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THE NESTS AND EGGS »
OF
BRITISH BIRDS
ae
av M
ee ink NESTS “AND - EGGS
wm BRITISH BIRDS
WHEN AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
BEING
A thandbook to the Oology of the British
S$slands
By CHARLES DIXON
AUTHOR OF
‘RURAL BIRD-LIFE,’ ‘EVOLUTION WITHOUT NATURAL SELECTION,’ ‘OUR RARER
BIRDS,’ ‘ANNALS OF BIRD-LIFE,’ ‘STRAY FEATHERS FROM MANY BIRDS,’
‘IDLE HOURS WITH NATURE,’ ‘THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES,’
‘THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL OF THE BRITISH
ISLANDS,’ ‘THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS,’ ETC.
LONDON? CHAPMAN AND. HALL, Lop:
1893
[Ad rights reserved]
RicHarp Ciay & Sons, Limirep,
Lonpon & Buncay.
PREFACE.
THE following pages deal exclusively with the birds
that breed within the confines of the British Archi-
pelago; consequently the student will find several
familiar species omitted, the Fieldfare and the Redwing
for example, they having no claim whatever to be con-
sidered in a work which professes to be a Handbook to
the Oology of our islands alone.
The idea of a work on the Nests and Eggs of British
Birds occurred to me some twelve years ago; and from
that time to the present I have been carefully collecting
facts, examining specimens, and so on, with the object
of forming a comprehensive handbook to British Oology.
The results of my studies are now presented to the
reader in the following pages. Most of my information
has been obtained from personal observation ; and with
very few exceptions I have taken with my own hands
nests and eggs of all our British species; whilst with
most of them I have extended my observations over
periods of many years.
In the present volume I have endeavoured to foster
Oology as a science, not to encourage the indiscriminate
collecting of these beautiful objects from the promptings
of a mere dric-d-brac mania. The nest and eggs of a
bird to a great extent reflect the life-history of the bird
itself, and vividly illustrate no unimportant part of that
bird’s economy. If my labours serve to elevate Oology
vi PREFACE.
to a higher plane of dignity and importance than that
on which it rests at present, it will be a source of un-
mixed pleasure ; whilst if, by setting forth a description
of the wonderful, if utilitarian, structures made by our
native birds, or the charming and varied characteristics
of their beautiful eggs, I can succeed in enlisting a fuller
measure of sympathy for the birds themselves, I shall
ever view the many years of patient yet loving labour
with the highest satisfaction. I commenced to collect
nests and eggs when I was barely ten years of age;
the passion has grown upon me; and from then to now
these wonderful objects have ever won from me an
admiration which is only second to that which I have
always had for the Birds that make and produce them.
CHARLES DIXON.
february 1893.
Raven ... Sei
Carrion Crow ...
Hooded Crow
NOOK = a. ie
Jackdaw Bes
Common Chough
Common Jay ...
Magpie a
Starling ar
Golden Oriole
Common Crossbill
Hawfinch ses
Bullfinch a
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow ...
Greenfinch ...
Goldfinch Ree
Siskimepace bits
Chaffinch ae
Linnet ... acre
Twite ..: Pee
Lesser Redpole
Snow Bunting
Reed Bunting ...
Corn Bunting ...
Cirl Bunting ...
Yellow Bunting
Sky-Lark =
CONT ENS:
Corvus corax
9» corone
ayes
» Srugilegus
» monedula
Pyrrhocorax graculus
Garrulus glandartus
Picacaudata...
Sturnus vulgaris
Oriolus galbula
Loxia curvirostra
Coccothraustes vulgaris
.
Pyrrhula vulgaris ...
Passer domesticus
» montanus
fringilla chlorts
” carduelis
x Spinus
¥ calebs
Linota cannabina
» SJlavirostris
» riufescens
Plectrophenax nivalis
on
Emberiza scheniclus
=) miltavta ...
ae cirlus sae
5 cttrinella...
Alauda arvensis
N
Oo WD W Ww
n+
(ee)
Vill
Wood-Lark
Pied Wastail ... sme
White Wagtail oe
Gray Wagtail ...
Blue-headed Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Tree Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Common Creeper
Common Nuthatch
Bearded Titmouse
Long-tailed Titmouse
Crested Titmouse
Marsh Titmouse
Coal Titmouse
Blue Titmouse
Great Titmouse
Goldcrest
Red-backed Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Chiffchaff
Willow Wren ...
Wood Wren
Dartford Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Blackcap Warbler
Marsh Warbler
Reed Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Savi’s Warbler
Song Thrush ...
Missel-Thrush
Blackbird
Ring Ouzel
CONTENTS.
Alauda arborea
Motacilla alba yarrellit
5 alba
55 sulphurea
eave
_ rait
Anthus trivialts
» pratensis
9, obscurus
Certhia familiaris
S7itta cesta Bee
Panurus biarmicus ...
Acredula caudata rosea
Parus cristatus
Parus palustris et palustris
aressert
», ater et ater britannicus
5 ceruleus
93 WHATOR 2.
Regulus cristatus
Lantus collurio
AYES 2
Phylloscopus rufus ...
PP trochilus
r sthtlatrix
Sylvia provinctalts ...
5 curruca
» cinerea
5, Aortensts
» atricapilla
Acrocephalus palustris
arundinaceus
as phragmitis
Locustella locustella
FA luscintoides
Turdus musicus
o UISCLUOVUS
Merula merula
A torguata
CONTENTS.
PANObIN: «.<
Nightingale
Redstart
_ Black Redstart
Wheatear
Whinchat
Stonechat
Hedge Accentor
Dipper...
Common Wren
St. Kilda Wren
Spotted Flycatcher
Pied Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Sand Martin ....
Wryneck ie
Green Woodpecker ...
Lesser Spotted Wandpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Cuckoo
Common Swift
Common Nightjar
Hoopoe tee
Common Kingfisher ...
Barn Owl
Wood Owl
Short-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Hobby ...
Merlin ...
Kestrel.. Se
Golden Eagle..
White-tailed Eagle
Common Kite
Honey Buzzard
Common Buzzard
Rough-lezged Buzzard
Ertthacus rubecula ...
Fr luscinia
Ruticilla phentcurus
3 tithys
Saxtcola enanthe
Pratincola rubetra....
3 rubicola ...
Accentor modularis ...
Cinclus aguaticus
Troglodytes parvulus
cs parvulus hirtensts
Muscicapa grisola ...
& atricapilla
Hirundo rustica
Chelidon urbica
Cotyle riparia
Lynx torqguilla
Gecinus viridts
Picus minor ...
PH OIOT. 0
Cuculus canorus
Cypselus apus
Caprimuleus europaeus
Upupa epops...
Alcedo ispida
Aluco flammeus
Strix aluco
Asio brachyotus
» otus
Falco peregrinus
y subbuteo
93 SALON 00
» tnnunculus
Aguila chrysaetus ...
Flaliaétus albicilla .
Milvus regalis
Pernts aptvorus
Buteo vulgaris
Archibuteo lagopus....
Montagu’s Harrier ...
Hen Harrier ... eae
Marsh Harrier Ene
Goshawk Ne wee
Sparrow-Hawk ae
Osprey ... 593 she
Cormorant... ane
Shag... 0 ti.
Gannet ie oe
Mute Swan ... aoe
Gray-Lag Goose —
Common Sheldrake ...
Gadwall ane stad
Pintail Duck ... ee
Wigeon... eee Bn
Common Teal Rs
Garganey 5ee ae
Shoveller on ane
Mallard au its
Pochard ane ae
Tufted Duck ... Ae
Common Scoter ee
Golden-Eye ... 360
Common Eider AAA
Goosander ... ame
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Heron sat
Bittern ... eee thie
Stone Curlew ..: see
Lapwing eee ae
Golden Plover re
Dotterel aes aos
Kentish Sand Plover
Greater Ringed Plover
Oystercatcher ... one
Rufio 390 aisle
Common Sandpiper ...
Wood Sandpiper...
Redshank ste sac
CONTENTS,
Circus CileraceusS ...
cyaneus ait
9) G@YULTHOSUS 426
Astur palumbarius ...
Accipiter nisus bs
Pandion haliaétus ...
Phalacrocorax carbo
)
54 graculus
Sula bassana ie
Cygnus olor ... ie
Anser cinereus aes
Tadorna cornuta ...
Anas strepera Soe
y QLULE en Béc
», penelope Soe
Fy GHCCEM asst x
ay) GUN ClE: ree Bac
5 clypeata sae
» OGoschas ... se
Fuligula ferina Poe
5 CTASTQUD Wane
99 nigra os
Clangula glaucion ...
Somateria mollisstma
Mergus merganser ...
3 SCLEALOT étic
Ardea cinerea ee
Botaurus stellarts ...
Gdicnemus crepitans
Vanellus cristatus ...
Charadrius pluvialis
Eudromias morinellus
A gialophilus cantianus
Ee gialitis hiaticula major
Hematopus ostravegus
Totanus pugnax ...
hypoleucus ...
glareola ...
calidris Soe
”
”
”
Greenshank
Common Curlew
Whimbrel ae
Red-necked Phalarope
Dunlin...
Woodcock
Common Snipe
Richardson’s Skua
Great Skua
Kittiwake
Herring Gull ... :
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Common Gull
Black-headed Gull
Sandwich Tern
Roseate Tern ...
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Lesser Tern Nee
Common Guillemot ...
Black Guillemot
Razorbill
Puffin ee wes
Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel
Stormy Petrel
Fulmar Petrel
Manx Shearwater
Red-throated Diver ..
Black-throated Diver
Little Grebe os
Great Crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe ...
Sclavonian Grebe
Corn Crake
Spotted Crake
Baillon’s Crake
Water- Rail
Waterhen
CONTENTS.
Totanus glottis
Numenius arquatus
0 pheopus
Phataropus hy perboreus
Tringa alpina
Scolopax rusticola
25 gallinago ...
Stercorarius richardsont
55 catarrhactes
Larus tridactylus
» argentatus
» marinus
Bo ORGS bac
3) COUN.
» vedtbundus
Sterna cantiaca
» aougalld
5» Atrundo
30 GHEE:
» minuta
Uria trotle
» grylle
Alca torda
Fratercula arctica
Procellaria leachi
a pelagica...
Fulmarus glacialis ...
Puffinus anglorum .
Colymbus septentrionalis
* arcticus
Podiceps minor
e cristatus
Podiceps nigricollis ...
or cornutus
Crex pratensis
porzana
NE CQLLLONE! a
Rallus aquaticus 3
Gallinula chloropus
xil
Common Coot
Ring-Dove
Stock-Dove
Rock-Dove ... aye
Turtle-Dove ...
Pallas’s Sand Grouse
Common Quail
Red-legged Partridge
Common Partridge
Pheasant
Capercallie s_..
Black Grouse ...
Red Grouse -...
Ptarmigan...
CONTENTS.
PAGE
sen LOCO ALO rae ane Eg42
Columba palumbus ... me 44!
| @nas a sec, 440
me livia ee cee 340
Turtur auritus as 500 SO
Syrrhaptes paradoxus sf ool
... Coturnix communis ... ee Bb2
Caccabis rufa ace sooy moti
Perdix cinerea aay wer) 355
Phasianus colchicus Soe Sy
Tetrao urogallus ... eee eS5O
By NLELF LSE see ae San {SO
Lagopus scoticus ... wae, 402
55 mutus aide Sach» Zou!
ADDENDUM.
PAGE 162.—It would appear that the eggs of the House Martin (Chelidon
urbica) are very exceptionally spotted. I note a recent instance
recorded in the /%edd.
Without wishing to cast doubt on the édoxa
fides, | may remark that no such abnormal variety has ever come under
my own observation.
DE NESTS ANDefGEGS «OF
BRITISH: BILRDS.
Family CORVID. Genus CORVUS.
Rea EN.
CORVUS CORAX, Linne@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April,
sometimes in February.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Raven is slowly
vanishing as a breeding species from England. At the
present time it breeds here and there on the rocky
headlands of the south coast of England, but few are
the places where it is allowed to do so in peace. One
or two pairs breed regularly on the coast of Devonshire
(one pair to my knowledge this season on the rocks
near Watcombe). In Wales it is perhaps more common.
The great stronghold of this species now is in the wild
districts of Ireland and the Highlands, especially in the
Hebrides (including St. Kilda), where it nests com-
monly, even in spite of ceaseless persecution. Inland
localities are now nearly deserted, except in very
secluded places, and the Raven’s great breeding strong-
holds are on the ocean cliffs.
BREEDING HABITS: The Raven lives in the company
B
.
2 THE. NESTS AND ECGS°OP BRIISE Bucy,
of its mate more or less closely during life, and for years
and years will continue to frequent one favourite breed-
ing-place. It is one of the very earliest birds to com-
mence nesting duties, and the eggs are not unfrequently
laid before the last of the snow has vanished from its
haunts. Formerly the Raven usually nested in a tree;
but the incessant persecution that has banished this fine
bird from most woodland districts has caused it con-
siderably to alter its domestic arrangements. Most
Ravens’ nests are now built on lofty and very often
inaccess'ble cliffs. Here a site is found on some ledge,
or deep down in a fissure, or even amongst bushes and
ivy growing from the rock. The exact spot is often
indicated by the white droppings that splash surround-
ing objects; or the nest itself is generally very large,
being often the accumulation of many years, as the
birds frequently add to their home each season. The
nest is made of sticks and often branches of heather or
ling, sometimes with masses of wool clinging to them ;
turf, roots, moss, wool, fur, and hair form a soft and
plentiful lining. It has frequently been remarked that
nests of this species built in trees are much more com-
pact than those on cliffs. The parent birds are wary
and watchful enough, and are ever ready to attack and
beat off any predatory bird that may venture too near
their home. During the nesting period the old Ravens
may frequently be seen playing and toying in the air
above their nesting-place, and uttering by no means
unmusical cries. .
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Raven are from three to seven in
number; five being an average clutch. They are bluish-
sreen or olive-brown in ground colour, spotted, splashed,
and freckled with various shades of olive, and occasion-
ally with smaller markings of very dark brown, nearly
RAVEN, 3
black. The underlying spots are paler and not so
clearly defined, being often gray or violet in shade.
Some eggs are much more sparingly spotted than
others. Their shape, too, varies considerably, some
being oval, others more rotund, and less frequently,
pyriform. Rare varieties are reddish-white in ground
colour, spotted with reddish-brown surface markings
and violet-gray underlying markings. Average measure-
ment, 2°0 inches in length, by 1°3 inch in breadth. In-
cubation lasts from nineteen to twenty days, and is
performed by both sexes, but the female takes the
largest share.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: Normally the eggs of the
Raven are readily distinguished from those of every
other British species by their colour and size; but in
some cases it is impossible to separate them from ex-
ceptionally fine eggs of the Carrion Crow, or even the
Rook and the Hooded Crow. In such cases it will,
however, generally be found that those of the Raven
are the /eavzest for their bulk.
Family CORVID. Genus Corvus.
Coen LON CRON.
CORVUS CORONE, Linnceus.
Single Brooded. —_ Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Notwithstanding the war
of extermination almost everywhere waged against it,
the Carrion Crow is fairly well distributed over the
woodland districts and rock-bound coasts of England.
In Ireland it is rare and almost replaced by its close
ally the Hooded Crow; the same remarks apply to
4 THE NESTS, AND EGGS OPRLBRIITSEH BIS.
Scotland, although it is not so scarce, and certainly
breeds sparingly in many districts of the Highlands and
is seen in the Hebrides, but I did not observe it in St.
Kilda.
BREEDING HABITS: Like the Raven the Carrion Crow
pairs for life, and will frequent a certain spot year by
year for the purpose of reproduction ; but unlike that
bird it is one of the latest of the Crow tribe to go to
nest. The nests of this species are made in two very
distinct situations: viz. on trees in wooded districts, and
on cliffs and rocks in hilly and littoral districts. In
the woodlands, a tall tree is selected in some secluded
spot, often a fir or a pine, frequently an oak, an elm,
or a beech, the nest being placed in the topmost
branches. When on an inland rock or ocean precipice,
precisely similar situations are chosen as those selected
by the Raven. The nest is a bulky structure, differ-
ing very little in appearance from that of the Rook.
As they are often enlarged season by season, some nests
are much bigger than others. The nest is made out-
wardly of large and small sticks, branches of ling, and
turf, and lined more or less compactly with roots, wool,
moss, fur, and hair, a few feathers, and sometimes quan-
tities of dry withered leaves. The cup containing the
eggs is shallow, yet remarkably smooth. Nests in trees
are better made than those placed on cliffs, if they are
not generally so bulky.. The remarkable wariness of
this bird is even more intensified during the breeding
season. In some districts abroad the Carrion Crow has
been known to nest on the ground, and even in this
country a large bush has occasionally been selected.
Nests of this species are sometimes met with in much-
frequented places.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Carrion Crow are from three to six in
CARRION CROW. 5
number, five being an average clutch. They are green
of various shades in ground colour, spotted, blotched,
freckled, and dashed with olive-brown of different tints.
Like those of all the other British species in this family
they are subject to much variation in the amount and
distribution of the markings, which are of two very
distinct characters, viz. dark surface spots and paler and
grayer underlying ones. Manyeggs exhibit a few small
dark brown markings, and occasional varieties occur
which are almost spotless. Average measurement, 1°7
inch in length, by 1:2 inch in breadth. Incubation lasts
from eighteen to twenty days, and is performed by both
Sexes,
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any reliable character by which the eggs of the Carrion
Crow may be distinguished from those of the Hooded
Crow or the Rook; but as a rule they are a trifle larger
and rounder than the eggs of those species.
Family CORVID. Genus Corvus.
OO iE Dy Gle@ VW
CoRVUS CORNIX, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Instances of the Hooded
Crow breeding in England and Wales are few and
irregular, although the bird is said to nest every year
in the Isle of Man. In Ireland and Scotland, however,
it is widely distributed, especially in the north and west
of the latter country, frequenting not only the mainland
but most of the islands, from St. Kilda in the west to
the Orkneys and Shetlands in the north. In some parts
6 THE NESTS AND £CGGS OF BRATS! WELDS,
of Scotland it has been known to interbreed with the
Carrion Crow, as it habitually does in the valleys of the
Elbe and the Yenesay.
BREEDING HABITS: I am of opinion that the Hooded
Crow pairs for life, and frequents certain nesting-sites
annually wherever it is allowed to remain undisturbed.
It is rather a late breeder (although eggs of this species
have been recorded exceptionally as early as the middle
of March). The Hooded Crow readily adapts itself to
circumstances, so far as a nesting-place is concerned.
Where trees are scarce it will build on rocks or sea-cliffs,
amongst tall ling on the hillsides, or even on the roof of
the crofter’s hut, as was remarked by Gray. The greater
number of nests of this species in our islands are pro-
bably built on rocks; but in Siberia, where rocks are
scarce and trees plentiful, the latter are most frequently
used. Many nests are sometimes built near together,
but the Hooded Crow is nothing near so sociable in this
respect as the Rook or the Jackdaw. The materials of
the nest do not differ from those employed by allied
species. Sticks, twigs, the branches of ling and even
bones are used to form the outer structure, which is well
and warmly lined with moss, wool, hair, fur, feathers,
and such-like soft material. Although by no means
shy, Hooded Crows are wary enough at the nest, and
seem to divine by inspiration whether an intruder
can work them harm; being careful to keep out of
gunshot.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Hooded Crow are from three to six in
number, five being an average clutch. They are green,
of various shades in ground colour, more or less boldly
spotted and blotched with surface markings of olive-
brown, and underlying markings of paler brown and
gray. They vary considerably in size and shape, an
ROOK, P
uncommon variety being very pyriform, almost like that
of a Snipe. Sometimes they are met with almost snot-
less. Average measurement, 1°7 inch in length, by 1:2
inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes,
lasts from eighteen to twenty days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any reliable character by which the student or collector
may be enabled to distinguish the eggs of the Hooded
Crow from those of the Carrion Crow and the Rook.
The breeding areas cf the two latter species are, however,
to a certain extent distinct; so that the locality, in the
absence of more reliable data, should be of some service
in their determination.
Family CORVID, Genus CoRVUS.
1K @ Osis
CORVUS FRUGILEGUS, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Rook is widely and
generally distributed throughout the British Islands,
wherever there are trees sufficiently large to support its
nest, and the surrounding country is not too barren to
furnish it with sustenance. This species is gradually
extending its range into many districts, especially in
Scotland, where it has followed the planting of trees.
More especially has this interesting fact been remarked
in the island of Skye, where already there are two
extensive colonies, from which pioneers are spreading in
various directions with more or less success. As might
naturally be inferred, rookeries are more abundant in
& THE NESTS AND EGGS(%OF BRITISH BIRDS.
England than in other portions of the British Islands.
Many rookeries may still be found intowns; and Lon-
don can boast not a few, although they are gradually
decreasing in number and extent.
BREEDING HABITS: The Rook pairs for life. Not
only does it cantinue to frequent the same nesting-sites
every season, but it lives in close companionship with its
mate throughout the year, and periodically visits its
nest trees, as if to assure itself that the home is safe.
Tall trees are generally selected for nesting sites—oaks,
elms, beeches, horse-chestnuts, planes, and sycamores.
Lofty and slender ash and larch trees—mere poles—and
in many districts Scotch firs are frequently used. In
some rare instances tall holly bushes are selected. Asa
rule the nests are made in the topmost branches, and
very often numbers are built close together, sometimes
in large masses. As the Rook is in the habit of adding
to its nest each spring, some of the structures are of
enormous dimensions, and contain a sackful of sticks
or more. In some instances these piles of accumulated
sticks have ceased to serve as nests, the owners either
being dead or having deserted them. The nest is very
firm and compact, made principally of sticks cemented
with clay or mud, which latter material usually forms
the first or inner lining. This is further lined with turf,
moss, wool, dry leaves, bits of straw, and often a few
feathers. It is somewhat shallow, but the lining is
remarkably smooth and compact. Both maleand female
assist in building the nest, and asa rule the birds only
work at the task in the morning; and in the smaller
rookeries never remain all night in the trees until the
first eggs are laid. Rooks are remarkably noisy and
quarrelsome during the building period, and are very
prone to steal materials belonging to their neighbours—
a practice which often leads to fatal conflicts. As may
ROOK. 9
often be remarked, many nests are much smaller than
others, these being the produce of young and newly-
mated birds. Very often an odd nest or so is occasion-
ally seen in trees at some distance from the colony, but
these are rarely occupied many seasons in succession ;
although I have in several instances known them to
form the nucleus of a thriving colony. In one case a
new rookery was thus formed after a tree had been
felled in the main colony. Rooks, however, are most
gregarious birds, very conservative, and cling to their
favourite breeding-places time out of mind.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Rook vary from three to five in number,
and should any of the first eggs be taken only the usual
clutch seems to be completed, the birds sometimes being
content to sit ona single egg. They range from pale
blue, nearly white, through various shades of green in
geround colour, blotched, spotted, and clouded with
olive-brown of varying degrees of intensity and under-
lying markings of paler brown and gray. Usually the
larger end of the shell is most heavily marked. Some
specimens are spotted minutely with very dark brown,
nearly black ; others are streaked with faint olive-green ;
whilst others, yet again, are almost entirely devoid of
colouring matter. They also vary considerably in size
and shape, some being very rotund, others elongated.
Average measurement, 1°7 inch in length, by 1°2 inch in
breadth. Incubation lasts from seventeen to eighteen
days, and is performed by both sexes, the female taking
the largest share of the task. The eggs are sometimes
sat upon as soon as laid.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any reliable character by which the eggs of the Rook
may be distinguished from those of the Carrion and
Hooded Crows. The best means of identification is at
10’ THE NESTS AND EGGS “OF BRITISH BIRDS.
the nest, the Rooks almost invariably breeding in colonies,
the Crows more solitarily. The call-note of the Rook
at the nest is nothing near so harsh or guttural as that
of the Crows.
Family CORVID/E. Genus CoRVUS.
JACKDAW.
CORVUS MONEDULA, Linneus.
i
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Jackdaw is not only
one of the commonest but one of the most widely distri-
buted species in the present family. It breeds more or
less abundantly in all suitable districts throughout the
British Islands, even extending its range to Skye and
the Orkneys, although some localities, apparently suitable
in every respect to its requirements, are shunned for no
determinable cause. It breeds abundantly on the ocean
cliffs, and on many inland rocks, in forest districts, on
ruins, castles, and cathedrals, in villages, and even in the
busiest of cities.
BREEDING HABITS: Like the Rook, the Jackdaw is
not only a life-paired bird, but remarkably gregarious,
and breeds in certain places year after year, in most
cases using the same nest annually. Like the Carrion
Crow, however, it is a somewhat late breeder. The nest
is made in a great variety of situations, yet almost in-
variably in a hole, either of a cliff, a tree, or a building.
Instances are on record where the nest is said to have
been made amongst ivy growing on cliffs, but such
situations must be very exceptional. It is also said
occasionally to use a rabbit-burrow for a nesting-place.
The Jackdaw breeds in colonies of varying size, according
FACKDAW. 1
to the relative abundance or scarcity of nesting-sites.
Some of these colonies are very extensive, as, for instance,
on the cliffs above Devil’s Hole in the Peak, and in the
hollow trees in Sherwood Forest. Like the Rook, the
Jackdaw may be seen almost daily at its nesting-colony
all through the year. The nest of this species varies
considerably in size. If the selected hole or crevice is
large, it is generally filled with materials, and in some
cases a vast mass is accumulated, being added to each
season ; if the site is small but little nest is made, and
in many cases no provision whatever is made for the
eggs. I have taken the eggs from holes in the trunks
of oak trees in Sherwood Forest where the decayed wood
alone served for a nest ; but on the other hand some of
the nests at this colony are several yards in height, the
entire hollow trunk or limb having been closely packed
with sticks and other rubbish, at the top of which the
nest itself has been made. The foundation of the nest
is made of sticks and twigs, pieces of turf, and occasionally
all kinds of curious litter and rubbish, the cavity ccn-
taining the eggs being formed of dry grass, pieces of moss,
leaves, and straws, and lined with fur, wool, and feathers.
Numbers of nests are often made close together, some-
times several in the same hole or cleft. I have known as
many as twelve in a single hollow tree. Many nests are
quite inaccessible.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Jackdaw are from four to six in num-
ber, five being the usual clutch. They vary from the
palest of blue (almost white) to bluish-green in ground
colour, spotted and blotched with very dark brown,
nearly black in intensity, olive-brown and grayish-brown,
and with underlying markings of pinkish-gray. Some
specimens are much more heavily marked than others,
and many have the spots small, deep-coloured, and more
12 THE NESTS AND. EGGS (OF, BRITISH BIRDS.
or less uniformly distributed over the entire surface.
Some examples are very sparingly marked, and mostly
with underlying spots. In shapeand size also they vary
considerably. Average measurement, 1°45 inch in length,
by ro inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts from seventeen to eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The clear blue or pale
green ground colour, and comparatively few and well-
defined markings, readily distinguish the eggs of the
Jackdaw from allied British species. The eggs most
likely to be confused with them are those of the Chough
and certain pale varieties of those of the Magpie, but the
clear definition of the surface-spots is a pretty safe guide.
It must also be borne in mind that the Jackdaw rarely
or never breeds near the colonies of the Choughs, and
the exposed, domed nest of the Magpie in the branches
is ever an unfailing means of distinction.
Family CORVID. Genus PyRRHOCORAX.
COMMON (CHvOnG
PYRRHOCORAX GRACULUS (Linne@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Chough is now one
of the rarest and most local of our indigenous birds, and
though formerly fairly common in many inland districts,
is now almost without exception only met with during
the breeding season on the wildest and most inaccessible
ocean cliffs. Even here many of its scattered colonies
have been deserted, for no apparent cause, within com-
COMMON CHOUGH. 13
paratively recent times. Owing to the character of the
coast, the breeding-places of the Chough are on the south-
ern and western shores of the British Islands—districts in
which the cliffs are lofty and far removed from the busy
haunts of men. It breeds locally and sparingly from
Dorset, west to Devon and Cornwall. A few pairs still
breed on Lundy Island. Scattered colonies are established
here and there on the wild rocky coasts of Wales, as well
as in one or two localities inland in that portion of our
islands; whilst in the Isle of Man a few pairs still
continue to breed. It is said also occasionally to breed
in Cumberland. On the west coast of Scotland it is
fairly plentiful, on the islands of Islay, Jura, and Skye,
especially the former, and also in one or two localities on
the cliffs of the mainland. In Ireland its chief strong-
holds are on the coasts of Kerry, Mayo, Donegal and
Antrim, Waterford and Cork.
BREEDING HABITS: There is much similarity between
the habits of the Chough and the Jackdaw during the
season of reproduction. Both birds are gregarious and
breed in colonies, both birds are life-paired species, and
both breed in holes or covered sites, and continue year
after year to rear their young in certain favoured spots,
tenanting the same nests each recurring season. On the
cliffs the nests are made in the clefts or fissures, or in
holes in the roof or sides of caves, often so deep down
in the rock as to be absolutely inaccessible ; inland a
hole in a ruin issometimes selected. The nest, like that
of the Jackdaw, varies a good deal in size, according
to the accommodation afforded by the selected hole or
fissure, and is composed of sticks, dead branches of
heather, and the dry stalks of plants. The cavity con-
taining the eggs is formed of dry grass, roots, wool, fur,
and occasionally hair. If the colony is disturbed, the
birds fly out of their nest-holes and act in a very Jack-
14 JHE NEST SVANDVEGCGS OR BRITS BERD S.
daw-like manner, uttering their noisy and distinctive
cries. One cavity sometimes contains several nests.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Chough vary from four to six in number,
and range in ground colour from white, with a faint tinge
of blue or green, to creamy-white, blotched and spotted
with various shades of brown and gray, and with under-
lying markings of violet-gray. Sometimes a few dark
brown streaks or scratches occur, usually on the larger
end. In the size and distribution of the markings they
vary considerably, some having them large and bold,
and arranged in a mass or zone round the largest portion
of the shell; others are more regularly spotted over the
entire surface, and in this type the colour of the marks is
paler. Another type has few markings, but bold and
large, and scattered here and there over the entire surface.
Average measurement, 1°5 inch in length, by 1°I inch in
breadth. Incubation, performed by both parents, lasts
from seventeen to eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The pale ground colour
and comparative indistinct definition of the markings
are the most important points of distinction characterizing
the eggs of the present species. They are most likely
to be confused with eggs of the Jackdaw ; but the two
species do not breed in company.
COMMON FAY. 15
Family CORVID. Genus GARRULUS.
COMMON JAY.
GARRULUS GLANDARIUS (Linn@us),
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Jay, in spite of con-
stant persecution, breeds more or less sparingly through-
out the woodland districts of England and Wales. In
many places where game is not very strictly preserved,
and feathered marauders allowed to dwell in peace, the
Jay is a common bird. In Scotland it is much more
local and slowly becoming scarce, from the same causes,
although its range has been extended with the planting
and growth of trees. Its principal quarters in Scotland
are the central counties, as far north as Inverness-shire ;
it does not, however, breed in the Hebrides, and is only
a straggler to the Shetlands. In Ireland, where it has
also decreased in numbers, its chief breeding area is now
in the south-east, in the area confined by the rivers
Barrow and Suir.
BREEDING HABITS: The principal breeding-grounds
of the Jay are the game coverts, woods, and plantations
where the underwood is dense and leafy. The bird is
particularly fond of covers where evergreens are plentiful,
and is thus specially addicted to shrubberies. In all
cases, however, the Jay will nest most abundantly where
the cover is thickest. In my opinion this handsome bird
is a life-paired species, and may be seen in company
with its mate all through the year. As the breeding
season approaches the Jay becomes much less noisy and
even more skulking in its movements, so that it often
safely rears a brood in a cover where its presence has
never been suspected. The site for the nest is seldom
at any great altitude from the ground, the cover usually
16 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF VERS H LIRDS.
not being sufficiently dense above the growth of tangled
underwood. A situation is generally selected in a tall
bush or sapling, especially in a holly, yew, or other ever-
green, and less frequently amongst a mass of woodbine
or ivy. I have known the nest to be made in a bunch
of twigs and fine branches growing from a tree trunk
where a branch has been lopped off. The nest is cup-
shaped, and made externally of fine sticks and twigs,
occasionally cemented with mud, and thickly lined with
fibrous roots right up to the margin. Although made of
coarse materials it is very neatly finished. The Jay is
non-gregarious during the breeding season.
, RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Jay are from five to seven in number.
They are grayish-green or pale bluish-green in ground
colour, mottled and speckled over the entire surface
with olive-brown, and occasionally streaked with a few
scratches or irregular lines of dark liver-brown. In many
examples the mottled spots become most numerous and
confluent towards the larger end, where they form a dis-
tinct zone. The eggs of the Jay do not present much
variation, although it is not unusual to find an egg paler
than the rest in a clutch. Average measurement, 1°25
inch in length, by ‘9 inch in breadth. Both parents
assist in the task of incubation, which extends over a
period of eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small size, indistinct
character of the markings, and grayish-green appearance,
readily distinguish the eggs of the Jay from all the allied
British species.
MAGPIE. 17
Family CORVID. Genus Pica.
NMP Gab ie
PICA CAUDATA, Gevrint.
Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Magpie breeds more
or less commonly throughout the wooded districts of
the British Islands, and in many places continues
steadily to increase in spite of incessant persecution.
There can be little doubt that this is due to the bird’s
great fecundity, and its habit of nesting in tall trees.
The Magpie does not breed on the Outer Hebrides, nor
does it visit the Orkneys and the Shetlands, but it nests
sparingly on the Channel Islands. In Ireland the
Magpie is much more abundant than formerly, and its
numbers are still perceptibly increasing in many localities.
BREEDING HABITS: Although the great breeding-
grounds of the Magpie are situated in or near woods,
game coverts, and plantations, a considerable number of
nests are made in more open situations, where timber is
scarce. his species also pairs for life, and either
tenants the same nest yearly, in spite of continued
robbery and disturbance, or builds a new structure in
the immediate neighbourhood. The nest may be found
in almost every kind of forest tree, often in tall bushes
or isolated trees in the fields, or even in a low hedgerow.
The altitude varies equally as much, from the slender
topmost twigs of some woodland giant, to the tangled
thicket or hedgerow, not more than six or eight feet
from the ground. Another remarkable trait in the
Magpie’s character is that of nesting close to habita-
tions. Although a remarkably shy and wary bird all
the rest of the year, in the breeding season it often
becomes most trustful. The site for the nest, when in a
c
18 THB NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITS Baie Ss. oe
tree, is usually amongst the slender branches, sometimes
near the extremity of a massive limb, but in bushes
or hedges the densest part is chosen. The nest is a
large and bulky structure, and when finished completely
covered with a dome or roof. The outer part of the
nest is first formed of sticks, which are cemented together
with large quantities of clay or mud, a lining of this
material eventually being made. Then the huge dome
is built over, dead thorns being favourite material, a
hole being left on the side, near the top or rim of the
nest cavity, for ingress. Very often at this stage the
nest is left fora day or so to dry, before the copious
lining of fibrous roots is added. It has been recently
stated that dry grass is also used, but this I deny, at
any rate so far as British Magpies are concerned. The
whole structure when completed and thoroughly dry is
remarkably compact. Occasionally several Magpies’
nests may be found at no great distance from each
other, but the bird is neither gregarious nor social
during the breeding season. It is a wary bird at the
nest, slipping off very quietly if disturbed during in-
cubation, but becoming much more bold and demon-
strative when the young are hatched.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Magpie are from six to nine in number ;
seven and eight are frequently found, but perhaps six
forms the most usual clutch. They range from creamy-
white to bluish-green in ground colour, thickly freckled,
blotched, and spotted over the entire surface with olive-
brown, and occasionally streaked with a few lines of very
dark brown. They vary considerably both in shape, in
size, and in colouration. Some eggs are very pyriform ;
others are almost round. Some have little surface-
colour upon them, being almost spotless pale blue,
with perhaps a few violet-gray underlying markings ;
STARLING. 19
others are grayish-white, thickly freckled with pale ash-
brown. Average measurement, 1°35 inch in length, by
Io inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by
the female, lasts eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, abundance, and
smallness of the uniformly distributed markings and
their brown colour readily distinguish the eggs of the
Magpie from all allied species breeding within the
British area,
Family STURNIDE. Genus STURNUS.
