233 



Feather*, bits of rag, lichens, and generally bits of cudweed are woven 

 into the exterior of the nest. When built on to a bough some clay is 

 also used as a foundation. The internal diameter varies from 3i to 5 in. 

 In the Camarguo this bird is said to be partial to isolated fir trees. 



Usually 4 to 6 in number, but 7 have occasionally been met with. Kggs. 

 As compared with eggs of the Northern form, the spots are as a rule 

 of a much richer and warmer brown. Sometimes the spots are evenly 

 distributed, but well zoned eggs are not uncommon, and some clutches 

 have very bold zones of rich brown on a very light stone coloured ground. 



Somewhat irregular, for the first eggs may be found in the second Breeding 

 week of March, while on the other hand many pairs do not breed till 

 mid-April, and where the birds have been disturbed, fresh eggs may be 

 taken late in May, and even in early June. 



Average of 117 eggs (92 by the writer and 25 by Rey) from Spain, Mea^ure- 

 27.55X19.57 mm., Max. 30.1x20.1 and 26x20.5: Min. 24x18.2. """"'" 

 Average weight, 298 mg. (Rey). 



[Of the other forms of Great Grey Shrike, the following occur in 

 the W. Palaearctic region. a. Algerian Grey Shrike, L. excubitor 

 algeriensis Less. Has occurred in Italy. The egg is figured in the Cat. 

 Eggs Brit. Mus. IV. pi. XII. fig. 16. Breeds in N. Marocco and Algeria, 

 and nests in thorny bushes, laying 4 — 7 eggs, as a rule, but not 

 always, paler than those of the northern form. Average of 39 eggs 

 (24 by Koenig and 15 by the writer), 26.57 X 19.31 mm., Max. 29 X 20: 

 Min. 24x17. Average weight of 13 eggs, 262 mg. (Konig)*. The 

 breeding season is irregular, as eggs may be found from early in April 

 to early in June. b. Canarian Grey Shrike, L. excubitor Icoenigi Hart. 

 (Plate 34, fig. 12 — 15). Breeds in the Canaries. Eggs 4 — 6, generally 

 rather warm in colouring, may be found from March onward. Average 

 of 66 eggs measured by the writer, 25.46 X 19.26 mm.. Max. 28.2 X 19.3 

 and 27.3x20.7; Min. 23x19 and 25x18.2. Average Aveight of 

 15 eggs, 268 mg. c. Pallid Grey Shrike, L. e. elegans Sw. replaces the 

 Algerian Shrike S. of the Atlas in Algeria and Tunis. (Eggs figured in 

 J. f. 0., 1896, Tab. VI, fig. 6, a f.) Average of 81 eggs (39 by Konig, 

 33 by Erlanger, and 9 by the writer), 25.81 x 19.25 mm., Max. 28x20 

 and 25x21; Min. 22x17. Average weight of 39 eggs, 267 mg. 

 (Konig). They resemble those of L. e. algeriensis, but vary considerably. 



d. Dodson's Shrike, L. e. dodsoni Whit, is found in Middle and South 

 Marocco and also appears to range into Tunis along the mountains. 



e. Palestine Grey Shrike, L. e. aucheri Bp., breeds from the Red Sea 

 and Palestine eastward to Persia and Beluchistan. (Egg figured in Cat. 



* The measurements and figures in Roy's work under L. algerieri^ns refer to 

 L. e. koenigi. 



