[68] In none were the generative organs more than slightly developed, and in most the plumage was full of new blood-feathers, showing that the summer change was not yet complete. The date, May 10-15. Another drawing is given at p. 42.
[69] Common British birds we exclude from notice, or might fill a page with swarming goldfinches, robins, wrens, chaffinch, blackbird, stonechat, whitethroats, tree-pipits, titlarks (the last three on passage), blackcap, garden-warbler, whinchat, redstart, and a host more.
[70] The African bush-cuckoos, or coucals (Centropus), certainly build their own nests; but they are only related nominally, and the connection is remote.
[71] In Egypt the hooded crow (Corvus cornix) is invariably the cuckoo’s dupe; in Algeria, Pica mauretanica.
[72] We find a note that one Bean-Goose was shot on November 27, 1896—weight 5¼ lbs.
[73] See the elaborate monograph on The Geese of Europe and Asia, by M. Serge Alphéraky of St. Petersburg (London, Rowland Ward).
[74] One such note may be given as an example:—
“1903.—Examined 40 geese shot January 1 and 2. Legs varied from white and pale flesh-colour to pale yellowish and pink, adults all of the latter colour. Beaks vary from whitish or flesh-colour, through yellow, up to bright orange. A few of the geese, mostly the smaller, young birds, were nearly pure white below: others heavily spotted or barred with black: nearly all (old and young) show signs of a ‘white-front.’”
[75] In Jutland we found some pintails’ nests rather cunningly concealed in holes upon open grassy islets in marine lagoons not unlike our Spanish marismas; others were on bare ground, though occasionally hidden among thistles. Here also the eggs numbered eight or nine. See Ibis, 1894, p. 349.