Sia Re NG:
STURNUS VULGARIS, Linnceus.
Double Brooded. Laying season, April to June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Widely distributed, and
breeds more or less abundantly throughout England
and Wales, becoming the least abundant perhaps in the
more thinly-populated districts of Wales. In Scotland
it has increased in numbers, and extended its range to
such a very remarkable extent during the past half-
century, that it may now be said to breed in every suit-
able locality. It also breeds throughout the Hebrides
(including St. Kilda), and in the Orkneys and Shetlands.
In Ireland it becomes much more local during the
breeding season, being there most widely distributed
and most abundant, especially in the south, during
winter.
BREEDING HABITS: The Starling is another life-
paired species, and returns annually to its old nesting-
place ; indeed, like the Rook, it may, in a great many
instances, be seen to visit its nesting-site from time to
20 THE NESTS AND 2GGS OF BRITISH LIDS,
time right through the non-breeding season. Like the
Rook and the House Sparrow, it evinces a strong par-
tiality for the dwelling-places of man, and like the latter
bird it also displays great aptitude for adapting itself to
a variety of conditions during the season of reproduc-
tion. The Starling will make its nest almost anywhere,
provided a site can be found well protected from the
external air. Holes in buildings are now the favourite
situations, but great numbers of nests are made in holes
in trees and cliffs, in peat-stacks, and less frequently in
rabbit-burrows. On St. Kilda I was both surprised and
delighted to find my favourite bird actually nesting in
holes in the ground, on the bare hillsides, and amongst
the rough walls of the “cleats.” The Starling is
thoroughly gregarious all the year round, and numbers
breed in close companionship, the size of the colony
depending a good deal on the amount of the accommo-
dation to be had. Instances are on record where the
Starling has been known to breed in a Magpie’s nest,
and to rear its young in an open nest in a tree; but
from my lifelong acquaintance with this species I think
such exceptions (if true) must be excessively rare. The
size of the hole varies a good deal, hence the nest is
bulky or small accordingly. It is a rude, slovenly struc-
ture, made of straw, grass, and roots, and sometimes
lined with a few feathers ; rags, twine, or paper will even
be used occasionally. Very often a few straws are allowed
to dangle out of the entrance, proclaiming the nest to
every passer-by. If the eggs are removed from day to
day the hen may be encouraged to lay an indefinite
number of eggs. I once took no less than forty eggs
from one hole during a single season. Odd Starlings’
eggs are frequently found in the fields.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Starling are from four to six or even
GOLDEN ORIOLE. 21
seven in number, five being an average clutch. They
are pale greenish-blue, somewhat elongated, rather rough
in texture, but with considerable gloss, and are spotless.
The shade of colour varies a good deal, some eggs being
almost white, others much more intense. Exposure to
the light soon robs them of much of their colour.
Average measurement, I'2 inch in length, by ‘85 inch in
breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by the female,
lasts fourteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of no other
species breeding in the British Islands can easily be
confused with those of the Starling, Their large size
and uniform greenish-blue tinge readily distinguish them
from the eggs of all our smaller species.
Family ORIOLID, Genus ORIOLUS.
COE DEN ORIOLE.
ORIOLUS GALBULA, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Golden Oriole is
another melancholy instance of the senseless persecution
of rare birds in the British Islands. There is nothing,
so far as we can determine, to prevent this handsome
and melodious songster from becoming as common on
this side of the Channel as it is on the other, if the
individuals of this species that almost yearly visit our
southern and south-western counties were allowed to
live and rear their broods:in peace. There can be
little or no doubt that the Golden Oriole has bred in
Kent, Surrey, Essex, Northamptonshire, and Norfolk,
ut, alas! the gaudy dress of the male bird is a fatal
22, THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITUSE BIRDS:
attraction, and the gunner or greedy collector soon put
an end to the naturalist’s hope of seeing this handsome
species increase and multiply amongst us.
BREEDING HABITS: Like most birds of conspicuous
and gaudy plumage, the Golden Oriole is fond of the
cover, and, although by no means a shy bird, is careful
to conceal itself amongst the leaves when menaced by
danger. In Europe the favourite breeding-grounds of
the Golden Oriole are groves, the borders of woods,
plantations, and well-timbered fields; but in Algeria,
where I saw much of this species, the oases, public
gardens, and groves of evergreen oaks in the park-like
country of the Aures Mountains were the favourite
haunts. It is not improbable that this bird pairs for
life, although I do not think the same nest is used two
seasons in succession. !The Golden Oriole very fre-
quently rears its young quite close to houses, and even
in towns, in avenues, and pleasure-grounds. The site
for the nest is usually in an oak, plane, or fir tree, at
distances varying from twenty to forty feet from the
ground, The nest, so far as British, or even European
birds are concerned, is unique, and cannot possibly be
mistaken for that of any other bird. It is invariably
suspended, cradle-wise, between a forked horizontal
branch, the external materials being deftly woven round
the supporting twigs. The outside is made of broad
grass, sedge, and strips of bark, amongst which a few
dead leaves or even scraps of paper are interwoven ; the
inside is lined with the fine round flower-stems of grass.
During the nesting period the old Orioles are careful not
to betray their secret, and are ever ready to drive off
any intruding birds. The very characteristic song of the
male often proves a guide to the whereabouts of the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Golden Oriole are from four to six in
COMMON CROSSBILL. 23
number. They are pure white, or white with a yellowish
tinge, in ground colour, spotted and speckled with
purplish-brown, and generally with a few small pale
gray underlying markings. The surface of the shell,
though somewhat rough in texture, is polished and
glossy. Asa rule, the eggs of this species do not exhibit
much variety. Average measurement, I‘2 inch in length,
by ‘9 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by
the female, lasts from fourteen to fifteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, white ground
colour, and reddish-purple spots, readily distinguish the
eggs of the Golden Oriole from those of every other
British species. The unique character of the nest is also
another unfailing guide to the identification of the eggs.
Family FRINGILLID. Genus Loxta.
Sub-family “RINVG/LLINA.
COniIiwvO N ‘CROSSE VEE:
LOXIA CURVIROSTRA, Linnc@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, February to April.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Crossbill is
one of the most local of the species that breed within
the limits of the British Islands. In England it breeds
locally and irregularly in many of the counties lying
south of a line drawn from the Wash to the Bristol
Channel; whilst north of this limit it is known to do so
in Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland. In Scot-
land it breeds more freely, especially in the central
counties; whilst in Ireland it is said by Mr. Ussher
to have increased of late years as a breeding species,
24 THE NESTS AND EGGS (OF BRITISH BIRDS.
although its distribution during the nesting season in the
sister isle is very imperfectly known. It appears to nest
in some of the extreme eastern counties from Down to
Waterford and Tipperary. Owing to the excessive
shyness of this species in the nesting season, its pre-
ference for dense conifer plantations, and the early date
of laying, there can be little doubt that the Crossbill is
much overlooked.
BREEDING HABITS: The favourite breeding-grounds
of the Crossbill are the conifer plantations, the belts
and enclosures of Scotch fir, spruce, and larch. It is
not improbable that this species pairs for life, but owing
to its nomadic habits neither the old nest nor the old
locality seem to be visited each season for breeding
purposes. The Crossbill, however, is a remarkably
social bird, and not only spends the winter in parties in
wandering about in quest of food, but during the breed-
ing season lives frequently in companies, and several
nests may often be found within a comparatively small
area. The nest is generally built amongst the foliage of
the Scotch fir, a site being sclected at various heights
from the ground, sometimes as many as forty or fifty
feet, at others not more than four or five feet. Nests
are far less frequently found in deciduous trees, owing to
the fact that the foliage is not out at the time the Cross-
bills begin to build. Sometimes the nest is made at a
distance from the trunk on a flat branch; at others it is
wedged into a fork near the top of the tree. The nest
itself very closely resembles one type of that of the
Greenfinch, being formed outwardly of twigs loosely
twined together, rootlets, and dry grass, and inwardly of
wool, fur, and a few feathers and hairs. Sometimes a
little moss, lichen, and a few bark strips are employed.
The female sits very closely, often allowing herself to
be closely scrutinized, or almost touched by the hand,
COMMON CROSSBILL. 25
before she slips off her nest. Mr. Norgate remarks of
a nest taken by him in Norfolk five years ago: “On
March 26th I took a nest of four Crossbills’ eggs from a
Scotch fir; the hen bird objected to leave the nest even
after it was brought down from the tree, when three or
four other Crossbills came and fluttered about close to
our heads, uttering their peculiar cry and showing their
hooked beaks.” When disturbed from her eggs the
female is often joined by the male, both birds fluttering
about in an anxious, restless manner.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Crossbill are usually four in number,
occasionally three, more exceptionally five. They vary
from white to white tinged with green in ground colour,
spotted with reddish-brown, and with underlying mark-
ings of paler brown. The spots, never very large, are
mostly distributed over the larger end of the egg, where
they not unfrequently form an irregular zone. Many of
the spots often take the form of streaks, and then the
colour is exceptionally dark. Average measurement,
‘9 inch in length, by °7 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts fourteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any absolutely reliable character by which the eggs of
the Crossbill may be distinguished from those of the
Greenfinch. The range of colouration is practically the
same in each species, but as a rule the eggs of the latter
bird are smaller. The date of laying is one reliable
characteristic, the Crossbill producing eggs as a rule
from one to two months earlier than the Greenfinch.,
26 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family FRINGILLID. Genus COCCOTHRAUSTES.
Sub-family “R/NGILLINAE,
HAW Fl Nie hie
COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS, Pad/as.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Owing to the excessive
shyness and skulking habits of the Hawfinch, it is
somewhat difficult to define its exact distribution during
the breeding season. It is decidedly an English bird, not
breeding in any other portion of the United Kingdom,
although some writers state that it does so in Ireland.
Some authorities assert that the Hawfinch has steadily
increased in numbers during the past half-century, but I
am inclined to attribute this apparent fact to the closer
scrutiny and greater number of observers. The Haw-
finch breeds locally, and more or less frequently in almost
every county of England; most abundant in the home
counties, and least so in the extreme north and west.
BREEDING HABITS: For a month or more before the
nest is commenced, the parties of Hawfinches that have
been leading a more or less nomadic life during the
winter separate into pairs and betake themselves to the
accustomed nesting-places. Orchards, small woods, fir
plantations, and, less frequently, shrubberies are the
favourite breeding-grounds of the Hawfinch ; but gardens,
tall hedges in well-timbered fields, and ivy-clad trees in
lanes are also selected. As the breeding season ap-
proaches, the birds become even more shy and seclusive
in their habits, and the peculiar and characteristic song
of the males is almost the only sign of their presence.
The nest is usually commenced towards the end of
April. A site is selected in the branches of an old
lichen-draped fruit tree, or hawthorn, in the pollard top
of a hornbeam, amongst ivy, or in the dense branches
HAWFINCH. 2,
of a yew, a fir, or a holly. The altitude varies consider-
ably. Some nests are built as much as forty or fifty
feet from the ground; others only a few feet. In
many cases several pairs make their nest in the same
plantation or enclosure, especially in districts where
suitable cover is scarce. The nest is made externally
of twigs, roots, scraps of lichen, and the dry stalks of
various plants, and internally of dry grass, finer roots,
and hair. It is large, flat in appearance, and although
rudely fabricated outside is neat and well finished with-
in. The hen-bird is a close and silent sitter, and when
flushed glides very quietly from her eggs into the sur-
rounding cover. If the first nest be destroyed another
attempt to rear a brood is generally made. The Haw-
finch becomes even much more silent than usual as soon
as the eggs are laid.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Hawfinch are from four to six in
number, the latter being perhaps more frequent than the
former. They vary from pale olive or pale bluish-green
to pale brownish-buff in ground colour, streaked and
more sparingly spotted with dark olive-brown and pale
grayish-brown, becoming almost violet-gray in buff
sround-coloured examples. The streaks are frequently
intricate, and as pronounced as those on a typical
Bunting’s egg. The amount of markings varies con-
siderably, and, as a rule, on the eggs on which the spots
are largest and most clearly defined the streaks are finer,
more scratchy, and paler. Average measurement, “95
inch in length, by *75 inch in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed by the female, lasts from fourteen to fifteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, combined with
the streaky markings and their colour, serve to dis-
tinguish the eggs of the Hawfinch from those of every
other allied British species.
23 THE NESTS AND EGGS OFF BRAS Bie Ds:
Family FRINGILLID. Genus PYRRHULA.
Sub-family ARZNVGILLINEZ.
BULLE ELAN Gee
PYRRHULA VULGARIS, Zemminck.
Double Brooded. Laying season, April to June, and
even July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Breeds more or less
abundantly in all suitable localities throughout the
British mainland, becoming rarer and more local in
Scotlaud and Ireland. There can be no doubt whatever
that the bird-catcher has well-nigh exterminated this
species from many districts where it formerly. bred in
considerable numbers.
BREEDING HABITS: The Bullfinch mates for life, and
all through the year may be seen in pairs, although the
old nest is not used season by season, neither, in many
cases, is the same locality selected. Like many other
birds that lead a nomadic life during winter, the Bullfinch
appears to breed in any suitable district it may chance
to be in when the time for that event arrives. Like the
preceding species the Bullfinch becomes very silent, shy,
and retiring in its habits during the season of reproduc-
tion, and the love-song of the male generally ceases as
soon as the eggs are laid. The chicf breeding-haunts
of the Bullfinch are plantations of firs, shrubberies,
orchards, and dense hedgerows and thickets. The nest
is built usually from six to ten or fifteen feet from the
ground, in a fork of the branches, or on a flat branch at
some distance from the trunk. Externally it is com-
posed of fine twigs intricately interlaced, forming a flat
structure, in the centre of which the cup for the eggs is
made of roots and hair, and occasionally one or two
feathers, or a scrap of wool. During the period of in-
BULLFINCH. 29
cubation the Bullfinch becomes very quiet and shy, and
the female, as is usual with so many Finches, is a close
sitter, reluctant to leave her charge, yet slipping very
stealthily away when disturbed. The male bird is not
seen much in the vicinity of the nest until the young are
hatched.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Bullfinch are usually four or five in
number, sometimes as many as six. They are bluish-
green or greenish-blue in ground colour, spotted with
purplish-brown, and with paler underlying markings of
brownish-pink. Some eggs are streaked with very dark
brown, as well as spotted. The markings usually form
a zone round the large end of the egg (sometimes round
the small end), but in some specimens they are more
uniformly distributed over the entire surface. Average
measurement, 75 inch in length, by °55 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, lasts fourteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The deep, clear blue of
the ground colour, and their size, readily distinguish the
eggs of the Bullfinch from those of any of the allied
species breeding within the British area.
Family FRINGILLIDA. Genus PASSER.
Sub-family PRZNVGILLINA.
POU SE) S PAK OW.
PASSER DOMESTICUS (Liz7@u5).
Double Brooded. Laying season, February to October.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Breeds more or less
abundantly throughout the British Islands wherever
houses are found, with one or two exceptions: these
30 THE NESTS: AND 2GCGS OF GRITISH BIkDS.
are in the wildest and most elevated districts of Scot-
land and Ireland. Most abundant in towns and well-
cultivated districts.
BREEDING HABITS: The House Sparrow pairs for life,
and during all the open months of the year may be
found breeding in greater or lesser numbers. The great
breeding season is in April, May, and June. There are
few birds more gregarious than the House Sparrow, and
the size of its breeding-colonies seems regulated purely
by the extent of accommodation offered. No other
British bird selects such a great variety of sites for its
nest as the House Sparrow. It may be found almost
everywhere—in every nook and crevice of all kinds of
buildings, and amongst statuary, in trees (both in holes
in the timber and in the open branches) and_ bushes,
amongst ivy and other creeping plants, in holes in cliffs
and sand-banks, both inland and marine, amongst the
sticks of Rooks’ nests, and even in deserted nests of
Crows and Magpies. The materials used are just as
varied in character, and it is difficult to name any soft
substance that is not used at some time or another in
the construction of the nest. Straws, dry grass, and
herbage of all kinds, strips of rag, cotton, twine, worsted,
wool, hair, and feathers are universally employed. The
nests of the House Sparrow may be divided into two
very distinct types, which differ considerably in form and
in the quality of the workmanship. The first and com-
monest type, made in holes, is little more than a rude
heap of material massed together, with the softest por-
tions for the lining. The second type, placed in trees
and amongst ivy, is much more skilfully made. Dry
grass, straws, and withered plants are woven together
into a large dome-shaped structure, with a small entrance
hole on the top or side, and warmly lined with hair,
wool, feathers, etc. These nests will be used year after
HOUSE SPARROW. 31
year, and if destroyed, new ones will be made on the
same sites, for the Hlouse Sparrow is greatly attached
to its breeding-place. Both male and female assist in
building the nest, and the thieving propensities of build-
ing birds often lead. to combats. Brood after brood is
reared in the same nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the House Sparrow vary from four to six
or even seven in number, five being the average clutch.
They vary from bluish-white to pale grayish-brown in
ground colour, more or less thickly mottled, blotched,
and spotted with various shades of brown and gray.
The eggs of this species present considerable variation,
both as regards size, shape, and colour. Certain varieties
are so thickly mottled and spotted that the ground
colour is almost, if not entirely, concealed ; others have
the surface-spots small, ill-defined, and distributed over
the entire surface of the shell ; others have the spots fewer
in number, but large and boldly defined ; whilst others,
yet again, have a zone of colour round the large or small
end. In some the markings are chocolate-brown ; in
others, ash-brown or reddish-brown. Average measure-
ment, ‘9 inch in length, by ‘6 inch in breadth. Incuba-
tion, performed by both sexes, lasts fourteen days. Very
often the eggs are sat upon as soon as laid. It might
also be remarked that in many instances one odd egg in
a ciutch is differently marked than the rest.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any character by which the eggs of the House Sparrow
may always be distinguished from those of allied species.
Eggs of the Tree Sparrow are often indistinguishable ;
as are also eggs of the Pied Wagtail and the Meadow
Pipit. Asa general rule, the situation of the nest is a
safe and unfailing guide to the identification of the eggs.
32, JHE NESTS ANDY EGGS OF SBRITISH, BIRDS,
Family FRINGILLID#. Genus PASSER.
Sub-family -RIVGILLINAE.,
TREE 'S PAR BiOgie
PASSER MONTANUS (Linn@us).
Double Prooded generally. Laying season, April to June
or July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Owing to wide-spread
confusion with the House Sparrow, it is difficult to
trace the breeding area of this species with any detailed
completeness. It is certainly a local bird, and appears
to breed most commonly in the eastern and midland
counties of England, becoming rarer in the north and
west, It breeds very locally in Wales, whilst in Scotland,
although widely dispersed, it seems to be nowhere
common. Its principal breeding area across the border
is from the Lothians to Sutherlandshire on the east
coast ; although in the west, and on the Hebrides, it is
by no means unknown, and I found it breeding even in
remote St. Kilda. In Ireland it is even more local and
sparingly distributed. It is difficult to say whether this
species is slowly extending its range, or becoming
better known and more universally distinguished from
its commoner ally.
BREEDING HABITS: It is more than probable that
the Tree Sparrow pairs for life, inasmuch as the same
nesting-place will be used for a number of years in
succession. In its choice of a breeding-haunt the Tree
Sparrow differs considerably from the House Sparrow.
Although it frequents the neighbourhood of farm-houses
and out-buildings, it is much more of a field-haunting
species, and in a great many cases rears its young in
wild, uncultivated districts. The first nests are usually
commenced towards the end of March. The site chosen
TREE SPARROW. 33
varies considerably, and depends a good deal on the
nature of the haunt. In some localities pollard willows
are the favourite nesting-places; in others, holes in walls
and cliffs, as I found to be the case in St. Kilda, the
sides of old quarries, and even in the deserted nests of
Crows and Magpies. I have also taken the nest from a
hole in the branch of an oak tree. In other cases, a site
is selected under the eaves of a building, or even in a
hole in the thatch. In some few instances (when in old
nests of Crows) the nest is domed and well made, but
as a rule it is a slovenly structure, like that of all or
most hole-builders, cup-shaped, and made of dry grass,
straws, and roots, and warmly lined with feathers, and,
less frequently, wool and hair. I have noticed that this
species becomes very demonstrative when disturbed
at the nest, and evinces much more anxiety than the
House Sparrow usually does. Both male and female
assist in the construction of the nest, in which as many
as three broods are sometimes reared. The Tree
Sparrow is nothing near so gregarious as the House
Sparrow, and each pair of birds keep much to themselves.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Tree Sparrow are from four to six in
number, and vary considerably in colour. Even in the
same clutch one egg is often found much lighter in
colour than the rest. They are grayish-white, or white
with a faint blue tinge in ground colour, spotted and
speckled with rich brown and grayish-brown, and with
underlying markings of violet-gray. On some examples
a few dark lines or streaks occur. The markings are
generally so thickly distributed over the surface as to
hide almost all trace of the pale ground colour; but on
others, where the spots are larger and fewer, this is
not the case, and then the gray underlying markings
are also more conspicuous. Average measurement, ‘79
D
34 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
inch in length, by *55 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by both sexes, but the greater part by the
female, lasts fourteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: As a rule the eggs of the
Tree Sparrow may be distinguished from those of the
House Sparrow by their smaller size and more glossy
texture. They do not vary so much in colour as the
eggs of the latter species. In any case, however, they
require careful identification, as the characteristics are
too poorly defined to be absolutely reliable.
Family FRINGILLID#. Genus FRINGILLA.
Sub-family #RZINGILLINA.
GAGE-E NING
FRINGILLA CHLORIS (Linneus).
Double Brooded. Laying season, April to July, and even
August.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Breeds more or less com-
monly in all the wooded districts throughout the British
Islands. Its breeding area has been largely increased
within the last fifty years, owing to the extensive plant-
ing of trees in many localities.
BREEDING HABITS: The principal breeding-haunts
of the Greenfinch are in the well-cultivated districts, in
shrubberies, parks, and gardens, and in the tall hedge-
rows of the lowland farms, in lanes, and on commons.
The Greenfinch appears to pair annually, although I am
of opinion that each pair of birds remain in company
until two or three broods are reared, a new nest being
made for each. The Greenfinch is remarkably social
during the breeding season, and several nests may
GREENFINCH. 35
frequently be found quite close together. I have seen
two nests in one small yew tree, and many similar
instances have been recorded. The usual site for the
nest of this species is in an evergreen of some kind, a
dense thicket, or a tall hedge, whitethorn, perhaps, by
preference. Other sites are frequently chosen however,
as, for instance, in a gorse bush, amongst a cluster of
woodbine, amongst ivy growing either on walls or trees,
and less frequently fifty or sixty feet from the ground
in a tall elm, either amongst the slender branches, or
lower down, wedged closely into a crevice of the gnarled
and knotted trunk. The nest varies a good deal accord-
ing to locality. Some nests are made externally of twigs,
others of coarse roots, intermixed with scraps of moss,
and lined with finer roots, bits of wool, and quantities of
hair and feathers. In other nests the external material
is dry grass (I have known a nest made almost entirely of
new-mown hay), twigs, and moss. The rim of the nest
is generally well felted together, and the cup is smooth
and neatly finished, although the lining varies a good
deal in quantity and kind of material used. But little
or no care is taken to conceal the nest, but generally the
amount of surrounding foliage hides it from all but very
close scrutiny. The old birds are quiet and seclusive
during the nesting period, and the female is a close
sitter, leaving the eggs with the greatest reluctance.
Both male and female assist in making the nest. Some
nests are much larger and better made than others.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Greenfinch are from four to six in
number, and range from pure white to white tinged with
blue or green in ground colour, somewhat sparingly
speckled and spotted with reddish-brown, and with
underlying markings of grayer brown. As a rule the
spots are largest, most numerous, and deepest in colour
36 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIDS.
at the large end of the egg, where they often form
an irregular zone. In some eggs the pale underlying
markings are large and more numerous than the surface-
spots, and in others a few streaks or small spots of very
dark brown occur. A rare variety is white and spotless.
Average measurement, 84 inch in length, by 55 inch in
breadth. Incubation, chiefly performed by the female,
lasts fourteen days. Sometimes the first egg is sat upon
as soon as laid.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to give
any character by which the egys of the Greenfinch can
be distinguished, either from those of the Crossbill, the
Goldfinch, or the Linnet. Asa rule the eggs are larger
and more boldly spotted than those of the two latter
species, and slightly smaller than those of the former.
The style and situation of the nest are of some service
in their identification.
Family FRINGILLID. Genus FRINGILLA.
Sub-family “RIVG/LLINAE.
GOL DFUNGEH-
FRINGILLA CARDUELIS, Limnc@us.
Double Brooded occasionally. Laying season, May to July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Goldfinch is another
bird whose breeding area has been sadly curtailed by
the bird-catcher and modern improvements. Thirty
years ago, in my part of Devonshire (Torquay) this
charming bird bred in almost every orchard; now
scarcely a pair can be found. It may still, however,
be said to breed more or less sparingly and locally in
all the English counties, becoming most rare in the
GOLDFINCH. 37
extreme north and west. In Scotland it becomes even
more local, although it is known to breed as far north
as Caithness, and in some of the southern districts
appears to be increasing in numbers. It has been
known to breed on one occasion in Skye. In Ireland
it is widely dispersed, but everywhere uncommon and
very local.
BREEDING HABITS: The principal breeding-grounds
of the Goldfinch are orchards and gardens, and the
hedges and shrubberies near them. This bird appears
to pair annually, although it may from time to time
be seen in pairs all through the winter. The nest is
usually made in a fork of some lichen-covered fruit tree ;
less frequently in an evergreen, and sometimes suspended
from a drooping branch of a large tree. Occasionally
it is made in a hedge near the garden or orchard. Few
of our British nests equal that of the Goldfinch in
beauty. It is almost as neatly made as that of the
Chaffinch, the materials being felted in much the same
way, but is smaller, and the garniture of lichens is
not so conspicuous. It is made of moss, vegetable
down, fine roots, and dry grass-stems, cemented with
spiders’ webs and a few bits of lichen, and lined with
feathers, down, and hair. The cup is exquisitely finished,
about two inches in diameter and one inch in depth.
The old birds are remarkably quiet and careful not to
betray the vicinity of the nest, the female sitting closely
until approached.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Goldfinch are four or five in number,
white, with a greenish or grayish tinge in ground colour,
spotted and streaked with purplish-brown, and with
underlying spots of gray. The amount of spots varies
considerably, as also does their intensity of colour, some
being almost black in appearance. As a rule most of
38 LHE NESTS AND EGGS “OF BRITISH Wis.
the spots are displayed on the large end of the egg,
where they often form a zone. most’ local-of
British birds, confined exclusively during the breeding
season to one or two favoured spots in the Bee
in Ross-shire and Inverness-shire.
BREEDING HABITS: The Osprey is a summer migrant
to the British Islands, reaching its breeding-grounds in
Scotland during May. The favourite haunts of this
interesting bird are the wild mountain forests which
clothe the heights among which lochs and ruins abound,
OSPREY, 215
and the quiet lakes sleep calmly in their setting of green-
black firs. In our islands the Osprey is too rare to be
gregarious or social ; but in North America, where it is
a very abundant species, great numbers of birds frequently
live in colonies. The Osprey appears to pair for life,
and yearly to return to its old breeding-place, some of
its eyries having been occupied time out of mind. At
the present day, in the Highlands, the Osprey usually
makes its nest on the flat top of a pine tree, but
formerly it just as frequently selected a battlement
or chimney of some ruin, generally on an island. The
nest is an immense pile of sticks, as much as four fect
high and as many broad—the accumulation of many
years—intermixed with turf and other vegetable matter,
lined with finer twigs and finally with grass, much of it
often green. The cavity containing the eggs is about
twelve inches across and somewhat shallow. The Osprey
is a light sitter, usually leaving the nest long before it is
very closely approached.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Osprey are usually two or three in
number, sometimes as many as four, and remarkably
handsome. They vary in ground colour from white to
pale buff, very boldly and richly blotched, and spotted
with deep reddish-brown, and with underlying markings
of violet-gray. Some varieties are so heavily marked
that all trace of ground colour is concealed on the larger
end of the egg ; other varieties are suffused with a purple
or reddish-orange shade; others have bold irregular
blotches here and there over the entire surface, or princi-
pally distributed in a zone round either end, or round
the middle; whilst others, yet again, are speckled and
spotted with pale orange-red and violet-gray. Some
are handsomely blotched with chestnut-red and blurred
with gray. Average measurement, 2°3 inches in length,
216 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
by 1°85 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly
by the female, lasts from three to four weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, combined with
the exceedingly handsome appearance, readily distin-
guish the eggs of the Osprey from those of all other
species breeding in the British Islands.
Family PHALACROCORACID, Genus PHALACROCORAX,
COR WO oN TE:
PHALACROCORAX CARBO (Li7/@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Cormorant is a com-
mon and very widely dispersed species, breeding in more
or less abundance on all the rocky coasts of the British
Islands, including St. Kilda, the Orkneys, and the Shet-
lands. It also breeds at several inland stations, especially
in Ireland and Wales.
BREEDING HABITS: The Cormorant is a resident in
our islands, but is much more generally dispersed during
autumn and winter. Its favourite breeding-haunts are
ranges of lofty sea-cliffs, and small islands and reefs ;
but many birds frequent inland sheets of water, and
breed near them, miles from the sea. The Cormorant
is a gregarious bird, especially during the nesting season,
and many of its colonies are large. It is not improbable
that this species pairs for life, as the same breeding-
places, in many cases the same nests, are tenanted an-
nually. Such birds as have not paired, however, do so
early in the spring, and all begin to congregate at the
’ CORMORA NT. 27
various nesting-stations. The nest of the Cormorant
may be either on the ground on a low island or reef, on
the ledges of maritime or other precipices, or in lofty
trees and bushes. When on a low reef it is usually
a mass of stalks of the coarser marine herbage, and
sea-weed, lined with bits of green thrift, sea-campion,
and sea-parsley ; when on trees and rock ledges it is
generally a great pile of sticks and twigs, lined with
coarse grass, but the practice of adding green vegeta-
tion of some kind is still adhered to. The birds are
not very demonstrative at the nests, leaving them before
their colony is very closely approached, and usually
retiring to some distance to await the passing away of
the disturbance. I have frequently noticed that when
the nests have been built on cliffs the birds are more
loth to leave them than when placed on the low surface
of an island.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Cormorant are from three to six
in number, but the former amount is most frequently
found. The colour of the shell is a delicate green, but
usually this is entirely concealed (or only visible here
and there) by a thick coating of lime, which may be
easily removed with a pen-knife. The eggs are long and
oval, and vary a good deal in size. Average measure-
ment, 2°7 inches in length, by 1°6 inch in breadth. In-
cubation, performed by both sexes, lasts a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Cor-
morant may generally be distinguished from those of
the Shag (the only species with which they can be
confused in our islands) by their larger size; but this
character is not constant, so that they require careful
identification. It might be remarked that the Shag
nests very frequently in a cave or fissure, or even in a
hole in the cliffs.
218. THE NESTS AND EGGS,OP* BRITISH BIRDS:
Family PHALACROCORACID. Genus PHALACROCORAX,
PHALACROCORAX GRACULUS (Linne@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and beginning of June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Shag is widely and
generally dispersed along our entire coast, wherever
such is recky enough, and contains caves and fissures
in which the bird may find suitable breeding-places.
These are least frequent on our eastern coast-line, and
the Shag consequently is there more local and less
abundant than in more precipitous areas elsewhere.
BREEDING HABITS: The Shag is a resident in our
islands, but given to much local movement during
autumn and winter. Its favourite nesting-haunts are
ranges of maritime cliffs which contain caves and
fissures, but where such are not available the bird often
contents itself with a rocky island, and breeds amongst
the boulders near the beach. The Shag is a gregarious
bird, but owing to its partiality for a cave or a fissure,
the colonies vary considerably in extent, owing to the
amount of accommodation afforded. In some cases the
community consists of only a few pairs; in others of
considerable numbers; whilst not unfrequently odd
pairs may be met with in spots where there is no room
for more. I am of opinion that the Shag, like the
Cormorant, pairs for life, yearly frequenting the same
nesting-place. The nests are either wedged into some
crevice in the sides or roof of, or built on ledges in, an
ocean cave; or in holes in the face of the cliff, some of
them so small at the entrance as scarcely to admit the
parent birds. Less frequently they are made amongst
the strewn rocks and huge boulders near the beach of
SHAG. 219
an islet or reef, or on a ledge of the cliffs, usually where
the rocks overhang considerably. The nests are bulky
structures, wherever the sites admit of elaborate build-
ing, composed externally of sticks, stalks of plants, and
sea-weed, and lined with straw, coarse grass, and turf,
all more or less matted together with droppings, decay-
ing fish, and slime. Many nests are enlarged and
patched up, season by season. The birds sit more
closely than Cormorants usually do, many not leaving
their nests until absolutely compelled. I have often
had actually to drive this species from its eggs.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Shag are usually three in number,
sometimes four or even five, but more often two. They
are clongated, and the shell is of a delicate green, where
it is visible through the more or less thick coating of
lime. Average measurement, 2°5 inches in length, by
15 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts about a month. The eggs are usually sat
upon as soon as laid.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: As a rule the eggs of
the Shag may be distinguished from those of the Cor-
morant by their smaller size, but the rule unfortunately
is not absolute, consequently the eggs require careful
identification. The situation of the nest is of some
service in the matter of identifying them.
220: THE NESTS AND EGGS*OF BRIS BIRDS:
Family SULID/. Genus SULA.
G A NON Ea
SULA BASSANA, Brisson.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Gannet is an abun-
dant but very locally distributed bird in the British
Islands. Its only breeding-places within their area are
as follows:—England: Lundy Island (a few pairs) ;
Wales: Grassholm, off the coast of Pembrokeshire (a
small colony); Scotland (E. coast): the Bass Rock (a
large colony) ; (N. coast), the Stack of Suleskerry (a
large colony) ; (N.W. coast), Sulisker (the largest colony
in our islands); (W. coast), Boreray and adjoining
Stacks in the St. Kilda Group (a very large colony) ;
Ailsa Craig (a large colony); Ireland (S.W. coast):
Little Skellig (a large colony). |
BREEDING HABITS: The Gannet is a resident in the
British seas, but seldom comes near land for any
lengthened period except to breed, and during autumn
and winter wanders about considerably in quest of its
finny prey. It is a very gregarious bird during the
nesting season, congregating in large numbers at certain
favoured ‘spots year by year. The Gannets begin to
return to their breeding-colonies early in spring, nest-
building commencing towards the end of April. The
rude nests are made on the ledges of the ocean cliffs,
amongst the broken rocks at the summit of the
precipices, or on the flat tops of pinnacles and stacks.
