PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 415 



neatly arranged like those of the lapwing or ring-plover, and are ovate rather than 

 pyriform in shape. The ground-colour is clay-yellow or stone colour with a faint 

 greenish tinge, with brownish black blotches and spots, generally rounded in shape, 

 and underlying ash-grey shellmarks. (PL L.) Average size of 34 eggs, 1*7 x 1-2 in. 

 [43 '9 x 30*3 mm.]. Both sexes take part in incubation, relieving one another by 

 turns. The incubation period, as observed in confinement, is estimated at about 

 24 days by Mr. R. I. Pocock, and Naumann's statement that they are said to brood 

 for 17-18 days is certainly incorrect. In Holland and Denmark the first eggs are 

 laid at the beginning of May, and by the end of the second week in that month full 

 clutches may be found in most nests. Only one brood is reared in the season, though 

 second and third layings may be found after the first has been taken. [F. c. B. J.] 



5. Food. Newton, Seebohm, and Saunders merely state that this species 

 feeds on worms, the smaller Crustacea, and aquatic insects. Naumann, however, 

 gives fuller details. He states that the stomach usually contains only a greenish 

 liquid, somewhat granular and mixed with sand, which is difficult to analyse. 

 Probably the green colour is derived from Confervce picked up on the water surface, 

 while the young of various Crustacea, especially Crangon vulgare, form the bulk of 

 the food in Jylland ; but fish spawn, larvae of many species of insects, small shell- 

 less molluscs, and soft insects are also eaten, though the hard portions of larger insects, 

 shells of Mollusca or portions of worms were never found by Naumann. The young 

 are attended by both parents. [F. c. R. J.] 



The following species is described in the supplementary chapter on "Rare 

 Birds" : 



Blackwinged-stilt, Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus) [Himantopus can- 

 didus Bonnaterre]. 



