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were placed amongst reeds over very shallow water, not a foot above the ground ; and, according 

 to Gloger, it very frequently utilizes a deserted Magpie's nest which has been built on a shrub in 

 a willowy marsh, or on a thorn hedge between pools. 



The eggs, from five to nine in number, are very small, less in size even than Pigeons' eggs, 

 and are rather elongated oval in shape, dull, and devoid of gloss, bluish white in colour ; but 

 when blown they fade to a dull white tint. 



The female sits very closely for sixteen or seventeen days, and even when the young are 

 hatched she still sits to protect them ; and both parents exhibit the greatest solicitude for their 

 offspring until they are able to take care of themselves. 



The specimens figured are the adult male and female above described. 



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



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, $ ad. Southern France, April 1878 (Schluter). b, ? ad. Italy (Schluter). c, d . Malta, May 1867 (C. A. 

 Wright), d, S ad. Albania (H. Barclay). e, /, ?. Algeria (Fairmaire). y, 6. Tunis (Fairmuire). 



E Mus. Brit. Reg. 

 a > 6 > b>2 • North Africa. 



E Mus. E. Hargitt. 

 a. Havre, October 10th, 1872. b. Noury, France, c, ? . Noury, July 1874 (Plilche). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Bougazoul, Sahara, June 2nd, 1856. b. Lake Huleh, Palestine, May 6th, 1864 (H. B. T.). 



E Mus. C. A. Wright. 

 a, 6. Malta, April 25th, 1874 (C. A. W.). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 

 a,d,b,2. Near Seville, April 12th {H. S.) . c,6 . Malaga, July 28th. d, 6 juv. Valencia, October 15th 

 (ft. Martin). 



5z 



