N , •'

..... >:HEM

M F.Z.S.

... c rc.KEARTO

YOUNG BUZZARD

BIOLOGY

LIBRARY

G

YOUNG LONG-EARED OWL.

BfOLOST LIBRAUt

PREFACE

ON the tenth day of April, eighteen hundred and
ninety-two, my brother photographed the nest
and eggs of a Song Thrush in the neighbourhood
of London, and the result appeared to me to be so
full of promise that I at once determined to write
a book on British Birds' Nests and get him to
illustrate it from beginning to end by photographs
taken in situ. Before mentioning the idea to my
publishers, however, I submitted an article on the
subject, together with a number of photographs of
nests and eggs, to the Editor of an illustrated
weekly periodical as a feeler. The prompt accept-
ance of the contribution, accompanied by a request
for • more materials' of the same character, filled
author and illustrator with hope, and we laboured
unremittingly spring by spring, without experience
or suggestion of any kind on the pictorial side of
our work, in the preparation of the original edition
of this book, which first saw the light in the autumn
of eighteen hundred and ninety-five.

It was the first book of its kind to be illustrated
throughout by means of photographs taken direct
from Nature and, as a great authority said at the
time, '" show things as they are and not as they
are supposed to be."

When it appeared, Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, of the
British Museum, South Kensington, said that it
" marked a new era in natural history." I must

894819

vi BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS

frankly confess that at the time I regarded these
prophetic words in the light of fatherly encourage-
ment from one of the most kind-hearted men in
Britain, but a few years have sufficed to prove
their absolute truth.

Since the first edition of " British Birds' Nests "
was issued, my brother and I have spared neither
labour nor money to secure additional photographs
not only of nests and eggs, but of the birds them-
selves. " Our Rarer British Breeding Birds " was
published as a supplementary volume in eighteen
hundred and ninety-nine, and embodied the result
of our further researches up to that time. The
present Revised and Enlarged Edition of the major
work having destroyed the reason for the further
existence of the minor one, we have included the
best of the pictures appearing in its pages, together
with all the appropriate photographs secured during
the last seven years.

It may be of interest to mention that, from first
to last, we have travelled by railroad and steam-
boat alone upwards of thirty thousand miles, and
exposed over ten thousand plates in pursuit of bird
photography.

The value of the camera where truth and accuracy
are a desideratum may easily be seen by noting
the distinguishing sexual marks over the eyes of the
male and female Red-Necked Phalarope figured on
page 277, and comparing the illustration with the
coloured plates representing this species in some of
the best books ever published on British Birds.

Of the benefit which has accrued to the wild
birds of our country by the introduction of this
harmless and yet truly sporting method of studying
Nature, the following extract from one of many

PREFACE vii

similar letters bears eloquent testimony : "I con-
sider that the birds ought to be extremely grateful
to you for inventing bird-photography. I never
knew anything that has done so much for their
protection during the nesting season as your example.
I myself have for several years given up egg col-
lecting entirely, and know many others who have
done the same." As further evidence in the same
direction I may mention that I had shown to me last
spring a Hen Harrier's nest within forty miles of
London, and although it was found and photographed
by several different naturalists of the new school the
old birds carried away two young ones in safety.

It is devoutly to be wished that some of the
collectors who are doing so much harm to our
rarest breeding birds would either follow this worthy
example, or, at any rate, moderate their depreda-
tions to the taking of one clutch. When one man
can take three or four clutches of eggs belonging
to a rare and interesting species, and another shoot,
in spite of the law, eight specimens at one shot, of a
bird that used to breed regularly in our islands,
and would do so again if allowed, the true bird lover
is left in despair over the prospects of every species
that can be called " rare." Once this unfortunate
adjective can be applied to a bird a premium is put
upon its skin and eggs. It is a curious kind of
morality that will scorn to steal from the individual
and yet rob the community without compunction.
Wild birds are National property, and no individual
has a right to harm one of them without the sanction
of the law to do so.

I plead earnestly for our rare breeding birds
in danger of extinction. It is far more interesting
to any man who can be called an ornithologist and

viii BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS

not a mere collector of bric-a-brac to see the living
representative of a species soaring majestically
over a mountain top than to gaze at its empty
egg shells in a cabinet.

Our very sincere thanks are tendered to the
many good friends who have placed us under a
deep debt of gratitude by the facilities they have
most ungrudgingly given us, on all occasions, to
secure the photographs scattered up and down
the pages of this book. It is unnecessary to say
how grateful we shall feel to anyone who may be
fortunate enough to find a rare nest, not already
figured in this work, for an opportunity to photo-
graph it. We also have to acknowledge our great
indebtedness to Messrs. Watkins and Doncaster,
Naturalists in the Strand, London, for kindly
lending our publishers the specimens from which
the plates of eggs were photographed and printed
by the three-colour process.

It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to point out,
even to the inexperienced ornithologist, that the
circumstances governing the distances at which
our photographs have been taken rendered it im-
possible to adjust the relative sizes of the birds and
eggs of different species. However, the life size of
the eggs in the coloured plates and the average
measurements of them and the birds given in the
text, will easily prevent any kind of confusion.

The descriptions of the plumage and general
appearance of males and females of each species
dealt with are, of course, of adult birds in the

breeding season.

R. KEARTON.

CATERHAM VALLEY, SURREY,
January, 1908.

LIST OF REMBRANDT PLATES

YOUNG BUZZARD Frontispiece

BULLFINCH ON NEST To face p. 10

BLACK-THROATED DIVER ON NEST . . . ,, ,,70

GREAT CRESTED GREBE ON NEST . . . „ ,,136

YOUNG KITES IN NEST ,, „ 202

MARSH WARBLER AND NEST . . . . ,, ,, 466

LIST OF EGG PLATES

PLATE I. — Rook — Carrion Crow — Jackdaw — Starling — Raven

— jay — Magpie — Hooded Crow — Chough . To face p. 28

PLATE II. — Cirl Bunting — Corn Bunting — Crossbill — Snow
Bunting — Yellow Hammer — Tree Sparrow — Reed Bunt-
ing—Hawfinch— Linnet — House Sparrow — Greenfinch
— Bullfinch — Twite — Chaffinch — Lesser Redpole — Gold-
finch — Meadow Pipit — Woodlark — Skylark — Rock
Pipit ........ 7b face p. 46

PLATE III.— Blue-Headed Wagtail— Grey Wagtail— Pied
Wagtail — White Wagtail — Yellow Wagtail— Bearded
Tit— Blue Tit— Coal Tit— Crested Tit— Great Tit-
Marsh Tit— Long-Tailed Tit— Tree Creeper— Gold-Crest
—Tree Pipit— Woodchat Shrike— Red-Backed Shrike-
Siskin — Chiffchaff — Nuthatch — Whitethroat — Lesser
Whitethroat — St. Kilda Wren— Common Wren — Dart-
ford Warbler To face p. 88

PLATE IV. — Wood Warbler — Garden Warbler — Marsh
Warbler - — Sedge Warbler — Blackcap — Grasshopper
Warbler —Willow Warbler — Reed Warbler — Missel
Thrush — Ring Ouzel — Blackbird — Stonechat — Song
Thrush — Redstart — Wheatear — Robin — Whinchat —
Nightingale . .... To face p. 102

PLATE V. — Hedge Sparrow — Spotted Flycatcher— Pied Fly-
catcher—Swallow— Cuckoo — Peregrine Falcon — Cuckoo
— Hobby — Nightjar — Merlin . . . To face p. 152

PLATE VI.— Osprey — Kestrel — Sparrow-Hawk — Golden

Eagle To face p. 184

xii LIST OF EGG PLATES

PLATE VII. — Lapwing— Golden Plover— Ringed Plover —
Kentish Plover — Common Dotterel — Kite — Common
Buzzard To face p. 216

PLATE VIII. —Stone Curlew— Ruff— Wood Sandpiper— Red-
Necked Phalarope — Common Sandpiper — Oyster-
Catcher — Heron ...... To face p. 242

PLATE IX. — Redshank — Greenshank — Woodcock — Dunlin
— Common Snipe — Common Curlew — Whimbrel

To face p. 274

PLATE X.— Herring Gull— Black-Headed Gull— Kittiwake—

Great Black-Backed Gull . ... To face p. 308

PLATE XL— Lesser Black-Backed Gull— Common Gull-
Richardson's Skua — Common Skua . . To face p. 344

PLATE XII. — Roseate Tern — Sandwich Tern — Common
Guillemot — Common Tern — Little Tern — Arctic
Tern ........ To face p. 370

PLATE XIII.— Red-Throated Diver — Black Guillemot-
Puffin— Black-Throated Diver ... To face p. 408

PLATE XIV.— Storm Petrel— Moorhen— Leach's Fork-Tailed
Petrel — Razorbill— Corn Crake— Coot— Spotted Crake

To face p. 440

PLATE XV.— Red-Legged Partridge— Red Grouse— Ptar-
migan— Common Partridge — Pheasant — Water Rail —
Capercaillie — Quail — Black Grouse . . To face p 484

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS

ACCENTOR. See HEDGE SPARROW.

BITTERN.

(Botaurus stellans.)
Order HERODIONES ; Family ARDEID^: (HERONS).

HAS now quite ceased to breed in the British
Isles, and is only a much persecuted visitor to our
shores.

BLACKBIRD.

(Turdus mem la.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^: (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent
Birds . — Length about
ten inches. Bill of
medium length, nearly
straight, and yellow.
Irides yellow. Plum-
age uniform deep
black. Legs and toes
brownish-black, claws
black.

The female is of
a dark rusty-brown

colour, lightest and brightest on the throat and

breast ; bill and feet dusky-brown.

MALE BLACKBIRD.

2 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — Bushes, hedges, ledges
of rock, holes in and on projecting " th roughs " of dry
walls, on banks, in evergreens, against the trunks
of trees, on beams in sheds and barns. I have
found several built quite on the ground, where a
partridge might have been expected to nest, al-
though there were thick old hedgerows not many
yards away. On one occasion I discovered a nest
inside a thrashing machine standing in an open
field, and another in a hole in a tree where
a starling would no doubt have bred had the
entrance hole been a trifle smaller. I have upon
more than one occasion seen a Blackbird's nest
built upon an old Thrush's, and vice versa, and
occupied nests of the two species touching each
other. Common nearly all over the United
Kingdom. I have met with it breeding in the
Outer Hebrides.

Materials. — Small twigs, roots, dry grass, moss,
intermixed with clay or mud. Sometimes bits of
wool, leaves, fern fronds, and even paper, lined
internally with fine dry grass.

Eggs. — Four or five, sometimes six. Some
authorities say as many as seven and eight ; but
I have never found a nest with more than six in,
although a friend — upon whose word I can place
absolute reliance — recently showed me a clutch
of eight, and the nest in which he had found them.
Of a dull bluish-green, spotted and blotched, and
rarely streaked with reddish-brown and grey. They
vary considerably, both in regard to ground-colour,
shape, size, and markings. Some varieties are
covered with small spots, others with such large
ones that they very closely resemble the eggs of
the Ring Ouzel, whilst a third variety is almost

4 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

spotless. Size about 1.18 by .85 in. (See
Plate IV.)

Time. — March, April, May, June, July, and
even as late as August.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : call, tsissrr, tack,
tack ; alarm, a loud, ringing spink, or chink, chink,
chink. Song powerful, and generally delivered at
the beginning and end of the day, or during the
falling of a warm summer shower, which always
seems to delight the heart of this highly esteemed
feathered vocalist. Local and other names: Merle,
Black Ouzel, Amzel Ouzel. A close sitter. My
friend Miss Robinson, of Darlington, tells me in
a letter that a Blackbird and a Song Thrush built
nests in her garden this spring (1906). The latter
laid four eggs, and after a day or two forsook
them. The former, instead of laying in her own
nest, took possession of that of her neighbour,
and commenced the work of incubation, which
she carried on until the nest was robbed by boys.

YOUNG FEMALE BLACKBIRD.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

BLACKCAP.

(Sylvia atricapilla.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
six inches ; bill of me-
dium length, straight,
and dark horn colour.
Irides brown. All the
upper part of the head
black ; nape ash-grey ;
back and wing-coverts
ash-grey, tinged with
brown ; wing and tail-
quills brown, bordered
with grey ; cheeks, chin,
throat, and breast light
grey ; belly and under-
parts white ; legs and
toes lead colour ; claws brown.

The female is larger than the male ; the top
of her head is dull rust colour, and her plumage
generally more tinged with brown.

Situation and Locality. — In brambles, briars,
thick hedges, nettles, and gooseberry bushes, in
gardens, orchards, thickets, shrubberies, and other
suitable places, at heights varying from two to
ten or twelve feet from the ground. In all parts
of England and Wales, and more sparingly in Scot-
land and Ireland. It is a very widely distributed
bird.

Materials. — Fibrous roots, straws, and dead
grass, with an inner lining of hair. It is a flimsy

BLACKCAP ON NEST.

BLACKCAP'S NEST AND EGGS.

I

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 7

structure, sometimes strengthened by wool or
spiders' webs.

Eggs. — Five or six, very variable, and often
difficult to identify, as they closely resemble those
of some of the other Warblers. The commonest
type is that of a greyish-white underground, suffused
with bumsh-brown, and spotted, blotched, and
marbled with dark brown. Sometimes they are
found pale brick-red, marked with a darker tinge
of the same colour, and reddish-brown ; also faint
blue, marked with grey and yellowish-brown.
Size about .78 by .58 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — Ma}/ and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and leav-
ing in September, odd specimens remaining till
November or December. Notes : alarm, tack,
tack, or tec, tec. Song of great power and freedom.
Local and other names : Hay Jack, Hay Chat,
Mock Nightingale, Nettle-creeper, Nettle-monger,
Blackcap Warbler. Sits very closely. The male
bird sometimes takes his share of the task of in-
cubation, and, it is said, relieves the tedium of his
task by singing whilst doing so. I have once or
twice seen a male bird of this species covering
the eggs, but have never yet heard him sing on
the nest.

BULLFINCH.

(Pyrrhula europcea.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID*: (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill short, broad, and thick at the base,
and black. Irides dark brown. Round the base
of the beak, and all the upper part of the head,

8 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

black. Nape, back, and lesser wing-coverts grey ;
greater coverts black, tipped with greyish-white,
which forms a bar across the wing-quills, which
are dusky. Rump white, upper tail-coverts and
tail-quills black. Cheeks, breast, and belly tile-
red. Vent and under tail-coverts white. Legs
and toes flesh colour ; claws brown.

The female has the black on the head, wings,
and tail not so intense ; her nape and back are
greyish-brown, and breast, belly, and under-parts
dirty brown.

Situation and Locality. — In the lower branches
of trees, in evergreens, the tops of high bushes,
in thick quick - set hedges and thickets, in suit-
able localities throughout the British Isles ; rarer
towards the extreme north of Scotland and in
Ireland. The one represented in our illustration
on the opposite page was situated in a thick wood,
although, according to my experience, the bird is
fonder of rough, open, uncultivated land with
scattered clumps of thorn bushes for breeding in.

Materials. — Small twigs and fibrous roots, inter-
laced so as to form, as a rule, a broad and flat
platform, in the centre of which is the cup-shaped
recess lined with fine fibrous roots and sometimes
a little wool, hair, or a few feathers.

Eggs. — Four to six. Pale greenish-blue, spotted,
speckled, and sometimes streaked with dark purplish-
brown, and with underlying blotches of brownish-
pink. The markings generally form a zone round
the large end of the egg. Size about .77 by .57 in.
(See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July. I have seen
a brood of half-grown young ones, however, in the
nest as late as the middle of September.

BULLFINCH'S NEST AND EGGS.

io BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : call, soft, plain-
tive, and frequently uttered ; song, feeble, and low.
Male ceases to sing, it is said, as soon as eggs have
been laid. However, I have heard an individual
which was close to one of my hiding tents in a
wood singing in July. Local and other names :
Beechfmch, Horsefinch, Pink, Twink, Olph, Nope,

MALE BULLFINCH.

Red Hoop, Alp, Hoop. Sits very closely indeed.
This species has benefited more, perhaps, by the
Wild Birds' Protection Acts than any other British
breeder.

BUNTING, C1RL.

(Emberiza cirlus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family EMBERIZID^: (BUNTINGS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill short, conical, and bluish-grey. Irides
hazel. A streak of light yellow runs from the base
of the upper mandible, over the eye, behind the

BULLFINCH ON NEST.

•f

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. n

ear-coverts, and thence forward under the black
on the throat ; and another from the gape under
the eye ; crown, behind the eye and under the
lower yellow streak, olive-brown streaked with
black ; the head, nape, and sides of the neck dark
olive ; back rich chestnut-brown, the margins of
the feathers being tinged with olive; wings dusky-
black edged with chestnut-brown and olive -green ;
upper tail-coverts olive, tinged with yellow and
marked with dusky-grey streaks ; tail-quills brown,
outside feathers edged with white ; chin and
throat black ; upper part of breast dull olive, crossed
below by a chestnut band ; belly and under tail-
coverts dusky-yellow ; sides dull olive streaked
with dark brown.

The female is slightly smaller ; she lacks the
bright yellow stripes on the sides of the head and
throat ; the black upon the chin is replaced by
yellowish-brown ; crown dull olive streaked with
black ; back and upper-parts reddish-brown streaked
with black ; under-parts dirty yellow, also streaked
with black. (See how to distinguish this species
from Yellow-hammer, p. 518.)

Situation and Locality. — In brambles, furze
bushes, and sometimes quite on the ground, in
similar situations to the Yellow Bunting. On
commons and cultivated lands well studded with
trees and hedgerows in the south and west of
England ; also in Wales, local.

Materials. — Dry grass, roots, moss, and leaves,
with generally an inner lining of hair.

Eggs. — Four or five. Dull bluish or cinerous white,
spotted, blotched, streaked, and veined irregularly
with very dark brown, and underlying markings of
grey. Size about .86 by .65 in. (See Plate II.)

12 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : call, zi-zi-za-zirr ;
song, zis-zis-zis-gor-gor-gor , according to Bechstein,
whilst another authority describes it as tutt, tutt,
tutt, tutt, tutt, tutt. Local and other names : Black-
throated Yellow-hammer, French Yellow-hammer.
Sits closely.

BUNTING, COMMON. See BUNTING, CORN.

BUNTING, CORN. Also COMMON BUNTING.

(Emberiza miliaria.}
Order PASSERES ; Family EMBERIZHLE (BUNTINGS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length a little
over seven inches. Bill short, conical, strong, and
pale yellow-brown, with a stripe of dark brown on
the top of the upper mandible. Irides dark hazel.
Head, neck, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts
light brown, inclining to olive, each feather being
streaked in the centre with dark brown. Wings
dark brown, the feathers being edged with a lighter
tinge of the same colour. Tail slightly forked and
dark brown with light edges. Chin, throat, breast,
belly, vent, and under tail-coverts dull whitish-
brown ; the sides of the neck and the breast are
marked with triangular spots of dark brown ; sides
streaked with the same colour. Legs, toes, and
claws pale brown. The bird is thick and bulky
in appearance and of sluggish habits.

Female similar to male.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground,
amongst coarse grass, on a bank, among the grass,
under a hedge, in a low bush, amongst growing

CORN BUNTING'S NEST AND EGGS.

14 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

corn, brambles, clover, and peas ; in grass-fields,
pastures, clover-fields, and similar places locally
distributed throughout the United Kingdom.

Materials. — Straw and coarse hay or grass-
stems outside, lined with fibrous roots, fine grass,
and sometimes horsehair.

Eggs. — Four to six. The ground-colour varies
from dull purplish-white to pale buff, blotched,
spotted, and streaked with light to dark purplish-
brown, and underlying markings of grey. They
are variable in size, but run larger than those of
any other Bunting breeding with us. Size about
.96 by .71 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — May and June. Sometimes as early as
end of April and as late as July.

Remarks. — Resident, but numbers swollen during
winter months by Continental arrivals. Notes :
chuck or chit. Local and other names : Common
Bunting, Bunting Lark, Ebb. Sits fairly close.

BUNTING, REED. Also REED SPARROW.

(Emberiza schoeniclus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family EMBERIZID^E (BUNTINGS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about six inches. Bill
short, conical, and dusky-brown
on the upper mandible, lighter
on the lower. Irides hazel. Head
velvety black, bounded by a white
collar, which commences near the
gape and, descending the sides of
the neck as far as the breast,
passes round the back thereof.
FEMALE REED BUNTING. Back and wings rich brownish-

f

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 15

black, the feathers being margined broadly with
reddish-brown and tawny-grey ; wing-quills dusky,
narrowly bordered with tawny-red. Rump and
upper tail-coverts black, tinged with rusty-grey.
Tail-quills brownish-black, bordered on the outsides
with white, and slightly forked. Chin and throat
black, broad in the centre, and pointed on the
lower part of the breast. Breast on either side of
the black portion white, also belly and under-parts ;
sides and flanks tinged and streaked with brown.
Legs, toes, and claws dusky-brown.

The female is smaller, and differs considerably
in her plumage. Her head is brown instead of
black ; the white collar of the male is dusky-brown
in her case. Chin, throat, and breast dull white.

Situation and Locality. — Generally near the
ground amongst long grass, rushes, nettles, and
sedges. I have once or twice met with it in low
thorn bushes, amongst grass and weeds growing
about the stunted branches which had been cropped
by sheep. Our illustration was procured in July
amongst the sprouts and long grass growing round
the stump of a felled tree on the banks of the Mole,
in Surrey. The nest is generally found close to
sluggish streams, ponds, swamps, and bodies of
water, though I have frequently met with it at
considerable distances from water. It is said to
have been found in trees at a height of eight or
nine feet. The nest may always be known from
that of the Reed Warbler by the fact that it is
never suspended. The bird breeds in nearly all
suitable localities throughout the British Isles.
I have met with it nesting in the heather by loch-
sides in the Outer Hebrides and in the north of
Caithness.

REED BUNTING'S NEST AND EGGS,

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 17

Materials. — Dried grass and moss, with a lining
of finer grass, hair, and the feathery tops of
reeds.

Eggs. — Four to seven, generally five. Purplish-
grey or pale olive to pale purple-brown in ground-
colour, spotted and streaked with rich dark purple-
brown, generally distributed over the egg. It is
the smallest of the Buntings' eggs found in this
country, and the veins are shorter and thicker
than those of the Yellow Bunting. Size about
•77 by -57 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — March, April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, and partially migratory.
Notes : song, te, te, tuy te, diversified by an occa-
sional discordant ruytsh ; alarm note, a sharp
twitter. Local and other names : Reed Sparrow,
Passerine Bunting, Black Bonnet, Chink, Water
Sparrow, Black-headed Bunting (a name which,
properly speaking, belongs to a different species
altogether), Mountain Sparrow. Sits closely. The
male bird does his share in the work of incuba-
tion and feeding of the chicks.

MALE REED BUNTING FEEDING YOUNG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

BUNTING, SNOW.

(Plectrophanes ntvah's.)
Order PASSERES ; Family EMHERIZID/E (BUNTINGS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven inches ; bill short, conical, and black. Irides
hazel. Head and neck white (in some specimens
the crown and nape are mottled with black) ; back
velvety black ; rump and upper tail-coverts white,
some of the feathers being slightly bordered with
brownish-white ; wings black on the shoulder or
point, white through the middle, and black on
outer half and tips ; tail slightly forked, white
on the outside and black in the middle ; chin,
throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts
pure white ; legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is rather smaller, has the white on
the head and neck more mottled with black, and
her colours generally are not so pure. Very few
specimens of the bird have been secured in this
country in its breeding plumage.

Situation and Locality. — In crevices and chinks
of rock, or amongst loose stones. The bird some-
times breeds on the high hills and mountains of
the north of Scotland, in the Orkneys and Shet-
lands ; but very few nests indeed have ever been
found. I have sought for it in a good many
localities without success, and need hardly say
that I shall feel greatly obliged to any ornith-
ologist who will at any time give me an
opportunity of photographing a nest and eggs
in situ.

Materials. — Dead grass and roots, with an inner
lining of finer grass, hair, wool, and feathers where

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 19

procurable. The same nest is said to be used more
than once.

Eggs. — Four to eight, more often four to six ;
ground-colour greenish- or bluish-white, sometimes
greyish-white, pale bluish-grey, or pale greenish-
blue, spotted, splashed, and streaked with deep
brownish-red, and a few spots and streaks of a
darker tint on the top of these ; occasionally under-
lying markings of pale grey or yellowish-brown.
Size about .86 by .64 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — A winter visitor, a few pairs resident.
Notes : sweet and tinkling. Local names : Snow
Flake, Snow Fleck, Snow Fowl, Tawny Bunting,
Greater Brambling, Lesser Mountain Finch, Great
Pied Mountain Finch, Brambling (a name belong-
ing to another bird altogether). A close sitter.

BUNTING, YELLOW. See YELLOW HAMMER.

BUZZARD, COMMON.

(Buteo vulgaris.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-two inches. Beak short, much curved,
strong, and blue-black in colour. Bare skin round
the base of the beak yellow. Irides yellow. Crown,
nape, back wing-coverts, and upper side of tail-
quills clove or ferruginous brown, with large longi-
tudinal spots and dashes ; the tail being barred
with black and ash-colour, and at the end dusky-

20

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

white. Wing-quills brownish-black. Chin and
throat yellowish- or dusky-white. Breast, belly,
and thighs greyish- or yellowish-white, streaked
and spotted with yellowish-brown. Under tail-
coverts white. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.
The female is darker than the male, and often
larger. The colour of plumage in both sexes is

subject to great vari-
ation.

Situation and Lo-
cality.— In the forked
branches of a tree,
sometimes on a hori-
zontal branch at a
little distance from
the trunk. Also in
high, inaccessible
maritime cliffs and
tall crags in wild
secluded districts of
England, Wales,
Scotland, and Ire-
land. The bird will
often adopt an old

crow's nest, and generally returns to the same
breeding-place year after year. It is still fairly
common in some parts of Wales, where I have
seen as many as three pairs on the wing at once.
Materials. — Sticks and twigs in liberal quan-
tities, lined with hay, wool, and leaves, sometimes
scraps of down.

Eggs. — Two to four, generally three. Some-
times dingy white and unspotted, and in other in-
stances greenish- or bluish-white, spotted, blotched,
and streaked with red-brown and pale rust-colour.

COMMON BUZZARDS' BREEDING HAUNT.

.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 21

Very variable in regard to size and coloration.
Average about 2.16 by 1.72 in. (See Plate VII.)
Time. — April and May.

COMMON BUZZARD'S NEST AND EGGS.

Remarks. — Resident. Note : a monotonous and
plaintive pe-e-i-o-oo. Local and other names :
Buzzard, Puttock. Not a very close sitter, except
when incubation is advanced.

22 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

BUZZARD, HONEY.

( Pern is apivorus. )
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.^ (FALCONS).

Though never a numerous species in our islands,
this bird did at one time breed in several different
parts of the country. It is probable that the high
price set upon its eggs, and the senseless persecution
of the harmless parent birds, have almost, if not
quite, banished the Honey Buzzard from its last
stronghold — viz. the New Forest.

BUZZARD, ROUGH-LEGGED.

(ArcJributeo lagopus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^E (FALCONS).

This bird is said to have bred in both England
and Scotland, but as the instances are rare, and
the information concerning them is scant, it can
claim but little attention in a work of this
character.

BURROW DUCK. See SHELDRAKE.

CAPERCAILLIE.

( Tetrao urogallns. )
Order GALLING ; Family TETRAONIM: (GROUSE).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length varies
between thirty-three and forty inches. Bill short,
much curved, strong, and of a pale horn colour.
Irides hazel. Over each eye is a piece of naked
red skin. Head, neck, back, rump, and upper

CAPERCAILLIE'S NEST AND EGGS.

24 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

tail-coverts brownish-black in ground-colour, finely
freckled with ash-grey spots. Wings dark chest-
nut-brown, minutely speckled with dusky spots,
except quills, which are dusky. Where the shoulder
or point of the wing meets the body is a little
patch of white ; the scapulars are also tipped with
the same colour. Tail rounded at the tip, the
feathers being dusky, spotted sparingly with light
grey on the sides ; a few shorter ones lying over
the principal quills are tipped with white. Chin
and throat dull black, the feathers being some-
what elongated. Upper breast dark glossy green,
lower breast and all under-parts black, spotted
sparingly with white about the thighs and vent.
Legs covered with brown hair-like feathers ; toes
and claws black.

The female measures about twenty-six inches
in length, and differs very considerably in the colour
of her plumage. The feathers of her head, neck,
back, wings (except quills, which are dusky), rump,
upper tail-coverts, and tail tawny-brown, barred
with blackish-brown and tipped with white. Throat
tawny-red ; breast of a lighter tinge, spotted spar-
ingly with white ; belly and under-parts generally
barred with pale tawny and black, the feathers
being tipped with greyish-white. Legs greyish-
brown ; toes and claws pale brown.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, gener-
ally at the foot of a tree, as shown in our illus-
tration, sometimes under a bush or bramble,
amongst long grass or heather, in Scotch fir, larch,
and spruce forests ; also, but more sparsely, in
oak and birch forests, through the midlands of
Scotland.