Vast numbers of nests are made close together; in
some places so much so that it is well-nigh impossible
to walk amongst them without breaking the eggs. The
nest is not very large, but generally so trodden out of
GANNET. 221
shape as to resemble a mere heaped mass of material,
caked and matted together with slime, droppings, and
filth which smells most offensively, especially on a hot,
close day. It is made of sea-weed, turf, straws, moss,
stalks of thrift and campion, and is frequently patched
up and increased whilst incubation is in progress. The
cavity containing the egg is shallow, almost flat, but the
nest itself is sometimes as much as a foot or more in
height. As the birds nest in such close companionship,
quarrels are of frequent occurrence. The Gannet is a
close sitter, usually remaining on the nest until almost
pushed off, uttering loud cries of angry remonstrance.
It is a noisy bird at the breeding-place, and the din,
loud enough at all times, becomes almost deafening
when the colony is fairly aroused. Many birds may be
seen watching your approach with suspicion, standing
on their solitary egg and rolling it about from side to
side preparatory to flight. No pen can do justice to
the almost overwhelming scene of noisy confusion, as
the birds in thousands skim and float about in the air, or
stand and utter their loud, harsh cries upon their nests.
For further details respecting the Gannet’s colonies I
must refer the reader to my work on Our Rarer birds.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The egg of the Gannet, for, as previously remarked,
but one is laid, is pale bluish-green, but generally so
thickly coated and plastered with lime as to conceal all
trace of the actual colour of the shell. It soon however
becomes discoloured, through contact with the wet, dirty
nest, and the feet of the parent bird, frequently so
much so as to resemble the egg of a Kestrel in tint.
Average measurement, 3°2 inches in length, by 2°0
inches in breadth. The Gannet will lay several eggs in
succession if they are removed. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts about six weeks.
222 THE NESTS AND E2GGS) OR BRUISE (BIRDS:
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The large size and chalky
coating readily distinguish the egg of the Gannet from
those of all other species breeding in our islands with
which it is at all likely to be confused.
Family ANATID/S. Genus CYGNUS.
Sub-family CYGMIN A.
MAC! TES taaNe
CyGNUS OLOR (Gmedin).
Single Brooded. Laying season, March, April, and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: There can be little doubt
that the Mute Swan has never bred in our islands in a
perfectly wild state. In a more or less domesticated
condition, however, it breeds wherever man affords it
his protection, consequently its distribution is a purely
artificial one, and possesses no ornithological interest or
value whatever.
BREEDING HABITS: The Mute Swan is of course a
resident in our islands, but it is not improbable that
occasionally a few really wild birds pay them a visit
from the Continent during winter. In some cases this
Swan is to a certain extent gregarious during the
breeding season, numbers of birds nesting in somewhat
close companionship, but I should say that generally
each pair frequent some chosen spot from which all
intruders are jealously driven. The Swan pairs for life,
and yearly returns to one place to breed, generally
making a new nest annually, but occasionally using the
old one. The nest is a huge, conspicuous structure,
usually placed on an island, or amongst the rank
MUTE SWAN. 223
vegetation on the bank of the pool or stream. It is
made of dead reeds, rushes, and dry grass, and lined with
finer but similar materials, together with a little down
and a few feathers. Both parents assist in its con-
struction, as well as in adding to the structure from time
to time during the progress of incubation, the male
usually collecting, and the female arranging the materials.
The male is also said to sit for a few days in the empty
nest to shape and warm the interior, preparing it for
the eggs. When not actually sitting the male Swan is
generally near the nest, a watchful sentinel, ever ready
to do battle in its defence. It should also be remarked
that the eggs are invariably covered by the female
before she leaves them, the male uncovering them before
he takes his share of the task of incubation, and
remaining on them until his mate has thoroughly dried
her plumage after feeding.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Mute Swan vary from three to twelve,
according to the age of the female. Young females
commence to lay in their second year (sometimes not
until their third or fourth), usually producing from three
to five eggs; from seven to nine will be produced the
next season, and at four years old, ten or twelve. They
are greenish-white, or very pale green, rough in texture,
and with little or no polish. Average measurement, 4°5
inches in length, by 3 inches in breadth. Incubation,
performed by both sexes, lasts from five to six weeks,
according to the state of the season.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Swan
may be readily distinguished from those of any other
species breeding in our islands by their large size.
224 THE NESTS AND EGGS OR PERISH BIRDS.
Family ANATID#. Genus ANSER.
Sub-family AVMSERIN A.
GRAY-LAG (1G © Opi:
ANSER CINEREUS, Meyer.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Nearly a hundred years
have passed since the Gray-Lag Goose bred in the fens
and marshes of East Anglia. Its principal breeding area
now is in the Outer Hebrides, but the bird still continues
to nest in Ross-shire, Sutherlandshire, and Caithness.
In Ireland this Goose breeds in a semi-domesticated
state at Castle Coole, in Co. Monaghan.
BREEDING HABITS: The Gray-Lag Goose is a resi-
dent in the British Islands, but its numbers are increased
during winter by arrivals from more northern latitudes.
The favourite breeding-grounds of this Goose are wild
moors and swamps. Iam of opinion that the bird pairs
for life. It is perhaps more gregarious in winter than in
summer, but even in the breeding season continues its
social instincts, and numbers of pairs very often nest on
a small area of ground. The nest is almost invariably
made on the ground, either amongst the tall heather on
the moors, or in the rank vegetation of the swamps, but
occasionally it is said to be built on the ledge of a rock,
It is a huge structure, as much as three feet in diameter
at the base, and more than a foot high. Externally it is
made, according to the locality, of branches and twigs
of heather, dead rushes and reeds, dry grass, bracken,
leaves, and turf, and lined with moss, and, as incubation
progresses, more and more thickly with down and
feathers, plucked by the female from her breast. This
bird is rather a close sitter, and the male keeps constant
COMMON SHELDRAKE. 225
watch and ward near the nest, ever ready to drive off
intruding birds and beasts.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Gray-Lag Goose are from six to eight
in number, but clutches of twelve and even fourteen
have been recorded. They are creamy-white, and the
shell is without polish. Average measurement, 3°45
inches in length, by 2°35 inches in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The present species is
the only Goose breeding within our limits, consequently
the eggs cannot readily be confused with those of any
other British bird.
Family ANATIDA. Genus TADORNA,
Sub-family 4V4A 7/NA.
CONGO NS She L DRAKE,
TADORNA CORNUTA (S. G. Gmelin).
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Sheldrake
is widely if somewhat locally distributed throughout the
coasts of the British Islands that are suited to its re-
quirements. It breeds on the low sandy portions of the
east and west coasts of England, but is much more local
on the south coast. It also breeds on all the coasts of
Scotland, including the Hebrides ; and the same remarks
apply to the low sandy coasts of Ireland, where,
however, the bird is rarer and more local.
BREEDING HABITS: The Sheldrake is a resident on
the British coasts, but subject to considerable local move-
ment during the non-breeding season. Its favourite
Q
225 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BigiisSH BIDS,
breeding-grounds, never very far from the sea,! are
low-lying sandy coasts, dunes, links, flat sand-banks,
and small islands in sea lochs, and estuaries. I am of
opinion that this handsome Duck pairs for life, and in
many, if not all, cases returns to one particular spot to
breed. It is not a social or gregarious species in our
islands, although numbers of pairs may be met with
breeding along a small stretch of sandy coast. Each
pair, however, keeps to itself’ The nest is made at the
extremity of a burrow, a rabbit-hole being frequently
selected, but sometimes a hole among masonry or under
rocks is chosen, whilst more rarely a spot is preferred
in a dense gorse covert. The bird, exceptionally I
consider, sometimes makes its own burrow, which
is described as being in a nearly circular direction.
The burrow is of various lengths, sometimes as much as
twelve or fifteen feet, sometimes not more than half that
distance. At the end, in a small chamber, the rude nest
of dry grass is formed (a rabbit’s nest is not unfrequently
utilized), and as incubation advances this is warmly
lined with down from the parent’s body. Few nests
are more difficult to find, the birds being remarkably
cautious in leaving or visiting it. The locality may
sometimes be indicated by the male flying round and
round above the burrow, or the secret of the nest
betrayed by the parents at morning and evening, when
the sitting bird is relieved by its mate.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs are from six to twelve in number, sometimes
as many as sixteen; and in cases where they have been
removed as many as thirty have been taken in a season
from a single burrow. They are creamy-white, very
1 Instances of this species breeding on the heaths of Dersingham
and Sandringham, and on a farm at Sedgeford, thirty years ago,
are recorded in Stevenson’s Birds of Norfolk.
COMMON SHELDRAKE. 227
brittle, smooth, and with considerable polish. Average
measurement, 2'7 inches in length, by 1’9 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both sexes, the female sitting
the most, lasts about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this and
most other species of Ducks are readily and safely
identified by the down of the parent bird, which forms
a lining to the nest. It is most important, therefore,
that the collector should take at least a portion of the
down and a few of the small feathers from every nest, a
proceeding which will tend to authenticate his specimens,
and immensely increase the interest and value of his
collection. The down of the Sheldrake is lavender-gray,
mixed with a few almost white tufts. Armed with the
down, the eggs of the present species cannot be confused
by the collector with those of any other Duck breeding
in our islands.
Family ANATIDZ. Genus ANAS,
Sub-family 4NA77NA.
GAD) Wee SIEVE.
ANAS STREPERA, Linnu@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Gadwall is only
known to breed in one portion of our islands, in the
county of Norfolk. Originally only a pair of pinioned
birds that had been taken in Dersingham Decoy, and
turned loose on the lake at Narford, upwards of forty
years ago, were known to breed ; but since that time
their descendants have continued to do so, as well as to
528 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS:
attract really wild birds, so that at the present day this
Duck breeds in some considerable numbers, not only at
Narford, but at Merton and some few other neighbouring
localities.
BREEDING HABITS: The Gadwalls that breed in
England are probably resident, but their numbers are
increased during the winter by arrivals from the Con-
tinent. The Gadwall frequents fresh water rather than
the coast, its favourite breeding-grounds being marshy
heaths and the boggy banks of lakes and meres.
Although several nests may be met with on a com-
paratively small area of ground, the Gadwall is neither
gregarious nor social during the breeding season, each
pair keeping to themselves. It is not improbable that
this species pairs for life,and yearly frequents a chosen
place in which to breed. The nest is rarely if ever
placed far from water, and is frequently made on the
shore of a low island or even on a clump of herbage
surrounded by water. The favourite site seems to be
a tussock of sedge, or beneath the shelter of a tuft of
coarse herbage or reeds in a bog. The nest, which is
deep and well put together, is made of dead leaves, or
dry grass and sedge, somewhat sparingly lined with
down and a few feathers. The bird is rather a close
sitter, but makes little demonstration at the nest,
although when disturbed with her brood she will feign
lameness, just as most other species of this family do.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Gadwall are from eight to thirteen
in number, ten being an average clutch. They are
creamy-yellow, smooth in texture, and show consider-
able polish. Occasionally a scarcely perceptible green
tinge is perceptible. Average measurement, 2°1 inches
in length, by 1°5 inch in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed by the female, is said by some authorities to
PINTALIE (DOCK 229
last about twenty-five days ; but according to Naumann
only twenty-one or twenty-two days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The only safe guide in
identifying the eggs of this species is by the down,
which is brownish-gray, the tufts smaller than those
of the down of the Mallard, and the pale tips almost
imperceptible.
Family ANATID. Genus ANAS.
Sub-family 4VA77NAZ.
Polina A Td 1 Use Kk,
ANAS ACUTA, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Pintail Duck is
another exceedingly rare and local species in our
islands during summer. It has been found breeding
on Hysgeir, off the south coast of Skye; and I have
every reason to believe that it does so on certain small
rocky islets in the Firth of Forth. In Ireland a few
pairs breed at Abbeyleix in Queen’s County, on Loughs
Mask and Corrib in County Galway, and probably in
some parts of Connemara.
BREEDING HABITS: It is difficult to say whether
the Pintails that breed in our islands are resident,
as in autumn great numbers of this Duck visit them
from the north, and remain until the following spring.
The breeding-haunts of this species in our islands are
rocky inlets in quiet loughs and firths, or at some
considerable distance from the mainland. In other
countries, swamps and moors, and the margins of lakes
and ponds are described as its favourite retreats during
230° THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH *BIRDS:
the nesting season. The birds appear to pair annually,
but I suspect many remain mated for life. The nest
is made upon the ground amongst coarse grass and
other vegetation, or under shrubs, or beneath the shelter
of a rock. It is composed of dry grass, withered
sedges and rushes, and dead leaves, lined as the eggs
are laid and incubation progresses with an abundance
of down from the body of the female. The bird sits
closely, but makes little or no demonstration when
flushed.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Pintail are from six to ten in number,
pale buffish-green in colour, smooth in texture, but with
little gloss. Average measurement, 2°15 inches in length,
by 1°5 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the
female, lasts from twenty-three to twenty-seven days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Pintail
cannot always be distinguished from those of the
Mallard, but the down from the nest is a tolerably safe
guide to their identification, being sooty-brown in
colour, distinctly tipped with white, but not so con-
spicuously as that of the Wigeon.
Family ANATID/. Genus ANAS.
Sub-family .4MA TINA.
WIGEON.
ANAS PENELOPE, Linn@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Wigeon, of course, is
best known as a winter migrant to the British Islands,
but a few breed in Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness,
WIGEON. 231
Cromarty, the Orkneys and Shetlands. In Ireland it is
said to breed locally and sparingly in Counties Antrim,
Armagh, Tyrone, and Mayo.
BREEDING HABITS: It is difficult to say whether the
Wigeons that breed with us retire south in autumn
or not, their personality being utterly effaced by the
individuals that pour in from the north at that season.
The breeding-haunts of this Duck are the rough districts
on the borders of the moors close to the limit of forest
growth—scrubby woodlands, swamps, and heaths clothed
with a coarse vegetation, and studded with lakes and tarns
and streams. We still remain in ignorance as to whether
this species pairs for life or not: personally I should
incline to the latter view, after what I have observed of
its economy. So-far as our islands are concerned the
Wigeon cannot be regarded as at all gregarious during
the summer, but in many localities the nests are
sprinkled pretty closely over suitable ground, sug zesting
at least a social tendency. The nest is made ina variety
of situations, sometimes at a considerable distance from
water, but more usually near the lake or tarn-side.
Sometimes it is made amongst heather, at other times
in coarse grass, or beneath the shelter of a stunted bush.
The nest is made of dry grass and withered fragments
of aquatic herbage, warmly lined with down from the
body of the female. The bird is a close sitter, but not
demonstrative when flushed from the eggs.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Wigeon are from six to ten in number ;
in rare instances as many as twelve. They range from
creamy-white to buffish-white in colour, are smooth in
texture, but with little polish, Average measurement,
2°2 inches in length, by 1°5 in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts from twenty-four to
twenty-five days,
232 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Wigeon
never show any trace of oézve in their colouration, so
cannot easily be confused with those of other species.
They somewhat closely resemble those of the Gadwall,
but are a trifle larger; the down, however, serves
to distinguish them, and is sooty-brown with distinct
white tips.
Family ANATID. Genus ANAS,
Sub-family 4A 77NAZ,
COMMVEOIN: “IE At Ie
ANAS CRECCA, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Teal is
locally distributed throughout the British Islands, but
becomes rarer in the Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the
Shetlands. So far as the mainland is concerned this
Duck is certainly commoner in the eastern and northern
counties of England than in the southern and western
counties, and is even more so in Scotland. In Ireland
it is also locally but fairly well dispersed.
BREEDING HABITS: The individual Teals that breed
with us may or may not be resident in our islands ; and
the question is somewhat difficult to decide, for great
numbers of this species visit us in autumn from more
northern localities. The nesting haunts of this charm-
ing little species are the margins of ponds and small
lakes, especially such that are situated in swamps or
marshy country, and where the shore is fringed with a
good growth of reeds, flags, iris, and other coarse vege-
tation. I am of opinion that this Duck pairs for life
a
COMMON TEAL. 233
(a fact which will doubtless be found to apply to the
Anatidze in general). The nest is made upon the
ground, under brambles or amongst heath, sedge, and
coarse grass, either growing by the water-side, or less
frequently at some considerable distance from the pool
in a wooded swamp. I always think a Teal’s nest is a
charming little structure, made as it is of dry grass, bits
of fern-frond, broken sedges and reeds, and lined warmly
with the down from the female’s body. The female. is
a close sitter, but not demonstrative when flushed from
the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Common Teal are from eight to ten in
number ; in rare cases as many as fifteen. They vary
from creamy-white to buffish-white in colour, sometimes
with a faint greenish tinge. Average measurement, 1°7
inch in length, by 1°3 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts from twenty-one to
twenty-two days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Teal
cannot be distinguished with certainty from those of the
Garganey, but fortunately the down in the nest is a sure
culde to their identity, the tufts being small and uniform
dark-brown without any pale tips. From the eggs of
all other Ducks breeding in our area the eggs of the
present species may be at once distinguished by their
small size,
234° THE NESTS AND: EGGS -OF BRITS BIRDS
Family ANATID. Genus ANAS.
Sub-family 44 7/NVA.
GANG ANE
ANAS CIRCIA, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Garganey is yet
another of our rarest and most local birds, and is
perhaps only known with certainty to breed in the
Broad districts of Norfolk and Suffolk. It may possibly
do so in some of the more southern English counties,
but the information is as yet meagre and indefinite.
BREEDING HABITS: The Garganey is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, reaching its breeding-
grounds in East Anglia towards the end of February
and in March. Its nesting haunts are the rough marshy
lands adjoining the open broads and pools—more or
less reclaimed areas of ground studded with tufts of
rushes and hummocks of sedge. The Garganey probably
pairs for life, and appears to migrate in pairs and to
swim in company until the nesting season. The nest
of this species is made in a great variety of situations,
usually on the ground, but an instance is on record
where it was discovered in the stump of a willow tree.
Frequently it is placed near a footpath or even the
public highway. The favourite site appears always to
be the centre of a tuft of sedge, coarse grass, or rushes ;
occasionally it is made in long grass, heather, or even in
erowing corn. It is a rather deep structure, made of
dry grass, dead rushes, leaves, and other vegetable
débris, warmly lined with down. The female is a
remarkably close sitter, but when flushed makes little or
no demonstration.
SHOVELEE I: 235
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Garganey are from eight to fourteen in
number. They vary from creamy-white to buffish-white
in colour, are smooth in texture, but with little polish.
Average measurement, 1°8 inch in length, by 1°35 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by the female, lasts
from twenty-one to twenty-two days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Garganey
cannot be distinguished from those of the Teal, the only
species with which they can possibly be confused; the
down in the nest, however, readily settles their identity,
the tufts being small and brown, wth long white tips.
Family ANATIDA, Genus ANAS,
Sub-family 4A 7/N A,
S) Ts AG) \W9) coil ee IP eg Re
ANAS CLYPEATA, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: In England the Shoveller
is known to breed more or less sparingly in the
counties of Dorset, Kent, Hertford, Cambridge, Norfolk,
Lincoln, Notts, Huntingdon, Stafford, York, Durham,
Northumberland, and Cumberland. In Scotland, Kircud-
bright, East Lothian, Dumbarton, Argyle, Elgin, Ross,
Sutherland, and the island of Tiree in the Hebrides.
In Ireland, in Queen’s County, Galway, Dublin, and
Antrim.
BREEDING HABITS: It is doubtful whether the
individuals of this species that breed in our islands are
resident in them; the evidence seems to suggest a
southern movement in winter. The nesting haunts of
236 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
the Shoveller are the rough marshy lands and swampy
heaths in the vicinity of broads, meres, and sluggish,
weed-choked streams. Plantations of small trees and
belts of wooded country are also resorted to if favourably
situated near to waters frequented by this species. The
Shoveller, if not exactly gregarious during the breeding
season, is certainly social, and several nests may be
found within a comparatively small area of suitable
ground. ‘The nest is made in a variety of situations, in
a tuft of sedge, amongst coarse long grass on a bank, or
growing grain, or on dryer ground in heath. It is a
mere hollow, scantily lined with a little dry grass, sedge,
or dead leaves, and lined with a fair amount of down
and small feathers from the body of the female. The
bird is a close sitter,and when flushed from the eggs
makes little or no demonstration; the case is very
different, however, when the young are hatched.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Shoveller are from seven to fourteen in
number, nine or ten being an average clutch. They are
pale buffish-white with a faint tinge of olive-green (more
pronounced on some eggs than others), fine in texture,
and with some little polish. Average measurement, 2°0
inches in length, by 1°5 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed almost invariably by the female (in one case
at least the cock has been flushed from the eggs), lasts
according to Naumann from twenty-one to twenty-three
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Shoveller
require careful identification, for those of the Pintail
and the Mallard come very close in general appearance.
The down, however, is pretty characteristic, and should
prevent confusion, the tufts being of moderate size,
neutral dark gray with pale centres and very conspicuous
white tips,
MALLARD.
to
Go
N
Family ANATIDZ. Genus ANAS,
Sub-family AWA 77NA?
MeA Te Atk. ®:
ANAS BOSCHAS, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, March, April, May
(exceptionally even in February).
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Mallard is commonly
and generally distributed throughout the British Islands
in all districts suited to its requirements, extending to
the Hebrides, the Orkneys, and Shetlands. It is not so
abundant as a breeding species in England, perhaps, as
was formerly the case, before drainage destroyed many
of its haunts, but it still continues fairly common.
BREEDING HABITS: The Mallard is a res'dent in the
British Islands, but largely increased in numbers during
autumn and winter by arrivals from other lands. The
nesting haunts of this ubiquitous species are of a very
varied character, and extend from the marshes and
swamps of the lowlands to the mountain moors and
wet upland wastes. Water is by no means essential,
and yet in some districts there is scarcely a pond or a
stream that is not frequented by a pair of birds. The
bird is not perhaps gregarious during the breeding season,
but it is to a very great extent a social one, and several
nests may often be found within a few yards. The
Mallard unquestionably pairs for life. The nest is made
in a great variety of situations, and by no means always
on the ground. I have taken nests of this Duck in open
parts of Sherwood Forest, on ground covered with
bracken and studded with thorn trees ; also on the barest
ground under long heather on small islands in the
Highland lochs. Sometimes a deserted nest of a Crow
238 THE NESTS AND: EGGS OF BRATS, BIRDS:
or a Rook, a Wood Pigeon or a Hawk is utilized. Occa-
sionally it is made under the shelter of a peat-wall, in
a boat-house, in a hollow tree-trunk, on the top of a
pollard ; more frequently in a field of corn, or a hedge-
bottom. Very often it is made amongst long rank grass
by the water-side, or in a tuft of rushes or sedge. It is
usually made in a hollow scraped in the ground, and is
composed of dry grass, bracken leaves, moss, heath, or
whatever vegetable refuse is to be obtained in the
vicinity, and warmly lined with down and a few small
feathers from the body of the female. Some nests of
this species are remarkably handsome, and stand as
much as eight or ten inches above the level of the
ground, The bird is a close sitter, and when flushed
makes little or no demonstration, hiding herself as soon
as possible in the nearest cover.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Mallard are from eight to sixteen in
number, twelve being an average clutch. They vary in
colour from pale buffish-green to greenish-buff, are
fine and smooth in texture, and with a faint polish.
Average measurement, 2°3 inches in length, by 1°6 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by the female, lasts
from twenty-six to twenty-eight days. Theeggs of this
species, as is almost universally the case in the Anatide,
are covered for concealment when the parent voluntarily
leaves the nest.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Mallard
rather closely resemble those of the Pintail and the
Shoveller, but the down in the nest renders their iden-
tification safe. The tufts of this are large, neutral gray
in colour, with very faint white tips.
POCHARD.
NO
LoS)
Ne)
Family ANATIDE. Genus FULIGULA.
Sub-family MULIGULINA.
POC Ey a:
FULIGULA FERINA (Linue@us).
Single Brooded. Laying Season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Pochard breeds in
Lancashire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, some of the
Midland Counties, Dorset,and perhaps most abundantly
of all in Norfolk. In Scotland it is known to breed in
South Perthshire and in Fifeshire; whilst in Ireland it
does so in Cos. Sligo, Antrim, and Tipperary.
BREEDING HABITS: It is difficult to say whether the
Pochards that breed with us draw south in winter, as in
autumn large numbers of this species visit our islands
and intermingle with them. The breeding haunts of
this species are large open sheets of water where plenty
of cover in the shape of reeds, rushes, sedges, iris, and
the like clothe the margin, or where the pools are
surrounded by slightly higher ground covered with heath,
furze, and tufts of rushes and coarse grass. The Pochard
is certainly a most social species during the breeding
season, and several nests may often be found close
together. The nest of this Duck is always made near
fresh water, and in many instances is a floating structure
built on a mass of fallen vegetation several yards from
shore, or in a tussock surrounded by shallow water. A
favourite situation is in a tussock of vegetation of some
kind, notably carer, less frequently Sczvpus lacustris.
Sometimes it is made amongst a bed of flags or iris, or
in a crown of rushes. The nest is made of dry grass,
sedge, broken rushes and flags, or any similar aquatic
vegetation readily obtainable, and lined with down and
210 THE NESTS AND ELGGS*CR BRITS BROS
a few feathers from the body of the female. The bird
is a closer sitter, but when flushed makes little or no
demonstration.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Pochard are from eight to twelve or
even fourteen in number, ten being an average clutch.
They are brownish-gray or greenish-drab in colour, and
smooth in texture. Average measurement, 2°4 inches in
length, by 1°7 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by the female, lasts from twenty-five to twenty-eight
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Pochard
cannot be distinguished from exceptionally large eggs of
the Tufted Duck, but the down may be taken as an
important aid to their correct identification, In the
present species the down tufts are large, grayish-brown
in colour, with dull white centres,
Family ANATID-F. Genus FULIGULA.
Sub-family MULIGULIN-E,
SU ET ED Deeks
FULIGULA CRISTATA, Leach.
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of April, May,
and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Tufted Duck breeds
locally throughout the British Islands. In England it
is known to do so in Northumberland, Lancashire,
Yorkshire, Shropshire, Notts, Norfolk, Sussex, Hertford-
shire, Dorset, and Devonshire (at Slapton Ley). In
Scotland it breeds in Roxburghshire, Perthshire, Kinross-
TUFTED DUGK. 241
shire, and Aberdeenshire ; and in Ireland near Loughs
Neagh and Beg, and in some parts of Co. Monaghan.
BREEDING HABITS: The Tufted Duck is by far the
most abundant in winter, but it is hard to say whether
the birds that breed in our area retire south as the
northern contingents arrive. In its choice of a breeding-
haunt the Tufted Duck closely resembles the Pochard,
showing partiality for pools and meres and broads sur-
rounded with rough, hummocky, marshy land, or heathy
and fairly well timbered ground. This Duck probably
pairs for life. I have seen it in pairs at every season of
the year. It is also a remarkably social species during
the breeding season, the males not only swimming in
company, but the females making their nests at no great
distances apart in many cases. The favourite situation
for the nest is a tuft or tussock of sedge, amongst rushes,
in long coarse grass, or beneath the shelter of a stunted
bush. Sometimes a heap of dead reeds is selected. The
nest is a mere hollow, lined with a little dry grass, sedge,
or rush, and an abundance of down from the body of the
female, not unfrequently intermixed with a few feathers
from the male. The bird is a close sitter, but when
flushed flies straight away without any alluring or anxious
movement.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Tufted Duck are usually from eight to
ten in number, but sometimes as many as thirteen or
even fourteen. They are greenish-buff in colour, smooth
in texture, and rather polished. Average measurement,
2°3 inches in length, by 1°6 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts from twenty-five to twenty-
eight days. The eggs are always covered by the female
for concealment when she leaves them voluntarily.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Tufted
Duck cannot safely be distinguished from those of the
R
242, THE NESTS AND. EGGS (OR GRITISH, BIRDS
Pochard, but the down in the nest serves to identify
them. The tufts are small and grayish-black in colour,
with obscure pale centres—much darker than that of the
preceding species.
Family ANATIDA, Genus FULIGULA.
Sub-family AULIGULINA,
CO MALO N se OVE Kt
FULIGULA NIGRA (Linn@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Scoter only
deserves its name during autumn and winter, when its
numbers often blacken the seas, but during the breeding
season it is a rare and excessively local bird. It is at
present only known to breed in small numbers in Caith-
ness, Sutherlandshire, and Ross-shire. It is also said to
breed on the Earnly Marshes near Chichester.
BREEDING HABITS: The Common Scoters that breed
with us so utterly lose their identity in the countless
hordes that pour south in autumn and winter, that it is
a matter of impossibility to say whether they move
more to the south of us at that season or not. The
favourite breeding-haunts of this Duck are the moorland
lakes and rivers close to the sea, especially in such
localities where small birches and willows abound
amongst the broken, heath-clothed ground. I do not
trace much sociability in this species during the breeding
season, but unfortunately naturalists who have studied
the habits of the bird in regions where it is abundant fail
to inform us of the matter. Probably this species pairs
for life, although the data on which the statement is
COMMON SCOTER. 243
founded is more of a general than of a special character.
The nest, placed on an island, if such is to be had, is
merely a hollow lined with a little dry grass, sprigs of ©
heather, dead leaves, and similar refuse, and finished
off with a bed of down from the body of the female.
The bird sits closely, but when flushed flies right
away without manifesting concern for the safety of
the eggs.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Common Scoter are from six to nine
in number, and pale grayish-buff or yellowish-white in
colour, smooth in texture, and with little polish. Average
measurement, 2°5 inches in length, by 1°8 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, is said to last
about twenty-eight days. The eggs are covered for
concealment when left voiuntarily by the female.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Common
Scoter cannot readily be confused with those of any
other species breeding in our area, their size and colour
combined distinguishing them. ‘The eggs of the Goos-
ander resemble them in colour and size, but are heavier,
whilst the colour of the down prevents any confusion.
The down tufts of the Scoter are large, brownish-gray
in colour, with pale centres; that of the Goosander is
grayish-white,
Until more reliable evidence is forthcoming, I must
decline to admit the Golden-Eye (Clangula glaucion)
into a work which deals exclusively with species that
breed within the confines of the British Archipelago.
The bright green colour of the eggs, and the nest placed
in a hollow tree, will readily serve to distinguish them
whenever they may be fortunately discovered.
2n4 THE NESTS: AND EGGS OF BRITS BIRDS,
Family ANATIDE. Genus SOMATERIA.
Sub-family “OLIGULINAZ.
COMMON EMD
SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA (Linne@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June; July
occasionally,
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Eider Duck is
a decidedly northern species, and is only known to
breed in one locality in England, viz. on the Farne
Islands. Northwards it becomes more generally, if
locally, distributed, and may be found breeding from
the Firth of Forth onwards in all suitable localities
round the Scotch coast as far south as Inverness, includ-
ing the adjoining islands, such as the Orkneys and
Shetlands, the Hebrides, and St. Kilda. It is not known
to breed anywhere on the Irish coast-line.
BREEDING HABITS: The Eider is a thoroughly mari-
time species, and only very exceptionally nests at any
considerable distance from the sea. Its favourite breed-
ing-haunts are rocky islands, low in elevation, and well
covered with marine herbage. It is probable that this
species pairs for life. Late in spring the flocks that
have lived in company during the winter begin to
separate more distinctly into pairs, and at this season
there is often considerable rivalry displayed amongst
the males. The female alone makes the nest, the male
rarely if ever visiting it; but. he is usually to be met
with at sea close by the islands where his mate is
brooding. The nest is invariably placed on the ground,
usually amongst bladder-campion or long coarse herb-
age, often on a ledge of rocks or in a crevice. I have
seen it on the edge of the cliffs, several hundreds of feet
COMMON EIDER. 245
above the sea. It is a bulky, well-made structure, com-
posed of coarse grass, dry sea-weed, heather, and bits of
dead vegetation, lined profusely with down and a few
curly feathers from the body of the female, gradually
accumulated as the eggs are laid. Numbers of nests
may be found close together, the birds being more or
less gregarious throughout the year. The bird sits
remarkably close, only leaving the eggs when absolutely
compelled, and often allowing herself to be stroked by
the hand, especially in districts where the birds are
protected for their highly-prized down.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Common Eider are from five to seven in
number, exceptionally as many as eight. They range
in colour from creamy-gray to grayish-green or olive-
green, and are smooth and, wax-like in texture. Average
measurement, 3 inches in length, by 2 inches in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, lasts twenty-eight
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The large size of the eggs
of the Common Eider readily distinguish them from
those of all other species breeding in our area. Down
tufts, moderate in size, and varying from brownish-gray
to grayish-brown, with obscure pale centres.
Family ANATID. Genus MERGUS.
Sub-family JZERGINA.
GOOS A NDE hk:
MERGUS MERGANSER, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Goosander is another
extremely local species, and only breeds in a few
246 THE NESTS AND EGGSLOF BRITISH BIRDS
localities in the Highlands. Up to the present time it
is certainly known to breed in Sutherlandshire, Argyle-
shire, and Perthshire. It seems probable that the bird
is on the increase as a breeding species in our area, and
may yct be detected doing so in Ireland.
BREEDING HABITS: The favourite breeding-haunts of
the Goosander are open swampy forests full of lakes
and rockbound streams. It is not improbable that this
species pairs for life, and yearly resorts to one locality
to breed. The nest is generally placed ina hole in a
tree, but in localities where such is not available, a cleft
or crevice in a rock or cliff, or a cavity amongst exposed
tree-roots by the water-side is used instead. The nest .
is slight, especially when in a hole in a tree, when the
dust at the bottom serves for the bed of the first eggs,
but as the full clutch is laid,a warm lining of down is
added. The bird is a close sitter.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Goosander are from eight to twelve in
number; sometimes thirteen have been found. They
are creamy-white in colour, glossy, and smooth in
texture... Average measurement, 2°7 inches in length,
by 1°8 inch in breadth. Incubation, presumably per-
formed entirely by the female, lasts twenty-eight days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The situation of the nest,
the colour of the down (tufts large, and uniform grayish-
white),.and the creamy tint of the eggs prevent any
confusion with those of other allied species breeding in
our area.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 247
Family ANATID. Genus MERGUS.
Sub-family ERGINAZ.
Mia-BREASTED MERGANSER.
MERGUS SERRATOR, Linncus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: It is somewhat remark-
able that the Red-breasted Merganser does not breed in
England, seeing that it does so in the same latitude
in Ireland. From the Clyde northwards the present
species breeds in all suitable localities, both inland and
maritime, up to the Orkneys and the Shctlands, and
west to the Hebrides, but not; so far as I can learn, to
St. Kilda. In Ireland it is equally widely dispersed,
both inland and on the coasts, but appears to be much
less numerous.
BREEDING HABITS: The principal breeding-grounds
of the Red-breasted Merganser are the quiet, secluded
shores of lochs and inland waters, and low rocky islands,
especially such as stud the fijords and inlets of the coast.
This species probably pairs for life. It can scarcely be
regarded as gregarious during the breeding season,
although numbers of nests may be found within a small
area of suitable ground. The nest is usually made under
the shelter of a rock or a bank, but rabbit-burrows and
crevices in walls are sometimes selected. Occasionally
it is made amongst long heath or furze close to the
water-side. The nest is scanty enough ; in many cases
dispensed with altogether, the eggs lying on the bare
ground until sufficient down accumulates to cover them.
It is merely a slight arrangement of dry grass and
leaves, but eventually the warm lining of down is added
which makes a luxurious bed for the eggs. The hen is
248 THE NESTS AND EGGSVOPIRRLUISA BIRDS,
a close sitter, and when disturbed slips quietly from the
eggs and quits the place with little or no demonstration.
The male is never seen at the nest, but is usually to be
met with on the water adjoining.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Red-breasted Merganser are from eight
to twelve in number. They are uniform olive-gray, of
various shades in colour, smooth in texture, and some-
what glossy. Average measurement, 26 inches in length,
by 1°7 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the
female, lasts twenty-eight days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the present
species may be confused with those of the Scaup—those
of the Pochard are much smaller—but the down (tufts
large, pale brownish-gray, with obscure pale centres and
tips) readily prevents confusion, and should be taken in
every case for correct and perfect identification,
Family ARDEID/E. Genus ARDEA.
