PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 11 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting-place, normally suspended beneath the end of a 

 branch of some species of conifer, and almost invisible from below against the thick 

 needle-covered branches. It is, however, also often found near the top of small 

 conifers, among ivy on tree-trunks, in furze bushes and among creepers, while 

 exceptionally it has been known to breed beneath a hooded-crow's nest (Ussher, 

 Birds of Ireland, p. 19). The nest, a warmly lined little cup, is chiefly composed of 

 green moss and spiders' webs, freely lined with feathers. Wool, horsehair, and lichens 

 are sometimes used in small quantities. (PI. xx.) Both sexes share in building 

 (B. L. T.). The height from the ground is very variable (from 1 to 40 ft. at any rate). 

 Eggs, 7 to 10 and occasionally 11 or 12 in number, white or pale ochreous in ground- 

 colour, spotted with ochreous or reddish brown towards the big end, often so 

 closely that the markings are confluent. (PI. C.) Average size of 100 eggs, 

 53 x '40 [13'5 x 10'2 mm.]. Laying usually begins about the third week in April, 

 while second broods may be looked for at the end of May. Incubation lasts 12-13 

 days (W. Evans, Ibis, 1891, p. 58) and is apparently performed by the hen : the 

 cock has not been observed to take part. Two broods as a rule. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Insects. The young are fed by both parents largely on cater- 

 pillars, but often the food supplied is so minute as to be indistinguishable. [E. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. The song may be heard from early in February till the 

 end of June, and at intervals from July to the end of October. [E. L. T.] 



CONTINENTAL GOLD-CREST [Regulus regulus regulus 

 (Linnaeus). Woodcock-pilot, herring-sprat.] 



1. Description. Distinguished from the British form by the lighter and less 

 olivaceous upper surface and larger size. (E. Hartert, British Birds, i. 218.) 



2. Distribution. This form is generally distributed over Continental 

 Europe wherever coniferous woods exist, but has not been found breeding in the 

 Iberian peninsula, south of the Pyrenees, or in Greece, while it is represented by 

 allied races in Corsica and Sardinia, the W. Canaries, the A/ores, and from Trans- 

 caspia to Turkestan, as well as in the Himalayas and Northern Asia to Japan. 

 Although to a great extent sedentary in the southern part of its breeding range, 

 extensive southern movements take place in the north, and it is found in winter 

 in the Iberian peninsula. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. See under British gold-crest. 



4. Nest and Eggs. Does not breed in the British Isles. 



