HE L I ’ T OO OG STS REC ORD.

Ed i te d b K EN NET H L I y . S K N NER . .

A LL HT S R E ER V RIG S ED .

— Vol No . M ar h 1 1 923 . . III [ c ,

OB S ERV AT I ONS ON T HE NEST ING OF T HE

DOTT EREL ( Charadri us

By NOR MA N GI LROY .

In the course c f a short visit to the Grampians in the spring — — of the year 1 922 I had a somewhat interesting experience P of this charming and attractive lover in its nesting haunts , some l v 3000 feet above sea leve . I arri ed at my centre on the evening — of June lst a perfect summer day it had been throughout my

u . i jo rney , hot and cloudless Within an hour of my arr val in

- Inverness shire , however , the wind stole round to the north without

ll m . warning an icy arctic mist crept along the va ey , and at p — — summer time a thick white blanket lay on the hills almost down to the road and to the Highland Line lying at their base .

‘ The l and morning broke dul cheerless , and , except that it was

T e . h dry , without a single redeeming feature prospect of climbing to the high tops was , to say the least of it , uninviting , and we reluctantly determined that there was nothing for i t bu t to spend

- the day along the river on the lower ground . Soon after mid day , h however , the mist seemed to lig ten a little , and we bore away to — n the foot hills to try our luck , striki g more by the labouring of chance than anything else the easiest and most gradual spur leading to

The the wide and commanding plateau on the summit . points of n ll f ul the compass bei g we known to us , we had little di fic ty in the t making ascen , which was smooth , comfortable , and not

- i n the l t . On i t ul east exhaus ing the other hand , was sing arly weird t and mys erious , as , although the cloud was not nearly so dense as l ll it had appeared from the road , one cou d not rea y see with certainty for more than a few yards ahead : a bou lder of quite modest dimensions seemed a towering precipice a startled sheep n all h a mo strous ghostly shape of unknown horror , and the w ile the Ptarmigan were croaking everywhere like unseen and gigantic frogs . Once an Eagle swept past us and di sappeared . On the u h i t n ur s mmit , which we reac ed w hout misadve t e , it A The M z arch 1 ,

' was still and soundless the cloud lifted a little , gathered into curious

‘

the . B wreaths , sank again , white and clinging , to ground eyond the u pper brow of the spur by which we had mounted was an t fiat —4 u apparently limitless stre ch , , bare , and lifeless t ssocky in

- places , with innumerable patches of small gravelly white stones a desolate region of gray moss and harsh short grass . — b t Here we stopped for a little took our earings , s epara ed , An then decided i t was hopeless . d at the very moment of our decision a Dotterel fluttered at my feet ! Immediately I stood quite still and looked round me . The little creature was behaving the all in most piteous fashion , running backwards and forwards , l round me and sometimes actua ly between my feet , her wings , h u drenched wit the mist , trailing on the ground and her bea tiful

- ll white tipped tail spread out like a fan . A the time she cried

— a distressingly plaintive , querulous squeak of utter abandonment and misery . Presently I caught sight of the eggs a yard or so from where — l stood but even before I reached them the Dotterel had settled l herself quite comfortably on them , so that I had litera ly to lift

her o ff .

A t I - h I this point should like to observe t at , although have D l he throughout referred to this ottere as t female , I have no other The reason for doing so than a purely sentimental one . plumage was certainly very bright and the chestnut tints especially showy — ' and defini te but I afterwards met with so many birds in which every intermediate shade occurred that I should be loth to pro the v nounce an opinion as to the sex of a member of species , e en

u at close quarters , without act al dissection . The nest was a small and very shallow depression on a fl at hu mmock of soil almost bare of vegetation, and beyond a scrap or b t two of moss and a few blades of grass , which had proba ly drif ed

t t n n . there accidentally , had no lining or o her prepara io of any ki d The flat hummock lay between two patches of the white stones

he h b n before referred to , and all round it t grou nd seemed to ave ee he e b n w . n t worn or washed quit bare of growth , possi ly by s o O ” c u n t whole , it was not su h a pict re as I had bee led to expec , t n and I was to a cer ain extent disappointed accordingly , eve t D t ’ although it was the firs o terel s nest I had ever seen .

The h w u t t u three egg were , o ever , very bea iful , al ho gh to my

t t t . surprise they had been incuba ed seven or eigh days , so hat ' ’

The Oolo zsts Record M arc /z l 1923 . 3 g , ,

' thel ast week of M ay would appear to be the right datefor clutches of fresh eggs . On subsequent visits to the high hills we found six further nests D t of the otterel , and here it may be well to observe tha in one instance only was the nest on the slope below the actual summit perhaps 1 50 feet all the others were on the flats at the extreme

the top . In no case was the behaviour of sitting bird at all similar

the to that of first one , and it may be of interest to describe shortly

f e e D t . O th t how each otterel behaved at the nes course , wea h r

' n bu t may have affected i dividual birds to a certain extent , of this

I cannot speak with confidence . The D second otterel (I use the singular advisedly , for in no single instance did we see the pair of birds) to come under our observation was first seen running very rapidly on a smooth stretch the of short , wiry grass and moss well towards northern end of the

— 3rd — . The b t bu t plateau day June was fine , righ and clear ,

w . h bitterly cold , ith a strongish wind from the east We had reac ed

a te a . m . the top by a steep but greeable climb soon af r , and

' D of although the otterel had undoubtedly caught sight us first , I do not think she had been running about very long before I picked

he her up . S appeared to be feeding in a desultory fashion A away . t always from us , but always on the alert times she would i disappear over a little ridge , only to reappear aga n a little further A . t away she was never still , and was obviously concerned

h the bu t first we thought of searc ing methodically for nest itself , he soon gave up the idea and sat down to watch . Immediately t

D u s ! otterel stopped , shook herself and started running towards When she had come within twenty yards of u sshe stopped abruptly l l and stood quite still for near v 1 2 minutes . I then decided to leave

— c On‘ the task to my companion and rising , I walked leisurely and s pi c u ou sly away and right out of sight over the hill . In less than a quarter of an hour I heard a whistle , and running back found my companion at the nest - the Dotterel had flown from the egg and disappeared The 35 w n t nest was exactly yards from here we had bee sit ing ,

- and 1 5 first t about yards from where I had seen the bird , so tha

off i t e . A s she must have run on s eing us come over the hill before ,

nl a t it was _o y shallow scrape in the hard bare ground , wi h no lining

’

. T whatever here was , perhaps , a little more vegetation , but l the th u . T u bb a ree eggs were fairly conspicuo s hey were r ed litt e , ' ’ e l M 19 4 Th Oo o i sts Record arch 1 23 . g , ,

w and n sho ed a good deal of polish , were , I imagi e , co nsiderably i ncubated . F to — t the rom this point we bore away the north eas , ground e —3 rising very gradually to its greatest altitud 087 feet . — On the flat directly below the C airn a very perfect piece of

—we a - t D tt el ground came cross a li tle band of five o er s , all in remarkably bright and beautiful plumage and extremely tame .

' a roac hed the We could make nothing of these birds , but as we pp

' C to 80 airn itself , I saw a solitary bird start run nearly yards in i . t G P front of us I at first was sure was a olden lover , and was only barely in time t o pick it up with my glasses before i t disappeared — i n i n over the hill when I saw that it was a Dotterel . I knew st c

ti vel had y that she left a nest , and walking straight to the spot at u t o the which I had first seen her , I p my stick d wn and found eggs l . D t in a moment We never saw this o tere again , although we were in the area for nearly an hour 1 The ground here was n ot nearly

- so level surfaced , and the nest was on one of many hundreds of

tussocks all of which were precisely alike . These tussocks were

and e — and soft covered with som what faded looking grayish moss , the nest was deeper than those already described;although the eggs ‘ were again fairly easy to see from a distance : they were

incubated over a week .

’ Ou r next experience with the Dotterel was about two o clock e w in the afternoon of th same day . We were follo ing the plateau in a southerly direction when I caught sight of a bird disappearing

a 1 00 a amongst some tussocks of rather long , dead gr ss about y rds

There ' was in front of me . a beautiful bit of gray , mossy ground n i between , with some of the patches of white stones which are so l familiar a feature of these hi ltops , and , although I was very far t D tt from being certain hat the bird I had seen was a o erel , I

determined to search this likely area , which was reasonably limited

’ in extent . After nearly an hour s methodical and patient work , the however , we abandoned the search reluctantly , concluding that

— of whi c h b disappearing bird f y the way , we saw neither sign nor

t G P D . tu idings , was either a olden lover or a unlin I rned up a

1 nc ons i c u ou s white stone as a comparatively p landmark , and slight ,ly enlarged the hole where I had first put down my stick ,

and we proceeded on our way .

’ It was nearly six o clock when we turned homewardsh prac ti c ally c ou r own footrnark s n saw ba k on , and agai I a bird disappear "

The 0 olo i sts R ecord M a rc h 1 1923 . 5 g , ,

s t t a mongst the grass tussock , this time a lit le to the eas and this time I knew i t was a Dotterel In about five minutes I found the eggs and how I missed them 5 w before is beyond me , for they were not feet from here I had t t 1 T b i pu my s ick down his nest was singularly eaut ful , well made was and fairly deep . It on a piece of flat ground , covered with pale gray moss and isolated by two patches of gravelly stones . The eggs

i d h look n f . were bright and fres , but were remarkably di ficult to see D r The behaviour of this otterel was certainly ve y extraordinary .

u l not A lthough we followed her up after finding the nest , we co d see t her anywhere , and had it not been our good fortune to spo her e elegant little disappearing form twic in the same area , we should assuredl y not have found the nest at all . There now remained unexplored but the sout hern end of the

3 04 . plateau , 0 feet above the sea , harsh and bleak The 5 th June , however , was a day of glorious sunshine , although

an d . the wind was cold , we determined to tackle it We made the ascent by a spur directly below its main summit , and when we t 1 50 D tt were wi hin feet of the top , I was astonished to see a o erel rise about 30 yards to my right and skim away over the skyline . I imagined it to be a feeding bird suddenly disturbed and hurrying l away , but on wa king forward to the spot from which she had risen . I was agreeably surprised to se e a nest with two eggs very mu ch darker and browner than any I had seen before . This flying from

t u the nes was quite a new phase , and I was becoming a little p zzled as to the procedure to be observed with this fascinating species t l al t the to obtain the bes resu ts , though I had to admit tha up to ha n o present my experience d t been unsatisfactory . This nest was in a deep tussock of heather on the edge of a sheep the t track , and actual hollow was nearly as deep as in the nes of

G B u h a olden Plover . t bey ond the hollow itself t ere was no

nest or extraneou s material at all . A lthough there were

s . only two egg , they looked very polished and highly incubated More for the purpose of resting after our long climb than any th n thing else , we sat down a few feet from is est , and we had

e scarc ely done so before the Dotterel came skimming back . Sh u ten l pitched abo t yards from us , ran about unconcerned y , picked — — up a morsel or two of food probably spiders and without hesitation settled down on her eggs . We rose and walked quietly and rather

ashamedly away . ’ G The 0 olo i sts Record M h l 192 arc 3 . g , ,

On reaching the summit we found an annexe as it were to — ' the plateau a n expanse of tussocky moss of the most exquisite

- v golden yellow colour , and almost as soon as we got o er the last

ridge another Dotterel sprang about forty yards ahead of us .

She v y heavilv ee flew er , her tail spread a little and her f t hanging A down . gain we walked straight to the spot , to find two eggs , the most strikingly beautiful that I have ever seen or ever hope

' to see . Again the nest was nothing but a very deep hollow scraped

in the golden moss with no other protection or preparation . It d ’ was so bitterly cold here that we did not wait for the bir s return , but on looking at my watch I found that it was

A t h— a was the extreme sout eastern end of the plateau , and wh t soli tarv D probably its highest point , we came across a otterel

- n a h feeding with some half dozen Golden Plov ers . O our close pproac G P D the olden lover took to wing , leaving the otterel behind , and she looked so extraordinarily conscious that we determined to

her . watch In less than ten minutes , by a series of rapid runs , she had reached a stretch of bare groundw hich had all along held 1 m ey e was B y , and in another two she on her eggs oth of us were — — in ful l view conspicuously so and she sat down not twenty yards from us . This nest was on a barish ridge on the edge of a patch of yello w '

f . On sand , but the sitting bird was remarkably di ficult to see rising to go to the nest I noticed that she sat quite still for about 4 she 5 seconds . She then ran into a little hollow beyond where

a rem ined feeding unconcernedly .

’ A 1 a l bout o clock we turned back gain , having explored the who e l n area to the east and south without seeing another Dottere . O

a d re ching the gol en moss area , I saw that the second bird of v l c ou rse the day was sitting . She was comparati e y easy to see (of

we knew exactly where to look for her) , notwithstanding that the

o ff w o f nest was so deep , and only ran when we were ithin a foot

her . To my astonishment and delight she now had three eggs — a really perfect set so that to have established within an hour or

so the actual time of laying was very gratifying . The first Dotterel of the day was also sitting when we visited

her fifteen minutes later , but when disturbed she only ran a few

—she paces still had only two eggs , and , literally: whilst we stood I there , she came back and nestled on them

We had no further opportunity of visiting the high hills again , ’

e Oolo i sts Record M arch 1 1923 . 7 Th g , , but I think that in the course of a short sojourn with her we had an experience with the Dotterel which must surely be unequalled . G n With the possible exception of the ree shank , I have met with no wader in Britain which has giv en me one tithe of the pure pleasure and delight that the Dotterel of the remote hills has given .

NOT ES ON M Y EG G S OF T HE A C C IP I T R ES .

N . . G O O By J . G RD

r S M . kinner has asked me to follow up the interesting account

' Fmn 'illi dce of his fine collection of eggs of the g , which appeared in R the December number of the ecord , with some notes on my l i n d A . so ccipitres I feel , however , that I am mewhat bold oing so ,

r m as I can only muster 1 72 Species and forms all told . Kirke Swa , S A ” 1922 in his ynopsis of the ccipitres , published in , enumerates

682 . no less than , so I have just a fourth of the known forms T his order has always interested me especially , on account of

y the bold and fearless character of man species , the glorious colouring

e P O . of the ggs of the eregrines , spreys , etc , and the dangers and difficulties to be overcom e in obtaining them . It is only since the

m f bu t war that I have really ade an e fort to specialize , it is no easy task to get together a collection at all representative . I regret to say that there are still some clutches bearing the u nsatis factory data o f the German dealers ; many Indian eggs also had All . a d this fault these are gradually being replaced , n nothing

A s satisfies me now but full standard data . to preparation , I l do not yet limit mvse f to the pinholes of our friends i n the U S A . The majority of the specimens have come direc t from . the

original collectors , and they have an interest second only to those

" B t are of my own taking . u in many countries eggs of this order

- a t among the hardest to come , and one needs a stout heart and

0 all undying h pe if the collection is to grow at . Promises are

many , but the results often small , and I have sent overseas enough

blowpipes and drills to stock a respectable store . On the other

hand , I am much indebted to many friends , both at home and

e b . abroad , for th ir generosity in filling my lanks I will now

enumerate my species , with notes on the more interesting , and it

will be seen at once that there are many easy things still to get ,

A The frican forms being especially lacking . arrangement and order S ’ S A ” followed is that of Kirke wann s ynopsis of the ccipitres , A S ' ’ T l i Rec 8 he Oo o sts ord a ch 1 1 923 . g , M r ,

“ 1 22 9 edition , with one or two exceptions , and the same also applies to the nomenclature used .

‘

ra s a atre l a s B . C o gyp . lack Vulture

’

i li en szs S Am . 2 . bras B . c a . outh lack Vulture / L B a arge finely blotched eggs from r zil , given me by

r S . M . kinner

‘ ’ C athd rzes au ra ru collz s S i x B T u . c l . fi , p , razilian urkey Vult re / A B G single from ritish uiana , rather poorly

marked .

' l l m z d k e d ca S ar e . F f ( h p) alkland Turkey Vulture . 2 A c . G / handsome pair sent me by eorge , reen i el e G sh ds som years ago .

se te t p ntri onali s North Am . Turkey Vu l ure S M eries showing considerable variety . y finest

pair comes from British C olumbia .

ll . 2 . se e S t B c S a i ttari u s s r ntari u s M i er . g p ( ) ecre ary ird / , 2 “ The . pair show rusty stains , while the singles are white

hu s i on C . An E gypi u s m d c (L nn ) . inereous Vultu re old ’ L ilfor L d s S a . The egg of ord , from p in , is well blotched other two from the Dobrudscha are closely covered with small ck spe les . l l Hd b i l . f . G s . u vu s z G yp f f , ri fon Vulture

u lvesc ens Hu me. G u . One f . f , Indian riffon Vult re egg P i from the unjab , one of a small breed ng colony on face All of a cliff about 1 500 feet . the eggs in this colony

were pure white . i ’

c o rotheres F Kolbe s . One f . p ( Griffon Vulture egg t R . C 0 1. S U N . C t from trecht , atal ollec ed by parrow af er he B t oer War .

G l . One hi mala ensi s Hu me. y , Himalayan riffon Vu ture

A . E . . C 0 1. white egg . C ollected by Ward in Kashmir

- i di u s L . Two i . n c Indian ong billed Vulture eggs

from South India .

- i allescens Hu me P L l ul t . Two . p , allid ong bil ed V ure eggs

T Mr. . D re K an desh . from Mvso and aken by J avidson .

- r The western cliff building fo m .

- tenu i rostri s L l u t . i . Himalayan ong bi led V l ure t finel C c A whi e and one v spotted , taken in a har , ssam ,

S t B . by Mr. tuar aker ’ 9 The Oolo i sts Record Ma rch 1 1923 . g , ,

' - P seu dogyps beu galeu si s Indian White bac ked Vultu re .

- A white pair from Bengal and three well marked singles .

Tor o al i T s c vu s S co . P . h g ( p) ond cherry Vulture hree w ite singles , i z fro r s e m S . va ying in , _ amastipur

N eo hron . e e E t tu . S rcu o t ru s Li ma . p p p p ( ) gyp ian Vul re eries , S n G P e and none really fine , from pai , reece , al stine M orocco .

i i u i a u r . S . p. g ng u s Indian White Vultu e eries P l o y boru s plau cu s (M C ommon C aracara .

’

A C . cheri wa au du bou i C ass . y , udubon s aracara

’ b 2 2 l n I y cter au strali s Forster s C aracara . / from the Falk a d

l t . Is ands , one dark , the o her reddish

- l c 2 . M i oago c . chi machi ma ( V i eill ) Yellow headed C aracara . / D M G B t ark eggs from inas eraes , razil , sen me by

Mr. Skinner .

c hi man o e-i b . C V i ll . C C g ( ) himango aracara , fine varia le

th . A n Mrs . v series from the rgenti e , mostly from

C i rcu s c . c The 4 y au eu s (Li n n ) Hen Harrier . c / was

‘ 1 1 T e 5 t set taken in the Hebrides in 90 . h is a spo ted t N l S u from the Hea ley oble col ection , but the locality o th

Russia makes it not above suspicion . h 4 c . u i A . c . dson a s (Li ma ) . merican Marsh Hawk /

mac o . . r u ru s S c 5 . ( G Pallid Harrier . /

’ i n a u . 2 . pyg rg s (L n ) Montagu s Harrier . /3

c i u e eu V i e/ill r s C . A , . inereus Harrier single .

‘

a . a i mi li s a d. au d el ss r S b . S . c 3 . . j y potted Harrier /

i a o B a o . c . ppr x m u s g u ldi ( p) Allied Harrier . /3

ae . ae i u osu s Li r m M . 6 c ru c 3 . g ( ) arsh Harrier / , /

bu - c . fioni Long winged Harrier . /3

The macrou ru s above Harriers are much alike , only eggs being el w l marked .

’ a B P ar bu teo u u i c n u ha u . i ct s rri si (A u d b ) Harris s u zzard Hawk .

o/3 . hi A stu r . enti li i . 2 4 F g g s (L na ) C ommon Goshawk / . ine large w te

eggs from Lapland a mu ch smaller set from Pomerania .

edowi e r . A n n . c hv M u z . S G g s , ibe ian oshawk si gle , take

M F . N h near ount uji , Japan est of sticks lined wit

green leaves in t0 p of a very tall tree .

i l i . alri ca l u s ls A G c 3 . g. p (W ) merican oshawk / ’ 1 0 T he Oolo i sts Record a rch 1 192 g , M , 3 .

A i s/u r I. ach ro Da d A t . s u G . ( ) frican o hawk c /2 . Small hard set

Mr . S N eggs taken by ymons in atal .

ha di u s du s u s mi eri T emm . S , hikra .

’ oli o si s Hu me . S . 2 p p ( ) Hume s hikra c / . ol z onoi des mi L B S th . G p y ( ) ittle arred oshawk . c /3 . Taken

Mr . C R by arlisle in hodesia .

hi a . as lu s V i . a d Hors . A n G . A f f , g f ustralian oshawk i l s ng e .

’ A c i n fer n i su i c s L nn . . n . e / ( ) Sparrow Hawk Series . I have nev r

met with a set of 6 here .

ni sosi mi li Ti e l n . l s ck . a S o . c 3 . , Indi n parr w Hawk / R S . ather sparely marked eggs from hinano , Japan

leneri ae La a / n bm nn . T c . . u S a . 3 fi , eneriffe p rrow Hawk

' l i — . W ls t re ox S . c S ( ) harp shinned Hawk /3 . mall — S M r . M . A . parrow Hawk like eggs , taken in anitoba by J Denni s . ’

c . coo eri B n . . c 5 p ( i ) C ooper s Hawk / . ’

mexi can u ai ns . M c . w 4 . s S C . c , exican ooper s Hawk /

E di atu s alh R e throt i orchi s . ra A ry r r (L ) d Buzzard . c /l . rare

B - P D egg , uzzard like , but little marked , from ort arwin ,

Mr. C . F . rench , Jnr

’ - di o ali s Lalh R e . H i e os n i m . e i n c e d 1 . r / z as m r ( ) . winged Hawk / A M G B damaged egg taken in inas eraes , razil , from

r . M Skinner .

