Capsella bursa pastoris, Stachys, Filago 

 etc. Internally it is also lined with feathers and at times with roots, 

 wool and hair. Diameter of cup, 21 — 3? in., depth 1+ — 2 in. 



From 4 or 5 to 7 in number, and as a rule easily distinguishable Eggs. 

 from those of other Shrikes by their more distinctly bluish green ground. 

 They are generally boldly blotched with two shades of colour, olive 

 brown and underlying pale greenish brown. These markings tend very 

 frequently to form a zone. Exceptionally a clutch of eggs may be found 

 with creamy white or yellowish ground spotted with brown and violet. 

 Krause figures five eggs of this type from Brandenburg. 



In Greece the eggs may be found in the latter half of May, but Breeding 

 in the Danube valley the best time is at the end of May and early in ^^^^o"- 

 June, and in Germany the breeding season is about the same time, 

 though even here clutches have been taken in mid -May, so that the 

 period does not vary much. Incubation is performed by both sexes and 

 is said to last 15 days. The birds are not shy, and are always on the watch 

 to drive away crows or magpies from the neighbourhood of the nest. 



Average of 100 eggs (57 by Rey, 37 by the writer and 6 by Blasius) Me.sure- 

 25.1X18.24 mm., Max. 28.2x20, Min. 23x17 and 23.3x16.6 mm. '"«°*'' 

 Hartert records an abnormally large egg, 29 X 19, and Reiser another, 



