257 



sparingly with much darker sienna brown. Of these three types the 

 second is much the rarest ; while occasionally pure white eggs are found, 

 sometimes in the same clutch as normally marked eggs. The markings 

 are generally evenly distributed over the surface, and eggs of the first 

 two types show very little gloss. 



In England the earliest clutches are found about the end of April breeding 



Season. 



in the S. of England, and a week or two later in the Midlands and N. 

 of England. In Germany the breeding season commences early in May. 

 and in S. Spain in the second week of April, but in Finland not till 

 late in May. Fresh eggs may be taken in June and July in small 

 numbers, but though second broods may occasionally be reared, these 

 are most probably only second or third layings. Incubation lasts 13 days. 



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



, , ,. ments. 



15.31x12.38 mm.. Max. 17.3x12.7 and 16.6x13, Mm. 13.5x11.2 

 and 14.2 X 10.9. Dwarf eggs measure 11.7 X 9.4 and 10.6 X 8.5. 

 Average weight, 62 mg. (Rey): of 16 full eggs, 1.164 g. (N. H. Foster). 



b. Arctic Willow Warbler, P. trochilus eTersmanni (6p.). 



P. trochilus eversmamii (Bp.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 509. 



Breeding Range: N. E. Russia. [Also in Siberia, E. to the 

 Kolyma delta.] 



This form, which occurs on migration on the E. coast of Great con- 

 Britain) is apparently found in the N. of Norway (Finmarken), and it is ^°^°**^ 

 probably also this race which is common along the Murman coast. In 

 the Archangel Government it is common in the Petschora valley and is 

 also found along the Ural range as far S. as Orenburg. [In Siberia it 

 breeds on the Ob, Yenesei, Boganida, Lena and Kolyma.] 



The nest resemples that of the southern form, while the eggs. Nest. Eggs 

 which are usually 5 or 6, sometimes 7 in number, are usually of the 

 light reddish freckled type. They are generally laid in the last 10 days 

 of June or early in July. 21 eggs measured by the writer from the 

 Petschora and Kolyma, average 15.52 X 12.19 mm.. Max. 18 X 12.3 

 and 17.2x12.5; Min. 14.3x12 and 15.1x11.6. 



116. Green Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus niticlus Blyth. 



Geographical Races. 



a) Bright Green Willow Warbler, P. nitidus nitidus Blyth. 



Philloscopus nitidus Blyth. Dresser, B. of Europe, IX, p. 83 and Man. 



Pal. Birds, p. 101. P. nitidus nitidus Blyth. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, 



p. 510. 



17 