B . 2 . B u leo soli tari u s P eale. S c E y , olitary uzzard / ggs generall

little marked , breeding in a kukui tree , in dense forest ,

from Hawai .

l . o d c . B 3 . hemi lasi u s T emm . an S h U , pland uzzard / 2 d S chl . a B . c . a oni cu s Temm . an j p , J panese uzzard / ’ 2 B . c 3 c . swai nsoni B ona . S , p wainson s uzzard / , /

B . S . u l eo Li nn . C b. b ( ) ommon uzzard eries I have no

’ The B 4 s . eggs vary considerably in size , few ritish sets

are really well marked . 3 l e D B . c l i na s G o r . v. vu p , g esert uzzard / ,

3 . i e R B . c i ntermedi u s M en z b r . , ufous uzzard /

- 2 B . c . l . L erox S . G . Gme f . f ( ) ong legged uzzard /

A . A B . ci rl ensi s Levai ll . f . ( , lgerian uzzard single 2 L w B . c . r ru o u scu s F orst . . f f ( ) Jackal uzzard / arge ell

m Gi antsc astle N a Mr. S . marked eggs . fro , at l , from ymons

A . A B . augu r (Rape) . ugur uzzard single ’ The lo i R ec 1 1 Oo sts ord M arch 1 1923 . g , ,

B - u eo b. borea i R e . t l s d tailed Hawk Small series .

’ v I) . k i de e ri r K der . . ri Hoo s . s S , / Hawk mall series

- 6. al c u ru s C assi n . R ed S , Western tail mall series .

’

harl i . 6. a 2 n A nd . ( ) Harlan s Hawk c / .

- b. c o t e i A R e . c s ari c ns s Ri d . C d t 3 , g entral merican ail / . L N C R a . arge eggs , not very well marked , from osta ic est

in forest , both birds secured .

h - — . u mosu s Nelson . T M R ed . A f , res arias tail lmost T M unmarked , a rare island form peculiar to res arias M A 1 2th 1 9 19 N Islands , exico , taken pril , . est an immense

’ oi P pile , dry plants and seaweed on top of an old elican s

nest .

li - l . e tu s e n a R d . shouldered Hawk Small series .

! s - . ele ans C as i n R e d . S g , . Western shouldered Hawk mall

i ser es .

' - l . alleni i d R l e. F e c A R d . 3 . , g lorida shouldered Hawk / F 70 lovely set taken in lorida , feet up in a flagstaff pine ,

r E . . M . d by J C ourt . lat leru — B 3 2 . s . c c p yp road winged Hawk / , /

a lbo - . a nolalu s ra il ! n . c 4 2 G . N . 0 , y o e ta ed Hawk / est feet

‘ l - C B up in a small very s ender cotton wood tree asa lanca , M exico .

’ albi ca u dalu s e t ll - i . s nne ti A en . S n VVh te , en ett s tailed Hawk c 2 / .

T - ri orchi s l . la o u s R B d. o 5 g p ough legged uzzar / ,

ll - I. a i du s p (M Siberian Rou gh legged Buzzard . A single .

l sancti - ohanni s — z . j American Rough legged Bu 2 ' c . zard . /

e u i eu Li — F R . 2 . f rr g n s ( cht ) . errugineus ough leg c /

/ la b ac h u ra - u eo . B r y Short tailed Buzzard c /2 . C ollected

r A E . F . by M . rden dwards in the lorida swamps Nest

4 5 y a 7 . feet up in a large c press , st nding in feet of water

Has bred three years in this nest .

Astu i na ) . la i at M . 3 c 2 r a G c . j p g exican oshawk / , / White

eggs from Mexico .

' t r B e r . T o G a etu s barba u s randi s S torr . d V u w y b , ea d ult e fine ‘ g u 8 19 1 3 richly colo red eggs , taken on the th January , ,

D o f 6000 the by odsworth , at an elevation feet , in N l orth West Hima ayas . ’

12 The Oolo i sts Record M arch 1 1923. g , ,

— i ‘ An Uroaétu s a u dan Wedgeta led Eagle . especially a A Mr. R ow handsome pair , sent me by l nd rcher ; i . N 3 t e comes from N . S Wales . est 0 fee up in a wh t

box tree .

- ca teri M atthews t E . c 2 . a . r , . Western Wedge ailed agle / M t This West Australian form separated by a thews , l h e on seemingly s ig t grounds , is not recognised by Kirk

Swann .

’ l ' a le 3 de E . o a n . Go n u i la c . chr s tos Li n Aq y e ( ) g / ,

w l l n i G E . c 2 . li he l i a d. S n c . occi denta s O Ga r , p pa sh olde agle / l h 2 . Two i i a E . 3 heli aea S av n . , g y Imper l ag e / of t ese -

' r P Lev erk hn b sets sent me direct by D . aul i i were taken y B f him in ulgaria , and his di ficulty in finding a way into

one of the nests is very amusingly described . He t perforated the nest , wi h his head and took the con b tents , two eggs much red

- adalberti Brehm. u Ea . A . , White sho ldered gle single The l E . i e a i C b. S n . or nt s a , Western teppe agle

from Transc aspi a are very poorly marked .

A - t ru a T E . r . p n awny agle single well spo ted K a u e U Mr. C . egg taken by Wiggins at y g , ganda , on 9 S 1 5th 1 10 . eptember ,

’

2 3 1 . F l T E . c i dhzana ank . r . o n r , Indian awny agle / ,

2 3 . l n a P all t tt E . c a . G S g , rea er po ed agle /

2 c 1 . i e L e S E . c omar na Br hm. . , ess r potted agle / , / p p —

' The latter fine F . A . C a very egg , taken by erva in Hungary

nest in an old beech tree . — hasta ta Less . L l E . A . p. ( ) ong egged agle single

' ’

l . Hi era tu asci atu s B onel i s E . One e s f . f agle egg

- 2 ennatu s B E . c . p ooted agle / , c/l

1 . S s l L e. morphnoi des (Gou d) . ittle Eagl c eldom lay N t two eggs . est out on horizon al branch of a gum tree ,

Mr A t a . 35 . O feet up from rton , West us r lia

i

'

1 . T M E . c i t kel a ti Le e. S z a u s n . a r p e , gg ountain Hawk agle / aken r T by M . J . Stewart in ravancore nest repaired annually

for many years one egg always , a very rare egg .

’

0 ci rrhatu s E . t . Indian Hawk agle Whi e

- Mr t T t e . S h eggs ;one taken by tewar in ravancore ,

other in Deccan by C o] . R . Sparrow . ’ l i e 1 3 TheOo o sts R cord M ar h 1 1923 . g , c ,

' ‘

c li na tu s E . . Spi z aetu s . m é Changeable Hawk agle c /l

T C N . . n aken at hota agpore by W H Irvine , give me by

r . D . M . J avidson ‘ l u - i . C i rcaetu s gal c s Short toed Eagle c /1 .

‘ ‘ l t albi ci lla Li n - a 2 a s . c . H i ae u a ( n ) White t iled Eagle . / le c c e u . al i B E l u o h s L . F p ( nn ) ald agle . c /l . rom coast of North C arolina nest situated 75 feet up in a giant

sycamore .

E . . d B H Townsen . N h l . alascanu s C . , ort ern ald agle

0 l L B u 1 . A Oso oos C / smal egg from ake g , ritish ol mbia

- taken by Mr . C . de B . Green nest near top of a large

pine .

le a e - c 2 C u ncu ma u co st r d Sea E . g White bellie agle / ,

The r . D M . two eggs taken at Kanora , India , by J avid C ull N son , the single from en Island , orth ! ueensland ; ’

nest a great pile of sticks and seaweed on a rocky point . ’ / l . T eu co ha P all P ea E c 3 c 2 . r . S . y p ( ) allas agle , / hrees Bar G . are not common this one was taken by H . nes

in Sind nest a huge pile of sticks in tree .

' ’ - P oli oaetu s i chthy aétu s White tailed Fishing Eagle . c /l .

A M l B . white egg , taken by Otto ul er in engal

“

h i l ll . E . h . u m i s (M a and Malayan Fishing agle 2 ’ c F Mr . / . rom C . Hopwood s collection .

H li tu i . i d i i a B odd r n e . a s r n u s B ahm K t . c 3 2 2 ( ) y / , /

- leu c oste n u l E . i . r s (Gou d) . White headed Sea agle N 27 est a large structure of sticks , feet up in a man v N gro e tree , from orth ! ueensland, l 3 . e u . 2 3 sph n ru s ( V i ei l Whistling Eagle . / — a t tee a kl . B u t s u r sa (F r n ) White eyed Buzzard Hawk .

l e ne . Th i v nter A shy Buzzard Hawk . O egg is

’

Mr . . C . is a rare egg , from Hopwood s collection A i ndi cu s Eastern Buzzard Hawk . single

from Japan .

- A Elan i des . . o f forfic atu s (Li nn ) . Swallow tai led Kite single T b . V egg , marked with small yellowish spots aken “ T . P Ma 1 9 1 C F . 8 8 J ember on y , , at olumbus , exas

- nest of twigs 40 feet up on t0 p limb of a cotton wood .

i l u s . e c 2 c 1 i . R d . M v m m lvu s Li nn . C ( ) ommon Kite / , / T 3 he single is an old British egg taken in 1 86 .

i n c c 2 m . m ra s 3 . . B g lack Kite / , / ’ ' The lo i Reco Oo sts rd M arc l 1923 . g , h ,

' ’ T o E n . c 4 M i lvu s m . ae ni u s , w gy / gyptia Kite / , is T e are o the usu al clutch . h four very simi ar eggs fr m , l ’

l . C o . B D Hanbury arclay s collection , taken at amietta

’

R . A . The 2 s were taken by C O1. Sparrow at bbassia

i . . v a k I F m o nd S es . . S . g , y ndian Kite eries rom India T e hese eggs seem to vary very much in size , unless th y

are confused with li n eatu s at times .

. A . c 2 . R m a i ni s Gou ld. fi , llied Kite / ather poorly 2 2 1 90 . . T P D Ma 5 marked aken near ort arwin on y , l — i e t . n a u s (Gray) . Black eared Kite . are large

' — T e La T Foo C . h n . M . eggs take by , r ouche at chow , hina

other pairs , very much smaller eggs , were taken by -

Mr. T D . Gy Mac donald near antse , ibet ; elevation

e Mr. B feet . Sent m by Stuart aker .

o b c 3 . i i l . . R strhamu s s . soc a li s ( V i ei l ) Southern Everglade Kite /

’ L ar — S ike l ge well marked parrow Hawk s , taken by

r on 1 19 1 5 . M s . S C A D myth , at achari , rgentine , ecember , A slight nest of reeds ; birds nesting in small colony in

reedy lagoon .

- — 3 . El .4 c an as c . coeru leu s B . c African lack winged Kite / , / N of Two Mr. S fine sets , taken by ymons in atal ; nest s twig lined with green leaves .

- 2 . B . c 0 . ci a a vo feru s (L th m) . Indian lack winged Kite / T Two f C . M . . very di ferent eggs , taken by Ingles in irhoot — 2 i l a P . c . l . d e ma u scu u s Ba n s n nard. , g White tailed Kite /

Two t S very handsome eggs , one elonga ed , from acramento

c o . C . The a . , alif third set from the s me nest I i c . A cti n a plu mbed Plumbeous Kite . /1 damaged egg

M G B b Mr . S from inas eraes , razil , sent me y kinner it

shows signs of dark marking . Am not certain of its

identity it seems small for this species . 2 mi ss i ss i ensi s M . c c l . ipp ississippi Kite / , / White

a . eggs . Second sets almost lways consist of one egg

F . E C C c 1 . B az a leu hoti s Du mont . p ( ) rested uckoo alcon / gg ,

S B . D Mr . white , from arjiling , from tuart aker

- 2 . B . c A P erni s api voru s (Li nn ) . Honey uzzard / lovely dark

set from Sweden . 2 P . C c . cri statu s ru colli s Less . fi , Indian rested ern / l r N . o ta t S R Dr . . C eddish eggs taken by H , at amastipur

nest of sticks lined with green leaves . ’ The 0 olo i sts Record M 1 9 arch 1 23 . 1 5 g , ,

’

i . ll s . su bbu teo L nn . A E , Hobby uropean eggs from

Holland and Germany .

tralasi e B u tu rl . A 3 . c en C c 2 ( ) entral sian Hobby . / . Eggs C oroi dee n laid in old nest of one of the , 9 shot elevatio

8 0 . R 00 C C o] . t feet , Kashmir ollected for a tray and sent Mr S B ’ me by . tuart aker , who wrote these eggs are

extraordinarily rare in collections . I have only two sets

' after 35 years collecting . ’ l ’ l F . c 2 . eleonora e Gen . E onora s O d , e alcon / eggs taken l r K r er. C A 7 1874 D . ii in the yc ades on ugust , from p

l . F t Au s h leu cu s Gou d G F c 2 . C o . y yp , re alcon / rom en ral

li i a tra a n n . est a sm ll tree , at edge of lake

- hi c u e a Da u d . R e M . 2 . c . c r d c q , headed erlin /

. u n P . A . c colu mbari s Li n . , igeon Hawk single

l P l . l M F . c . re u u s a as . C g , ommon erlin ine series — l e ed u ndi K lei c i dt. M . S . 0 . a r d m ns hm f , Iceland erlin eries

I only took two sets in Iceland myself : - they are mostly

rock nesters there . Have one lovely white and red mottled et s t . , which would certainly be taken for Kes rel here / i si ni s la A M . o n c . k . n C r . 3 T g ( ) siatic erlin , c/l aken ear

r r . T P M . . . M ehe an , ersia , and sent me by H W aclean

- v. es e t a R ed F . v r i n s Li nn . p , footed alcon

F . e e ri P F . r nu s Tu nst. p p g , eregrine alcon ine series

l . . c A a i dus L h P . at . S p , iberian eregrine single

) tu A P . A . . a na m j , merican eregrine single l i ’ “ i n . A . e e d a R w. P F p p , g eale s alco rare egg in

l . Mi Mr . . B . G col ections . ne were taken by C de reen at

L B C A 20 1 9 1 5 . angara Island , ritish olumbia , on pril , V I . 4 3 1 9 16 . T S ee . No 3 . 7 Ibis , Vol , , p , hey resemble P ’ dark eregrine s .

i ato u n P F . A . . e e r d r n r S . p p g , Indian eregrine alcon single

- c 3 L . . . e la e le N A I) r n ri K i nschm . g , orth frican anner / T A 1 3 19 1 3 n Ai n T artra e S aken on pril , , ear W ll , outh

' ’ R ak owsk i s n R . . F . A b Mr . lgeria , y expedition ; est “ J ’ on a low R tem bush on sandhills .

2 . L . c l e ii c le . E b. e d S h f gg , g uropean anner /

F . c 3 . c . c herru Gra . S g , y aker alcon / / 4 c 2 . L F . c u er Gra . j gg , y agger alcon , / i hle P F . c 5 c 4 . The 5 s mexi can u s S c . , g rairie alcon / , / a The 4 w darkish set with a purple tinge . of a light yello ish ’ 16 TheOolo i sts R ecord M 9 a h 1 1 . g , rc , 23

type . Both are taken on earthy ledges on big cliffs in C alifornia and New Mexico .

F a lco r. ru sti colu s Li n N T n . G . c 4 . , orwegian yrfalcon / aken

: Dr. B L an by jorkborn , near Hetta , apl d eggs laid in old ’ R t on aven s nes ledge of cliff.

r. i sla M ndu s B i c . F . runn h. F , Iceland alcon ine series y

5 A 24 1904 P u Thorari nsson only was taken on pril , , by a l , N h in ort Iceland . Nest in crevice of high rocks above a

’

. A n 4 s t . river egg in one of the is nearly whi e ‘ I like w A 4 s the red and hite mottled type best. come from the M Belga ountains .

r . ca d c i a . E n n F . c 3 s Gmel . G , reenland alcon / ggs laid

’ R P B a Baffinland. in an old aven s nest on rocks , onds y , Rh n c ho alc l a F . o . se tent i na l N A om do r o i s T odd. y f f p , orthern p alcon c 4 N . r 1 8 / est on a dagge plant , feet from ground , on r p airie . From Texas . I e raci dea b: beri ora i B . g ( V igors and Horst ) . Str ped rown Hawk

c N A l . 3 . F / est in a Small gum tree . rom South ustra ia 2 I) . occi den al l B . c . t i s Gou d. Western rown Hawk / T A t Mr . O t M aken by r on at oora , West us ralia ; eggs

’ laid in an old R aven s nest . C erc hnei s t. i F . t n u cu lu m . n n s (Li nn ) . C om on Kestrel ine series F B F G La S rom ritain , rance , ermany , pland , pain and C yprus . 2 t. l i e E l . c . rupco a formi s (Brehml) . gyptian Kestre /

'

. T t c anari ensi s K oeni . C . c 3 . , g _ anarian Kestrel / aken

E . T . A 1 4 1 893 T . by Kennedy on pril , , at eneriffe

t /2 . a o i c . e . a . c . j p n u s ( Temm and S chl g ) J panese Kestrel

,

E F . . S ggs in hole on steep hillside rom hinano , Japan

t . 3 . i E . c ntersti nctu s M c C lela nd. , astern Kestrel / Eggs

r . M . T P M ; . from eheran , ersia , sent by H W aclean l Mr . S B v tuart aker named them as abo e , but theyprobab y

come under ti nnu nc u tu s now .

l A . c 3 i . ru i c o u s Dau d S p ( ) outh frican Kestrel / ,

N . Ho s . c 2 . . c e i and r c en chroi d s ( V g . f ) ankeen Kestrel /

A . l i L e c 4 . i c o oi des m th . r . ru S p , ( ) arger frican Kestr l /

. G . C ollected by Mr. R H . Ivy near rahamstown T e n ewtoni Gu rne M l . A n . h ( y ) , adagascar Kestre si gle

sole survivor of three eggs taken by F . Sikora at

Andrangoloak a nest in a hole in a tree .

’ The Oolo i sts R ecord 192 1 8 Ma rch 1 3 . g , ,

anu ar 23rd 1923 . j y , L Mr . . Sk En Kenneth inner , Weybridge , gland , ’ ”

Ed . O R . , ologists ecord DEA SI R R ,

’ Mr E I have read . dgar C hance s challenge or wager regarding the manner of deposition of eggs by C uckoos or other paras itic birds, either direct from the oviduct or by depositing by means of the beak after laying the egg outside the nest of its victim . Especially gathering data on behaviour and relationship of — birds through studies of Oology for the past forty years has enabled me to follow the habits of the American C owbird (M olothru s ater _ ’ ater s ) rather closely , and am a little surprised to find the bird mode of deposition of eggs very much disputed . Speaking of the

’ ” C P B endi re finding of owbirds eggs in such nests as arula Warbler , says It is possible that theegg is dropped in the nest with the

' S t e i i m r . h n s o e beak uch may be case rare instances , but it probable that where the parasitic egg is found in a Parula ’ s nest it is on e of the more open - entrance type of nest frequently con T structed by this bird . he only nest of the Parula Warbler I ever found in this section contained a C owbird ’ s egg along with the two Of the Warbler but in this case the entrance to the nest was almost

on the s on top of the structure , and whole , about as easy of acces O to the parasitic bird as a nest of the rchard Oriole .

' am m I enclosing a short article giving , briefly , some of y

experiences with the egg layings of the C owbird . I do not know

whether this is of any value to your publication , or whether it is against your rule to publish articles of this nature from America ,

but I send it for your consideration . Very extensive additions I could be added giving more of my experiences , and if , should h take the time to go thoroughly t rough our records , undoubtedly A . s other and more interesting data could be cited I write , it comes to me that I should have added the Blue - grey Gnatcatcher

to the list of species from which I have flushed female C owbirds. N the G w ests of natcatcher , being of soft , downy substances al ays ,

showed signs of the C owbird having sat upon the entire top of the

same , as the rim was always mussed up and torn. Y ours very truly ,

. A EN A C O J W RR J B S . M ’ — [We gladly publish r. Jacobs articl e EDI TOR ] ’ The Oolo i ts R ecord s M ar h 1 1923 . 9 g , c , 1

C OWB IRD (Mo/othru s a ter a ter) LA YS EG G S D IR EC T l FR OM O D UC T NT O T HE NES T OF VI I I T S VIC T I M .

A i B . EN A OB D rector M u seu m o A li ed Oolo y J W RR J C S , , f pp gy,

Wa nes bu r P a . y g,

’ I will not stake a wager on the statement that the C owbird always lays its eggs direct from the oviduct into the nest of its victim ;but my ex peri en c e with the egg deposition of this bird leads me into the firm belief that this is their accustomed way possibly their only way 1 the the In first place , hundreds of nests or other birds in which C I have found eggs of the owbird , were all of a character of easy E access to the parasitic species . xceptional cases , however , were T B — N h nests of the Tufted itmouse , luebird and White bellied ut atch , but with each of these the Cowbird could have entered for laying its eggs more easily by expulsion from the oviduct than by carrying t in he beak .

the sec ond In place , the short , narrow , hard and straight bill . of the C owbird is not capable of retaining an uncrushed egg while

’ the bird s body undergoes the physical exertion necessary to enter some nests . I have found several nests of Bluebird in which the C owbird

an had laid eggs , but I could insert my hand in y of the openings ,

. O and the nests were , as a rule , on a level with the entrance nce — N an egg was found in a nest of the White breasted uthatch , in a h h natural knothole in an oak tree , but t is nest was level wit the entrance , and the entrance itself , was large enough to admit the C owbird .

The a - T T most remarkable case is that of a nest of ufted itmouse , ’ Ma 7th 1887 18 C found y , , inches deep , in which was a owbird s egg with those of the rightful owner but in this case , the cavity was straight down in the top of a small oak stub , and I had no

f rm di ficulty in inserting my a . M y experience with this bird in open nests , where it was actually

bri efl - the seen and watched , is y stated in following cases

S T P o - C L carlet anager , h ebe , Yellow breasted hat , ouisiana Water - Thrush and Kentucky Warbler : actually flushed C owbirds ~ from all these nests . Worm - eating Warbler : after removing nest and eggs of this 20 The 0 6lo i sts’Record arc 1 192 . g , M h , 3

C a bird , which also contained an egg of the owbird , I was attr cted ,

‘ by the Worm - eaters attacking a C owbird on the opposite side of T e the ravine . h Cowbird was on the ground and coming toward

- . The C ow me as I sat near the nest site I moved farther away .