Materials. — Small quantities of dead grass,

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 25

leaves or pine needles used as a lining to the
hollow, scraped or chosen, in the ground.

Eggs. — Six or eight to twelve or fifteen. Pale
reddish-yellow, spotted all over with two shades
of darker orange-brown. Size about 2.2 by 1.6 in.
(See Plate XV.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. This bird became extinct
in Britain towards the end of the eighteenth century,
and was re-introduced from Sweden in 1837 J since
that time it has thriven and spread in Scotland.
Call of male : peller, peller, peller. The note of the
female is a hoarse gock, gock, gock. Local and other
names : Wood Grouse, Ceiliog Coed (of the ancient
British), Cock of the Woods, Great Grouse, Cock
of the Mountain, Caper, Capercally, Capercailzie,
Caper cali. Sits closely.

CHAFFINCH.

(Fringilla ccelebs.}
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^: (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about six inches. Bill
shortish, strong, conical, pointed,
and dark blue. Irides hazel.
Forehead black ; crown,
hinder part of head, and a part
of the sides of the neck bluish-
ash. Back reddish-brown ; rump
and upper tail-coverts greenish.
Lesser wing-coverts white ;
greater black tipped with white,
thus forming two conspicuous bars across the wings ;
quills dusky, bordered with greenish-yellow on the

MALE CHAFFINCH.

26 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

outer webs and marked with greyish-white on both
webs near the base. Tail-quills black, tinged with
grey on the two middle feathers, and the two outer
ones on each side marked with white. Chin, cheeks,
throat, breast, belly, and under-parts reddish, chest
nut-brown, paler on the belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts. Legs, toes, and claws dusky.

The female is smaller, and her head, neck, and
upper part of the back greyish-brown ; the rump
and upper tail-coverts are not so bright, and her
under-parts are brownish-white, tinged with red
upon the breast. The white bars upon her wings
are not so conspicuous.

Situation and Locality. — In the forks of small
trees, on branches and twigs of whitethorns,
fruit-trees, in hedges, gorse-bushes, and other
kinds of trees in orchards, spinneys, on com-
mons, and almost anywhere and everywhere where
there are trees or shrubs throughout the United
Kingdom.

Materials. — Moss, wool, lichens, and cobwebs,
beautifully felted together, and lined with hair,
feathers, and down. The nest is cup-shaped, deep,
and wonderfully made in every respect. It is
compact, neat, well woven together, and securely
fastened to the situation chosen. The bird
shows a great deal of sagacity in its outside
adornment. I have seen specimens in lichen-
covered or grey-barked trees that were smothered
with bits of lichen and spiders' nests, and have
known bits of old newspaper used for the purpose.
On the other hand, I have met with many
whereon none of these materials appeared, because
their surroundings did not call for them to produce
any harmonising effect.

CHAFFINCH ON NEST.

28 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five. Pale green-
ish-blue, generally suffused with faint reddish-
brown and spotted and streaked with dirty reddish-
brown of various shades. Occasionally specimens
are met with suffused with purplish-buff all over,
or of a uniform pale greenish-blue without mark-
ings of any kind. Size about .75 by .58 in. (See
Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, and partially migratory.
I have noticed that the cocks, almost without
exception, leave the Yorkshire dales in winter.
Notes : spink-spink, yack-yack, treef-treef. Its song
is a joyous, ringing trill. Local and other names :
Bullspink, Scobby, Skelly, Spink, Twink, Pink,
Shellapple, Shelly, Sniffer, Wet Bird, Buckfinch,
Beechfinch, Whitefinch, Copperfinch, Horsefmch.
A very close sitter. I have seen the bird's tail
pulled out by a lad attempting to catch the hen
on her nest ; yet, quite undaunted, she returned,
hatched out her five eggs, and reared her young.
The male bird helps the female to feed the
chicks both in the nest and after they are fledged.

YOUNG CHAFFINCH.

« V-

PLATE 1.

ROOK CARRION CROW.

(See f. 332.) (See p. 52.)

JACKDAW.
(Seep. 193.)

STARLING.
(See p. 386.)

RAVEN.
(See p. 314.)

JAY
(See p. 194.)

MAGPIE.

(See p. 216.)

HOODED CROW.

(S<*/. 55.)

CHOUGH
(Ste p. 32.)

NOTE.— In referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 1

Jflli

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 29

CHIFFCHAFF.

(Phylloscopus rufits.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about four
and three-quarter inches. Bill moderately long,
nearly straight, and dark brown in colour. Irides
brown. Over the eye is a pale yellowish-brown
streak, which becomes much lighter behind the
ear-coverts. Crown, neck, back, and upper tail-
coverts dull olive-green tinged with yellow. Wing-
quills dark greyish-brown edged with olive-green ;
tail - feathers somewhat similar. Chin, throat,
breast, and under-parts dull yellowish-white. Legs,
toes, and claws blackish-brown.

The female is very similar in ail respects.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground,
in woods, on hedge-banks amongst tall, rank grass,
supported by brambles and slender bushes. The
bird breeds pretty generally throughout the south
and middle of England, but less frequently in the
northern counties and Scotland. It is numerous in
many parts of Wales and is met with in Ireland.

Materials. — Dead grass, withered leaves, and
moss, with an inner lining of hair and a liberal
quantity of feathers. The nest is oval, or nearly
so, domed, and has an entrance hole at the side
and near the top.

Eggs. — Five to seven, white, somewhat sparingly
spotted with dark purplish-brown. The spots vary
in size, intensity, and numbers, but, as a rule, they
are darker, fewer, and larger than those found upon
the eggs of the Willow Wren. Size about .6 by
.48 in. (See Plate III.)

CHIFFCHAFFS AT. NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 3*

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in March and
departing in October. Notes : chiff-chaff, which
has also been represented as chip-chop, chivy-chavy,
choice and cheap. Alarm note, whoo-id or whoo-it.
Local and other names : Least Willow Wren,
Lesser Petty chaps, Choice and Cheap. A close
sitter.

CHIFFCHAFF'S NEST AND EGGS.

CHOUGH.

(Pyrrhocorax gractilus.}
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID/E (CROWS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
sixteen inches. Bill rather long, slightly curved,
and orange-red. Irides hazel. The whole of
the plumage is black, glossed with purple ;
legs and toes red ; claws strongly hooked, and
black.

The female is not as large as the male, and her
bill is shorter.

32 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — In clefts and fissures of
sea cliffs, holes in old ruins, and in caves. The bird
is said to still breed very sparingly in Cornwall,
Devonshire and Lundy Island. It also nests, though
much persecuted, along the Welsh coast, in the Isle
of Man, and more plentifully on the west coast of
Scotland, and in some parts of Ireland ; but every-
where seems to be on the decrease — a distress-
ing fact which it is to be earnestly hoped all
true lovers of British birds will do their very
utmost to assist in checking, as there is every
reason to believe that this interesting bird is
much rarer than it is generally supposed to be.

Materials. — Sticks, dead heather stalks, dry
grass, wool, and occasionally hair.

Eggs. — Four or five, occasionally six. Dirty
or creamy white, sometimes faintly tinged with
green or blue, spotted with light brown and
ash-grey. Markings variable, both in regard to
size and distribution. Size about 1.52 by i.i in.
(See Plate I.)

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : creea, creea, ren-
dered by Mr. Seebohm as khee-o, khee-o. It utters a
quick, chattering noise at times, like a Starling.
Local and other names : Cornish Daw, Cornish
Chough, Cornwall Kae, Market Jew Crow, Chauk
Daw, Red-legged Crow, Killigrew, Hermit Crow, Cliff
Daw, Gesner's Wood Crow. Gregarious. It is
thought by some ornithologists that the Jackdaw
has driven the Chough away from some of its
old haunts. Not a very close sitter, and noisy
when intruded upon.

INTERIOR OF CAVE CONTAINING CHOUGH'S NEST

* NEST.

34 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

COOT, COMMON.

(Fulica atra.)
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID^: (RAILS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
eighteen inches. Bill of
medium length, nearly
straight, and dull white
tinged with red. There
is a smooth, naked white
patch on the forehead
which readily distin-
guishes this bird from
the Waterhen, with its
red shield. Irides hazel.
Under the eye is a nar-
row, curved line of white.

COOT ON NEST. , . , , -

The whole of the plum-
age is black with exception of white on the bend
of the wing and narrow bar formed by the
white tips of the secondaries. The under-parts are
tinged with bluish-grey. Legs, toes, and scallop-
shaped lobes on either side of the latter, dark green.
Above the knee is an orange-coloured garter.

The female is similar in size and appearance to
the male.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst reeds, rushes,
osiers, and other aquatic herbage in marshes, by
the sides of ponds, reservoirs, large sluggish rivers,
and lakes. They are generally built up from
the bottom, but are sometimes simply moored to
surrounding objects, and, becoming detached by
wind or floods, float about without any apparent

COOT'S NEST AND EGGS.

36 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

inconvenience to the builder. I recollect once
seeing an instance of this kind on a large reservoir
in South Yorkshire. The bird breeds in suitable
places in nearly all parts of the British Isles.

Materials. — Decaying sedges, flags, reeds, and
rushes, and although not very elegant is wonder-
fully strong. It is a very pretty sight to see this
bird pulling up decayed weeds and swimming with
them to its half-constructed nest.

Eggs. — Seven to ten. As many as fourteen
or fifteen have been found. Dingy stone-colour
or dull buff, spotted and speckled all over with
nutmeg brown. Size about 2.1 by 1.5 in. (See
Plate XIV.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, and partially migratory.
Note : a clear ringing ko. Local and other names :
Common Coot, Bald Coot. Sits lightly.

COOT.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 37

CORMORANT.

(Phalacrocorax carbo.)
Order STEGANOPODES ; Family PELECANID.E (PELICANS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
thirty-six inches. Bill
rather long, straight ex-
cept at the tip, where
it is hooked, and pale
brown. Irides green.
Crown, nape, and a por-
tion of the neck black,
intermixed with a num-

ADULT CORMORANT AND YOUNG. bei" °f VCty ^TTOW white

feathers almost like hairs.

The feathers at the back of the head are elongated
into a kind of crest. The feathers on the back
and of the wing-coverts are dark brown bordered
with black. Wing and tail quills black. Round the
base of the bill and chin bare and yellow, bordered
with white on the latter. Neck all round below
the portion streaked with white, breast, belly, and
under-parts rich bluish-black, except on either thigh,
where there is a patch of white. Legs, toes, mem-
branes, and claws black. The female is said not to
be so large as the male, but has her crest often
longer.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges 9i cliff by
the sea, and also inland, on low rocky islands and
reefs, sometimes in trees. The bird breeds pretty
generally round our coasts wherever suitable cliffs
and rocks are to be found, and still maintains
inland colonies at a few places.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 39

Materials. — Sticks, twigs, and coarse grass or
seaweed, depending upon locality. It is a large,
high nest.

Eggs. — Three generally, but sometimes as many
as five or six. The real shell is a pale blue, but
this is usually hidden by a thick coating of chalk
which can easily be scraped off. Sometimes the
real shell shows through the casing of lime. Size
about 2.6 by 1.62 in.

Time. — April, May, June, July, and sometimes
even in August.

Remarks. — Resident. Note : the bird is re-
markably silent, but occasionally utters " a harsh
croak " according to Seebohm. Local and other
names : Crested Cormorant, Corvorant, Great
Black Cormorant, Cole Goose, Sea Crow, Scart
Brongie, None, Isle of Wight Parson. Sits closely
or lightly according to situation.

CORMORANTS ON NESTS

40 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

CRAKE, BAILLON'S.

(Porzana batlloni.)
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID.E (RAILS.)

A rare bird, whose nest and eggs have only
been found about twice in the British Isles, and
in neither case within recent times.

CRAKE, CORN.

(Crcx pratensis.)
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID^: (RAILS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about ten
and a half inches. Bill
of medium length, nearly
straight, thick at the base,
and light brown. Irides
hazel. Over the eyes and
ear-coverts, also cheeks,
ash-grey. Head, neck,
back part of wings, tail-
coverts, and feathers red-
dish-brown, with a long
dusky streak in the centre
of each. Wing-coverts
rich bay, quills reddish-
brown. Breast, belly, and
under-parts pale yellowish-brown or light buff,
barred on the sides with two shades of reddish-
brown. Legs, toes, and claws are light yellowish-
brown.

The female is rather inferior in size to the

CORN CRAKE ON NEST.

CORN CRAKE'S NEST AND EGGS.

42 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

male, and the colours on her cheeks and wings
are less distinct.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
mowing grass, clover, willow beds, and standing
corn in suitable parts of the United Kingdom. I
have never met so many birds of this species any-
where as in the Outer Hebrides, where I have found
as many as four nests in a single day.

Materials. — Strong stems of dead grass and
leaves, with an inner lining of finer grass, much of
which is added by the bird from day to day whilst
she is laying.

Eggs. — Seven to ten as a rule. I have on a
good many occasions found eleven, and as many as
twelve and even fifteen have been met with, how-
ever. Pale reddish- white or light buff, spotted,
freckled, and blotched with red-brown of various
shades and ash-grey. Size about 1.4 by i.i in.
(See Plate XIV.)

Time. — May and June, but nests containing
eggs have been reported even as late in the year
as September.

Remarks. — Migratory, although individuals re-
main all the year round in Ireland. Arrives in
April and May and departs in September and
October, but stragglers remain later. Notes :
crake, crake. Local and other names : Landrail,
Meadow Crake, Corn Creak, Draker Hen. The
bird sits closely, and, as a consequence, individuals
sometimes get their heads cut off by the mower's
scythe or machine. It is at the time of revising
this work (1908) a decreasing species in some parts
of the British Islands.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 43

CRAKE, SPOTTED.

(Pbrzana maruetta^)
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID^E (RAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about nine
inches. Bill of medium length, straight, thick at
the base and pointed at the tip, yellowish-brown
in colour, with a brighter and redder tinge towards
the base. Irides brownish -hazel. Crown hazel-
brown spotted with black in the middle ; over each
eye is a patch of dull blue-grey ; sides of head,
nape and sides of neck olive-brown spotted with
white. The feathers of the back are black, broadly
edged with dark olive-brown, and streaked up and
down with fine lines of white. Wing-coverts olive-
brown ; quills dark brown, mottled and barred with
white ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail-quills
black, bordered with dark reddish-brown and spotted
with white. Chin grey-brown ; throat and breast
dusky-brown mottled with white ; sides and flanks
greyish-brown barred with white ; under tail-coverts
huffish-white, legs and toes yellowish-green (toes
long), claws brown.

The female is a trifle smaller, and not quite so
distinctive in coloration.

Situation and Locality. — In a tussock of sedge,
amongst reeds and other vegetation growing in
marshes, bogs, and wet, swampy ground. The
foundation is generally in water. Sparingly along
the east coast counties, in Wales, Cumberland, one
or two suitable parts of Scotland, and Ireland.

Materials. — Coarse aquatic plants, such as reeds
and flags in somewhat liberal quantities, and lined
with dry grass.

44 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Eggs. — Seven to twelve. White, yellowish-grey,
or ocherous. Some authorities describe them as
being occasionally white tinged with green, or grey
tinged with pink, spotted with dark reddish-brown,
and underlying markings of grey. Size about 1.3 by
.9 in. (See Plate XIV.)

Time. — May is the principal laying month ; how-
ever, eggs have been found in April and right
through June.

Remarks. — Migratory and resident. The first
kind of birds arrive in March and depart in October.
Notes : whuit, whuit. Local and other names :
Spotted Rail, Water Rail, Water Crake (this name
is also applied to the Dipper), Spotted Gallinule,
Spotted Water Hen. Slips quietly off nest and
hides amongst surrounding vegetation.

CREEPER, TREE.

(Certhia famtharis.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CERTHID^E (CREEPERS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about five inches. Bill
rather long, curved downwards,
dark brown on the top, and dirty
white, tinged with yellow, under-
neath. Irides hazel. Crown dark
brown, spotted and streaked with
pale brown. Back of neck, back,
and rump tawny-brown, mixed
with ash - grey. Wing-coverts
YOUNG TREE CREEPER, brown, tipped with greyish-yellow ;
quills variegated with brown and
black, some of them tipped with light grey. Tail
tawny-brown, the feathers being strong in the shaft,

EXAMINING SITE OF TREE-CREEPER'S NEST.

46 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and, from their help to the bird in climbing and
holding on to the bark of trees, often worn quite
bare at the ends. Chin, throat, breast, and belly
greyish- white, inclining to rusty reddish-white on
the flanks and vent. Legs, toes, and claws, which
are very long, light brown.

The female is similar in size and colour to the
male.

Situation and Locality. — In a hole in a tree ;
behind a loose piece of bark still clinging to a
decayed tree ; amongst piles of stacked timber ; in
niches and crevices of buildings, and behind half-
detached pieces of plaster. The one in our illus-
tration was placed behind a sound piece of the
outer shell of a decayed pollard. The bird could
either slip off from the front, or up a kind of
chimney, having its exit just under the face
of the inquisitive onlooker. Found in nearly
all well-wooded districts throughout the British
Isles.

Materials. — Fine twigs, dead grass, sometimes
little chips of decayed wood, wool, moss, feathers,
and rabbits' down.

Eggs. — Six to nine, white, spotted and speckled
with reddish-brown and sometimes dullish purple
spots, generally in a kind of zone round the larger
end, but occasionally more distributed. Size about
.66 by .47 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : song not often
heard, but high, shrill, and not unpleasant. Local
and other names : Creeper, Tree Climber, Common
Creeper. Sits very closely.

PLATE 2.

CIRL BUNTING. CORN BUNTING. CROSSBILL. SNOW BUNTING.

(.Seep, ii.) (.Seep. 14.) (See p. 50.) (See p. 19.)

YELLOW HAMMER. TREE SPARROW. REED BUNTING. HAWFINCH.

(Seep. 520.) (See p. 380.) (Sec p. 17.) (See p. 1840

LINNET. HOUSE SPARROW. GREENFINCH. BULLFINCH

(See p. 213.) (Seep. 372.) (Seep. 145-) (Seep. 8.)

TWITE. CHAFFINCH. LESSER REDPOLE. GOLDFINCH.

(See p. 443-) (Seep. 28.) (5«/. 318.) (5<r<?/. 130.)

ih purpl<

MEADOW PIPIT. WOODLARK. SKYLARK. ROCK PIPIT.

(Seep. 282.) (Seep. 501.) (See p. 367.) (Seep. 286.)

NOTE.— /M referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 2

^^ • <*

'.v %: T , ' V

p.-

*'.

> •«•

V

i

r; <

•"" J ».*». % « « « 'V, • t,

*'t *fi * «• « ec* * *<r*

* »"''*'

,:v -1 s. 'J *'« .•'"•"T* • : A *

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 47

CROSSBILL.

(Loxia ctirvirostra^)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^: (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length from six
and a half to seven inches. Beak rather large,
upper mandible turned down and lower one up.
They do not lie in consequence in a straight line
over each other, but cross like the blades of a pair
of scissors. The Crossbill varies more in colora-
tion according to age, sex, and individual than
perhaps any other British bird.

Swaysland gives the following description :
" When young the male birds are greenish-brown,
with a tinge of olive, the whole being speckled with
darker brown ; they are, however, lighter upon the
under-parts ; but after the first moult a red tinge
prevails, occasioned by the tipping of the feathers
with that hue. The red is much darker upon
the upper-parts. At the second moulting these
colours are lost, and the bird's plumage becomes
an olive-brown, shaded over with greenish-yellow
upon the back, though it is much lighter upon the
under-parts, and is speckled with orange upon the
breast and rump.

" The females are, however, either grey with a
little green on the head, breast, and rump, or else
speckled in an irregular manner with those colours."

Professor Newton, in describing the male with
the second dress on, says : " A red male that had
completed his first autumnal moult had the bill
dull reddish-brown, darkest towards the tip of the
upper mandible ; irides dark brown ; the head,
rump, throat, breast, and belly tile-red ; the feathers

48 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

on the back mixed with brown, producing a chest-
nut brown ; wing and tail feathers nearly uniform
dark brown ; vent and lower tail-coverts greyish-
white ; legs, toes, and claws dark brown. . . .
Young females, after their first striated dress,
acquire a greenish-yellow tint on the crown and
the lower parts of the body mixed with greyish-
brown ; the rump and upper tail-coverts of primrose
yellow tinged with green ; wings, tail, and legs as
in the male."

A celebrated Continental authority, writing upon
the matter, says : "If the Crossbills are grey or
speckled, they are young ; if red, they are one year
old and have just moulted ; if carmine, they are
just about to moult for the second time ; if spotted
with red and yellow, they are two years old and in
full feather."

Situation and Locality. — On the branches of
Scotch and other fir-trees, sometimes quite close
to the bole or stem, at others some distance away
on a horizontal branch at heights varying from
twenty to forty feet from the ground. Generally
in plantations of cone-bearing trees over the
greater portion of England, Scotland, and in
Ireland, where suitable plantations are to be met
with. The bird is very sparsely distributed, and
uncertain in its patronisation of recognised breed-
ing haunts. It is most numerous in the central
counties of Scotland.

Materials. — Twigs, roots, coarse dead grass, lined
internally with finer grass, hairs, and feathers. It
is similar in construction and appearance to that
of the Greenfinch.

Eggs. — Four or five. White, sometimes faintly
tinged with pale blue, very sparingly speckled with

CROSSBILL'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

reddish-brown and pale brown. Average size about
.9 by .67 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — February, March, and April; sometimes
as late even as July. Continental authorities say
from December to April.

Remarks. — A winter visitor, but a few pairs
stay to breed. Notes : call, chip-chip-chip, or jip-
jip. Other notes used whilst flying from tree to
tree, soc-soc-soc. Local and other names : Common
Crossbill, Shell Apple, European Crossbill. A very
close sitter.

CROW, CARRION.

(Corvus corone.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID^; (CROWS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
eighteen inches. Bill fairly
long, strong, and black.
The base of the beak is
covered with bristles, which
stand forward. These bris-
tles and its hoarser note
distinguish it from the
rook. Irides dusky. The
whole of the plumage is
black, glossed above with
a lustrous greenish sheen.
Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is about the same size, but lacks a little
of the metallic lustre which characterises the male.

Situation and Locality. — In high trees, gener-
ally on a large branch near the bole, and at a good
height from the ground, on the outskirts of woods

CARRION CROW'S NEST
AND EGGS.

CARRION CROW'S NEST.

52 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and plantations ; sometimes on ledges of cliffs. I
have on more than one occasion found a nest in a
thorn bush not more than twelve feet in height.
In England, Wales, Scotland, and the north of
Ireland. The bird is nowhere very numerous, as

YOUNG CARRION CROWS.

its predatory habits make for it an uncompromising
enemy in the gamekeeper.

Materials. — Sticks and mud, lined with grass,
wool, horse and cowhair.

Eggs. — Four or five, occasionally as many as
six, grey-green, blotched and spotted with ash-
colour or smoky-brown ; sometimes they are found
quite blue, and minus spots of any kind. They
are similar to those of the Rook and Raven, but
larger than the former and smaller than the latter,
and the position of the nest generally suffices to
distinguish them. Size about 1.65 by 1.2 in. (See
Plate I.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Numbers increased in

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

53

winter by arrivals from Continent. Note : a hoarse
croak. Local and other names : Crow Mussel (from
its habit of eating mussels), Doup, Gor Crow,
Minden Crow, Black -nebbed Crow. Sits lightly,
and generally in such a position as to command a
good surrounding view.

CROW, GREY. See CROW, HOODED.

CROW, HOODED. Also GREY CROW and
ROYSTON CROW.

(Corvus comix.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID^E (CROWS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
twenty inches. Beak mod-
erately long, pointed, strong,
and black ; the base is
covered by stiff projecting
feathers. Irides dusky.
Head, throat, wings, and
tail a shining blue-black.
Nape, back, rump, and under-
parts generally dark slaty-
grey. Legs, toes, and claws
a shining black.
The female is a little smaller in size, and the
slaty-grey parts of her plumage are tinged with
brown.

Situation and Locality. — Rocks, cliffs, and
trees. An instance has been recorded of this
bird building on the roof of a crofter's hut. I
have on several occasions found nests in deep

HOODED CROW.

HOODED CROW'S NEST IN HEATHER ON THE GROUND

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 55

heather on the ground, as depicted in our full-page
illustration. In Ireland as far south as Killarney,
the Isle of Man, the mainland of Scotland, and
the islands to the west and north.

Materials. — Sticks, twigs, heather, and ling, with
an inner lining of roots, moss, wool, hair, or
feathers. Sometimes they are composed entirely
of dead seaweed and wool.

Eggs. — Three to six ; generally five, grey-green
in ground-colour, blotched and spotted with varying
shades of olive- or greenish-brown. Variable both
in regard to size, shape, ground-colour, and colour
of markings. Size about 1.65 by 1.2 in. (See
Plate I.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to southern
movement in winter, when numbers are greatly
increased by arrivals from the Continent. Note :
a hoarse croak. Local and other names : Hoody,
Dun Crow, Grey Crow, Bunting Crow, Royston
Crow, Greyback, Norway Crow, Kentish Crow,
Scarecrow. The bird is a light sitter, and some-
times interbreeds with the Carrion Crow.

YOUNG HOODIES.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

CROW, ROYSTON. See CROW, HOODED.

CUCKOO.

( Cuculus canorus.)
Order PICARI^ ; Family CUCULID^E (CUCKOOS).

ADULT CUCKOO.

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about fourteen
inches. Bill rather short,
slightly curved downwards,
and black, turning yellowish
at the base. Irides yellow.
Head, nape, back, and upper
parts generally dark ash-
colour. Wing-quills dusky,
barred with white for some
distance on their inner
webs. Tail - quills greyish-
black, especially the middle
feathers, tipped with white, and marked with
white spots. Chin, throat, and upper breast pale
ash-grey ; lower breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts white, marked with wavy, transverse bars
of black ; the two last parts often have a red-
dish-brown tinge. Legs, toes, and claws yellow.

The female is very similar in appearance to the
male, but a little smaller in size.

Situation and Locality. — Deposits generally a
single egg (although a case has recently come under
my notice of three Cuckoo's eggs being found in
a Hedge Sparrow's nest containing four of the
bird's own production) in the nest of the Meadow
Pipit, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail,

CUCKOO'S EGG IN PIED WAGTAIL'S NEST.
(THE ONE ON THE LEFT is THE CUCKOO'S EGG.)

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

YOUNG CUCKOO IN MEADOW PIPIT'S NEST.

N.B.— BIRD'S OWN EGGS HAVE BEEN EJECTED.

Hedge Sparrow, Sedge Warbler, White-throat, Robin,
Yellow Hammer, and other small birds. It has
been known to deposit its egg in even the nests of
such species as Wood Pigeons, Jays, and House
Martins, and I am aware of one well-authen-
ticated instance of a Cuckoo's egg in a Carrion

Crow's nest.
I have proved
by a series of
experiments
with wooden
eggs that it is
quite easy for
the Cuckoo to
impose upon
the majority of
British birds.
Such is the

passion for brooding that a Starling has been
known to hatch out the chick of a common barn-
door fowl from an egg substituted for her own clutch.
Our full-page illustration is from a photograph
of a Pied Wagtail's nest, containing a Cuckoo's egg,
which could only be distinguished by its greater size
and rounder shape. The nest was situated about nine
feet from the ground, amongst ivy growing over a
high garden wall. A common summer visitor to all
parts of the British Isles. I have noticed that in
the more elevated parts of the north of England
Meadow Pipits rear more young Cuckoos than all
the other foster-parents put together.
Materials. — None.

Eggs. — It is certain that the bird lays more
than one egg ; but although naturalists of good
repute have mentioned the number as five, and

.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 59

others have been of opinion that even a larger
number may be laid, there is, so far as I know,
no reliable evidence to support either supposition.
The egg of the Cuckoo is very small in size com-
pared with its layer, remarkably heavy and thick
in the shell, and varies very much in coloration, but,
strangely enough, often harmonises closely with
those of the^bird in whose nest it is deposited. It
is usually reddish-grey, mottled and spotted closely,
with darker markings of the same colour, or pale
greyish-green, marked with spots of the same colour.
Size about .87 by .75 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and leav-
ing in July, the young ones in August and Sep-
tember. Notes : song, cuckoo, a bubbling laugh-
like note, a churring one, and several others, when
the bird is heard at very close quarters, and
especially so whilst it is angry. Notes of female
resemble bubbling chatter of a dabchick, Local
and other names : Gowk, Common Cuckoo. The
young Cuckoo turns out all the eggs or chicks
that may be in the nest in which it is hatched, an
operation I witnessed on one occasion.