COMM ONSET E RON:
ARDEA CINEREA, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Heron is
widely distributed throughout the British Islands, breed-
ing in every part, with the exception of the treeless
Outer Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands. Its
colonies, however, are local, and in Scotland and Ireland
small in comparison with those in England.
BREEDING HABITS: The Heron is a resident in our
islands. Its favourite breeding-places are woods, plan-
COMMON HERON. 249
tations, and groves of trees on islands, but in localities
where suitable trees cannot be found, a ledge of a cliff, a
ruin, or even the ground is chosen. The presence of
water is not essential to a heronry. This bird breeds in
societies like Rooks, and as it probably pairs for life,
yearly returns to one favourite spot to breed. Some of
our British heronries have been in use from time imme-
morial. The nest of this species is built in a great
variety of situations, on trees of all kinds, especially firs
and larches, on ivy-clad ruins, on the ledges of crags and
cliffs, and amongst heather on the hill-sides. In some
cases a heronry will be established in or near a rookery.
The nest is usually a bulky flat platform of sticks,
generally at some distance from the trunk on a broad
horizontal branch, less frequently on the top of a tree, or
in a wide fork close to the stem. The finer sticks are used
for the interior, which is sometimes further embellished
with turf and moss. The nests vary a good deal in size,
some of them being very large, and evidently the accu-
mulation of years, and all are more or less whitewashed
with droppings. Some trees contain but one nest, others
two or three, according to the amount of accommodation
offered, or the caprice of the birds. When the colony is
invaded the big gray birds flutter from their nests, their
wings crashing against the branches, and all is soon in
silent commotion. As long as the intrusion lasts the
birds continue to soar above their nests, now high, now
low ; every now and then a bird dropping on to its
home as soon as the intruder is a safe distance away.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Heron are from three to five in number.
They are greenish-blue in colour, more or less elliptical
in shape, without polish, chalky, and rough in texture.
They also vary a good deal in tint, some being much
brighter and bluer than others. Average measurement,
ete “LHE NESTS-AND EGGS"OF GAITISH (BIRDS.
2°5 inches in length, by 1°7 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by both sexes, lasts twenty-five or twenty-six
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, colour, and
texture of the eggs of the Heron readily distinguish
them from those of any other species breeding in our
islands.
Before drainage and modern land improvement
destroyed its strongholds, the Bittern (Lotauris stellarts)
bred regularly in the fens and marshes of East Anglia,
in various parts of Scotland, and in Ireland. There can
be little doubt that this species does not breed anywhere
in our islands at the present time. The fact could
scarcely be overlooked, as the birds would be sure to
attract attention by their singular booming cry. The
eggs are laid in April and May, sometimes as early as
March. ‘The nest is built upon the swampy ground,
amongst dense aquatic vegetation, and is composed of
dead and rotting reeds, flags, and other herbage—a mere
heap of rubbish, with a shallow cavity at the top. The
eggs are from three to five in number, four being an
average clutch. They are uniform brownish-olive or
buff in colour, very similar in tint to those of the Phea-
sant. It may also be remarked that the interior of the
shell when held up to the light is brown, not green as is
universally the case with the true Herons. Average
measurement, 2°1 inches in length, by 1°5 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, lasts from
twenty-three to twenty-five days. Only one brood is
reared in the year.
STONE CURLEW. 251
Family GQ@DICNEMID. Genus CEDICNEMUS.
>» LONE .C UR BEAN.
CEDICNEMUS CREPITANS, Zemminck.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Stone Curlew is
another local species confined during the breeding season
to the eastern and southern counties of England, as far
north as Yorkshire, and as far west as Dorset. It breeds
on the heaths and wolds of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire,
Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, southwards
through Beds, Herts, Bucks, Oxfordshire, Berks, Wilts,
Dorset, Hants, Sussex, and Kent. Exceptionally it has
been known to nest in Worcestershire, Rutland, and
Notts.
BREEDING HABITS: The Stone Curlew is a summer
migrant to our islands, but a few individuals remain to
winter in the extreme south-west of England, in
Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. It usually arrives in
England in April. The breeding-haunts of this species
are heaths, downs, sandy commons, and warrens—bare,
treeless districts. It is probable that the Stone Curlew
pairs for life, inasmuch that the bird returns annually to
favourite haunts, and continues to nest in them season
after season, It is not gregarious, although several pairs
may frequently be observed nesting within a small area.
The nest is invariably on the ground, and consists of a
mere hollow scraped out on some bare spot amongst the
heather or other vegetation, often on ground strewn with
pebbles. No lining appears ever to be inserted in this
country, although in India a little dry grass is sometimes
used. The bird sits very lightly, running or flying off
its eggs at the least alarm, and leaving them to the safety
their protective tints ensure.
233 THE NESTS. AND EGCS, OF BRITISH BIRDS:
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Stone Curlew are invariably two in this
country, but Hume states that in India three are some-
times found. They range from clay-colour to yellowish-
white in ground, blotched, spotted, or streaked with brown
of various shades, sometimes nearly black, and with
underlying markings of violet-gray. Two very distinct
types are presented, one blotched and spotted with light
and dark brown, the other streaked with similar colour ;
both being marked with gray. On some varieties most
of the spots form a zone round the larger end of the egg ;
on others the markings are evenly distributed over the
entire surface. On some the blotches are more or less
connected with streaks. A rare variety has few markings
of any kind. On some the surface-spots predominate ;
on others the gray underlying ones are most numerous.
Average measurement, 2°1 inches in length, by 1°5 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts,
according to Naumann, about seventeen days; other
authorities state a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Stone
Curlew are very characteristic, and can only possibly be
confused with those of the Oystercatcher, from which,
however, they may be distinguished by their smaller size
and paler markings, brown rather than black.
LAPWING, 253
Family CHARADRIID. Genus VANELLUS.
Sub-family CHARADRIINA.
x PAW A ING:
VANELLUS CRISTATUS, Wolf and Jeyer.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Lapwing is generally
distributed throughout the British Islands during the
nesting season, breeding in almost every part, including
the Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands, but
certainly preferring high ground for the purpose,
especially in the south.
BREEDING HABITS: The Lapwing is a resident in
our islands, but its numbers are increased during autumn
and winter by arrivals from the Continent, whilst the
indigenous birds wander about a good deal, many leaving
the more northern and exposed districts entirely, during
the latter season. The breeding-haunts of the Lapwing
embrace a great variety of scenery. It may be found
nesting on moorlands (though not at such an altitude
as the Golden Plover), commons, heaths, rough fallows,
fields of grain, pastures, and marshes, Although great
numbers of birds often breed on a small area of ground,
the Lapwing cannot be said to nest in colonies, but it is
social enough right through that period. The nest is
invariably placed on the ground, either in a little
natural hollow, or in the footprint of a cow or horse,
or even scraped out by the bird itself, It is frequently
under the shelter of a tuft of rushes, or even in the
centre ; often on the top of a mole-hill, or on the bare
turf or ground amongst the growing grain. The hollow
is lined with a few bits of dry herbage, but in many
cases even this slight provision is omitted. The Lap-
as4 THE NESTS AND £GGS GF GRiISe BIDS:
wing is a light sitter, rising from its eggs at once and
flying about the air overhead in a restless, erratic
manner, uttcring its mewing cry, and generally becom-
ing most demonstrative when furthest from its nest.
The eggs are most difficult to find, so closely do they
resemble surrounding objects.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Lapwing normally are four in number,
but instances of five have been recorded. They are
pear-shaped, and range from buffish-brown of various
shades to pale olive and olive-green, rarely to delicate
bluish-green in ground colour, richly. blotched and
spotted with blackish-brown and paler brown, and with
underlying markings of ink-gray. Usually most of the
markings are large and confluent, and most abundant
on the larger end of the egg, the smaller spots being
more sparingly distributed over the remainder of the
shell. A common variety has the markings principally
displayed in a zone round the larger end of the egg;
another has them evenly distributed over the entire
surface, small and often streaky. Rarely they are
very sparingly marked, especially when the ground
colour is pale blue. Average measurement, I’9 inch in
length, by 13 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts from twenty-five to twenty-six
days. If the first clutches of eggs be taken, others will
be laid.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Lapwing
are very characteristic, and can only be confused in our
islands with those of the Golden Plover, from which
however they are readily distinguished by their smaller
size and browner (not yellow) general appearance.
GOLDEN, PLOVER. 2
we
al
Family CHARADRIID#. Genus CHARADRIUS.
Sub-family CHARADRIINA,
GOLDEN PLONE RR:
CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS, Linnc@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Next to the Lapwing the
Golden Plover is the most widely distributed species of
the present sub-family breeding within our limits. It
breeds sparingly and locally in Devonshire and Somer-
set, in various parts of Wales, including the heights of
Breconshire, and thence to the moorlands of Derbyshire.
From this latter locality northwards along the Pennine
area,and throughout Scotland to the Orkneys and Shet-
lands, and westwards to the Hebrides, it becomes more
abundant, breeding commonly in all districts suited to
its requirements. In Ireland it is equally common and
widely dispersed, breeding on the moors and mountain
heaths.
BREEDING HABITS: The Golden Plover is a resident
in our islands, but its numbers are increased during
winter, and our local birds wander from their upland
haunts to the littoral districts at that season. This
handsome Plover retires to its breeding-grounds in
March and April. These are situated on the upland
moors and mountain plateaux, thousands of feet above
sea-level in some localities, almost on it in others. The
bird cannot be said to nest in colonies, but many pairs
may be found breeding within a small area, and through-
out the summer it is to a great extent a social, even
gregarious species. This Plover appears to pair annually,
and generally after arrival at the breeding-grounds.
The nest is invariably on the ground, sometimes behind
256 THE NESTS AND EGGS ORIGRITISH BIRDS,
a tuft of cotton-grass, or on a clump of herbage, some-
times amongst short heath, and rarely on bare ground.
It is merely a hollow, scantily lined with a few bits of
withered herbage or dry grass. The bird is a light
sitter, rising from its nest as soon as the moor is
invaded, and often seeks to decoy an intruder from the
vicinity, or by a nonchalant manner (especially in the
male) endeavour to put him off the scent.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Golden Plover are four in number,
pyriform in shape, and very large for the size of the
parent. They are buff of various shades in ground
colour, boldly and richly spotted and blotched with
dark purplish-brown and blackish-brown, and with a
few small underlying markings of gray. Most of the
blotches are generally on the larger end of the egg.
Average measurement, 2°0 inches in length, by 1°4 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
from sixteen to twenty days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Golden
Plover can only be readily confused with those of the
Lapwing in our islands, from which however they are
distinguished by the absence of olive (they are a richer
buff in general appearance) and their larger size.
DOTTEREL. 257
Family CHARADRIIDZ. Genus EupRoMIAs.
Sub-family CHARADRITNA.
WOT! Beer te:
EUDROMIAS MORINELLUS (Livm@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, June and early July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Dotterel is one of
the rarest and most local birds that breed within the
area of the British Islands. It is more than doubtful
whether this species now breeds in any part of England,
although formerly it used to do so on many of the chalk
ranges in the south, and more recently in the Lake district
and on the Cheviots. It now breeds sparingly on the
hills of Dumfries-shire, more frequently on the Grampians
in North Perthshire, and on the borders of Inverness-
shire and Ross-shire. It has been known to nest on the
Orkneys. In Ireland it is of only accidental occurrence,
never having been known to breed.
BREEDING HABITS: The Dotterel is a summer migrant
to our islands, reaching them in small parties towards
the end of April or early in May. All through the
summer the Dotterel continues more or less gregarious
and social, and numbers of nests may be found within
a small area of suitable ground. The favourite breeding-
haunts of this species are wild uplands and plateaux, the
rough, hummocky moorlands or tundras, spread with
boulders and clothed with moss, cranberries, and other
mountain vegetation. Upon their first arrival the birds
are in flocks, but these soon separate more distinctly
into pairs and retire to the breeding-places. The nest is
invariably placed on the ground, amongst the short moss
or grass near the mountain-tops, or on the open moor.
Nest it can scarcely be called, for it is simply a hollow
s
258 THE NESTS AND EGGS ‘OF BRITISH BIRDS.
amongst the vegetation, with no lining of any kind
beyond that which is already in the selected spot. The
bird as a rule sits very lightly, leaving the eggs at the
first alarm, running along the ridges and occasionally
taking a short flight, then returning and standing to
watch the intruder; again passing to and fro, and not
daring to visit the nest until all but the most untiring
patience is exhausted. When the eggs are discovered
various allurins antics are frequently practised, and at
times, especially if the eggs are much incubated, the
parent will remain upon them more closely, then start
suddenly up, and reel and tumble as if wounded.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Dotterel are always three in number,
and vary a good deal in form, some being rotund, others
very distinctly pear-shaped, others oval, They vary in
ground colour from yellowish-olive to pale buff, richly
blotched and spotted with dark brown, and with a few
underlying markings of gray. The markings are bold
and large, and most numerous on the larger end of the
egg, although they are pretty generally dispersed over
the entire surface. Average measurement, 1°6 inch in
length, by 11 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
chiefly by the male, lasts from eighteen to twenty-one
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Dotterel
are very characteristic, and can only be confused with
those of the Arctic Tern, but asa rule the underlying
markings on those of the latter species are bolder and
more numerous. The breeding-grounds of the two
species are also widely dissimilar.
KENTISH PLOVER. 259
Family CHARADRIID. Genus AZGIALOPHILUS.
Sub-family CHA RADRIINZ.
eee dS Eo StAN 1 re One. ix.
AEGIALOPHILUS CANTIANUS (Latham).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Kentish Sand Plover
is one of the rarest birds that breed in the British Islands,
and one that will probably soon be utterly exterminated
as a nesting species, if the greed of collectors is to be
allowed to go on unchecked. Its only nesting-places are
on certain parts of the coasts of Kent and Sussex.
BREEDING HABITS: The Kentish Sand Plover is a
summer migrant to our islands, arriving towards the end
of April or early in May. It is a salt-water species, and
frequents sandy beaches intermingled with stretches of
shingle during the season of reproduction. It is by no
means an unsocial bird, and may be seen in small parties
all through the summer, several pairs frequently nesting
within a small area of favourable coast. It is not im-
probable that this species pairs for life, as every year the
same favourite spots for nesting are tenanted, and the
young and old of a family keep much together during
autumn. The Kentish Sand Plover makes no nest,
merely laying its eggs in a little hollow amongst the
sand or shingle, or on a drift of dry sea-weed and other
ocean refuse. The bird sits lightly, leaving its eggs
at the least alarm to that safety their protective tints
ensure ; sometimes feigning lameness, especially if the
eggs be near maturity.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Kentish Sand Plover are usually three,
but frequently four in number. They range from light
260 THE NESTS AND EGGS CF ehiaiss. BIRDS
to dark buff in ground colour, blotched, scratched, and
spotted with blackish-brown, and with underlying mark-
ings of slate gray. Two distinct.types are noticeable.
The first and most usual type has the markings in the
form of specks and streaks, with a few larger blotches
between; the second is more uniformly blotched and
spotted, the streaks being not so prominent. Average
measurement, I'2 inch in length, by ‘9 inch in breadth,
Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, lasts from
twenty-one to twenty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Kentish
Sand Plover cannot readily be’ confused with those of
any other species breeding in our islands, the scratchy
character of the markings distinguishing them ata glance.
They might be confused with some varieties of those of
the Lesser Tern, but the markings are always very charac-
teristic, and the shape is constantly more pyriform.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus AEGIALITIS.
Sub-family CHARADRITN-E.
GREATER RINGED (PE@ NE
fEGIALITIS HIATICULA MAJOR (Z7yistram).
Single Brooded. Laying season, middle of April to beginning
of June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The large race of the
Ringed Plover is widely and generally distributed on
the flat sandy coasts of the British Islands, from the
Orkneys and Shetlands in the north, the Hebrides in
the west, to the Channel Islands in the south. It also
frequents the banks of rivers and lochs in many inland
localities.
GREATER RINGED PLOVER. 251
BREEDING HABITS: This Ringed Plover is resident
in our islands, but subject to much local movement
during the non-breeding season. Its favourite breeding-
grounds are long reaches of sandy coast, or the sand-
banks and shingly shores of rivers and lakes. Although
not exactly breeding in colonies, it remains to a certain
extent gregarious during the summer, and numbers of
pairs may be found nesting within a small area. Early
in April the large flocks break up into smaller parties of
paired birds, which retire to their usual nesting-places,
the bulk of them finding accommodation on the coast.
Rarely the nest, however, may be found at some con-
siderable distance from water of any description. The
Ringed Plover makes no nest. In some cases a little
hollow is scraped in the sand, but very often even this
slight provision is dispensed with. The eggs, however,
are always laid well above the usual tide-mark, and on
the fine sand rather than on the shingle. The bird sits
very lightly. Indeed if the sun shines brightly she is
on the eggs but little during the daytime. As soon as
the breeding-place is invaded by man the ever-watchful
birds slip off their eggs, as a rule manifesting little con-
cern for their safety, seemingly conscious that they are
rendered safe by their protective colour,which harmonizes
so well with surrounding objects that only a close search
can discover them.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Ringed Plover are four in number,
pyriform in shape, and smooth in texture. They are
pale. buff or stone-colour in ground, somewhat sparingly
spotted and speckled with blackish-brown, and with
underlying markings, similar in character, of ink-gray.
The spots are generally small and evenly distributed
over the surface, but most numerous and largest on the
big end of the egg. The range of variation is not very
262 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
large or pronounced. Average measurement, 1°4 inch
in length, by 1'0 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts from twenty-one to twenty-three
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Ringed
Plover cannot easily be confused with those of any other
species breeding in our islands, the small, nearly black
markings (spots) being very characteristic.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus HA:MATOPUS,
Sub-family ZOTANINA.
OY SpE RCA T Ch EAR.
HAMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS, Linne@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Oystercatcher, south
of Yorkshire and Lancashire, is a somewhat local bird
during the breeding season, but north of those localities
it becomes much more common, and nests on all parts
of the Scottish coasts suited to its requirements, includ-
ing the Orkneys and Shetlands, the Hebrides, and St.
Kilda. In Scotland it also breeds in many inland
districts in the courses of the rivers and on the banks of.
various lochs. It is also widely and generally distributed
throughout the coasts of Ireland.
BREEDING HABITS: The Oystercatcher is a resident
in our islands, but many birds leave the more north-
ern localities during winter, and its numbers are also
increased at that season by individuals from the Con-
tinent. The favourite breeding-grounds of this species are
stretches of rough pebbles, shingly beaches, low islands,
OVSTERCATCHER. 263
and rock-stacks. The flocks begin to disband in early
spring, and to disperse to the breeding-places. We can
scarcely regard the Oystercatcher as gregarious in
summer, but it is certainly sociable, and numbers of
nests may be found at no great distance apart; never-
theless each pair of birds keep a good deal to them-
selves and to a chosen haunt until the young can fly. I
have taken several nests within a few hundred yards,
and seen as many as a dozen birds in the air together
screaming above their breeding-grounds. The nest of
this species scarcely deserves the name. It is little
more than a hollow in the shingle, in which the bits of
broken shells and pebbles are somewhat neatly arranged.
Frequently the eggs are laid on a drift of sea-weed or
other ocean refuse. Curious sites are sometimes selected.
I have taken the eggs from lofty rock-stacks, and amongst
boulders in a little cove, whilst they have been discovered
in the deserted nest of a Herring Gull. Usually several
mock nests may be found quite close to the one contain-
ing the eggs, as if the birls had made several before
they were satisfied. The bird sits very lightly, generally
rising from the eggs as soon as an intruder is detected,
and flying wildly about, uttering their shrill, clear notes.
The eggs resemble the surroundings so closely that they
are usually found with difficulty, and only after careful
search amongst the rougher shingle.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Oystercatcher are usually three, some-
times four, and less frequently only two in number.
They are pale- or brownish-buff in ground colour,
blotched, spotted, and streaked with blackish-brown, and
with underlying markings of gray. On some varieties
the markings are very streaky ; on others they take the
form of well-defined spots and small, irregular blotches;
either uniformly distributed over the entire surface, or
254° THE NESTS AND EGGS OP VERITISH BIRDS:
most of them forming a zone round the larger end of
the egg. Average measurement, 2°2 inches in length,
by 15 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the
female, lasts from twenty-three to twenty-four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Oyster-
catcher are very characteristic, and as a rule cannot
easily be confused with those of any other species
breeding in our islands. Some varieties rather closely
approach certain types of the eggs of the Stone Curlew,
but they are larger, and the spots are always darker and
more clearly defined. The breeding-grounds of the two
species are also very different.
Family CHARADRIIDE. Genus TOTANUS.
Sub-family ZOTANINA.
ROU EE.
TOTANUS PUGNAX (Liun@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Ruff formerly bred
commonly in many parts of England, but since the
reclamation of so much marsh land it has become very
restricted in its distribution. Doubtless inccssant perse-
cution by gunners and collectors has had considerable
influence in exterminating the Ruff from our shores, -
and the day is probably not far distant when it wiil
cease to breed within their limits. Ten years ago a
female was shot from her nest in Lincolnshire! A
few pairs still continue to breed, or attempt to do so,
in Norfolk.
BREEDING HABITS: The Ruff is a summer migrant to
the British Islands, reaching them towards the end of
RUFF. 265
April or during the first half of May. Its haunts during
the breeding season are in swamps and marshes, wet
ground covered with rough hummocks of coarse grass
fang etuits of sedge rushes and the like; “The Ruff is
polygamous, one male pairing with several females, and
taking no share in nesting duties ; consequently we find
this species more or less gregarious until the hilling or
pairing season is over, when the hens or Reeves go off
to incubate their eggs alone. During the mating season
the birds congregate at chosen mounds and the males
fight for the possession of the females, but as this portion
of their economy does not relate very closely to the nest
and eggs we may dismiss it without further notice. The
nest of the Reeve is made on the ground in the swamps,
usually in the centre of a tuft of sedge or coarse grass.
It is merely a hollow, lined with a few bits of withered
herbage and dead leaves. The female is a close sitter,
but is not very demonstrative at the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Ruff, or as we might with more pro-
priety say Reeve, are four in number. They vary from
ercenish-gray to grayish-green in ground colour, spotted
and blotched with reddish-brown, and with underlying
markings of grayish-brown. As a rule most of the
markings are on the larger end of the egg, and they are
bolder there than elsewhere and often confluent. Aver-
age measurement, 1°7 inch in length, by 1°2 inch in
breadth. Incubation, performed by the female, is said
by Tiedemann to last sixteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Ruff are
characteristic, and not readily confused with those of any
other species breeding in the British Islands, with the
one possible exception of those of the Redshank. From
them, however, they may be distinguished by their grayer
or greener ground colour (not so yellow).
266 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus TOTANUS.
Sub-family ZOTANIN A.
CO.M MOM (SAAD Tale ke
TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS (Limn@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Sandpiper’s
distribution in our islands is very similar to that of the
Ring Ouzel. Commencing in the extreme south-west of
England, we find the bird breeding sparingly in Cornwall,
Devon, and Somerset, northwards through Wales, where
it becomes more abundant, to the Peak district. From
this latter locality, northwards, it is common and widely
distributed throughout the north of England, and all
over Scotland up to the Orkneys and the Shetlands,
and westwards to the Hebrides. It is also widely and
generally distributed in Ireland.
BREEDING HABITS: The Common Sandpiper is a
summer migrant to our islands, reaching them in April
or early May; a few individuals, however, winter on our
shores, but these may not be birds breeding in our area.
The haunts of this lively and engaging little Sandpiper
are the gravelly banks of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, lochs,
and streams. It is not gregarious nor even social during
the breeding season, althcugh several nests may be found
within a few hundred yards, each pair, however, keeping
to themselves. Iam of opinion that the Common Sand-
piper pairs for life, and yearly returns to one particular
haunt to breed, in spite of continual disturbance. The
nest is invariably placed on the ground, and generally,
but not always, near the water. A favourite site is on
a rough bank clothed with a thin, scattered growth of
grass, heath, and other plants ; another equally favourite
position is beneath a little bush of heath or bilberry, or a
COMMON SANDPIPER. 267
tall weed on a bare stretch of sandy ground strewn with
pebbles. Instances are on record of its being built in
gardens and orchards, in turnip-fields and in woods.
The nest is merely a hollow scratched out and lined with
scraps of dead heath, withered bents, leaves, and some-
times dry pine needles. The Common Sandpiper sits
closely, especially if the eggs are much incubated, and
when flushed reels and tumbles along the ground with
apparently broken wings to lure the intruder away.
Sometimes, however, the sitting bird slips quietly off
the nest, running for a few yards before taking wing, as
soon as danger threatens, and then the eggs are dis-
covered with difficulty, as they resemble surrounding
objects in a very remarkable manner.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Common Sandpiper are four in number,
and pyriform in shape. They vary from yellowish-white
to pale creamy-buff in ground colour, richly blotched
and spotted with pale and dark reddish-brown, and with
underlying markings of violet-gray. The markings as
a rule are not very large, but are usually most abundant
on the larger end of the egg. Average measurement,
1°5 inch in length, by 1°1 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed chiefly by the female, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this species
cannot readily be confused with those of any other bird
breeding in our islands, their size, buff ground colour,
and comparatively small markings being very character-
istic. It is, however, impossible to distinguish certain
varieties of the eggs of the Wood Sandpiper from those
of the present species, but this bird does not now breed
in our islands, as will be seen below.
The Wood Sandpiper (TYotanus glareola) having once
been known with absolute certainty to breed in our
268 THE, NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
islands, calls for some passing notice. Its eggs were
obtained by the late Mr. Hancock, forty years ago, on
the now drained Prestwick Car, in Northumberland.
Its eggs are also reputed to have been taken in Elgin.
It is therefore not improbable that odd pairs of this bird
may breed from time to time in the British Archipelago.
The breeding season of this Sandpiper begins early in
May in southern haunts. The nest is usually made on
a bit of dryer ground near swamps, in willow thickets,
or amongst heath sedge and coarse grass. It is merely
a hollow, scantily lined with a few bits of dead herbage.
The eggs are four in number, pyriform in shape, and
vary from creamy-white or pale buff to very pale olive-
brown in ground colour, boldly blotched and spotted
with rich reddish-brown, and with a few underlying
markings of pale brown. Average measurement, 1°45
inch in length, by Io inch in breadth. It may be
remarked that the eggs of the Wood Sandpiper cannot
readily be confused with those of any other species breed-
ing in our islands—provisionally, excepting those of the
Green Sandpiper, a species that may yet be detected
nesting in them. The Wood Sandpiper only rears onc
brood in the ‘season, and incubation, performed chiefly
by the female, lasts about twenty-one days.
REDSHA NE. 269
Family CHARADRIID#.
Sub-family ZOZTANINA,
REDS Ans
TOTANUS CALIDRIS (Linn@us).
Genus TOTANUS.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Redshank is generally
though locally distributed over most of the marshy
districts of the British Islands, becoming most common
in the eastern counties of England, and even abundant
in many parts of Scotland, extending to the Orkneys
and the Shetlands, and sparingly to the Outer Hebrides.
It is also fairly well distributed over the marshy tracts
of Ireland during summer.
BREEDING HABITS: The Redshank is a resident in
the British Islands, but subject to considerable local and
southern movement during the non-breeding season.
Its haunts also vary a good deal according to season,
littoral districts being preferred during winter, but the
breeding-grounds are more or less inland. Early in
spring a movement is made to the nesting-places, which
are usually swampy moors, fen and marsh lands, and
the boggy shores of mountain lochs. The Redshank is
more or less gregarious during the breeding season, and
numbers of nests may frequently be found within a
small radius of suitable ground. It is probable that this
bird pairs for life, as yearly certain haunts will be
frequented, and it is also much attached to a favourite
site, and has been known to visit it season by season
after the district had quite changed in character.
During the mating season the male bird is often to be
seen trilling high in air, alighting in trees, and displaying
its graces in various amatory ways. The nest, if slight,
270 THE. NESTS AND EGGS OF SRITISH BIRDS;
is usually well concealed, and always made upon the
ground, often under the shelter of an arched tuft of
grass or other herbage, in the centre of a hummock of
rushes, or beneath a little bush of heath or a tall weed.
The selected site is merely trampled into a slight hollow,
and sparingly lined with a few bits of dead vegetation,
and often this small provision even is omitted. The
bird sits lightly, and when disturbed from the nest often
(in company with its mate) becomes very noisy, career-
ing wildly about, or even engages in various alluring
actions to decoy an intruder away.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Redshank are four in number, and
pyriform in shape. They vary from pale buff to dark
buff in ground colour, handsomely and boldly blotched
and spotted with rich dark brown, and with underlying
markings of paler brown and gray. Occasionally a few
nearly black streaks occur on the larger end of the egg,
where, as a rule, most of the blotches are also displayed.
Average measurement, 1°75 inch in length, by 1°2 inch
in breadth. Incubation, chiefly performed by the
female, lasts about twenty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The buff ground and
large and bold markings distinguish the eggs of the
Redshank from those of all other species breeding in
our islands with which they are likely to be confused.
GREENSHA NK. Zt
Family CHARADRIID. Genus ToTANus.
Sub-family TO7TANINA.
GREEN SHANA
TOTANUS GLoTTIS (Linneus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Greenshank breeds
sparingly in the Outer Hebrides, and in a few localities
in the inner islands, especially Skye. On the mainland
it becomes commoner and more widely dispersed over
the counties of Inverness, Argyle, Perth, Ross, Suther-
land, and Caithness, but not reaching the Orkneys and
the Shetlands. It has never been known to breed in
England or in Ireland.
BREEDING HABITS: The Greenshank is a summer
migrant to our islands, reaching them towards the end
of April, or early in May, but a few are said to spend
the winter in Ireland, perhaps individuals that have
bred in the Hebrides. Its favourite breeding-grounds
are moors, often within sight of the sea, which contain
lochs and streams, and abound in bogs and swamps.
The Greenshank is neither gregarious nor social during
the nesting season, the pairs being scattered here and
there over the moors, and each keeping to themselves.
It is not improbable that this bird pairs for life, as a
considerable attachment to favourite haunts may be
remarked. The nest is always made upon the ground,
and is a difficult one to find. It is often placed amongst
heather or other herbage close to the margin of a stream
or loch; often in a tuft of moor grass or on a little
mound of dry ground surrounded by swamp. The nest
is merely a hollow lined with a few bits of withered
herbage. The Greenshank is not a close sitter, rising
272. THE NESTS AND. EGGS OFEER Iisa BROS.
from the eggs the moment its haunt is invaded, and
either flying wildly and noisily about, often in company
with its mate, or running restlessly about the moor from
hummock to hummock. It will also indulge in various
antics to entice an intruder away.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Greenshank are four in number, and
pyriform in shape. They vary from buffish-white to
buff in ground colour, very handsomely blotched and
spotted with rich dark brown, and with underlying
markings, similar in character, of pinkish-brown and
cray. As usual the markings are most numerous and
extensive on the larger end of the egg. A somewhat
scarce variety is not blotched, but marked with large
and small spots over most of the surface; more fre-
quently the markings form an irregular zone round the
larger end of the egg. Average measurement, I°9 inch
in length, by 1°35 inch in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed chiefly by the female, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and bold dark
markings readily distinguish the eggs of the Greenshank
from those of allied species breeding in our islands.
Family CHARADRIIDZE. Genus NUMENIUS.
Sub-family TOTANINA.
COMMON CURE EA:
NUMENIUS ARQUATUS (Linn@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter end of April and in
May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Curlew is pretty
generally distributed throughout the British Islands in
COMMON CURLEW. 273
all suitable districts, Its breeding area extends from
Cornwall and Devonshire to Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire,
Hants, and most: of the uplands of Wales. Thence it
extends northwards through the Peak district, Lincoln-
shire, the entire Pennine Chain (including the Isle of
Man), and the Cheviots. Across the Border the bird be-
comes more abundant, and is widely distributed through-
out Scotland, north to the Orkneys and Shetlands, and
west to the Outer Hebrides. In Ireland it is equally
widely dispersed and common.
BREEDING HABITS: The Curlew is a resident in the
British Islands, but like many other species it changes
its ground a good deal with the season, is subject to
much local movement, and its numbers are increased in
winter by arrivals from the Continent. The breeding-
grounds of the Curlew are moorlands, especially those
of a swampy nature, and at a considerable distance
above sea-level, rough uninclosed mountain pastures, and
arable uplands. In March or early in April the Curlews
begin to leave the coasts, and to return to their breeding-
haunts, pairing, and scattering themselves up and down
the moors and rough lands. The nest is invariably
made on the ground, generally on some dry part of the
moor, under the shelter of a bush, or in the centre of a
tuft of grass or rushes, but occasionally the eggs are laid
on the rough fallows without nest of any kind. The
nest is a mere shallow hollow, sparingly lined with a
few bits of withered herbage or dead leaves. Although
the Curlew can scarcely be regarded as gregarious at
this season, numbers of birds often breed within com-
paratively small areas, and when one pair is disturbed
the entire locality is soon in commotion. The bird sits
lightly, rising from the nest at the first alarm, often
given by its watchful mate, and becomes noisy enough
as it flies about in alarm.
T
274 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The ezgs of the Curlew are four in number, usually
pyriform, but sometimes rotund in shape and large for
the size of the bird. They vary from olive-green to buff
in ground colour, blotched and spotted with olive-brown,
and with underlying markings of pale gray. Occasionally
a few streaks of blackish-brown occur. Several types are
presented. One variety has the markings comparatively
small, and mostly congrezated in a zone round the
larger end of the egg; another has the markings uni-
formly distributed over the entire surface ; another has
the markings large and well-defined, few, and very rich
in colour. Average measurement, 2°7 inches in length,
by 1°85 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly
by the female, lasts about thirty days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The large size, pyriform
shape, and olive appearance distinguish the eggs of the
Curlew from those of allied species breeding in our
islanas.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus NUMENIUS.
Sub-family TOZANIN AZ.
WH EM Bice,
NUMENIUS PHOPUS (Linneus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Whimbrel’s breeding
area in the British Islands is a remarkably restricted
one, and is nowhere known to extend on to the main-
land. A few pairs nest on North Ronay in the
Hebrides, and on the Orkneys, whilst a greater number
do so on the Shetlands. It is not improbable that this
WHIMBREL. 275
species breeds elsewhere in the Hebrides; I saw it on
St. Kilda during June.
BREEDING HABITS: The Whimbrel is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, reaching our shores in
small numbers in April, but passing over them much
more abundantly in May. Its favourite breeding-
grounds are the wild, elevated moorlands at no great
distance from the sea. The bird probably pairs each
season, although I may remark that the information on
this point is very unsatisfactory. It is not a gregarious
species, but numbers of pairs often nest in a small area,
just like the Curlew. The nest is always placed on the
ground amongst heath, or beneath the shelter of a tuft
of grass in a dry part of the swampy moor. It is
merely a hollow, scantily lined with a few bits of
withered herbage or dead leaves. The actions of the
Whimbrel at the breeding-grounds are very similar to
those of the Curlew, and the notes of both species are
much the same.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Whimbrel are four in number, and
pyriform in shape. They very closely resemble those
of the Curlew in general appearance, and run through
pretty much the same range of variation. They vary
from olive-green to buff in ground colour, blotched and
spotted with olive-brown and reddish-brown, and with
underlying markings of pale gray. On some eggs the
spots are mostly distributed in a zone round the larger
end; on others they are evenly dispersed. Average
Measurement, 2°3 inches in length, by 1°6 inch in
breadth. The period of incubation appears to be
unknown, but is probably the same as that of the
Curlew, and is performed chiefly by the female.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small size readily dis-
tinguishes the eggs of the Whimbrel from those of the
276 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Curlew, which are always more bulky. They somewhat
closely resemble certain varieties of those of Richard-
son’s Skua, but may be distinguished from them by
their slightly larger size and much more pyriform
shape.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus PHALAROPUS.