- i be bird continued to approach the nest site , and seem ngly in wilderment , examined the pocket in the side of the bank from which U I had just removed the nest . ndoubtedly , a bird on its way to deposit a second egg , but it carried no egg in its beak . Louisiana Water- Thrush : watched a female C owbird enter a

n al t i t nest of this bird , turn rou d and remain in h f s and ng posi ion

- for several minutes . With the four eggs of the Water Thrush was one laid by the C owbird .

Kentucky Warbler the most interesting case I have . On 1 st 1 907 June , , I found an exposed nest of this Warbler in

l and a clump of mayapple plants in undergrowth woods on hil side , On containing two eggs of the owner and one of the parasite .

4th a b June , as I appro ched on my second visit , I heard oth old

i t e - i had Kentuckys chirping excitedly. In near ng h nest s te I to a cross fence , and while at this elevation I could see the nest 30 surroundings , feet away , and there upon the ground was a

al t e The k Cowbird w king about after h manner of a C row . Kentuc ys

t an . were not at acking , but mere scolding from the lower tree br ches The C a owbird espied me and passed beneath the foliage , out of sig t but the opportunity to observe its further doings was accepted by B me . acking off the fence , but not obscuring the nest with a small the C d space of surroundings , I awaited the return of skulking owbir , which was nearly forestalled by the old Kentucky going upon the nest . Her anxiety , however , was more toward me than the hiding C C owbird , so I was offered the opportunity of seeing the owbird a c ome « i nto u l gain sight , and after searching abo t uneasi y found m the nest and hopping upon the edge walked across the bri , then she turned round and seemed to settle well down into the nest . ! uietly leaving my position to locate the nest of an anxious bu t n Hummingbird , I was absent about ten minutes , upo my return l A saw that the C owbird was sti l on the nest . moment later I the C b fl ew off climbed upon the fence , whereupon ow ird left and F t e through the thicket . ive eggs of h Warbler and two of the The t e l i C . h owbird were in the nest eggs of atter are quite sim lar , except that one has the majority of the markings on the larger the end , while its companion is marked chiefly on smaller . ’ The ol i sts Record 1 2 2 1 O o a rch 19 3 . g , M ,

F the l requently eggs of rightful owner , and occasional y one or

’ the more of parasitic eggs , showed damage by birds beak and some of these were in the nest as well as some tossed out upon the ground by either the C owbird or rightful owner .

O M G N T ES ON S O E EG S FR OM BRA ! IL. E By TH EDI TO R . A S M B box of eggs just received from the tate of inas , razil , contains a few things worth recording .

ten T - C B In a series of sets of the ico tico or hingolo unting , B rachy spi z a pi leata only one set had escaped the attention

C M olothru s bonari ensi s Two of the local race of owbird , sets each contain three C owbird ’ s eggs and five sets each contain two . In some cases a C owbird seems to have laid twice in the f same nest , but in one case of three all appear to be from di ferent

The birds . erythristic type of C owbird egg is well represented in this series .

The C C or hos i n u s cu cu llatu s owbird also victimizes yp p g , one

' ’ i r set out of three containing two C ovvb ds eggs . A set of three eggs attributed to Cy an oc ompsa cy a nea a F new inch egg for our collection , are some of the most beautiful T d t — eggs we have seen . hey are deeply marke wi h warm brick red at the larger ends , the colour being thickest there and shading off to mere splashes at the smaller end . Holding them to the light ,

Nehrk orn we can detect no suspicion of green or blue yet , who had - i n an egg laid captivity , describes them as bluish grey with fine grey markings over the whole surface . He gives the measurements i . a rox as mm , while the three eggs just received are pp 24 1 2 1 8 4 7 23 1 . x x 7 . mately , and x mm respectively We must try and secure a skin for certain identification .

T P ol boru s tharu — here is a fine pair of y s , with pin hole bores , while two pairs of C athari stes a tratu s brasi li ensi s each contain a

one finely marked specimen , being exceptional in this respect ,

w o but the second egg of each set is poorly marked . T sets of

Mi l a o c i . v g h machi ma recall some types of the Honey Buzzard . A of A stu r magni rostri s was found in September in a tree

. T v very hard to climb hey are very o al in shape and very stained , r . No possibly from nest material doubt , o iginally they were

d A rox i dirty white with scattered umber markings at one en . pp

m m n 4 5 an 44 3 . ate measure e ts , d x 6 mm ’ 22 The Oolo i sts Record arch 1 1 23; g , M , 9

l A single egg of Pa lm albigu ari s is approximately 37 x 30 min .

' ‘ a - of In general appearance it is l ke well marked;but faded , egg i i E S w d the uropean parrow Ha k , showing large patches of subdue purplish under - markings and smaller rufous marks on the su rface :

S OM E S C A RC F E INC H EG G S . HE By T EDITOR .

F Mr . C Fi rom arlisle we have received some very rare nch sets , , some of them , we think , the only sets known .

’ A R en dall s S E A n omalos i z a i mberbi s set of three eed ater , p ,

C ab S R B u lu wa o M 20 ( ) , taken on the trathmore anch near y on arch , 1 920 , are very pale blue with a very few distinct spots , chiefly

‘ e e on the larger half, of dark umber an d bla c k . Th spots are v ry small , but it is their sharpness or distinctness which lends such ' A 1 3 character to the eggs . pproximate measurements X ,

1 . 8 X 1 3 and 1 9 x 1 3 mm .

’

S S S E S eri nu s shar ei N eu m . ets of harpe s eed ater , p , , and the

R S a — S E P oli os i z a menn elli C hu bb hodesian tre ky headed eed ater , p , ,

u a tho gh rare , do not differ gre tly from eggs of other members of

’ this genus . The latter were collected at Thaba N chu in the

Free State .

Mr . C Emberi z a ma or We did not expect arlisle to send us j , e but we welcomed a pair collected on his ranch . Th species has u Mr . B been already described by elcher in our pages , but we wo ld

a d like to d that , on first sight , they appear to be a large edition

‘ Emberi z a lavi ven tri s Mr of the beautiful f , of which , thanks to

C . arlisle , we have now a series of nine pairs If anything , the larger

li nes ' i n egg , at least in the pair under notice , has fewer hair its

wreath of marks and more blotches and spots . r Perhaps the most interesting eggs from Mr . C arlisle were a th ee

Emberi z a ca ensi s medi a S har e i set of p , p , which are so d fferent from

’ n e he any other B unting s we know . O egg is like one type of t

T P the . e awny ipit , while other two closely resemble one typ of ”

L . A egg of the C alandra . ark pproximate measurements are

and 22 x l 7 mm . From another source we have secured an egg of the rare Emberi z a

castan ei c e s M oore A M 1 0 19 10 . p , , found in the ltai ountains on June ,

20 2 . It measures approximately mm , and closely resembles

‘ ' ll n o or less i i n e a . E . c r O some types of t a gr und colour , more f n b su fused with shell markings , it has a straggly li e of scri blings ’ The Oo o i ts Record M s a rch 1 1923 . l g , ,

t running almost all round the cen re of the egg , and another wisp

k rn v . Nehr o of such lines running up o er the large end , who had ’

B D E . ci a an egg from the aikal istrict , dismisses it as like ,

c a but we have only one set in a large series of E . i where the colour of the markings is the same and the character of the markin gs is

f E . ci a set . F di ferent from our rom the same source , we had a

Emberi z a ci a ar T Ma 3 1 908 of p , taken in ianshan on y , , one of

‘ whic h h as a wonderful zone of markings round the centre of the

egg and the large end quite clear . The C alifornia A cademy of Sciences at San Francisco was so good as to let us have a set of the very rare mark ed type of Leu

ti c e t A c o t i . s r sei n u cha S . G g from eorge Island , laska It is a beauti

- fully prepared set of five , and though the light brown markings are very indistinct , we are exceedingly pleased to have this one

set of marked eggs in a genus whose eggs , throughout the old and

. The A new worlds , are uniformly pure white cademy was also able to spare us two sets of Geospi z a fu ligi n osa and one set of

Geos i z a orti s G . T p f , both , of course , from the alapagos hese eggs

have been fully described elsewhere . We acquired an exceptionally fine pair of P eri ssospi z a i cteroi des

’ ’ i t Ho o lle t on . T Mr . w od s c o c from p hough typical in all other respec s ,

si z e and 29 30 20 30 they were unique as to , measure approximately X 30 3 0 and X mm . Only a coloured plate would do justice to a set of five Emberi z a

ci tri n ella The ' ave - G . h received from ermany lilac under markings , but they all have wonderful large blotchyes of warm reddish chestnut

an d ’ there colour of varying intensity and , here , a straggly black

. ul scrawl With all this , however , they co d never be taken for

any other species .

The ou r t above additions , with others , have carried collec ion

to over 300 species of Finches .

’ ’ T he Oolo i sts Record 2 une 1 1923 . 6 g ;j ,

‘

S . e T e fine S . h st egovia , pain, which is heavily mark d series T M in existence of these eggs is that in the ring useum , which

possesses 55 eggs .

L - i ndi cu s allescens . s . T Gyp p Indian ong billed Vulture . his is a ’

G . i ndi cu s i ndi cu s synonym of and reduces Mr. Gordon s total T . by . one here are only two forms of this species , but he

enumerates three . * u u S - eu do s a ri can s elleborni . P s gyp f f outhern White backed Vulture . R P 1 . C O . c/ Kromdraai , range iver olony robably the only e known gg of this form . * ‘ heli u cheli o u . S t rac a a c 1 . C Torgos t t s tr t s ociable Vul ure . / ape

C olony .

n e no e u e no eru s . E N eophro p rc pt r s p rc pt gyptian Vulture .

Chi efly taken by myself in Spain and Showing all variations . * l . 1 The u G a C . P oly boru s lu tos s . uad oupe aracara c only known ' M t S on . egg of his extinct pecies , taken the island by W ore , 1 1 The f A 7 897 . t pril th , nes was a huge a fair of sticks on top

of a pile of rubbish and cacti only two pair of birds were seen , The and the 9 of this pair was shot . egg resembles a pale

of P cheri wa au du boni a Si egg . y , but is rather sm ller , ze 4 2 54 X mm . It has a whitish ground rather heavily spotted

- and blotched with dark reddish brown . * A m P . . C i rcu s melanolen au s . S ied Harrier ingle , from ur * N . cu ni oru S A M . c 4 . t C i r s ra v s . outh frican arsh Harrier / a al The eggs are very like those of the next form * ’ 4 . S C . i u har e i Har er s . c C i rcu s wru nos s t rt . t t . g Harrier / oria , i n o u s C . w. ceru s S . S pain , taken by myself maller than eggs of g

- and much nest soiled . * R - Hamansdor C i rcu s mau ru s . B i . c 3 . ; , lack Harr er / _ iet vley p

S . A . N frica est built in the rushes , of twigs and grass , E ggs smallish , resembling in size and appearance those of

c an u s c an eu s . C . y e y * 2 . M C G . c . M eli erax mu si cu s mu si ons . hanting oshawk / afeking

N t . I n Bechuan al and . est in a thorn tree of s icks and twigs S ize and appearance eggs much resemble those of A stu r genti li s

en g ti li s . * S . . 3 . T C S . c A stu r badi ns badi ns . eylonese hikra / ravancore , India

“ * - h u S . c 3 . A ccipi ter ni su s melanosc i st s . Himalayan parrow Hawk /

P . D S N W . From imla Hills, . India ; taken by odsworth

handsomely marked eggs . ’ The Oolo i ts 1 1 92 s 3 . g ,

* - M A c ci i e r a u e ra B c 4 . S . pt r vi g t s b s . esra parrow Hawk / arked

- with pale clay coloured smudges no distinct markings .

* ~ H e i di o a S R ed wi n ed . eterospi z i as m r n li s au strali s . outhern g Hawk

2 A e A stu r c 1 . . Th / , c / rgentina eggs resemble those of

u eo instead of B t . S u eo o ar u B . c 2 . B t s li t i s . olitary uzzard / Very rare eggs in

collections .

eo u . M B u teo bu t b teo C ommon Buzzard . y large series includes one

- 4 well marked from A rgyllshire and another 4 from Finland . — I have some very well marked B ritish sets .

- B u teo a bono a u albono a u . ! l t t s t t s one tailed Hawk . I also possess a

C hi a i o M . set of these rare eggs from p , exico * — 1 F B u eo e hro o u e h o u . R e B c . t ry t n t s ry t ron t s d backed uzzard . / alk

land Islands .

— - B Tri orchi s a o u sanc hann A R . l g p s ti jo i s . merican ough legged uzzard Five eggs appear to be a common clutch I possess three sets

of 5 from Labrador .

‘ B u eo a ch u r - i S B . s t l bra y a . hort ta led uzzard I also pos ess a set of

’

Mr. these rare eggs from the same nest as Gordon s . * B T r u u E . . U u bi ti nga r bi ti nga u ru bi ti nga . razilian agle c /l aken Manc hela T A O 30th at , prov, of ucuman , rgentina , ctober , 2 19 2 . I do not know of another egg of this species . * Uru bi ti n a an h c 2 a M B . c . g t r i n a an thraci na . exican lack Hawk /

Chi ahu hu M N s 27 h in a, exico . e t of sticks , feet p a tall cotton

n . wood tree , in a small ca on

" ’ G a u barba u d B . et s t s ran i s . a l . c 2 yp g e rded Vu ture / , India

I do not possess European eggs .

’ ' A u i la ch r sa tos chr sa tos G E . é e . S 3 q y y olden agle ets of are rare , but l a 3 F a . I so possess one set of in my series , from inl nd * A u a l i l c hr d han ea . a o a G E . q y s et s p . Himalayan o den agle c/l

A A . Lar er than . c chr a os . M . s ét ltai ountains g _ eggs of y

' * A ‘ 2 2 A E . u i la chr sa tos can aden si s . G q y e merican olden agle / .

C al alSo of 3 T . , ifornia and a set _ from exas

A u i la he ne . li aea . E . O q Imperial agle egg in my series , from P a l unjab , Indi , is very much smal er than any of the others , vi de R but is certified by Hume , who had the 9 bird ( ough N otes , p . — A u i a . B l adalbe E . S q rti . White shouldered agle pain oth

A heli aea sets are much more heavily marked than eggs of . ,

from which I consider this bird is specifically distinct . ’ lo i ts Record u n e 1 1 92 The Oo s 3 . 28 g ;j ,

* E S le s s ni alensi s . E A u i la ni a n i . c 3 A t q p p astern teppe agle / . l ai

Mountains .

2 . T E . c C C u a ra ax ra ax . e A q i l p p awny agle / ape olony . Th se are

rare eggs . ’ R ell T E a albi cans . u s A u i la ra x . c 2 . L q p pp awny agle / ahej ,

‘

A . T e S . rabia ; nest in a high mango tree h eggs much

A r . ra ax resemble those of . p , but are a trifle larger and more

elongated .

ma a omar na . L S E A u i la o ri n i . 4 2 All q p p esser potted agle / . l the eggs in my series are heavi y marked , much more so than

clan a . those of A . g — a a L E . A qu i la pomari na hast t . ong legged agle I also only possess e E . two singles . ggs of this speci s are rare ' lli ’ u B one E . H era u s asci atu s asci at s . s 2 2 i et c 1 . S . f f agle / , / pain S S . S It is fairly common in pain , but I only obtained the ingle

egg myself .

‘

B E . Hi era étu s pennatu s . ooted agle In my series is a single from e Hu rroor S D . b , alem ist , India , c rtified y Hume , which is quite heavily marked with reddish - brown spots and blotches (vi de ’

R N . Hume s ough otes , p

’ * K i ener s C E e er . . T Lo hotri orchi s ki n i . p rested agle c/l ravancore ,

S . . . India Very rare

* ' e . B ens s erni r a E . c I c ti na etu s malay i p g Indi n lack agle /1 (full set) . F D — M i A 4 th 1 904 rom unga gali , urree H lls , India , ugust , i ' l R . . R descr be i n B d N . . taken by C o . H attray and ombay H _ _

2 . X I . 66 l . V Soc . n J , , p

'

u 2 1 . F . Spi z a etu s ci rrhatu s ci rrhat s . / rom India

* ' ha u s c e lonensi s . C E u ci rr t c 2 . Spi z a et s y eylonese Hawk agle . /

Travancore .

' - l E . c 2 . S i z aetu s coronatu s . C S p rowned Hawk ag e / pitzkop ,

K ark loof R Na 1 8th 19 17 r ange , tal , July , , f om a huge nest of

- 60 . sticks , ft up in the fork of a monster yellow wood tree , A 4 —5 . 0 0 to nearly 5 ft . in diameter bout dog spikes had be

used to get to the nest . ' i M E r . Spi z a etu s nipalensi s k elaa t . ountain Hawk agle I have also T v an egg of this species from ravancore , a locality I did not gi e

in my Synopsis .

' — 1 . n 3 . S . S O e n S t E . . C i rcaetu s galli e s . hor toed agle / pain nest b taken y myself was in the top of a pine tree , but they are — generally in cork oaks . ’ The Oolo i sts Record u ne 1 29 g ;j ,

* S i lorn c hee a S E . u . 1 i s l albi d s L . p esser erpent agle c /l , c (full sets) F rom S . India . Very rare in collections ; one egg is hand somel y marked , the other white . * S i lorni s c heela s i lo ste S E T C . . a r . p p g eylon erpent agle c /l ravancore ,

S . A India . very rare egg .

* ' Hali - a u a c l e . et s lbi i la gro nlandi cu s . Greenland White tailed Eagle 2 1 . A E larger egg than in the uropean form .

Elanoi des or ca u or ca - 2 L u S . c . f fi t s f fi t s . wallow tailed Kite / incoln

C o . New M Ma 13 1 890 , exico , y th , nest was also in a cotton

wood tree . M i lvu m 2 A . E 3 . S . s i rans a ab cu s A . g r i . rabian Kite / rabia ggs

m . are smaller and more richly marked than those of M .

w ti u s gyp .

.Mi lvu li n ea u - F C s B . t s . lack eared Kite ive eggs from hina comprise . 3 2 clutches of and successively laid in the same nest , a most

beautiful and interesting set .

* ’

3 . Rostrhamu N E . c s soci a bi li s plu mbeu s . orthern verglade Kite / F N lorida . est of sticks and weed stalks , lined with dead leaves ,

E e in low bush overgrown with vines . xtr mely rare and

beautiful eggs .

Elanu - s leu cu ru . u s maju scu lu s . White tailed Kite I have a bea tiful

4 R e . set of from C alifornia . are ggs in collections

B az a lei t h e e A 2 o s C F . p t . r sted C uckoo alcon set of of this rare

species . * A vi c eda e don c 2 . r i e lon en i s . . c j y s C eylon C uckoo Falcon / White ,

u h e B az a le ot s . like the eggs of p , but larger * F alco e e u nd c 2 . s v r s i i cu s . C entral Indian / *

F alco su bbu e u A c 2 . T . o u N . t j g rtha . orth frican Hobby / unisia

4 . a u P . C . O F lco c ol mbari u s c olu mbari u s . igeon Hawk / ntario The eggs of the North American forms of Merlin are all rare in

collections .

F alco e e P F . One r ri nu s ere ri nu s . p g p g eregrine alcon white egg , k D O ta en by unn in the rkneys , in my series has passed through G ’ several collections as a oshawk s egg , and gave colour to the

story that the latter bred in the Orkneys . It shows some faint

’ reddish specks and is evidently a Peregrine s egg . 4 . C alco ere u A P F . c F p gri n s anatu m . merican eregrine alcon / ali m for ia . Scarce in collections .

’ ‘ ’

4 . F F alco ere ri n u ea i P F . c s le . p g p eale s alcon / orester s Island ,

A E a . laska . xtremely dark and h ndsome eggs ’

30 The Oo o i t Reco - s s rd u ne 1 192 3. l g , j ,

* P F alco ere ri n u b ook ei L i F M . s r . . 4 p g esser eregr ne alcon c / . orocco R are in collections . * F alc o ele ri noi des ele i n oi de B 2 r s . F c 4 c . p g p g arbary alcon . / , /

M o c 3 . A orocc / lgeria . *

F a c o . bi armi cu s a l A . l bi rmi cu s . S L c 4 outh frican anner . / Vaa R P o T O 8 1906 . iver , otchefstr om , ransvaal , ctober th , I do

not know of another set .

F al o bi armi c u s rlan e i N A L . at c e g r . orth frican anner I have also 3 set of of these rare eggs from A lgeria .

F alc o bi armi c u s elde i e E L . 4 . T T f gg . uropean anner c / urkey . hes ~ l be c orrec t Mr. G s may or may not y identified . ordon doe

S . R not give his locality , but it is certain that ussian eggs are

F c herru che u rr . always those of . g g

al u colu F co r sti s i slandu s . F 2 4 3 . . c . Iceland alcon / , / Iceland The set of 3 are the largest and most beautifully marked eggs I

‘

. One 4 are have ever seen . set of is normal , but the other set

r a second brood , and are very small dark eggs , not much large P F ’ than eregrine alcons .

i dea beri o a a I rac r beri or . S B Mr . e g g triped rown Hawk . I think G ’ b. or en ali s m I . i t ordon s eggs are more probably those of , fro

f . the locality , unless , indeed , they come rom the interior

' ' P andi on hali a tu s hali a u s O . M s e et . C ommon sprey y series of thi A ‘ a tw is nearly as fine as that of the merican form . I h ve o S all m pairs and a single from cotland , old eggs and five sets fro

the C ontinent .

T HE C R IT ER I ON F OR T HE T R I NOM IA I

F L S . B E C ST A T BAK E . . y . . U R R ,

Field naturalists and scientific egg - collectors now so universally

Sub— n accept the recognition of species and the use of tri omialism , that I hope no apology Is needed for the appearance of this article l in a paper devoted primarily to egg col ecting pure and simple .