YOUNG CUCKOO AND TREE PIPIT FOSTER-MOTHER.

6o

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

YOUNG CURLEW.

CURLEW, COMMON.

(Numenius arquata.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID^: (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length varying from
twenty - one to twenty - two
inches. Bill very long, slender,
curved downwards, and dark
brown, paler at the base of
the under mandible. Irides
hazel. Head, neck, upper
part of back, scapulars, and
wing-coverts pale brown, with
a dark brown streak in the
centre of each feather. Wing-
quills black, spotted and
marked with light brown on the inner webs.
Lower back and rump white, marked by a few
dusky spots. Upper tail-coverts white, marked
with dark brown ; tail-feathers barred with dull
yellowish- white and dark brown. Chin white ;
throat and upper part of breast very pale brown,
marked with dark brown streaks ; lower part of
breast, belly, and vent under tail-coverts white,
spotted on the two first, with blackish-brown and
a dusky streak or two on the latter. Legs long,
and, like the toes, bluish-grey in colour.

The female is similar in plumage, but is larger,
sometimes even to the extent of five inches in length.
Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
long, coarse grass, tufts of rushes and heath ; some-
times quite exposed on bare ground. On rough,
undrained pasture lands, moors, and uplands in the

COMMON CURLEW'S NEST AND EGGS.

62 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

west and north of England, Wales, Scotland, and
Ireland. Our illustrations are from photographs
taken on the Westmorland Fells, where these birds
are very common. We found a couple of nests
within a few yards of each other, the one containing
two, and the other three eggs ; and the specimen
figuring on the previous page was only just over the
wall in an adjoining pasture.

Materials. — A few short bits of dead rushes,
withered grass, or dead leaves, placed in some small
declivity ; sometimes nothing whatever.

Eggs. — Four, sometimes only three, varying
from olive-green to brownish-buff in ground-colour,
spotted and blotched with dark green and blackish-
brown. Size about 2.65 by 1.85 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but resorting to the coast-
line during winter. Notes : curlew , curlew , uttered
something like gurleck, gurleck, when the bird is
alarmed. Also a long bubbling kind of whistle in
ascending scale during the breeding season. Local
and other names : Whaap, or Whaup, Stock Whaap.
A very light sitter.

ADULT CURLEW GOING ON TO NEST

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 63

CURLEW, STONE. Also NORFOLK PLOVER,
GREAT PLOVER, and THICKNEE.

( OEdicnemus scolopax.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family CEDICNEMID^: (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about seven-
teen inches. Bill, short compared with that of
the Common Curlew, strong, nearly straight, green-
ish-yellow at the base, and black at the tip. Irides
golden-yellow. A light-coloured streak runs from
the base of the beak, under the eye, to the ear-
coverts, followed by a brown one running in the
same direction below it. Crown, nape, and back
of neck light brown, streaked with black. Back,
wings (except primaries, which are nearly black,
with a white patch on the end of the first and second
feathers), and upper tail-coverts light brown, each
feather having an elongated blackish-brown centre.
Upper half of tail-quills of two shades of brown,
producing a mottled effect, followed by a band of
white and a black tip. Chin and throat white ;
front of neck and breast very light brown, streaked
with blackish-brown ; belly and sides nearly white,
streaked with brown. Vent and under tail-coverts
creamy-white, unmarked. Legs and toes yellow ;
claws black.

The female is very much like the male in her
plumage.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground in war-
rens, on downs, heaths, and dry commons, princi-
pally in Norfolk and Suffolk, but found in several
other counties, as far west as Dorsetshire and as
far north as Yorkshire. Our illustration was pro-
cured on a common in Norfolk.

STONE CURLEW'S NEST AND" EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 65

Materials. — Sometimes a few bits of grass, but
generally nothing whatever, in the slight declivity
made or selected.

Eggs. — Two, varying in ground-colour from
greyish-yellow to clay-colour, blotched, spotted,
and streaked with dark brown, light brown, and
greyish-blue. They harmonise very closely with
their surroundings. Size about 2.1 by 1.55 in.
(See Plate VIII.)

Time. — May and June. Eggs have, however,
been found as late as September.

Remarks. — -Migratory, arriving in April and
departing in October or November. Note : very
loud and shrill, and uttered particularly at dusk of
evening. Local and other names : Norfolk Plover,
Stone Plover, Thicknee, Common Thicknee, Thick-
kneed Bustard, Whistling Plover. A light sitter.

DABCHICK. See GREBE, LITTLE,

DAW. See JACKDAW.

DIPPER. Also WATER OUZEL.

(Cinclus aquaticus.}
Order PASSERES ; Family CINCLID^E (DIPPERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven and a half inches. Bill of medium length,
nearly straight, and black. Irides hazel. Head
and back of neck dark brown. Back, wings, rump,
and tail, which is short, black. Chin, throat, and
upper breast snowy white. Belly chestnut brown

66

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

or rust colour, vent and under tail-coverts black.
Legs, toes, and claws black.

Situation and Locality. — I have found this bird's
nest in niches of rock, on sloping ledges, on a
boulder in the middle of a mountain stream, behind
a waterfall, in the root of a tree, in the arch of a
bridge where a stone had slipped out, fixed to a

sod which was constantly
dripping with splashes from
a waterfall close by, and
on one or two occasions in
trees some ten or twelve feet
over streams. It is never far
from a mountain torrent,
and is met with in the west
and north of England,
Wales, and pretty generally
over Scotland and Ireland.
Materials. — The exterior
is made of aquatic mosses,
generally harmonising closely
with surrounding objects,
and the inside is beautifully lined with dead leaves
laid layer upon layer. The appearance of the nest
varies considerably according to situation.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five, of a delicate,
semi-transparent white, unspotted. Size about i.o
by .75 in.

Time. — March, April, May, June, and occasion-
ally as late as July. I used to notice when a boy
that in some seasons the Thrush, and in others
the Dipper, would commence to nest first in the
north of England.

Remarks. — Resident. Call notes : chit, chit.
Song low and sweet, but very pleasant, and uttered

DIPPER.

DIPPER'S NEST

68 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

right through the hard frosts of winter during
gleams of sunshine. Local and other names : Water
Ouzel, Bessy Booker, Brook Ouzel, Water Crow,
Water Piet, Water Crake. Sits closely, and when
suddenly disturbed will often dive into any pool
that is near.

DIPPERS' HAUNT.

DIVER, BLACK-THROATED.

(Colymbus arcticns^)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family COLYMBID^ (DIVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-six inches. Bill rather long, straight,
pointed, and black. Irides red. Top of head
and back of neck grey, darkest on the fore part
of head. Sides of neck marked with longitudinal
black and white lines. Back scapulars and wing-
coverts black, the two first being marked with
square patches and the last with round spots of
white. Wing-quills, rump and tail-feathers, dusky-
black. Chin and throat black, divided by a collar
of black and white short longitudinal lines. Breast,

BLACK-THROATED DIVER'S NEST AND EGGS.

70 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

belly, and vent white. Under tail-coverts dusky.
Legs, toes, and webs dark brown on the outside,
reddish or pale brown on the inside.

The female is a trifle smaller than the male,
and has a darker head and neck.

Situation and Locality. — In a hollow on the
ground, amongst the stones and shingle of secluded
mountain tarns and loch shores, sometimes amongst

BLACK-THROATED DIVERS' BREEDING HAUNT

the grass, but rarely far from the water (the farthest
I have ever seen was ten feet) ; also on small
grassy islands in bodies of fresh water. Indeed,
most of the nests I -have seen have been situated on
small islands. The bird is a great lover of old
haunts. In the north-west of Scotland and the
Outer Hebrides.

Materials. — Roots, stalks, or aquatic herbage,
lined with grass, sometimes nothing whatever. The
nest figured in our illustration was made entirely
of rushes plucked from its immediate surround-
ings.

CD

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 71

Eggs. — Two, occasionally only one, ranging in
colour from buffish-brown to dark olive-brown,
scantily spotted with umber and blackish-brown.
Average size about 3. 25 by 2.0 in. (See Plate XIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to southern
movement in winter. Notes : strange and weird,
and said to resemble " Drink / drink ! drink ! the
lake is nearly dried up." Local and other names :
Speckled Loon, Lumme, Northern Douker. Does
not sit closely. Whilst waiting to secure the photo-
graph of the bird on her nest represented in our
photogravure, I had ample opportunities of proving
the assertions of older naturalists that the species
cannot walk in an upright position. Every time
the Diver came back to her nest she pushed her
way on her belly from the water to her eggs.

DIVER, RED-THROATED.

( Colymbus septentrionalis.)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family COLYMBHLE (DIVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-four inches. Bill rather long, straight,
sharp-pointed, and bluish horn colour. Irides red.
Face and crown ash-grey, nape nearly black, with
short perpendicular white lines on it. Back, wings,
and upper tail-coverts almost black, spotted with
white, except wing-quills, which are uniform black.
Chin, cheeks, and sides of neck ash-grey, mixed
with lines and spots of a lighter tinge. On the
upper part of the neck in front is a conical patch
of chestnut-red. Breast, belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts white ; sides greyish-black, spotted

RED-THROATED DIVER'S NEST AND EGG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 73

with white. Legs, toes, and webs dark brown on
the outside and lighter within.

The female is somewhat smaller in size than
the male.

Situation and Locality. — On the turf or amongst
stones and shingle close to the edges of lonely
moorland and mountain pools, tarns, or lakes ; by
preference on a small island in any of the above
sheets of water, on the northern and western
mainland, and the islands off those coasts of
Scotland. The bird is also said to breed in the
west of Ireland.

Materials. — Loose rushes and dry grass, very
often nothing at all.

Eggs. — Two. Olive, or deep greenish-brown in
ground-colour, spotted with blackish-brown. Size
about 2.8 by 1.8 in. (See Plate XIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement. Notes : kakera, kakera, uttered during
the breeding season. Local and other names : Rain
Goose, Kakera, Cobble, Speckled Diver, Spratoon,
Sprat-borer. Not a close sitter. I have seen as
many as seven members of this species on the wing
together in the Outer Hebrides even in May.

DOTTEREL, COMMON.

(Eudromias marine llus.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family CHARADRIID.E (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about nine
and a half inches. Bill of medium length, straight
and black. Irides dark brown. Crown and nape
blackish-brown. A broad white line runs from the

74

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

base of the beak, over the eye, down behind the ear-
coverts, which are ash-coloured, as also are the neck
and back. Wings ash-brown, except quills, which
are ash-grey. Tail olive-brown tipped with white ;
chin white ; throat and sides of neck grey. A
white gorget-like band, bordered on either side
by a dark line, runs across the breast and ends at
each shoulder. Breast pale, dull orange ; belly

black ; vent and under tail-
coverts white, slightly tinged
with buff. Legs and toes
greenish-yellow ; claws black.
The female is a trifle
larger, and more handsomely
marked and coloured. It
has been stated that the
male assists the female in
the work of incubation. The
bird figured in our illustra-
tion appeared to do all the
work, and whenever his mate
approached within a certain
distance he rushed at her like a winged fury. She
invariably ducked and escaped the intended blow,
but was ultimately chased right away from the
neighbourhood of the nest. These observations
extended over the best part of two days, and I
saw two or three other females by themselves on
mountain tops, where I have no doubt they had
sitting mates.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
woolly-fringe moss, short heather, lichens, and
other coarse mountain vegetation, on high, wild
moorland districts and lonely mountains of Scotland.
It used to breed in the Lake District, but during

COMMON DOTTEREL GOING
ON TO EGGS.

COMMON DOTTEREL'S NEST AND EGGS

76 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

recent years only a solitary pair or two have been
known to attempt to do so, and I fear they have
been promptly robbed. I think the greed of the
fly-fisher has for ever sealed its doom so far as
England is concerned. I am myself an ardent fly-
fisher, and have been offered handsome sums
of money in my artificial fly-dressing days if I
would only procure the skin of this bird, whose
feathers are popularly supposed to exercise a
kind of charm over trout in some northern districts.

COMMON DOTTEREL ON NEST.

Materials. — None as a rule, although a few bits
of lichen and dead grass were in the nest figured
in our illustration. The eggs are simply deposited
in a slight declivity trodden in the place selected.

Eggs. — Three, yellowish-olive to dark cream
in ground-colour, thickly blotched and spotted
with dark brown or brownish-black. Size about
1.65 by 1.15 in. (See Plate VII.)

Time. — May, June, and July. Although the
species breeds late, chicks are sometimes running
about by the middle of June, and a Highland keeper
on one occasion told me he had found a nest con-
taining fresh eggs on the 26th of July.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 77

%

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May
and leaving in August and September. Notes :
durrdroo. Local and other names : Foolish Dot-
terel, Dotterel Plover. Gregarious. Sits fairly
closely, and is very tame. Two days' acquaintance
with the bird figured put me on such good terms
with him that I actually at last stroked his back
as he sat on the nest in view of two keepers.

DOTTEREL, RINGED. See PLOVER, RINGED.

DOVE, RING.

( Cohtmba palumbus.)
Order COLUMB^E ; Family COLUMBID^: (PIGEONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seventeen inches. Bill moderately long, curved
downwards slightly at the tip and pale red, yellow-
ish towards the end and whitish on the soft parts
surrounding the nostrils. Irides straw colour. Head
and upper part of neck bluish-ash colour. The
sides of the lower part of the neck are beautifully
glossed with green and purple, according to the
light upon them. On either side of the neck is a
patch of glossy white, which almost meets at the
back. Back and wing-coverts bluish-grey, with
exception of a few feathers of the latter, which are
white, and during flight form a conspicuous patch,
by which the bird may easily be distinguished
from any other member of the Pigeon family. Quills
dark grey edged with white ; the feathers of the
spurious wing are almost black. Tail-quills of
varying shades of grey, darkest towards the tip.

78 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Chin bluish-grey ; neck and breast glossy purple
and green ; belly and under-parts light ash-grey.
Legs and toes red ; claws brown.

The female is somewhat duller in plumage and
smaller in size.

Situation and Locality. — In fir, yew, whitethorn,
and various other kinds of trees. I have met with
it on the crown of a pollard, and frequently on the
ivy-clad trunk of a tree, growing almost at right

RING DOVE.

angles from high rocks and precipices. I have
also met with it upon several occasions in an
isolated thorn bush growing in the middle of a large
field. The nest is situated at a height of from five
to seventy or eighty feet, and is found nearly all
over the United Kingdom where suitable woodland
is to be met with.

Materials. — Dead twigs and sticks woven into
a loose platform. The nest is often such a poor,
flimsy affair that the eggs may be seen through it
from beneath, and it is frequently blown down by
gales of wind. On the other hand, I have on one
or two occasions met with nests of a substantial

RING DOVE'S NEST AND EGGS.

8o

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

character, into which bits of dried sods had been
introduced, so that not even a ray of light could
find its way through. Old nests of one season are
sometimes repaired and used the following year.

Eggs. — Two. White and glossy, similar to those
of the Rock Dove, but larger. Average size about
1.65 by 1.25 in.

Time.' — March, April, May, June, and July.
However, nests have been found in nearly every
month of the year.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : a soft ku, ku, ku-ku
ku ku ku ku-ku ku ku ku ku-ku kuk. Local and
other names : Cushat, Wood Pigeon, Quest, Cushie
Doo, Ring Pigeon. Sits pretty closely when well
hidden, but lightly when in an exposed situation.

DOVE, ROCK.

(Cohimba livia.}
Order COLUMB^: ; Family COLUMBIA (PIGEONS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about fourteen
inches. Bill of medium
length, nearly straight, and
brown tinged with red. Irides
light reddish - orange. Head
and neck dark bluish-grey,
glossed with a purpfy-red and
green sheen on the latter ;
back and wing-coverts light
pearl-grey ; greater coverts
and secondaries marked with
black bars ; quills bluish-grey,
darkish towards the tips ; rump white ; tail-coverts
bluish-grey ; quills bluish-grey with a darker bar

ROCK DOVE'S NEST AND
EGGS.

82 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

at the tips; chin dark bluish-grey; throat and
upper part of breast glossed with green, lavender,
purple, and purplish-red ; lower breast and all
under-parts grey. Legs and toes purplish-red ;
claws brown.

The female is somewhat smaller, and not so
brilliant and distinctive in her coloration.

Situation and Locality. — Ledges and clefts of
maritime and inland cliffs, generally the former,
round the coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, and
Ireland, wherever suitable accommodation is to be
met with. Our illustrations are from photographs
taken in a Hebridean cave where traces may be
constantly seen of tame pigeons reverting to their
original type.

Materials. — A small collection of twigs, sticks,
seaweed, and bents, roughly constructed, and flat.
I have found many nests formed entirely of dead
seaweed, and a friend of mine recently had one
sent to him from the Outer Hebrides constructed
entirely from bits of wire.

Eggs. — Two, white, unspotted and smooth. Size
about 1.45 by 1.15 in.

Time. — March, April, May, and June, although
eggs have been found in nearly every other month
of the year.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : coo-roo-coo, last
syllable prolonged. Local and other names :
Rockier, Wild Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Wild Dove,,
Doo. A fairly close sitter, and distinguished from
the Stock Dove by its white rump, which is con-
spicuously shown as the bird flies out of some sea
cave beneath the ornithological student's feet.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

STOCK DOVE'S NEST AND
EGG.

DOVE, STOCK.

(Columba oenas.}
Order COLUMBA ; Family COLUMBHXE (PIGEONS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about thirteen and
a half inches. Bill of medium
length, nearly straight, and
pale red, whitish at the tip.
Irides brown. Head, neck,
and upper parts of back deep
bluish-grey, glossed on the
sides of the neck with green
and purplish - red. Wing-
coverts bluish-grey, spotted
and marked with black on the
greater ones ; quills brownish-
grey, turning bluer towards the tips. Rump and
upper tail-coverts pale bluish-grey. Tail bluish-grey
for about two-thirds of its entire length, then
crossed by a band of lighter ash-grey, and the end>
which is rounded, of so dark a grey that it may
almost be described as black ; the exterior webs of
the outside feathers nearly white. Breast pale red-
dish-purple ; belly, thighs, and under tail-coverts
ash-grey ; legs and toes red.

The female is a little smaller, and her markings
are not so well defined.

Situation and Locality. — In hollow trees, rabbit-
holes, crevices of rock ; in quarries and cliffs, old
Crow's or Magpie's nests ; in ivy growing against
trees, rocks, towers, and steeples ; and sometimes
quite on the ground, under dense furze bushes.
The young birds figured in our illustration were

CLIFF IN WHICH NUMBERS OF STOCK DOVES BREED.

.
BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 85

reared in the hay-loft of an old stone barn amongst
the Westmorland fells. The second illustration
represents a much-frequented cliff in Westmorland
during the breeding season. The bird is a common
breeder in the eastern and midland counties, and
many other parts of England and Wales, and has
gained a footing in both Scotland and Ireland,
according to Mr. Dixon.

Materials. — Twigs, roots, and straws in small
quantities, and arranged with very little care or
skill.

Eggs. — Two, white, faintly tinged with cream
colour. They are smaller than those of the Ring
Dove, and the creamy tinge distinguishes them
from those of the Rock Dove. Size about 1.45 by
1.15 in.

Time. — February to October.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : coo-oo — oo, the
last syllable longer than the first. Local and other
names : Stock Pigeon, Wood Dove, Wood Pigeon
(a name also used for the Ring Dove). Sits closely.
Gregarious, as a rule. It may easily be distinguished
from the Rock Dove by its lack of a white rump.

YOUNG STOCK DOVES IN NEST.

86 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

DOVE, TURTLE.

(Turtur communis.)
Order COLUMB^: ; Family COLUMBID^: (PIGEONS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about twelve inches. Bill
of medium length, slightly curved
downward at the tip, and brown.
Irides reddish-brown. Crown and
back of neck ash-grey, mixed with
olive-brown. Back, part of wings,
and rump ash-brown, lightest

on ^e mar£ms °^ the feathers.
Wing-quills dusky-brown with
TURTLE DOVE. Ughter margins and tips. Tail-
coverts dusky-brown, quills the same in the centre,
rest dark grey tipped with white, with which the
outside feathers on either side are margined. Chin
pale brown ; throat and upper breast light purplish-
red, fading into grey. The sides of the neck are
marked with a patch of black, each feather of
which is tipped with white. Belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts white. Under-side of tail-feathers black,
deeply tipped with white, except two centre ones,
which are of a uniform dusky brown.

The female is rather smaller in size, lacks t'nc
black feathers tipped with white on the sides of the
neck, and is duller and less distinctive in her colora-
tion.

Situation and Locality. — In tall, rough hedges,
whitethorn and holly bushes ; in woods, plantations,
copses, and spinneys. Common in the southern,
midland, and eastern counties ; scarcer in the
west and north but it is doubtful as to whether

TURTLE DOVE'S NEST AND EGGS.

88 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

it breeds in either Scotland or Ireland. I have
seen odd specimens in the Outer Hebrides. Our
illustration is from a photograph taken in Surrey,
where I have found five or six nests in little more
than a couple of acres of wood. The flimsy
structure is placed at a height varying from four or
five to twenty feet from the ground. I have twice
found the bird sitting on a Blackbird's nest, the
interior of which she had filled up with dead bits
of slender birch twigs.

Materials. — Sticks and twigs carelessly made
into a slight platform, through which the eggs may
invariably be seen from beneath. I remember
once finding one, amongst some tall ash saplings,
that was so slightly constructed with birch twigs
as to endanger the eggs slipping through it. I have,
however, on the other hand, seen specimens con-
sisting of a thick and bulky platform made en-
tirely of roots of weeds collected from an adjoining
ploughed field.

Egg8- — Two, creamy-white, glossy, oval, and
unspotted. Size about 1.18 by .90 in.

Time. — May, June, July, and August.

Remarks.— Migratory, arriving in April and May,
and departing in September and later. Notes :
tur-tur, repeated rapidly. They are not unfre-
quently mistaken for the croaking of a frog by
the uninitiated, as I have once or twice discovered
by overhearing conversations whilst I was in
hiding close to road sides. Local and other
names : Wrekin Dove, Ring-necked Turtle, Common
Turtle. Sits pretty closely when incubation has
advanced, and when disturbed flies off without
demonstration.

S 3TAJ«!

^i ^' , -

PLATE 3.

BLUE-HEADED QREY WAGTAIU PIED WAGTAIL. WHITE WAGTAIL. YELLOW WAGTAIL.

(See f. 444.) (Seep. 448.) (Seep. «o.) (Seep. 452.) (Seep. 4S5-)

BEARDED TIT. BLUE TIT. COAL TiT. CRESTED TIT. GREAT TIT.

(Seep. 422.) (Seep. 424.) (Seep. 427.) (5«/. 431.) (5« /. 434-)

MARSH TIT. LONG-TAILED TIT. TREE CREEPER. GOLD-CREST. TREE PIPIT.

(Seep. 443-) (5«/. 438.) (Seep. 46.) (See p. 128.) (S*r/. 283.)

WOODCHAT SHRIKE. HKE SISKIN. CHIFFCHAFF. NUTHATCH.

(Seep.yp.) (See p. 355.) (S<* /. 358.) (5« /. 29.) (S« >. 239.)

WHITETHROAT. ST' KILDA WREN' COMMON WREN'

. 490.) (5«(f /. 492.) (5«/. 514.) (5«r«/. 513.) (5<re/. 458.)

NOTE. — /« referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 3.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

89

DUCK, EIDER.

(Somateria mollissima.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).'

Description ofParentBirds.
— Length about twenty-five
inches. Bill moderately long,
thick at the base, straight,
and dirty green, whitish at
the tip. Irides brown. The
top of the head, including
the parts round and on a
level with the eyes, velvety
black, turning to a palish
green on the ear-coverts and
back of the head. Neck,
back, wing - coverts, and
scapulars white. Some of
the coverts are elongated, and curved at the ends
falling over the quills ; greater coverts, and quills
black. Rump black, tail-feathers brownish-black.
The lower part of the neck is white, tinged with
buff . Breast, belly, and under-parts black ; flanks
patched with white. Legs, toes, and webs dusky-
green ; claws dusky.

The female is somewhat smaller, and her
plumage is of pale reddish-brown colour, variegated
with brownish-black.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
coarse grass, in heather, in clefts of rock, and
sometimes on collections of seaweed, amongst
shingle, on rocky islands, and on the coast at
suitable places round Scotland, in the Orkneys
and Shetlands, and at the Fame Islands, the only

YOUNG EIDER DUCK.

90 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

place on the English coast at which the species
now breeds. Owing to protection the birds breed-
ing at the Fame Islands are very tame. We
stroked the back of one bird as she sat on
her eggs close under the walls of St. Cuth-
bert's Tower. The keepers told us the same
bird had nested in that situation for seven

EIDER DUCK'S NEST AND EGGS.

years in succession, as they were able to
identify her by a white spot at the back of
her head.

Materials. — Dry seaweed, heather, or coarse
grass, with an inner lining of beautiful soft down
from the bird's own body. The down is accumu-
lated as the eggs are laid or incubation advances.
Individual birds vary in respect to supplying it
during the time they are laying. I have noticed
that whilst some had a fairly liberal supply and
only three eggs, others with seven had not a
particle.

Eggs. — Four to eight. Pale greyish-green to

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 91

grey cream colour, smooth and unspotted. Size
about 3.0 by 2.0 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, with a more southern range
in winter. Note : a harsh kr, kr, kr. Love note
of male : ah-oo. Local and other names : St.
Cuthbert's Duck, Common Eider, Colk, Dunter
Duck. Sits very closely indeed.

EIDER DUCK ON NEST.

DUCK, PINTAIL.

(Dafila acuta.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-seven inches, several of which are accounted
for by the abnormally long tail. Bill moderately
long, nearly straight, and dusky-black, leaden-grey
on the sides. Irides dark brown. Head and upper
part of neck in front, nape, and all back of neck
dark reddish-brown. The sides and back of head

92 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

are glossed with purple. Back, wing shoulders,
and parts in front of them, grey ; wing tertials
elongated, black in the centre, and bordered with
white and grey ; greater coverts ash-brown tipped
with reddish-buff and white. Secondaries black,
the outer web of each forming a patch of dark
green ; primaries greyish-brown. Tail-coverts ash-
grey, elongated narrow-pointed feathers black, rest
dark brown bordered with white. From the side of
the head level with the eye a white streak runs down
each side of the neck, widening gradually as it
descends until the middle of the neck is reached ;
thence it opens out round the front of the neck,
breast, and belly. Sides grey; vent and under
tail-coverts black. Legs, toes, and webs blackish-
brown.

The female is somewhat smaller, and her
plumage is made up of varying shades of brown,
the darkest colours in the centre of each feather
and on the upper parts of the body. During July,
August, and September the male assumes the dress
of the female.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
grass, rushes, and similar herbage growing near
ponds, lakes, and arms of the sea. It is a very
rare breeder indeed in our islands, having only
been reported from two or three quarters in
Ireland and one or two in Scotland and in the
Hebrides.

Materials. — Reeds, grass, and other kinds of
dead vegetation, according to some authorities,
lined with brownish tufts of down, faintly tipped
with white, from the bird's own body. In four nests
which I had the rare good fortune to examine in a
single day upon an island which unfortunately must

PINTAIL DUCK'S NEST AND EGGS.

94 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

remain nameless, there was very little material
beyond dead grass and down.

Eggs. — Six to ten, usually seven or eight,
smooth, rather elongated, and " greenish- white/'
according to Mr. Saunders, and " pale bumsh-
green," according to Mr. Dixon, in colour. The
eggs in the four nests which I examined varied
from greenish-grey to drab-grey. Size about 2.15
by 1.55 in.

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Migratory as a rule, wintering with
us and spending the summer in Iceland. It is
probable that the few staying to breed in our
islands have a farther southern range than those
from Iceland. Note : a soft inward quack. Local
and other names : Winter Duck, Cracker, Sea
Pheasant, a name, however, more often applied to
the Long-tailed Duck. A fairly close sitter, and has
bred repeatedly in confinement.

DUCK, TUFTED.

(Fuligula cn'stata.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seventeen inches. Bill of medium length, but
little broadened towards the point, and bluish-grey
with a black tip. Irides rich dark yellow. Head
and neck glossy purplish-black. The feathers at
the back of the head are narrow and elongated, and
form a tuft or crest. Back, rump, wings, and
tail black with a white bar running across the
secondaries, which are tipped with black. There
is a small spot of white on the chin. Breast, belly,

TUFTED DUCK'S NEST AND EGGS.

96 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and sides white. Vent and under tail-coverts black.
Legs, toes, and webs dusky-black.

The female has all those parts which are black
in the male a dusky-brown, and the white parts
dirty grey, marked with irregular lines on the sides
and flanks. She lacks the crest, or only enjoys
it in a very modified form.

