231 



siderable height above the ground. A favourite site is far out on the 

 horizontal bough of a big oak, but frequently a fruit tree in an orchard 

 is utilized, and in Brabant it often builds in a pine. Occasionally nests 

 have been recorded in big thorn bushes, and on one occasion on the 

 ground in a bush in Saxony ! but this last site is of course quite ab- 

 normal. In northern Europe the nest is generally placed in a birch, 

 It is a bulky and characteristic structure, consisting of a foundation of 

 twigs or heather stems, but chiefly composed of dead grasses and moss 

 or leaves, lined with roots, bits of wool and hair, with a thick layer of 

 feathers, which give an untidy look to the nest. Flowers of Achillea 

 millefolium are also sometimes used. It is deep and warm, measuring 

 about 3f — 4 in. across the interior, and 2i — 3 in. in depth. The cock 

 bird occupies some commanding perch in the neighbourhood of the nest, 

 and shows considerable courage in driving away birds of prey, crows, etc., 

 especially after the young have been hatched. In some cases the same 

 locality, and it is said even the same site and nest, is occupied year 

 after year. 



Usually 5 to 7 in number, but clutches of 8 have been occasionally Egg». 

 recorded from Central Europe, and a nest with 9 eggs was found by 

 S. A. Davies on the Muonio River in 1904. They are not subject to 

 much variation, and have but little gloss. The ground colour varies from 

 greyish or very pale greenish grey to greyish buff, blotched and spotted 

 with darker and lighter olive brown and underlying markings of purplish 

 grey. As a rule the markings tend to form a zone or cap at the big 

 end. Krause figures a clutch from Transylvania, with a distinctly green 

 ground, like the eggs of L minor. 



In mid Europe the eggs are generally laid during the last fortnight Breeding 

 of April or early in May*. If these are taken a second clutch is laid 

 two or three weeks later, and often a third, but as a rule this Shrike 

 is single brooded. C. Sachse however records one case where -t eggs 

 were found on June 17 after the young of the first brood of the same 

 birds had flown. In Lapland the breeding season is much later, and the 

 eggs are laid late in May or early in June. Incubation is said to last 

 15 days, and the hen is a close sitter. 



Average size of 117 eggs from Germany, Holland etc. (42 by Rey, Measure- 

 38 by Bau and 37 by the writer), 26.28 X 19.28 mm., Max. 30.5 X 19 '"«'>'«• 

 and 28x20.5; Min. 23x18.9 and 25.1x18 mm. Average weight 

 283 mg. (Rey); 302 mg. (Bau). Lapland eggs are slightly larger: 

 average of 34, 20.9x19.7 mm.. Max. 29.5x19.5 and 28.5x20.5; 

 Min. 26 X 19 mm. (Wasenius). 



* Seebohm's statement that in Brabant the eggs are not laid till late in May 

 is erroneous, and the nests brought to him were obviously second layingi. 



