352 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Materials. The little hollow chosen is lined with 

 sedges and dead leaves, dry grass, and, as incuba- 

 tion advances, down. The tufts are of a dark 

 neutral grey colour, lighter in the centre and tipped 

 with white. They and the female form reliable 

 distinctions. 



Eggs. Seven to ten, or occasionally fourteen, 

 bumsh-white, tinged with green, unspotted, and 

 slightly polished. Closely resemble those of the 

 Mallard and Pintail. Size about 2.0 by 1.5 in. 



Time. May. 



Remarks. Resident and migratory, being more 

 numerous in winter than in summer. Notes : quack, 

 uttered in deeper tones by the male ; when flying, 

 puck, puck. Local and other names : Broad Bill, 

 Blue-winged Shoveller. Sits closely. 



SHRIKE, RED-BACKED. 



(Lamus collurio.) ': . , 



Order PASSERES ; Family LANIID.E (SHRIKES). 



Description of Parent 

 Birds. Length about seven 

 and a half inches ; bill 

 rather short, hooked at the 

 tip, and black or dusky 

 brown, lighter at the base 

 of the lower mandible. 

 Near the end of the upper 

 mandible is a prominent 

 tooth or notch. Irides 



YOUNG RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 



hazel. Three or lour strong 



black bristles spring from just above the gape. Round 

 the base of the upper mandible, through the eyes, 