Situation and Locality. — In a tuft or bush of
long, coarse vegetation, such as rushes, sedges,
heather, or bent grass, on the edges of tarns and
lakes and other suitable places throughout the
British Isles. I have met with odd pairs nesting
round tarns on the North Yorkshire moors. It
nests most numerously in Nottinghamshire. Our
illustration was procured on a celebrated Norfolk
mere, the nest being in an ideal position, the bird
having not more than twelve or fourteen inches
to travel from the edge of her nest into deep
wrater.

Materials. — Rushes, sedges, reeds, and grass,
with an inner lining of down tufts plucked from
the bird's own body. These tufts are greyish-black,
smaller and a trifle darker than those of the Pochard,
with more obscure white centres.

Eggs. — Eight to fourteen, usually nine or ten.
I have seen one nest with fifteen eggs and another
with nineteen. The latter was, in all probability,
the work of two females. Pale buff tinged with
green. Very similar to those of the Pochard.
Size about 2.3 by 1.6 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — A winter visitor, though numbers stay
to breed. Notes : call, currugh, curmgh, uttered on
alighting. Local or other name : Tufted Pochard.
Sits closely.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 97

DUCK, WILD. Aho MALLARD.

(Anas boscas.)
Order ANSERES; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about twenty - four
inches. Bill of medium length,
broad, and yellowish - green.
Irides hazel. Head and upper
half of neck rich glossy green,
below which is a narrow collar
of white, succeeded by greyish
chestnut - brown ; back brown ;
wings ash -brown, with a broad

WILD DUCK ON NEST. -, r n ,•

transverse bar ol reflecting pur-
plish- or violet -blue, bounded on either side by a
narrow bar of rich black, and another beyond of
white. Rump, upper tail-coverts, and four middle
tail-feathers, which are curled upwards, rich velvet-
black, the rest ash-grey edged with white. Upper
part of. breast rich dark chestnut ; lower breast,
belly, and vent greyish-white ; under tail-coverts
rich black. Legs, toes, and webs orange-yellow.

The female is about two inches shorter, and
her plumage is nearly all composed of sober brown
and black. She retains the rich bar of violet- or
purplish-blue on her wings, but lacks the curled
feathers in the tail of the male. About the end
of May the male commences to cast his curled tail-
feathers and to change his plumage, and during June
he assumes the sober female garb, which he wears
through July. This he begins to discard in August,
and between the first and second weeks in October
he has again donned his magnificent dress.

H

98 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
rushes, brambles, long rank grass, sedge tufts, under
a bunch of heather, and in corn fields and hedge
bottoms. Generally near lakes, rivers, tarns, and
ponds, or in marshes, bogs, and swamps. They
are, however, often found at considerable height s>
in faggot stacks, deserted Crows' nests, squirrel
dreys, Hawks' nests, in hollow trees, pollards, and
other elevated situations in ruins and rocks, from

MALLARD AND WILD DUCKS ON ICE.

which heights the female has been said to convey
her progeny upon her back. Pretty general in all
suitable places throughout our Isles. In 1902 a
case came under my notice of a Wild Duck and
Corncrake laying in the same nest in North Uist.

Materials. — Dry grass, bracken, or other suit-
able vegetation near at hand, with a lining of down
from the bird's own body. The tufts are neutral
grey, tipped very slightly, with white.

Eggs. — Eight to fifteen or sixteen, generally ten
to twelve ; greenish-white tinged with buff. Size
about 2.3 by 1.6 in.

Time. — February, March, April, May, June, and
even as late as November, individual nests have

WILD DUCK'S NEST AND EGGS.

ioo BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

been recorded. April and May are the principal
months, however.

Remarks.- — Resident, and partially migratory,
larger numbers visiting us in winter than stay to
breed in summer. Notes : quack, loud and high
sounding when uttered by the female, and harsh
and low when by the male. Local and other
names : Mallard (a name, strictly speaking, apply-
ing to the male only), Stock Duck, Common Wild
Duck. Sits closely, and covers over her eggs when
voluntarily leaving her nest.

DUNLIN.

(Tringa alpina^
Order LIMICOL*: ; Family SCOLOPACIM (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about eight inches. Beak
rather long, nearly straight, and
black. I rides brown. Crown
and upper parts reddish-brown,
streaked on the head and back
of neck with dusky-black, and
each feather on the back black
in the centre. Wing - coverts
greyish-brown edged with light
DUNLIN ON NEST. grey . quilk dusky-black, inclining

to brown on some of the lesser, which are greyish-
white on the edges of the outer webs. Upper tail-
coverts white, quills ashy-brown edged with grey,
excepting the two centre feathers, which are longer
than the rest and dusky-brown. Chin white,
cheeks, throat, and sides of neck and breast whitish,
streaked with dusky-black ; belly and under-parts

DUNLIN'S NEST AND EGGS.

102 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

white. Legs, toes, and claws dusky-black, slightly
tinted with green.

The female differs little from the male, but is, as
a rule, slightly larger, and has a deeper call-note.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, well
hidden by a tuft of ling, heather, or tussock of
coarse grass, in boggy, marshy, tarn-besprinkled
parts of moors and heaths in the north and ex-

YOUNG DUNLINS HIDING.

treme west of England ; also in Scotland and
Ireland.

Materials. — A few straws or bents forming a
slight lining to the hollow in which the eggs are
deposited.

Eggs. — Four, pear-shaped ; ground-colour varies
from greenish-white to cream or buff of different
shades, blotched and spotted with reddish- and
blackish-brown, and underlying markings of grey.
Size about 1.3 by .95 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but migratory, partially
and locally — that is to say, more birds visit our
coasts in winter than stay to breed, and those that

PLATE 4-

WOOD WARBLER.
(See p. 479-)

GARDEN WARBLER. MARSH WARBLER

{See p. 461.) (.See p. 466.)

SEDGE WARBLER.

(See p. 473-)

we ot

BLACKCAP. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. WILLOW WARBLER.

(See p. 7.) (See p. 463.) (.See p. 474-)

REED WARBLER.
(Seep. 478.)

MISSEL THRUSH.
(Seep. 416.)

RING OUZEL.
(See p. 245.)

BLACKBIRD.
(See p. 4.)

STONECHAT.

SONG THRUSH.
(See p. 419-)

REDSTART.

(See p. 324.)

WHEATEAR.
(5« p. 480.)

WHINCHAT.
(See f. 487.)

NIGHTINGALE.
(See p. 232.)

NOTE. — In referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 4-

%

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 103

do breed with us resort to the coast-line in winter.
Notes : call, kwee-kwee, trui, or pey pey pe. Local
and other names : Dunlin Sandpiper, Purre, Jud-
cock, Stint (the name of a different species alto-
gether), Oxbird, Plover's Page, Churr, Sea Snipe,
Sea Lark, Least Snipe. Sits pretty closely.

EAGLE, GOLDEN.

(Aquila chrysaetus.}
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
thirty-six inches. Beak moderately long, much
curved at the tip, and bluish horn colour ; bare
skin round the base yellow. Irides hazel. The
whole of the plumage is brown ; the head, back
of neck, and some of the wing-coverts reddish ;
wing-quills blackish-brown ; tail-quills of two shades
of brown, darkest at the tip. Chin and throat
dark brown ; under-parts of the body and thighs
bay. The legs are feathered down to the feet,
which characteristic distinguishes this bird from
the Sea Eagle. The feet are yellow and the claws
black. Mr. Booth was of opinion that the Golden
Eagle does not assume the full mature plumage
until it is five or six years old.

The female resembles the male in plumage,
but is somewhat larger in size.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges of high in-
accessible cliffs and precipices and trees in the
wildest and most desolate parts of Scotland and
Ireland. In some of the Highland deer forests this
noble bird is now strictly preserved, and such most
commendable hospitality will no doubt save it to

104 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

us for some time to come. Our illustrations are
from photographs taken in the Western Isles of
Scotland, but in the interests of British ornithology
I think it best not to advertise the exact spot.
The pictures were secured at different seasons ;
when the young ones were in the nest it contained

GOLDEN EAGLE'S NEST AND EGGS.

two partly consumed mountain hares, off which the
down had nearly all been carefully plucked, and
the hind legs of a half -grown black rabbit.

Materials. — Sticks, bits of heather, dead fern-
fronds, grass, and moss. The nest is repaired from
year to year, and often becomes a bulky structure,
on account of the bird using the same site for a
long period. The one figured opposite contained
a large quantity of sticks and rubbish.

Eggs. — Two, sometimes three ; very rarely four.
Subject to variation both in ground - colour and
markings. The commonest type is dingy white,

106 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

clouded, blotched, and spotted nearly all over with
rusty or reddish-brown, and underlying markings
of grey. Some specimens are pure white, unspotted.
Size about 2.9 by 2.35 in. (See Plate VI.)

Time. — March and April.

Remarks. — Resident but wandering. Note : "a
barking cry " according to Seebohm ; and " a
loud yelp uttered several times in succession " ac-
cording to Dresser and Sharpe. Local or other
name : Ring-tailed Eagle, from the fact that young
specimens have the basal half of the tail white.
Sits fairly closely.

EAGLE, WHITE-TAILED. Also SEA EAGLE.

(Haliactus albictlla.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^ (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
thirty -three inches. Beak somewhat lengthened
and nearly straight, except at the tip, where the
upper mandible is much hooked. It is very strong,
horn colour at the tip, and yellow at the base, as
is also the bare skin surrounding that part. Irides
very light yellow. Head and neck ash-brown,
varying in hue with age ; back and wings dark
brown, a few lighter coloured feathers being inter-
mingled ; wing -quills dusky -black. Tail white.
Breast and under -parts dark brown. Legs and
toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is thirty-eight inches, and both sexes
vary greatly in the colour of their plumage.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges and in holes
of high inaccessible cliffs, generally near the sea ;
in a tree or upon the ground on a small rocky
island in the middle of a mountain loch. In the

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE'S NESTING SITE.

io8

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Shetlands, on the west coast of Scotland and the
surrounding islands, and in Ireland. A century
ago this species bred both in the Isle of Man and
the north of England, but it is now growing very
rare. It is on the verge of extinction in Ireland.

Materials. — Sticks, twigs, seaweed, heather,
grass, and wool. The nest is often a huge struc-
ture, from the fact that the bird adds to it year
by year. Specimens have been known measuring
as much as five feet across. It is very shallow.

Eggs. — Two generally, sometimes only one ; and
upon exceptional occasions three have been found.
White, usually quite unspotted, but upon rare occa-
sions specimens have been taken slightly marked
with pale red. Average size about 3.0 by 2.25 in.

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering. Note : a
yelping, or barking kind of cry. Local and other
names : Sea Eagle, Erne, Cinerous Eagle. Sits
rather lightly, and is much attached to nesting site.

FALCON, PEREGRINE.

(Falco percgrinus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length from fifteen to
seventeen or eighteen inches.
Bill short, strong, much
curved, and blue with a
blackish tip. Bare skin
round the base of the beak
and eyelids yellow. Irides
dusky. Head, back of neck,
PEREGRINE FALCON and upper parts generally

.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 109

bluish-ash, coloured darkest on the crown and nape,
and faintly barred on the back and wing -coverts
with a darker tint. Wing-quills dusky, barred and
spotted on the inner webs with reddish - white.
Tail-feathers barred alternately with black and
dingy ash. Chin, throat, and upper breast white,
tinged with yellow or rufous, and marked on the two
latter parts with a few dark streaks. Lower breast,
belly, and under-parts white, barred with dark brown
and grey. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is somewhat larger, but similar in
plumage. However, the species is subject to a
great amount of individual variation.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges and in the
crevices of rugged inaccessible sea cliffs and inland
crags. In a few places in England and Wales,
and more numerously in Scotland and Ireland. I
know a scaur in Westmorland where the bird
frequently attempts to breed, but invariably gets
shot or robbed. In almost every great sea-fowl
haunt, such as Ailsa Craig, the Bass Rock, and
St. Kilda, will be found a pair of Peregrines breed-
ing amongst Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes.

Materials. — Sticks, dry seaweed, heather, and
wool, or hair, bones, and castings, according to
some authorities. Our friend Mr. Ussher, who
has probably examined more breeding ledges than
any other man in the United Kingdom, says in his
" Birds of Ireland " that he has " never found any
building materials whatever brought by a Peregrine,
though she will sometimes lay in the deserted nest
of a Raven or Hoody Crow/' And our experience
coincides with this absolutely. In Mull my brother
once found a Peregrine occupying an old Raven's
nest, the rightful owners having been driven out

PEREGRINE FALCON'S EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. in

and forced to build a new home at some distance
away, but in the same cliff.

Eggs. — Two to four. Morris says on rare occa-
sions even five. Ground-colour varies from light
orange-yellow to pale russet-red, thickly spotted,
clouded, and mottled with reddish-brown of various
shades. Size about 2.05 by 1.6 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Resident. Note : a loud chatter,
sounding like " hec, hec, hec," which is generally
uttered when the bird has been disturbed, and is
circling high in the air above her breeding haunt.
Local or other name : none. Sits lightly or closely,
according to position, and is particularly partial
to an old nesting site.

In spite of the fact that this noble bird is
terribly persecuted for its eggs or young ones in
England and Wales, it manages to hold its own in
Scotland, although trapped and shot to some extent
by keepers.

YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCONS.

ii2 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

FLYCATCHER, PIED.

(Muscicapa atricabilla.}
Order PASSERES ; Family MUSCICAPID^: (FLYCATCHERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
five inches. Bill rather short, straight, pointed,
and black. Irides dark brown. On the forehead
is a small white patch, which differs in point of
size in individuals ; crown and nape brownish-

PIED FLYCATCHER'S NEST AND EGGS.

black ; back black ; wing-coverts and quills blackish-
brown ; edges of greater coverts and outer webs of
tertials white. Tail dusky-black, parts of outer and
second feathers white. All the under -parts are
white. Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female lacks the white forehead, and is
generally less distinctive in her coloration.

Situation and Locality. — In holes of trees and
walls and crevices of rocks, in wild, out-of-the-way
parts in the six northern counties of England,
Wales, and the south of Scotland. Our photographs

PIED FLYCATCHER'S NESTING SITE.

ii4 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

were secured in Wales, where I have located as
many as four nests in a wood of only a few
acres. The picture of male and female outside a
nesting hole was secured whilst the former was
trying to induce the latter to go back to her nest
and eggs, near which the terrifying camera stood.
When a Pied Flycatcher cannot induce his mate
to go back to her maternal duties by coaxing her
with food he chases her from tree to tree until he
finally compels her to enter the nesting hole. I

PIED FLYCATCHERS AT NESTING HOLE.

have met with the bird once in Essex, but do not
think it was breeding.

Materials. — Dry grass, moss, leaves, feathers,
and hair, loosely put together.

Egg8- — Five to eight, generally five or six. Of
a uniform pale blue or greenish-blue, closely re-
sembling those of the Redstart, but they are
occasionally marked with a few reddish-brown spots,
it is said; however, I have never seen any so
marked. Size about .75 by .55 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory ; arriving in April and

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 115

leaving in September or October. Notes very like
those of the Redstart. Local or other name :
Goldfinch. A close sitter.

FLYCATCHER, SPOTTED.

(Muscicapa grisola.}
Order PASSERES ; Family MUSCICAPID.E (FLYCATCHERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about six inches.
Bill of medium length, straight,
broad at the base, and dusky-
black in colour. Irides dark
brown. Head, back of neck,
back, rump, and upper tail-
coverts brown, the head being
YOUNG SPOTTED spotted with a darker tinge

FLYCATCHER. \. ,, - TTr. l

oi the same colour. Wings

brown, tail the same colour, and a trifle lighter at
the tip. Chin, throat, breast, and under -parts a
dull white, streaked on the throat and breast with
dusky-brown. Legs, toes, and claws dusky-black.

The female is very similar to the male.

Situation and Locality. — • On the horizontal
branches of fruit trees trained against walls, in
trellis- work, rose trees trained against houses, in
holes in walls, ivy climbing up a wall or the trunk
of a tree (as in our illustration), on ledges of rock,
on the ends of beams projecting from old houses
and sheltered by an overhanging gable or roof, and
in almost every conceivable situation. I have seen
it inside half of the shell of a Cocoanut, in an old
boot thrown into a tree, and other odd sites.

Materials.— These vary as considerably as the

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER'S NEST

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 117

positions selected for their accommodation. Straws,
fibrous roots, moss, hair, feathers, rabbits' down,
and cobwebs, somewhat loosely put together, as a
rule, but occasionally I have come across a very
compact little structure.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five, varying con-
siderably in coloration. The ground-colour ranges
from grey to light green, the markings running
through various shades of faint red or reddish-
brown. Sometimes they are almost entirely absent,
at others they form a belt round the larger end, and
I have met with eggs with large, bright rust-red
spots thickly distributed over the entire surface.
Size about .75 by .57 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in the early part
of May and leaving in September and October.
Notes : a weak chirp and a harsh call-note. Local
and other names : Beam-bird, Rafter, Bee-bird,
Chanchider, Cherry - sucker, Bee - eater, Post-bird,
Cherry-chopper. Sits closely, and flies away with-
out demonstration when disturbed.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER AT NEST

n8 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

GADWALL.

(Anas streperus.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-one inches. Bill of medium length, broad,
flat, and leaden-coloured. Irides hazel. Head and
upper portion of neck pale brown, mottled with a
darker tinge of the same colour ; back grey, of two
shades running in alternate curved lines ; rump
and upper tail-coverts bluish-black ; wings long
and pointed, small coverts reddish-brown, greater
nearly black ; secondaries brownish-grey, with a
conspicuous white patch on them ; primaries brown ;
tail-quills darkish brown, bordered with a lighter
tinge of the same colour ; lower half of neck dark
grey, marked with short curving lines of a lighter
tinge ; breast and belly white ; sides, flanks, and
vent marked with irregular vertical lines of two
shades of grey ; lower tail-coverts black. Legs,
toes, and webs dull orange ; claws black.

The female has the head and upper part of the
neck pale brown, spotted with dark brown ; back
of neck, back, and rump brown, the feathers being
edged with pale reddish-brown ; the wings are
similar in markings to those of the male, but not
so bright ; lower part of neck, in front, and breast
pale brown, with broad curved bands of dark brown.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
reeds, sedges, rushes, and long, coarse grass on
small islands situated in lakes ; on the banks of
broads, pools, in marshes and swamps in Norfolk
only, so far as is known. Our illustration was
obtained in that countv.

GADWALL'S NEST AND EGGS.

120 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — Dead grass, sedges, or leaves, lined
with down of a brownish-grey colour, obscurely
tipped with white. The tufts are smaller than
those found in the Mallard's nest.

Eggs, — Five to thirteen, generally from eight to
ten. Buffish- white and polished, closely resembling
those of other members of the Duck family. Size
about 2.1 by 1.5 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — At one time only a rare winter visitor,
but now a resident with us. Some fifty odd years
ago a pair captured in a Norfolk decoy were pinioned
and turned loose. They bred and multiplied and, it
is thought, induced migrants to stay and do the
same, until now there is a very respectable number
in the county above mentioned. Notes : a low
quacking. Local and other names : Gadwall Duck,
Grey Duck, Common Gadwall, Rodge. Sits closely.

GANNET. Also SOLAN GOOSE.

(Sula bass ana.)
Order STEGANOPODES ; Family PELECANID.E (PELICANS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
thirty-four inches. Bill about six, straight, broad
at the base, and horny greyish-white in colour.
Irides pale straw colour. Skin of face and throat
bare and blue. Head and neck buff. The whole
of the body white, except wing primaries, which
are black. The tail is tapering and pointed. Legs,
toes, and webs black, with a pea-green line running
up each toe and continued up the front of the shank.

The female closely resembles the male. Some
authorities say that the bird does not don its adult

CAN NETS ON NESTS.

122

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

plumage until it is three years old ; others place the
age limit at four.

Situation and Locality. — On the shelves and
ledges of precipitous sea cliffs and rocks. The
birds breed in colonies, and engage every available
situation capable of accommodating a nest. On
the Bass Rock, Ailsa Craig, St. Kilda, and other

suitable places on the
islands lying to the north
and west of Scotland;
and in one or two places
off the Welsh and Irish
coasts. Wilson, the Amer-
ican ornithologist, after
visiting the above-named
breeding haunts, com-
puted that the birds
nesting upon them killed
more herrings in the
course of a year than all
the fishermen in Scotland.
Materials. — • Seaweed,
bits of turf, moss, and
grass, sometimes in large quantities. Like rooks,
these birds frequently steal materials from each
other's nests during the absence of the owners in
search of more seaweed, moss, or grass ; and I
have on several occasions seen great battles waged
as a result of the discovery of a thief.

Egg. — One. White or bluish-white, covered like
that of the Cormorant, with a thick coat of lime,
which quickly becomes soiled and dirty by being
trodden upon. Size about 3 by 2 inches.
Time. — May and June.
Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local

GANNET AND YOUNG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 123

movement. Notes loud and harsh. Local and
other names : Soland Goose, Common Gannet, Solan
Gannet. Gregarious, and sits very closely.

GARGANEY.

(Querquedula circia^
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID.E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
sixteen inches. Bill fairly long, straight, and black.
Irides light hazel. Crown and back of head dark
brown, which colour passes down the back of the
neck, ending about the middle in a point. Back
dark brown, the feathers being bordered with a
lighter tinge of the same colour. Wing-coverts
ashy-grey, scapulars elongated and narrow, white
in the centre, and black round the edges ; the
transverse reflecting patch on the secondaries is
green, bordered with white ; primaries brownish-
black ; tertials grey ; tail greyish-brown. A white
stripe commences in front of the eye, passes over
it and the ear-coverts, and becoming narrower,
runs down the side of the neck for some distance.
Cheeks and sides of neck reddish-brown, inter-
spersed with fine lines of white pointing down-
wards. Chin black ; throat and breast dark brown,
marked with short, semicircular lines of light brown.
Belly white ; sides and flanks crossed with wavy
black lines, which terminate towards the vent in
two wide bands. Vent and under tail-coverts
mottled with dusky-black. Legs, toes, and webs
greyish-brown.

The female differs considerably from the male.
She is smaller in size ; her head is brown, marked

124

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

with lines and spots of a darker tinge ; back and
wing feathers closest thereto dark brown, bordered
with rusty brown, and tipped with white ; wing-
coverts greyish-brown, and green patch on wing
duller. The white band over the eye is duller, and
tinged with yellow. Chin white ; breast greyish-
white, marked with two shades of brown. Sides
and flanks light brown, marked with a darker tinge
of the same colour.

Situation and Locality. — -On the ground in a tuft

HOME OF THE GARGANEY.

of rushes or sedge ; amongst reed beds and coarse
rank herbage on the rough banks of broads, rivers,
and marshy pools in Norfolk and Suffolk, where
alone the bird is now said to breed, and is, un-
happily, on the decrease.

Materials. — Rushes, leaves, dry grass, and small
brown tufts of down with long white tips from
the bird's own body.

Eggs. — Eight to thirteen or fourteen. Creamy
white, of varying shades, very similar indeed to

GARGANEY'S NEST AND EGGS.

126

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

those of the Teal, but perhaps a trifle more creamy
in tint. Size about 1.8 by 1.35 in.

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in February and
March, and departing in November. Note : a loud,
harsh knack. The male has a peculiar, rattle-like
note in the spring. Local and other names : Gar-
ganey Teal, Garganey Duck, Summer Duck, Summer
Teal, Cricket Teal, Crick, Pied Wigeon. Sits very
closely.

GOATSUCKER. See NIGHTJAR.

GOLD-CREST. Also GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.

(Rcgulus cristatus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about three and a half
inches. Bill rather short, straight,
slender, and black. Irides hazel.
Forehead and round the eyes
whitish, tinged with dull olive-
green. Crown pale orange in
front, and darker and richer
towards the hind part. The
feathers are somewhat elongated,
and form a kind of crest, which
is bounded on either side by a
black streak. Neck, back, rump, and upper tail-
coverts olive-green. Wing-quills dusky black, edged
with greenish-yellow ; coverts black, tipped with
white, forming two white bars on wings, plainly
visible during flight. Tail-quills dusky, edged with

GOLD-CREST.

GOLD-CREST'S NEST

128 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

yellowish- green. All the under -parts are greyish-
white, tinged with buff on the throat, breast, and
sides. Legs, toes, and claws brown.

The female is less distinct in coloration, and
her crest is somewhat modified in size.

Situation and Locality. — Usually suspended from
the branch or branches of a spruce fir ; sometimes
a cedar, yew, or holly is selected. It is placed near the
end of a horizontal branch, at a height varying from
two or three to ten or twelve feet from the ground ;
rarely in bushes, although I have met with it in
furze ; in woods, plantations, spinneys, shrubberies,
and small clumps of trees, pretty generally through-
out the United Kingdom where suitable trees are
plentiful. Our full - page illustration is from a
photograph taken on the outskirts of a large
plantation in Norfolk.

Materials. — Green moss, lichens, fine grass,
spider-webs, caterpillar cocoons, and hair, beauti-
fully felted together, and lined with down and
feathers. It is a wonderfully compact little struc-
ture, for which its builder has been known to
steal materials from the nest of a Chaffinch close
by.

Eggs. — Four to ten ; generally six or seven.
Pale flesh colour, or very faint brown ; occasionally
white, spotted, and suffused, at the larger end
generally, with light reddish-brown. Size about .56
by .42 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, and a winter visitor. Notes :
song, weak but pleasant ; call, a shrill tsit, tsit.
Local and other names : Golden-crested Wren,
Golden-crowned Knight, Golden-crested Warbler,
Gold-crested Wren, Gold -crowned Wren, "Wood-

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 129

cock Pilot " — from the fact that, as a winter visitor,
it precedes that bird by a few days. A close sitter,
and the smallest British bird.

GOLDEN EYE.

(Clangula glaucion^)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID.E (DUCKS).

This species is said to have bred in the north of
Scotland, but no reliable ornithological authority
has yet verified the statement, so far as I
can gather.

GOLDFINCH.

(Carduelis elegans.}
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID.E (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five
inches. Bill rather short, nearly conical, whitish
at the base, and black at the tip. Forehead and
chin rich scarlet, divided by a line of black, which
passes from the base of the beak to the eyes.
Cheeks white. Crown and back of head black,
which colour descends on either side of the neck in
a narrowing band. Back and rump pale tawny-
brown, lightest on the back of the neck. Wing-
coverts black ; quills black, barred across with
yellow, and tipped with white. Upper tail-coverts
grey, mixed with tawny - brown ; quills black,
marked with white and buff y- white spots near
their tips. Throat and under-parts white, tinged
on the breast, sides, and flanks with pale
tawny-brown. Legs and toes pale pinkish- white ;
claws brown.

130 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is somewhat similar, but is said to
have a more slender beak, the red on her head to
be less in area, and often speckled with black, and
the smaller coverts of the wings to be dusky-brown
instead of black.

Situation and Locality. — In the fork of an apple,
pear, or other fruit-tree in gardens and orchards ;
on the boughs of chestnut and sycamore trees,
evergreens, and sometimes in thick hedgerows.
Sparingly throughout England, in some parts of
Scotland, and widely, though not numerously, in
Ireland.

Materials. — 'Moss, fine roots, dry grass straws,
bits of wool, lichens, and spiders' webs, lined with
feathers, willow down, and hairs. It is a neat
little cup-shaped structure, the materials of which
depend to some extent upon what the bird may
find lying around.

Eggs. — Four to six, greyish, or greenish- white,
spotted and streaked with light purplish and reddish-
brown and grey. The markings are, as a rule, most
numerous round the larger end. The eggs of this
species generally run smaller in size than those of
the Greenfinch and Linnet, but closely resemble
them in colour. Size about .66 by .51 in. (See
Plate II.)

Time.* — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory and resident. Notes : call,
ziflit, or sticklit ; song : shrill twittering and warb-
ling, and containing the syllable fink. Local and
other names : Gold Spink, Draw-water, Thistle
Finch, Grey Kate, or Pate, Goldie, King Harry,
Redcap, Proud Tail. Sits pretty close, and flies
away without demonstration.

GOLDFINCH'S NEST AND EGGS.

i32 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

GOOSANDER.

(M erg us meganser.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length twenty-
six and a half inches. Bill rather long, straight,
hooked at the tip, and vermilion-red, except the
upper ridge and point of the upper mandible, which
are black. Irides red. Head and upper half of
neck rich glossy green ; feathers on the back of
the head lengthened. Upper back and scapulars
black ; lower back, upper tail-coverts, and tail-quills
ash-grey. Shoulder of wing, all the coverts and
secondaries white ; primaries almost black. Lower
part of neck in front, breast, belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts salmon-buff. Legs and toes orange-red,
webs somewhat darker.