T e A u k 1 92 1 In h for July , , an excellent article appeared by b The Mr . . G i J r nnell on this su ject , In which he writes criterion

‘ mu st not for the trinomial be closeness in general appearance , but

m i nter radati on it ust be by g , either by way of geographic blending

determi n d stri tl as su ch e c . or by way of individual variation , y ’ he l ec 2 31 T Oo o ists R ord a n el 19 3 . g , j , ,

T tsi n his is practically the same as many naturalis this country ,

n has including myself , have often stated , but my own defi ition a lways been with the additional controlling factor that before any such variation is entitled to a trinomial it must either first h prove to be constant wit in some given area , or the circumstantial evidence must suffice to form a prima faci e reason for its probable T distinctness from its nearest allies . heoretically no bird should be given a trinomial until a series is available for examination

' h s ec imen of but , practically , w en a single p a species is obtained

d S at some very great istance from the type locality , howing very obvious variation , a name may;in rare instances , be given pending further investigation . The question as to what degree of differentiation constitutes a

- b species or sub species is one impossi le to determine , for variation f which in one bird is specific may , in another , not even su fice to give

- T the . it status of a sub species hus , difference in size may be a

h b su b- s ec ific specific c aracter in one ird , p in a second , and merely F C C k h . or S individual in a t ird instance , in the rows , uc oos , hrikes

h and B and many ot er birds , we have in India urma a general . reduction in the size of the individuals of a species from North to South ;but within this area we have smaller areas in which the size varies but slightly and we are thus able to - lay down fairly definite lines of demarkation even when the dimi nution in measure t h h . ments is not accompanied , as i often is , wit other c aracters

On we Garru lax ectorali s the other hand , have birds such as p and Garru la x monile er h f l g whic di fer principa ly merely in size , yet which r t . M h inhabit p ac ically the same range oreover , t roughout their very wide habitat , both species form numerous geographical races which differ from the typical forms in much the same manner and to the same extent . The t f n grea di ficulty , according to some naturalists , in defini g su b— f species , lies in the di ferentiation of island forms , which they

1 A allege cannot be said to grade into one another . s a matter of f c ollec ted from act , however , if series of a species are , the two or h b more islands whic form its habitat , almost invaria ly certain individuals will be found in each seri es showing a tendency towards f o f the di ference in the size , c lour or other variation which orms

“ the feature distinguishing each from its nearest neighbour or n Bu . t o ens u eighbours the question of trinomialism at once p _ p a

‘ i b ot er o , h s , that vast number of other p nts and a ove all _ of the ’ 2 The Oolo i sts Rec rd 1 92 3 u ne 1 3 . g o , j ,

- A manner in which sub species are evolved . t present naturalists h two h — are , roug ly , divided into sc ools the one claiming that all

all e evolution is due to environment , the second that specific chang B . h ba f is due to mutation ot are pro bly right , and the dif erence T is one of words rather than of facts . o me it seems clear that environment is the cause of such evolution as is nec essary to fit a

to . T bird its surroundings hat is to say , it intensifies or reduces r ll . colour , increases or dec eases length of limb , wing , bi , etc , and a generally performs the work of elimination of all adverse char cters ,

' l n At whi st it perpetuates a d perfects all such as are beneficial .

S n ew the ame time , for the initiation of characters we have to look

to mutation .

Bu t whe f a re w h even n di ferences initiated by mutation , het er

' t h l acciden al or inherent , the question as to whether these s al persist T or die out is settled by environment . here are , roughly speaking , — fi l Now bene c i a h h . three forms of mutation , armless and armful , if through mutation a bird is provided with a character which will be of assistance to it either in competing with other individuals of i ts own species or in rendering it more or less immune to some t t h h des ruc ive influence , w ether t is be vermin , heat , cold , wet or th u any o er factor , then the individuals which inherit this feat re will persist in larger comparative numbers than those which do t h . h not ave it If , on the ot er hand , the mutational fea ure is v it harmful , we shall find it ery speedily eliminated , for will never

fix it n be allowed to attain y , the individuals possessing it bei g destroyed at a greater rate than those without it .

T i e . h . h the . is leaves only third kind of mutation , the armless Many of these mutations are merely the abnormal expression of vigou r and they persist because the more normal manifestations of

vigour , such as Increase in size , speed of wing , access of voice , etc . , would be prejudicial to the continuation of the race whereas other h i features , suc as crests , breast plumes; br lliancy of colouring , etc . , are not injurious in this particular instance . Accidental variations which are n ot accompanied by unusual vigour are n ot likely ever to become permanent unless they come On under the first class of mutation , the beneficial . the other a x h nd , when the new character is an e pression of energy and vigour , the individual bird possessing it will have more chance of handing

b a - it on to his progeny , and will also pro ably have more numerous progeny to han d it on to than will other birds possessing less vigour .

’ 34 The Oolo i sts R ecord u né g , j

taking the place of environment and eliminating characters which

are not desire d and protecting those which are .

The w wi N t procedure is simplicity itself hen compared th a ure , for all man has to do is to continue selecting for breeding purposes those individuals which show to the greatest extent the freak

characteristic he desires to make permanent . N h — n In ature t ere are a thousand and one influe ces , often con

fli c tin s a e g , and the progres tow rds comparative p rmanency is

’ ’ naturally more slow Parallel instances of man s and Nature 5 T M n . an working are ot hard to find ake one of the simplest .

w a . N has produced hite r bbits , mice , etc so has ature produced M h . an w ite animals , or animals which are white in winter has — produced his pink eyed whi te rats by constan t selection for breeding purposes of those rats which have possessed some constitution a l N l character resulting in loss of pigment . ature has gradual y b r h l evolved , y the constant su vival of the fittest , w ite anima s which are protected In their winter habitat by their want of colour

from their enemies of all kinds . In this category come such animals F as foxes , the weasel tribe , certain inches , etc .

Wh h the su b- at , t en , is difference between species and species To me the difference is this : Between species and species there h c is some definite point at w i h intergradation ceases , and the bridge is lacking which connects the one with the other ; in sub - species there is a continued gradation which connects the two forms without

T e a definite break . h exact extent of the break necessary to

— be w f or transform a sub species into a species cannot laid do n , it varies in degree in different birds ;but if we add to our previous — formula the rule that two su b species cannot inhabit the same

'

breeding area , we at once advance very considerably . T P h llosco u s boreali s . ake , for instance , y p Here we have a

divides ‘ broadl r Warbler which , y , into a western and easte n race

differentiated by wing formulae and to a less extent by S ize . In the winter both races may be S hOt ‘ off the same tree in certain s countries , but their breeding area are apart , and in the intermediate countries between their areas the win g formula is not fixed and

' Bu t the si z e is a lso intermediate . if we turn to some of the A croc ephali we shall fin d that whilst a difference in wing formula ] a - s ec ific appe rs to be merely of sub p value in some species , as in

a ri cola o f h sci r a ceu s g , yet it is specific value in ot ers such as p and

hra mi ti s p g . ’ The Oolo sts R ecord u ne 1 35 gi , j ,

— In island forms our breaks are naturally more and our connec tions less definite between various su b- species than they are in

o lread c ntinental forms , but , as I have a v said , in these we must

look for individual variation to Show us the connecting links . With manv naturalists isolation is insisted on as the dominant the factor in creation of species but , from this point of view , it is m b . quite impossi le to define isolation It may be complete , se i t T e comple e or very incomplete . h cause of isolation may be an

- i n actual gap , narrow or wide , land boundaries as in islands and continents it may be an almost equally isolating barrier such as

a . t a snow r nge , desert , etc , or it may be only a par ial barrier , such as a big river or an area of country less suitable to the occupant

than those on either side of it . When a species becomes so dominant that it overcomes other

e So b d structive elements , it increases in num er that its tendency is

T e : to increase its area also . h consequences are three first , the area invaded is so unsuitable that the species dies out at once ; l f second y , it is su ficiently suitable provided certain modifications b h l the C are o tained or , t ird y , species arries on a precarious exist ence and in the Struggle for existen ce continues its wanderings into

more suitable countries . In these latter it once more increases and

u h i t e h multiplies nder conditions whic perpetuate , it er in its original — form or with some modifications which make it a new sub species . O h b ften , owever , it must happen that the irds which come under the third category eventually disappear entirely in the intermediate

a and less suitable countries , so that we then have a complete bre k h in continuity of geograp ical range , the intermediate forms are

e - C o wiped out of exist nce , and the sub species , having lost all nnecting

“

s . links with its parent stock , become a full species — Isolation and continuous in breeding will not create new species or sub - species unless the environment evolves some new character or encourages some character accidentally commenced ; on the

i n - ma s other hand , continuous breeding y cau e constitutional disturbances resulting in such freak characteristic as the dancing of the dancing mouse . Even in cases similar to that of the dancing mouse or to the

- * al never ending new forms produced among domestic anim s , it — must be remembered a fact which seems to be constantly forgotten ~ that in these domestic animals environment never comes into

. T m an w o play heir surroundings are purely artificial , and the h ’ 36 The O lo i ts Record 2 s u n e 1 19 3 . o g , j , selects the animals from which he breeds sees to it that no environ

i s o mental condition disturbs h bjective . A very popular means of attempting to Show how little environ

' men t has to do with the evolu tion of species and sub - species consists of the breeding of certain types of bird by the hybridization of

- T . h species or the mating of sub species us , from two verydifferent of P types - heasant may be produced a third type differing from

h t e m a either , and t is third yp y be perpetuated until it becomes m e more or less stable . If , however , such hybrids or inter ediat forms were produced in Nature they would at once be stamped out n i B if unsuitable in a y way to the r surroundin gs . y judicious blending one could in captivity undoubtedly form from the black Kalij (Gennceu s horsfi eldi) and the Chinese Silver Pheasant (Gennwu s nychemeru s) all the races of Gennceu s now known and possibly many T new forms hitherto unthought of . hese may in time all breed true

h bu t h h to t eir parents , if released anywhere in the countries , to w ic t s heir parents bird belonged , and freed from artificial protection

h h all h o who of any kind , t ey would eit er peris or th se escaped would gradually revert to the form dominant in the country on

account of its protective coloration .

A S T EEL EG G C A B INET .

Tho s e c ollectors who favour the use of the fairly large glass topped b oxes which house a series of the eggs of each species generally keep such boxes in wooden cabinets furnished with

' ~ ’ h h box es are i n ti ers . h shelves , on w ic the arranged We ave lately

‘ i nstalled i n f S - S h our o fice a ankey heldon steel cupboard , whic would a appear to be an ideal thing for the purpose . It is a stand rd

production and can be added to as a collection grows , but there is no means of joining up one cupboard with another like a sectional

n ot bookcase . It is so impermeable to air as an ordinary safe would — “ - ! n a be , but . is well nigh dust proof It is fi ished externally like

safe and furnished with double doors locked by a C hubb lock . 628 72 T O No . he S ize best suited to the ologist is , which is inches

28 1 8 n . T high , inches wide and i ches deep his size has three

d. 73 . 6 adjustable shelves , and many more shelves can be added at h 1 7s 6d. T e 8 . each . h price is £ , which is practically as c eap as S T e o are M s . , wood . h cupb ards sold by es rs Harris and heldon

46 C S L E C . 4 . of , annon treet , ondon , . ’

The Oolo i sts R ecord u ne 1 1 923 . g , J ,

O E M E T E A N T S ON EG G S FR O W S R N SP IN .

B THE E TO y DI R .

A very interesting little consignment of eggs has reached u s the E i n S from western part of the province of stremadura , pain h has a district t at , we think , been very little worked over by E O nglish ologists . Ou r correspondent was not quite early enough the bu t t be in field , his is a thing that will , we hope , remedied

another year .

The a r district in question is not very mountainous , and the r re A h ccipitres would appear to be lacking , alt ough expeditions can

One be made to greater distances another year . very interesting

F the little alcon seems to thrive in populated areas , for our corre

s on dent t C erchnei s cenchri s the p has sen two very pretty sets of , L h h 1 S C esser Kestrel , found beneat the tiles of a ouse ets of ommon

B bu t h e uzzard and Kite do not present any unusual features , t er w E is a set of t o of a species of agle which we have not yet identified . The Sh h Woodchat rike , of whic a large series has come to

' t ere t e P u Pi o S the h h c ans . hand , carries ort guese name of ome of sets are very handsome and with more distinct markings than those A i h . the from furt er north set of n ne eggs of Hoopoe was found ,

v e Ma 1 3th ery advanced as to incubation ; as arly as y , but fresh t e R T T eggs of h aven were found later . he common form of ree

the M H olai s ol lotta wh h Warbler there is elodious , yp p yg , of ic some m A pretty sets have co e through . fine set of four Orphean Warblers has a C uckoo ’ s egg with it of a type very closely approximating that

- the . Of the O h of foster parents course , rp ean Warbler is known t e C S to be a frequent victim of h uckoo in pain . T the S S G M here are several sets of panish parrow , orrion olinero the n l . of atives , including one in which each egg is heavi y capped On e of several sets of Corn Bunting is a type rather out of the ordinary it could be best described as a very large edition of ' the

the Ortolari B h theS the eggs of unting , wit ize of spots , as well as t e T h h . h the R that of eggs , very_ muc larger ere is one set of ock

Th C L S - L S rush , one set of rested ark , one of hort toed ark , two ets

N h R set S of ig tingale , one set of usset Wheatear , one of erin worthy i of note as being almost the m nimum size for this species on record , et l s C S . and a of four ommon wift We sti l hope to receive som e.

B i n e lot t e b ustards , and , tim , to get to know quite a about h reeding species of the district . Having spent a long time acquiring a ’

' 538 The Oolo i st Record s une 1 1923 . g ’ , j ,

’ e S l O e working knowl dge of panish , we sha l h p to ascertain the possibilities of other parts of Spain that have been n eglec téd in

. to h n the past We regret say , owever, that ma ana in Spain h seldom comes , and t at many correspondents have taken up the

, ’ ‘ ‘ C olo S r l matter of gy in pain very eagerly , but that esu ts have been n l egligib e in other cases .

B E T R VI I ES . T F B he . C . Hon . elcher has been home from Nyasaland and

a E A F rin i l p id the ditor a very welcome visit , during which frican g lidae Mr B were passed under review and notes compared . . elcher

fin e his t in N al presented us with some very sets of own aking yas and , fine o 3 Emberi z a ma or h h s especially a / of j , w ic repo es next to a n 2 Mr R c C d . very stro gly contrasting / from . arlisle in ho esia

’ T ’ the The O R c Mr. alking over progress of ologists e ord , B elcher expressed the opin ion that we had now enlisted the support E ’ i of the mpire s pr ncipal working Oologists . We do indeed wish this were the case ! The difficulty is to get into touch with the T others . here must be innumerable men working out their Oological

records all to themselves who would be glad , one would think , w to join up ith us could we but get into touch .

Mr Hou wi n . g , writing from Java , says that his district is very — n u - - a e r i c h in bird life . He fi ds a great need for an p to d t and

helpful work on the birds of the Dutch Indies .

’ r e Mr . Swann s a ticle in the current issue sums up the xtent of our knowledge of the eggs of that most interesting family , the

D l w o s A . h h ccipitres oubtless , however , t ere are col ectors have egg of species not included in either the Swan n or the Gordon collee n tions . We should like to k ow of them and to describe them in

our pages . We should like to be able to publish in forthcoming issues descriptions of some of the little - known species found in some oi

’ M t e o u r readers collections . ost of h great natural geographical areas have been worked over to such an extent that thevery rare ’ e c 39 Thé Oolo i sts R cord u ne 1 1923 . g , J , species are ticked off and set apart as unattain able by many

Bu t bi collectors . there are just a few g collections that contain such eggs , and it would be good to have them described and placed on record .

E n N . S Colon el R . tewart left ngla d last month on his way to U A n the Montanas region of the pper mazon . He is maki g rather

et l C a long journey to g there , and wi l cross anada and proceed down

C P hi s k the West oast , crossing eru to get to destination . We loo for some interesting results from his projected stay in a region

- that is very rich in bird life .

A cock Wood Warbler has taken up several positions this year

a h quite ne r our house , but never , so far as we ave been able to

n he b . r ascertai , has een joined by a female He would appea to be doomed to bachelor existence

Some years ago we reported a case in which a box was hardly T w vacated by a brood of Great its before it as again tenanted . The Same thing has again happened in our garden this year and

U bu t i n . the same box nfortunately , I did not note the dates , I know the fi S Ma 27 th rst brood vacated on unday , y , and it was on the foll owing Thursday or Friday that I peeped in and saw i three fresh eggs in a new lin ng , my attention being drawn to the fact by the bird flyi ng out .

The R ll h R i edstart wi sit , it appears , as tig tly as a ob n

We passed one quite closely almost every morning , eye to eye , flew and it never out , but , just before the young were fledged , we spent a large part of a Sunday afternoon trying to get a sn apshot

n — Unfor of anxious pare ts at the nest box all to no purpose . tu n ately we had no property cow or bush in which to hide

Dr G A . lover llen , in response to an enquiry made by us , says

‘ that Sable Island is much more i n ac c essible than appears on the

A al . h H map bout the only way of going t ere is from ifax , through fi C n L S A the kind of ces of the anadia ighthouse ervice . friend

al Dr A b . w . as of his made the trip , but for otanic purposes llen kind enough to add a few words of appreciation and encouragemen t R apropos the ecord . ’ 4 0 The Oolo i R eco d sts r u n 1 1 923 . g , J e ,

M L ’ r . D i n E eon awson s son had a rough time cuador . His

" father writes I t took exactly two months to connect u pwith ' — funds cabled him early in November offic i al blundering and “ t e h h . stupidity , w ile boy nearly starved However , his letter h n t e G says he is s ippi g h little alapagos stuff . You can

’ S f bet we will prize it , ince it is the sole outcome of a year s e fort . Only think : all he got is a small series of each of two species Geos i z a t e G ! of p , and one egg of h alapagos Heron His next h N n E i t field is to be the hig lands of orther cuador , where is to be hoped he will meet with more success .

E L Mr . ri c ewis sent us some very interesting photos of Natal _ nests which we wish we were able to reproduce . He reports having s h O h t m een t at most elusive bird , the xpecker , of w ich here see to be hardly any authentic eggs in existence .

B Mr A T M R Dr. t . t o h ustin ober s , of the ransvaal useum , and

' ’ S E A h Rendall s S E t van omeren , in ast frica , report t at eed a er is Mr C a parasite in its nesting habits ; nevertheless . arlisle feels A i the e . s he t sure of identity of the eggs h secured says , may be A o h the b alwa s . n t at ird is not y parasitic nyway , further light this matter will be awaited with interest .

Would it not be possible for the publishers to reprint the very scarce Volume I of Stark and Sclater ’ s Fauna of South Africa

‘ If all ou r readers who desire to obtain a copy will send in their

t the ht . names , we will make representa ions in rig quarter It

. would help , of course , if some would take two copies .

’ - A C M P St . r. aget Wilkes has joined the staff of ndrew s ollege

a G n C C . t rahamstow , ape olony He sent for a supply of our research

’ forms and is busy getting to know the birds of that district .

A i frica bulks rather largely in our pages , but every ma l brings us e vidence of the keen interest taken in Oology by our c orrespon dents i n the Dark C ontinent .

’ Mr S B We make no apolbgy for publishing . tuart aker s article

T i To w e on r nomials . say that are proud to present our readers

3 ’ 2 The Oolo i t Reco 4 s s rd u ne 1 1 923 . _ g , J ,

S arethe - n c r such tates exceptio In a ount y so vast , with its bird b life not yet y any means thoroughly ascertained , it is not sur prising that the Federal Government main tains a most competent

f l l i ts sta f of biologica workers , whose aim is not only to exp ore

— bu t bird life to the uttermost , to ascertain its bearing upon the M E n r . . N agricultural and other resources of the country . . W elso ,

al - the head of the section de ing with bird life , issues each year a

l and M l most valuab e interesting report on his work . any individua S i tates have their own staffs working on sim lar lines , and a most in teresting survey was recently received In regard to the bird

- L and an imal life of ouisiana . It must have been compile d and published at a cost which would make our Parliamentary economists turn grey .

“ The L D C n 8 ondon ail y hronicle reports under date Ju e th ,

1923 : , that In a Falcon ’ s nest on one of the lower ledges of rock beneath G O L 1 000 the lighthouse on reat rmes Head , landudno , over

’ P ve igeons feet have been disco red , most of them bearing a

numbered ring . This explains a mystery which has puzzled for some time the owners of homing Pigeons in the industrial centres in the northern — — counties the non arrival of many birds after being liberated at “ V arious places in France and the South of England . ‘ F c a and A l , y loca boatman who saw a al on attack _ homer carr

it away to the rocks , found his way to the nest of the bird of prey ,

and the wholesale Slaughter was revealed . ll P s A the remains of the igeons were collected , and the number ’ on the rings will be communicated through the Homing World . R ather striking evidence this of the hav oc that a pair of

Peregrines are capable of .

B D . L . Mr. C . ickerton wrote us recently that he had been A P transferred to Kinkiang , at the extreme south of nhwei rovince

sa the and just on the borders of Kiangsi Province . He ys country

- i an there is wonderq rich in bird l fe , and only the presence of y . innumerable number of snakes retards his Oological investigations . s A lthough he thinks that 90 per cent . of the snakes are quite harmles he has some respect for the remaining 1 0 per cent . He finds his

‘ — mu c h of motor boat useless for the time , and has to make use of a ’ lo i sts R ec ord ne 1 1 923 The Oo u . 4 3 g , j ,

. r B native junk and do the land work in chairs M . ickerton hopes really to make some use of the little leisure that he gets during the present season , and we shall hope to be able later to put on

record some of his discoveries .

The nesting season in England for most of the commoner species Of birds seems to be more prolonged than usual and more new nests

- have come under our notice in mid June than is usually the case . We should like to hear from subscribers what their experiences l have been , and it wou d be interesting to trace a connection between i this and the extraord nary weather conditions of the present year . Of course it has been a most prolific season for blight and other S insect pests , though we have not , in urrey , seen the oaks so subjected to caterpillar depredations as usual . There must be a n abundance of food for all the Warblers and Tits and other insect

loving birds .

' H arriso n Sons Ltd. ri nters i n Ordi nar to His M a e st S Mart n Lan W t. i s e . C . z . , P y j y , , .

C ’ THE OOLOGISTS REC ORD.

T Edi te d by K EN NE H L . S K INNER .