Sub-family ZOZTANINA.
RE DN BC Fay ae aie @) Ean
PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS (Linm@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May and first half
of June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: “Once upon a time” the
Red-necked Phalarope bred in the counties of Suther-
land, Inverness, and Perth, but the bird now nests
nowhere on the mainland of the British Isles. Its
breeding area is confined to the Shetlands, the Orkneys,
and some few of the Outer Hebrides—North and South
Uist, Benbecula, etc. Even here it is a rare and re-
markably local bird, and destined to ultimate exter-
mination if steps are not taken to protect it from the
persecutions of oologists and their jackals the trader
collectors.
BREEDING HABITS: The Red-necked .Phalarope is a
summer migrant to its breeding-grounds in our islands,
reaching them towards the end of April or early in
May. Its breeding-places are on moors studded with
rush-fringed pools at no great distance from the sea.
It is probable that this species pairs for live, as it yearly
returns to .the. same places ‘to: breed: It 1s alsona
gregarious bird during the breeding season, and its nests
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 277,
are placed in more or less scattered colonies. The nest
is slight, and usually placed on the ground, in our
islands, amongst the grass or other herbage on a patch
of dry ground in the marshes and close to the pools.
Sometimes it is placed in the centre of a grass or rush-
tuft. It is merely a hollow scantily lined with a few
bits of dry grass and broken rush. The Red-necked
Phalarope is remarkably tame and confiding at its nest,
leaving it when disturbed, and usually flying to the
nearest water, evincing little or no anxiety for its safety.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Red-necked Phalarope are four in
number, and pyriform in shape. They vary in ground
colour from pale olive to buff of various shades, blotched
and spotted with umber-brown, blackish-brown, and
pale brown, and with a few underlying markings of
gray. As is usual, most of the blotches are on the
larger end of the egg. Average measurement, I'I inch
in length, by *82 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
chiefly by the male, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small size, pyriform
shape, and colour combined, readily distinguish the
eggs of the Red-necked Phalarope from those of any
other allied species breeding in the British Islands.
278) THE NESTS AND EGGS: OP BRITISTT BIRDS:
Family CHARADRIID/. Genus TRINGA.
Sub-family SCOLOPAC/INL.
D UANSEING
‘TRINGA ALPINA, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, early May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Dunlin is the only
species in the present genus that breeds within our area.
It nests locally and sparingly in Cornwall, Devon,
and Somerset (possibly on the Welsh mountains),
the marshes of the Dee, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and
more commonly in Cumberland, Northumberland, and
throughout the west of Scotland—including the Hebrides
—north to Sutherlandshire, the Orkneys and Shetlands.
In Ireland it breeds somewhat sparingly and locally in
the north-west.
BREEDING HABITS: The Dunlin is a resident in our
islands subject to considerable local movement, and its
numbers are largely increased in autumn by birds from
other lands. Its breeding-grounds in this country are
marshy woodlands and mountain swamps at no great
distance from the sea as a rule, or at least within a
comparatively short distance of tidal waters. During
March and April the birds leave their winter haunts on
the coasts and mud-flats, and retire to the breeding-
grounds. Although gregarious enough at all other
times of the year, in the nesting season the bird can
scarcely be considered so. It is, however, social even
then, and numbers of pairs may be found breeding
within a small area of suitable ground. The bird
appears to pair annually, and during that period the
males soar and trill. The nest, invariably on the
ground, well concealed and difficult to find, is usually
DUNLIN, 279
placed in a tussock of grass or rushes, or beneath a
little bush of heather or bilberry, or even amongst
patches of thrift on bare sandy soil. It is a slight
structure, a mere hollow lined with a few dead leaves
and bits of dry grass, with perhaps a few twigs or roots
round the margin. The bird is a close sitter, but when
disturbed will often engage in alluring antics to arrest
attention from its eggs.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Duniin are four in number, and pyri-
form in shape. They vary from pale olive to pale
brown and buff in ground colour, handsomely blotched
and spotted with rich reddish and blackish brown, and
with a few obscure underlying markings of gray. They
are generally very boldly marked, especially on the
larger end, where the blotches and splashes frequently
become confluent and hide most of the ground colour.
Occasionally a few nearly black streaks occur on the
larger end of the egg: a less frequent variety has the
spots smaller and more evenly distributed over the
entire surface. Average measurement, 1°3 inch in
length, by ‘95 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by the female, Jasts twenty-one or twenty-two days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Dunlin
cannot be easily confused with those of any other allied
species breeding in the British Islands, being readily
distinguished by their size and their handsome, well-
marked appearance. Some eggs closely resemble those
of the Common Snipe, but their size prevents any
possibility of confusion.
280, THE NESTS AND. EGGS OF BRITISH LIRDS.
Family CHARADRIID. Genus SCOLOPAX,
Sub-family SCOLOPACINA:,
WOO DiCOCre
SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA, Linncus.
Probably Single Brooded. Laying season, March and
especially April ; May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Woodcock breeds
sparingly throughout the British Islands, wherever suit-
able cover is to be found. It probably nests much more
abundantly than is generally supposed, owing to its
retiring habits and the nearly entire absence of observa-
tion during its breeding season.
BREEDING HABITS: The Woodcocks that breed in
our islands are undoubtedly resident therein, but num-
bers of birds visit our shores in autumn from other
lands, and numbers pass over them during the two
scasons of passage. The breeding-haunts of this species
are plantations of young trees, spinneys, and woods in
which plenty of bottom growth and long rank vegetation
clothes the ground. The Woodcock pairs annually,
and during the period of its ‘roding” or mating flights
in spring, is to a certain extent social ; otherwise this
species is solitary, each pair for the rest of the nesting
time keeping to themselves, although several nests may
be found at no great distance apart.. The nest is always
made on the ground, in a dry secluded corner of the
wood or plantation, where plenty of cover may be found
in thickets of bracken, fern, brambles, dry grass, and
drifts of autumn leaves. Sometimes a bare situation at
the foot of a tree is selected. The nest is a mere hollow,
lined with dry grass and dead leaves, and is usually well
concealed by surrounding vegetation. The lining is
WOODCOCK. 231
sometimes increased whilst incubation is in progress,
especially when the nest is in a rather exposed site,
as if the bird was anxious to assimilate itself with the
tints of surrounding objects as closely as possible. To
further these designs the Woodcock is a close sitter,
remaining brooding over the nest until flushed, as if
conscious that it was unseen and could not easily be
detected in a spot where its rich brown dress harmonizes
so closely with the ground around it. It is probable
that the eggs are covered when the sitting bird leaves
the nest voluntarily.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Woodcock are four in number, and
nothing near so pyriform in shape as is usually the case
amongst this family of birds. They vary in ground colour
from very pale yellowish-brown to buffish-brown, rather
sparingly spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, and
with similar underlying markings of gray. They are
not subject to any very great range of variation in
colour. Average measurement, 1°7 inch in length, by
1°25 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by
the female, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size,’ form, pale
colouration, and smallness of the spots (not blotches),
readily distinguish the eggs of the Woodcock from
those of any other allied species breeding in our areca.
282 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family CHARADRIID®. Genus SCOLOPAX.
Sub-family SCOLOPACIN.
COM MON 7S NPR
SCOLOPAX GALLINAGO, ZLénn@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of April to middle
of May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Snipe is
very generally distributed over the British Islands,
breeding in all suitable localities, but more abundantly
in Scotland and Ireland than in England.
BREEDING HABITS: The Common Snipe is a resident
in the British Islands, but subject to much local move-
ment during the non-breeding season, and _ largely
increased in numbers in autumn and winter by birds
from other lands. The favourite breeding-grounds of
this species are marshes, wet moorlands, and boggy
ground in open country. It is not a gregarious bird,
each pair keeping to one particular haunt, although many
nests may be found within small areas of suitable
ground. Space will not allow of any detailed descrip-
tion of the drumming or bleating of the male bird
during the pairing season; it is a sound made whilst
the bird is soaring above its breeding-haunts, indulging
in those aérial flights peculiar to this group. The
Common Snipe pairs annually. The nest is generally
made in the centre, or by the sheltering side of a tuft of
rushes or coarse grass in the swamps, and is a slight
hollow lined with dry grass and bits of dead aquatic
herbage. The bird sits closely, usually remaining on
the nest until nearly trodden upon, and makes little
or no demonstration when flushed.
COMMON SNIPE. 283
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Common Snipe are four in number, and
pyriform in shape. They vary from buff of various
shades to olive of various shades in ground colour,
handsomely and boldly blotched and spotted with rich
dark brown, occasionally streaked with blackish-brown,
and with numerous large and small underlying mark-
ings of pale brown and gray. As is usual, the larger
end of the egg is most richly marked, and the spots not
unfrequently form a zone round it. Average measure-
ment, I1°6 inch in lensth, by 1'1 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, lasts from sixteen
to twenty days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, shape, and
handsome appearance of the eggs of the Snipe readily
distinguish them from those of any allied species breed-
ing in our islands.
Family STERCORARIIDZ. Genus STERCORARIUS.
Role rk SONS SK U As
STERCORARIUS RICHARDSONI (.Szvainso7).
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter end of May and early
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Richardson’s Skua is
another of our local species, breeding sparingly in
Caithness and Sutherlandshire, on the Hebrides, and
more commonly on the Orkneys and Shetlands.
BREEDING HABITS: Richardson’s Skua is a summer
migrant to our islands, but best known as passing them
on passage during April and May. It arrives at its
British breeding-places early in the latter month. The
286 Lae NESTS AND EGGS OF VERTIS “BLS:
breeding-haunts of this Skua are wild open moorlands
at no great distance from the sea—vast expanses of
heath, and rank grass and moss, broken up into marshes
and studded with pools. It is more or less social during
the summer, but does not breed exactly in colonies,
although many pairs may be scattered over the moors
in one locality. It appears to pair annually. The nest
is invariably made on the ground, with little or no
attempt at concealment. It is merely a hollow, lined
with a little dry grass or other withered herbage; and
in some cases is nothing but a depression in the moss.
The bird sits lightly, leaving the eggs as soon as the
breeding-ground is invaded by man, and flying to and
fro, sometimes swooping within a few inches of his head,
and frequently betraying their whereabouts by too much
anxiety for their safety. If care be taken not to alarm
the bird more, it usually soon settles on the ground
again, and eventually returns to the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of Richardson’s Skua normally are two in
number, but instances of three having been found in one
nest are on record, whilst occasionally only one is found.
They vary considerably in shape, some being very
pyriform and pointed, others more rotund. They vary
in ground colour from olive to brown of various shades,
spotted and speckled with very dark brown, and with
a few obscure underlying markings of grayish-brown.
Some varieties have many of the spots more or less
elongated into comma-shaped marks, or irregular
masses ; Others have most of the markings congregated
in a zone round the larger end of the egg ; more gener-
ally they are pretty evenly distributed over the entire
surface. Average measurement, 2°3 inches in length,
by 1°6 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the
female, lasts about a month.
GREAT SKUA, 285
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this Skua
require the most careful identification, as they may
easily be confused with those of the Common Gull
which breeds in similar localities. They also resemble
very closely certain varieties of those of the Black-
headed Gull; the locality is of the first importance in
deciding their authenticity, if not taken from the nest
in the presence of the parents.
Family STERCORARIID. Genus STERCORARIUS.
Gara Aw SKU A:
STERCORARIUS CATARRHACTES (Linnaeus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Great Skua is another
excessively local species in the British Islands, its only
nesting-places being in the Shetlands, small colonies
breeding on Unst and Foula, the former the most
northerly of the group, and the latter some twenty
miles to the westward of Mainland. It is a source of
satisfaction to know that the birds are jealously pre-
served from extermination; were it otherwise a few
years would suffice to banish this fine bird from the
list of our breeding species.
BREEDING HABITS: The Great Skua is best known
on our shores as a coasting migrant on its way to or
from more northern breeding-haunts. By the end of
April the few pairs that nest within our limits betake
themselves to their breeding-places on the high moor-
lands. It is not improbable that this species pairs for
life, although the sexes do not keep very close company
236 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
until -spring. It is social during the breeding season,
nesting in scattered colonies, the pairs being distributed
over a considerable area of moor, The nest is invariably
on the ground, and in most cases is little more than a
hollow in the moss, sometimes lined with a few bits of
dry grass. The Great Skua is not a close sitter, rising
from its eggs as soon as its haunts are invaded, and
swooping boldly round the head of the intruder, courage-
ously endeavouring to drive him from the sacred spot.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Great Skua are two in number. They
vary from pale buff to dark buffish-brown or olive-brown
in ground colour, somewhat obscurely spotted and
speckled with dark brown, and with underlying markings
of grayish-brown. As a rule the spots are most
numerous, and many of them often confluent, on the
larger end of the egg. Average measurement, 2'9 inches
in length, by 2°0 inches in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed chiefly by the female, lasts about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: As this species is so very
local during the nesting season, its eggs cannot readily
be confused with those of any other species breeding
within our area. Away from the nest, however, they
cannot always with absolute certainty be distinguished
from those of the Herring Gull and the Lesser Black-
backed Gull. A seldom-failing point of distinction,
however, is the much more obscure and ill-defined spots
on those of the Great Skua.
KITTIWAKE. : 287
Family LARID. Genus Larus,
Sub-family ZAR/INZ.
KPT TW Awe,
LARUS TRIDACTYLUS, Linncus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Kittiwake is widely
distributed along the most rocky coasts of the British
Islands, becoming, however, more local in England than
elsewhere. It breeds at Flamborough Head and the
Farne Isles on the east coast; in the south only on the
coasts of Devon and Cornwall, the Scilly Isles and
Lundy; more numevously on certain parts of the Welsh
coast, less so on the Isle of Man. From the nature of
the coast, Scotland is more favourable to the require-
ments of this species, and in many places it breeds in
enormous colonies, especially on the west, and on the
Hebrides (including St. Kilda), the Orkneys, and the
Shetlands. On the west coast of Scotland, however, it is
not so widely dispersed, but breeds on the Bass, the May,
and in Aberdeenshire. In Ireland it is equally widely
distributed on all rocky coasts suited to its requirements.
BREEDING HABITS: The Kittiwake is a resident in
our islands, but subject to much local movement during
the non-breeding season, being then more widely dis-
persed and more oceanic in its habits. The breeding-
places of the Kittiwake are lofty wall-like ocean cliffs
and rock-stacks. It is a most gregarious species, and
where the accommodation is ample its colonies are of
enormous dimensions, many thousands of birds in some
places breeding in company. On the other hand, in less
suitable places, only a few pairs may be met with.
Early in spring the birds begin to arrive at their
288 2HE NESTS AND EGGS~OFBRITUSHA BIRDS.
breeding-places. As these, and even the old nests in
many cases, are returned to each season, it is probable
that this Gull pairs for life. The nests are usually made
on ledges, in crevices, and on projections and _ but-
tresses of the most inaccessible cliffs; in large colonies
every possible site is utilized, many of them being side
by side. They are made at various heights from the
sea, sometimes as low as ten feet, but more often
midway up the rocks. The nest is large and well
made. Externally it is made of turf and roots, with the
soil adhering caked and matted together. Upon this a
further nest of dry sea-weed and stalks of marine plants
is formed, lined with dry grass, and occasionally a few
feathers. The nest and the rocks near it are usually
well whitewashed with droppings. The bird sits rather
closely, as if conscious of its safety in its inaccessible
haunt, but when disturbed flics restlessly about, uttering
its noisy cry. The din made by a colony of disturbed
Kittiwakes must be heard to be realized.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Kittiwake are usually two or three,
more rarely four in number. They vary from greenish-
blue and brownish-olive to pale buff and buffish-brown
in ground colour, blotched and spotted with reddish-
brown, and with underlying markings of paler brown
and gray. One variety has the markings few and
large; another is zoned round the larger end with
smaller spots and blotches; another is boldly blotched
over the entire surface; on another the markings take
the form of short, irregular streaks. The pale underlying
markings are both large and numerous, and on certain
types preponderate over the surface-markings, which are
small and indistinct. Average measurement, 2°15 inches
in length, by 1°6 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
chiefly by the female, lasts twenty-six days.
HERRING GULL. 289
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, general brown
appearance, and large character of the markings dis-
tinguish the eggs of the Kittiwake from those of other
species. When taken from the nest no confusion can
possibly arise.
Family LARIDA. Gerus LARUS.,
Sub-family L4AR/INAZ.
Fe heel NG: GAO
LARUS ARGENTATUS, Gmelin.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Herring Gull is
widely distributed round the British coasts, from the
cliffs of the south coast of England to those of the
Orkneys and the Shetlands, from the Farne Islands
and the Bass in the east to the Hebrides, St. Kilda,
the Irish mainland, and the Blaskets in the west.
BREEDING HABITS: The Herring Gull is a resident
in the British Islands, but more widely distributed in
winter than in summer. Its principal breeding-places
are on ocean cliffs, both those that are broken up into
crags and downs, and those that rise sheer from the
water ; rock-stacks, and low rocky islands. Much less
frequently it resorts to marshes (Foulshaw Moss in
Westmoreland, for instance) and small islands in lochs.
This bird is gregarious during the breeding season, and
in some localities, as for instance at the Farnes, and on
the cliffs between Berry Head and Dartmouth, its
colonies are very extensive. Owing, however, to the
ease with which this Gull accommodates itself to
U
290 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS,
circumstances, its breeding area is wide and varied, not
confined to one or two chosen localities, as is the case
with so many other species. Early in spring the birds
return to their nesting-places, but the breeding season
does not commence before May. The nests are built
in a great variety of situations. In some cases they are
made on ledges and in crevices of the cliffs, or amongst
crags or in sheltered hollows of the grassy downs; in
others they are built on the summit of rock-stacks, or
amongst the dense growth of sea-campion and thrift, as
at the Farne Islands. When on the cliffs the nest is
usually larger than when on the ground or amongst
crags. It is composed of turf, dry sea-weed, straws, and
stalks of marine plants, and lined with grass, much of it
often semi-green. Sometimes the entire nest is merely
composed of a few straws and bits of dry grass. I have
half a dozen, taken from near Berry Head, that could all
e grasped inone hand. When the breeding-place is in-
vaded the birds become very clamorous, and fly to and
fro in alarm, rising from their nests and settling again
at the first opportunity. When the nests are on cliffs
the birds usually leave them with reluctance.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Herring Gull are two or three in
number. They vary in ground colour from pale bluish-
green to olive-brown and yellowish-brown, soinewhat
sparingly spotted with dark brown, and with underlying
markings of paler brown and gray. The markings are
usually in the form of spots rather than blotches, but
on some eges they take the latter character. Average
measurement, 2°9 inches in length, by 2°0 inches in
breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
twenty-six days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: As a rule the eggs of
this Gull may be distinguished by their size and the
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 291
markings being in the form of spots rather than
blotches, but they require careful identification, espe-
cially in localities where the Lesser Black-backed Gull
breeds in company with this species,
Family LARID#. Genus LARUS.
Sub-family LARINAZ.
ieee! BLACK-BACKED GULE
LARUS MARINUS, Linncus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black-backed Gull
breeds nowhere along the eastern coast-line of England,
and only sparingly on the south coast in Dorset ; on the
west it does so in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, Lundy,
here and there on the Welsh coast, and probably in the
Solway district. In Scotland, however, it becomes
commoner and more generally dispersed, especially
along the west coast, notably in the Hebrides, including
St. Kilda, and on the north, including the Orkneys and
the Shetlands. It is also widely dispersed in Ireland, in
districts suited to its habits.
BREEDING HABITS: The Great Black-backed Gull is
a resident in our islands, but more widely dispersed in
winter than in summer, Its favourite breeding-places
are ranges of ocean cliffs, more especially rock-stacks,
and less frequently small islands in mountain lochs, even
at some distance inland. In some places it may be met
with breeding in small colonies, but more usually in
scattered pairs. This fine Gull probably pairs for life,
and may be found breeding year after year in one
292 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
particular spot. The nest is generally made on a stack
of rocks, or a ledge of the cliffs ; less frequently on the
ground, on an island. It is slight and loosely put
together, a mere hollow in most cases, carelessly lined
with grass, twigs, dry sea-weed, or stalks of marine
vegetation. I have known the eggs to be laid on the
bare ground, in a hollow amongst the crags. The birds
sit lightly, but are bold and clamorous when disturbed
from the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Great Black-backed Gull are usually
three in number, less frequently two, and rarely even one.
They vary from grayish-brown to brown tinged with
olive in ground colour, spotted with dark umber-brown,
and with underlying markings of brownish-gray. As a
rule the markings are not very numerous, range in size
from that of a buckshot downwards to a speck, and are
distributed over most of the surface. Some varieties,
however, are most heavily marked on the larger end.
Average measurement, 3'1 inches in length, by 2°1 inches
in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The large size and small
markings readily distinguish the eggs of this Gull from
those of allied species breeding in our islands.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 293
~<
Family LARID/AL. Genus LARus,
Sub-family LARINZ,
mee k BEACK-BACKED GU Pr
Larus Fuscus, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Lesser Black-backed
Gull is very commonly and widely distributed through-
out the British Islands in all suitable districts. These,
however, nowhere occur in the east of England south of
the Tyne and east of Devonshire. It breeds in Devon,
Cornwall, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cumberland, North-
umberland (including the Farne Islands), and in
Scotland up to the Orkneys and the Shetlands in the
north, and to the Hebrides in the west. In Ireland
it is extremely local, and only breeds in one or two
localities.
BREEDING HABITS: The Lesser Black-backed Gull is
a resident in the British Islands, but subject to much
local movement during the non-breeding season, and
most of the birds inhabiting the extreme northern
districts draw south in winter. Its breeding-grounds
embrace a great variety of situations. The favourite
haunts are low rocky islands which contain plenty of
herbage ; rock-stacks, and islands in inland lakes, grassy
downs, mosses, and flows. This Gull is remarkably
gregarious, and usually breeds in more or less extensive
colonies—one of the most extensive known to me being
on the Farne Islands. The bird may probably pair for
life,as season by season the same breeding-place is used.
The nest of this species varies a good deal in size, even
in the same colony of birds. As a rule it is a somewhat
bulky structure, often placed amongst a bed of campion
204° THE NESTS AND EGGS OF@GRIDISH BIRDS.
or thrift, made of turf, branches of heather, leaves and
stalks of marine vegetation, and sea-weed, and lined with
grass, much of it semi-green. The poorer nests are
usually made in hollows of the downs, or in ledges of
crags, or amongst broken rock, and these are mere
depressions more or less sparingly lined with grass and
perhaps one or two feathers. When the colony is
invaded by man the birds rise in crowds from their nests
and circle overhead, uttering their incessant cries. Few
sights are grander than the colony of these birds at the
Farne Islands, the gulls filling the air literally like a
heavy snowstorm.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Lesser Black-backed Gull are usually
three in number, but sometimes four. They vary in
colour to an astonishing degree. I made the following
note on their colour from a heap of many thousands:
pale green, bluish-white, dark olive-brown, pale brown,
buff, and gray constitute the ground colours, and the
spots and blotches vary from dark liver-brown to pale
brown and gray. Some eggs are streaked almost like
those of a Bunting, others are finely marked over the
entire surface; whilst others yet again are boldly
blotched, or have most of the markings in a zone round
the larger end. Average measurement, 2°7 inches in
length, by 1°9 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: Unfortunately I know of
no absolutely reliable character by which the eggs of
this Gull can be distinguished from those of the Herring
Gull, or from certain varieties of those of the Common
Gull. Those of the former species, however, are gener-
ally larger, those of the latter smaller, whilst on both the
markings generally take the form of sfots rather than
blotches. Careful identification, however, is necessary.
COMMON GULL. 2y
we
Family LARID/E. Genus Larus.
Sub-family LARZN AZ.
COVEMON “Gurr
LaRUS CANUS, Linncus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May and
early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Gull has
little claim to its trivial name, for it is one of our most
local birds during the breeding season. It is not now
known to breed anywhere in England, although it
formerly did so in Lancashire. In Scotland, however,
it nests in the Solway district, and thence northwards,
both on the coasts and in many inland districts, it is widely
distributed, reaching the Orkneys and the Shetlands
in the north and the Hebrides in the west, but becoming
rarer in the east. In Ireland it is somewhat local, but
certainly breeds in Counties Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo,
and on the Blaskets, off the coast of Kerry.
BREEDING HABITS: The Common Gull is a resident
in the British Islands, but subject to much local and
southern movement after the breeding season. Its breed-
ing-places are varied, and occur both inland and on the
coast. Sometimes a locality is chosen on a small island
in a mountain lake, or the summit of a stack-of rocks,
or a marshy tract on the banks of a lake, or even grassy
downs by the sea. But the most extensive colonies of
this Gull that I have ever seen in our islands were situated
on rocky islets in deep sea-water lochs in the Hebrides.
In some of these wild, secluded lochs almost every island
contained a colony, some of only a few pairs, others
larger. The main colony was on a rather low island,
which sloped up from a sandy beach, and fell here and
296 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
there in little precipices to the sea. It is probable that
this species pairs for life. The Common Gull is gregarious
during the breeding season, but the colonies vary con-
siderably in size, and many pairs are scattered about
in some localities where the bird is not common, or suit-
able sites are scarce. Latein April the birds congregate
at their breeding-stations, and nest-building soon after
commences. The nests are placed in various situations.
Some are made amongst crevices of the rocks, others
amongst grass and heather; some in hollows in the bare
turf, others on ledges of cliffs. In Norway this Gull has
been known to lay in the deserted nest of a Hooded
Crow in a pine tree. The nest is made of heather
branches, turf, dry grass, or sea-weed and stalks of
marine plants, and lined with grass, in some cases almost
sreen: occasionally the nest is little more than a mere
hollow. When disturbed at their breeding-place the
birds become very clamorous, and fly to and fro in alarm,
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Common Gull are usually three in
number, but sometimes four. They vary in ground
colour from olive-brown to buffish-brown, spotted and
often streaked with dark brown, and with underlying
markings of brownish-gray. As usual, most of the
markings (from the size of buckshot downwards) are on
the larger end of the egg, where they sometimes form an
irregular zone, but some varieties are more evenly spotted
over the entire surface. Average measurement, 2:2
inches in length, by 1°6 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by both sexes, lasts about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and style of
colouration (small spots rather than blotches) make the
eggs of this Gull very distinct, and prevent their con-
fusion with those of allied species breeding in our
islands,
BLACK-HEADED GULL. 297
Family LARIDA‘. Genus LARUS.
Sub-family ZA R/N_Z.
De © ke TH, Aes Dr Gane Ie.
LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, Lzunc@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April, and prolonged into May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black-headed Gull
is one of the commonest and most widely distributed
species of the present sub-family in the British Islands.
From the nature of the country it is most abundant
during the nesting season in Scotland and Ireland, but
there are still several more or less important breeding-
places in England. In the latter portion of our islands
colonies of this bird are situated in Dorset, Kent, Essex,
Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire
(with Walney), Yorkshire, Cumberland, and Northumber-
land. In Scotland there are many colonies of varying
size (even as far north as the Shetlands) too numerous
for enumeration, but special mention might be made of
those near Glasgow and Loch Lomond. ‘The same
remarks apply to Ireland, where it must be stated the
most westerly breeding range of the species obtains on
the Blaskets, a small colony tenanting the island of
Beginish.
BREEDING HABITS: The Black-headed Gull is a
resident in the British Islands, but subject to much local
and southern movement during the non-breeding season.
Unlike most other British species in the present group,
it frequents inland haunts, especially during the nesting
season. Its favourite breeding-grounds are marshes and
wet land, especially on islands, where greater immunity
from danger is obtained. The presence of trees and
bushes is by no means an obstacle, for many colonies
298 THE NESTS (AND EGGS “OF BRASH BIRDS.
are made on ground studded with low bushes and trees,
or are completely surrounded by woods and plantations.
This Gull is very gregarious during the breeding season,
some of its colonies consisting of many thousands of
pairs; everywhere the same social instinct is manifest,
even though the assemblage numbers but a few indi-
viduals. In March the Gulls begin to congregate at the
old colonies, so that we may infer they pair for life,
many of these breeding-stations having been in use for
time immemorial. A month later the nests are being
made or repaired. These are built in the majority of
instances on the ground, but odd pairs have been known
to make them in trees, or even on boat-houses. The nests
are placed in tufts of rushes, in hassocks of coarse grass,
amongst reeds in shallow water, on heaps of dead, broken
vegetation, or even on the flat ground, either covered with
spongy moss or bare of all vegetation whatever. In
many cases the nest is little more than a hollow in the
ground or tuft, sometimes roughly lined with a little dry
grass ; in others it is better made, banked high above the
surrounding marsh or shallow water, and made of reeds,
rushes, flags, and coarse grass. As incubation advances,
many of the nests made in the shallows are increased in
bulk, so that the newly-hatched young may have plenty
of accommodation on which hee and doubtless also for
the purpose of providing against a sudden rise of the water,
or the incessant wash of the tiny waves. When the colony
is invaded, the Gulls rise in clouds from their nests, and
commence a noisy clamour of remonstrance. The scene,
once witnessed, can never be forgotten, and may be
described best as a snowstorm, in which each flake is a
fluttering, noisy Gull.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Black-headed Gull are usually three in
number, but four are sometimes found. They vary
BLACK-HEADEDY GULL: 299
considerably in colour, style of markings, shape, and size.
They vary in ground colour from rich brown through
every shade to pale bluish-green, spotted, blotched,
and sometimes blurred or streaked with dark brown,
and with underlying markings of violet-gray. On
many varieties the markings are mostly distributed in
an irregular zone round the larger end of the egg. Very
eccentric-looking eggs may sometimes be found with
the colouring matter in a circular patch on the larger
end, gradually tinting off and fading into the ground
colour round the margin; others may be seen with one
or two large blotches or clouds of colour here and there,
and the remainder of the shell free from markings.
Average measurement, 2°2 inches in length, by 1°5 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
from twenty-two to twenty-four days. This Gull will
continue to lay clutch after clutch of eggs as they are
removed; in many places the eggs are gathered for
food, the poor birds patiently submitting to regular and
systematic pillage every year, and yet continuing to
haunt the old colony with a persistence that deserves a
better reward.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small. size and
characteristic Larine colouration distinguish the eggs of
this Gull from those of all other allied species breeding
in our islands.
300 THE NESPS AND EGGS OF BRITISEA BIRDS:
Family LARID. Genus STERNA,
Sub-family STE RNIN.
SAN DWICH Pine:
STERNA CANTIACA, Gmelin,
Single Brooded. Laying season, middle of May to middle of
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Sandwich Tern has
been exterminated as a breeding species from many
localities, partly by incessant egg collecting, and partly
by the rise of tourist resorts on once little frequented
parts of the coast where it nested. The most important
breeding-place in our islands is on the Farne Islands,
but even here it is much less abundant than formerly.
Twenty years ago I well remember bushels of its eggs
were sent from these islands into Sheffield for sale! Small
colonies still exist on Walney Island, off the Lancashire
coast, and at Ravenglass in Cumberland ; a few pairs
breed in the Solway district, on Loch Lomond, in the
Firth of Tay, on the coast of Elgin, and perhaps in
Sutherland. In Ireland it is known to breed sparingly
in Co. Mayo, on an island in a moor loch some miles
from the sea.
BREEDING HABITS: The Sandwich Tern is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, reaching our coasts during
April and May. The favourite breeding-haunts of this
beautiful Tern are low rocky or sandy islands, covered
with a good growth of campion, thrift, and long grass,
but varied here and there with patches of bare ground,
and with a beach of rough shingle. Similar conditions
_ are chosen on the mainland in some secluded part of
the coast, but everywhere an island is preferred. The
birds doubtless pair for life, and continue to visit certain
SANDWICH TERN. 301
places for the purpose of nesting every season. This
Tern is gregarious, but the colonies vary a good deal in
extent, that on the Farne Islands being by far the most
important and time-honoured. It will be remarked, how-
ever, that the same patch of ground is not invariably
used, the birds selecting certain sites in. succession.
But little nest is made, merely a hollow lined with a few
bits of withered marine herbage ; whilst in many cases
a nest of any kind is dispensed with altogether. Many
nests are placed near to each other, in some cases not
more than a foot apart. These are made either amongst
the sand, shingle, and drift near the water, amongst short
grass and campion, and more frequently further away
from the sea, on a bare patch of elevated ground. The
birds rise in clouds as soon as their haunt is invaded,
and fluttering and screaming hover above the intruder’s
head as he walks amongst the nests. The eggs resemble
the surroundings so closely in tint that great care is
needed in walking not to tread upon them.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Sandwich Tern are usually two in
number, more rarely three, and vary considerably in
colour. In ground colour they vary from white or
creamy-white to buff, spotted and blotched with dark
brown and orange-brown, and with underlying markings
of violet-gray. It is impossible adequately to describe
these exceedingly handsome and richly-marked eggs.
Some varieties are covered with large bold blotches and
washes of colour, others are splashed here and there
with brown or gray; some are evenly spotted over the
entire surface, others zoned, others covered with short,
streaky lines. Average measurement, 2°1 inches in
length, by 1°4 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts from twenty-one to twenty-four
days. If the first lot of eggs be taken or washed away
302 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS,
by high tides, as sometimes happens, others will be
laid.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and remarkably
rich colouration readily distinguish the eggs of the
Sandwich Tern from those of allied species breeding in
our islands.
Family LARIDZE. Genus STERNA.
Sub-family STERMINA,
ROS beso Oi hon
STERNA DOUGALLI, JJontagu.
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter end of May, and
in June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: It is with some hesitation
that I include the Roseate Tern in the present work.
It is sad to relate that a bird actually first made known
to science from examples obtained in Scotland, and
described by Montagu, has become almost if not quite
extinct as a breeding species in ourislands, It formerly
bred on the Scilly Islands, on Foulney and Walney
Islands, the Farne Islands, on the Cumbrae Isles in the
Firth of Clyde, and on several other islets off the Scotch
and Irish coasts. Pairs have been identified during
recent years on the Farne Islands, but no evidence of
their breeding is forthcoming. In the hope that this
beautiful bird will re-establish itself in its former haunts
at no remote date (now that our sea birds are fortunately
protected by law), I devote a short chapter to its nesting
economy.
BREEDING HABITS: The Roseate Tern is (or was) one
of the latest of our summer migrants, not reaching its
ROSEATE TIERN. 303
brecding-stations until towards the end of May. Its
favourite haunts are low, rocky islands, especially such
that contain reaches of sand and shingle; in this respect,
as in fact in most of its reproductive economy, it very
closely resembles its near ally, the Common Tern. It is
not known whether this Tern pairs for life or not, but
probably such is the case. It does not appear to make
any nest, but lays its eggs on the bare ground, often in
a slight hollow amongst the shingle. Its behaviour at
the breeding-grounds, when disturbed, is not known to
differ from that of allied species.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Roseate Tern are two or three in number,
and so closely resemble those of the Common and Arctic
Terns that a detailed description is unnecessary. The
range of colouration is precisely similar. Avcrage mea-
surement, 177 inch- ine leneth, by 1°15 inch in breadth;
The period of incubation is not known to differ from
that of the Common or Arctic Terns.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: It is impossible to dis-
tinguish the eggs of the Roseate Tern from those of the
two closely allied species breeding in our area. No eggs
require more careful identification, and if other Terns
are breeding in the vicinity, the only safe way is to
watch the parent birds settle upon their eggs before -
taking them. The adult birds may be distinguished
by their roseate under parts, and by the white margins
to the inner webs of the primaries.