The female is rather smaller, and differs to a
considerable extent in coloration. Bill and irides
duller. Head and upper part of neck reddish-
brown. Back, wings, tail-coverts, tail-quills, sides
and flanks ash-grey, except secondaries and pri-
maries, which are white and lead-grey respectively.
Throat white, breast, and under-parts tinted with
buff. Legs and feet orange-red.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in trees, clefts
in rocks, holes amongst the exposed roots of trees,
on ledges of rock, under the cover of bushes, on
small islands, in freshwater lochs, on the banks
of streams and lochs, in forests in the northern
Highlands. No absolute proof of the bird's nesting
in the British Isles was forthcoming until as late
as 1871.

Materials. — Depend somewhat upon position ;

GOOSANDER'S NEST AND EGGS.

134

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

those in trees are said to have none except the
decayed wood, and down from the bird's own body,
whilst in other situations liberal quantities of dead
weeds, dry grass, and small roots and down are used.

Eggs. — Six to twelve or thirteen. Creamy-white.
Size about 2.7 by 1.85 in.

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Migratory, being principally a winter
idsitor, but a few remaining to breed. Note : a low
plaintive whistle. Local and other names : Dun
Diver, Saw Bill, Jacksaw, Sparling Fowl. Sits closely.

GOOSE, GREY-LAG. Also WILD GOOSE.

(Anser cinereus.)
Order ANSEKES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length thirty-five inches.
Bill of medium length, fairly
straight, and pink flesh-
colour, except on the tip of
each mandible, where it is
white ; irides brown ; head,
back of neck, and upper
portion of back, ash-brown,
the feathers of the last bor-
dered with a lighter tinge ;
wings lead-grey on the por-
tions nearest the back, each
feather being broadly mar-
gined with lighter grey, the outer front portion pale
bluish-grey, the rest dark leaden-grey ; lower portion
of the back and rump light bluish-grey ; upper tail-
coverts white ; tail-quills white on the inside webs and

GREY-LAG GOOSE ON
NEST.

GREY-LAG GOOSE'S NEST AND EGGS.

136 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

greyish-brown on the outer, and tipped with white ;
chin, throat, and breast light grey ; belly, vent,
under tail-coverts, and under side of tail-quills,
white. Sides, flanks, and thighs barred with two

GREY-LAG GOOSE'S NEST.
(Eggs covered with down.)

shades of grey ; legs, toes, and webs flesh colour ;
claws black.

The female is smaller in size than the male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
tall rank grass, heather, rushes or osiers in lonely
swamps and moorland bogs of Ross, Sutherland,
Caithness, and the Outer and Inner Hebrides ; also
in a semi-domesticated state at Castle Coole, in
Ireland, where the birds are only subject to a
limited local movement. The bird appears to be
partial to small islands, whereon I have seen at
least half a dozen nests in a single day.

Materials^ — leather, dried flags, rushes, leaves,
and grass with an inner lining of feathers and down
from the breast of the female.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE ON NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 137

Eggs. — Five to nine, the former number being
an average clutch according to my experience.
Sometimes twelve to fourteen are said to have been
found ; but all the best authorities have had to
accept the latter numbers on hearsay. Dull yellow-
ish, or creamy-white, with a very slight suggestion
of green. Size about 3.4 by 2.35 in.

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement, and numbers increased by northern
arrivals during winter. Note : a " gaggle/' Local
and other names : Wild Goose, Grey Goose, Grey-
legged Goose. Sits closely, and covers eggs with
down when voluntarily leaving nest.

GREY-LAG GOSLINGS.

GOSHAWK.

(Asturpalumbarius.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS).

Has now quite ceased to breed within the British
Isles, and is only a straggler seen upon rare occasions.

138 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

GREBE, GREAT CRESTED.

(Podicipes cristatus.)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family PODICIPEDID^E (GREBES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty - two inches. Bill rather long, straight,
pointed, black at the tip, and reddish towards the
base. The top of the head and the divided crest
with which it is adorned are dusky ; cheeks whitish.
Round the upper part of the neck is a tippet or
ruff, which is formed of elongated feathers that
stand out all round. These feathers are rusty red,
with a darker tinge at the tip of each. Hind part
of the neck, back, wings, and short, tufty tail, dark
brown, except the secondaries of the wings, which
are white. Front of neck, breast, and belly silvery
white. Sides and flanks, pale chestnut ; out-
side of legs and toes, dusky green ; inside, pale
yellowish-green. Each toe is surrounded by a
margin of web.

The female is not so large or distinct in colora-
tion. Her crest is also smaller.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst reeds grow-
ing in the water. Sometimes its foundation rests
upon the bottom ; at others it is moored to the
surrounding vegetation. On large sheets of fresh
water. The bird breeds on the Norfolk and Suffolk
Broads, in Wales, Yorkshire, Shropshire, Cheshire,
Lancashire, Surrey, and several other counties. This
species has extended its range considerably during
recent years, and is now found breeding in several
parts of Scotland and Ireland.

Materials.— Flags, sedge leaves, reeds, and all
kinds of dead water-plants heaped together. The

GREAT CRESTED GREBE'S NEST AND EGGS.

140 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

nest has a slight hollow on the top, and does not
stand far above the level of the water.

Eggs.' — Three to five, usually four. White when
originally laid, but soon becoming stained and
dirtied. Size about 2.2 by 1.45 in.

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident but wandering. Note : a
harsh, single-syllabled kind of croak. Local and
other names : Gaunt Molrooken, Loon, Tippet
Grebe, Greater Loon, Cargoose. Gregarious. Covers
over eggs on leaving nest, by swift side to side move-
ments of her bill, with nesting materials. Makes
several mock nests, supposed to be either for the
male, as outlook posts, or for the young ones when
hatched. Sits lightly, and dives when the nest is
approached.

GREBE, LITTLE. Also DABCHICK.

(Podicipes fluviatilis?)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family PODICIPEDID^ (GREBES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about ten inches.
Bill not very long, straight,
and brown. Irides reddish-
brown. Crown, back of neck,
and the whole of the upper
parts, dark rusty - brown.
Cheeks, throat, and sides of
neck, reddish-brown : breast,

LITTLE GREBE ON NEST. '

belly, and under parts,

greyish- white. Legs and toes, dark greenish. The
wings are short, tail almost nil, and legs situated
far behind.

The female is very similar to the male.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst reeds, rushes,

LITTLE GREBE'S NEST (COVERED). LITTLE GREBE'S NEST (UNCOVERED).

142 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

weeds, and long, coarse grass growing on or near
the banks of pools, sluggish rivers, lakes, lochs,
reservoirs, and canals. The nest is a kind of raft
moored amongst stems or built upon submerged
branches, sometimes it rests upon the bottom of a
shallow pond, in all suitable localities throughout the
British Isles.

Materials. — A liberal collection of dead, half-
rotten, aquatic weeds, thoroughly saturated with
water ; very shallow at the top.

Eggs-< — Four to six ; as many as seven have
upon a few occasions been found. White,, and
rough-surfaced when first laid, but gradually be-
coming stained and discoloured by contact with
the bird and the decaying weeds upon which they
are deposited and are often covered by. Size about
1.45 by i.o in.

Time. — March, April, May, June, July, and
August.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local move-
ment. Note: alarm, whit, whit. Local and other
names : Dabchick, Black-chin Grebe, Small Ducker,
Didapper, Dobchick, Loon, Dipper (the proper
name of an entirely different species). Not a close
sitter, but covers over its eggs when voluntarily
leaving the nest.

GREENFINCH.

(Ligurinus chloris.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLHLE (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill, short, thick, and flesh-coloured. Irides
hazel. Head, neck, back, rump, and upper tail-
coverts, yellowish-green, mixed with ashy-grey on the
sides of the head and neck, and with greyish-brown

144

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

on the other parts. The forehead and rump
are bright golden-green. Wing-quills dusky, some
of them bordered with yellow and others with
grey on the outer webs. Tail feathers dusky,
those in the middle uniform, the rest bordered
with yellow on their exterior webs. Chin, throat,
and breast, bright yellowish-green ; belly lighter
and mixed with ash-grey ; vent and under-tail-

1 ! coverts white, tinged with

pale yellow. Legs, toes,
and claws light pinkish-
brown.

The female is somewhat
smaller, and her upper parts
are greenish-brown, tinged
only with yellow on the
wing - coverts, rump, and
wing and tail quills ; but
this is of a duller character
than that found on the
feathers of the male. Under-
parts dull greyish -brown,
inclining to greenish-yellow on the belly.

Situation and Locality. — In thick, whitethorn
hedges, gorse bushes, yew-trees, ivy, holly, and
other evergreens ; in shrubberies, orchards, on
commons, and almost anywhere in wooded districts.
It is met with in suitable localities throughout the
United Kingdom.

Materials. — Slender twigs, rootlets, moss, and
grass, lined internally with hair and feathers.

Eggs. — Four to six, white, pale grey, or white
tinged with blue, in ground colour, sparingly spotted
with varying shades of brown, from greyish to
dark liver-coloured. The spots and markings are

GREENFINCH AND GREAT
TIT FEEDING ON SUN-
FLOWER SEEDS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 145

generally most numerous at the larger end. Speci-
mens have sometimes been found pure white and
unmarked. They are often very difficult to dis-
tinguish from the eggs of the Goldfinch. Size
about .82 by .56 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, July, and sometimes
as late even as August.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : call when flying,
yack-yack, and when perched shwoing, according to
Bechstein. When disturbed whilst sitting, it utters
a heart-softening sort of melancholy tway that is
enough to fill any young collector with remorse.
Local and other names : Green Linnet, Green
Chub, Green Grosbeak, Green Bird, Green Lintie.
Sits very closely.

GREENSHANK.

(Totanus canescens.}
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID^E (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twelve or thirteen inches. Bill long, slightly
curved upwards, and almost black in colour. Irides
hazel. Head, sides, and back of neck greyish-
white, marked with almost black longitudinal lines.
Back and wings (except primaries, which are dull
black) greenish-black, each feather being bordered
with buffy-white. Tail-quills white, barred in the
middle and striped on the outside with ash-brown.
Chin, throat, breast, sides, belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts white, the throat and sides being
slightly streaked with ash-grey. Legs and toes
olive-green ; claws black.

Female similar to male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst

GREENSHANK'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 147

tufts of coarse grass, heather, between dry mounds
near lochs and streams in the north and west of
Scotland, the Hebrides, and Shetlands.

Materials^- — A few bits of dead grass, used as a
lining to the declivity chosen.

Eggs. — Four ; pale yellowish-green to warm
stone-colour or buff, beautifully blotched or spotted
with light purple, grey, and dark brown. Markings
most numerous at larger end. Size about 1.95 by
1.35 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving on its breeding-
grounds at the end of April or beginning of May,
and leaving in July. The bird is said to winter in
Ireland. Note : a loud vir-too' ', vir-too' , vir-too1 ', or
chee-weet, chee-weet, sounding in some respects like
that of the Redshank. Local and other names :
Cinereous Godwit, Green-legged Horseman, Greater
Plover. Sits lightly, and flies straight away from
the neighbourhood of the nest, which is very difficult
to find. Our photograph was, as ornithologists will
understand, not secured without considerable trouble.

GROUSE, BLACK.

(Tetrao tetrix.)
Order GALLING ; Family TETRAONID.E (GROUSE).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-two inches. Bill short, curved downwards,
and black. Irides dark brown. Bare, erectile skin
•over eyes, bright scarlet. Head, neck, back, wing-
coverts, rump, and tail black, richly glossed in
parts with blue-black. Wings brownish-black, with
.a conspicuous white bar across the middle. The

148 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

tail-feathers are elongated on either side, and form
an outward kind of curving hook. Chin, breast,
belly, and flanks black ; vent, thighs, and legs dark-
brown, mixed with white ; under tail-coverts white ;
toes and claws blackish-brown.

The female is shorter by four or five inches>
and differs considerably in appearance. Her bill
is dark brown. Irides hazel. Plumage red or rusty-
brown, barred and freckled with black ; the mark-
ings are largest on the breast, where the feathers
are bordered with greyish-white. The tail is not
forked, and the feathers are variegated with rusty-
red and black, and tipped with white. Under tail-
coverts nearly white. Legs mottled brown ; toes
and claws brown.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, under
tufts of dead bracken, brambles, heather, rushes >
and coarse grass. I have seen nests quite exposed
in open pasture land, and have known cows tread
upon and break their eggs in such situations. On
rough broken land containing heather, rushes, ling,,
gorse, juniper, mixed woods and young plantations.
The bird breeds in suitable parts of England, Wales,,
and Scotland, but not in Ireland. Our illustration
is from a photograph taken in the Highlands of
vScotland.

Materials. — Dry grass, bents, fern or bracken,
fronds, and other suitable materials at hand, form-
ing a scant lining to the selected hollow.

Eggs. — Five to ten ; yellowish- white to yellowish-
brown, irregularly spotted with smallish red-brown
spots. Size about 2.0 by 1.4 in. Distinguished
from those of the Capercaillie by their smaller size_
(See Plate XV.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

:j**f ' <

£ • r 1. j j *

2W--

&/r&

BLACK GROUSES NEST AND EGGS.

150

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : male, a loud coo-
ing, followed by a hissing sound ; female's response
plaintive. Local and other names : Black Game,
Heath Cock, Black Cock, Heath Poult, Grey Hen
(female), Brown Hen (female). Sits closely.

GROUSE, RED.

(Lagopus scoticus.)
Order GALLING ; Family TETRAONID.E (GROUSE).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
sixteen inches. Beak short, curved downward, and

black. Irides
hazel. Above
the eye is a
scarlet, arched
membrane.
The dominat-
ing colour of
the head, neck,
back, wing, and
tail - coverts is
reddish - brown,
speckled and
barred with
black. Wing
and tail - quills
blackish-brown .
Chin and throat

RED GROUSE ON NEST. • i i i

rich, dark

chestnut-brown, unspotted ; breast dark red-
dish-brown, sometimes almost black ; belly, sides,
vent, and under tail-coverts light reddish-brown,
tipped with white. Legs and toes covered with

RED GROUSE'S NEST AND EGGS.

152 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

short soft feathers of greyish-white ; claws long and
horn colour, dark at the base.

The female is somewhat smaller and of a lighter
rufous-brown. The membrane over her eye is
narrower and less conspicuous. Both male and
female are subject to considerable variation in
plumage. I have seen some hens a beautiful
golden-yellow, and both sexes often showing a
considerable amount of white in their plumage.

YOUNG RED GROUSE.

Situation and Locality. — A slight hollow or natu-
ral depression, generally well hidden by heather or
ling, occasionally amongst rushes or long coarse grass
on wild moors in Wales, the six northern counties
of England, and Derbyshire, Cheshire, Shropshire
and Stafford, also in every county of Scotland, ex-
cepting perhaps one, and in suitable parts of Ireland.

Materials. — A few heather or ling shoots, or
bits of bent grass.

Eggs. — Five to nine ; as many as thirteen to
fifteen have been found. Of a dirty white ground-
colour, thickly blotched and spotted with umber-
brown. Variable in regard to colour and markings,

PLATE 5.

HEDGE SPARROW.
(Seep. 376.)

(Seep,

FLYC^HER.
(.See p. 114.)

SWALLOW.

(5<r<r/. 392.)

CUCKOO.

(.See p. 59.)

PEREGRINE FALCON.
(Sec p. HI.)

CUCKOO.

(See p. 59.)

HOBBY
(Seep. 188.)

NIGHTJAR.
(5<r«/. 236.)

MERLIN.

(See p. 228.)

NOTE.— 7n referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 5

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 153

but distinguished from those of the Ptarmigan by
being less buff in ground-colour and more spotted.
Size about 1.75 by 1.25 in. (See Plate XV.)

Time. — Eggs have been found as early as
February and as late as July ; but April, May,
and June are the principal breeding months.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : female call, yow,
yow, yow, pronounced with a peculiar nasal catch ;
crow notes, cabow, cabow, cabeck, cabeck, beck, beck ;
cockaway, cockaway ; alarm note of male, cock,
cock, cock. Local and other names : Gorcock,
Moorfowl, Moorcock, Moorgame. A close sitter,
resorting to decoy methods when disturbed.

GROUSE, SAND.

(Syrrhaptes fiaradoxus.)

Order PTEROCLETES ; Family PTEROCLID^E (SAND GROUSE).

Although several great incursions of this species

have from time to time taken place, and the bird

during its latest, in 1888, bred with us, it has

no rightful claim for inclusion at length in this work.

GUILLEMOT, BLACK.

(Una grylle.}
Order PYGOPODES ; Family ALCID,-E (AUKS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about fourteen inches. Bill
fairly long, straight, and black.
Irides brown. The whole of the
plumage is black, with exception
of a large patch on the coverts
of each wing, which is white.
Legs, toes, and webs vermilion-red ;
GUILLEMOT. claws black.

BLACK GUILLEMOT'S EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

155

The female is similar to the male in size and
coloration.

Situation and Locality.1 — In deep crevices of
rocks overhanging the sea ; amongst large stones
heaped loosely together ; and occasionally under or
between crags and large fragments of rock near the
beach. Principally on the western and northern
coasts of Scotland and the islands round about
it, in a few suitable places round the coast of
Ireland, and to a limited extent in the Isle
of Man.

Materials. — None; the eggs being laid on
the bare rock or ground.

Eggs. — Two, white, faintly tinged with green,
blue, or creamy-buff, spotted and blotched with
ash-grey, reddish or chestnut-brown, and very dark
brown. Size about 2.35 by 1.6 in. (See Plate XIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but a southern wanderer
in winter. Note : a plaintive whine. Local and
other names : Sea Turtle, Greenland Dove, Dovekie
Scraber, Tyste, Pufhnet. Gregarious. Sits closely.
Keeps to the open sea, except during the breeding
season and when driven ashore by stress of
weather.

YOUNG BLACK GUILLEMOT.

156 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

GUILLEMOT, COMMON.

(Una troile.)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family ALCID.E (AUKS).

Description of Parent Bird. —
Length about eighteen inches.
Bill rather long, straight, sharp-
pointed (which easily d i s -
tinguishes the bird from the
Razorbill), and black. Irides
dusky. Head, neck, back, wings
(except ends of secondaries,
which are tipped with white),
and tail dark mouse - brown.
COMMON GUILLEMOTS. Lower part of throat, breast,
and belly white. Legs and feet, which are
webbed, brownish black.

The female is rather smaller than the male.
Situation and Locality. — On ledges and in hollows
of cliffs, on the flat bare summits of rockstacks,
in suitable places pretty generally round our coasts.
Our full-page illustration shows a great number
of these birds sitting on their eggs on the
Pinnacles at the Fame Islands. How individuals
recognise their own eggs in such a vast crowd one
cannot imagine.

Materials. — None whatever, the egg being laid
on the bare rock.

Egg. — One, very large for the size of the bird,
and pear-shaped. The eggs of this species present
an endless variety of coloration. Sometimes the
ground-colour is white, at others cream, yellowish-
green, reddish - brown, pea - green - blue, purplish-
brown, and every variety of shade between these
colours, spotted, blotched, and streaked profusely

COMMON GUILLEMOTS BREEDING ON THE PINNACLES AT THE
FARNE ISLANDS.

158

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

with black, dusky-brown, greyish-brown, and other
tints in great variety. Some specimens are without
spots, and I have seen others on Ailsa Craig and
elsewhere closely resembling those of the Razorbill,
but always more pyriform. Size about 3.25 by
1.95 in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks.- — Resident. Notes (of young) : mi-
lock y willock. Local and other names : Foolish
Guillemot, Willock, Tinkershere, Scout, Tarrock,
Lavy, Murre, Sea Hen, Marrock. A close sitter.

GULL, BLACK-HEADED.

(Larus ridibundus^)
Order GAVI^: ; Family LARID^: (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds,
— Length about sixteen inches.
Bill moderately long, nearly
straight, and lake-red. Irides
hazel. Eyelids crimson. Head
and upper part of throat dark
brown. Back and sides of
neck white. Back and wings
(except some of the primaries,
which are black at the tips,
and on some of the margins
with white shafts), uniform
BLACK-HEADED GULL. lavender - grey . Tail - coverts

and quills white. Lower front

of neck, breast, and all under-parts, white. Legs
and feet lake-red ; claws black.

The female is similar to the male.

The above description is of a solitary pair shot

BLACK-HEADED GULL'S NEST AND EGGS.

160 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

whilst nesting in June on a northern moorland
tarn. The Black-headed Gull is subject to con-
siderable variation in plumage, not only in regard
to season but age.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in a
tussock of coarse grass, tuft of rushes, or a slight
hollow on the bare ground ; in swamps and bogs,
at the edges of and on islands in tarns and lakes.
In large colonies at a great number of suitable
places throughout the British Isles. Three famous
places in England are Scoulton Mere in Norfolk,
where the bird has nested in thousands for upwards
of three hundred years in succession, at Pallinsburn
in Northumberland, and at Ravenglass in Cumber-
land. Although gregarious, I have frequently met
with solitary pairs nesting on small mountain tarns.
Materials. — Sedges, rushes, tops of reeds, and
withered grass ; generally in small quantities, some-
times quite absent, and at others in fairly large
quantities, much depending upon the site chosen.
Eggs. — Two or three ; usually the second num-
ber, and occasionally four, varying from pale olive-
green to light umber -brown in ground-colour,
blotched, spotted, and streaked with blackish-
brown and dark grey. Size about 2.2 by 1.45 in.
They are subject to great variation in regard to
size, shape, and colour ; but their small size
and the presence of the parent birds easily dis-
tinguish them. (See Plate X.)

Time. — April, May, and sometimes as late as
June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement. Note : a hoarse cackle, resembling a
laugh when quickly repeated. Local and other
names : Red-legged Gull, Laughing Gull, Peewit

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

161

Gull, Blackcap, Sea Crow, Hooded Mew, Brown-
headed Gull, Mire Crow, Croker, Pickmire. Sits
lightly, and clamours noisily overhead when dis-
turbed. Gregarious, as a rule.

BLACK-HEADED GULLS AT HOME.

GULL, COMMON.

(Larus canus,)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about eighteen
inches. Bill rather short,
slightly curved downward at
the tip, and yellow in colour.
Irides orange-brown, Head
and neck snowy- white. Back
and wings French grey ; tips
of wings black, spotted with
white, on account of some of
the primaries having white
COMMON GULL. ends. Tail-coverts and quills

162 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

snowy-white. Chin, throat, breast, belly, and vent
snowy-white. Legs, toes, and webs greenish-yellow.

The female is similar in plumage, but slightly
smaller in size.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
heather and coarse grass ; on ledges and in crevices
of rock round the coast of Scotland ; on islands ; in
inland lochs and tarns ; also in suitable places in
Ireland, but now nowhere in either England or

YOUNG COMMON GULL HIDING

Wales. Our illustrations were procured on the
west coast of Scotland.

Materials, — Heather, dry seaweed, and dead
grass. It may be observed that a somewhat large
nest is built as a rule.

Eggs. — Two to four ; generally three, buffish-
brown or dark olive-brown in ground-colour, spotted,
blotched, and streaked with grey, dark brown, and
black, irregularly distributed. Size about 2.25 by
1.65 in. The smallness of the spots and the size
of the eggs enable the student to easily identify
them. (See Plate XL)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local

COMMON GULL'S NEST AND EGGS.

164 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

movement. Notes : a kind of squeal. Local and
other names : Winter Mew, Sea Mew, Sea Mall or
Maw, Sea Gull, Sea Cob, Blue Maa. Gregarious.
A light sitter, and clamorous when disturbed.

GULL, GREAT BLACK-BACKED.

(Lams marmus.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID^E (GULLS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
thirty inches. Bill of
medium length, large
and powerful ; pale
yellow, excepting a
portion of the under
mandible, which is
orange ; upper man-
dible turned down at
the tip. Irides straw-

YOUNG GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS.

neck all round snowy- white. Back and wings
black, with exception of the tips of the quills,
which are white. Upper tail-coverts and tail-
quills white. Breast and all under - parts pure
white. Legs, toes, and webs pale flesh-colour.

The female is similar, but somewhat smaller.

Situation and Locality. — On the ledges of mari-
time cliffs, on the tops of rock stacks and islets
in the sea and fresh-water lakes ; also on the
ground, in marshes and moors ; on the coasts of
Dorset, Cornwall, Scilly, and Lundy ; on the Welsh
coast, but most abundant on the western and
northern shores of Scotland and the islands lying
round about ; also in Ireland.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL'S NEST AND EGGS.

166 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — Seaweed, heather, wool, and dry
grass in variable quantities. Sometimes they are
very abundant and at others almost entirely
absent.

Eggs. — Two or three, generally the latter number.
Yellowish-brown or stone -colour to light olive-
brown, blotched with slate-grey and dark brown.
The spots are not very large, and generally dis-
tributed over the surface of the egg. Size about
3.1 by 2.1 in. The large size of the eggs and the
small spots are distinguishing characteristics. (See
Plate X.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering during the
non-breeding months. Note : a harsh croak or
laugh. Local and other names : Cob, Blackback,
Great Black Salmon Gull and White Gull. Gre-
garious in some parts and solitary in others. Not
a close sitter, but demonstrative when intruded
upon. The bird figured in our tailpiece in the act
of alighting was exceedingly shy and suspicious,
although she could see nothing but the lens of the
camera at a considerable distance from her.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL ALIGHTING.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

167

HERRING GULL.

GULL, HERRING.

(Larus argentatus.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about twenty-four
inches. Bill of medium length,
hooked at the tip, and yellow,
with an orange spot on the
lower mandible. Irides pale
yellow. Head and neck white.
Back and part of wings light
grey, which distinguishes the
bird from the Lesser Black-
backed Gull ; quills blackish,
tipped with white. Breast,
belly, vent, upper tail-coverts and tail-quills
pure white. Legs and feet flesh-colour. Variable
with age.

The female is often much smaller than the male,
but is similar in the coloration of her plumage.

Situation and Locality. — Ledges of sea cliffs,
low rocky islands, sometimes in marshes, such as
Foulshaw Moss in Westmorland. At the Fame
Islands a few pairs only of Herring Gulls breed
amongst the great crowd of Lesser Black-backed
Gulls, but on islands in Hebridean lochs the case
is absolutely reversed, the former far outnumbering
the latter.

Materials. — Seaweed and turf, lined with grass,
sometimes in liberal quantities, at others very scant,
or absent altogether. The grass used appears to
have often been obtained quite green. In the
summer of 1905 I built a hiding structure of stones

HERRING GULL'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 169

for my camera and myself on a small island in a
Hebridean loch and covered it over with heather.
Two or three days afterwards I found that several
Herring Gulls had stolen my thatch and made
their nests with it.

Eggs. — Two or three, varying in ground-colour
from olive-green to huffish-brown, spotted and
blotched with dark brown and grey. Variable, and
bearing a very close resemblance to the eggs of
the Lesser Black-backed Gull, but said to run
larger by some authorities, and to be more spotted
and less blotched. The fishermen reckon to dis-
tinguish them from those of the above-mentioned
species by the paler ground-colour of the shell ;
but the only sure method of identification I have
found is to watch the parent bird on to her nest.
Average size about 2.85 by 2.0 in. (See Plate X.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Call-notes, hau-hau-hau ;
alarm, ky-eok. Local or other name : none. Sits
lightly, and watches the intruder closely from a
distance of eighty or a hundred yards. A terrible
egg-stealer.

HERRING GULLS AT HOME.

170 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

GULL, KITTIWAKE. See KITTIWAKE.

GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED.

(Larus fuscus.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARHLE (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about twenty - three
inches. Beak of medium length,
nearly straight, and yellow, with
the exception of an orange spot
on the under mandible. Irides
straw colour. Head and neck
all round pure white. Back and
wings dark slate-grey, some of
the quills being slightly tipped
LESSER BLACK- with white. Upper tail-coverts

BACKED GULLS. ^ ., •-,-, -, ., T->

and tail-quills white. Breast,
belly, vent, and under tail-coverts pure white.
Legs and feet yellow, whereas those of the Great
Black-backed Gull are flesh colour.

The female is said to be a little smaller, and
the feathers of the back and wings to vary much
in tint with age and locality.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in
hollows scooped out of the soft turf, on grass
growing in nooks and on ledges of rock, on bare
rocks, and on masses of dry seaweed. Our illustra-
tions are from photographs taken on the Fame
Islands, where a large colony breeds. On low
rocky islands, ledges of cliffs, on islands in inland
lakes, and in moss-bogs. At nearly all suitable
places round our coasts, except on the eastern
and southern shores of England.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL'S NEST AND EGGS.

172 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — Seaweed, often in large quantities ;
grass, which appears to have been collected quite
green ; sometimes no materials whatever, the eggs
being laid on the grass in a hollow.

