
are open woods or grazed, brushy areas shunned. In summer a high, 
rather open spot is chosen; in winter low, sheltered places near water 
are preferred. Unless much disturbed, the birds are apt to return to 
the same roosting spot night after night. 
Nesting 
Nests are usually placed in weedy field borders, in hedgerows, 
plantations, brushy patches, and waste areas, They are also common in 
cultivated fields of carob bean, oats, and in other grains. Where birds 
are numerous the nests are occasionally located within 6 to 10 feet 
apart. One was found against the wall of a watchman's house. A few 
have been reported from the crests of haystacks. 
The nest is a hollow scratched in the ground, usually among 
open weeds or clumps of grass or at the edge of bushes or rocks. It 
is sparingly lined with grass, dried leaves, and weeds. 
Nesting dates vary widely in different regions. In southern 
Spain the first egg may be laid during late March or early April. In 
the north most nests are not started until late April or May with 
second nests being found until late June,according to Mr. Quiros. 
Renesting 
The birds usually have one brood a year though a second clutch 
may be laid if the first nest is broken up. There is some evidence, 
however, that a female may occasionally rear two broods in a single 
nesting season or may lay two clutches of eggs, one of which may be 
incubated and the young reared by the male (7). 
In France, M. Laurent reports that, in captivity, a male bird 
sat on the eggs and cared for the resulting youngsters when the female 
bird was killed on the nest (a). 
Eggs 
The normal clutch is 10 to 16 eggs though 20 have been 
recorded. Rarely two females may lay in the same nest. Eggs are laid 
at about 36-hour interval according to Mr. Quiros arid are seldom 
covered by leaves or grass while the female is away, often for long 
intervals. 
The incubation period is reported as 23 to 24 days. 
The eggs are yellowish white to pale yellowish brown, spotted 
sparingly with ochraceous red and ashy shell marks; size 41 x 31 m.; 
average weight 1.95 grams (5). 
(a) Letter to the author from M. Laurent 
17 