T ESE E A LL RIGH S R RV D .

S e em e 1 3 [ pt b r 1 92 .

N OT ES OF T HE EG G S O F P A LA EA R C T I C

A C C I P I T R ES .

R . O DA N M . A . F C . B R EV . . y the J UR I , ,

After reading the interesting accounts recently published by n S G G a d . . of Messrs . J . . ordon H K wann their collect ions of A su r ri sm eggs of ccipitres , the p g fact becomes apparent that if these collections represent the s u m of our knowledge of the eggs t A of his family , considerably less than half of the eggs of the ccipitres to and the are known science , less than a quarter of known races are represented in the Specialized collections of these two c ollectors . G ’ The total number of forms represented in Messrs . ordon s and ’ 1 7 P Swann s collections amounts to about 0 . In the alaearctic

1 30 o wn region alone some races are recorded , and in my collection ,

P a 82 which consists mainly of al earctic eggs , about of these forms are illustrated , in nearly every case by clutches , and in the great

B u t majority of instancesbyseries ofvaryinglength . theimportance of the collection lies in the fact that the eggs of over 40 per cent . of these species have been actually taken by myself . In the case of a specialized collection of the A ccipitres of the world it is obviously impossible for the collector to . have worked seriously at this group

al in all the great zoographic regions , but within the more restricted Of limits of one region this ceases to be an impossibility . course in the case of such species as the Iceland Falcon or Merlin this adds t o h nothing the scientific value of the eggs as material , althoug it

No does add very much to their interest . one could mistake the eggs of either of these species for those of any : other fal con which

au then breeds in Iceland , so no possible doubt can exist as to their ti c i t t . y if the source of origin be correc ly given When , on the St M other hand , we come to the udy of editerranean races of the

P F s L eregrine alcon , or to discriminate between the egg of the anner nd we f The a S n a d t . aker, enter upo i feren field altogether majority A ’ he Oolo i sts fRecord Se t mb r 1 1923 46 T g ; pe e ; .

of su ch eggs which come into the market are ac companied by the

barest and scantiest data . No indication is given as to whether supposed nests of Lanner were taken from C liff Sites or trees ;

’ F F alco barbaru s clutches of alcons eggs , inscribed , are sent from

' M h t F e e . r ri n u s arocco , which may be any of t ree differen forms , p g

e e i e brookei T F . . l ri no d s the from the angier district , p p g from F bi a mi cu s erlan eri A e . r tlas , or ven g , of which the eggs are , not I . t t always distinguishable is customary for the opponen s of egg . k the - t a collecting to spea of _ vas stores of accumulated m terial in f t all To S our great collections as su ficien for purposes of study. how

C a E Br M i . u ss t. s t the fallacy of this let us glance at the gg , II ,

F o e de i S l 2 F r d alc l c h . bi ar d . mi cu s 299 . p . Here un e the hea of f gg , )

2 Two are catalogued no fewer than 5 eggs . eggs without data from The e Europe may be discarded at once . next seven ggs from South Russia are wrongly ascribed to this Species and should be T 4 P cherru . catalogued under F . g here remain only eggs for alestine

b armi cu s tan terus 1 0 E F . i (probably yp ) , eggs from gypt , which are S be probably correctly assigned to this pecies , but may possibly

ere ri nu s ele ri noi des T F . bi ar F . p g p g and two eggs from angier

' — bi armi cu s elde i i not : mi cu s erlangeri ) F . f gg is represented at all

'

b erlan eri and F . b. tan teru s F . . g by two eggs only , yp by one 4 10 i n a u da d clutch of , and somewhat dubious eggs , several c ses n te and not including a single clutch l d The fact is that for scientific stu y on modern lines much of the. material with which our museums are cumbered is absolutely worth t i n ac c u mu less . A present the only way which reliable data can be lated is by the laborious process of visiting and. studying all public l u and private co lections , and gradually accum lating , by a process of e s t a . elimination of all dubiou ma erial , really reliabl figures and d ta I venture to think that the eggs of the Accipitres as at present known can only be studied not only by the examination of the B M T d world collections of the ritish useum and ring , or the specialize G S collections of Messrs . ordon and wann , but also by placing under ’ r E B S . contribution the great regional collections such as M . . C . aker s Indian collection and my own Palmarc ti c series as well as the princi pal local collections in all countries .

In the following notes , for the sake of uniformity of treatment , S ’ t Mr H. . S . I have followed the order and nomenclature of . K wann lis Those species marked with an asterisk are not included i n either

’ ’

r G Mr. S ; M . ordon s or wann s paper ’ The Oolo i sts Record S 1 92 47 e tember 3. g , p , 1

h B l u onac ul . M E gypi s m u s . lack V ture y series inc udes R from oumania , varying from pure white to heavily marked types ,

C Mr. S m and from yprus . wann re arks that the series in the

T o Tring Museum is the finest in existence . his seems t be rather a rash statement in View of the fact that magnificent series exist in o E continental collections , and one private collecti n in ngland contains

no 30 n . fewer that picked eggs , which have never been see by him * [ P seud ogyps afri canu s afri canu s is apparently absent from both ’ ’ l P M . a a essrs . Gordon s and Swann s col ections It is not a al e rctic bu t species I possess one egg , well sprinkled with brown markings , 9 1 63 X 5 mm .

‘ The s Harriers (C i rcu s) . eggs of this genus arepractically worthle s u nless taken by capable observers or from districts where only one

e i s n e t T e S Sp c e s s . h eggs from outh Russia are merely identified D on grounds of probability by their Size . uring the present year

w wru i nosu ru i osu s I took t o clutches of C . g s w g n and flushed the hen within a few yards in each case , of which the eggs varied in The size from 47 X 35 in one nest to X 42 5 in the other . T l c aneu s . sma ler set might have passed for large eggs of C . y his was

The ee u i o u s . in a locality where only C w. r g n s breeds overlapping in

S c an eu ac ou ru C . ar u s C . s C . m r s ize of the eggs of y , and pyg g is well

S known , but really reliable data with regard to the second pecies

v har e M . . a . rti are hard to get Only one set of C . t is catalogued by essrs G S ordon and wann , but the eggs are common enough and I have taken many sets in Spain as well as one from the type locality in A lgeria , from whence eggs are almost unknown . * me o u c P A C i rcu s lan le u s . A c 5 ied Harrier . / from the mur t w m S 44 2 45 34 5 . X distric sho s faint brown arkings ize ,

- 35 9 mm .

A u r e i li L st nt s . G . M g oshawk y series includes eggs from apland , G R S M d ermany , oumania , pain and arocco , and the extraor inary variation in size from north to south gives a very definite forecast of the subdivision of this Species into geographical races which is now The Maroc c an beginning , to be recognized as inevitable . eggs S S are much the smallest , while the outh panish ones come next T in size . here is no doubt that when skins are available a new form will be described from Marocco .

A . ch edow s v i . Mr. S g . If the race recently described by wann

’ all G from Japan is generally accepted the eggs in Messrs . ordon s and own ll e my co ection must b transferred to it . ’ 4 ~ The Oolo i sts Reco 8 rd S e tember 1 1923. g , p ,

A e e Le S T .br vi s . s p vantine hikra . hese eggs are carce in ér collections and I only possess a clutch of 2 from Greece (K rii p ) . A a S 4 - ver ge ize about 0 X 3 1 7 mm .

A cci er i su s w e i ‘ i t n olt rstor S S w . p fi . ardinian parro Hawk I only know of 5 eggs of this well - marked race one egg in the Tring M ‘ a c 4 b C . useum , and a / t ken y myself , all from orsica

A i su s u i cu A e T . n n S . p s . lg rian parrow Hawk hese eggs are c l 3 Tu w the also s arce in col ections and I have only from nisia , here

be - no a bird appears to t uncommon loc lly .

B u teo he i la i n a oni cu s l m s u s is represented by a d B . j p a so by B u teo bu teo bu eo B M s B h t . Common uzzard . y serie of ritis A P . Mr F . eggs includes (taken by . J . eters) , etc lso a S S B Of 5 series from outh pain . I know of one other ritish set , the authenticity of which is beyond dispute and have seen one very o 5 fine / from Switzerland . Per B u l i n S . . v p u s is recognized as a separate Species by wann son all d to y I am incline doubt its validity , though there is a remark

f i ntermedi u s n B . o . able di ferenc e in the size of the eggs . isreprese ted 2 2 by / taken by myself in R oumania .

B . ero c e A B T o on f x i rt nsi s . lgerian uzzard his bird nests b th and t b t rocks in rees , and I have clutches taken y myself from bo h types of site .

- The i orchi l a o u R e B d. l s . T r s . g p ough legg d uzzar clutch ranges

u . 6 : . p to etc , in my collection — ll B . l . a i du s . S R T . p iberian ough legged uzzard

' 2 1 S b . c G a u s . andi B t r s . yp e g earded Vulture / , c , pain 2 T 2 c S c . / , ian han / , India

A adalberti - l A qu i la heli aea (Imperial Eagle and . (White shou dered h 3 Eagle) . I ave been fortunate in taking sets of of both forms It is scarcely characteristic of the eggs of the White - shouldered Eagle

’ that they are much more heavily marked than those of theImperial

M te v . any eggs are qui white , without any traces of marking whate er One remarkable fact is that clutches of four undoubtedly occur

- occasionally in the White shouldered form .

A u e T E . One . r a b li sari u . A . p n s lgerian awny agle clutch of 3 T eggs from N . unisia .

A cla T t n a G e E . . g . r at Spotted agle hese eggs are commonly sen

be ac c e ted w t ' S . R u T t bu t from ssia and urkes an , can only p i h

’ 50 The Oolo i sts R ecord S e tember 1 1923 g , p , .

F i sla . r . n F du s . 5 3 4 . For Iceland alcon c / , / second brood

d antea shoul be read second laying ( , p . ’ F c a di ca r . r . n G eenlan Fal ns . d c on . c 4 c 3 / , / . erchnei s i nnu ncu lu i n u t s t n ncu lu s . ne C Kestrel . O set of 7 (Eng

c 4 e land) is included in this series , which also contains / pure whit 1923 eggs taken in by myself .

' u i colw o C . . r E ti an t rmi s . L . c 5 2 4 o E p f gy Kestrel / , / ( wer gypt) .

C . canari en . t si s . C . c anarian Kestrel /5 .

’

C . daco az F . i T t t . he uerteventura Kestrel . only clutch at

- present known to me . Handsomely marked egg averaging 37 6

- X 30 5 .

* C . . i n ers nc t t ti tu s . c 5 c 4 c 3 . Himalayan Kestrel . / , / , / While writing on the subject of the A ccipitres I may be allowed

' ’ e Bonelli E l eco d s Oo . R r to ref r to the breeding of agle in trees (see I , 2 M . S an 1 9 1 . . Mc Neile p In essrs H Kirke wann d J . H . found ’ B on elli s E S C W . C a agle breeding in a big pine in the otos , of oria ,

Mr S e and . wann seems to be under the impression that such a cas S 1907 was previously unknown . accone told me as far back as

' that his men first found this species breeding in a pine tree i n thi s

C 1 The oto in 906 . eggs were taken and sent to a well known a F e E v . collector in ngland , but arri ed in fr gments rom that tim E onward this agle has nested annually in the district , generally in the same tree , so that for eighteen years at any rate , the breeding n S . in trees in S . pain has been known I have bee on several occa sions close to the nesting place but always too late in the year for

A S a eggs . nother nest of the same species which I saw in the ierr R etin was built in the upper boughs of a small tree growing f out of the face of a wooded cli f, but this might with some reason

f - e be classed as a cli f breeding bird . However , there is another cas on record from Eastern Europe as in 1 886 von K adi c h obtained a clutch of 2 eggs and shot the female from a nest in a tall oak tree ~ 1 02 v 1 m ! ei chen der S chwalbe . in Herzego ina . ( , p 5 E A ’ 0 R ec . . 3 In a footnote ( . I , p ) the ditor quotes revalo s

Eleon oran F S the account of the alcon in pain , calling attention to statement that some English authors have recorded its breeding S for about a century on the rocks of Pefi on at Gibraltar . ome English authors is a loose and inaccurate reference to the statement

R e G by the v . John White (brother of our own better known ilbert “ White) that the Hobby nested at the back of the R ock 1 Eleonoran F about 776 . Irby pointed out that the alcon was the ’

The Oolo i sts Rec ord S e tember 1 1923 . 51 g , p ,

El P n n only Hobby that could possibly have bred there . ( e o S R . is , of course , the ordinary panish name for the ock ) I think

’ A revalo s statement shoul d read that abou t a c en tu ry ago (not for F about a century) some species of alcon bred on the rock , but it must be remembered that the Mediterranean Peregrine still breeds there , so that the evidence of the breeding and even of the occurrence of this species on the Spanish mainland does not rest on a very secure foundation .

N O T ES O N EG G S O F R A P T O R ES .

S C olonel R . parrow has kindly sent us for publication the follow Six ing notes on some rare eggs of the raptores in his collection . of the species will be seen to be new to the lists of the collections

M S ar m G . of essrs . ordon and w

hel o u B r o tra c i t s . . T o s t. c 1 g lack Vulture / , c/l d 1 7 l . 2n lst laying , large white oval egg , unspotted , th Ju y laying , smaller white oval egg with a few dark red spots at the larger n A n u 18 P end , taken from same est on g st th , at otchefstroom ,

Transvaal .

c er - A c i i ru en . pt fiv tri s A frican Sparrow hawk . 4 c M R N 1 O 1906 . / from the ooi iver , atal , lth ctober , Very

- i su s S E A cci i ter n . n imilar to those of the uropean species ( p ) , but a l sm l er .

' Hi era tu s asci atu s s i lo aster e f p g .

On e S Mr C S R ingle egg taken by . arlisle on the trathmore anch ,

B ul w u a o . near y It resembles a large egg of the European Kite . T l r C s . his egg belongs at present to M . ar i le

’ i z a u bell - S t s i cosu . E p e s Warlike C rested agle .

' c 1 e Mr A R P / tak n by . ustin oberts near otchefstroom in the T 1 9 l 1 903 . ransvaal on th Ju y , It is a large creamy white egg

all an covered over with blotches d spots of pale brown .

' C i rc a u s e - - t c orali B S E . e p t s . lack breasted nake agle C A l B E A 1 9 l 1909 . / taken in ritish ast frica on th Ju y , large white oval egg believed to be of this species but the identification t is not certain as the paren bird was not seen by owner . It measures

75 ‘ . 57 6 mm X mm .

' Hali aetu s voc er f Sea - E if . Voci erous agle . T 2 1 9 A 1 909 . 1 4 th 1 90 c/l , c/l aken on June , , and th ugust , ,

B P . D N . both from the luff at urban , atal ure white , unspotted A S ’ 52 The Oolo i sts R ecord S e tember g , p

T eratho i u s ecau da B tu s . E p ateleur agle . c 2 O R P E A 1 9 n / from the lifants iver , ortuguese ast frica , th Ju e , 1 904 . F . T 52 4 65 1 53 1 resh hey measure x and X mm . The larger egg is profusely covered with pale lilac and pale brown blotches and Spots and the smaller egg is a dirty white with indica N ‘ tions of spots and blotches embedded in the shell . est was high

T e up in a tall thorn growing at the foot of a stony ridge . h natives said this species often laid three eggs .

F alc o b. bi armi cu s . So A L uth frican anner . c 4 and c /2 P t T / from o chefstroom , ransvaal.

F alc o bi armi cu s erla e n ri . N . A L g frican anner . 2md P G 1 t M 8 h 1894 . from the yramid of izeh taken arch , One f the egg is quite di ferent to other three , being marked with n purple i stead of red .

F alc o le r e . e i noi d s . B p p g arbary Falcon .

c 3 Dahsu r P E T 2 th M . 8 / from the yramid in gypt aken arch , 1 9 T l 09 . hese eggs resemb e large eggs of the Hobby

I LD B I R D S P R O T EC T I ON B ILL 1 . W , 923

’ T o he Edi tor THE OL T t O O R E O . , GIS S C RD

SI R —As o , one who from boyh od has taken aninterest in birds , their and nests eggs , may I be allowed to write a few lines upon some B P B w aspects of the Wild irds rotection ill , the second reading of hich the L d T 1 0th and passed House of or s on uesday , July , the third M t B 30 h . The reading on onday , July ill , however good its object ,

dou tbfu l is so full of absurd restrictions that it is , unless drastically amended , if it will successfully accomplish that which its authors B t . desire , or indeed what the itle of the ill implies May I , in the first place , express the opinion that more carefully considered Acts of Parliament would be passed if only the public generally coul d have an opportunity of purchasing and studying the respective B ills say for a month before the second reading took place . It would at least enable the interested portion of the public to fully understand what was proposed and also give them sufficient time to convey their views to members of the particular House of P c arliament before such second reading , and in onsequence the views of members might be given with fuller knowledge of the h facts , bot local and general , and with more force and understanding ’ The Oolo i sts Reco 2 53 rd S e tember 1 19 3 . , g , p ,

at the time of discussion It is moreover clear th a t eventually B e better ills would be introduc d , and not so much time wasted in

C t i n' ommit ee , trying to amend obvious errors , and to rectify

omissions . This conclusion is forced upon those who have read the debate L in the ords on this particular Bill . There is little doubt that the drafting of the Bill might be

a d - i n improved , n writing this I am not doing so as an opponent ,

but as a friend of the Bill . The wording of C ategory III . alone would probably give a head

ache to a lawyer . In his remarks Lord Grey mentioned that the categories of

protected birds had been made as short as possible . I venture to

S think that not only are they too hort , but they should be made

clearer and more explicit . It does not help to elucidate matters to specify Hawk (all

species except Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk) . What would a bench of Magistrates decide if a townsman pleaded that a Peregrine was a Falcon and that he was not aware that it was a Hawk ! Many who are interested are not impressed by the attempts to The make the Bill and Schedules as short as possible . curse of

present day legislation is that it clips too much , with the result that more coaches and fours can be driven through modern A cts P A of arliament than in former days , when the cts were generally i t well expressed , and people whose business was to study them could

understand what they meant , at any rate more so than is the case — to day . In this particular instance it Should not be forgotten that comparatively few people know the difference between one

m an l S bird and another . How v educated people can te l the wift S M S ‘ M vi c e from the wallow , the House artin or the and artin , or

versa .

The wisdom of deliberately omitting from C ategory I . certain birds which visit our country during the autumn and winter is very questionable and I deeply regret that many of these birds f B T have been in e fect left out of the ill . here is not the slightest

o t B n d ubt tha if the ill goes through in its prese t form , these birds

- for will be slaughtered in greater quantities than they are to day ,

the simple reason that people will know that there is .no penalty to attached the killing of such a bird , and will think that the powers that be are not sufficiently interested in preservi ng that particular - 54 ’ The Oolo i sts R ecord S e tember 1 1 923 . g , p ,

S M v pecies . oreo er , the taxidermist and his allies will naturally set themselves out to seek for more specimens of cert ain of these r r species , pa ticularly if deba red from dealing with the birds placed in C ategory I

A s the C for ategories , space does not allow one to go fully into details , but I am surprised to see it was not deemed worthy to R f place the u f and Reev e in C ategory I . I should also have thought that the C irl Bunting and Woodlark might also be placed there .

V the B — N nd V r n ec k Why not place lue headed Wagtail , ightjar a y in C ategory II

. S C S bu t B It is presumed that nipe means ommon nipe , the ill T does not say so . his definition would appear to be necessarybecause many Jack Snipe are here until after the close season commences .

T l . hese are only a few examples , but they might be mu tiplied The Bill has been amended during its progress through the Lords by the end of the close season for birds in C ategory II being put back A from ugust the 3 lst to July the 3 lst . Desirable as it was for C ategory II in the original Bill to be

divided into classes , there would now seem to be even greater l reasons for so doing . In order to continue the egitimate shooting A D O d in ugust of Wild uck and other birds rdinarily use for food , it does not seem fair to allow a Kingfisher to be shot during that

an C . month , d therefore a division of the birds in ategory II might take place on the following lines — T d D C m C A . o lass include such birds as Wil uck , om on

S i . n pe , etc — T G fi C B . o lass include such birds as the oldfinch , King sher ,

etc . This brings me to the point at which it would be necessary to Show that July 3 lst is an unfair date to fix as the end of close _the S season for those birds which would be placed in C lass B . urely

September the 30th would be a much safer date . What Is the object of protecting a scarce bird like the Dotterel on the Bl st of July

' and allowing it to be Shot On the l st A ugust ! Many spec i es of Au and birds , especially the late broods , are still about in gust S d eptember , and the extension of the close perio by two months

u a 3 15 t wo ld enable them to get aw y . If July is to be the date

' why not add to the list of bi rds i n C ategory I . ’ lo i Reco The Oo sts rd S e tem e 1 923 . 55 b r. 1 g , p ,

C d C d C e I . oul not the rossbill be inclu ed in at gory , or at all

‘ e d d vents allowe the same chance as the Woo cock , and given a s ! pecial close time , say from the lst of January

I freely confess to the possession of a collection of eggs , but have always abstained from taking the egg of any bird which I considered to be rare , nor have I purchased any such egg from dealers . The Bill appears to have been drafted from an extreme point

’ o f L . G view ord rey s speech was very severe . I do not think there are many egg collectors whose ideal would be to find a bird

that had never bred in this country before , and was for the first t ' ime nesting , then secure the eggs and hope that such a bird would n . T of these ever breed in this country again here may be a few , l individua s , but , whoever they are , they are not regarded with M t favour by the ordinary collector . os people will agree that the authors of the Bill are quite at liberty to insert a C lause which

l drasti all would dea most c v with such a person . Surely it is not the opinion of the authors of the Bill that all

( egg collectors are such unreasonable creatures . Have they (the au thors) ' n ever taken an egg ! How many of our experts (past an d present) have commenced when boys by taking the egg of a Hedge Sparrow ! How many of them would have followed this u p if they had had the opportunity of adding thereto

’ Did the authors of our beautifu l works on birds and birds eggs R e F M E D s v 0 . . L M . . uch as the . . orris , H . eyer , H resser , and m any others , never take an egg

I S it not a fact that many of the best collections eventually fi nd their way to the mu seums ! There is no object in placing every collector on a black list simply because a few may have abused

their position . T B here would appear to be several serious omissions in the ill , w d hich does not take cognizance of , or efine , a blown egg or an

~ ul d a ddled egg . Is it seriously suggested that a person sho be fined

£ 5 for taking an addl ed egg The idea is absurd . — Take another point My only clutch of landrails is one which

w as taken when the bird was killed by a mowing machine . Is a person to be prosecuted and run the risk of being involved in a possible penalty of £45 because he preserved such a clutch instead o f leaving the eggs to rot in the nest , or be sucked by the first Magpie or Weasel discovering them ’ 5 The Oolo i sts R ecord e e e 6 S t mb r 1 1 923 . , g , p ,

T efini ti on of S n here is no d the word plumage . upposi g a

R ed- S person is found in possession of the feather of a backed hrike , ! has he to run the risk of an inquisition , because he picked it up

The B N S s ill does not define the word est . pace doe not

S as permit me to deal fully with this point , which is not so imple B the ill would imply . A very grave omission in the Bill is the want of definition of the ” No D word disturb . w what does this word mean oes it mean . l find that it wil not be prudent for a person to go birds nesting , and

the C . examine with care , nest of a bird placed in ategories I and ! . m D II , even although he ay not take an egg oes it mean that off i ts d if a certain bird flew nest when looke at , that it would be a

' punishable offence Does it mean that people who go i n for bird and nest photography would no longer dare to do so in safety ! Thi s m ay not be an unmixed blessing as there isno doubt thatfrequent

Ma visits to the nest have caused many a rare bird to forsake . y a person take an egg out of a nest , look at it and place it back again t If his is not so , future generations will be quite unable to distinguish

’ one species of birds eggs from another . I think it is probable that the police courts will have many more cases to settlean d in addition the courts of appeal be kept fairly busy. The Bill would appear to render a farmer and his workmen d liable to be prosecuted for disturbing the nest of a lan rail , even if they do not know exactly where the nest is situated , and this notwithstanding the necessity of cu tting a field of grass .