Eggs. — Two to four, generally three. Very vari-
able, from light drab to dark olive-brown; some-
times pale bluish - green, spotted, blotched, and
streaked with ash-grey, pale brown, and dark
liver -brown. Size about 2.6 by 1.85 in. (See
Plate XI.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement. Notes : call, ha, ha, ha, or an, an, an ;
note of anger, kyeok. Local and other names :
Yellow-legged Gull, Less Black-backer Gull. Not
a very close sitter, but noisy and clamorous when
disturbed. Gregarious. Under protective measures
this species grows quite bold, proof of which is
given in such breeding stations as the Fame
Islands.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS FLYING
OVER THEIR NESTS

.
BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 173

HARRIER, ASH-COLOURED. See HARRIER,
MONTAGU'S.

HARRIER, HEN.

(Circus cyaneus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
eighteen inches. Beak short, much curved, bluish-
black, and surrounded at the base with black,
bristly feathers. Bare skin immediately round base
of beak, and irides yellow. Head, neck, back,
wings, and upper side of tail bluish- or ash-grey,
except the wing-primaries, which are almost black.
Some specimens have a mottled, rusty-brown spot on
the nape. Chin, throat, breast, and belly bluish-
grey, much lighter on the latter parts. Thighs,
vent, and under tail-coverts white. Under -side
of tail-quills very light grey, faintly barred with a
darker tinge. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female measures about four inches longer ;
her bill is nearly black, and the bare skin round
the base tinged with green. Irides reddish-brown.
Crown and back of neck dark brown ; round the
face is a kind of ruff, the feathers of which are a
mixture of brown and white. Back and wings
umber-brown, except some of the coverts, which are
edged with rufous, and the primaries, which are of
a dusky colour. The tail-quills are dark brown
tipped with rusty-red ; the centre ones uniform in
colour, and those on the sides barred with lighter
rusty - brown. Throat and all the under - parts
reddish-buff, with a darker patch in the centre of

174 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

each feather. Tail-feathers underneath barred with
brownish-black and grey.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
tall heather, furze, and other bushes ; on moors,
commons, fens, and on wild, lonely mountain-sides.
Its destructive habits amongst game birds have
made the gamekeeper an especial enemy, and he
has waged incessant war upon it for so long that
it is now almost exterminated in England. I have
seen its nest in Surrey during 1907, and am pleased
to say that the young ones got away safely. It is
said to breed in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and
one or two other western counties, Wales, and the
north of England occasionally. Its nest occurs
most frequently in the Hebrides, Orkneys, and
Highlands of Scotland ; also in suitable parts of
Ireland.

Materials. — Small sticks, sprigs of heather, and
coarse grass ; in sparing quantities where the nest
is placed in a dry situation ; but when a low, damp
place is chosen, sticks, reeds, sedge, and flags are
used in liberal quantities.

Eggs. — Four or five, occasionally six. White,
faintly tinged with blue or bluish-green ; on rare
occasions slightly marked with light rusty-red or
yellowish-brown. They vary in size, and closely
resemble those of the Marsh and Montagu's Harriers.
Size about 1.75 by 1.45 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Formerly resident, now probably only
migratory. It arrives in April or May, and departs
in September and October. Notes : tremulous and
Kestrel-like. Local and other names : Male, Dove
Hawk, Blue Hawk, or Miller ; female, Ringtail ;
and in the Hebrides a Gaelic name signifying

HEN HARRIER'S NEST AND EGGS

176 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Mouse Hawk. The sexual difference in plumage
was the cause of the birds being believed at one
time to represent different species. Not a close
sitter.

HARRIER, MARSH.

( Circus cerugtnosus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-one inches. Beak short, curved, and bluish-
black. Bare skin round the base of the beak, and
irides yellow. Crown, sides of head, and nape pale
rusty yellowish-white, streaked with darkish-brown.
Back dark brown tinged with red, the feathers being
bordered with a lighter shade. Wing-coverts and
tertials varying, according to age, from dark red-
dish-brown to ash - grey ; secondaries ash - grey -
primaries varying from brownish-black to slate-
grey. Tail ash-grey. Chin and throat almost white ;
breast and under-parts reddish-brown, streaked with
dark brown. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is larger, and slightly duller in her
plumage. Both are subject to variation in colour,
according to age.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
sedges, reeds, ferns, and under furze and other
small bushes ; rarely in trees. On low, marshy,
reed- and water-covered land ; also unfrequented
moors. Professor Newton, in the latest edition of
Yarrell, issued 1874, says that ':< the bird breeds
regularly in Devonshire, Norfolk, and Aberdeen-
shire " ; and Mr. Dixon, in his " Nests and Eggs of
British Birds," issued just twenty years after, says
that Norfolk is the only county in Great Britain in

MARSH HARRIER'S NEST YOUNG AND EGGS.

M

178

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

which the bird regularly attempts to breed. This is
one among many of the facts which serve to illus-
trate the rapidity with which our rarer birds are
being banished. Our picture of a nest containing
a newly hatched young one and eggs was secured by
my brother in Holland. And the tailpiece to this
article represents the place where a few years ago
probably the last attempt was made by a pair of
these rare birds to breed in Norfolk. The nest was
built, but before the unfortunate hen had a chance
of laying in it she was ruthlessly slain.

Materials. — Sticks, twigs, rushes, and reeds in
rather large quantities, lined with dead grass.

Eggs. — Three to five or six. White, sometimes
slightly tinged with pale bluish-green or milk-blue,
and upon rare occasions marked with a few spots
of rusty-red. Size about 1.95 by 1.55 in.

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering. Notes:
male, koi or kai ; female, pitz pitz, peep peep.
Local and other names : Duck Hawk, White-headed
Harpy, Moor Harrier, Moor Buzzard, Puttock, Marsh
Hawk, Bald Buzzard. Sits lightly.

HOME OF THE MARSH HARRIER.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 179

HARRIER, MONTAGU'S. Also ASH-COLOURED

HARRIER.
(Circus cineraceus.}

Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONHLE (FALCONS),

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seventeen inches. Beak short, upper mandible
much curved and nearly black. Skin round base
of beak bare, and greenish-yellow. Irides bright
yellow. Head, neck, back, and wing-coverts bluish-
grey. Primaries nearly black ; secondaries marked
by three bars. Tail-quills, on the sides, white,
barred with bright rust colour ; centre feathers
bluish-grey. Chin and throat brownish-grey ; breast,
belly, and under-parts white, streaked with bright
rust colour. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.
The wings are very long and narrow.

The female is about nineteen inches long. Beak
black ; bare skin at base, dull yellow. Irides hazel.
Crown and back of head reddish-brown, with spots
of a darker tinge. Over and under the eye is a
streak of grey. Back and wings dark umber-brown ;
rump and upper tail-coverts orange-brown and
white. Side feathers of tail barred with brown of
two shades ; breast and all under-parts light red-
dish-brown ; claws black. Both sexes of this bird
vary considerably, according to age and individual.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
heather, ferns, long grass or rushes, furze, and low
brushwood ; on moors and heaths in Norfolk, Kent,
Pembrokeshire, Dorsetshire, Hampshire, Devonshire,
and Somerset. Very rare, and on a fair way to
total extinction, so far as the British Isles are
concerned.

NEST AND EGGS OF MONTAGU'S HARRIER.1

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 181

The nest figured in our illustration was
situated not very far from the unfortunate
Marsh Harrier's attempt at housekeeping mentioned
in the article dealing with that species, but
was not built in such deep sedge grass. It was
placed flat upon the wet marsh ground, and had
a sort of little courtyard in front of it, where all
the vegetation had been cleared away or beaten
down. The diameter of the actual structure was
about eight and a half inches, and its materials
consisted of rushes, sedge, ragwort stems, and a few
bits of dead grass. The Rev. M. C. H. Bird con-
sidered it a large nest for two eggs, as the birds
add materials, like many other species, as they
lay their eggs.

Materials. — Twigs, heather-stalks, straws, and
dry grass, sometimes wool, scantily and loosely
lining the slight hollow chosen for the reception
of the eggs.

Eggs. — Four to six. Very pale bluish-white,
said to be sometimes marked with a few spots of
pale reddish-brown. Average size about 1.65 by
1.4 in.

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and leav-
ing in October. Notes : something like those of
the Kestrel, but feebler and more querulous,
according to Mr. Saunders. This species only en-
joys one local or alternative name so far as I can
gather, and that is the Ash-coloured Harrier. Sits
lightly. The bird's destructive habit of feeding
upon eggs supplies it with an uncompromising
enemy in the gamekeeper.

182 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

HAWK, SPARROW. See SPARROW-HAWK.

HAWFINCH.

(Coccothraitstes vtilgaris.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^ (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven inches. Bill of medium length, nearly conical,
very thick at the base, and of a dusky-blue colour.
Irides grey. Crown and sides of head dull yellow-
ish- or orange-brown ; back and sides of neck ash
colour. Back, smaller wing-coverts, and scapulars
chestnut-brown. Some of the middle wing-coverts
are white ; wing- quills black, glossed with blue ;
some of them are of curious appearance, suggesting
that they have been clipped at the tips so as to
form battleaxes or billhooks. Rump and upper
tail-coverts light orange-brown; tail-quills black,
the outer ones being tipped and to some extent
edged with white ; middle greyish-brown, tipped
with white. The feathers round the base of the
beak, eyes, and on the throat are black ; breast
and belly pale rust colour ; vent and under tail-
coverts dull white. Legs, toes, and claws pale
brown.

The female is less brilliant, and her colours are
more mixed.

Situation and Locality. — In old lichen-covered
hawthorn bushes ; on the horizontal branches of
oaks, heads of pollards ; in holly bushes, firs, fruit
and other trees, at varying heights, in gardens,
orchards, timbered commons, and plantations,
pretty generally, though not commonly, in all
the counties of England. I have met with it

HAWFINCH'S NEST AND EGGS.

184 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

on Surrey commons, but never saw its nest in any
part of Yorkshire, where it undoubtedly breeds.
A friend of mine has found its nest in the
neighbourhood of Bedale. It is very common in
some parts of Kent, where as many as four
nests in one orchard have been found at the
same time.

Materials. — Twigs, fibrous roots, and grass,
mixed with lichens, and lined internally with fine
fibrous roots, grass, and hair ; somewhat loosely
constructed.

Egg8- — Four to six, pale olive-green, varying to
pale reddish-brown, or greenish-grey, spotted with
blackish-brown, and irregularly streaked with dusky-
grey. Size about .95 by .75 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — May, although nests may sometimes
be found containing young ones as late as the end
of August.

Remarks. — Resident, although its numbers are
increased in winter by Continental arrivals. Notes :
call, rendered by Bechstein as an unpleasant its zip,
uttered incessantly ; song, a light jingle, with
some clearer, shrill, and harsh notes like irrr. Local
and other names : Grosbeak Haw, Grosbeak, Com-
mon Grosbeak, Black - throated Grosbeak. Sits
closely. This species would be much commoner
in the British Isles were it not for the fact that
it has a fatal weakness for green peas and is
destroyed in considerable numbers by gardeners
in defence of their property.

HEDGE SPARROW. See SPARROW, HEDGE.

PUATE 6.

OSPREY.
(See p. 242.)

KESTREL. SPARROW-HAWK.

(.Step. 199.) (.Seep, 383.)

n r

GOLDEN EAGLE.
(5«/. 106.)

NOTE.— /n referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 6

* *

* r,
•

HERON.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 185

HERON, COMMON.

(Ardea cinerea.}
Order HERODIONES ; Family ARDEID^. (HERONS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about thirty - six
inches. Beak long, straight,
strong, pointed, and dusky in
colour, except at the base of
the under mandible, where it
is yellowish. Irides yellow.
Forehead, crown, and cheeks,
greyish- white. On the back
part of the head the feathers
are elongated into a kind of
plume, and are bluish-black or
dark slaty-blue in colour. Upper surface of body
and wing - coverts bluish - grey ; wing - primaries
black ; tail-quills cinereous. Neck white, adorned
with large longitudinal elongated spots of dark
bluish-grey in front. On the lower part of the
neck the feathers are elongated, and hang loosely
down. Breast, belly, thighs, and under-parts
greyish-white, streaked with black. Legs and
toes dirty yellowish-green ; claws black.

In the female the plumes are shorter, and her
colour duller and less distinctive.

Situation and Locality. — On the tops of high
trees, ledges of cliffs, and in some places even on
the ground. The bird has been known to breed in
at least forty-one counties of England and Wales,
and does so in various suitable parts of Scotland
and Ireland.

Materials. — A liberal collection of sticks and

i86

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

twigs, lined with turf, moss, fibrous roots, and some-
times wool or rags, according to some authorities.

Eggs. — Three to five, pale blue with a tinge of
green. Size about 2.5 by 1.7 in. (See Plate VIII.)

Time. — January, February, March, and April.

HERON'S NEST.

The two first months only in exceptionally fine,
open seasons. I have seen eggs in nests during
May and the early part of June in the island of Skye
and other parts of the Highlands.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes: harsh, short, and
guttural. Some naturalists describe the alarm note
as frank, frank, cronk, but it sounds to me like

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 187

garowk, garowk, garowk. Local and other names :
Hearinsew, Hern, Heronshaw, and (in Ireland) Cranes.
Gregarious, as many as eighty nests having been
known in a single tree. The birds return to the
same place (called a Heronry) year after year.
Not a very close sitter, as a rule. However, I
have known individual birds sit quite still whilst
the trunk of a tree in which their nests were
situated has been violently struck with a stick.

YOUNG HERONS IN NEST.

HOBBY.

(Falco subbuteo.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twelve inches. Beak short, much curved, and
bluish horn colour. Bare skin round the base of
the beak of a greenish-yellow colour. Irides dark
brown. Crown, nape, back, and wings greyish-
black, the feathers being edged with huffish-white.
Wing-quills almost black, bordered with light grey.
Tail-quills greyish-black, barred and tipped with a
lighter tint, except the two middle feathers, which

i88 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

are uniform greyish-black. Chin and sides of neck
white ; cheeks black ; breast and belly yellowish-
white, streaked broadly with brownish - black ;
thighs, vent, and lower tail-coverts rusty-red. Legs
and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female resembles the male, but is larger,
and the spots on her breast are more conspicuous.
In young birds of both sexes the plumage on the
upper surface of the body is tinged with red, but
this gradually gives place to bluish-grey with age.

Situation and Locality. — In high trees in woods
and forests. It is almost as local as the Nightingale,
and has not been reported as nesting farther north
than Yorkshire, except on one occasion in Scotland.
I have seen it breeding in Wiltshire, and it also
breeds in Surrey. It is a rare nesting species, but
returns to a favourite haunt year after year.

Materials. — Some high authorities say that it
does not build a nest of any kind, but simply adopts
the old one of a Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon,
or that of some other Hawk ; whilst others say
that it builds a nest of sticks, moss, and hair. From
my own limited observation, and inquiries made of
those who have had opportunities of forming an
opinion, I think the former are right.

Eggs. — Two or three, very rarely four, short and
oval in form. Yellowish, dingy or bluish-white in
ground-colour, much suffused, mottled, and spotted
with reddish- and yellowish-brown. The eggs are
similar in coloration and variety to those of the
Merlin and Kestrel, and, as the nesting situations
are similar to those sometimes adopted by the
latter bird, nothing short of a sight of the parents
can settle the point with certainty. Size about
1.7 by 1.35 in. (See Plate V.)

HOBBY'S NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and leav-
ing in October. Notes: alarm, a shrill chatter-
ing, not unlike that of an angry Merlin. Local or
other name: none. Sits lightly, according to
Mr. Dixon, and fairly closely, according to Mr.
Seebohm. Both are in a measure right, for the
bird which owned the nest figured in our illustra-
tion sat closely when the friend who showed it to
me first discovered it, but during the day I spent
at the place she sat very lightly. Is very demon-
strative when intruded upon whilst the young
are in the nest. On one occasion I saw a brood
of chicks of this species leave the nest and the
chattering of the adult birds as they circled
above the little wood in which they had reared
their family was incessant.

HOOPOE.

(Upupa epops.)
Order PICARLE ; Family UPUPID.E (HOOPOES).

This bird has been known in past times to breed
in several parts of England, but its persecution—
which dates from King Solomon's time, when tradi-
tion says that its handsome crest was made of
gold — has so increased, that a detailed description
of the bird, its habits, nest, eggs, etc., seems un-
necessary in a work of this character. I fear a
breeding pair of birds is never again likely to
escape the lynx-eyed gunner in this country.

HOUSE SPARROW. See SPARROW, COMMON.

YOUNG JACKDAW.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 191

JACKDAW. Also DAW.

(Corvus monedula.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVIDJE (CROWS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about fourteen inches.
Beak of medium length, strong,
nearly straight, and black. Irides
greyish- white. Crown black with
a purple sheen ; nape and back
of neck leaden-grey. Back, wings,
upper tail-coverts, and tail black,
glossed with blue, violet, and
green. All the under-parts are
dusky-black. Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is a trifle smaller than the male,
and the grey on the back of her neck is less pro-
nounced.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in cliffs, church
steeples, towers, old ruins, barns, in chimneys, and
hollow trees, pretty generally throughout the
British Isles. Our illustration is of a nest in the
ventilation hole of a stone barn. It was slightly
drawn forward, and light reflected upon it with a
looking-glass, in order to take the photograph.
The largest colony I have ever met with is near
Armathwaite Castle, in Cumberland.

Materials. — Sticks, straw, moss, feathers, wool,
down, and all sorts of odds and ends the bird can
pick up near at hand. In some situations no sticks
or twigs are used, and I have examined nests made
entirely of rushes from beginning to end.

Eggs. — Three to six, usually five. Pale greenish-
blue or bluish-white, spotted, speckled, and blotched

JACKDAW'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

193

with dark olive-brown and ash-grey. The markings
vary in their distribution, being sometimes evenly
distributed and at others collected round the larger
end. The ground-colour and markings are also
subject to considerable variation. Size about 1.45
by i.o in. (See Plate I.)

Time. — 'May and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : kae, or caw, and
jack. Local and other names : Daw, Kae, Jack.
Gregarious, and a close sitter.

JACKDAW.

JAY.

( Garrnlus glandarius.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID^ (CROWS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about four-
teen inches. Beak rather short, nearly straight,
strong, and dusky. Irides white, slightly tinged
with blue. Crown greyish - white, spotted and
streaked with black and purplish-buff ; the feathers
form a crest, which the bird can elevate or depress
at pleasure. Nape and sides., of neck, back, and
scapulars purplish-buff. Wing-coverts composed of
alternate bars of pale blue, sky-blue, and black.
Greater wing-quills black, with greyish-white edges ;

194

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

YOUNG JAYS IN NEST.

secondaries deep black, marked with a white patch
on the upper half ; rump white ; tail dusky. From
the gape, backward and downward, runs a mous-
tache-like black dash ; throat
dirty white ; breast pale pur-
plish-buff ; belly, vent, and
under tail - coverts nearly
white. Legs, toes, and claws
brown.

The female is very similar
to the male in appearance.

Situation and Locality. — In
a tall thick bush, hedgerow,
or young tree ; sometimes in
evergreens, such as the yew
and holly ; in woods and
plantations with a thick undergrowth. In suitable
localities throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — Sticks, small twigs, mud, fibrous
roots, and grass. Well built, as a rule, and some-
what like a large Blackbird's nest.

Eggs. — Five to seven. Ground-colour dusky-
green, tinged with blue, thickly spotted and freckled
with light olive-brown. The markings are generally
uniformly distributed, but are sometimes confluent at
the larger end,
where there
are occasion-
ally several ir-
regular black-
ish -brown
lines. Size
about 1.25 by
.9 in. (See

T "\

±.J JAY AT PHEASANTS' DRINKING PLACE.

JAYS NEST AND EGGS.

196 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Note : a harsh, rapidly
delivered kind of chatter, sounding like rake, rake.
Local and other names : Jay Piet, Jaypie. Not a very
close sitter.

KESTREL.

(Falco tinnunculus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
thirteen inches. Bill short, much curved, and lead-
coloured. Bare skin round the base of the beak,
yellow. Irides dark brown. Head and nape of
the neck ash-grey, under the eye is a dusky streak.
Back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brownish-fawn
colour, spotted with black ; wing-quills black, edged
with grey ; tail-feathers ash-grey, with a broad
black bar near the end, which is tipped with white ;
under-parts light rust colour, spotted and streaked
with black ; thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts
unspotted. Legs and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is about two inches longer. Her
head and tail are reddish-brown, also the back,
which is duller than that of the male. On the
head are some dark streaks, and the back is barred
with bluish-black. The tail is very evenly and
prettily barred with black from the base to very
near the end, where the bars become broader.
Under-parts are fainter than in the case of the
male.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges and in crevices
of sea cliffs and inland crags and precipices ; holes
in trees, towers, old ruins, church steeples, and
even dove-cotes have been utilised ; also in deserted

KESTREL'S EGGS IN A RAVEN'S OLD NEST.

198 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

nests of Ravens, Crows, Magpies, and Sparrow
Hawks throughout the United Kingdom. The
"nest" represented with young was situated on
the stump of a tree growing horizontally, as near
as possible, from the crevice of a Highland pre-
cipice.

Materials. — Generally none at all, a cavity
being scratched in the soft earth and leaves in a
crevice or nook, which soon becomes plentifully

YOUNG KESTRELS.

besprinkled with castings. Sticks, grass, and wool
are said to be sometimes used, but I have never met
with either.

Eggs. — Four to seven, generally five or six ;
dirty creamy - white in ground - colour, thickly
blotched and clouded with reddish-brown. Very
variable. In some the ground-colour is light brown,
darkening towards the larger end, blotched and
spotted with a darker shade. The colour in all
varieties is, as a rule, most abundant at the
larger end. Size about 1.55 by 1.25 in. Indis-
tinguishable from the eggs of the Hobby, and

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

199

a sight of parent bird only can settle identity.
(See Plate VI.)

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Migratory, although a good many
specimens remain through the winter in the
southern and midland parts of England. Note: a
chattering kind of scream. Local and other names :
Windhover, Staengall, Stannel Hawk, Stannel
Hoverhawk, Stonegall, Creshawk, Standgale. Not
a very close sitter, according to my experience,
although some authorities say it is.

KINGFISHER.

(Alcedo ispida.)
Order PICARLE ; Family ALCEDINIM: (KINGFISHERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about seven inches.
Bill long, strong, straight, and
black except at the base of
the under mandible, where
it is orange. Irides hazel.
Crown, nape, back, wings,
rump, upper tail-coverts, and
tail dark, greenish-blue ; the
head and neck are barred
with brilliant azure blue.
The wing-coverts are spotted
with the same colour, which
is prominent on the middle of the back, rump,
and upper tail-coverts. Wing-quills dull greenish-
black, greenish-blue on the outer webs, and red-
dish-brown on the outside edges of the inner,
except at .the tips, which are dull black. From

YOUNG KINGFISHER.

200 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the base of the upper mandible to the eye, and
thence to the ear-coverts, chestnut. Chin and
throat dirty white, slightly tinged with rust colour.
Breast, belly, sides, vent, and under tail-coverts
beautiful chestnut ; duller on the last two men-
tioned parts. Legs and toes pink ; claws, brownish-
black.

The female has a shorter beak, and is slightly
duller in her plumage.

Situation and Locality. — A hole in river or
other bank, generally well hidden by some over-
hanging piece of earth, undermined by the action
of the water ; occasionally in the side of a sand-
pit, or, more rarely still, in a hole in a wall. The
hole is from one to three or four feet in length,
sloping upwards, and ends in a rounded chamber.
The bird, in some instances, excavates it, and when
such is the case the hole is said to be oval, with its
longest diameter vertical, and in others adopts the old
nest of a Sand Martin, or even a rat's hole. Common
in most suitable parts of the United Kingdom in
spite of persecution. The bird is said to be most
abundant in the neighbourhood of Oxford, and
absent from the most northern parts of Scotland.

Materials.- — Fish bones in variable quantities,
and the dry mould of the hole.

Eggs. — Five to eight, sometimes as many as ten.
Of a beautiful pink colour before being blown, on
account of the yolk showing through, but snowy-
white and glossy afterwards. Size about .9 by
•75 in.

Time] — February, March, April, May, June,
and July.

Remarks. — Resident. Note: a piercing metallic
whistle, sounding like te-et, which never fails to

KINGFISHER'S NESTING HOLE.

202

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

attract the naturalist's attention. Local or other
name : Halcyon. Sits closely, and generally be-
trays the whereabouts of its nest by the white
droppings near the entrance to the hole.

KINGFISHER WAITING FOR PREY.

KITE.

(Milvus ictinus.)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about twenty-six inches.
Beak shortish, hooked at the tip,
strong, and horn coloured. Bare skin
round the base of the beak, and
irides yellow. Head and neck light
grey, streaked with cinereous brown ;
back and wing - coverts dusky,
bordered with rusty -red. Wing-
quills dusky-black, some of the inner
ones being edged with white on the

KITE'S NEST. . ^ TT .-,

interior webs. Upper tail-coverts
rusty-red ; quills rusty-brown, barred on the inner
webs with dusky-brown. The tail is much forked.
Under-parts rusty-brown, whitish on the chin,

YOUNG KITES IN NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 203

throat, and under tail-coverts, and streaked with
dusky-brown, except on the last-named part. Legs
and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is somewhat larger, and is said to be
greyer about the head and redder beneath the body.
However, some ornithologists say that she is less
red than the male.

Situation and Locality.* — In the forked branch
of a tree, or on several branches close to the trunk,
at varying heights, in certain parts of Wales, which
must remain nameless on account of the shameful
persecution to which this struggling species is sub-
jected by men who unfortunately attach more
importance to a few faded eggshells in a cabinet
than they do to seeing this noble bird gliding
along its native mountain sides on outstretched
wings.

Materials. — Sticks and twigs are used liberally
for the outsides, and the foundation is lined with
moss, wool, grass, and any rubbish the bird can
pick up, such as bits of paper and rags.

Eggs. — Two to four, generally three. Greyish
dirty white, spotted, blotched, and streaked with dull
red and brownish-yellow, with underlying markings
of greyish-lilac. The markings are generally most
numerous at the larger end. Subject to consider-
able variation. Size about 2.25 by 1.75 in. (See
Plate VII.)

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Resident. Note: a shrill shriek,
known in some localities as a " whew." Local
and other names : Glead, Fork-tailed Kite,
Fork-tailed Glead, Gled or Greedy Gled, Put-
tock, Crotchet-tailed Puttock, Glade. Sits pretty
closely, and it is said will defend its nest when

204 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

in danger of having it robbed; but my experience
whilst photographing nests containing young leads
me to doubt the accuracy of this statement.

ANCIENT HOME OF KITE.

KITTIWAKE. Also KITTIWAKE GULL.

(Rz'ssa tridactyla.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about fifteen and a half
inches. Bill of medium length,
slightly curved downward, and
greenish-yellow in colour. Irides
dusky -brown. Head and neck
white ; back and wings pale grey,
the longest quills of the latter
tipped with black. Tail-coverts
and quills white. Chin, throat,
breast, belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts snowy white. Legs, toes, and mem-
branes dusky. The female is similar to the male.

KITTIWAKES ON NESTS AT THE FARNE ISLANDS.

206

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — In crevices and on
ledges of rock, at various heights above the sea.
It will be noticed in the full-page picture that some
of the ledges are so small in area that the birds have
to sit in peculiarly uncomfortable positions in order
to cover their eggs. Colonies inhabit a great number
of suitable breeding-places round our coasts.

AMIDST THE FLASHING AND FEATHERY FOAM."

Materials. — Heath, dry seaweed, and dead grass,
somewhat carelessly arranged.

Eggs. — Two to four. Some authorities say that
two is the most general number ; others three,
an opinion which experience leads me to favour.
Ground-colour varies from stone-yellow to buffish-
brown, sometimes shaded with blue, blotched and
spotted thickly with ash-grey, light brown, reddish-
or umber-brown. Very variable, both in ground-
colour and markings. Size about 2.15 by 1.6 in.
The size of the eggs, their large markings, and the
situation of the nest prevent confusion with those
of any other gull. (See Plate X.)

Time. — May and June.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 207

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement. Notes : kitt-aa, kitti-aa, which sound
like " get away, get away/' or " Kittiwake, Kitti-
wake." Local and other names : Tarrock, Annet,
Hacklet, or Hacket Gull, Waeg, Mackerel Bird.
Gregarious, and a close sitter.

LANDRAIL. See CRAKE, CORN.

LAPWING. Also PEEWIT.

( Vanellus vulgaris.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family CHARADRIID.E (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about twelve inches.
Beak somewhat short, straight,
and black. Irides hazel. Fore-
head, crown, and long, narrow,
upturned crest black, glossed
with green. From the base of
the beak a dirty white line
passes over the eye and round
under the crest. A streak of
LAPWING ON HER black runs under the eye and
round to the nape of the

neck, which is brown, mixed with white. Back
and wing-coverts and scapulars brownish-green,
glossed with purple and blue. Primaries black,
with white spots at the ends of the first three
or four ; secondaries white on the basal half. Upper
tail-coverts reddish-chestnut. Basal half of tail
white ; lower half black. Chin, throat, and upper
half of breast black ; lower half of breast, belly, and

208 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

vent white ; under tail-coverts pale rust colour.
Legs and toes dull fleshy pink ; claws black.

