122 INDIAN DrCKS. 



Within our limits, and probably everywhero else also, the birck 

 commence to lay in May, and nestlings just hatched have been seen and 

 procured well on into July in India, Thibet, Ladakh, and even in Southern 

 Russia. 



Different writers give the number of eggs laid as varying between six 

 and ten, but eight appears to be the number most frequently laid. Eggs 

 sent to Hume from South Russia are described by him as being moderately 

 broad ovals, slightly pointed at one end. The colour is said to be a creamy 

 or ivoiy white, and the shells very smooth and com]x'^rati^'ely thin. 



They vary in length between 2*4 and 2'7 inches, and in breadth from 1'7 

 to I'D, but, as he says, a larger series would probably show a wider range 

 of difference. 



My eggs agree with the above in every respect. 



