235 



commonly on Sicily, and also on Malta and the Balearic Isles. North- 

 ward it is found, though in diminishing numbers, as far as Normandy; 

 while it is not uncommon in Brabant, and occurs locally in Germany, 

 especially in the S. and W., though decidedly scarce in the N. Further E. 

 its distribution is less exactly known, but it is found in the Black Sea pro- 

 vinces of Russia and also in the Caucasus. [Also in Asia Minor and the 

 Barbary States, though some authors regard the N. African race as distinct 

 (L. senator rutilans). In Crete and Cyprus it is decidedly scarce.] 



In the great European plain this bird haunts park lands, copses, Neat. 

 orchards, etc., and places its nest on the fork of a bough of some tree, 

 generally not less than 12 or 15 ft. from the ground. It is neatly built 

 of roots, stalks, moss, lichens etc., with a few twigs in the foundation, 

 and lined with wool, finer grasses, hair, or feathers. Flowering plants 

 are also frequently interwoven (Capsella, Veronica, Stellaria, etc.) In 

 southern Europe the nest may be found occasionally in bushes only a 

 few feet from the ground, as well as in olive, ilex, pine, orange and 

 other trees. Here frequently cudweed (Onaphalium liiteo-album) is largely 

 used as building material , the plants being pulled up by the roots 

 and woven together.* Diameter of cup 2* in; depth, li — 2 in. 



Usually 5 — 6, occasionally 7 in number. They bear a strong Kggs. 

 resemblance to those of L. collurio, although there is less variation in a 

 series, and the type with a distinctly red ground is not found in L. 

 senator. The ground colour is usually pale greenish, occasionally brownish 

 yellow, and more rarely cream colour or almost white. One clutch from 

 Greece (Brit. Mus.) has a pale blue ground, and one or two sets have 

 a salmon pink ground, though not so deep as in the reddest eggs of 

 L. collurio. The markings are usually in the form of a zone round the 

 large end, and consist of greyish brown spots and underlying shell 

 markings of grey or lilac. 



In mid-Europe the eggs are laid in May, often about the middle Breeding 

 of the month, but in Brabant seldom before the 25th. In S. Spain 

 many nests may be found with eggs in the last weeks of April, but 

 even there some birds do not lay till mid-May. In Greece Kriiper 

 gives mid-May as the average date for eggs. The birds are not 

 at all shy, and the hen sits closely. Incubation is said to last for 

 14 — 15 days. 



Average of 100 European eggs (73 by Rey and 27 by the writer), Measure- 

 22.87x16.97 mm.. Max. 27x17 and 23.9x17.8; Min. 21x15.9 '^«""- 

 and 22,1 X 15.7. Reiser records abnormal eggs measuring 29.1 X 15.5, 

 24.6 X 18.3, 20 X 15 and 19 X 15.1. Average weight, 191 mg. (Rey). 



* In Tunisia Whitaker states that the nests are often studded over with the 

 flowers of Evax pygmaea. 



