merits. 



276 



of pink spots round the big end on a creamy ground: while J. M. Goodall 

 has a set with bold purplish red blotches (figured in Howard's British 

 Warblers, pi. II, fig. 7), and R. J. Ussher took a somewhat similar set 

 in Ireland. 



Breeding rpj^g earliest dates recorded appear to be May 12 in the S. of 



England, and May 14 in the northern counties, but the great majority 

 of eggs are taken between May 25 and June 5. Late nests may be 

 found in July and even up to Aug. 6 (Nelson), but as 0. Grabham 

 states that no fewer than 30 eggs have been taken from a single pair, 

 it seems probable that many supposed second broods are really only 

 second or third layings. Ussher however states that a second brood 

 may be found late in July or early in August in Ireland. Incubation 

 lasts about 16 days (Howard), and is performed by the hen, who sits very 

 closely and when flushed generally runs like a mouse for some distance, 

 only taking wing to the nearest cover. The young leave the nest during 

 the day when only a few days old and forsake it altogether about the 

 ninth day, before they can fly. 



Measure- Avcragc sizc of 100 cggs (63 from England by the writer and 



37 from the Continent by Rey) 17.64 X 13.59, Max. 20.3 X 14.2 and 

 19.1 X 14.8, Min, 16.1 X 12.5. The English eggs are as usual slightly 

 larger than the German. Average weight, 94.5 mg. (Rey); 96 mg. (Bau). 



I). Eastern Grrasshopper Warbler, L. naevia straminea Seeb. 



Locustella straminea (Sev.). Dresser, B. of Europe, IX, p. 652 and Man. 

 Pal. Birds, p. 132. L. naevia straminea Seeb. Hartert, Vog. Pal. 

 Fauna, p. 553. 



Breeding Range: From the Urals (Orenburg) and the Caucasus, 

 E. to Trauscaspia, Turkestan and the Altai range. Possibly also in the 

 Himalayas. 



Probably differs little in habits from the Western race, but little 

 seems to have been recorded on the subject. Lorenz found it up to 

 about 4500 ft. on the N. side of the Caucasus, and Severtzow says that 

 in the Pamirs he met with it at the end of July on brook swamps at 

 nearly 15,000 ft., where it was probably nesting. Three eggs taken in 

 the Tian Shan range by Ottosson's collector resemble those of the Western 

 race and average 17.86 x 43.7 mm. in size. 



129. Temminck's Grass Warbler, Locustella lanceolata (Temm.). 



Plate 34, fig. 19 (Transbaikalia). 

 Egg: Cat. Eggs Br. Mus., IV, pi. IX, fig. 9. 

 Locustella lanceolata (Temm.). Dresser, B. of Europe, II, p, 617 and 

 Man. Pal. Birds, p. 132. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 553. 