The female has the crest much shorter, is less
bright in her colour, has whitish mark in black
part of breast, and has a hoarser note.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground in rough
pasture-land, marshes, fallow fields, and other suit-
able places throughout the British Isles. Although
considerable flocks may be seen up and down the
country in the winter time, there can be little doubt
but that the species is diminishing in numbers
owing to the collection of its eggs for table use.
During the last few years I have seen old birds
flocked in June, proving that from one cause or
another they have been unable to rear young ones
for that season.

Materials. — A few bits of dry grass, rushes, or
moss, used as a lining to the depression in which
the eggs are laid.

Eggs. — Four, although five have been reported.
The latter number must be very rare, for I have
found a great many nests, but never once saw
more than four ; and I know several gamekeepers
who collect eggs for table use every spring, and
they do not recollect ever meeting with a nest
containing more, although my friend Mr. Bentham,
of Oxted, found a nest near Redhill a year or two
ago with five eggs in it. I have on several
occasions found birds sitting hard upon only three
eggs, and it is said that in such cases they frequently
add a small stone or hard clod of earth to fill up
the nest. Dirty olive-green, blotched and spotted
all over with blackish-brown. Sometimes the
ground-colour is light buff or bufnsh-brown, of
various shades. The markings are generally most

LAPWING'S NEST AND EGGS.

210

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

numerous round the larger end. Size about 1.85
by 1.35 in. (See Plate VII.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, though subject to southern
movement in winter. Notes : peewit, the first
syllable long-drawn when used as a call-note, and
short when the bird is alarmed. Spring call-note :
will-o-wit pee-weet. Local and other names : Pee-
wit, Green Plover, Peeweep, Tufit, Crested Lap-
wing. Sits lightly. A great deal has been written by
some observers to prove that the bird rises straight
off its eggs, and by others that it runs for some
distance before taking wing. My own experience
has been that the bird is exceedingly quick of eye
and ear, and if the intruder be discovered at some
distance the bird runs before rising ; but if sud-
denly alarmed at close quarters it will rise straight
off its nest. A good way to find the Lapwing's eggs
is to creep very quietly up behind the wall or hedge
of a field or pasture in which the birds are known to
breed, and then show oneself suddenly, and mark
where the birds rise from.

NEWLY HATCHED LAPWING AND EGGS

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

211

LARK, SKY. See SKYLARK.

LARK, WOOD. See WOODLARK.

LINNET.

(Linota cannabina.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^E (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about five and a half
inches. Bill short, broad at
the base, sharp-pointed, and
bluish-grey in colour. Irides
hazel. The plumage is subject
to great variation. Forepart
and top of head brownish-red;
rest of head, back, and sides of
neck brownish-grey ; back and
upper wing-coverts deep rufous-
brown ; wing - quills dusky,
edged with white ; upper tail-coverts dark brown ;
tail-quills brownish-black, edged with white, except
the two centre feathers. Chin and throat and
under-parts dirty reddish-brown, the red being
brightest on the breast and very variable in its
intensity, some having very little of it present.
Legs, toes, and claws brown.

The female is a trifle smaller, lacks the red on the
top of the head and breast, the feathers on her
head, neck, back, and rump being dark brown, edged
with a paler tint of the same colour ; her under-
parts are dull yellowish-brown, streaked with dark
brown. She is said to have less white on the wing-
quills.

LINNET.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 213

Situation and Locality. — White and black thorn
bushes, furze bushes, heath, juniper bushes, amongst
tall heather. It is sometimes situated ten or twelve
feet from the ground, and at others even on the
ground, as represented in our first illustration.
The nest is met with on furze-clad sides of hills,
commons, and rough uncultivated lands covered
with heather, furze, and ling, throughout the British
Isles.

Materials.* — A few small twigs, fibrous roots,
dry grass-stems, moss, and wool, with an inner
lining of hair and feathers, sometimes with rabbit
or vegetable down.

Eggs. — Four to six, greyish-white, slightly tinged
with blue or green, speckled, and spotted with
purple, red, and reddish-brown ; the spots are
generally most numerous round the larger end of
the egg. They closely resemble those of several
other birds, such as the Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and
Twite, and can only be distinguished with certainty
by watching the parent birds on to or off their nests.
Average measurement about .72 by .52 in. (See
Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, and June, sometimes as late
as July, and even August.

Remarks. — Migratory in bulk, but resident in
small numbers. Notes : song, soft and low, mixed
with some sweet and shrill notes. Local and other
names : Brown Linnet, Common Linnet, Grey
Linnet (a name referring to the young bird before
the first moult), Whin Linnet, Red-breasted Linnet,
Rose Linnet, Greater Redpole, Red Linnet, Linnet
Finch, Red-headed Finch, Lintie, Linwhite. Sits
closely.

214

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

LINNET, MOUNTAIN. See TWITE.

MALLARD. See DUCK, WILD.

MAGPIE.

(Pica rustic a.)
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID.E (CROWS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
eighteen inches, more
than half of which is
accounted for by the
bird's abnormally long
tail. Bill of medium
length, slightly curved
downward, and black.
Irides hazel. Head, neck,
back, wings, tail-coverts
and quills black, glossed
with green, purple, and
light upon them. The
the inner webs of some
of the primaries, are white. The tail is very much
wedge-shaped. Chin, throat, and upper breast
black ; lower breast, belly, and sides white ; thighs
and under tail-coverts black. Legs, toes, and claws
black.

The female is not quite so large, nor is her
plumage so brilliant as in the case of the male.

Situation and Locality. — In trees and thorn
bushes at varying heights from the ground. In-
stances are on record of the bird having made its

MAGPIE'S NEST AND EGGS.

blue, according to
scapulars, and part

the
of

MAGPIE'S NEST.

216 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

nest even in a gooseberry bush. It is sometimes
partial to situations near the habitations of man,
and a small clump of trees or thorn bushes will suit
its purpose quite as well as a big wood or planta-
tion, apparently, for I have as often found it in
one as the other. Pretty generally over the British
Isles, except Orkneys, Shetlands, and Outer Hebrides.
A decreasing species, the diminution of its numbers
being connected with its aptitude for devouring
other birds' eggs and the consequent attention of
the gamekeeper.

Materials. — Dead thorn-sticks, brambles, and
twigs interlaced ; those forming the foundation of
the nest are firmly plastered together with liberal
quantities of clay and mud. The nest is bulky,
domed, and spherical, with a hole on the side and
near the top. It is lined internally with fibrous
roots, and is such a substantial affair that I once
saw a gamekeeper shoot at one from the foot of a
fir tree some fifty feet in height without breaking
one of the six eggs inside.

Eggs. — Six to eight or nine, the first number being
the most general. Dirty bluish-green, or yellowish-
brown, spotted, freckled, and blotched all over
with grey and greenish-brown. Size about 1.35 by
.95 in. (See Plate I.)

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes, chattering. Local
and other names : Pyet, Madge, Mag, Maggie,
Pianet, Hagister. I have known the bird sometimes
sit closely when not far advanced in incubation,
and at others lightly ; something, I am inclined to
think, depending upon the height of the nest from
the ground.

3TAJ3

• • •- .-.-•• ...

.•-•• 4Rwa\tvt Hi—

PLATE 7.

LAPWING GOLDEN PLOVER.

(Seep. 210.) (.See p. 292.)

RINGED PLOVER. KENTISH PLOVER. COMMON DOTTEREL.

(Sec p. 298.) (See p. 395.) (See p. 76.)

KITE. COMMON BUZZARD.

(Seep. ao>) (Seep, w.)

nes: Pvet, Madge, Mac,

NOTE. — In referring to the eggs the above names should behead from left to right.

PLATE 7.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 217

MARTIN. Also MARTIN, HOUSE.

(Chelidon uroica.)
Order PASSERES ; Family HIRUNDINIDJE (SWALLOWS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five
and a quarter inches. Bill short, flat, and wide
at the base, and black. Irides brown. Crown,
nape, and sides of the head, back, and wing-coverts,
dark steely-blue. Wing-quills dull black ; rump
and upper tail-coverts white ; tail-quills dull black.
The tail is forked, but so much less so than that
of the Swallow that, apart from any difference of
coloration, it easily distinguishes the bird. Chin,
throat, breast, belly, and under-parts generally,
white. Legs and toes short, and almost hidden by
a profusion of fine, soft, white feathers. Claws grey.

The female is very similar indeed in appearance,
although her plumage is perhaps not so bright,

Situation and Locality. — Under the eaves of
houses, stables, barns, and other buildings, angles of
windows, under the projecting " through " stones
of barns ; in nooks and corners of rocks and sea
cliffs. I know a small stable in Surrey, under the
eaves of which, and principally on the side with a
south-east aspect, I have counted forty-seven occu-
pied nests several years in succession. My brother
and I went down in 1894 specially to photograph
the building, and to our great disappointment there
was not a single nest under its eaves ! The owner
informed us that it was the first time he had noticed
the absence of the Martins for twenty- five years, and
attributed it to the droughty summer of 1893
having made suitable building materials difficult to
procure, and the unbearable persecution and robbery

218

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

of the Sparrows. At the time of revising this
work (1906) the Martins have never come back
to the above-
mentioned
favourite
haunt, and
there is every
reason for be-
lieving that
the species is
decreasing all

HOUSE MARTIN ENTERING NEST.

over the coun-
try. General
over the British
Isles.

Materials. —
Clay or mud
made into pel-
lets and cement-
ed together until
they form a kind
of shell like the
half of a deep
basin, fixed close
up under an
eave or project-

| obiect With

an elliptical hole at the top, and generally on one side.
It is lined with bits of straw, hay, and feathers.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

219

Eggs. — Four or five, rarely six ; white and un-
spotted, the yolk giving them a slight pinky tinge
before they are blown. One or two observers have
recorded in the Field the finding of rust-red spotted
specimens ; but I have never met with a single egg
showing any inclination in this direction out of
many scores of nests examined. Size about .8 by
.52 in.

Time. — May, June, July, August, and even as
late as September.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
leaving in September and October ; although indi-
viduals are frequently reported in November and
even December. Notes : call, something like spitz,
but very difficult to represent. Local and other
names : Window Martin, Window Swallow, Eave
Swallow, Martlet. Gregarious, as a rule. Sits
closely.

MARTIN, HOUSE. See MARTIN.

MARTIN, SAND.

(Coti'le rzparla.)
Order PASSERES ; Family HIRUNDINID^: (SWALLOWS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about four and
three-quarters to five inches.
Bill short, slightly turned
down at the tip, and brown-
ish black. Irides hazel.
Head, back of neck, and
all upper parts, including
wings and tail, brownish-
black or mouse - colour.

SAND MARTIN.

220 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Throat and breast white, the latter having a
band of lightish brown running across it. Belly
and under-parts white. Legs and toes reddish-
brown. The brown tinge of the upper-parts and the
smaller size readily distinguish this bird from the
House Martin.

The female differs very slightly from the male.

Situation and Locality. — At the extremity of
a tunnel, dug by the bird's own exertions. It varies
in length from eighteen inches to three or four
feet, and generally slopes upwards from the entrance
to the little round chamber in which the nest is
situated. The gallery is about two inches in
diameter, and generally crooked. In the banks of
rivers, sand pits, railway cuttings, and lanes with
high, sandy banks. Our illustration is from a photo-
graph taken near Nutfield, Surrey, and is of double
interest — firstly, it is quite away from any water,
and secondly, every nest was taken possession of in
1894 by House Sparrows. These little birds breed
all over the country, penetrating to the distant
Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Materials. — Straw and grass stems, with an
inner lining of feathers. The whole is very loosely
put together, and I have met with specimens with no
feathers at all, and but very few straws whereon
the eggs were laid.

Eggs.- — Four or five, seldom six ; pure white
when blown. The shell is so thin and semitrans-
parent that the yolk shows through and gives the
egg a pinky tinge. Size about .7 by .48 in.

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in this country
in March and April, and leaving in September and
October. Call-notes loud and harsh, something

222 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

like share, according to Nauman, but very difficult
to represent in letters. Local and other names :
Pit Martin, Land Swallow, Bank Swallow, River
Swallow, Bank Martin. Gregarious. Sits closely.

MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED.

(Mergus serrator.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent
Birds . — Length about
twenty- two inches. Bill
rather long, sharp,
straight, and red, ex-
cept the upper part,
which is brownish.
Irides red. Head and
a little of the upper
part of the neck glossy
green, the feathers on

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER ON NEST. ,, , , , , , , _

the back of the head

being lengthened. A line of black runs from the
back of the head down behind the neck to
the upper part of the back, which is also black ;
lower part of back, rump, and upper tail-coverts
grey. Tail-quills brownish-grey. Wings a mixture
of dark brown, white and black on the upper parts ;
primaries brownish-black ; middle half of sides
of neck white ; breast rusty-red, spotted with black
on the front ; on the sides, in front of wing-points
or shoulders, are a few white feathers edged broadly
with black. Breast, belly, and under tail-coverts
white. Legs, toes, and webs deep orange, tinged
with brown ; claws black. At the latter end of

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER'S NEST AND EGGS.

224 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

May the head and neck turn from glossy green to
dull brown, and the rusty-red on the breast dis-
appears.

The female is slightly smaller ; her head, neck,
and the whole of her upper-parts are of varying
shades of brown, with two white bars on the wings.
Front of neck white, mottled with light reddish-
brown ; under-parts white. Both sexes subject to
variation of colour.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, under
bushes, banks, projecting ledges of rock ; amongst

YOUNG RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS.

heather and brambles ; occasionally in holes in
trees, in rabbit-holes, holes and crevices of rocks ;
on small islands in lakes, on the shores of lakes,
generally not far from the water. In the north
of Scotland, Orkneys, Shetlands, Hebrides, and in
Ireland. Our illustrations were procured in the
Highlands, where I have upon occasion found as
many as three nests within thirty yards of each
other on a small island.

Materials. — -Dead grass, roots, and rushes, in
scanty quantities, lined with tufts of down from

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

225

the bird's own body. These are light greyish-
brown, with pale centres and tips. Sometimes no
materials whatever except down are provided.

Eggs. — -Six or seven to eleven or twelve, olive-
grey to bumsh-grey. Size about 2.6 by 1.7 in.

Time, — End of May, June, and the beginning of

July-

Remarks. — A winter visitor ; numbers, however,
stay and breed with us. Local and other names :
Red-breasted Goose, Sheld Duck, and Spear Wigeon
(the latter two names only applied to the bird in
Ireland). A very close sitter. I have trodden upon
a bird on her nest in the heather before she would
move.

Order ACCIPITRES

MERLIN.

(Falco cesalon.)

Family FALCONIM (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about ten inches. Beak
short, much curved, and bluish-
horn colour. Bare skin round
the base of the beak yellow.
Irides dark brown. Crown
bluish-grey, marked with black
streaks along the shafts of the
feathers. Cheeks and upper
part of neck rusty-brown,
blackish streaks ; back, scapu-
lars, wing-coverts, and rump bluish-grey, each
feather having the shaft black ; wing-primaries
black. Tail-quills, like the back, barred with a
darker hue, and tipped with white. Chin and
throat nearly white ; breast, belly, sides, and thighs

MERLIN ON NEST.

marked with

226 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

rusty-red, streaked with dusky-brown ; vent and
under tail-coverts pale rust-colour. Legs and toes
yellow ; claws black.

The female is about two inches longer than the
male. The whole of her upper parts are dark liver-
brown, the feathers tipped with rusty-red and having
dusky shafts. Tail-quills, like the back, barred with
light yellowish-brown. Under parts pale brownish-
white, with broad, dusky-brown streaks.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
deep heather and ling or scattered rocks; on open
moors, heaths, and rough sheep-pastures. It is
said to be occasionally found in trees and is some-
times situated on rough heather slopes at the tops
of cliffs. In the wild moorland parts of the north
of England. Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Our
full-page illustration is from a photograph taken on
the hills between Westmorland and Yorkshire. The
nest was in deep heather on a sloping hillside, com-
manding every aspect of approach. It was evidently
a favourite site, for the gentleman who showed it
to us in 1894 said that a brood had been reared
at the same place the year before ; and I flushed
the female close to the place in 1895, but was un-
able to find her nest. He showed us three knolls,
each about fifty yards from the nesting site, upon
which the old birds plucked the prey before taking
it to their young. They brought Moor Poults
(young Grouse), Green Plovers, Meadow Pipits,
mice, and young Snipe.

Materials. — A few twigs or sprigs of heather,
grass, or moss, generally next to nothing. The
one photographed was in a very slight depression,
and contained only a few dead heather sprouts.

Eggs. — Three to six, generally four or five,

MERLIN'S NEST AND EGGS.

228 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

creamy -white, so thickly covered with spots,
blotches, or clouds of dark reddish-brown, as to
almost completely hide the ground-colour. Some-
times the markings consist of small dots closely
and thickly scattered over the whole surface, and
in these the ground-colour becomes more apparent.
Only distinguishable from those of the Hobby and
Kestrel by the situation of the nest. Size about
1.6 by 1.2 in. (See Plate V.)

Time, — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to a southern
migration in October. Notes : a shrill, chattering
cry. Local and other names : Blue Hawk, Stone
Falcon. Sits lightly, in some cases, but closely in
others. The bird figuring in the initial cut to
this article was so bold that I could not frighten
her off her eggs until I crawled from my hiding
tent only a few feet away. This our smal]est
member of the Falcon family is an exceedingly
plucky little bird, but unfortunately its numbers
have to be kept down on grouse moors on
account of the damage it does amongst the
young birds.

YOUNG MERLINS IN THE NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

229

MOORHEN. Also WATERHEN.

(Gallinula chloropus.}
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID^: (RAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about thirteen inches.
Bill of medium length, nearly
straight, greenish-yellow at the
tip, and red at the base and
for some distance up the naked
forehead, where the coot is
white. Irides reddish - hazel.
Head and neck dark bluish-
grey. Back, wings, rump, and
upper side of tail dark olive-
brown. Breast and sides dark bluish-grey ; belly
and vent grey ; flanks streaked with white. Under
tail-coverts white. Legs and feet greenish-yellow ;
claws rather long and brown. Above the knee

MOORHEN ON ICE.

MOORHEN'S NEST AND EGGS.

230

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

is a broad garter of red. The female is rather
larger, and brighter in the coloration of her
plumage, than the male.

Situation and Locality. — Generally on the ground,
amongst flags, rushes, reeds, low bushes growing

from the
water ; reeds
and coarse
aquatic plants
growing in
and on the
banks of
rivers, small
streams, can-
als, p o n ds ,
lakes, and
reservoirs. I
have, how-
ever, met
with it at
considerable
heights above
the water,
amongst rub-
bish left by
an abnor-
mally high flood in a tree. Common through-
out England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

Materials. — Flags, reeds, rushes, and grass.
Generally in small quantities where the situation
is dry, but often in a fair-sized matted mass where
its base is in the water.

Eggs. — • Seven to ten. Bufftsh-white or rusty-
buff, spotted and speckled with reddish-brown
of various shades. The markings are not very

MOORHENS NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 231

large, or profusely distributed. Size about 1.7 by
1.2 in. (See Plate XIV.)

Time.— March, April, May, June, July, and
sometimes even as late as August.

Remarks. — Resident, and partially migratory.
Notes: Call, crek-rek-rek. Local and other names:
Water Hen, Marsh Hen, Moat Hen, Gallinule.
Not a very close sitter, slipping quietly off the
nest and instantly hiding on the approach of any
intruder. The eggs may be distinguished from
those of the Coot by their smaller size and larger
markings.

NIGHTINGALE.

(Daulias luscinia.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^: (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
six inches. Bill of me-
dium length, nearly
straight, and brown.
Irides hazel. Head and
upper parts of body
uniform tawny - brown .
W ing- and t ail - quills
brown, edged with rust-
colour. Chin, throat,
and all under - parts
greyish-white, tinged with brown on the breast, and
reddish on the under tail-coverts. Legs, toes, and
claws brown.

The female is rather smaller in size, but other-
wise closely resembles the male.

Situation and Locality. — In natural declivities on

NIGHTINGALE.

232 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the ground, on little banks at the foot of trees,
amongst exposed roots at the bottom of hedgerows,
under the shelter of ferns or weeds. I have known
one at some little height from the ground, amongst
the dead weeds, twigs, and leaves that had been
built up round the trunk of a tree for the purpose
of hiding a gunner in pursuit of Wood Pigeons. In
woods, groves, small shady copses, plantations,
quiet gardens, and commons with clumps of hazel
briars and brambles growing thereon. It is pecu-
liarly limited in its habitat, as a rule going no
farther north than Ripon in Yorkshire, and no
farther west than the Valley of the Exe, although
individuals have been met with beyond these limits,
and there is reason to believe it is extending its range.

Materials. — Dry grass-stalks, leaves, moss, bits
of bark and fibrous roots, lined inside with fine grass
and horsehair.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five. Uniform
olive-brown or olive-green. Specimens have been
met with occasionally of a greenish-blue colour,
minus any reddish-brown, which colour upon the
greenish-blue produces olive-brown. Sometimes the
brown is disposed in a kind of cap at one or other
of the ends of the egg, or in streaks. Size about
.85 by .6 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and leav-
ing in August. Notes : Call, purr, purr, and some-
thing like wheet / Bechstein rendering it wiU, krry
and adding that it has a note of enjoyment repre-
sented by a deep tack. Its song is uttered both by
day and night, and is ravishingly sweet and melo-
dious. Local or other name : Philomel. Sits
closely, and slips away without demonstration.

NIGHTINGALE'S NE3T AND EGGS.

234 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

NIGHTJAR. Also GOATSUCKER.

(Caprimulgus europceus.)
Order PICARLE ; Family CAPRIMULGID^: (GOATSUCKERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — •
Length about ten and a half
inches. Bill very short, upper
mandible slightly turned down-
ward, flexible, and dusky black.
The gape is very wide, and furn-
ished on the upper side with a
number of stiff bristles. The
YOUNG N,GHTJARS. pl™iage on the upper part of the
body consists of a beautifully
diversified mixture of brown, black, rusty -red,
and white, spotted, and sprinkled with grey. The
under-parts greyish and rusty-brown, barred and
freckled with dark brown. There are a few white
markings round the throat. On the three first
quill-feathers of the wings is an oval white
spot, also on the two outside feathers of the tail.
Legs short, rough, scaly, and feathered to below
the knee. Middle toe considerably longer than
the rest, and the claw upon it is serrated on one
side ; all orange-brown. The female is somewhat
darker, and lacks the white markings on wings
and tail.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground beneath
furze bushes, brackens, heather, or quite in the
open on commons, heaths, open bramble-covered
woods and copses in nearly all suitable districts
throughout the British Isles, but not very numer-
ous anywhere. I have met with it most frequently
in the southern and eastern counties of England.

NIGHTJAR'S EGGS

236 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials.- — None, the eggs being laid on the
bare ground.

Eggs - — Two ; ground - colour white, greyish-
white, or creamy-white, clouded, blotched, marbled,
or veined with dark brown, and underlying tints of
bluish lead- colour. They are subject to great varia-
tion, and often closely resemble flint pebbles one may
pick up on the beach with chalk adhering to them ;
in fact, I have on more than one occasion been de-
ceived by one of these pebbles lying under a furze
bush. Size about 1.25 by .87 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in September or October. Notes: jar-
r-r-r-r-r and dee, dee, said to be uttered on taking
flight. Local and other names : Goatsucker, Dor-
hawk, Fen Owl, Nighthawk, Wheelbird, Jar Owl,
Churn Owl, Goat Owl. Sits very closely, trusting
to the wonderful harmony of her plumage with sur-
rounding objects. When at roost in trees it generally
perches along and not across a branch, thus consider-
ably enhancing its chances of escaping detection.

NIGHTJAR COVERING YOUNG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

237

NUTHATCH.

NUTHATCH.

(Sitta ccesza.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SITTID^ (NUTHATCHES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
six inches ; bill moder-
ately long, strong,
nearly straight, sharp
at the tip, and bluish-
black, except at the
base of the lower mand-
ible, where it is whit-
ish. I rides hazel. Crown
and all upper parts of
body, including wing-
coverts and part of tail, bluish slate-grey. Wing-
quills dusky, margined on the outer webs with blue.
Tail-quills, excepting those mentioned above, black,
tipped with grey, and marked on either side with
white. A black streak passes from the base of the bill
to each eye, and thence down the side of the neck.
Sides of head and chin white ; throat, breast, and
belly buff ; sides and thighs dark rust-colour or chest-
nut ; vent white, marked with rust-colour. Legs,
toes, and claws light brown, inclining to yellowish.
The female is lighter coloured on her under-parts.
Situation and Locality. — -In a hole in the trunk
or strong branch of a tree, old stumps, and oc-
casionally in a hay rick or wall ; at varying depths
of from three or four to twelve or fifteen inches.
Breeds generally throughout England, although
most numerously in the wooded parts of the south,
eastern and midland counties of England, also

NESTING HOLE OF NUTHATCH.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 239

Wales ; rarely met with in Scotland and never in
Ireland.

Materials. — Leaves, flakes of bark, dry grass,
and sometimes chips and debris when the bird is
obliged to enlarge the situation selected. The
bird has the peculiar habit of plastering up the
approach to its nest with clay if there be more room
than is necessary for its admission.

Egg8- — Five to eight or nine ; pure white, spotted
with reddish-brown ; sometimes blotched, the mark-
ings varying in distribution. If care is not exer-
cised the eggs are likely to be mistaken for those of
the Great Titmouse, but the character of the nest
will readily settle the point. Size about .8 by .57 in.
(See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes: call, whit, whit,
whit ; sometimes represented as twi-twit, twi-twit.
Local and other names : Woodcracker, Nut jobber,
Jarbird, Nuthack, Mudstopper. Sits very closely,
and hisses like a snake when disturbed.

ORIOLE, GOLDEN.

( Ortolus galbula.}
Order PASSERES ; Family ORIOLHXE (ORIOLES).

This bird, although a somewhat rare and acci-
dental visitor to our shores, has, according to some
authorities, bred in several parts of England. There
are, however, sceptics who doubt this, and adduce,
as a reason, that there is not a collector who can
boast the possession of a British-laid specimen. Be
this as it may, it is doubtful whether the bird will
ever succeed in breeding in this country, on account

240 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

of the eagerness with which the collector seeks
after the skin of the male, whose attractive colours
excite his cupidity.

OSPREY.

{Pandion haliaetus?)
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about twenty- two inches.
Beak short, much curved, and
black ; naked skin round base of
beak blue. Irides yellow. Crown
and nape whitish, streaked with
dark brown, the feathers some-
what elongated into a kind of
crest. Back and wings dark
brown, sometimes glossed with
purple, ends of the latter black.
Tail waved with two shades of brown ; chin and
throat white, shaded with light brown across the
breast ; belly, sides, thighs, and under tail-coverts
white. Legs and toes blue, claws long, strong,
much curved, and black.

The female is slightly larger, and has her head
and breast more marked with brown, according to
Mr. Seebohm ; although this difference does not
appear very noticeable, so far as my experience
goes, when studying the birds at home amidst their
natural surroundings.

Situation and Locality. — Near the top of a tree,
the summit of an inland crag, or on the highest
point of some ruin upon an island or commanding
promontory amongst the lonely lochs of the High-
lands of Scotland. It is only known to breed in

AN OSPREY AND ITS EYRIE

242

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

one or two counties (Inverness-shire, Ross-shire,
and Galloway), and I regret to state that at the
time of revising this work (1906) two of the eyries
I have known for a long time are now quite deserted.
Materials. — Sticks, twigs, turf, moss, and grass.
The structure is of a huge character, and the top
almost flat. The same site is used again and again
with the utmost regularity.

OSPREYS AT HOME ON A HIGHLAND LOCH.

Eggs. — Two to four, generally three ; very vari-
able and beautiful. The ground-colour ranges from
white to dull yellowish-white, handsomely marked
with rich reddish-brown and light brownish-grey.
Some examples are suffused with bright orange-red
or purple. The blotches and spots are sometimes
very thickly distributed, at others they form a zone
round the larger end or are irregularly scattered
over the entire surface of the egg. The eggs also
vary considerably in size. Average about 2.3 by
1.85 in. (See Plate VI.)

Time. — May and June.

- ., .\J -.

.' • fl03 03X03 '- . i

,'---.;

PLATE 8.

STONE CURLEW. RUFF.

(See/. 65.)

WOOD SANDPIPER. RED-NECKED COMMON SANDPIPER

PHALAROPE. (S«/. 339.)

. 277.)

OYSTER-CATCHER. HERON.

(S« /. 261.) (.See p. 186.)

