356 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



SHRIKE, WOODCHAT. 



(Laniits pomeranus.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family LANIID.E (SHRIKES). 



A rare and accidental visitor, which is said to 

 have bred once or twice in the Isle of Wight. 



The eggs number four or five, and are, according 

 to Yarrell, very variable in colour, " some being 

 white tinged with green, or pale olive blotched 

 irregularly with olive and lilac of different shades, 

 the markings sometimes diffused and sometimes 

 forming regular spots often disposed in a zone, while 

 other specimens are of a cream colour with light 

 red and suffused lilac spots. Size, .97 to 1.86 by 

 from .7 to .65 in. (See Plate III.) 



SISKIN. 



(Chrysnmitris spinus.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID/E (FINCHES). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length nearly five 

 inches. Bill short, conical, sharp-tipped, and orange- 

 brown. Irides dusky-brown. Top of head black ; 

 over and under each eye is a yellowish streak. Sides 

 of head yellowish-green ; nape and wings (except 

 greater coverts and quills, which are brownish- 

 black, tipped and bordered with yellow) greenish- 

 olive, streaked with black ; rump yellow ; upper tail- 

 coverts greenish-olive. Tail slightly forked, and 

 dusky-black, yellowish on the upper half, with the 

 exception of the middle pair of feathers. Chin 

 black, throat and breast yellowish-green ; belly, sides, 

 flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts, greyish- white > 