304 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family LARID 4. Genus STERNA.
Sub-family ST7TERNINA.
COMMON TERN:
STERNA HIRUNDO, Linneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Tern is an
abundant and widely distributed species, but becomes
rarer in the northern portions of our area, where it is
replaced to a more or less extent by the Arctic Tern.
It has breeding-places here and there in suitable districts
round the coasts of England and Wales. Scattered
colonies also occur on both the east and west ccasts of
Scotland, at least as far north as Skye on the latter
and Moray Firth (in nearly the same latitude), the east
coast of Sutherlandshire to the Pentland Skerries, and
perhaps the Orkneys, on the former. In Ireland it is
more abundant than the Arctic Tern, breeding here and
there round the coast, and also on the banks of some of
the inland lakes.
BREEDING HABITS: The Common Tern is a summer
migrant to our islands, arriving towards the end of April
or early in May. Its favourite haunts are low rocky
islands covered with marine vegetation, links, and
shingly reaches on quiet, secluded parts of the coast. It
is a gregarious species, but the colonies vary a good
deal in size, owing to local causes. One of the most
extensive colonies is situated on the Farne Islands,
This Tern probably pairs for life, and yearly returns to
one particular spot to breed, to which the birds are
greatly attached. The nests are invariably made on
the ground, amongst sea-campion, thrift, or grass, or on
some spot where the earth is bare of herbage. I do not
COMMON TERN. 305
think, as a rule, that this Tern nests so near the water
as the Arctic Tern, and shows more preference for
laying amongst or near vegetation of some kind. The
nest is a mere hollow, scantily lined with bits of dry
grass and withered marine vegetation. The behaviour
of this Tern at the nest is precisely similar to that of its
congeners. As soon as the breeding-ground is invaded
the birds rise in a noisy, anxious, fluttering throng, and
continue flying restlessly about until their haunt is left
in peace.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Common Tern are two or three in
number, and subject to some considerable amount of
variation. They vary from buff to grayish-brown in
ground colour, spotted and blotched with dark brown
and yellowish-brown, and with underlying markings of
gray. On some eggs the blotches are large, few, and
irregular; on others they take the form of spots, and
are often distributed in a zone round the larger end ;
occasionally a few streaks occur, and some varieties are
evenly marked over most of the surface with small
spots. Average measurement, 1°7 inch in length, by 1°2
inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes,
lasts from twenty-one to twenty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this Tern
very closely resemble those of the Arctic Tern, but may
almost invariably be distinguished by their larger bulk,
more rotund form, and absence of any olive or grcen
tinge in the ground colour. They should, however, ke
carefully identified wherever possible.
306 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family LARID. Genus STERNA,
Sub-family S7TERN/IN A.
A RCL CY Dea
STERNA ARCTICA, Zemmuinck.
Single Brooded. Laying season, June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Arctic Tern is a
common and widely distributed species, especially in
the northern portions of our area, where it replaces the
preceding bird in many localities, or far exceeds it in
numbers. It breeds locally and in most cases sparingly
round the English coast-line, from the Farne Islands
to the sand-banks near the Spurn. No other stations
are known until we reach the Scilly Islands; thence
northwards a few pairs breed on the Welsh coast, and
possibly on Walney, off the Lancashire coast. In Scot-
land it is generally distributed round the coast in places
suited to its requirements, including the Orkneys, the
Shetlands, and the Hebrides. Its principal breeding-
places in Ireland are on the west coast.
BREEDING HABITS: The Arctic Tern is.a summer
migrant to the British Islands, arriving on the coasts
towards the end of April or early in May. ° Its favourite
breeding-haunts are low rocky islands where the beach is
covered with sand and shingle, and the ground is more
or less clothed with grass and other marine vegetation.
In some localities, where an island cannot be had, a
secluded part of a shingly beach is selected. Like all
its congeners, the Arctic Tern is gregarious during the
breeding season, but the colonies vary a good deal in
size. One of the most important of these is on the
Farne Islands. This Tern probably pairs for life, and
yearly returns to the same islands to breed, although the
ARCTIC TERN: 307
exact locality of the colony is frequently changed from
season to season. From a very long and wide experience
of the habits of this Tern, I am of opinion that the bird
never makes a nest of any kind, beyond a mere hollow,
which is as often due to accident as to design. No
lining is ever used. The eggs also are more generally
laid nearer to the water than those of the Common
Tern. Any little depression in the coarse sand or
shingle, on the line of drift, among pebbles, or on the
bare ground or rock, serves as a receptacle for the eggs.
The actions of this Tern at the nest are precisely similar
to those of the preceding species. The eggs are seen
with difficulty, owing to their harmonizing with sur-
rounding tints.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Arctic Tern are two or three in number,
and vary considerably in colour. They vary in ground
colour from buff or buffish-brown to olive, or even pale
bluish-green, blotched and spotted with dark brown
and ochraceous brown, and with underlying markings
of gray. The distribution of the markings runs through
much the same variation as those of the preceding
species, but blotches are more general. Average
measurement, 1°5 inch in length, by 1°1 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from twenty-
one to twenty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Arctic
Tern are distinguished from those of the Common
Tern, the only species with which they are likely to be
confused, by their more elongated shape, smaller size,
bolder markings, and proneness to olive tints. Care,
however, should be exercised in identifying them.
308, THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family LARID/Z. Genus STERNA.
Sub-family STE RNIN,
LESSER, Tia
STERNA MINUTA, Linnceus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Lesser Tern is fast
becoming local and even rare, partly owing to the ruth-
less plundering of its eggs by sea-side “ trippers,’ and
persecution by cockney sportsmen, and partly because
many of its favourite haunts or their vicinity have now
become too thickly populated by man. I will not
assist in this Tern’s further extermination by naming
a single haunt where I know it now breeds, beyond
remarking in a vague and general way that small
colonies exist here and there round the British coasts,
and in one or two more inland localities. When we
secure by law more rigorous protection for this, my
favourite sea-bird, then may its haunts be more definitely
named.
BREEDING HABITS: This charming little Tern is a
summer migrant ‘to our islands, rarely reaching them
before May. Its haunts during the breeding season
are wide stretches of sandy coast, varied with slips
and banks of shingle. Curiously enough it prefers
the coast of the mainland to an island, and this un-
doubtedly is one of the principal causes of its rapid
decrease in numbers, owing to the facilities offered to
every wandering rascal to plunder and destroy. Like
all the other Terns, the present species probably pairs
for life, and yearly returns to one particular part of the
coast to breed. It is also gregarious, like its congeners,
but unfortunately its colonies in our islands are nowhere
LESSER TERN. 309
very extensive. This Tern makes no nest, not even
scratching a hollow for the reception of the eggs, but
laying them, not on the fine sand, but on the slips of
rough shingle, where the bold character of their mark-
ings harmonizes so closely with the ground that their
discovery is difficult. The birds become noisy and fly
anxiously about overhead when their nesting-ground
is invaded, but show less concern for their treasures
than the other Terns invariably do.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Lesser Tern are from two to four in
number. On two separate occasions I have seen
clutches of the latter, but three is the average number.
They vary from buff to grayish-brown in ground colour,
spotted and blotched with dark brown and yellowish-
brown, and with underlying markings of gray. They
run through every variation that characterizes the eggs
of the two preceding species, and may perhaps be best
described as resembling those of the Common Tern in
ground colour, and those of the Arctic Tern in the bold
nature of the markings. Average measurement, 1°25
inch in length, by ‘95 inch in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed by both sexes, is said by Ticdemann to last
from fourteen to sixteen days, but this probably is an
error, the period most likely being the same as that of
the preceding species.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Lesser
Tern may be at once distinguished by their small size,
elliptical shape, and the bold character of their markings.
410° THE NESTS AND EGGS. OF BRIS BEDS.
Family ALCIDA. Genus URIA.
COM MON (GWU LER ero T,.
URIA TROILE (Linneus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Guillemot
is generally and abundantly distributed along most of
the rocky coasts of the British Islands, from the Scilly
Isles and the Isle of Wight in the south, to the Orkneys
and Shetlands in the north; from the Flamborough
cliffs and the Farne Islands in the east, to the Outer
Hebrides, St. Kilda, and the Blaskets in the west. It
is, however, as far as my experience goes, much more
abundant in the north than in the south, and frequents
sandstone cliffs from necessity rather than choice.
BREEDING HABITS: The Guillemot, most familiar of
all our rock fowl, is a resident in our islands, but subject
to much local movement when the breeding season is
over. It is gregarious during the nesting season, some
of its colonies being densely packed. Where the cliffs
are extensive the Guillemots are more scattered, but
where suitable crags are few the birds mass together in
enormous numbers, as, for instance, at the Pinnacles on
the Farne Islands. Cliffs with plenty of ledges and
hollows are the favourite nesting-places. The bird may
doubtless pair for life, and certain haunts are returned
to year by year. The Guillemot is no nest-builder, nor
does it make provision in any way whatever for the
reception of its egg. This is deposited on any suitable
ledge in any available hollow, where it can be tolerably
safe from rolling over, or the parent bird can find stand-
ing room to incubate it. The Guillemot is not very
demonstrative at the breeding-place, usually flying down
COMMON GUILLEMOT, 311
to the sea when disturbed, and returning as soon as its
haunt is left in peace. It utters little or no sound when
thus disturbed.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The Guillemot lays only one egg, but if this be taken it
is usually replaced several times in succession. It is
impossible, even with much more space than we here
have at our disposal, to describe a tithe of the variations
in colour and character of markings in the eggs of this
species. In no other known bird do they vary so widely ;
and certainly the eggs of none are more beautiful. The
ground colours of the egg (which is pear-shaped) are
dark green, yellowish- green, reddish-brown, cream-
yellow, white, and pale blue, with every intermediate
shade; the markings, which take the form of spots,
blotches, streaks, and zones, are composed of browns
and grays and pinks of every possible tint. Some eggs
of course are much handsomer than others; some are
without markings of any kind. An exquisite variety
is white, intricately streaked and netted with pink;
another is green, streaked in the same manner with
yellow, light brown or nearly black; others are zoned
with blotches, or marked with fantastic-shaped spots and
rings. Average measurement, 3°3 inches in length, by
2°0 inches in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts from thirty to thirty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The egg of the Guillemot,
in spite of its wonderful variation, cannot readily be con-
fused with that of any other species, except that of the
Razorbill. Eggs, however, that resemble those of the
latter bird may be at once distinguished by holding
them up to the light and looking at the interior of the
shell through the hole where they have been blown, when
the colour is yellowish-white, never green. See also
diagnostic characters of the egg of the Razorbill (p. 315).
ji2, THE NESS AND EGGS OF BRITISH “Bins.
Family ALCID:. Genus URI.
BLACK “Gul Vater
URIA GRYLLE (Linnaeus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May and in June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black Guillemot is
only known to breed in one English locality, and that is
the Isle of Man. Its principal breeding area extends
along the west and north coasts of Scotland, including
the Hebrides and St. Kilda, to the Orkneys and the
Shetlands. Thence it extends down the east coast of
Scotland as far south as Sutherlandshire. Its principal
breeding-places in Ireland are on the north and west
coasts, but it is said there are still a few on the east coast
and on the south coast as far as County Waterford.
BREEDING HABITS: The Black Guillemot is found
in the British seas throughout the year, but is subject
to considerable local movement after the breeding
season. Its haunts in our islands during the summer
are bold rocky headlands, islands, and ocean cliffs
similar to those frequented by the Razorbill and the
Common Guillemot. It is not quite so gregarious as
its larger allies, the colonies usually being small and
scattered. I am of opinion that this species pairs for
life, as year by year certain spots are resorted to for
breeding purposes. Unlike the Guillemot, but like the
Razorbill, the present bird breeds in a covered site, in
holes and crannies of the cliffs, or amongst masses of
rocks below them, occasionally on rock-strewn downs
sloping to the sea. No nest of any kind is made, the
eggs simply resting on the bare earth or rock. This
bird makes little or no demonstration when disturbed,
BLACK GUIELEMOT. 313
usually flying off at once to the water, there to remain
until the danger has passed.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Black Guillemot are two in number,
smaller and blunter than those of the Common Guillemot,
and resembling those of the Razorbill in general colour-
ation. They vary from cream to buff and pale green in
ground colour, blotched, spotted, and more rarely streaked
with rich dark brown and paler brown, and with numerous
and large underlying markings of gray. Usually the
blotches and spots are pretty evenly distributed over the
entire surface, but zones are not uncommon. Average
measurement, 2°35 inches in length, by 1°6 inch in
breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, is said
to last twenty-four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Black
Guillemot may be readily distinguished from those of
allied species by their much smaller size. They resemble,
however, certain varieties of those of the Sandwich Tern,
but may be at once distinguished by their greater weight
and greenish tinge. The site on which they are laid
also prevents the slightest possible chance of confusion.
Family ALCID/A. Genus ALCA.
Rene, ON Bal Tee.
ALCA TORDA, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, middle of May to middle of
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Razorbill is widely
and commonly distributed along all rocky coasts suited
to its requirements, although nowhere perhaps so
314 THE NESTS AND. EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
abundant as the Guillemot, and becoming less frequent
in the extreme south.
BREEDING HABITS: The Razorbill is a resident in
the British seas, but subject to much local movement
during the non-breeding season. The breeding-haunts
of this species are marine crags and precipices, in which
plenty of nooks and crannies and broken rocks occur.
The broken cliffs are preferred to those of a wall-like
character. This bird is also gregarious, and great numbers
may be found breeding together in suitable cliffs. I am
of opinion that the Razorbill pairs for life,as each season
one particular hole or cranny will be tenanted, presumably
by the same birds. Early in spring the birds begin to
collect at the nesting colonies, coming from all parts of
the adjoining seas to the old familiar rendezvous. This
species makes no nest of any kind, laying its egg ina
crevice or hole in the cliffs, or far under a stack of rocks
poised one on the other, where to reach it is absolutely
impossible. I have known this bird make use of a
Puffin burrow ; but surely the ornithologist who declares
that he saw a Razorbill incubating in the old nest of a
Cormorant must have been deceived! The Razorbill is
somewhat loth to leave its egg, and may often be caught
on it owing to this reluctance. The birds also occasion-
ally make a grunting noise when their breeding-grounds
are invaded by man.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The Razorbill lays only a single egg, which will, however,
be several times replaced if taken. The eggs of this
species vary considerably in colour and character of
markings, but to nothing near the extent of those of the
Guillemot. The ground colour runs through every tint
between white and reddish-brown, and the blotches and
spots are dark liver-brown and reddish-brown, whilst the
underlying markings are gray, or grayish-brown. The
RAZORBILL. 315
markings are usually very bold and large, most numerous
about the larger end of the egg, where they frequently
form an irreguiar zone. One variety has the markings
of a streaky character; another and rarer variety is
almost spotless. No shade of green or blue is ever dis-
played externally on the eggs of this species. Average
measurement, 2°9 inches in length, by 1’9 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from thirty
to thirty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Razorbill
are never so acutely pear-shaped as those of the Guillemot,
being blunter and broader for their length. They can
only possibly be confused with those of the Guillemot,
but from which they may be readily distinguished by
the clear pea-green tinge of the interior of the shell when
held up to the light ; those of the Guillemot always being
yellowish-white, except in such varieties where the green
or blue exterior overpowers it. As previously remarked,
however, the eggs of the Razorbill externally never
exhibit green or blue tints.
Family ALCIDZ. Genus FRATERCULA.
PaO Cr Eine
FRATERCULA ARCTICA (Linneus).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Except on the south of
England, where it is only sparingly dispersed, and the
east of England, where it is not known to breed south of
Flamborough, the Puffin is widely and generally dis-
tributed round the British Islands, in some places, as
310 THE NESTS AND EGGS, OF BRITMSE BIRDS,
for instance Lundy Island, the Farne Islands, and the
Hebrides, its numbers being enormous and past all belief.
BREEDING HABITS: The Puffin is a resident in the
British seas, but subject to much local movement after
the breeding season. Its favourite breeding-haunts are
the earthy parts of sea-cliffs, sloping downs covered
with turf, and low islands with a good depth of soil
or peat. At the Bass Rock many Puffins have formed
a colony amongst the walls of an old fortress; at St.
Kilda I noticed another considerable colony in the
sandy cliff near the village, whilst the cliff Connacher
and the island of Doon at the latter place (St. Kilda)
contain colonies of this bird that perfectly overpower
one with their countless numbers. Few birds are so
gregarious as the Puffin. It also probably pairs for
life, and the same places are resorted to annually. In
most localities the Puffin makes its nest at the end of a
long and often winding burrow, which is usually ex-
cavated by the birds themselves, or sometimes a natural
hollow or crevice in the cliff or under a mass of fallen
rocks is utilized. More rarely a rabbit-burrow is annexed.
By the end of April both birds are engaged in making
this burrow, if circumstances demand it, which is often
several yards in length, though more often only a few
feet. At the end a slight nest of dry grass and some-
times a few feathers is formed. I have known several
pairs to nest in one large earth. When disturbed at the
breeding-places the Puffins that may chance to be outside
their holes take wing, usually going at once to the sea
with whirring wings, but not uttering a single note.
Those on their nests, however, rarely move until they
are pulled out. Great caution is required, and gloves
are advisable, as the disturbed Puffin resents intrusion,
and is able to inflict a nasty cut with its sharp beak and
claws. The throng of Puffins I disturbed from the
PUFFIN. 317
colonies at St. Kilda was perfectly overwhelming, and
can never be forgotten.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The Puffin lays only one egg, which will, however, be
replaced several times if taken. It is dull white, some-
times tinged with very pale blue or gray, in ground
colour, very obscurely spotted, blotched, and occasionally
streaked with pale brown, and with underlying markings
of gray. Asa rule the latter type of markings prevails,
and very often both kinds form a zone round the larger
end of the egg. So dirty, however, do the eggs become
through contact with the wet feet and plumage of the
parent birds and the soil of the burrow, that little, if any,
of the pale markings are visible until they have been well
washed. Average measurement, 2'4 inches in length, by
165 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts about five weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The egg of the Puffin is
readily identified by its size, pale ground colour, and very
indistinctly defined markings.
Family PROCELLARIID. Genus PROCELLARIA.
PEACE S EORK-TALLED PETREL.
PROCELLARIA LEACHI, Zemsmainck.
Single Brooded. Laying season, June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The known _ breeding-
places of the Fork-tailed Petrel within our area are
remarkably few, but there can be no doubt whatever
that many more will eventually be discovered on the
western coast-line, notably amongst the Hebrides. It
318 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
breeds abundantly at St. Kilda; there are colonies on
North Rona and elsewhere in the Outer Hebrides ;
whilst small colonies have within the past few years been
discovered on the Blaskets off the coast of County
Kerry.
BREEDING HABITS: The Fork-tailed Petrel is a
resident in the British Seas, but subject to much local
movement, and is seldom seen on or near land except
during the breeding season, or when driven in by stress
of weather. Its breeding-haunts, so far as the United
Kingdom is concerned, are situated on rocky islands
commanding the Atlantic Ocean. It is a gregarious
bird, but nowhere do the colonies appear to be very
extensive, being scattered here and there on the fringe
of its oceanic haunts. Most probably this Petrel pairs
for life, as yearly it may be found breeding in one par-
ticular spot, the same nesting sites being used in many
cases. The most important colony known to me is
situated at St. Kilda. The Fork-tailed Petrel makes its
scanty nest at the end of a burrow from two to five
feet or more in length, often very winding, and contain-
ing several outlets. In some cases one earth will
accommodate several pairs of birds. These burrows are
made in the soft peaty soil or mould, usually under the
turf, near the summit of the cliffs ; but in some instances
they have been discovered amongst ruins or under rocks.
The nests I examined were made of dry grass, moss,
roots, and a few bits of lichen from the surrounding
rocks, and varied considerably in size: in one burrow
there was no nest, and the egg lay on the bare ground.
I also remarked that the inhabited burrows had a little
dry grass strewn at the entrance. The birds sit remark-
ably close. No one would dream that the ground
around him contained such interesting objects, the Petrels
rcmaining on their nests until dragged out by the hand.
STORMY PETREL. 319
Many nests may be found within the radius of a few
yards.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :’
The Fork-tailed Petrel only lays one egg each season.
This is chalky in texture, very fragile, white in ground
colour, with a more or less obscure zone of minute red-
dish-brown specks, and a few underlying ones of grayer
brown. So fine are most of these markings that they
look almost like dust. Average measurement, 1°3 inch
in length, by ‘97 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts about thirty-five days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this Petrel
are readily distinguished from those of all other allied
species breeding in our area by their size.
Family PROCELLARIID. Genus PROCELLARIA.
So Ooh y PoE IR E L.
PROCELLARIA PELAGICA, Linne@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, June (normally).
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: So far as is known the
Stormy Petrel does not breed anywhere on the eastern
coast-line of England or Scotland. It breeds on the
Scilly Isles, and is said to do so sparingly on Lundy ;
a few nest here and there on the Welsh coast, but it
becomes more generally distributed along the rugged
and islet-studded coast of the west of Scotland, in-
cluding the Hebrides and St. Kilda, and round the north
coast to the Orkneys and the Shetlands. There are
also numerous breeding-places round the Irish coasts,
especially in the west, including the Blaskets.
320 ZHE NESTS AND EGGS ‘OF BRITISH BIRDS.
BREEDING HABITS: The Stormy Petrel is a resident
in the British seas, subject to much local movement,
‘and only coming to land to breed, or when driven in by
stress of weather. Its favourite breeding-haunts are
rocky islands which contain a fair amount of uneven
turf-clad downs more or less strewn with rock fragments.
It is gregarious during the breeding season, numbers of
pairs resorting to certain favourite localities to rear
their young. It is probable that this little Petrel pairs
for life. The slight nest of a few bits of dry grass is
made either in an old rabbit-earth or Puffin burrow,
under a rock or a heap of loose stones, or even amongst
ruined walls and other masonry. In some cases no
provision of any kind whatever is made, and the egg
rests on the bare ground. This Petrel is a remarkably
close sitter, so that one could wander about its breed-
ing-places without being made aware of the fact. It
sits close in its burrow or crevice until dragged out ; af
dusk, however, the birds become more lively, and may
then be seen flitting about in a ghostly way near their
nest-holes, leaving and returning to them. Many nests
are often made close together.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The Stormy Petrel only lays one egg each season, but
if this chance to be taken it is generally replaced. It
is pure white in ground colour, chalky in texture and
without gloss, and almost oval in form. From a casual
glance many eggs look entirely spotless, but a fine
sprinkling of minute red spots, most of them in the form
of a zone round the larger end, in somes cases so small
as. to look like dust, may be detected. Average
measurement, I°I inch in length, by °83 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from thirty-
three to thirty-five days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small size, chalky
PULMAR PETREL. 321
texture, and minute, dust-like markings readily dis-
tinguish the egg of the Stormy Petrel from those of all
other species breeding in our area with which it is at all
likely to be confused.
Family PROCELLARIID Z. Genus FULMARUS.
Poe be Nek ee ET Ree:
FULMARUS GLACIALIS (Liz@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, middle of May to
middle of June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The only important
British breeding-place of this Petrel is in the St. Kilda
group. It is said,on what appears to be trustworthy
authority, that a few pairs breed on Foula in the
Shetlands, but I cannot accept the evidence of its doing
so on the Flannans and the Seven Hunters off the
coast of Lewis until less ambiguous and _ playing-for-
safety kind of statements are made than “recent evi-
dence points to the establishment of colonies on” those
islets, as a modern master was condescending enough
to inform his befogged and bewildered readers !
BREEDING HABITS: The Fulmar is more or less a
resident in the British seas, but subject to much nomadic
movement when the breeding season is over. Its breed-
ing-haunt in our area is the lofty stacks and _ beetling
precipices of St. Kilda and the neighbouring isles—the
vast downs and crags and turf-grown cliffs that spring
from the wild open Atlantic to a culminating height of
twelve hundred feet above the waves. No other part of
.
322 TAE NESTS. AND EGGS. OF BRITISH BIRDS:
our sea-girt islands is more grandly majestic than the
Fulmar’s haunt. The bird is eminently gregarious
during the breeding season, and here clusters in tens of
thousands to rear its young each year. The Fulmar
probably pairs for life; it is much attached to its
breeding-place, and the nests are used year by year.
The nest is made on the face of the cliff, either on
rough ledges or in crevices and hollows amongst the
piled-up rock masses. The favourite situation is on
that portion of the cliff where a good layer of turf-clad
soil is present ; the bird evidently preferring to burrow
a short distance into the ground wherever possible.
The hole, however, is seldom big enough entirely to
conceal the bird, and in most cases does not more than
half conceal it; whilst in a great many cases it shelters
itself under a projection of earth and turf. The nest is
slight, merely a little dry grass, and in many cases even
this is dispensed with. I met with a peculiar type of
nest on some of the bare rock-ledges and in crevices,
consisting entirely of small bits of rock arranged very
neatly. Vast numbers of birds nest close together,
so near in many parts of the cliffs as to almost touch
each other, and looking at a distance like masses of
snow. The birds are quite silent when disturbed, but
the impressive scene of the fluttering, drifting, feathered
hosts is beyond all description. As arule the Fulmars
are somewhat loth to leave their nests, and the natives
take advantage of this, and snare thousands as they sit
on their egg.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The Fulmar only lays a single egg, and it is said that
if this be taken no more are produced that season. It
is white and spotless, rough and chalky in texture, and
with a strong peculiar pungent smell. Average measure-
ment, 2.9 inches in length, by 2°0 inches in breadth,
MANX SHEARWATER. 323
Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from fifty to
sixty days according to Thienemann.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The egg of the Fulmar
is readily distinguished by its size, absence of markings,
and pungent smell.
Family PROCELLARIID. Genus PUFFINUS.
hea Nee STEAK WAT ER:
PUFFINUS ANGLORUM (Zemminchk).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and first half of June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Manx Shearwater
has no known breeding-place on the east coast of
Scotland, or the east and south coasts of England. It
breeds, however, on the Scilly Isles, possibly on Lundy,
here and there on the Welsh coast, and in many parts
of the west of Scotland among the Hebrides, including
St. Kilda, and northwards to the Orkney and Shetland
groups. In Ireland it breeds on some parts of the coasts
of Waterford and Wexford, possibly on the Blaskets,
certainly on the Skelligs rocks, various islets off the
coast of Donegal, and on Rathlin. Many other stations
undoubtedly yet remain to be discovered.
BREEDING HABITS: The Manx Shearwater is a resident
in the British seas, but during the non-breeding season
is subject to much nomadic movement. Its favourite
breeding-places are islands with a good ocean aspect,
especially such as are broken into grassy downs, and
fall in crags and precipices more or less turf-grown.
The bird is especially fond of a wide sloping down
gently falling to a rocky beach on one side, and on the
394 THE NESTS AND £GGS OP kis Bis.
other culminating in rugged precipices full of turfy
hollows with a thick covering of loamy soil. It is
gregarious during the breeding season, but the colonies
vary a good deal in size, the most important and ex-
tensive one known to me being on the island of Soay in
the St. Kilda group. Many scattered pairs may be
met with here and there, but this island seems to be
the grand head-quarters of the species in our area,
if we perhaps except that on Puffin Island near the
Little Skellig. This Shearwater most probably pairs
for life, and season by season returns to its favourite
breeding-places. The egg is laid in a burrow, usually
excavated by the bird, and from four to twelve feet or
more in length. These ‘burrows are made in the steep
grassy parts of the cliff, or near their summit, or on the
downs sloping to the water. Many of them are made
under large masses of rocks impossible of human access.
I found a scanty nest of dry grass at the end of the
burrow, but other observers have found the egg on the
bare ground, At the entrance of a burrow in use a few
droppings are almost invariably seen. The Manx Shear-
water sits closely ; in fact, few if any of the birds are to
be seen during daylight, no matter how large the colony
may be. The sitting bird rarely makes any effort to
escape, Suffering itself to be dragged out. Many nests are
made close together, and sometimes one main entrance
will lead to several burrows each containing a nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The Manx Shearwater only produces a single egg fora
sitting, but if this be removed another will generally be
laid. This is pure white in colour, and rather smooth in
texture. Average measurement, 2°4 inches in length, by
1°65 inch in breadth. Incubation is performed by both
sexes, but the period of its duration is not apparently
ascertained.
RED THROATED DIVER. 325
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The egg of the Manx
Shearwater is readily distinguished from all other
Petrels known to breed within our area by its size.
Care, however, should be taken in its identification, as
it is by no means improbable that other closely allied
Shearwaters may breed on the British coasts, although
hitherto undetected.
Family COLYMBID. Genus COLYMBUS,
ek) =i oR OLA. Tes D+) Dye ViESR)
COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, Linuncus.
/
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May, and in
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Red-throated Diver
is principally confined to the western half of Scotland
from the Clyde northwards, including the Hebrides, the
Orkneys, and the Shetlands. In Ireland it is at present
only known to breed in Co. Donegal. The bird is only
a winter visitor to the English coasts.
BREEDING HABITS: The Red-throated Diver is a
resident in the British Islands, but subject to much
local and southern movement after the breeding season.
The favourite breeding-haunts of this Diver are the wild
moorland lochs and pools that form so characteristic
a feature in the scenery of the Highlands and the
Hebrides. It is not gregarious during the nesting
season, although several pairs may frequent one loch or
pool, each, however, keeping to a particular locality and
resenting any intrusion. The bird most probably pairs
for life, and returns season after season to breed in
326 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
certain chosen spots. The nest is invariably placed on
the ground, the bird choosing an island wherever a
preference can be exercised ; but frequently the bank of
a mountain pool is selected. If the nest is made on
shingle or bare ground it is more elaborate than when
on grass or amongst vegetation. Even the most elabor-
ate nests are little more than hollows sparsely lined with
a little dry grass or fragments of more aquatic herbage.
The nest is seldom far from the water-side. The bird
does not sit very closely, usually gliding off the nest
and shuffling into the water the moment it is alarmed.
Neither is it a demonstrative bird, but it sometimes flies
over the intruder in its anxiety to learn the fate of its
home.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Red-throated Diver are two in number,
narrow and elongated in form. They vary from
brownish-olive to pale buffish-brown in ground colour,
spotted and speckled with very dark brown, many of
them almost black, and with a few indistinct underlying
markings of paler brown. The spots vary from about
the size of a pea downwards. But little variation is
seen in the eggs of this species. Average measure-
ment, 2°8 inches in length, by 1°8 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed chiefly if not entirely by the
female, lasts, it is said, about a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The elongated form and
dark decided spots characterize the eggs of this and the
following species (the only two known to breed in our
area), and the small size is the distinguishing feature of
those of the present bird. Unfortunately, however, the
egg measurements of these two Divers overlap in rare
instances, so that it behoves the collector thoroughly to
identify his specimens.
BLACK-THROATED DIVER.
327
Family COLYMBIDZE. Genus COLYMBUS.
meee K-THROAPFED DIVER
CoLYMBUS ARCTICUS, Liun@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May, and in
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black-throated Diver
is a much rarer and more local species than the pre-
ceding, nevertheless it is known to breed in various parts
of the Outer Hebrides, and on the mainland from Argyll,
through the counties of Inverness, Ross, and Sutherland,
to Caithness. It has not yet been known to breed in
Ireland, and is only a winter visitor to England.
BREEDING HABITS: This Diver very closely resembles
the preceding species in its habits and economy. It is
a resident in our islands, but subject to considerable
local and southern movement during autumn and winter.
Its breeding-haunts are wild and secluded moorland
and mountain lochs, pools, and tarns, preference being
shown for such that contain islands. The Black-throated
Diver is not a gregarious species during the nesting
season, but several pairs may frequently be found within
a comparatively small area, each, however, keeping to
themselves and to one particular haunt. It is probable
that this Diver also pairs for life, and shows much at-
tachment to certain nesting-places. The nest, invariably
made upon the ground, is’ generally placed at no great
distance from the water’s edge on an island, more or
less covered with grass and other coarse vegetation. It
is, however, usually made on the bare shingly beach
rather than amongst the herbage. This nest is rather
more substantial than that of the Red-throated Diver,
a mass of stalks, roots, and drifted aquatic vegetable
328 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIKDS,
fragments, lined with grass. Instances, however, are on
record where the eggs have been found on the bare
earth. One would think that this Diver must occasion-
ally remove its eggs in the event of a sudden rise of
the water, so closely are some of the nests made to the
margin of the pool. The bird is not a close sitter,
slipping quietly off the moment she is alarmed, and
taking refuze in the water, where she is soon joined by
her ever-watchful mate. Sometimes the birds will fly
round and scan the scene from the air.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Black-throated Diver are two in number,
narrow and elongated in shape. They vary from olive-
brown to rufous or buffish-brown in ground colour,
sparingly spotted and speckled with blackish-brown,
and with a few obscure underlying markings of paler
brown. The spots range from the size of a pea down-
wards, and are distributed here and there over the
surface, and are generally more numerous towards the
larger end of the egg. Average measurement, 3°2 inches
in length, by 2°0 inches in breadth. Incubation, per-
formed chiefly if not entirely by the female, is said to
last a month.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this Diver
are best distinguished by their larger size and less
profuse spotting, but inasmuch as they overlap (rarely)
in measurement with those of the preceding species,
careful identification is imperative for perfect accuracy.
LITT ERAGE 329
Family PODICIPEDIDA. Genus PODICEPS.
jedi Deel ES gn al wi oe oiler
PODICEPS MINOR (Svisson).
Double Brooded. Laying season, end of March to early May
and July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Little Grebe is
commonly and widely distributed throughout the British
Islands in all districts suited to its requirements, with the
exception of the Shetlands, to which it is only a wanderer
in winter.
BREEDING HABITS: The Little Grebe is a resident in
the British Islands, but subject to considerable local and
southern movement during winter. Its breeding-haunts
are reed- and rush-fringed pools, canals, and slow-running
streams ; it is remarkable what a small sheet of water
will in many instances content a pair of these interesting
little birds. It may be found on almost every description
of water, provided always that there is considerable cover
in the shape of rushes, reeds, equisetums, and the like,
growing in the shallows, and long coarse grass, tall plants,
and weeds of all kinds flourishing on the banks. Al-
though several pairs may occasionally be seen swimming
at no great distance, even on the same sheet of water, the
Little Grebe is not at all gregarious during the breeding
season, and each pair keeps to a favourite spot, resenting
any intrusion of their neighbours. The nest is usually a
more or less floating structure, in most cases built up
from the bottom, and is made amongst the reeds, often
at some distance from the bank at the edge of a patch of
rushes or iris. Less frequently it is made amongst the
vegetation growing on the banks of the water, more
often just in the water, and partly concealed by over-
330. THE NESTS AND EGGS CF BRsSe Bires
hanging plants and grass. Nests have been recorded
made in the low branches overhanging the water. It
may best be described as a mass of half-rotten, wet
vegetation, reeds, rushes, equisetums, grass, and water-
weeds all matted together, with a shallow hollow at the
top more neatly finished. The bird sits lightly, at the
least alarm quickly covering her eggs with bits of wet
weed and rush to conceal them from view, and then
dropping so quietly into the water that scarcely a ripple
remains to disclose the secret of her disappearance.