A s Of la and for the owners or occupiers nd adjoining a road , they , C C d the ounty ouncils , will have to consi er the advisability of con s tinning , or otherwise , the practice of trimming the fences and ditche d e on the road si es , and they will be faced with the alt rnative of a summons for allowing the same to become a nuisance or cutting the fences and herbage and then being summoned for disturbing the of nest a particular species . Do the authors of the Bill quite realize what they are attempting to B l carry out , or what will be the effect of the ill , if eft as it is

The o e suggested bonds and penalties , as p inted out in the debat L In the ords , appear to be unnecessarily heavy . Fond as we may be of country life and grateful as we may be to Lord Grey and those associated with him for taking up this

let all let subject , us have reason in things , but above all do not

\ ’ 5 The Oolo i t R e 8 s s cord, S e tember 1 1 923 . g p , ,

Of d s G s Pu ffins thousands bir s , the most numerou being uillemot , ,

K R H a nd L B - Gul ittiwakes , azorbills , erring esser lack backed ls

The G more or less in the order named . Herring ulls commence

i ' t o Ma R G lay with y , the azorbills three weeks and the uillemots a G month later , so that young ulls are hatched and hungry when the e Of Of ggs the others are fresh . What forms their chief item food F ish during May is more or less scarce so the birds must perforce G turn elsewhere for sustenance for their progeny . Young ulls , if handled will generally bring up their latest meal and this , if examined w ill almost inv ariably be fou nd to consist Of an unpleasant looking mess freely interspersed with small pieces Of the eggs Of Guillemots a n d — n o Razorbills chiefly the former , owing , doubt , to their being a s G a rule the more easily accessible . Herring ulls are ever on I the alert to snatch an unguarded egg . With my own eyes have s een a recognizable bird take no less than seven in under half an h ou r and on the cliffs are regular feeding places where hundreds Of e The mpty broken egg shells may be seen lying in heaps . following s T Of imple sum gives an alarming result . ake the number breeding T pairs of Herring Gu lls as two thousand (a very low estimate) . ake the feeding season for their young as thirty days and allow one egg

.a a F G d y to each adu lt . our thousand ulls at an egg a day each for

thirty days gives us a total Of one hundred and twenty thousand eggs .

A dd G L B - to this the damage done by reat and esser lack backs , C R R rows , avens , ats , and accidents consequent on the clumsiness

Of ma the birds themselves , and it y safely be assumed that eggs are destroyed yearly on Lu ndy alon e by more or less natural

‘ The Of causes . actual total is , in all probability , fully a quarter a m illion . If every collector in Great Britain were to work hard and fil c h every egg he could get at by fair means or foul not a tithe O f that number could be taken in a season .

’ For many years Herring Gulls eggs have formed a large propor — t ion Of the food consumed by the Light keepers and others on the

Of and Island , to whom fresh meat any kind is a welcome wholesome l T i uxury . his has now been stopped owing to the gnorant , though doubtless well - meaning interference Of a few self - sty led bird e — Of nthusiasts all whom , incidentally , take away just one or

The v two eggs as a momento . natural and ine itable consequence m ust be that the Herring Gulls will increase enormously and the R azorbills and Guillemots suffer in proportion until their probable — e xtermination a lamentable result which may already be laid ’

The Oolo i sts Record S e tember 1 1 923 . 59 . g , p ,

A s a t the doors Of the Protectionists in more cases than one . a m Of atter fact , in spite of all the may say to the contrary , L undy does not and , without special legislation , cannot come under

l Of G B the laws re ating to the protection birds in reat ritain , so there i A n d s still some hope left . d it is not only our rarer bir s that are t hreatened . Last year ( 1922) was the first in which the protection Of Lapwings a n w s enforced i n Somerset . O an estate of some acres well . k nown to the writer , the result was that during the summer never T had so many Lapwings been seen i n the locality . his spring never

— - had so few been known to nest the inevitable result Of over stocking — f o and the eggs O the maj rity of those few were destroyed by roller ,

The do plough or harrow . police their best to assist the . On e b u t very few Of them have any knowledge of ornithology . c onscientious constable informed me that the three ki nds Of birds he L P was most concerned in protecting were the apwing , the eewit and

P Ha d the Green lover . d he been statione further north and east h is attention would doubtless have been claimed by three other k — — T — S C inds all equally rare the hick knee , the tone urlews and the N A S orfolk Plover . farmer who has land in Wiltshire and omerset

’ m ay take Lapwings eggs from one of his fields but not from the o ne v next to it . Was e er anything so utterly futile A n impassioned appeal by a gentleman at a recent meeting Of a

- The well known Natural History Society may be mentioned . B a ppeal (for funds for watchers) was earnest and convincing . rean Down and the protection Of a pair of R avens there was particul arly m enti on ed and , financial assistance might well have been forthcoming had it not been that many of those present were aware that the

’ The R avens eggs had been taken a few days before . fact that this nest had been robbed had caused universal indignation and was a v common topic of con ersation and knowledge except , apparently , to the whose particular business it would seem to be . Have dozens and dozens of eggs been consumed and otherwise

’ “ disposed of by some Of the Society s watchers - P A sk the Light keepers . I do not know and would never attempt to prove that a — s ingle one had been either sold or eaten firstly because the accusa Of tion may be unjust , secondly because it is no business mine f hi s and I hate the idea O separating a man from job anyhow , and thirdl y because I very sincerely believe that the action would be beneficial to the birds if not altogether honest . ’

60 The Oolo i sts R ecord S e tember 1 1 923 . g , p ,

Staying not a hundred years ago on a small estate Of something d over acres bent on bird photography , the writer was surprise

to receive a peremptory telegram from the owner warning him that ,

ul unless he immediately stopped collecting eggs , proceedings wo d be

TO Of taken . his somewhat heated reply he received , by return

post , a very handsome and sportsmanlike apology together with an assurance that the threat had been made only in consequence Of Th e incorrect information received . is is cited only as another instanc of ignorant interference by some busybody which caused one man

to lose his temper and another , very possibly , to feel a bit foolish .

‘ Now ou one word Of Warning to collectors . Whatever else y

' ma tern ted y do , however much you may be _ p to infringe the law , v d howe er careful you may be , always bear in min the fact that , thanks to the a heavy penalty attaches to the taking Of ’ ‘ P u ffin s eggs i n S tafiordshi re Nobody could be more earnestly in favour Of Bird Protection ifproperly managed than the writer ' ;but until the present lamentable system is utterly and absolutely eradicated and a fresh A ssociation

d Of F i eld Orni tholo formed , and run on lines approve by competent

i sts Let g , our birds must continue to decrease . them be protected by all means but let the regulations necessary for their protection w be drawn up by people who kno something about it , and let those U Of Of regulations be enforced . ntil that day the prayer many the ” birds must be Protect us from our protectors .

LO R . . LEW IS . W YD

“ T HE W O O D WA R B LER .

P hy lloscoou s si bi lator.

r e v i M . H . W Wisden has sent us som ery interest ng notes on his

Observations Of the nesting Of this species in Surrey . He finds that

' the femal e is Often to be found anything from 50 to 400 yards

“ away (from the male) and , on the whole , is rather silent unless the nesting site is approached too closely when she

will betray it by uttering her sad note more quickly . He has generally found that A dull morning after rain seems " tobe a very favourable time for building , and on such a day the P work is carried on feverishly . ossibly when the grass is wet ’ Ool t R eco e The o i s s rd S tember 1 1923 . 6 1 g , p ,

n a t it is more easily wove into the domed nest which , the best Of i n . stan e he times , is a very flimsy structure In several c s has found the cup Of the nest made almost entirely Of needles from larch trees . T a C his bird does not t ke very kindly to the uckoo , for the

’ placing Of the C uckoo s egg in a nest is sufficient to make the

’ and C Wood Warbler forsake it , from the number of uckoo s I 1920 I feathers around the nest in which found an egg in , should C say that the uckoo must have had a very bad reception . He does not think that a second brood is reared unless the first m eets with some mishap . T here appear to me , he continues , to be many more males

than females , judging by the few females seen or heard , whilst the males are to be heard singing in all kinds Of suitable places D throughout the summer months . uring the present season there must have been twice as many males as females for in one small wood I heard no less than six males singing within a very short

‘

distance of each other , yet the most thorough search failed to f l reveal more than three ema es , and in another small coppice there were four males and so far as I coul d ascertain there was at I Only one female there . In arriving this conclusion have carefu ll taken into account the habit the male has of pitching his singying site some considerable distance away from that chosen

for the nest .

A B I B LI O G R A P HY O F B R I T I S H O R N IT H OLO G Y :

L o I! W A N N . B H . K S y KIR , etc ( ond n Wheldon

L . td. 53 . Wesley , net)

T his handy little reference book , which must have entailed an

Of enormous amount work , will be welcomed by those who are unable to keep pace with the constantly changing names Of even

NO dOu bt he our commonest species . t process will some day reach

fi Old nality , but year after year scientific names are dug up and made to serve in lieu Of the names with which we have become

’ r S M . familiar . wann s work will show exactly when each species acquired its earliest scientific name . First we have a list Of the generic names employed and the dates w hen they were first so used , with the reference to the work in which ’ 62 The Oolo i sts Record S e tember ] 1923 g , p , .

T ' such a name was published . hen follows a list Of spec i es an d

- S n Mr. C sub species similarly treated , and which wa n calls a hrono

L Of B B F logical ist ritish irds . inally there are lists Of generic names discarded and specific names discarded with their correct

equivalents and the dates for them .

T HE DA R -T F O R D A R B L W ER .

B E LA M r C . . L M . J Y writes It m ay interest you to know that I have examined a good many nests Of the Dartford Warbler this season containing both eggs and I d young but neither this year , nor in previous years , have foun I M a nest containing 5 eggs or 5 young . y experience is that the usual

3 4 . set is or , and you find more threes than fours with the early nests .

BR EVIT IES

’ ‘ N — Mr t NEw P OTE T O B LL 1 923 . C THE . R C I I , arter s trenchan

Of B P B l 1 923 criticisms the Wild irds rotection i l , , which appear in

. this issue , may very likely be for many of our readers the first news

s Of this projected measure . Why is it , one wonders , that the author Of this Bill have so little regard for the protection Of the adult rare bird at all seasons and such an irrational view as to the relative

r m refef importance of prese v g the eggs . We would like to them to the Mosaic law o n the subject as laid down in Deuteronomy

’ X X 6 7 : be II , , If a bird s nest chance to before thee in the way the in any tree , or on ground , , whether they be young ones , or

eggs , and the dam sitting upon the young , or upon the eggs , thou shalt not take the darn with the young : but thou shalt in any

be wise let the dam go , and take the young to thee that it may M well with thee , and that thou mayest prolong thy days . oses ,

Of whose vision was so clear in regard to all the basic facts life , knew the many chances against an egg or a young bird reaching the t d adult s ate , but he appreciate the fact that the dam was to be

Of safeguarded always , for upon her devolved the duty continuing

The to produce O ffspring . modern Oologist knows that it has been conclusively proved that a hen bird will make good the loss Of her

al e eggs as many as six times in succession though , normally , sh ’ T e olo i sts c d e e e 1 3 h O R e or S t mb r 1 923 . 6 g , p ,

T would , if left unmolested , produce two layings at the most . his is not a plea for the justification Of any wholesale robbery Of nests but f for a more rational treatment O the subject by our legislators . It is no secret that one or two promin ent ornithologists have collaborated B with the peers responsible for the ill , but their advice has been

‘ d the names Of mainly sought , it is imagine , in regard to the species One most needing protection . of these gentlemen was , however , able to get the insertion into the Bill Of a clause providing against the importation and acclimatisation of foreign birds without special

Of sanction . In view the lamentable results following the intro

Of P asser domesti cu s duction into other countries , not to mention f O . other less prominent mistakes this kind , this is a good provision

The B i n Of ill will , due course , have to pass through the House C Of a h ommons , and subscribers this paper should communic te wit their Members Of Parliament with a view to securing some modi

fic ati on Of the clauses it contains .

— The the EGGS OF T HE R A PTORE S . further notes on the eggs of ‘ R aptores , which appear in the present issue , might at first sight

seem to exhaust what is known on this subject . We are. still hoping ,

Mr S B Of however , that . tuart aker will describe for us some his very

Of r rare Indian eggs this group , and that some prominent collecto

Mr P New . N in the World , such for instance as arker orris , will tell

Of us his rarest types .

S N LE A N D PA I R — O I G S s . How ften it happens that a very fine type Of even some common species finds its best expression in a at single or a pair . It may be that a bird whose condition the tim e f O laying is not normal lays abnormal eggs and not a full clutch . — C urious types Of eggs may result from such causes one can — i t only guess but happen does , and too many collectors scorn to

For i . give singles and pa rs room in their cabinets our part , we find ourselves in accord with some of the foremost Oologists Of the time in our appreciation Of the pair or even the single if it illustrates

an outstanding type , though naturally we would prefer that it had

been a full set .

R — O Of an d USSI A . ologists no less than members the commercial R financial world always have an eye turned towards ussia , and the

news that has come through quite recently is better and better .. A Of new currency is being established with a backing gold , trade are is being encouraged , and , following a good harvest , conditions ’ 64 The Oolo i sts R ec ord S e tember1 1 92 g , p , 3 .

v ery much better than they have been at any time since therevo

lu ti on . What is more , eggs have been comin through again and g , v O R u N R e ery ologist knows that ssia , orth ussia especially , is a Of B L prolific field for some the best eggs on the ritish ist , not to NO mention others . doubt it will be some time before foreigners will care to travel in Russia and to make expeditions comparable

S an T v - M . d B att e to those of essrs eebohm re or y , but the time is Off n ot so far as we thought even a month ago . —V Ve SCRI B E D DA TA . were recently looking over some Of the P P e ggs collected by C apt . itman in alestine and Mesopotami a and S O elsewhere . urely no ologist ever collected so carefully or made

s S Of US A uch meticulous data ome our friends in the . would

c onsider his eggs too much scribed upon to rank as first - class P ’ n C . r specime s , but apt itman s eggs will carry thei records upon the them as long as eggs are intact , and I hesitate to mention the su m that was Offered even for a rare egg collected by him that was ! B u t broken completely in two many collectors , even in the S tates , are coming round to see the advantage of the method , and I would like to remind the others that I have seen eggs from the States bearing a large number Of almost ill egible pencil numbers T o nly one O f which figures on the data ticket . here is a Field i C NO . N D NO . O . , a ata , and eke a ab net , and in more than o ne case we have received a set with a wrong data ticket on account Of the very natural confusion resulting from the use Of all these n numbers . With eggs scribed like those we have mentio ed above this could never happen . What one marvels at is the patience a nd thelabour entailed and that in a climate like that Of Mesopo tamia and Palestine . — “ C A E A LOW A N D OT HER s . W e RRIG R , H R had welcome news recently Of some Old correspondents in the States where they have a way Of getting into the wilds for a matter of a year or more and then answering letters that have accumulated in their absence .

We do like to keep touch with everybody , whenever possible , and

” to know where they are and what they are doing or hope to do , N A Mr. Harlow has been in orthern lberta and , if he can find time ,

Of will write us a record what he has done , which is well worth the c Mr. C telling . arriger hopes soon to tell us quite a lot con erning Mr P the nesting Of the C alifornian Pine Grosbeak . . emberton has

San F left Oklahoma for rancisco , and in the interim spent some time on the Mexican border with most satisfactory Oological resul ts

’ 6 - The Oolo i Rec e e e 6 sts ord S t mb r 1 1923. g , p , of our subscribers overseas we quote the foll owing extracts as to the C urlew Sandpiper On 6th July , as I was returning from a long round over the tundra that lay in the northern angle Of the Yenesei and G olc hik a R w ivers , all at once I saw a little rufous curlew , hich was standing

u . on a tussock abo t twenty yards away , watching me quietly t When I stopped she flew away , but soon aligh ed again and

d . F looke at me ull of excitement , but still rather sceptical as

Of fin di n e d to the likelihood g ggs, I lay down and watche her , l

Of an a - l but at the end hour and half I cou d come to no conclusion , l for the bird only strol ed about and preened herself nonchalantly .

Of her d I was not even certain sex , and her solitu e and her quiet

all not behaviour made me doubt whether , after , she might be ‘ - N v a non breeding bird . e ertheless , I marked the place and On turned homewards , meaning to come back next day . the way I saw two more Curlew Sandpipers on a high slope Of the h tundra , but t ey were very wild and would not permit a near

approach . On the morrowI turned out earlv and tramped over eight

The Of S swampy miles Of tundra . second pair andpipers were

was il d not to be seen , but the first bird st l pottering roun the

T O- same spot . day she was a little more demonstrative , and O flew about uneasily . nce she uttered a sharp , anxious note ,

‘ ’ - - B m Wick wick wick two or three times repeated . y this ti e I

ha fi was convinced that the nest was close at nd , but it was dif cult to locate it for although the bird could dodge me successfully

Of enough behind tussocks moss only six inches high , my person u a unfort nately was too bulky for these , the only av ilable hiding On The v . places . ground was on a ery gradual slope the right

hand and on the left were two small tarns , still covered with

blue ice . In the distance grazed some herds of reindeer , and

once a Samoyede sledge glided swiftly over a ridge . Heavy

Of S drifts now still lay in the sheltered hollows , and the sleet

showers that came slapping Over . the tundra made me glad to

wrap myself up In my Burberry coat .

The d had d my _ h bir whirled away roun the tarn at approac , hid w d so I myself as ell as I could behin a tussock , and settled n T — —an dow to wait for her return . wenty minutes passed half

’ ’

. hour It s time she was , coming back , thought I , and turned

And 10 and my head carefully to reconnoitre . behold , not ’

The Oolo i sts e ord S e tember 1 1923 . 67 g R c , p ,

n S me thirty yards behi d , the andpiper stood and studied con

em t ou sl She t t p u y ! had been watching all the time . Wha a

’ fool ! doubtless would have been her comment if she cou ld

have spoken . It is no use to try and gull the waders up to a certain point I believe they can almost see you thi nk I retired abashed to another hiding - place about fifty vards

e The i further up the slop . bird at once showed her apprec ation Of t this move by flying owards the spot where I had first seen her . She was so small that it was very difficult to mark her as she

tripped between the tussocks . When I thought that she must ' She be settled on her eggs , I jumped up quickly . took wing

at once , but when I went to the place whence she had risen , T Of . there was no sign the nest his happened twice , but as she

r t to e urned the same spot each time , I knew that the treasure

' ti enc e T e that a . h was there all right , and p would win it great difficulty in marking down nests on the tundra is the absence

y Of all landmarks . You settle exactl in your own mind where the e Of l place is , and then not the position by means some hi lock ‘ - T r Or grass tuft on the sky line . his mark looks enormous th ough

field- W i the glasses , and you think that it ll be impossible to

ou mistake it . When y look for it with the naked eye you are not quite so sure : it may take a minute or two to pick it up

T y — and again . hen you stand up , and away goes our bird your

d d frOm the - a the landmark likewise , fa e sky line , b ck Into tundra I marked the bird down by a dodge that I used when looking G P ’ l for rey lovers eggs under simi ar circumstances , and which is

described elsewhere but each time that I flushed her , she seemed

She to jump up from a different place . was so little and so nimble that she could run over the moss for some yards before

The she was seen . next time I gave her ample time to settle

Of down , and lay still in the wet , sucking lumps sugar until I

’ T B u ffon s S nearly fell asleep . hen all at once a kua came over

head , flying low in the squally wind . I snatched my gun and

ll the S shot him as he flew by , and as he fe I saw andpiper spring

up from a spot where I had marked her once before . I left the

The al S . kua and ran up to the place bird began to c l again , a ’ and drooped a wing to decoy me way . Half a minute s search

and there was the nest at my feet . It exac tly answered to

’ P — a r Of Mr. opham s description little depession in the moss ,

’ an Of of the apple s diameter , and deeper than the nests most ’ Oo o i sts Recor S e emer 192 The l d t b 1 . 68 g , p , 3

‘ ' ‘ T e o n s were ' . u mu c h waders h f ur eggs , gree i h in ground colo r ,

” tch t Of S blo ed with umber at the larger end , like hose a nipe .

