529 



also saw them yourself; if not then, you have seen them in my cabinet, and will remember them. 

 On the 26th of April, 1874, I took four eggs out of the very nest above mentioned; but they 

 had nothing extraordinary about them." 



I have seen the eggs above described by Mr. Wharton, and can confirm what he says 

 respecting their being evenly and carefully daubed.; and I should say that there is no doubt that 

 it was done by the bird itself; but for what reason, it is impossible to say with certainty. It 

 appears probable that it was done for the purpose of concealment. 



The specimen figured is the one described, and is in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, c?. Pelham, March 30th, 1863 [H. E. D.). b, ? . Skane, Sweden, November 11th (Meves). c, 6 ■ 

 Trostenas, Sweden, June 22nd, 1875 {Meves). d,%. Skane, Sweden, March 17th, 1875 (Meves). 

 e,juv. Belgium. /, $. Granada, June 20th, 1871 (H. Saunders). g,6 , h. Zaostrovji, Archangel, Sep- 

 tember 13th, 1873 (J. Piottuch). i, $ . Uima, N. Russia, November 18th, 1873 (J. Piottuch). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 



a, b, 2 ■ Castle Eden, Durham, May 7th and 9th, 1866 (J. H. Gurney, jun.). c, d, 6 . Monte de Granada, 

 April. e,pullus. Granada, June 1871. /, 6 ■ Tamak, Crimea, May 186? (Th. Schmidt), g. Germany, 

 May 1867. 



E Mus. C. A. Wright, 

 a. Malta, October 11th, 1862 (C. A. W.). 



3t 