It is amazing how quickly this operation is performed ;
and here once more I might impress upon the reader
that this act of covering the eggs is zot for warmth, but
for concealment. If the bird is disturbed suddenly, and
has to leave the eggs uncovered, it usually returns at the
first opportunity and does so.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Little Grebe are from four to six, rarely
seven, in number, elliptical and pointed in shape, and
rather rough in texture. They are pure white when
newly laid, but soon become stained and discoloured by
contact with the wet nest, and feet and plumage of the
parents. Average measurement, I'5 inch in length, by
ro inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The small size, elliptic
shape, and pea-green tinge of the interior of the shell
viewed through the hole when held up to the light,
readily distinguish the eggs of the Little Grebe from
those of all other species breeding within our area.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 331
Family PODICIPEDID. Genus PODICEPs.
evnnl! CREST Ep Ghee bE.
PoDICEPS CRISTATUS (Lizmc@us).
Single Brooded. Laying season, April, May, and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Great Crested Grebe
is by far the most common in England and Wales, only
breeding in one or two localities in Ireland, and even
much more sparingly still in the south of Scotland. Its
principal breeding-places in England are the broads of
Norfolk and Suffolk, and on suitable waters in Yorkshire,
Lancashire, Cheshire, Notts, Shropshire, Warwickshire,
Oxfordshire, Bucks, and Hertfordshire. It breeds on the
larger lakes of Wales, notably in Breconshire.
BREEDING HABITS: The Great Crested Grebe is a
resident in our islands, but more widely dispersed in
winter than in summer. Its breeding-haunts are the
more extensive sheets of still water, the bird seldom or
never frequenting such small pools as so often and
generally content the Little Grebe. The bird is more
or less gregarious during the breeding season, numbers
of nests often being made within a small area, and their
owners swimming in company all the summer through.
The size of the colony of course entirely depends on the
suitability of the waters and the abundance or rarity of
birds in the vicinity. I am of opinion that this Grebe
pairs for life, and yearly resorts to certain favoured
places to breed. Early in spring, generally in March,
the birds appear in their accustomed nesting-places,
swimming in pairs, the male occasionally gambolling
with and chasing the female, and both frequently
engaging in various grotesque antics as preliminary to
the season of more important courtship. The nest is
332 TAE NESTS AND EGGS CF BREESE Gio,
almost invariably made in the water, cither floating and
moored to the reeds, or built up from the bottom of the
pool in the same shelter, the matter being purely a
question of the depth of water. It is a huge heap or
raft of dead aquatic muddy vegetation of all kinds, with
a shallow depression at the top more neatly finished, in
which the eggs are laid. Several mock nests are gener-
ally to be found in its immediate neighbourhood, made
whilst incubation is in progress, and most probably
destined for the use of the young as resting-places. The
bird sits lightly, covering its eggs (but not so effectually
as the preceding species) with pieces of wet weed, and
slipping off them into the water the moment it is
alarmed. This Grebe, even though gregarious, resents
intrusion, and will attack and drive off any other Grebes
that may trespass on its own particular retreat.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Great Crested Grebe are from three to
five in number, very rarely six,and most generally three.
They are white when newly laid, more or less chalky in
appearance, elliptical, and pointed at each end. When
held up to the light the interior of the shell is delicate
ereen. Contact with the wet nest and the fect and
plumage of the bird soon robs them of their purity, sa
that specimens without ochre-tinted stains are somewhat
difficult to get. Average measurement, 2°2 inches in
length, by 1°5 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by
both sexes, may be about a month, but nothing definite
appears to have been decided.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Great
Crested Grebe may be distinguished from those of any
other species breeding in our area by their size, colour,
and elliptical shape, usually as much pointed at one end
as the other, or nearly so.
BLACK-NECKED AND SCLAVONIAN GREBE. 333
There is strong evidence that the Black-necked Grebe,
Podiceps nigricollts, Brehm, has bred in our islands, in
Norfolk, but up to the present time no nest has been
actually discovered. Booth records (Rough Notes) that he
had an old bird with two downy nestlings brought to him
by a marshman, but it is most extraordinary that such
a painstaking and observant naturalist (thoroughly well
aware of the importance of the discovery) should fail to
remember either the date or the locality of the occur-
rence! There can be little doubt that this species
would breed with us more or less regularly if not so
persecuted in the spring, when its beautiful nuptial
plumage attracts the fatal attention of the sportsman
and the collector (or rather slayer) of rare birds. The
nesting habits of this bird resemble those of allied
species. The eggs are laid in May and June, and are
four or five in number, creamy white when newly laid,
but soon become stained. Average measurement, 1°8
inch in length, by 1°15 inch in breadth.
The Sclavonian Grebe, Podiceps cornutus (Gmelin), is
said to nest sparingly near some fresh-water lochs at
Gairloch in Ross-shire, but until better evidence is
forthcoming I must decline to admit this species into
the present work. Its nesting economy is similar to
that of allied species. The eggs, laid in May and
June, are four or five in number, and practically
indistinguishable from those of P. xzgricollis.
334 THE NESTS AND £GGS\ OF iki MiSs Biles.
Family RALLID. Genus CREX.
CORN) (Cengage:
CREX PRATENSIS, Lechstein.
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May and in June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Corn Crake is widely
and generally distributed throughout the British Islands,
including the Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Channel
Islands.
BREEDING HABITS: The Corn Crake is a summer
mizrant to the British Islands, reaching them in April
and May, but a few individuals winter in them, probably
birds from more northern localities. The favourite
breeding-haunts of this familiar bird are grass lands,
especially hay-meadows, and fields of growing grain,
pulse, and clover. I have also, in Devonshire, remarked
its partiality for osier-beds, especially such as are clothed
with a good undergrowth of rank grassand weeds. The
Corn Crake is neither gregarious nor social during the
breeding season, although I have known two nests in one
field on several occasions ; in one instance two were
close together, only a few yards between them, This
species pairs annually. The nest is invariably made on
the ground, usually amongst clover or mowing grass,
and far less frequently amongst grain or pulse. I have
known it in osier-beds. It is a well-made structure,
made externally of coarse and dry stems of herbage and
a few dry leaves, and lined neatly with fine grass, much
of it semi-green. The bird sits closely, often losing its
life, as it broods over its eggs, from an unlucky stroke
of the scythe or modern mowing-machine. I have
known this species remove its eggs to a safer position
CORN (GRATE.
ty
35
after the grass has been cut, or when much disturbed by
frequent visits to the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Corn Crake are from cight to twelve
in number. They vary from yellowish white to pale
buff and pale blue in ground colour, spotted, speckled,
and blotched with reddish-brown of various shades, and
with underlying markings of pale violet-gray and
purple. They are subject to considerable variation,
and sometimes one egg of the pale blue ground colour
type will be found amongst a clutch of the normal
hue. The markings are not very profuse nor very large
generally, and fairly well distributed over the entire
surface of the shell. Average measurement, I°4 inch in
length, by 11 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
chiefly by the female, lasts three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size of the egg and
character of the markings readily distinguish the eggs
of the Corn Crake from those of all other species breed-
ing within our area, with perhaps the sole exception of
those of the Water Rail. As a rule the eggs of the
latter bird are more sparingly marked; whilst the
breeding-grounds of the species are very different in
character.
Family RALLID. Genus CREX.
Se) a) \GoRe AK E:
CREX PORZANA, Linnc@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Spotted Crake is a
somewhat scarce and local species, although widely
330 THE NESTS AND EGGS OFM ERIS sales.
distributed. It perhaps breeds most frequently in the
low-lying eastern counties between the Humber and the
Thames; less commonly it is however known to do so
in Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Notts. In
Wales among other localities the marshes of Breconshire
may be mentioned. North of the Border it breeds in
Dumfries-shire, and thence locally through the eastern
counties to at least as far north as the Moray Firth. In
Ireland it has been known to breed in Co. Roscommon,
and probably does so in Co. Kerry.
BREEDING HABITS: The Spotted Crake is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, arriving in May, but a
few individuals winter with us, probably from more
northern lands. The breeding-haunts of this bird are
marshes and the reed- and sedge-fringed margins of
lakes, broads, and pools. It is a most skulking species,
undoubtedly much overlooked, and regarded as rarer
than it really is. In spite of the fact that numbers of
nests may be found within small area, especially where
the birds are plentiful, I do not think the Spotted Crake
can be classed as gregarious or even social during the
breeding season. It appears to pair annually, and to
keep much to one particular haunt until the young are
hatched. The nest is usually made amongst reeds, or in
the centre of a hassock of sedge. It is a bulky structure
standing well above the water, and built up from the
bottom. It is made of decaying flags, reeds, bits of
sedge, and other aquatic herbage, and the shallow
cavity at the top is more neatly lined with dry grass
and bits of finer reed and flag. The bird sits rather
closely, but generally manages to slip off the nest unseen
before the intruder reaches its immediate vicinity. It
makes little or no demonstration at the nest.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Spotted Crake are from eight to twelve
BAILLON’S CRAKE. 337
in number. They vary from white, or white tinged with
green, to buff in ground colour, spotted and speckled with
reddish-brown of various shades, and with underlying
markings of violet-gray. The spots, which vary from
the size of a pea downwards to mere dust-like specks, are
pretty generally distributed over the entire surface, and
the gray underlying marks on some eggs are large and
predominate, or are small and few in number. Average
measurement, 1°35 inch in length, by ‘9g inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both parents, lasts three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Spotted
Crake are readily distinguished from those of all other
species breeding within our area by the large size and
boldness of the spots, and by the tinge of green which
shows in the interior of the shell when held up to the
light.
Baillon’s Crake (Crex baillonz) has certainly bred in
Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, its nest, containing eggs,
having twice been obtained in both these counties.
There can however be little doubt that the bird is now
extinct as a regular breeding species, and the occurrence
therefore is only of historical interest. The breeding
season of this Crake begins in May, and as two broods
appear to be reared in the season, fresh eggs may again
be found up to August. The nest, built on the ground,
is usually placed amongst reeds or sedge in the fens and
swamps, and is made of dry leaves, sedges, and bits of
broken reed, and lined with dry grasses. The eggs are
from five to eight in number, and vary in ground colour
from olive-brown to pale buff, mottled and sprinkled
over the entire surface with indistinct and _ ill-defined
markings of darker olive-brown, and with a few under-
lying markings of gray. Average measurement, 11 inch
in length, by °8 inch in breadth. The eggs of Baillon’s
Z
338. ZHE NESTS AND EGGS "OF BRITISH BIRDS:
Crake very closely resemble those of the Little Crake,
and require the most careful identification. Incubation,
performed chiefly by the female, lasts from twenty-one
to twenty-three days.
Family RALLID/E. Genus RALLUS.
NN AS IiaRe = eee le
RALLUS AQUATICUS, Linzcus.
Probably Double Brooded. Laying season, April, May, June,
and July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Water-Rail is widely
and generally distributed throughout the British Islands
in all districts suited to its requirements, including the
Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands, but can
nowhere be regarded as abundant with the solitary
exception perhaps of the Norfolk Broads.
BREEDING HABITS: The Water-Rail is for the most
part a resident in the British Islands, but subject to
much local movement during winter, and there is a per-
ceptible arrival of individuals from more northern haunts
in autumn, especially in East Anglia. The favourite
breeding-haunts of this very shy skulking Rail are pools
and stagnant waters which contain an abundant growth
of reeds, osier-beds with a dense thick undergrowth of
coarse vegetation, especially when near to open water,
and boggy ground overgrown with thickets of reeds.
The Water-Rail is not gregarious, and each pair keeps
closely to its own particular haunt. It is probable that
this bird pairs for life. The nestis frequently made ina
small thicket of reeds, or under the arching shelter of a
WATER-RAIL. 6)
clump of sedge or rushes, and in most cases is extremely
difficult to find. It is rather bulky, and made of stems
and flat leaves of reeds, and bits of dead aquatic plants,
neatly and smoothly lined with finer yet similar material.
It is invariably placed upon the ground, but when ina
hassock of sedge or rushes the roots of the plant elevate
it a foot or more above the surrounding level. The bird
sits closely, and leaves the nest in a quiet, stealthy
manner, slipping off into the surrounding vegetation and
skulking close until the disturbance has passed.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Water-Rail are usually from five to
seven in number, but as many as nine and more rarely
eleven have been found. They vary from yellowish-
white to pale buff in ground colour, somewhat sparingly
spotted and speckled with reddish-brown and_ with
numerous underlying markings of violet-gray. Little
variation is presented, but occasionally the spots are
rather large. Average measurement, 1°4 inch in length,
by 10 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both
sexes, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Water-
Rail cannot readily be confused with those of any other
species breeding in our area, with the one exception of
those of the Corn Crake; the markings, however, are
smaller and more clearly defined ; whilst the breeding-
grounds of the two birds are totally different in character.
340 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family RALLID/!. Genus GALLINULA.
WAT Ea bee
GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (Lium@us).
Double Brooded. Laying season, March to July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Waterhen is com-
monly and widely distributed throughout the British
Islands, even extending to such bare and wild localities
as the Outer Hebrides and the Orkneys, but not reaching
the Shetlands asa breeding species, only as a wanderer.
BREEDING HABITS: The Waterhen is a resident in
the British Islands, and for the most part sedentary,
unless driven out by long-continued frosts. It may be
found breeding on the banks of almost every description
of water, provided shelter of some kind is available ;
whilst in many places it lives almost in a state of semi-
domestication. We can scarcely class the Waterhen
as gregarious, but it is certainly to a great extent social
during the breeding season, numbers of nests often
being made within a small area, yet even then each
pair shows a strong disposition to resent encroachment
on its own particular nest-haunt, though ready enough |
to swim and feed in company with the rest. I am of
opinion that this bird pairs for life, and not only keeps
to one haunt season by season, but often makes its nest
in one particular spot. The nest is placed in a great
variety of situations, perhaps most frequently among
flags, rushes, reeds, and ir's, often at some distance from
shore, in moderately shallow water. Sometimes it is
built amongst a mass of branches bent down into the
water, and is then entirely supported by the network
of twigs; at others it is made amongst exposed roots,
on the banks of the water. More rarely a fir tree has
WATERHEN. 341
been selected, the nest being made as much as twenty
feet from the ground. It is a bulky structure of rotten
aquatic vegetation, flags, reeds, rushes, weeds, sedges
loosely interwoven, but well massed together, the cavity
containing the eggs being shallow, and lined with finer
and drier material. The nest is often increased during
the progress of incubation, either to repair the damages
caused by the incessant wash of the waves, or to prepare
for sudden floods. The bird does not sit very closely,
and covers her eggs before leaving them, slipping off
into the water at the first alarm.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
fie eces of the Waterhen are from six to ten in
number, sometimes as many as twelve. They vary
from buffish-white to pale reddish-buff in ground colour,
spotted and speckled with reddish-brown, and with
underlying markings of gray. On some varieties the
markings are of the character of blotches. rather than
spots, occasionally of considerable size; on others the
markings are few and small. They are pretty evenly
distributed over the surface. Average measurement,
1'7 inch in length, by 12 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by both sexes, lasts from twenty to twenty-
four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and general
colouration of the eggs of the Waterhen prevent them
from being confused with those of any other species
breeding within our area.
342 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH bios,
Family RALLID. Genus FULICA.
COM MON. COO
FULICA ATRA, Linneus.
Double Brooded. Laying season, May and July.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Coot,
although nowhere perhaps as abundant as the Water-
hen, is nevertheless very generally dispersed over the
British Islands, breeding in every county in all suitable
localities, including the Hebrides and the Orkneys, but
is only a wanderer to the Shetlands.
BREEDING HABITS: The Coot is a resident in the
British Islands, but subject to much local movement
during autumn and winter, when its numbers are
increased by individuals from more northerly areas.
The breeding-haunts of the Coot are large ponds,
reservoirs, broads, lakes, and slow-running rivers and
streams; but the bird is not seen .on such small
expanses of water as so often content the preceding
species. It shows a preference for broad open sheets
of water, especially those that contain a good growth
of reeds, equisetums, and such-like plants. The Coot
can scarcely be regarded as gregarious during the
breeding season, but in many localities great numbers
of birds nest in a small area, each pair, however, keep-
ing to a chosen spot, and resenting intrusion. It is
social notwithstanding, and often swims and feeds in
company during this period. It is probable that this
species pairs for life ; certain places are tenanted every
year, and the birds seem much attached to their
haunts. The nests are placed in a variety of situations.
Sometimes they are made amongst reeds, rushes, or iris,
in shallow water, at a considerable distance from the
COMMON COOT. 343
shore; sometimes a small island clothed with grass
and other coarse herbage is selected; frequently the
nest is a floating structure, moored securely to reeds or
flags; less often it may be found amongst the tangled
vegetation on the dry bank, but close to the water’s
edge. It is usually a bulky structure, the foundation
often built at the bottom of the water, and then carried
upwards from a few inches to a foot above the surface.
Most of the nest is a mere heap of rotten aquatic
vegetation of all kinds, at the top of which a shallow
cavity is formed, and lined with finer and drier: material.
The Coot sits lightly, and when alarmed slips very
quietly off the nest into the water, and skulks amongst
the vegetation until all is safe again; but the bird never
attempts to conceal the eggs by covering them.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Coot are from six to twelve in number,
seven or eight being an average clutch. They are
buffish-white or very pale clay-buff in ground colour,
sprinkled, speckled, and dusted over most of the surface
with dark blackish-brown, and with underlying markings
similar in character of violet-gray. But little variation
is presented, except in the tint of the ground colour.
Average measurement, 2°1 inches in length, by 1°3 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
from twenty-one to twenty-three days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Coot
are readily distinguished from those of all other species
breeding in our area, by their size and fine markings
sprinkled over most of the surface.
244 THE NESTS AND EGGS (OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family COLUMBID. Genus COLUMBA.
RING] DOVE:
CoOLUMBA PALUMBUS, Linneus.
Double Brooded. Laying season, March to September ;
even later.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Ring-Dove is a
common and very widely distributed species, breeding
throughout the wooded cr fairly well timbered and
cultivated districts of the British Islands. This bird
has increased its area considerably within a compara-
tively recent period, following the planting and growth
of trees. It would also appear to have increased both
by chronic and irruptic emigration.
BREEDING HABITS: The Ring-Dove is a resident in
the British Islands, but largely increased in numbers
during autumn and winter by birds from the Continent.
Its favourite breeding-grounds are woods, parks, plant-
ations, shrubberies, and well-timbered lands. It not
only breeds in the London parks in gradually increasing
numbers, but also frequents wooded pleasure-grounds
in many of our smaller towns. Numbers do so in the
various wooded grounds cf Torquay, for instance.
During the non-breeding season the Ring-Dove is
certainly gregarious to a very great extent, and even
during the nesting period, which lasts practically all
the spring and summer, a varying amount of sociability
may be remarked. The nests, however, are never made
in colonies. I am of opinion that this bird pairs for
life. The nest is placed in a great variety of situations,
both in evergreen and in deciduous trees (often in the
latter before they are in leaf), in large bushes, or amongst
ivy on cliffs and tree-trunks. Woods, plantations—
RING-DOVE. 345
especially those of fir and pine—isolated trees in the
hedgerows or in the open fields, or even tall dense
hedges, are all selected without any very appreciable
choice or selection. The nest is made at almost any
height, from a few feet to a hundred from the ground.
It is a simple structure, merely a few dead sticks and
twigs wove basket-like into a flat platform, through
which the eggs may often be seen from below. I have
known the nest of this bird to be made in the abnormal
bush-like growths so common on the wild cherry tree
and the elm, also in tufts of mistletoe on poplars and
whitethorns. The bird is not a very close sitter, usually
dashing from the nest at the first disturbance, although
I have known it remain on the eggs very quietly and
persistently if it thought itself unseen. It makes little
or no demonstration, and flies right away into the cover.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Ring-Dove are two in number nor-
mally, but very exceptionally three, or even one. They
are oval and elongated in form, smooth in texture, and
with some polish, and pure white. Average measure-
ment, 1°6 inch in length, by 1°25 inch in breadth. In-
cubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from seventeen
to twenty days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of this species
can only be confused with those of the Rock-Dove
(excepting of course those of the Domestic Pigeon), but
they are almost invariably larger. The two birds also
breed in widely different situations (conf. p. 349).
346 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH LIRDS.
Family COLUMBID. Genus COLUMBA,
STOCK-D‘O Va
COLUMBA CENAS, Brisson.
Double Brooded. Laying season, April to August and
September ; even later.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Stock-Dove is not
perhaps so abundant as the Ring-Dove, and is more
locally distributed, nevertheless its numbers not only
appear to be steadily on the increase, but its area is
gradually expanding, especially northwards. It breeds
pretty generally throughout England and Wales, both
inland and near the coast ; and is now known to do so,
if rarely, in Scotland, notably in Stirlingshire and along
the shores of the Moray and Dornoch Firths. The bird
also appears slowly to be establishing itself in Ireland,
where at present it is known to inhabit the extreme
north-eastern portions of the island.
BREEDING HABITS: The Stock-Dove is a resident
in the British Islands, and is almost everywhere, espe-
cially in littoral districts, confused with the Rock-Dove,
from which, it need scarcely be pointed out, it may
instantly be distinguished, even in the air, by having
the rump uniform in colour with the back, and the
wing bars broken and rudimentary. Its haunts are
the wooded districts, especially the old forest areas
where most of the timber is aged and full of hollows
and crevices. The bird may also be found in quarries,
even in treeless districts, and on wooded sea-crags,
and even amongst ocean cliffs. This is especially
the case in Devonshire, the Isle of Wight, the cliffs
of Dorset, and Flamborough Head in Yorkshire. In
other localities partiality is shown for warrens and
STOCK-DOVE. 347
links. This bird is gregarious enough during autumn
and winter, and even during the nesting season is
remarkably social, in some places breeding in colonies,
as for instance in Sherwood Forest. I am of opinion
that the Stock-Dove pairs for life, yearly returning to
certain haunts to breed, and being much attached to
its nesting-places. The nest is always placed in a
covered site by preference; and, so far as my experi-
ence of this species extends, holes in trees and cliffs,
and the deserted nests of Crows and Magpies, and the
old dreys of squirrels are the favourite situations. It is,
however, frequently made amongst dense masses of ivy,
in pollard trees, and in rabbit-earths, and occasionally
in church steeples and old towers. It is a slight struc-
ture—a mere mat of twigs, roots, or straws, carelessly
arranged, and in many cases is dispensed with alto-
@emnei-= The “bird is rather a close sitter; but this
depends a good deal on the situation of the nest. It
makes no demonstration when disturbed, and flies right
away to some safe retreat.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Stock-Dove are normally two in
number, but three have been recorded. They are
creamy-white in colour, oval and elongated in form, and
smooth in texture. Average measurement, 1°4 inch in
length, by 1:2 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed
by both sexes, lasts from seventeen to eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and yellowish
tinge of the eggs of the Stock-Dove readily distinguish
them from those of all other allied species breeding in
our islands.
«
348 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family COLUMBID. Genus COLUMBA.
ROC Kaj DION
CoOLUMBA LIVIA, Brisson.
Double Brooded. Laying season, March and April to
September.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Rock-Dove is more
or less commonly distributed along such rocky coasts
as are suited to its requirements throughout the British
Islands. It is sparingly and locally distributed on the
eastern and southern coasts of England, but becomes
abundant further north, especially in the Hebrides, the
Orkneys, and the Shetlands, and along the western
shores of the Scottish mainland; whilst the same
remarks apply to Ireland, the bird being specially
numerous on all the wave-hollowed cliffs. The inland
colonies of this bird are unquestionably Domestic
Pigeons that have become feral, or their descendants.
BREEDING HABITS: The Rock-Dove is a resident in
the British Islands. The truly wild Rock-Dove is only
found on the coast. Its favourite breeding-haunts are
such parts of the marine precipices that abound with
fissures and wave-worked tunnels and caves. All
through the year it is more or less gregarious, and may
cenerally be found breeding in colonies of varying size,
according to the amount of accommodation afforded.
The Rock-Dove prefers a cave, or a large and roomy
hollow in the cliffs, which is either washed by the sea,
or only accessible to the most daring of climbers.
If caves are not to be had,'the colonies are more
scattered up and down the cliffs, wherever suitable
fissures and clefts can be found. This bird pairs for
life, and continues to resort to certain caves year after
ROCK-DOVE. 349
year ; some of its retreats being famed from remote
times for the numbers of Doves frequenting them. The
nest is placed on ledges, or in cracks and crannies in the
roof, or on any little prominence on the rugged sides of
the cave, whilst those on the cliffs are deep in the
fissures. It is a simple structure, rudely put together,
and made of dry grass, sea-weed, twigs, roots, or the dry
stems of weeds; whilst grass in a green state has been
known to be used. The birds sit pretty closely, dashing
out of the caves and fissures in twos and threes as their
haunt is approached and explored, and flying right
away with no demonstration whatever.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Rock-Dove are two in number, some-
what short and oval in form, and pure white. Average
measurement, 1°4 inch in length, by 1°2 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from sixteen
to eighteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Rock-
Dove are not easily confused with those of any other
species when taken direct from the nest, but otherwise
they cannot with certainty be distinguished from those
of the Ring-Dove, although they are usually smaller and
rounder.
350 THE NESTS AND EGGS: OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family COLUMBIDZ. Genus TURTUR.
TU RIYLESD Ona
TURTUR AURITUS, Gray.
Frequently Double Brooded. Laying Season, May and June
and August.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: North of the Humber
and the valley of the Don, the Turtle-Dove is a some-
what rare and local bird, and is not known with certainty
to breed in Scotland. South of the above-mentioned
limits it is generally distributed throughout England
and Wales, but becomes rarer again in the latter, and
also in the extreme south-western districts of England.
In Ireland it is only sparingly distributed in the well-
wooded areas.
BREEDING HABITS: The Turtle-Dove is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, arriving carly in May,
occasionally at the end of April. Its favourite breeding-
haunts are woods, plantations, parks, pleasure-grounds,
and well-timbered agricultural districts, especially those
in which“the hedges are tall and dense) Iigisenot
gregarious during the nesting period, neither is any
marked social tendency observable. I am of opinion
that this species pairs for life. I saw it in pairs even
whilst on migration in Algeria, and certain haunts in
our islands are visited yearly with marked regularity.
The nest is seldom at such a great altitude as that of
the Ring-Dove so often is, being more usually built in
tall bushes rather than trees. A thick dense hedge
is a favourite situation, and the nest may commonly be
found in small whitethorns, tall hollies, and even laurels.
It is a flat, mat-like structure, made with a few slender
dead twigs woven like basket-work, and is so slight
PALLAS’S SAND GROUSE. 351
that the eggs may often be seen through it from below.
The bird is a rather close sitter, makes no demonstration
when disturbed, and usually hides itself as soon as
possible amongst the nearest trees or bushes.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Turtle-Dove are two in number, oval in
form, and almost as much pointed at one end as the
other, smooth in texture, and creamy-white in colour.
Average measurement, I°2 inch in length, by ‘gt inch in
breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts
about sixteen days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Turtle-
Dove may be readily distinguished from those of all
other species breeding in our area by their size, form,
and creamy-white tint.
Not the least interesting phase of the last great
irruption of Pallas’s Sand Grouse (Syrrhaptes para-
doxus) into the British Islands during 1888, was the fact
of some of the individuals attempting to breed. There
is strong evidence that the eggs of this interesting bird
were taken or seen in Yorkshire and Norfolk, and on
the coast of the Moray Firth, whilst the nestlings were
both observed and captured in the latter district. There
can be little doubt however that the Sand Grouse will
never succeed in establishing itself in our islands, and its
nesting in them is thoroughly abnormal. The nest of
this Sand Grouse is merely a hollow in the sandy ground,
lined with a few bents or dead leaves. The eggs are
usually three, but exceptionally four, in number, very
oval and Pigeon-egg like in shape, and olive or brownish-
buff in ground colour, profusely spotted with dark brown,
and with underlying markings of violet-gray. Average
measurement, I°7 inch in length, by 1'1 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, lasts about a
352 ZHE NESTS AND EGGS OF (SRS Bios:
month. It is said that this species rears two broods in
the year, the eggs for the first being laid in April. The ~
eges of this Sand Grouse cannot readily be confused
with those of any other species breeding in our area,
their oval form being very characteristic.
Family PHASIANID/. Genus COTURNIX.
Sub-family PE RDICINA.
COM MON 1070 aie,
COTURNIX COMMUNIS, Bonnaterre.
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May and in June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Quail can nowhere be
regarded as an abundant bird in our islands, but is
generally distributed throughout their area, even in-
cluding such wild districts as the Outer Hebrides, the
Orkneys, and the Shetlands, becoming most numerous
in the southern and central counties of England.
BREEDING HABITS: It is most probable that the
individual Quails that breed in our islands are summer
migrants, the birds that winter with more or less regu-
larity in the south and west of England and in Ireland
being wanderers from more northern lands. The Quail
arrives in our islands in May. Its favourite breeding-
grounds are grain lands, hay and clover meadows, and
unenclosed areas of rough pasturage. It is much attached
to certain haunts, returning to them every season to
breed; and it is probably owing to this attachment and
to the drainage of so much rough pasture that it has so
perceptibly decreased in numbers during recent years.
In some districts the Quail is polygamous, in others
monogamous, the excess or rarity of hens apparently
COMMON QUAIL. 353
determining the matter. During the pairing season the
cocks are very pugnacious, even in localities where the
birds are few, and constant flights are taking place until
the hens have gone to nest. In places where polygamous
instincts prevail, and where a cock runs with several
hens, the nests may be found not many yards apart,
two females occasionally sharing the same abode.
The nest is a mere hollow, amongst growing grain or
grass and clover, scantily lined with a little dry grass
and a few dead leaves. The hen is a rather close
sitter, especially where the herbage is tall and dense,
and when alarmed slips very quietly and with no
demonstration from the eggs into the surrounding cover.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Quail are from eight to twelve in
number; I have known nests contain as many as
twenty, but these were doubtless the produce of two
hens. They are buffish-white or clear yellowish-olive
in ground colour, boldly blotched and spotted with
various shades of umber-brown and_ blackish-brown.
There are two distinct types: one in which the
markings are small and dark (spots not blotches), and
sprinkled over the entire surface; the other in which
the markings are bold, large, and irregular (blotches not
spots) and often confluent. Asa rule the pale ground
colour is associated with the former type, the olive
ground colour with the latter. Average measurement,
It inch in length, by ‘gt inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts about three weeks.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size and the abun-
dance of the markings, and the absence of any under'ying
spots readily distinguish the eggs of the Quail from
those of any other species breeding in our area.
354 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS.
Family PHASIANID.
Sub-family PERDICIN A,
RED-LEGGED PARTE c=
CACCABIS RUFA (Linn@us).
Genus CACCABIS.
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of April and in May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Red-legged Partridge
was introduced into England more than a century ago,
but owing to its partiality for dry sandy soils, it still
remains very local. It is fairly common wherever it is
preserved, in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex,
Kent, and Sussex ; and evidence is not wanting that it
is endeavouring to establish itself in Lincolnshire, the
Midlands, and the higher grounds on the north side
of the Thames valley. The attempts to introduce this
species into Scotland and Ireland have hitherto proved
futile.
BREEDING HABITS: The Red-legged Partridge is a
resident in those areas it affects. Its breeding-haunts
not only embrace the cultivated fields, but rougher
ground, such as commons, the open treeless parts of
woodlands, low sedgy meadows, and strips of heathy
land clothed with clumps of gorse and rushes and
thickets of brambles and briars. The kird is not gre-
earious during the breeding season. The Red-legged
Partridge pairs annually, and during the mating season
the males become quarrelsome and pugnacious. The
nest is made amongst the thick herbage of a hedge-
bottom or a dry ditch, amongst growing grain, grass or
clover crops, not unfrequently in an exposed situation
by a public footpath, and occasionally amongst the
thatch of a stack, or even in the side. It is a mere
hollow scraped out by the female, and carelessly lined
with a few bits of dry herbage and leaves. The bird
RED:-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 355
sits closely, and when driven from the nest makes little
or no demonstration, and generally flies right away at
once. .
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Red-legged Partridge are from twelve
to eighteen in number, and often laid at intervals of
a few days. They vary from buff to brownish-yellow in
ground colour, spotted and speckled with reddish-brown
and chocolate-brown ; the shell is strong and somewhat
coarsely grained, but with some polish. The eggs of
this bird are not subject to any great amount of varia-
tion, but some are more profusely spotted than others,
and on some a few of the larger markings are irregular
in shape and more blotchy. Average measurement,
16 inch in length, by 1:2 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts twenty-four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size of the egg and
the character of the markings readily distinguish it from
that of any other species breeding in our area.
Family PHASIANID. Genus PERDIX.
Sub-family PERDICINA.
COVVMGON] PARR RT PGE:
PERDIX CINEREA, /7tsson.
Single Brooded. Laying season, end of April to beginning of
June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Common Partridge
is generally distributed throughout the agricultural dis-
tricts of the British Islands, and in a few more upland
localities (as, for instance, near Dartmoor and other
350 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BITS Eis.
moorlands), wherever it is preserved or has been intro-.
duced.
BREEDING HABITS: The partridge is a resident in the
British Islands. Districts most favourable to the pre-
servation and increase of the Partridge are the well-
cultivated farm-lands, where the fields are not too large,
where the hedges are low and dense, and afford plenty
of bottom cover, and where grain is grown in abundance.
It also frequents many other localities, but does not
thrive so well, such as on the borders of moorlands, on
commons, and rough unenclosed ground. Although the
Partridge is gregarious in autumn and winter, it becomes
solitary during the breeding season, each pair keeping
to themselves until the young are reared. It is mono-
gamous and very probably pairs for life, but as many
birds are widowed during the shooting season, a con-
siderable amount of mating must take place annually.
The nest is frequently made in a dry hedge-bottom or a
ditch, amongst growing crops of all kinds, or in coarse
vegetation on rougher ground. Nests are frequently
made near public footpaths, close to a gate-post, or
even on the top of a stack. The nest is a mere hollow,
scantily lined with a little dry grass or other herbage,
sometimes a few dead leaves. The bird sits closely,
often allowing itself to be taken rather than leave its
eggs, but when flushed makes little or no demonstration,
and hurries into cover.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT :
The eggs of the Partridge vary, according to the age of
the hen, from ten to fifteen or twenty in number, but
occasionally even larger clutches are found, as many
as thirty-three having been recorded in a single nest.
They are somewhat pyriform in shape, smooth in tex-
ture, with some polish, and generally pale olive-brown
in colour: white and pale green varieties are, however,
PHEASANT. 357
sometimes met with. Average measurement, 1I°4 inch
in length, by 1°15 inch in breadth: Incubation, per-
formed by the female, lasts from twenty-one to twenty-
four days.
JDIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Par-
tridge may be readily distinguished, by their uniform
olive tint and their size, from those of all other species
breeding in our area.
Family PHASIANID. Genus PHASIANUS.
Sub-family PHASZANINE.
Pree Ss AN T..
PHASIANUS COLCHICUS, Linnaeus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Pheasant is widely
and generally distributed throughout the British Islands,
in all suitable districts where it is preserved, even ex-
tending to the Outer Hebrides, where it has been
successfully introduced.