’ he and t t t T nest was so narrow so deep ha , as hey lay , they were d l n tilte a—most vertically , with their apexes pointing dow wards , u and the blunt mottled ends uppermost , fl sh with the surround t e 3 1 25 - ing brown tundra . In measurement hey averag 5 x 1 n Mr P C d . millimetres . ompare with those take by opham , my

and b u eggs a re less distinctly marked , the blotches are more l rred

and confluent . The discovery Of this nest so close to Golc hi k a encouraged

and althou h l r me to search the country further , , g found no mo e

to . se. c u re Of eggs , I was fortunate enough specimens the young

. in down , as will be told in a future chapter , and also had the

’ Opportunity Of Observing the bi rd s behaviour throughou t the

summer . 0 Of t O i i A s the result hese bservat ons , I came to the conclus on

that this nest was not in a very typical position . Judging by

- l other breeding grounds that I located later on , I shou d say that characteristic Curlew Sandpiper ground was the slope Of the

s was dry Open tundra , e pecially where the reindeer moss more , Of u or less broken u p by tufts grass , and where the bird co ld ” h ave an uninterrupted view Of the surrounding country .

BL R DOUBLE BROOD OF R EED WAR E .

’ Of Ma 1 922 R Towards the end y , , I found a eed Warbler s nest A C containing four eggs . uckoo deposited her egg in this nest

’ removing a R eed Warbler s egg at the same time . I removed ’ ’ R the C uckoo s egg , leaving the three remaining eed Warbler s

' Two one ou n ster eggs to hatch . eggs proved to be unfertile , but y g The Of was duly hatched and reared . same pair birds produced two further eggs in the same nest which contained the two addled eggs and successfully hatched and reared the young from this , i Of later laying . This is the first occas on which I have known a R eed Warbler to have a second brood after su c c es u lly rearing R the first . It is a common thing for a eed Warbler to rebuild after having had a first nest destroyed , the second nest being

, built with the material from the first nest and usually but a -few feet away from the destroyed nest . In this case no second nest was built the birds using the first nest for the twobroods . , H LE Y SO O . GEO . J .

’ n W me i n Ordina to His M a est S t; M arti n s La e . C . g . s L . r rs r j y Harrison 8; Son , td , P i y , , H ’ T E OOLOGISTS REC ORD.

Edi te d K E T L by N N E H . S K IN N ER .

A L T E E E L RIGH S R S RV D .

o I — V l . I I NO . [D ec em ber 1 , 1 923.

A N A C C O U NT OF T HE G A NNET S ON G R A S S HO LM

I S LA D OFF P EM B R OK ES R E . N , HI

AN E By C APTA I N VIVI H W I TT .

Grassholm Island being at present the only breeding station O f

S u la ba ssana E C t t Of . on the nglish or Welsh oas s , a descrip ion my visit there and i ts colony Of Gannets may prove Of interest to i t ’ readers Of The Oolog s s Rec ord.

t 30th Ma 1922 u I made the rip on y , , in a small motor la nch , t accompanied by my mechanic , and we owed a small light boat

a behind to enable us to land . We were t the time situated on the t S t 70 Grassholm b coas of ou h Wales , about miles from Island y sea .

3 h Ma L 9 a m . 0t eaving our base at on y , well supplied with food B t C and water , we steered a compass course down the ris ol hannel

t s Of n . and , helped by the tide , soon los ight la d in the haze

was Of w It one those hot , lazy days hen the sea itself appears l al to be a most asleep , and one could see here and there sm l parties

Of Uri a troi lle A lca tordd and , who , on our approach , would promptly

- d re e t. ive , only to appear far ast rn after we had passed the spo

From out Of the haze at regular intervals came the bellow of the e e L - pow rful sir n on the Helwick ight ship , sounding like some ‘ n B C h Of prehistoric monster , war ing the ristol annel shipping the

A s treacherous bank which runs up to Porteynon . the time wore t al on it grew fain er and fainter , gradu ly dying away to a mere

’ - - Two whisper as we proceeded on a West Nor West course . hours — C l L - o a later we picked up a dy ight h use , about a mile and half away , t t Sk ok ham broad on the s arboard bow , and from here to Island

A f ' had the coast in view practical ly the W hole way . number O

Ri ssa tri dact la y greeted us here , and we changed our course to ’ Nor - West by West .

S k ok a t oon S ham Island faded away s ern in the haze , and the ( 16893)z

’ he Oolo i sts Rec d e 9 72 T or cember 1 1 23 . g , D ,

A sm all orti on Of the G annetr showi n nests an d bi rds looki n p y , g , g

N G rassh olm sland M a 30th 1 922 . . W . I , y ,

x "i ’ 7 4 The Oologi st! December

d Of n e and f Th t « soun the cryi g Kittiwak s grew fainter ainter . ir y

fiVe m t f in r e f inu es later a a t outline appea ed ah ad o us , which grew

d a d h o ra h l s G ss o m . bolder as we approache , n t ere st od I land

m i c tu i e - andb It ade a fine p , with its green grass covered top old f roc k m y sides ping down steeply to the sea .

A s We approached we could see the Gannet s wheeling and

t Of y h iii s a s fishing , sending up je s spra whic sparkled the unlight , they dropped like stones into the water Looking asternwe could see nothing Of Sk ok ham Island or the

t . mainland , everything being blo ted out in the haze Ou t here the Su n was shining brilliantly, which changed the

' o O wh le aspect f the place .

’ A number Of Grassholm s Town C ouncillors came out t o - welcome

t e mOf F ate - ne had e h r rcu la arcti ca , us in for _ but no soo r these littl Pu ffins given us the freedom Of the c itv than they disappeared from

. o v sight H wever , we disco ered three grey seals fishing on the e s Of t f a e West rn ide the island , and here , af er great di ficulty , we l nd d in a small gully at p . m .

W e had hoped to land not later than 3 p . rn. just before the tu rn

’ ’ Of Or i s s the tide , what known as lack water , when the heave and Of swell _ the sea is at its minimum

’ O to s c Off Sk ok ham fOrc ed ' wing a trong urrent Island , which .

‘ the Milford n e us into Have bight , we w re an hour late in landing,

and although the gully where we made fast was on the lee side Of .

the i was . sland , the swell tremendous We made a line fast to the bow and stern Of the launch and ’ E dragged the small pu nt up the rocks ou t Of harm s way . very fifteen minutes or so we had to return to the launch and take in the Slack Of the lines as the tide rosef T O anchor Off here was l The o - i f a roc k o o i impossible . least depth is f rty e ght eet , with b tt n ,

‘ — an rf ll and the whole place is beset with tide rips d ove a s .

' The l i i s i s t m to is and , wh ch un nhabited , lie abou ten iles the

' N Of M d v - ne orth West ilfor Ha en , being about twenty O acres in

- e h . was till ext nt , and one undred and forty six feet high It recently

- L who to Mr . . N a e the property of ord Kensington , let it J e l , and

everything possible was done to protect the birds .

The Of Grassholm m e e wn the bold , rocky sides p st eply do to t flOOd water , and are covered wi h slippery seaweed up to the tide_ i ’ f The Oolo i sts Record ec ember 75 g , D .

— i ‘ markf The summit Of the i sland is covered with thick grass and i honeyc ombed w th the burrows Of Pu ffins . It is only with the t t f t grea es di ficul y that one can land , and unless the sea is like a

s u O Owi he w , i o t t , t pond it f _ he question ng to heavy s ell and treacherous tide rips in the vicinity .

The G t the N the i anne colony is on orth West end of sland ,

Of ! which is precipitous , and here they breed , some them on a rock the t T Of f named Wes ump , and others along the edge the cli f ranging fi om about eighty feet to one hundred and twenty feet T W Of b . y a ove the sea he nests ere composed mainl seaweed ,

al Of and Of occasion ly a few small tufts grass bits stick being added , i ’ i T the whole mass cemented together with the b rds d ropp ngs . hese nests formed mou nds ra nging from a few inches high to over a foot " where the birds had built on the same site year after year.

The majority Of them were x very sparingly lined with fresh,dry tt to a seaweed in an a empt _ form slight bed for the single egg to i l e on . Others appeared to be merely the Old foundations Of nests “ with no a m at re- w , tte pt made lining , being simply a slight hollo ’ “ ti o en ' dd e . down , in which the egg was d posited

' u S u m e i i n I fo nd eggs in all tages of inc bation , fro fr sh to ch pp g u i out , and yo ng chicks rang ng from just hatched , when they are

and a v t . The both naked blind , to fair size co ered wi h down stench f l M t and uproar O this co ony are indescribable . asses of pu refying t ll l fish lay abou in a directions , and the smel was almost over

'

powering . As a great many nests were some distance from the edge

Of the the o rocks and placed on soil , accumulati ns of rotten fish

o Of and excretions had formed a deep crust . Owing t the heat the

su n Of ‘ One O , the top this had baked hard , and when walking ften

i n f The broke throug h , going calf deep the putre ying mass . birds would all rush to the edge Of the rocks and get on t he wing as we

’ e r r d tt d walk d through the colony , ci cling oun and se ling own again

t had . P . af er we passed by utting my estimate at a low figure , there mu st have been at le ast eight hundr ed to one thousand pairs Of G t and the t t m Of G anne s breeding , o al nu ber annets on the

l a u e is and I estimated t abo t thr e thousand .

T he when ' f esh eggs very soon become soiled and stained , but r the h ‘ chalky deposit on t e shell is frequently smeared with blood .

One n W O o two est hich I bserved c ntained eggs , these no doubt ( 16893)z A 3 ’ ‘ i 1 ” Record D ec ember 1 76 The Oblo i sts , , , g i ,

i

22 . Grassh o m I sla nd Ma 30th , 1 9 l b ana . Y o u n g c h i c k ( S u a ass ) l , y l - ’ a s d D ec ember 1923 . The Oologi sts Recor :

' th 1 922 . n d Ma 30 , G rassh olm I sl a , y v i n n est . S u la ba ssan a lea g ‘ ’ T e h o szs v 78 g qzogt . i , . r

d n n a e t c n i being eposited by differe t birds , as I fou d nother n s o ta ning h l a fres egg and one chick a few days O d .

A series of these eggs V ary in shape frOm thin tobroad elongate l d . ovate , and from thin p ointe ova s to broad pointed ovals

i r In size they range from 59 to 70 m m . n length and f om

35 . t 30 mm . to mm in diame er

“ ‘ As as m O e m e he G et w fis far y bs rvations carried , T ann hen hing

e i s W t a does not clos t ings ill just before striking the w ter . I watched many as they wheeled round the island . and ou t . to sea

f The a —L in search O food . method employed was always the s me

“ a S d c i t i i teep glide with wing s ex—ten ed , los ng them just before s r k ng " “ ' fTh the water t n v er clean . e , the ac ual dive always bei g y and neat W e re— u Of r O birds h n appearing bob p out the sea like co ks , wing to f ea e the buoyancy O their air cells . This r pp arance is very marked

Ga e re a Of G t in the nnet , and quit unlike the ppearance the uillemo n en or Razorbill . O e might almost i magine that the Gannet had be h shot t o Di e surface from b eneath t e waves .

Very little appears to be known regarding the e arly history Of l m r Gannets on Grassho m Island . It is presumed that a fair nu be

L nd fOI t five h , have come over from undy Isla _ y miles away whic

“ i n i n 1 909 . t , _ they forsook owing to cons ant persecution _ though 1907 1 908 every effort was made at Lundy to induce the birds _ and ’ tOr t o ca n the B C om e urn to their hist ri l hau ts , and ird Watchers

mit tee took the matter u p. t G a However hat is as it may be , and no annets h ve been

- i eported to my knowledge as breeding on Lundy Since 1909 .

Grassholm I d el ; sland , on the other hand , appears to be oing w l one reason being that it is uninhabi ted and the other that it is a

z Oun long way out and very difficult to land there . Very few y g i In 1 9 6 dr t o G annets were reared n 1905 . 0 about one hun ed

h i Off and in 1907 h dr d. one undred and th rty got , about three un e h The weather in 1 907 during t ebreeding season being very bad ,

' n to sO the d W fisherme and others were unable land , and bir s ere

ne Ol . o d a unmolested fisherm n , named John Watts , could certify t o Gannets OnGrassholm for over fort years while another v ery y a ‘ e hi s Ol f t . D r d W ll O S , , , inhabitant named i iams; avids emember d _

t r—i n—law B n h m h e G s . fa he , Henry owe , telling i t ere wer a few annet : ‘ Pro ert D . M. r sholm as a k 1 20 1886 Mr. on G ais far b c as 8 . In p V ’ D 2 The Oolo i sts R ecord ece er 1 19 3 . 79 g , mb T

w i C a t . e tt w i th u n k b o c hi c u la a n ra 22 . S ssa a . G ssholm sla n d Ma 30t h 1 9 p H y g ( ) I , y , ’ 3 ~ 80 f The Oologi sts R ecord -D ecember

r R t ma the Of e 500 a d 1893 M. esti ted number Gann ts at , n in ober

D Of C di ff the m Of two h e rane , ar , put nu ber nests at undr d and forty

As far as I can gather both parents appear to feedthe youn g

O r tOO h the bird , but the time for my bse vations was all s ort , and

westering sun warned me that it was time to be on the move .

/ 1 ' ' l r A . w e wa an re u c antl u o u t . m . d t p got under y, y t rned backs on Grassholm Looking back we saw the racing tide Creaming ’ GrasshOlm s se k i ts round rocky ba , the sun bathing the roc s in i a t he G t nd fish n . red glow , and bove all anne s wheeling a g It was a feW e l i n sight given to to b hold , and one which wil live long my

. At 8 . ff k k ham a d 30 . w O S o memory p m we ere again Isl n , and the crying Kittiwakes appeared to be settling down for bed like the i “ sober minded citiz ens they were . I th nk we envied them to a h e . We ad e c rtain _extent still about sixty mil s to run to our base , ~ T i e a u s . and in an hour the . tide would turn ag inst h s happen d a W e m . . . t . m Off L H p , and at p , when inney ead , we er P All r joined by a solitary Stormy etrel . th ough the night at

al u s t n m interv s this little bird followed up , flit i g by in the gloo

We a F Ele u S as fought the strong current p st limston Head , g g tacks ’

St . G W the l f and owan s Head , here c i fs come down sheer into the

hO e Of n sea, with no p a landing place , and the tide ru s like a mill

race .

‘ The powerful light On C al dy Island seemed to mock u s in ou r “ f i l ' r aste e forts with its wink ng eye , as hour after hour weslow y b e d

[ the current . e A 4 a n he 3 . 3 Ma f h a d t t 5 m . . O , lst y, we were abreast t is light; e tide had onc again turned in our favour . S d ome time after this the grey dawn broke , and as we picke up “ L few m s frOm Ou r b he sk e to the ightship a ile ase , t y had turn d F so . ea crim n inally, the sun , dispersing the s mists , showed us

' i t G we our home Head , with s rows of sitting uillemots , past which

o 6 . 30 . m . roared with a flowing tide , and so to our m orings at a ,

31 5 t Ma Was to Of t e y, after what me one h most interesting trips

in u Of o I ever made the st dy Ool gy . i " ' ‘ 82 Tlie olo i sts Record D e e iebe 1 92 c S c r r 3 . O g , l ,

‘ E G- C oLLE T i G C NG .

‘

‘ B E STUA RT BA E C. K MB y R , H O U .

So much has r ecently been written on the cruelty and uselessness — of egg collecting that perhaps it will not be ou t of place to state — in your columns the case from the pomt of View of the egg colle ctor

l Nor who believes himself to be scientific and rationa . would I l n r include these terms the vast majo ity of those who collect;for ,

one as of our most famous ornithologists recently remarked , Oologists can be counted on the fingers of one hand ; collectors

d s collectors are countless I woul , however , include tho e numerous

' ' who try to be oologzsls and who collect with some definite aim in ’ - View;and with the i ntenti on o f adding something to the . su mtotal ’

of human knowledge .

M n a u uch has been written by kindly people who , i bea tiful

' ’ i noranc e of N thi nk t a l but complete g ature and its ways , tha l birds

.

nesting conducted in methods o ther than their own must be cruel . I In this category are those who encourage their own children to o l take one or more eggs fr m a c utch , leaving the remainder to the a and o p rent birds , at the same time disc urse on the cruelties of

those who take whole clutches . Bu t the man who knows anything

has t about birds and their ways , and not merely s udied them from

books , knows that the taking of one egg from a nest is the most i i b rdsnest n . hen cruel form of g If one or two eggs are taken , the l t bird wil often hang about the nest for days , some imes sitting ,

s o e r sometime refusing to do s , and will finally d sert altogethe

after the sitting furore has ceased. It is then too late to start

r if he o o a e . B u t t again , desire has passed , and no y ung raised wh le

t e r t a clutch be ak n the parent bi ds , in the grea majority of c ses , at

once set to work to make a nother nest and . to bring up other young . In Spite of all that has been written on the agony of birds deprived

t s . At of their eggs , there is li tle , in fact , to support the statement l the the time the eggs are aid , and for some short time after , one

i s d for re rodu c tl on dominating influence in the bird the esire ; p ,

s the n . fir t resulting in laying of the egg and , secondly , in its hatchi g T the his influence remains dominant until chick is hatched , after which the reproductive desire gives place to the necessity for the

. O c t provision of food n e the young are hatched , doub less birds e e do suffer to som extent if they are stolen , though even then th y ’ The Oolo i sts R ecord deirzber 1 83 g ,

B do not s uffer to the extent many people imagine . irds will sit e o t in p rfect c ntent in their nests con aining some of the young ,

whilst other f l r chicks , which have a len from it , pe ish of hunger

a nd . C cold before their eyes uckoos , when hatched , expel their

t - - i fos er brethren without protest from their foster parents , wh lst ~

- Sw etc . t migratory birds , such as ifts , , deser their half grown young T e . when instinct tells them it is tim for them to migrate hus , the collector who uses discrimination may take eggs and yet cause k little suffering to the parents , and certainly without any ris of s decrea ing the number of the species .

E t l ven including the indiscrimina e and ruthless col ector , the wanton schoolboy and the ignorant rustic destroyer of all nests of and eggs , the number eggs taken or destroyed by man is

fi t a h n in ni esim l w e compared with those destroyed by Nature . On one occasion I was told by a watcher of a Ternery that he was afraid the Terms were being driven away by boys who were stealing h t e . E t the t t t 40 eggs nq uiries elici ed fact ha at the ou side , say

50 5 6 t earI ' nests eggs , had been taken , but I found hat all the V ,

1 50 o 200 b t y r t some t , had een des ro ed by a flood of the late nes s

‘ 300 500 b —a , some 4 to had been destroyed y later flood whilst on the very day I left the place a ll the nests on the flats were drowned out

al r l r d and in a g e , and I pe sonal y counted hund eds of rowned young — washed out eggs thi own up on the line of debri s marking the limit

of the tide .

‘ Nor h T was t is all the birds had had to compete against . here the T was at least one stoat living close to ernery , rats were numerous ,

and , in addition to stealing eggs and young , killed many old birds

. on their nests In this instance , therefore , where boys had stolen

' 50 bond de 10 eggs and fi collectors had , perhaps , taken more , N as ature had destroyed at le t eggs , besides destroying young

and old as well .

Few N bu t people realize how appallingly destructive ature is , w nl h if they ould o y t ink for a fewminutes i t is easy to understand . For instance , a pair of sparrows in a year cer tainly lay on an average 1 0 e . h r ggs If all t ese survived , and we e hatched and reared , the

t 50 S 250 r nex year there would be parrows;the next , the thi d vear an d in ten years we should have over 1 13 mill ion Sparrows . A s ‘ , S a r arrive at however , p r ows , when once they about a year old , nl probably average about five years more of life , o y some two young 8 4

/ ‘ amon st' fi ve e order to m g pairs ne d , survive in keepup their nor al l i . . e two r 4 . number , , young in eve y fifty , or per cent It wi l at 1 n h t 10 once be said reply to t is hat all birds do not lay eggs a year ,

let t s G T so us ake the ca e of ulls and erns , which lay only three in

. a clutch . What percentag e of these hav e to come to maturity

‘ to keep the species up its proper number ! Every year enormous _ to

t d h . numbers of eggs are des roye by storms , floods , vermin and ot er

G a nd t on bird la s ulls birds , so tha certainly an average every y l a t . v twice , and many y hree and even four times Howe er , if we ri t take six only as the average laid by each bird , we shall o err on t the wrong side . Once having reached maturi ty, we know tha

G l - whi c h T . For Tern ul s and erns are long lived birds instance , a “

‘ laid pec u har- coloured eggs year after year from 1 900 to 1 9 17 was r s. I t then hale and well when killed by rat , is probable , therefo e , that once past the first year of their existence these birds average lif 2 a 1 2 . 2 h n 7 e s 1 e . of some year In years a would lay eggs , and x l of these on y two need survive to replace herself and the cock

- i . . 2 e 8 t . bird , , per cen

’ The only i nstanc es i n which mankind can expedite the extinction Or disappearance of a bird is when Nature has already brought the number so low that any additional factor may prove to be the “ ‘ ' Hali aclu s last straw . Such instances in England as those of — albi cllla Sea E P andi on hali d elets , the White tailed agle , and the

’ O r t C Bu sp ey , are proofs of this , whils the ommon Kite and zzard would have been further examples but that bird lovers awoke 1 n time

, , to the fact that they were fast disappearing and , took measures t t not f h to pro ec them , only from human thieves but rom ot er dangers as well .

