168 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The site chosen for the building of the nest is a depression of 

 the earth, usually under cover of some low herbage, and most 

 frequently in the vicinity of water. 



I have not been able to make out yet if both birds take part 

 in its construction, nor how long a time they employ in com- 

 pleting it. 



The material used consists of blades of grass and rootlets, 

 fairly lined with vegetable down and hair. 



The eggs, four to six in number, are of a greenish-white 

 colour, speckled all over with darker grey and brown. 



Nidification takes place from March to May, in which time 

 two broods appear to be reared. 



Both Schembri and Wright admit that this is one of our 

 breeding species. 



11. WooDCHAT Shrike. 

 Lanius auriculatus, Mull. — Cacciamendula. 



This bird, which is a partial resident with us, was once very 

 common ; lately, however, it has greatly diminished in numbers, 

 and seems to be constantly on the decrease. As a breeder, too, 

 it was very common, but now it must be considered rare ; so 

 much so, that during the last three years I have not seen more 

 than seven nests, and yet I searched for them most diligently. 



The site chosen for the building of the nest is a forked 

 branch of a large carob-tree, in a somewhat elevated position 

 from the ground. Schembri and Wright say that the nest is 

 often found in almond-trees ; I have never found it, however, 

 except in the Carob. 



It seems that only the female is engaged in the construction 

 of the nest, in which she employs from eight to nine days. 



The nest is very neat and compact, being generally composed 

 of a particular kind of plant, finely lined with the down of the 

 same plant, and interwoven with wool. 



The number of the eggs varies from five to six, the last, 

 however, being the usual number. Their colour is generally 

 white faintly tinged with greenish-blue, and boldly speckled 

 with grey and brown, in the majority of specimens the blotches 

 forming a very conspicuous zone about the thicker end ; in 

 some rare cases the eggs seem to have a faint gloss. 