BREEDING HABITS: The habits of such a semi-
domesticated species as the Pheasant need little descrip-
tion. The bird is of course a resident in our islands,
where it would doubtless soon become extinct if the strict
protection it now enjoys were withdrawn. Wherever it is
fostered thus artificially by man it may be found, the
only condition being the presence of cover. It thrives
best in such woods as contain plenty of bottom
growth, and adjoining which fields and open ground
afford feeding-places. In a truly wild state the Pheasant
appears to be strictly monogamous, but semi-domestic-
ation has so far affected its morals as to render it
358 LHL NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISA Bias.
polygamous in our islands, one male running with
several females. Towards the end of March the cocks
begin to crow and fight for the possession of the hens,
and about a month later the latter go to nest. On
estates where the birds are common, many nests may
be found within a small area, and all through the breed-
ing season more or less social instincts prevail. The
nest is almost invariably made on the ground, but
instances are on record of its being found in stacks, and
even in a disused squirrel’s drey. It is often made
amongst the undergrowth of the woods and plantations,
or at the bottom of a hedge or dry ditch, or amongst
growing grain and other crops. Sometimes it is made
in the centre of a tuft of rushes, under brambles or
heaps of cut brushwood. It is merely a hollow, lined
with a few dead leaves, bits of withered bracken, or dry
grass. The female sits closely, but when disturbed
hurries from her charge into the nearest cover with little
or no demonstration, but often with startling suddenness.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Pheasant are usually from eight to
twelve in number, sometimes as many as twenty, and I
have known twenty-six! They are smooth in texture,
somewhat polished, but the shell is finely pitted, and
vary from brown, through olive-brown, to bluish-green
in colour. Occasionally one of the bluish-green type
occurs among a clutch of the more usual tint. Average
measurement, 1°8 inch in length, by 1:4 inch in breadth.
Incubation, performed by the female, lasts about twenty-
four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Pheasant
may be readily distinguished by their uniform olive or
brown tint, and their size, from those of all other specics
breeding in our area.
CAPERCAILLIE. 359
Family PHASIANIDZE. Genus TETRAO.
Sub-family TZ 7'RAONIN ZA.
CAR EOC A Erie:
TETRAO UROGALLUS, Linn@us.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: Considerable success ;
attended the re-introduction of the Capercaillie into
Scotland, and doubtless the bird will ultimately extend
its area into many districts both north and south of its
present centre of distribution. Its head-quarters in our
islands are the counties of Perth, Forfar, and Stirling.
BREEDING HABITS: The Capercaillie, as may scarcely
be remarked, is a resident in the British Islands, but
there is a strong tendency to chronic emigration,
especially among young males. Its haunts are prin-
cipally confined to the extensive fir, spruce, and larch
forests, but it also frequents in smaller numbers birch
and oak woods, and the rough, sparsely-timbered ground
between the forests and the moorlands. The Capercaillie
is polygamous, and during the mating season the males
indulge in various antics, repairing in the morning and
evening to certain stations or “leking-places,’ where
after their display and love-cries are over, and the
possession of the females decided by right of conquest,
the males pair. Each cock runs with several hens, but
takes no share in nesting duties. The nest is merely a
hollow lined with a few dry leaves or a little withered
grass and some pine-needles, made amongst the heather
and bilberry wires in an open part of the forests, often
beneath the shelter of a stunted bush, or sheltered by
masses of fern and bramble. The bird is a close sitter,
and when flushed flies off into cover with little or no
demonstration.
360 THE NESTS AND 2GGS OF Sb RTTISe Sips
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Capercaillie are from eight to twelve
in number, occasionally fourteen or even sixteen. They
vary from brownish-buff to reddish-buff in ground
colour, blotched sparingly, and spotted and speckled
thickly with rich reddish-brown. The markings are
generally small, rarely as big as a pea, and are usually
distributed pretty evenly over the entire surface of the
egg. Average measurement, 2°2 inches in length, by 1°6
inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the female,
lasts twenty-six days.
DIAGNOSTIC. CHARACTERS: The size of the eggs,
yellowish ground colour, and small distinct spots, dis-
tinguish them from those of all other allied species.
They most closely resemble those of the Black Grouse,
but may be instantly separated by their larger size.
Family PHASIANID/.. Genus TETRAO.
Sub-family 7H 7TRAONINAE.
BAC ky GROWS:
TETRAO TETRIX, Limneus.
Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Black Grouse is not
so widely and gencrally distributed in England as was
formerly the cas2, nevertheless it breeds locally in all
the counties south of the Thames and the Bristo! Avon,
with the one exception of Kent. It is also locally dis-
tributed in Wales, the Midlands, and Norfolk, and also
in every county north of Notts up to the Border. It is
much more generally dispersed in Scotland, including
some of the Inner Hebrides, but does not extend beyond
BLACK GROUSE. 361
the mainland northwards. It is not an inhabitant of
Ireland.
BREEDING HABITS: The Black Grouse, of course, is
a resident in the British Islands. Its favourite haunts
are wild broken country near the moorlands, birch and
fir plantations, and the rough valleys below the level
plateaux of ling and heath, where the ground is clothed
with bracken, gorse, and brambles, strewn with rock
boulders, and traversed by trout streams that sometimes
widen out into swamps covered with cotton-grass, rushes,
and cther coarse vegetation. In more lowland districts
timbered commons and small tracts of moorland, sur-
rounded by pine woods and plantations, with a good
bottom growth, are its most attractive retreats. The
Black Grouse is polygamous, and the males perform
their courtship in avery similar manner to the preceding
species, having regular “leking-places” to which they
resort to show off and pair with as many femalcs as
their prowess or charms can ensure. The males take
no further share in the domestic arrangements, but it is
said they sometimes join the females and their broods.
This must be very exceptional, however. The Gray
Hen, as the female is generally called, makes a slight
nest on the ground, under the shelter of a mass of
withered bracken, or a heap of brambles, or amongst
heath and ling, rushes, or bilberry wires. Sometimes it
is made by the side of a boulder, or under a fallen log
amongst long grass and fern. It is a mere hollow, care-
lessly lined with bits of fern, pine needles, dry grass, or
dead leaves. The female is a close sitter, and when
flushed hurries off into the nearest cover with little or no
demonstration ; but when the young are hatched her
actions are very different and most alluring.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Black Grouse are usually from six to
362 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. =
ten in number, but occasionally as many as sixteen may
be found, probably the produce of two females. They
vary from yeliowish-white to brownish-buff in ground
colour, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown of
various shades. The shell is rather rough and granu-
lated, but with some amount of polish. The spots are
always much more numerous than the blotches, which
are few (about the size of a pea) and often absent.
Average measurement, 2°0 inches in length, by 1°4 inch
in breadth. Incubation, performed by the female, lasts
about twenty-six days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size of the eggs of
the Black Grouse, their yellowish ground, and small
brown markings, readily distinguish them from those of
all other species breeding in our area.
Family PHASIANIDA. Genus LAGOPUS.
Sub-family 7Z7RAONINA.
RED. -G.R @ivtsiEe
Lacopus scoricus (77sson).
Single Brooded. Laying season, March to June,
according to locality and weather.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: East of an imaginary
line drawn from the mouth of the Severn to the upper
waters of the Humber, the Red Grouse is unknown.
Its strongholds commence on the heaths of Wales, in
Glamorganshire, and continue northwards through the
moorlands of the Cambrian and Pennine mountain
systems to the Border. North of the latter it is widely
and generally distributed throughout Scotland as far
north as the Orkneys, and as far west as the Outer
Hebrides. Although not so common, it is equally
RED GROUSE. 363
widely distributed over the moorlands of Ireland. It
is almost unnecessary to remark that this species is
peculiar to our islands, being the island representative
of the Willow Grouse.
BREEDING HABITS: The Red Grouse is, of course, a
esident in the British Islands, and very closely confined
to a certain area. Its exclusive haunts are the vast
wastes of heath and ling that stretch almost continu-
ously from South Wales to the Orkneys. This ground
is broken and uneven enough, but almost destitute of
timber; hills and dales, vast level plateaux, rolling
plains and hollows, ridges and peaks, everywhere more
or less luxuriantly covered with heath, with occasional
expanses of swamp full of coarse grass, rushes, sedges,
and the like, or broken areas in which gorse, bracken,
broom, and various mountain fruits flourish. The Red
Grouse pairs annually, early in spring, and though the
males are pugnacious and demonstrative during this
period, there is no evidence to show that any poly-
gamous propensities are indulged in. We cannot class
this Grouse as gregarious during the nesting season, but
numbers of birds breed in close proximity, and a
certain social tendency is frequently apparent during
the spring and summer. The nest is always made upon
the ground, usually among the ling and heather, less
frequently in rushes or coarse grass, and generally
under the shelter of a bush. Sometimes it is made by
the side of a public footpath or highway, in a much-
frequented spot. It is a mere hollow, carelessly lined
with a little dry grass, or bits of withered heath and
ling, or dead leaves. The bird is a close sitter, but
when flushed makes little or no demonstration if the
nest contains eggs only.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Red Grouse are from five to fiftecn
364 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITASA Bis
in number; in unfavourable seasons the clutches are
small, in dry and warm ones large. They are creamy-
white in ground colour, profusely and handsomely
blotched and spotted with rich reddish or crimson-
brown, or even blackish-brown. The markings are very
numerous, and cover most of the shell; but as the
colour, especially on newly-laid eggs, is very easily
rubbed, much of the beauty is frequently destroyed by
contact with the parent. Average measurement, 1°8
inch in length, by 1:25 inch in breadth. Incubation,
performed by the female, lasts twenty-four days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The size, rich colour, and
profusion of the markings, readily distinguish the eggs
of the Red Grouse from those of allied species, except
perhaps from those of the Ptarmigan: the latter eggs,
however, are more buff, and not so profusely marked.
Family PHASIANID. Genus LAGOPUS.
Sub-family 7H 7TRAONINAE.
PIAK MiLGAN:
Lacopus Mutus (Montin).
Single Brooded. Laying season, May; late seasons, early June.
BRITISH BREEDING AREA: The Ptarmigan is another
very local species, confined principally to the loftiest
mountains of the Highlands, as far south as the moun-
tains of Islay, Jura, and Arran, and extending west-
wards to Skye, Harris, and Lewis, but not to the Ork-
neys nor the Shetlands.
BREEDING HABITS: The Ptarmigan is resident in the
British Islands, and subject to remarkably little local
movement, except when driven to lower levels by
prolonged bad weather. Its breeding-haunts are the
_
PTARMIGAN. 365
bare wind-swept summits of the mountains, where the
ground is broken and stony, rough with boulders, and
only scantily clothed with ling, mosses, lichens, and
various dwarf mountain fruits. The Ptarmigan is not
at all gregarious during the breeding season, neither
does it exhibit much social tendency during that period,
the birds pairing early in spring, and each couple keep-
ing much to themsclves until the duties of the year are
over. The nest, invariably on the ground, is usually
made on the stone- and rock-strewn earth, sometimes
under the lee of a large boulder, or partly hidden by a
stunted plant. It is merely a hollow lined with a few
twigs of heather, a little dry grass, or some dead leaves
of the Alpine plants. The bird sits closely, sometimes
until almost trodden upon, and is most difficult to see,
so closely does her brown and gray plumage harmonize
with surrounding tints. The eggs themselves are
coloured in a very protective manncr.
RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT:
The eggs of the Ptarmigan are from eight to twelve
in number. They vary in ground colour from creamy
or grayish-white to brownish-buff, and are boldly blotched
and spotted with rich liver-brown, sometimes a'most
black in intensity. There is but little variation amongst
them to describe, but the markings are pretty evenly
dispersed over the entire surface. Average measure-
ment, 1°7 inch in length, by 1'1 inch in breadth. Incu-
bation, performed by the female, lasts about twenty-one
days.
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS: The eggs of the Ptarmi-
gan are readily distinguished by their size, buff ground
colour, and large bold markings. They are somewhat
similar to those of the Red Grouse, but never so pro-
fusely marked.
Ricuarp Cray & Sons, Limrrep,
Lonpon & BunGay.
PND, BX.
Accentor modularis, 146
Accipiter nisus, 212
Acredula caudata rosea, 83
Acrocephalus arundinaceus, 117
Acrocephalus palustris, 115
Acrocephalus phraguiitis, 120
AZ gialitis hiaticula major, 260
A gialophilus cantianus, 259
Alauda arborea, 60
Alauda arvensis, 58
Alca torda, 313
Alcedo ispida, 181
Aluco flammeus, 182
Anas acuta, 22
Anas boschas, 237
Anas circia, 234
Anas clypeata, 235
Anas crecca, 232
Anas penelope, 230
Anas strepera, 227
Anser cinereus, 224
Anthus obscurus, 75
Anthus pratensts, 73
Anthus trivialis, 71
Aquila chrysaetus, 197
Archibuteo lagopus, 206
Arctic Tern, 306
Ardea cinerea, 248
Asio brachyotus, 185
Asio otus, 187
Astur palumbarius, 211
Baillon’s Crake, 337
Barn Owl, 182
Barn Swallow, 159
Bearded Titmouse, 81
Bittern, 250
Blackbird, 129
Blackcap Warbler, 113
Black Grouse, 360
Black Guillemot, 312
Black-headed Gull, 297
Black-necked Grebe, 333
Black Redstart, 139
Black-throated Diver, 327
Blue-headed Wagtail, 68
Blue Titmouse, 91
Botaurus stellaris, 250
Bullfinch, 28
Buteo vulgaris, 204
Caccabis rufa, 354
Capercaillie, 359
Caprimulgus europaeus, 177
Carrion Crow, 3
Certhia faniliarts, 77
Chaffinch, 40
Charadrius pluvialts, 255
Chelidon urbica, 161
Chiffchaff, 100
Cinclus aguaticus, 148
Circus eruginosus, 210
Circus cimneraceus, 207
Circus cyaneus, 208
Cirl Bunting, 54 ;
Clangula glaucton, 243
Coal Titmouse, 89
Coccothraustes vulgaris, 26
Columba enas, 346
Columba livia, 348
Columba palumbus, 344
Colymbus arcticus, 327
368
Colymbus septentrionalis, 325
Common Buzzard, 204
Common Chough, 12
Common Coot, 342
Common Creeper, 77
Common Crossbill, 23
Common Curlew, 272
Common Eider, 244
Common Guillemot, 310
Common Gull, 295
Common Heron, 248
Common Jay, 15
Common Kingfisher, 181
Common Kite, 201
Common Nightjar, 177
Common Nuthatch, 79
Common Partridge, 355
Common Quail, 352
Common Sandpiper, 266
Common Scoter, 242
Common Sheldrake, 225
Common Snipe, 282
Common Swift, 175
Common Teal, 232
Common Tern, 304
Common Wren, 150
Cormorant, 216
Corn Bunting, 52
Corn Crake, 334
Corvus corax, 1
Corvus corntx, 5
Corvus corone, 3
Corvus frugilegus, 7
Corvus monedula, 10
Coturntx communis, 352
Cotyle riparia, 163
Crested Titmouse, 85
Crex baillont, 337
Crex porzana, 335
Crex pratensis, 334
- Cuckoo, 172
Cuculus canorus, 172
Cygnus olor, 222
Cypselus apus, 175
Dartford Warbler, 105
Dipper, 148
Dotterel, 257
Dunlin, 278
INDEX.
Emberiza cirlus, 54
Emberiza citrinella, 55
Emberiza miliaria, 52
Emberiza scheniclus, 50
Erithacus luscinia, 135
Lrithacus rubecula, 133
Eudromias morinellus, 257
Falco esalon, 193
falco peregrinus, 189
falco subbuteo, 191
Falco tinnunculus, 195
fratercula arctica, 315
Fringilla carduelts, 36
fringilla chloris, 34
fringilla celebs, 40
Fringilla spinus, 38
Fulica atra, 342
Fuligula cristata, 240
fuligula ferina, 239
fuligula nigra, 242
Fulmar Petrel, 321
fulmarus glacialts, 321
Gadwall, 22
Gallinula chloropus, 340
Gannet, 220
Garden Warbler, 111
Garganey, 234
Garrulus glandartus, 15
Gecinus viridis, 166
Goldcrest, 95
Golden Eagle, 197
Golden-Eye, 243
Golden Oriole, 21
Golden Plover, 255
Goldfinch, 36
Goosander, 245
Goshawk, 211
Grasshopper Warbler, 122
Gray-Lag Goose, 222
Gray Wagtail, 66
Great Black-backed Gull, 291
Great Crested Grebe, 331
Great Skua, 285
Great Spotted Woodpecker, 170
Great Titmouse, 93
Greater Ringed Plover, 260
Greenfinch, 34
INDEX.
Greenshank, 271
Green Woodpecker, 166
Hematopus ostralegus, 262
Haliaétus albicitla, 199
Hawfinch, 26
Hedge Accentor, 146
Hen Harrier, 208
Herring Gull, 289
Hirundo rustica, 159
Hobby, 191
Honey Buzzard, 203
Hooded Crow, 5
Hoopoe, 179
House Martin, xii, 161
House Sparrew, 29
Lynx torguilla, 164.
Jackdaw, 10
Kentish Sand Plover, 259
Kestrel, 195
Kittiwake, 287
Lagopus mutus, 364
Lagopus scoticus, 362
Lanius collurio, 96
Lanius rufus, 99
Lapwing, 253
Larus argentatus, 289
Larus canis, 295
Larus fuscus, 293
Larus marinus, 291
Larus ridibundus, 297
Larus tridactylus, 287
Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel, 317
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 293
Lesser Redpole, 46
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 163
Lesser Tern, 308
Lesser Whitethroat, 107
Linnet, 42
Linota cannabina, 42
Linota flavirostris, 44
Linota rufescens, 46
Little Grebe, 329
Locustella locustella, 122
Long-eared Owl, 187
369
Long-tailed Titmouse, 83
Loxta curvirostra, 23
Magpie, 17
Mallard, 237
Manx Shearwater, 323
Marsh Harrier, 210
Marsh Titmouse, 87
Marsh Warbler, 115
Meadow Pipit, 73
Mergus merganser, 245
Mergus serrator, 247
Merlin, 193
Merula merula, 129
Merula torquata, 131
Milvus regalis, 201
Missel-Thrush, 127
Montagu’s Harrier, 207
Motacilla alba, 64
Motacilla alba yarrelliz, 62
Motacilla flava, 68
Motacilla rait, 69
Motacilla sulphurea, 66
Muscicapa atricapilla, 157
Muscicapu grisola, 155
Mute Swan, 222
Nightingale, 135
Numenius arguatus, 272
Numenius pheopus, 274
Edicnemus crepitans, 25%
Oriolus galbula, 21
Osprey, 214
Oystercatcher, 262
Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 351
Pandion haliaétus, 214
Panurus biarmicus, 81
Parus ater, 89
Parus ater britannicus, 89
Parus ceruleus, 91
Parus cristatus, 85
Parus major, 93
Parus palustris, 87
Parus palustris dressert, 87
Passer domesticus, 29
Passer montanus, 32
Perdix cinerea, 355
370
Peregrine Falcon, 189
Pernts apivorus, 203
Phalacrocorax carbo, 216
Phatlacrocorax graculus, 218
Phalaropus hyperboreus, 276
Phasianus colchicus, 35
Pheasant, 357
Phylloscopus rufus, 100
Phylloscopus stbilatrix, 103
Phylloscopus trochilus, 1o1
Pica caudata, 17
Picus major, 170
Picus minor, 163
Pied Flycatcher, 157
Pied Wagtail, 62
Pintail Duck, 229
Plectrophenax nivalis, 48
Pochard, 239
Podiceps cornutus, 333
Podiceps cristatus, 331
Podiceps minor, 329
Podiceps nigricollis, 333
Pratincola rubetra, 142
Pratincola rubicola, 144
Procellaria leacht, 317
Procellaria pelagica, 319
Ptarmigan, 364
Puffin, 315
Puffinus anglorum, 323
Pyrrhocorax graculus, 12
byrrhula vulgaris, 28
Raven, I
Razorbill, 313
Red-backed Shrike, 96
Red-breasted Merganser, 247
Red Grouse, 362
Red-legged Partridge, 354
Red-necked Phalarope, 276
Redshank, 269
Redstart, 137
Red-throated Diver, 325
Reed Bunting, 50
Reed Warbler, 117
Regulus cristatus, 95
Richardson’s Skua, 283
Ring Dove, 344
Ring Ouzel, 131
Robin, 133
INDEX.
Rock Dove, 348
Rock Pipit, 75
Rook, 7
Roseate Tern, 302
Rough-legged Buzzard, 206
Ruff, 264
Ruticilla phenicurus, 137
Ruticilla tithys, 139
St. Kilda Wren, 152
Sand Martin, 163
Sandwich Tern, 300
Saxicola enanthe, 140
Sclavonian Grebe, 333
Scolopax gallinago, 282
Scolopax rusticola, 280
Sedge Warbler, 120
Shag, 218
Short-eared Owl, 185
Shoveller, 235
Siskin, 38
Sztta c@sta, 79
Sky-Lark, 58
Snow Bunting, 48
Somateria mollissima, 244
Song Thrush, 125
Sparrow-Hawk, 212
Spotted Crake, 335
Spotted Flycatcher, 155
Starling, 19
Stercorarius catarrhactes, 285
Stercorarius richardsont, 283
Sterna arctica, 306
Sterna cantiaca, 300
Sterna dougallt, 302
Sterna hirundo, 304
Sterna minuta, 308
Stock Dove, 346
Stonechat, 144
Stone Curlew, 251
Stormy Petrel, 319
Strix aluco, 184
Sturnus vulgaris, 19
Sula bassana, 220
Sylvia atricapilla, 113
Sylvia cinerea, 109
Sylvia curruca, 107
Sylvia hortensts, 111
Sylvia provinctialis, 105
INDEX. 371
Syrrhaptes paradoxus, 351
Tadorna cornuta, 225
Tetrao tetrix, 360
Tetrao urogallus, 359
Totanus calidris, 269
Totanus glareola, 267
Totanus glottis, 271
Totanus hypoleucus, 266
Totanus pugnax, 204
Tree Pipit, 71
Tree Sparrow, 32
Tringa alpina, 278
Troglodytes parvulus, 150
Troglodytes parvulus hirtensts,
152
Tufted Duck, 240
Turdus musicus, 125
Turdus visctvorus, 127
Turtle Dove, 350
Turtur auritus, 350
Twite, 44
Upupa epops, 179
Uria grylle, 312
Uria trotle, 310
Vanellus cristatus, 253
Waterhen, 340
Water-Rail, 338
Wheatear, 140
Whimbrel, 274
Whinchat, 142
White-tailed Eagle, 199
Whitethroat, 109
White Wagtail, 64
Wigeon, 230
Willow Wren, Ior
Woodchat Shrike, 99
Woodcock, 280
Wood-Lark, 60
Wood Owl, 184
Wood Sandpiper, 267
Wood Wren, 103
Wryneck, 164
Yellow Bunting, 55
Yellow Wagtail, 69
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CHARLES DIXON'S WORKS.
PS .Gaws BIRDS AND-WILD FOWL
OF
THE BRITISH ISLANDS.
Being a Handbook for the Naturalist and Sportsman.
Illustrated by A. T. ELWrEs. Demy S8vo, 18s.
The Times says :—‘‘ All sportsmen and naturalists and all who love birds, even if they do
not claim to be naturalists, and do not even desire to be sportsmen, will welcome Mr. Charles
Dixon's elaborate and comprehensive work on ‘'The Game Birds and Wild Fowl of the British
Islands.’ Mr. Dixon is the author of the work on the Migration of Birds, which we noticed
not long ago, and of many other books relating to bird-life and the study of rural nature. Mr.
Dixon’s present work is full of interest for the bird-lover, and- full of information for the
sportsman, besides being copious and exact from the purely scientific point of view.
The Daily Telegraph says :—‘‘ A valuable work. The information which is given in the
case of each family of birds is comprehensive ; it includes a description of habits and appear-
ance, which is often supplemented by excellent illustrations in blaer and white, an account of
its geographical distribution, lines of migration, and manner of building its nest. Where
personal experience has fallen short, the author has gone to the highest and latest authorities ;
and the result is a book which will be of great assistance to both the classes for whom it is
intended to cater.”
Gre MIGRATION. OF BIRDS;
An Attempt to Reduce Avian Season-Flight to Law.
Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Times says :—‘‘ Mr. Charles Dixon, than whom, perhaps, no more scientific ornithologist
exists, formulates a theory to account for a phenomenon which has hitherto refused to yield
up its secret. He first dismisses rather contemptuously the view of those naturalists who
ascribe migration to instinct. For ‘instinct’ he would substitute ‘habit.’ The superiority of
Mr. Dixon’ s theory really resides in this, that he offers a rational explanation of the origin of
this ‘instinct’ or ‘hereditary impulse.’ . . .. The plausible theory which Mr. Dixon
propounds is illustrated with abundance of ornithological learning, and a multitude of examples
which, he tells us, might have been indefinitely increased. Apart from his speculations, Mr.
Dixon’ s book is a most interesting monograph upon the facts and phenomena of bird migration,
and we can hardly doubt that, w hether his theories win acceptance or not, the volume in which
he sets them forth will become part of the necessary equipment for future explorers in this
department of ornithology.”
Dr. Andrew Wilson says :—“‘ Among recently published scientific books, there are two which
T think worth recommending to the notice of my readers. The first of these works is one on
“The Migration of Birds,’ by C. Dixon. It deals in an exhaustive manner with migration at
large, and cannot fail to interest all who, in any fashion, make ornithology a study.’
rie BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES:
A Companion for the Country.
With Illustrations by A. T. ELWEs. Crown 8vo, 7s. 6d.
The Globe says :—‘‘ In ‘The Birds of our Rambles’ we have yet another of Mr. Charles
Dixon’s popular descriptions of natural objects. .... His object is less to be severely:
scientific than to be pleasantly graphic, his method being to direct the observer’s attention to
whatever, in the birds mentioned, is most likely to appeal to him—the notes, the general
appearance, or any peculiarity of he abit. The result is a book which though practically encyc o-
peedic in comprehensiveness and detail, is nevertheless eminently readable. Some excellent
illustrations help to assist the text.’ [Continued.
CHAPMAN & HALL, Limitep, LONDON.
CHARLES DIXON’S WORKS (Continued).
IDLE HOURS WIth NA Ree
With Frontispiece, crown 8vo, 6s.
Black and White says :—‘‘ The title of Mr. Charles Dixon’s ‘Idle Hours with Nature’ is
a somewhat exasperating misnomer. So far from being idle, he is one of the busiest observers
of nature since White of Selborne wrote, or the modern White, Richard Jefferies. ... .
George Eliot used to say that anglers could not catch fish because they would not study the
subjectivity of fishes. Mr. Dixon studies the subjectivity of the wild birds and beasts in a
way that has never been done before, and his book is profoundly interesting in consequence.
He enters into the minds and moods of the creatures of the air, large and small, and reasons
from his observations. He tells us what the Spotted Fly-Catcher must see and feel and desire
as it flits on its long migration from the Sahara to its home in our English apple orchards ;
and he analyzes the character of cormorants, petrels, and eagles as carefully and conclusively
as a novelist does his heroes and his villains. Mr. Dixon contends that his studies have an
ethical value beyond their scientific one. There can be no doubt about it—they take us out
of ourselves.”
ANNATS. OF CBIED Meir ite
A Year-Book of British Ornithology.
With Illustrations by C. WHYMPER. Crown 8vo, 7s. 6d.
The Speaker says :—‘‘ Delightful book .... In this volume five or six chapters are
devoted, in turn, to spring, summer, autu-on, and winter ; and everywhere, without thrusting
upon us the dry details of science or the jargon of the schools, a minute and pleasing descrip-
tion is given of the way of birds, their migration, and the gipsy kind of life they lead.”
The Leeds Mercury says :—‘‘ Full of restful charm of rural life written with considerable
ability and a real enthusiasm for the subject. ‘he work is the outcome of twenty years’ close
study and observation of wild life in woods and fields, and beginning with spring, it takes the
reader right through the year, and shows him at each season the various movements and
habits of the birds. . . . The book is a fresh, artless, and minute description of Nature at first
hand.”
WORKS BY JOHN WATSON, F.LS.
POACHERS AND POACE TING:
Crown 8vo, with Frontispiece, 7s. 6d.
The Times says :—‘‘ All who love nature as much as sport harbour a lurking sympathy for
the poacher. ‘heir respect for his minute knowledge of the life of the fields modifies their
indignation at his law-breaking propensities. The poacher in the abstract can in fact be made
a very interesting personage, albeit in the concrete he is only an idle and not very scrupulous
vagabond. This is the point of view from which he is approached in ‘ Poachers and Poaching,’
by John Watson, F.L.S., a very attractive series of papers on the life of the fields as seen
more or less from the poacher’s point of view. Mr. Watson has not quite the poetic touch
of the late Richard Jefferies, but he has a keen eye, a ready pen, and a wide knowledge of
rural life.”
The Glasgow Herald says :—‘‘ Poachers. human, furred, feathered, and finned, are de-
scribed . . . . the enthusiastic outpouring of a student and lover of nature. Much more 1s
comprehended than is implied in the title of the work, and it is sure to find many interested
readers.”
BRITISH SPORTING FISHES.
Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d.
The Saturday Review says :—‘‘ A pleasant little book for anglers and lovers of nature is
Mr. John Watson’s ‘ British Sporting Fishes.’ All fresh-water fish that afford any sort of sport
are sporting fish according to the author, who finds room in his delightful sketches of the life-
histories and habitats of fish for the smallest of small fry, the roach, the minnow, the stickle-
back, and so forth. Mr. Watson’s sketches follow a downward scale, from salmon and trout
to the small fry of the pool and the brook, and all are characterized by remarkable delicacy of
observation.”
The Morning Post says :—‘‘ ‘Sketches of British Sporting Fishes,’ by John Watson, affords
pleasant reading interspersed with information, the result of practical experience and close
observation. Nor does the author confine his remarks entirely to fish, but touches on such
connected subjects as fish poaching, some of the tricks of which he describes. The chapter
on grayling is written in the same easy and unpretentious style as the rest of the book.”
CHAPMAN & HALL, Limirzp, LONDON.
W. H. HUDSON'S WORKS.
ibs Neeru rAriS TeiNe cA PLATA,
By W. H. HUDSON, C.M.-Z:S.
With Illustrations by J. Smir. Demy 8vo, 16s.
Mr. Alfred R. Wallace in ‘‘ Nature” says :—‘‘ This volume deserved a more distinctive
title, since it differs widely from the several works of other naturalists with which it may
be classed judging from the title-page alone. It is, in fact, so far as the present writer
knows, altogether unique among books on natural history. It is to be hoped that its success
will be proportional to its merits. What renders this work of such extreme value and
interest is, that it is not written by a traveller or a mere temporary resident, but by one
Lorn in the country, to whom its various tribes of beasts, birds, and insects have been
familiar from childhood ; who is imbued with love and admiration for every form of life ;
and who for twenty years has observed carefully and recorded accurately everything of
interest in the life-histories of the various species with which he has become acquainted.
When we add to this the fact that the writer of this volume is well acquainted with the
literature, both old and new, bearing upon his subject; that he groups his facts and observa-
tions so as to throw light on obscure problems, and often adduces evidence calculated to
decide them ; and, in addition to all this, that the bock is written in an earnest spirit, and in
a clear and delightful style, it becomes evident that not all who attempt to follow in his
steps can hope to equal their forerunner. . . . It remains only to add that the book is beauti-
fully got up, that the text is singularly free from misprints, and that the numerous illustrations
—photographic reproductions of drawings—are at once delicate and characteristic. Never
has the present writer derived so much pleasure and instruction from a book on the habits and
instincts of animals. He feels sure that it will long continue to be a storehouse of facts
and observations of the greatest value to the philosophical naturalist, while to the general
reader it will rank as the most interesting and delightful of modern books on natural
history.”
Oh E LAYS IN PATAGONIA,
By Ww Hy HUDSON, €.M.Z.S.
Illustrated by ALFRED HarTLeEy and’ J. Smit. Demy 8yo, 145.
The Times says:—‘‘ ‘Idle Days in Patagonia’ is a welcome and worthy addition to the
literature of travel and zoological observations in South America—already so rich by the
labours and writings of Bates, Darwin, and of Mr. Hudson himself, who is not unworthy to
be named in this distinguished company. Mr. Hudson is a keen observer, an acute reasoner,
and a very attractive writer, and the many readers who have appreciated his ‘ Naturalist
in La Plata’ will turn with eagerness to his ‘Idle Days in Patagonia,’ and will not be
disappointed.”
The Scotsman says :—‘“‘ ‘Idle Days in Patagonia "is a corollary to the-author’s ‘ Naturalist
in La Plata,’ itself one of the most delightful books of travel and natural history that has
appeared for many years. In the new voltime Mr. Hudson presents himself almost more as
the poet than as the observer of wild nature. ... . Mr. Hudson's chief field of Patagoman
research was on the Rio Negro, whose valley is a strip of life and greenness drawn through
the dry and thorny wilderness. There is nota dull or an unsuggestive page in his book.
Personal adventures there are not a few, but Mr. Hudson 1s almost more interesting when he
turns aside to meditate upon, and illustrate from the rich store of his reading and experience,
such themes as bird music, migratory instincts, the ‘quality of whiteness’ in snow and other
natural objects, the mysteries enfolded in the sense of smell, keenness of sight and cofour
sense in savage and in civilized men, and the predominating colour of the eye, and its
significance in different races of mankind.”
CHAPMAN & HALL, Limitrp, LONDON.
EXTINGY MONSTERS:
A Popular Account of some of the Larger Forms of Ancient
Animal Life.
By the Rev. Hi. IN] HUTCGHENS@IN:
With numerous Illustrations by J. Smrr and others, and a Preface by
Dr. HENRY Woopwarb, F.R.S. Demy 8vo, 12s.
SOME OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
cor
The Geological Magazine says:—‘‘’The author indulges in no rodomontade, but gives a
careful and readable account of the wonderful discoveries which modern geological research in
the Rocky Mountains, and in many other parts of the world, has brought to light. The
twenty-four full-page illustrations are admirably executed, and there are thirty-eight others
in the text. here is a freshness about the whole thing which suggests ‘ Alice in Wonderland.’
The book is a safe book to put into the hands of the young, and cannot fail to interest geologists
of all ages. It will make an admirable and attractive New Year's book which every one
should buy and read for themselves.”
The Saturday Review says :—‘‘ Mr. Hutchinson writes pleasantly and unaffectedly, com-
bining much information of scientific value with many interesting anecdotes of the discovery
of fossils, and the legends which have gathered round them. His book, in short, is both
attractive and useful, and will add to his reputation as a popular, but accurate, writer on
geological subjects.”
The Atheneum says :—‘‘ This is undoubtedly the best book Mr. Hutchinson has yet written.
He sets before us, in pleasant form, a really valuable description of many of those extra-
ordinary forms of ancient life which are but little known, save to the special student of
palzontology. Not content with the dry bones which have been unearthed by the spade and
pick of the geological explorer, the author seeks to revivify these relics, and to place them
before us as they probably appeared when clothed with flesh and instinct with life. Mr.
Hutchinson has been fortunate in receiving the advice of the Geological Department of the
British Museum and the skilful pen of Mr. Smit, who is probably unsurpassed as a scientific
artist of animals.”
The Field says:—‘‘In ‘Extinct Monsters’ the Rev. H. N. Hutchinson has admirably
succeeded in his aim at giving a popular account of the larger forms of animal life. In the
present volume we have a competent palzontologist, who has availed himself of the most
recent discoveries, and has been assisted by some of the first geologists in the kingdom, who
have taken a great interest in the work, and whose revision of the proof-sheets gives us a
guarantee that, astounding as the statements of Mr. Hutchinscn appear, and monstrous as the
illustrations of Mr. Smit undoubtedly are, they describe and actually represent the extinct
forms which have recently come to light. It is thoroughly readable.”
Black and White says :—‘‘ M. Cuvier’s vast and splendid knowledge of existing beasts and
birds enabled him to reconstruct from a fossil skull or a vertebra, sometimes from nothing
but a single tooth, the long extinct creature in its true semblance as it had lived—to clothe it
with flesh and skin and show it, in imagination, in the haunts in which it lived and moved.
This, which Baron Cuvier did in graphic description of great scientific and literary beauty,
Mr. Flutchinson, in his work on ‘ Extinct Monsters,’ has done popularly and done learnedly,
and with the accompaniment of many most admirable illustrations. . . . This learned,
interesting, and popular book.”
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