58 



18 



and Sweden. In colour they most resemble eggs of the Blackbird, but are in general brighter 

 and less closely marked; some varieties are very rich blue, marked with blood-red, others so 

 closely spotted as to look reddish brown in colour. In size they vary from 1^ by § § to l- 4 % by 

 f§ inch respectively. Dr. E. Key writes to us that the average size of forty-three eggs in his col- 

 lection, taken near Halle, is 28-0 by 20-9, the largest measuring 30-25 by 20-25, and the smallest 

 2025 by 20-50 millimetres respectively. The breeding-season is from the end of April to the 

 end of May ; and if the first brood be destroyed, they do not lay again. They lay generally five, 

 seldom four, and scarcely ever six eggs. 



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



E Mus. Skarpe and Dresser. 



a, J. Stockholm, March 18th, 18f3. b,c, 3 , 2,juv. Upland, August 5th, 1871. d, e. Cookham, Berks, 

 February 11th and 1 1th, 1870 (J. Ford), f. Reading, Berks, January 3rd, 1870 (C. Howlett). g. Farn- 

 borough, Kent (H. E. Dresser), h. Tangiers (/. H. Irby). i,j. Central Russia (Dr. Renard). 



E Mus. II. E. Dresser. 



a. Silesia (Dr. Kiitter). b, J. Smyrna, c. Jakutsk (Dr. Renard). d, $. Central Asia, January 18th, 1866 

 (Severzow). 



E Mus. II. B. Tristram, 

 a. Durham (H. B. T.). b. Castle Eden, Durham (H. B. T.). c, 5 . Jerusalem, December 24th, 1863 (H. B. T.). 



E Mus. J. II. Gurney,jun. 



a. Avranches, January 4th, 1868 (J. H. G.). b, c, d, 3 . Greatham, December 8th, 1865, February 10th and 

 March 5th, 1866 (J. H. G.). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 

 a, tj . Macedonia, March 23rd, 1870 (Kriiper). 



E Mus. A. Newton. 

 11. Hoas, Romsdal, Norway, 1857 (E. C. Newcombe). 



E Mus. Feilden and Harvie Droivn. 



a. Vosservangen, Norway, May 25th, 1871, and Maristuen, Fillefjeld, Norway, June 25th, 1871 (E. R. Alston 

 and J. A. Harvie Brown). 



E Mus. G. E. Shelley. 

 a, b, c. Avington, Hampshire, December 2i)th and 31st, 1870, and January 1st, 1871 (G. E. S.). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a. Ii. Kidsvold, Norway, June 1866 (Baker). 



E Mus. E. R. Alston. 



a. Muirburn, Lanarkshire (J. P. Alston), b. Stockbriggs, Lanarkshire, October 1864 (E. R. A.), c, <s . Lien, 

 Norway, May 11th, 1871 (E.R.A.). djuv. Fillefjeld, Norway, June 25th, 1871 (E.R.A. and J.A.H.B.) . 



