59 [Vol. xxvii. 



clutches were also shown^ as well as those of the resident 

 Scotch race, L. c. scotica, Hartert, and of the Parrot Cross- 

 bill^ L. pityopsittacus, Borkh. A number of nests both of 

 the Continental and Scotch races were also shown ; these 

 exhibited remarkable divergences in construction and 

 materials. Contributions had been received from Messrs. T. P. 

 Aldworth, C. Borrer, P. F. Bunyard, C. J. Carroll, J. M. 

 Goodall, C. S. Meares, W. E. Eenaut, Beddall Smith, P. B. 

 Smyth, the Rev. J. Hale, and the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain. 

 In introducing this remarkable exhibition Mr. Jourdain 

 remarked that the material available for the study of these 

 eggs had hitherto been very scanty, and Mr. Witherby's 

 researches had shown that there was no authentic record of 

 nesting in the same locality in England for two consecutive 

 years, although there was a probability that this had 

 occasionally taken place. In Ireland, although not in- 

 digenous, the species tended to become resident, but the 

 eggs exhibited that evening were the first Irish taken eggs 

 he had seen. On the whole, it was evident that the range of 

 variation in the eggs of the Common Crossbill was very wide, 

 many eggs exceeding the average of those of L. pityopsittacus 

 in size, while others were much inferior ; in colour and 

 markings there was also much variation. 



Mr. Ogilvie-Grant remarked that among the nesting- 

 series of British Birds in the Natural History Museum 

 there was a group of Crossbills, with their nest and eggs, 

 taken by Mr. R. J. Ussher in Co. Waterford. 



Mr. C. J. Carroll exhibited the following series of 

 clutches of eggs of the Continental Crossbill {Lowia curvi- 

 rostra, Linn.) taken in Ireland : — 



Clutch of four eggs, Co. Tipperary, 29th March, 1910 {C. J. C). 

 „ „ Co. Dublin, 28th April, 1907 (-S. Hamilton 



Hunter). 

 „ four eggs, Co. Wicklow, 26th April, 1908 {R. H. H.). 

 „ three eggs, Co. Wicklow, 10th May, 1907 [R. H. H.). 

 „ four eggs, Co. Wicklow, 9th June, 1909 {R. H. H.) 

 „ „ South Cavan, ord May, 1908 {D. Carmichael). 