Many birds have been driven from our shores which used t o l R f R breed in these is ands , such as the u f and eeve and similar

s o i . wamp l ving spec es , but this is not because of the vast quantities of their eggs taken by collectors , but because the conversion of their swamps and fens into fields of crops took away from them the placesin which they loved to breed . One severe winter will do more to destroy bi rds t han generations

‘ — T wi nte1 19 17 - 18 B c ollec tors . the ritish of egg hus , during the of ' N form of Dartford Warbler was almost wiped out . ow this little l egg~ bird had , in a few places , been regular y farmed by certain

T r on collectors . hese me n knew eve y pair breeding the ground they " ” - The olo'i sts R ec ord D ec ember 1 1 23 O . 85 g , , 9

ll r hunted, and each year a the fi st nests were taken,but in each case

t a - W the second nests were lef and , bec use the egg collectors ere

as of egg collectors , well as bird lovers and men commonsense ,

the D l . W ei rb ers to they did their very best _ to help artford bring up their second broods and to keep their haunts secret from oth er

1 nv a ers Th d . ere is no doubt that in some of these instances the greatest protection the Warblers had was from the so - called egg ‘ “ r f r thieves . Yea a te year their numbers remained steady or slowly ! n n me n a all i creased until the year of s ow and , when e rly went under Now h — t t h , owever , our egg collec ors repor eac year an increase in m e the nu b r of breeding birds , and doubtless soon their number W ill again arrive at its proper proportion . — O u to ver protection is , in many ways , much more destr ctive — “ u o e . our rare bird life than nder pr t ction If there is no protection ,

‘ ‘ common birds are destroyed i n far greater - proportionate numbers " ‘ - n ll than rare birds , but in over protectio the rare birds , genera y

t F or weaker in some way , are ous ed by the common ones . instance , B G S T when the lack headed ull is over protected , andwich erns , R T r i v osy e ns and others are gradually exterm nated or dri en away . — If the number of Starli ngs is not kept down all the nesting holes u b W of Woodpeckers are surped y them , and the oodpeckers \

' No a cannot breed . given rea can support more than a given

oi number of birds , and if by protection we increase the number \

' ' ‘ N t common ones , then a ure will balance matters by decreasing R the uncommon ones . are birds are rare merely because they ar so e not. well suited in some respects as are common ones to and fight for a living , “ , if this is admitted as I think it must be , then commonsense tells u s that indiscriminate protection must defeat its own purpose U t c nfortuna ely, many of our most prominent prote tionists t r1nc 1 les doWn hink first of the p p they have laid for their guidance , and t only secondly about the birds and beas s they wish to protect .

The principle I would ask Oologists to live up tois this : Never take an egg unl ess it i s wanted for some definite purpose and never encourage youngsters to take eggs unl ess they are in a position t to teach hem something about the eggs taken . . ’ 86 The Oologi sts R

' ‘ T HE EG G M A NT ELL ’ S ART ER YXi

' (Apleryic mantellz )

A A M R rNSHA w G M . D . F R. . E . E B H S . d Na r l n y R , , , itor of tu e a dl

The n fli htless _ mela choly interest attaching to_ the g birds of — New ! ealand now so fast disappearing under the attacks of — introduced stoats renders accurate description of their. eggs highly e desirable , and wh n one happens to possess a specimen that is no u bu t c faded muse m relic a re ent and fresh example , the duty of

al recording it becomes most imperative . ~ ‘ ' I S the the c m ar i , , o ed w th It perhaps enormous size of egg as p ‘

A y - of the parent , that makes the pter x so sluggish when on the eve

’ r 1ay.ing ; the bi d observed by the writer was certainly very stupidly be l tame , allowing herself to hand ed , and when released merely em ru n standing as if stuffed , making no att pt to under her straw

t . She coverle , as they generally do had , in fact , been coming _ out i " '

in the daytime , which under usual conditions she never did .

S she 1 1 — hortly afterwards laid an egg which weighed ;oz . not a

e Si r W. great weight for the sp cies , the maximum recorded by 1 z Bull er reaching1 5 o .

' — ‘ The specimen now before me measures five and a quarter by ‘ i s m ark edl — l — four inches . It y most markedy reptilian in shape , _ f ce the e being elongated , with but little dif eren between big and littl

al of M s ends ;it so recalls the elongated , equal ended egg the egapode

B u T s The A e f e and r sh urkey pteryx egg , how ver , is very di f rent t M i h s in tex ure from that of the egapode , be ng of porcelain smoot nes as contrasted with the rough ‘ egg of the latter the shell in the s an d e t Apteryx is delicately thin , glo sy , dotted all ov r wi h minute

A he r ti n h ai r- k ral sed . t t s pits large end the e are a few y li e line , — — c i n l in — also some half dozen minute ex eed g ym u te papillae . Viewed through theblow hole the inside of the egg is of a beauti

e all s e ful pink colour , and this is faintly perceptibl over the h ll , i even on the outside in a good light ; one may compare it to the ‘ delicate tint seen in unblown eggs of the Dipper and other birds .

‘ Probably it is due to the presence of the lining membrane Be this

' ma A are n o of as it y, the eggs of the pteryx by means the dull l r l n tl white , green grey , or yel owish hue desc ibed text books , apparen y carelessly recorded from faded indifferent examples . ’ T/z e Oolo i sts ec ord December 87 g R ,

! O T EC T O N B I LL 1 923 . WI LD B I R D S P R I , N ’ . r . C There was a slight error in our last issue In M G . . arter s a 55 u letter , on p ge , the last line of the fo rth paragraph should

read if they had not had the opportunity .

T B u e bu t o r . his ill will be shelved for the time being , of co rs , all u readers Who c an influence members of Parliament should try and —i enlist their interest n securing its amendment , in the res pects

Mr. C indicated by arter , when it is reintroduced in the next

P arliament .

T HE B I OLO G Y OF B IR D S J

] A T T OM ON M . A . L . D PR FE R . Lon on B O SSO H H . d z S y J R UR S , , idgwick L td . 1 63 . Jackson , net .

Professor Thom SOn has compressed into this fascinating volume t n e all the important fac s and theories concer ing bird life , and th se are presented to the reader. in a literary style possessed by too few Of our T d e minent scientists . hough the vast field in icated by the title is

e e hO e well covered , the author modestly xpr sses the p that it will show what a great scope the subject still offers for further research a nd suggest to others the le ngth and breadth and height of the ” T hO e l al b . iology of birds his p wi l surely be re ised , and we can

’ - r m A imagine no bird love s library co plete without it . n enumeration of a few of the fift een chapter headings will give some idea of the range of subjects dealt with I Th i B f e C hief C haracterist cs of irds . E F B i ’ II . xternal eatures iologically C ons dered . A Bi t III . daptation of the rd s Skeleton . T h F B e . IV . light of irds F C U . V . ood its apture and tilisation

’ The chapters dealing with C ourtship and Sex and Birds

’ E of their S w ggs treat subjects at very great length , and ho how ’ e complete is the author s knowl dge of his theme.

U a r P nlike so m ny of the academic o nithologists , rofessor

'

T - t homson does no condemn or disparage oology .

“ ’ E s nthusiasts on the subject of bird eggs , he writes , have ‘ the O i invented word ology as the name of the r science , and - l 88 The Oolo i sts ~ Rec ord D ec ember 23 g , .

P N a roy i n i the of rofessor ewton,in pp g of th s , goes length saying that ‘ hardly any branch of the practical study of Natural History i brings the inquirer so closely in contact with many of ts secrets . r ne — n He efers to o of the scientific triumphs of the oologists amely , w fi al the discerning , from the eggs , hat Huxley con rmed anatomic ly, afli nity between the Limi colcze (Sri ipes and Plovers) and the Gavlae E h (Gulls and Terns) . ggs can be studied as scientifically as anyt ing

e s a forrri els , and they have the fa cination of great be uty of and colouring .

c l ra i h Very interesting are the pages dealing with the o o t o of eggs .

~ Summing u p our knowledge of the problems preSented by the egg

C i Bu t ou r far of the uckoo , the author na vely remarks ignorance C O e . exc eds our knowledge of the uckoo , and most ther things

The book C oncludes with an able plea for the protection of birds

' ’ and a q u otati on from Ruskins translation of what Socrates said T to Choerophon in regard tOthe Halcyon . ruly a book to read

- re b c . and read and to have y_ one for onstant reference

F T HE NAT U R AL HI S T O RY O S O UT H A FR I C A : B I R DS .

L L n F T! M N . o maris o F . O G C . B . 2 . Vols y W I SI S ondon g , reen , 3 25 . net .

, At ' the first glance it is evident that this work i s intended more as a guide for the agriculturist than for the serrons student of bird T life . his is regrettable , as there is such a need for more good books on the birds of South Africa .

The whole of the first volume consists of reiterated pleas forthe protection of birds on account of their economic value , with lengthy

. reports of what is being done in other countries in this connection .

n sc ant m erc Bu t birds of no eco omic value get y from the author , — - u r A for of the Mouse birds f a most interesting gro p peculia to frica ‘ ’ off m he says they may be written as ver in , and he describes l three methods of destroying them . Surely the to l these interesting little birds take of fruit 1 5 not sufficient to warrant their extermina

A E . The E tion . gain , of the agles , he writes agles are not of

“ ‘ with no ex ressi on Of much economic value to man , and he adds , p , regret The larger Eagles will in time pass from the face of the f ‘ earth .

’ 90 Th olo i ec De e e 1 e O sts R ord c mb r 1 923 . g , ,

T are excellent . hey are all good , but if we must particularise we

th R ed- S like especially that of e hen backed hrike feeding its young , and the Yellow Wagtail on its nest . His account of how a pair of Little Owls took possession of a rabbit burrow as a nesting site is only one of v ery ’ many interesting

r experiences related in true K ea ton style .

t HI M A LA YAN A ND K A S HM I R I B I R D S .

L L L Th B Ltd. B DO A DEW A . e y UG S R ondon John ane , odley Head , ,

7 3 . 6d. net . T his useful work , which forms a companion to the bird volumes

F B . of the auna of ritish India , is a most concise handbook It deals mainly with the birds to be met with in the summer at the hill stations in the Himalayas and Kashmir .

P ec u art I , which classifies the birds according to structural p li ariti es , colour and habits , should enable any one to name a bird

without difficulty . P art II consists of a descriptive list of the birds , with brief

. an reference to their habits It does not , however , give y information i i as to nid fic at on and eggs .

D narv el : P A s Mr . ewar y remarks in his preface aradoxical

though it may sound , the value of this book lies largely in its

‘ ! n ot c u mbered omissions In a word , he has it by including N or birds to be seen in winter or the very rare accidental visitors . , in his description of a species does he include details which are not v easily obser ed , as such are more apt to confuse than to help the

n ov1 c e .

D IS C OVERY OF T HE NES T OF T HE WA NDER ING

TA T LER .

We have it , on the best authority , that the nest of the

T Hel eroscelvd i nc an u s t Wandering atler , , has at last , af er many

’

A . years search , been discovered in laska We shall hope to publish

full details of this most interesting find in a later issue .

NOTE - . Subscriptions expire with this issue and it is requested

that they may be r enewed . 9 1

X T L M E INDE O VO U III .

G . G A c c i i lres N E . p , otes on my ggs of the , by J ordon N G C E otes on the ordon ollection of ggs of , by H Kirke Swann Notes on the Eggs of Palaearctic by the R ev

R . C . F . Jourdain A 1 R . N E C O . S otes on the ggs of frican , by parrow ’ G R D . A The E M M . pteryx , gg of antell s , by raham enshaw ,

B B O . S ibliography of ritish rnithology , by H Kirke wann , review of A P . T B B The . iology of irds , , by rof J rthur homson , review of B N E E razil , otes on some ggs from , by the ditor

’ r i E C M . B c k erton s hina , xperiences in

C M olothru s aler aler L N owbird , , etter and otes regarding

D E . eposition of ggs by , by J Warren Jacobs ’

M M . D C S E . urlew andpiper , xtract from iss Haviland s Description of its Nidific ati on

D M eli z o hi lu s rovi nci ali s N S artford Warbler , p p , ote on ize ‘ B C C . . of lutch , by J ellamy D C haradri u s mori n ellu s O the otterel , , bservations on N N G esting of the , by orman ilroy

Dat S N Use a , cribed , otes on of F C . R . by the R ev . . Jourdain

’

E Mr. D cuador , awson s Work in E C A S D gg abinet , teel , escription of

- S B E E . C . gg collecting , by tuart aker F E S S E inch ggs , ome carce , by the ditor

G S u la bassc ma A n A G G annet , , ccount of the annets on rass

C . holm Island , by apt Vivian Hewitt

G Ti t S N B ox reat , ! uick uccession of ests in same B D D Himalayan and Kashmiri irds . by ouglas ewar , R eview of F N Smi A F . . atural History of th frica , by W itzsimons , R eview of 92 I e nd x .

PA G E ’ O B l i /ea er er hrorh chd Mr E t n . . M . L xpecker , p g y y , V . ewis s R eport of P F D P eregrine alcon , epredations on Homing igeons by B P P A L R . L rotection of irds , lea for the , by ewis . W oyd

R N E A 1. R C 0 . S aptores , otes on ggs of frican , by parrow R T S edstart , ight itting of R B L D E eed unting , apse between eposition of ggs B G . R D . S eed Warbler , ouble rood of , by J choley ’ R endall s S - S eri n u s rendd lli P eed eater , , arasitic Habits of

R N re - ussia , ote on opening up of S A able Island , ccessibility of S 1923 E N eason of in ngland , otes S P N ingles and airs , otes on

R . N . A S C ol . tewart , , his Visit to merica T B B R racks of ritish irds , eview of S B T l The C E . C . rinomia , riterion for the , by tuart aker

T Helerosc elvd i n can u s R F Wandering atler , , eport of inding of Eggs in A laska S i N E E Western pa n , otes on ggs from , by the ditor

i B A v R K earton R W ld ird d entures , by ichard , eview

P B 92 L f Mr G N 1 . B 3 . . Wild irds rotection ill , , etter rom C arter on Notes on Notes on

P h llosco u s si bila i or N Nidific a tion Wood Warbler . y p , otes on ‘

. w. of , by H Wisden

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Fu r k i n D D ed l eaned R eno ated S s re s sed , y , C , v , a nd S tor ed A s toc k of w ell - prepared Bi rd a nd

N o i s ts. M a m m a l S k i n s wi th au thenti c data . L

' nts Please mention The Oologists Record when replying to advertiseme . S M A LL A NN OUN CEM ENT S .

d. The charge for advertisements in this column is 1 3 . 6 per line

s . d M 6 . of I O words . inimum charge 4

t M . n 0 . E . 8: standard da a forms , size 5 inches by 3 i ches , b Lt ’ are S d St . M supplied to su scribers by Harrison and ons , , artin s

L L o W . C . 2 ane , ond n , , at the following rates , post free

d 0 0 1 0 3 . d. 2 50 for 33 . 3 ; 5 for for 6

— Made in two thicknesses stiff and very thin .

- n t C ard index cabi ets , of s andard size , to hold these data forms in a e most convenient manner for ready referenc , are supplied as follows

d. ,g s . I w o 0 1 2 6* dra er , to h ld about forms 2 drawers I I OT

L arger sizes can be quoted for , as well as every description of printing and stationery of the best quality .

O A OLOGIC L RESEA RC H FORMS .

t . 1 0 0 0 3 . 6d. 1 0 0 for post free ;5 0 , or more , at 5 per , pos free

o . . B c s 6d. inding overs for ab ve , 3 each , post free

osta e I s 6a . osta e 2 s P g . f T P g . T K I - W A NS DONC A S T ER , T 36, S RAND , LONDON ,

K eep a l ar ge s toc k of Clu tc hes of Eggs and al s o Sk i n s of a ll the s pec i e s of Bi rds i nc lu ded i n the

ri i i s a ll a h m n al arc ti c B t s h L t , s w e s t o s e of a y P ae

i i s pec es not nc lu ded therei n .

Corre s ponde nc e i s i nvi ted from Oolo gi s ts

abroad who are de s i rou s of fi lli n u a s , , g p g p

i i n thei r c oll ec ti o n s or of c om pleti ng s eri es or grou ps .

“ A ll Eggs are perfec tly prepa red a nd anthen

‘ ll data ar e fu rni s hed . Sin l e E s ti cated , a nd fu g gg l c a n be s u pplied a s w e l a s s et s .

' We a ls o s u pply . Cabi nets , A pparatu s a nd

A c c e s s ori e s of a ll de s c ri pti o ns , of ou r ow n m anu

r for the u s e of Oolo i s ts i d fac tu e , g , Lep opteri s t s ,

‘

ni s s c . an d s ec i a li s e i n o k f r r B ota t , & , p B o s o eve y

branc h of N atu re S tu dy

Ca a lo u e s ent o s t free on a li a i n t g p pp c t o .

’ ” P leas e m enti on The O olog i s ts R ec o rd when reply i ng

to adverti sem ents .

W T K I A NS DONC A S T E R , T W 36, S RAND , LONDON , .C . 2,

K eep a large s toc k of Clu tc he s of Eggs a nd al s o

Sk i ns Of a ll the s pec i es of Bi rds i nc lu ded i n the

i i i a ll a ho f m an P alaearc ti c Br t s h L st , s we s t s e o y i i s pec i es not nc lu ded there n .

“ Corres po ndence i s i nvi ted fro m O ologi s ts abroad who are des i rou s of fi lli ng u p gaps i n thei r c ollec ti ons or Of c om pleti ng s eri es or grou ps .

A ll Eggs are perfec tly prepared and a u then

rni s hed i n le E a ar fu . S s ti c ated , and fu ll dat e g gg c an be s u ppli ed as w ell a s s ets .

TI N PURCH E C OLLEC O S AS D.

u l abi ne W e al s o S pp y C ts , A pparatu s and

ll d ri i n A c c es s ori e s of a es c pt o s , of ou r ow n m an u

for the u s e of Oolo i s ts e i do ri fac tu re , g , L p pte s ts ,

n e i ali i n B k i c . a d s c s e oo s for r B ota n s ts , & , p eve y branc h of N atu re S tu dy .

ent os t free on li i Catalogu e s p app c at on .

’ P leas e m enti on The Oolog i s ts R ec o rd when reply i ng

:to adve rti s em ents . NET as YO R OLLE T ON GROWS b u sin ou r ADD to YOUR CABI U C C I , y g

SEC T IONA L C A BINET S.

'

‘ T ETS attac hed to FOOLS AP o r ARTO S EETS in ou r K eep you i DA A TICK , C ! U H ,

C LU T C H . FILES ,

of er r ted - a s s ems which overc ome all the disadvantages p fo a loose le f y t .

end or ou r 5 Pric e List of Offi c e Re u isites. It is sent ost free on a ication. S f 5 pp. q p ppl w c w ss u , TAPP TOOTHILL LTD. , , gagging ! ’ PII 0 N E H P 2 O 373 .

ford Manc he ter and he e d Branc hes at Leeds Brad s S ffi . , , l

EM E S M A LL A NN OUN C NT S .

:Advertiser is specially interested in eggs of Palaearctic Warblers and desires to communicate with actual collectors in this

and other countries with a view to purchase or exchange .

F S . R . Ware , rant , ussex

u r The charge for advertisements in this col mn is I s . 6d p e line

M m C 3 . 6d. of 1 0 words . inimu harge 4

M . O. E . n standard data forms , size 5 inches by 3 i ches ,

’ are S Lt M d. St t supplied to subscribers by Harrison and ons , , . ar in s L L i W . C . 2 ane , ondon , , at the follow ng rates , post free

2 0 3 . d. 0 0 63 . 1 0 3 . 5 for 3 3 5 for for 6d.

C a — b h data' form rd index ca inets , of standard size , to old these s in a i t most conven en manner for ready reference , are supplied as follows

3 d 75 . . I w 0 1 6* dra er , to hold about forms 2 2 drawers I I of

L sizes can be quoted for , as well as every descrip tion of . arger printing and stationery of the best qu ality .

A ES A R F M OOLOGIC L R E C H OR S .

1 0 0 0 0 3 . 6d. 1 0 0 for post free ;5 , or more , at 5 per , post fre e .

B 3 . 6d. inding covers for above , 3 each , post free .

osta e I s 6d. T osta e 2 5 P g . P g . T K INS D W A ; ONC A ST E R , T 36, S RAND , LONDON , w.c . 2,

K eep a large s toc k of Clu tc hes of Eggs a nd al s o

Sk i n s of all the s pec i es of Bi rds i nc lu ded i n the

i ll a r i Bri ti s h L s t , asWe s those of m a ny P a laea c t c

i no i n l r i n s pec es t c u ded the e .

Corres pondenc e i s i nvi ted fro m Ool ogi s ts abroad w ho are des i rous of fi lli ng u p gaps i n thei r c o llec ti on s Or of c om pl eti ng s eri es or grou ps .

A ll Eggs are perfec tly prepared a n d au then

a nd fu ll data are fu rn i s hed . S i n l e E ti c ated , g ggs

w ell a s s et s c an be s u ppli e d a s .

‘ l s o s u l abi nets W e a pp y C , A pparatu s and

of all de s c ri ti o ns f O A c c es s ori es p , o u r ow n m anu

‘ ac tu re for the u s e of O olo i sts e i do teri f , g , L p p sts ,

ni s ts & c . and s ec i ali s e i n ook B ota , , p B s for every

branc h oi ' N atu re S tu dy

C l o u e s ent o s t free on a li ata g p pp c ati on .

’ P lea s e m enti on The Ool og i s ts R ec o rd when reply i ng

t o adve rti s e m ents .

W T K INS D N A O C A S T E R , 36 STRA , ND , LONDON , W.C . 2,

K eep a l ar ge s toc k of Clu tc hes of Eggs and a l s o

' Sk i n s of a ll the s pec i e s of Bi rds 1 n c lu de d i n the

ri ti s h i s t a s w ell a s ho a l ar i B L , t s e of m a ny P ae c t c

s ec i n i n l i p es ot c u ded there n .

Corre s po ndenc e i s i nvi ted fro m O ologi s ts abroa d w ho ar e . des i rou s of fi lli ng u p gaps i n thei r c oll ec ti on s or of c om pleti ng s eri e s or grou ps .

A ll Eggs a re pe rfec tl y prepared an d a u the n

‘

l a a a re f rni s h ed . S i n l e E s ti c ated , a nd fu l d t u g gg c an b e s u ppli ed a s w ell a s S et s .

W e al s o s u l Cabi nets A ara tu s a n d , pp y , pp

‘ f a ll d c ri i n A c c es s o ri es o e s pt o s , of o u r ow n m a nu

re for the u s e of O ol o i s t s Le 1 do ri s ts factu , g , p pte ,

a n s ec i ali s i n Bo k a ni s ts c . d e o s for e er B ot , & , p v y branc h of N atu re S tu dy

o s t free o n a i l u e s e n t . l c a i o n Cata og p pp t .

’ P leas e m enti on Th e Ool og i s ts R ec o rd when reply i ng

to adve rti s em ents .