NOTE. — In referring to the eggs the above names should be read /row left to right

PLATE 8.

'•W

I

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 243

Remarks.- — Migratory, arriving in April or May,
and departing in September and October. Notes :
kaiy kai, kai. Local and other names: Eagle
Fisher, Mullet Hawk, Fish Hawk. Sits lightly,
according to Mr. Dixon, but pretty closely accord-
ing to Mr. Seebohm. My own experience coincides
with that of the former authority.

OUZEL, RING.

(Turdus torquatus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^: (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about eleven inches.
Bill brownish-black, with a
variable amount of yellow at
the base, nearly straight, and
of medium length. Irides
hazel. Head, neck, back,
wings, rump and tail black,

YOUNG RING OUZEL. -,- -, ,-, ,. -, .., ,

slightly tinged with brown,

and margined, more or less, with grey, especi-
ally on the wings. Chin, throat, and under-
parts blackish-brown, the feathers being bordered
with grey. Across the breast is a broad, curved
band or crescent of white, edged with a brownish
tint. The legs, toes, and claws are brownish-black.

The female is browner and greyer, and the
crescent on her breast much duller and less denned.

Situation and Locality. — In clefts and on ledges
of rock, steep banks, holes in stone walls, barns,
limekilns, and sometimes quite on the ground. In
the summer of 1907 I found a nest in an isolated
holly bush in Westmorland. It was some ten to
twelve feet from the " ground. In the mountain

RING OUZEL'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 245

and moorland parts of the north and west of England,
Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The illustration on
page 244, procured in Westmorland, is a very typical
example of the situation of the nest.

Materials. — Small twigs, roots, coarse grass, moss,
and mud, with an inner lining of fine grass. It is a
very similar structure to that of the Blackbird.

Eggs. — Four or five, blue-green, freckled, and
spotted with brown. They are, as a rule, covered
with larger spots than the eggs of the Blackbird,
but upon occasion the latter will lay eggs resem-
bling them so closely that it is quite impossible to
distinguish without seeing the parent birds or
knowing something of the locality of the nest. Size
about 1.2 by .84 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — April, May, and June, generally the
last two months.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and de-
parting about the end of October. Notes : song,
desultory, plaintive, and far-sounding. Local and
other names : Rock Thrush, Ring Thrush, Rock
Ouzel, Tor Ouzel, Ring Blackbird. Sits pretty
closely, and is demonstrative when disturbed.

MALE RING OUZEL FEEDING FEMALE ON NEST.

246 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

OUZEL, WATER. See DIPPER.

OWL, BARN. Also SCREECH OWL.

(Strix flammea?)
Order STRIGES ; Family STRIGID.E (OWLS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about fourteen
inches. Beak short, much
curved at the point, and
pale grey. Irides black.
Discs round the eyes white,
with the exception of a little
patch close to the eyeball on
the inner side of each, which
is rufous. The feathers, espe-
cially on the lower outside of
each disc, are tipped with

light rusty-brown of varying shades. Crown and nape
light buff, sprinkled with grey and spotted with dark
brown and dirty white. Back, wings, and rump
buff, with a lacework of grey, on which are more
or less perpendicular lines of spots of dull black and
dirty white ; upper surface of tail-quills greyish-
buff, crossed by fine darkish-grey bars ; upper breast
white, slightly tinged with buff ; lower breast, belly,
vent, and under tail -co verts white. Legs covered
with white downy feathers, toes with short hairs ;
claws brown.

The female is distinguished by a few dark brown
spots on her sides and belly.

Situation and Locality. — In hollow trees, church
towers, barns, pigeon-cotes, crevices of rocks over-
shadowed by ivy, and old ruins ; pretty generally

HOLLOW TREE IN WHICH A PAIR OF BARN OWLS HAVE NESTED
FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

248 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

throughout the British Isles,, but scarce in the
Highlands, Orkneys, and Shetlands. I have found
more eggs and young belonging to this species in
hollow trees than any other kind of situation. Our
full-page illustration represents a hollow tree at
Shenley, in Hertfordshire, in which a pair of Barn
Owls have nested for many years.

Materials. — None usually, except the pellets of
undigested parts of small birds and mice ; how-

YOUNG BARN OWLS

ever, in some situations a few sticks or twigs and
other materials, such as straws, wool, and hair in
small quantities, are said to be used.

Eggs. — Two to six ; white, without polish or
markings of any kind. The bird commences to sit as
soon as she has laid one or two eggs, and keeps on
laying at intervals as incubation advances, so that
the young in the same nest may often be found in
various stages of development. Average size about
1.6 by 1.25 in. Their smaller size distinguishes
them from those of the Tawny Owl, and their
situation from those of both species of Horned Owls.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

249

Time. — April, May, June, and July, although
young have been found as late even as December.

Remarks. — Resident. Note: a loud screech.
Local and other names : White Owl, Hissing Owl,
Church Owl, Madge Howlet, Jinny Oolet, or Oolert,
Screech Owl, Yellow Owl. Sits closely, and is
partial to old situations.

OWL, LONG-EARED.

(Asia otus.)
Order STRIGES ; Family STRIGID.E (OWLS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
fourteen inches. Beak
short, much curved, and
dusky horn colour. Irides
orange - yellow. Facial
discs dusky brown near
the centre on the inside,
and white towards the
ends of the feathers ; the
outer sides of each disc
are pale brown, ending in
a line of darker brown.
The ears or tufts of
feathers on the head are
about an inch and a half

long, greyish-white on the inner edges, brownish-
black in the centre, and dullish yellow on the out-
side edges. Crown, between horns, a mixture of the
same colours. Nape, neck all round, and the upper
portion of the back, dull yellow, streaked, longi-
tudinally, with brownish-black. Lower back and
wings yellowish-brown, marked with greyish-white,

LONG-EARED OWL.

250 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

dark brown, and black. Upper side of tail rusty-
red, barred and speckled with dark brown ; breast
and belly greyish-white, mixed with pale brown,
and streaked and barred with dark brown. Under
tail-coverts, and feathers on legs and toes, pale
yellowish-brown ; claws same colour as beak.

The female is similar in plumage, but is some-
what larger.

Situation and Locality. — The old nest of a Crow,
Heron, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, or the disused drey
of a Squirrel, in plantations of firs, and in woods
and forests containing evergreens, sparingly in suit-
able localities throughout the United Kingdom.
In woods where none of the creatures above men-
tioned breed the Long-Eared Owl lays her eggs
upon the ground under heather, stunted firs, or
some kind of cover. It has been stated that this
species breeds in North Uist, but I do not think
this is the case. I have met with it breeding in the
Highlands, East Anglia, and the south of England.

Materials. — None.

Eggs. — Three to seven, generally four or five.
White, oval, and smooth. Size about 1.65 by 1.3
in. Not likely to be confused with those of any
other bird except Ring Dove ; but their number
and the appearance of the layer will readily settle
the point.

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — Resident, and also migratory. Note,
a deep hoot. When young ones are approached,
the old birds, ever on the watch, sometimes begin
to perform the strangest antics. Whilst in the
Highlands on one occasion I was shown the young
owls figured opposite by a gamekeeper. The parent
birds resented my attentions to their offspring, and

LONG-EARED OWLS NEST.

252 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

flying to and fro over my head smacked their wings
together over and under their bodies, and alight-
ing under a group of stunted firs, squealed like
young rabbits in the throes of death, or mewed
like cats in order to attract my attention. Local
and other names, none. Sits very closely.

YOUNG LONG-EARED OWLS.

OWL, SHORT-EARED.

(Asio accibitrinus.)
Order STRIGES ; Family STRIGID^: (OWLS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
fifteen inches. Beak short, much curved, and
blackish. Irides yellow. The radiating circle of
feathers round each eye black in the centre, and
lighter on the outer edges, mixed with reddish-
brown, black, and white, especially the last-named
colour, round the bill. On the top of the head
are two tufts of feathers about three-quarters of
an inch long, which the bird can erect or depress
at pleasure. These are blackish on the outer

SHORT-EARED OWLS NEST AND EGGS.

254

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

webs, and whitish on the inner. Crown of the
head, neck, back, and scapulars dusky, the feathers
being bordered with light rusty-brown. Wing-
coverts dusky, marked with a number of yellowish-
white spots ; primaries light rusty-brown, barred
with blackish-brown. Tail-quills pale rufous, barred
with dark brown. Under -parts buffish - white,
streaked on the breast and belly with blackish-
brown. Legs and toes feathered and pale

bufnsh-white in colour ; claws
blackish.

The female is rather larger
than the male, and is said by
some to be somewhat duller in
coloration ; however, indi-
viduals vary in this respect.
The bird is readily distinguished
from all the other members of
the Owl family by the small-
ness of its head.

Situation and Locality. — On
the ground, amongst heather,
long grass, rushes, sedge, and gorse ; on large
moors, upland heaths, fens, and marshes in Nor-
folk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and in the northern
counties of England, Wales and Scotland. It is
said to be only a winter visitor to Ireland.

Materials. — Dry grass, moss, and other bits of
dead vegetation, used sparingly to line the hollow
made or selected ; sometimes none whatever.

Eggs.- — Three to five, generally ; sometimes as
many as seven or eight. I have seen a clutch of
seven in Norfolk, but never more than five in the
Highlands. Mr. Richard Bell says that during the
great Vole plague of 1890-93 one of his shepherds

SHORT-EARED OWL
ON NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 255

found a Short-eared Owl sitting upon twelve eggs
on February 29th, 1892. The ground was covered
with snow at the time, and seventeen dead Voles
were lying upon it near the nest. This is very
early for the species to breed, and, curiously
enough, Mr. W. H. Hudson, in his " Naturalist
in La Plata/' says that during a plague of mice
in South America Short-eared Owls bred in the
middle of winter. White, and oval in form. Size
about 1.6 by 1.28 in. Easily distinguished by
nesting site.

Time.' — April and May.

Remarks. — Resident and migratory, its numbers
being swollen in winter by the arrival of more
northern breeders. Notes : a shrill cry and snap-
ping of the beak when the nest or young are in
danger. Local and other names : Woodcock Owl,
Hawk Owl, Mousehawk, Short -horned Howlet,
Horned Oolert. A close sitter. During dull days
I have frequently seen the old birds hunting for
food for their young ones, both on the Norfolk
Broads and in the Outer Hebrides.

YOUNG SHORT-EARED OWL AND EGGS.

256 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

OWL, TAWNY. Also WOOD OWL.

(Syrnium aluco.}
Order STRIGES ; Family STRIGID.E (OWLS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about fifteen inches.
Beak short, much curved, and
horn white. Irides dark brown.
The circle surrounding each eye
is greyish-white, margined by
a line of dark brown. Head,
neck, back, and wings tawny-
brown, finely marked with dark
brown and black, and mixed
with ash-grey. On the wing-

TAWNY OWL. i ,

coverts and scapulars are two
descending lines of large white spots ; the primaries
are also barred with dark brown and dull white. Tail,
two centre feathers uniform tawny-brown, rest barred
with tawny- and dusky-brown. Breast, belly, and
under parts greyish- white, streaked and mottled with
two shades of brown. Under-coverts of tail white.
Legs and toes covered with greyish-white feathers ;
claws large, much hooked, and horn white, with
black tips.

The adult female is similar in plumage, but
somewhat larger in size.

Situation and Locality:- — The favourite nesting
site is in a hole of a hollow tree, although the bird
sometimes uses clefts of rocks, holes in the walls
of stables and barns, deserted nests of Rooks,
Magpies, Crows, and Hawks ; also rabbit-burrows.
This Owl is a lover of woods, forests, and parks,
and is pretty generally scattered over England,

TAWNY OWL'S EGGS.

258

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Wales, and the south of Scotland ; rarer in the
north, and absent from Ireland. I have met
with it most numerously in Cumberland.

Materials. — None, the eggs being laid on decayed
wood, old hay, or the bird's own " castings."
Eggs. — Three or four. Pure white, smooth, and
round. Size about 1.8 by
1.52 in. Distinguishing fea-
tures, the round shape and
large size.

Time. — March, April, May,
June, July, August, Septem-
ber, October, and even later.
Remarks. — Resident. Notes:
tu - whit, to - whoo ; when
pleased the bird utters a low
kind of whistle, and when
angered snaps its beak with
considerable sound. Local
and other names : Brown Owl, Wood Owl, Jinny
Oolert, Hoot Owl, Jenny Howlet, Ivy Owl.
Comes forth at night and hoots weirdly. I have
on several occasions, however, heard it uttering
its note by day. This bird is said to stand
the light of day worse than any other mem-
ber of the Owl family, although I have seen it
abroad on dull days at noon, and even quartering a
hedgerow in weak October sunshine. I have heard
it hooting in the middle of a summer's day, when
the sun was blazing high overhead, both in West-
morland and in the Highlands of Scotland. A
close sitter.

YOUNG TAWNY OWL.

OWL, WOOD. See OWL, TAWNY.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

259

f '
OYSTER-CATCHER.

(Pfcematopus ostralegus.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family CHARADRIID.E (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about sixteen inches.
Bill long, straight, and orange-
coloured. It is shaped like a
vertical wedge, a form which
renders it eminently useful for
dislodging limpets and other
univalves from rocks. Irides
crimson. Head, neck, back,
and wings black, with the ex-

YOUNG OYSTER-CATCHER. CePtiOn °f * Whit6' br°ad> ^^

ing bar across the last. Rump
and upper half of tail white, lower half black.
There is a small patch of white under the eye.
Throat and upper part of breast black. Lower
breast and all the under-parts of the body white.
Legs and toes purple or bluish flesh colour ; claws
black. In the early spring the bird wears a white
collar or gorget on the neck, but this disappears
as the season advances.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
the shingle and sand of the sea-shore. Pretty
generally in suitable localities round our coasts,
and frequently found quite inland on the banks
of rivers and lakes. It is most numerous in Scot-
land and the surrounding isles. In the Outer
Hebrides I have known a pair of birds use the same
nest three years in succession.

Materials. — A few shells or pebbles are often
used as a kind of pavement. Sometimes a few

OYSTER-CATCHER'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 261

bents are employed, or the eggs are laid on drifted
seaweed.

Eggs. — Two to four, usually three. I have never
seen a clutch of four myself. Yellowish, stone, or
cream colour, streaked, blotched, and spotted with
dark brown and grey. Occasionally the markings
are inclined to form a zone at the larger end, but
generally they are pretty evenly distributed over
the shell. Size about 2.2 by 1.5 in. (See Plate VIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : a clamorous chat-
tering when the nest is approached. Local and
other names : Sea Pie, Olive, Mussel Picker, Pienet,
Tirma, Sea Piet, Trillichan, Chaldrick, Scolder,
Sheldraker or Skelderdrake. Sits lightly, and gener-
ally has intimation of the approach of an intruder
given by the male, which also assists in work of
incubation, as I have proved by watching the birds
take turn and turn about on the eggs from a stone
hiding house built within ten feet of a nest in the
Outer Hebrides.

OYSTER-CATCHER AND NEST.

262 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

PARTRIDGE, COMMON.

(Perdix cinerea.)
Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID^: (PHEASANTS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
twelve and a half or
thirteen inches. Beak
short, curved downwards,
and bluish-grey. Irides
hazel. Forehead and
cheeks bright rust-colour ;
behind the eye is a patch
of naked red skin ; crown,

COMMON PARTR.DGE. ^^ Qf ^ ^^ ^

shoulders, cinereous-brown ; lower back and wing-
coverts mottled with two shades of reddish-
brown on a pale buff ground, the central line
of each feather being pale buff, unmarked.
Wing-quills brown, barred with pale buff. Tail-
coverts and two centre quills brown, barred with
rusty-red, remaining tail-feathers rusty-red ; chin
and throat bright rust-colour ; neck, breast, and
sides bluish-grey, freckled with a darker tinge of
the same colour, marked on the breast with a
horseshoe of rich bay, and barred on the sides with
the same colour ; under tail-coverts pale rusty-
brown. Legs and toes bluish-grey ; claws black.
The female is a trifle smaller than the male,
and the rust-colour on her head is neither so exten-
sive nor so bright, and the lesser and medium
wing-coverts and scapulars are marked with buff
cross-bars, a feminine distinction first observed by
Mr. Ogilvie Grant.

COMMON PARTRIDGE'S NEST AND EGGS.

264 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground at the
bottom of a hedge, amongst mowing grass, clover,
standing corn, weeds, brackens, rough grass, and
brambles. In ploughed fields, pasture lands, on
the outskirts of woods, and in grass - fields.
Plentiful in cultivated districts, where preserved,
but less numerous in high moorland districts,
from which I have known the bird banished for
years together by an exceptionally hard winter.
In all suitable districts throughout the British Isles.
Sometimes curious sites are chosen by this bird
for its nest, such as on the thatch of a shed ; and
Booth mentions finding a Linnet's nest in the side
of a stack, and that of a Partridge on the thatch
of another close to it. I have known instances of
the Common Partridge and Red-legged species
laying in the same nest, also of a Red Grouse and
Common Partridge joining in one.

Materials. — A few blades of dry grass, bits of
bracken or dead leaves, used as a lining to the slight
hollow selected.

Eggs.1 — Ten to sixteen or twenty ; as many even
as thirty-three have been recorded, but such a
large number is undoubtedly the production of two
hens. Pale olive-brown or greenish-yellow, un-
spotted. Size about 1.4 by i.i in. Easily distin-
guished from those of the Red-legged Partridge by
smaller size, colour, and lack of spots. (See Plate XV.)

Time. — May and June, although nests containing
fourteen eggs have been found as early as April
i8th ; and I have seen sitting hens have their
heads cut off in grass-fields by the mower's scythe
as late as the middle of July.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : turwit (call) ;
j jick (alarm). Local or other name : none.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

265

Sits very closely, and is of very uneven temper.
Some individuals will suffer a great amount of
intrusion, and others will forsake their eggs upon
the slightest molestation. I have known a bird
with twenty-four eggs trodden upon whilst sitting,
andjalthough five of her treasures were broken she
came back and sat on the remainder.

COMMON PARTRIDGE ON NEST.

PARTRIDGE, RED-LEGGED.

(Caccabis rufa.)
Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID.E (PHEASANTS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about thirteen inches
and a half. Bill short, curved
downwards, and red. Irides
red. Crown bright chestnut ;
back of neck, back, rump,
wing and tail-coverts, brownish ;
wing-quills darker and tipped
with light yellowish-brown; tail-

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE ON
NEST UNDER PLANT POT.

266 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

quills chestnut and greyish-brown. A black streak
runs from the nostrils to the eyes, then turns down-
wards, making a collar of black from which spots
and streaks of the same colour extend towards the
upper part of the breast. Breast pearly grey ; belly,
vent, and under tail-coverts fawn colour ; sides and
flanks transversely variegated with crescent-shaped
marks of black, white, pearly-grey, and fawn colour.
Legs and toes red, claws brown.

The female is not so large or bright and distinc-
tive in coloration, and lacks the rounded knob
which takes the place of a spur on the leg of the
male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground at the
bottom of hedgerows, amongst tall grass and other
herbage in corn, clover, and grass fields ; occasion-
ally it is said to select the thatch of a hayrick.
In cultivated and uncultivated districts, such as
commons and waste lands and heaths, more or
less in all parts of England, but most plentifully
in the southern and midland counties.

Materials. — Dry grass and dead leaves, used as
a lining to the hollow selected.

Eggs. — Ten to eighteen ; yellowish-brown or
creamy-grey in ground-colour, spotted and speckled
with reddish or cinnamon-brown. The spots vary
in size and number, and the shell is coarse, pitted,
and very strong. Average size about 1.55 by 1.2 in.
(See Plate XV.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. It was introduced into
this country about two hundred years ago, but has
never gained a footing either in Scotland or Ireland.
Notes said to resemble cockileke. They sound to
me more like dick-to-cher, and by reproducing these

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE'S NEST WITH TWO PHEASANTS EGGS IN IT.

268

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

sounds with a clay tobacco pipe I can call the
birds to me. Local and other names : French-
man, French Partridge, Guernsey Partridge. A
close sitter.

PEEWIT. See LAPWING.

PETREL, FULMAR.

(Fulmarus glaciahs.)
Order TUBINARES ; Family PROCELLARIID^E (PETRELS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
nineteen inches. Beak
of medium length,
large, strong, nearly
straight, with excep-
tion of the upper
mandible, which is
much curved down-
wards near the tip.
It is of a yellowish
colour, with a greenish
tinge round the nos-
trils. Irides dark brown. Head and the whole
of the neck white ; back and wings French grey,
except quills, which are darker ; upper tail-coverts
and tail-quills French grey ; breast, belly, and
under-parts white. Legs, toes, and webs pale grey.
Many specimens are of an ash-grey or ash-brown
tint all over, somewhat darker on the back and
wings.

The female is similar to the male.

Situation and Locality. — On turf-covered shelves

FULMAR PETREL.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

269

and ledges ; also in crevices of high, inaccessible
rocks on all the islands of the St. Kilda group,
where the species breeds in great numbers. The
bird has also established itself in the Shetland
Islands within the last quarter of a century, and
on the Island of Handa and the mainland of
Scotland, near to Thurso, quite recently.

Materials. — Dried grass and tufts of sea pink,

EGG OF FULMAR PETREL

generally nothing at all except a few chippings
of stone.

Egg. — One ; white and rough when newly laid,
but quickly becoming soiled. Average size about
2.9 by 1.98 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering. Note:
Seebohm says it is "a very silent bird/' and Mac-
gillivray, " I never observed them " (the birds at
St. Kilda) "utter any cry when flying, or even when

270 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

their nests were being robbed/ ' Local and other
names : Fulmar, Northern Fulmar, Mallemock,
Mallduck, Malmock. Gregarious, and a close sitter.

HOME OF THE FULMAR PETREL, THE DOON, ST. KILDA.

PETREL, LEACH'S FORK-TAILED.

(Oceanodroma leucorrhoa.)
Order TUBINARES ; Family PROCELLARIID^E (PETRELS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven and a quarter inches. Bill of medium length,
nearly straight, and black. Irides dark brown.
Head, neck, and back brownish-black, the two
former rather lighter in shade than the latter.
Wing-coverts reddish-brown, tinged with grey on
the edges ; quills black. Upper tail-coverts white ;
tail-quills black and slightly forked ; breast, belly,
vent, and under tail-coverts, in the middle, black.
A white streak starts from behind each thigh and
runs down the sides of the vent and under tail-
coverts. Legs, toes, webs, and claws black.

The female is like the male.

LEACH'S FORK-TAILED PETREL'S NES

o F AN D EGG,

272 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — In burrows made in
soft peat earth, under rocks, holes, fissures, and
clefts in rocks, and in holes of walls, close to the
sea ; on rocky islands, such as the St. Kilda group,
Hebrides, and some of those off the Irish coast.

Materials. — Dry grass and bits of moss, some-
times nothing whatever.

Egg. — One ; white, chalky, and speckled round
the larger end with small rust-coloured and greyish-
brown spots. Size about 1.3 by .96 in. (See
Plate XIV.)

Time. — June.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering. Notes:
pewr-wit, pewr-wit, said to be uttered by the birds
as they sit on their nests, both by night and day.
However, whilst at St. Kilda I never once heard it,
although I examined a goodly number of nesting
burrows. Local and other names : Leach's Petrel,
Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, Fork-tailed Petrel. Gre-
garious, and a very close sitter. I have on several
occasions at St. Kilda taken the bird off her egg
without protest on her part.

PETREL, STORM.

(Procellaria pelagic a.)
Order TUBINARES ; Family PROCELLARIID^: (PETRELS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill moderately long, hooked at the tip,
and black. Irides dark brown. Head, neck, back,
wings, and tail a uniform sooty-black. The outer
edges of some of the smaller feathers of the wings
and upper tail-coverts white. All the under-parts
are sooty-brown, with exception of the sides of

SITUATION OF STORM PETREL'S NEST.

+ ENTRANCE HOLE.

274 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the vent, which are white. Legs, toes, and webs
black.

The female does not differ from the male.

Situation and Locality. — In old Puffin and rabbit-
burrows, holes in cliffs, under large boulders, and
in holes in walls. In the Scilly Islands, Lundy,
at suitable places along the Welsh coast, the west-
ern and northern coasts of Scotland, and the
islands lying off them ; round the Irish coast, but
neither on the east coast of England nor Scotland.
Our illustration represents a boulder of rock under
which a Stormy Petrel had its nest on Ailsa Craig
for several years, according to an informant who
had lived for a long time upon th:s sea fowl haunted
rock, and who took a great interest in the doings
of his feathered neighbours.

Materials. — A few blades of dry grass generally,
but the egg is often laid on the bare ground.

Egg. — One. White, rough, and chalky in ap-
pearance, with small, dust-like, reddish-brown
spots in an almost indistinguishable zone round
the larger end. Size about i.i by .83 in. (See
Plate XIV.)

Time. — End of May, June, July, and even as
late as September.

Remarks. — Resident, but keeping to the open
sea, except during the breeding season, or when
driven ashore by violent storms. Notes : a warbling
chatter, sung whilst the bird is sitting on her egg.
Local and other names : Mother Carey's Chicken,
Stormy Petrel, Little Petrel, Witch, Allamotti,
Sea Swallow, Spency, Assilag, Mitty. Sits very
closely.

. .. . .

PLATE

REDSHANK. GREENSHANK.

(See p. 322.) (See p. 147.)

WOODCOCK. DUNLIN. COMMON SNIPE.

{.Seep. 498.) (See f>. 102.) (See p. 370.)

COMMON CURLEW. WHIMBREL

(.Seef. 62.) (6Vtr/. 484.)

NOTE.— /« referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 9.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 275

*£'..,.
PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED.

( Phalaropus hyperboreus.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family SCOLOPACID^: (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length from seven to eight inches.
Bill of medium length, straight,
slender, and black. Irides dark
brown. Head, hind part of neck,
back, wing-coverts, scapulars, and
tertials dark ash-grey, the last two
sets of feathers being tipped with

PHALAROPE. rusi colour- Wing -quills dusky,
some of them being tipped with
white. Rump and upper tail-coverts dusky, banded
with white ; tail-quills dusky or brownish-grey,
darkest in the centre. Chin white ; front and sides
of neck rusty-red ; upper breast grey, barred with
white ; under-parts white. Some specimens are
white from chin to vent. Legs, toes, and mem-
brane down either side of toes, green ; claws black.

The female is rather larger, more richly coloured,
and is easily distinguished from the male by reason
of the fact that she has a white spot over the eye,
whereas her mate is ornamented in the same place
with a white streak. These distinctions, although
clearly seen in our tailpiece, are rarely, if ever,
shown in drawings of this species.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in
tufts of grass, in a hollow on the top of a small
hillock ; on moors and mountains not far from the
edge of a loch or pool, in the Orkneys and
Hebrides.

I have devoted a considerable amount of time

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

277

to the study of this species, and have always been
charmed with its lively, confidential manner.

Materials. — Fine dead grass. The nest is deep,
and about the size of that of a Titlark, but not so
tidy in construction.

Eggs. — Four, ground-colour varying from olive-
green to light bufftsh-brown, spotted and blotched
with umber and blackish-brown, most thickly at the
larger end. Whan the nest has been situated close
to a muddy pool I have known the eggs so be-
smeared that the markings on them were almost
invisible. Size about i.i by .83 in. Very pyri-
form and easily distinguished by small size. (See
Plate VIII.)

Time. — June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in August. Note : Urn. Local and other
names : Red Phalarope, Half Web, Red-necked
Coot Foot, Red-necked Lobe Foot. Gregarious,
and very tame on its breeding grounds.

MALE AND FEMALE RED-NECKED PHALAROPES.

278

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

PHEASANT ON NEST.

PHEASANT.

(Fkastanits colchicus.)
Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID^E (PHEASANTS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
three feet, nearly two
of which are accounted
for by the abnormally
long tail. Beak short,
curved downwards, and
light yellowish horn col-
our, duller at the base.
Irides hazel. Round the
eye the skin is bare,
crimson, and minutely
speckled with black. The feathers of the head and
neck all round are steel-blue, with a purple-green or
brown sheen, according to the light upon them. Upper
part of back deep orange, tipped with rich black ;
lower back and scapulars made up of a mixture of
dark orange and dull brown, each feather having a
straw-coloured outer margin. Wing-coverts red, of
different shades. Quills greyish and yellowish-brown.
Rump and upper tail-coverts pale yellowish-brown.
Tail-quills brown, tinged with yellow, and trans-
versely barred with black. Breast and belly golden
red, each feather edged with rich black, glossed with
purple and gold ; vent and under tail-coverts dusky-
brown. Legs, toes, claws, and spurs brownish-
grey.

The female is about a foot shorter, and much
subdued in coloration. Her plumage is composed
principally of yellowish and dark brown.

PHEASANT'S NEST AND EGGS.

280 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
coarse, long grass, in or near hedgerow bottoms,
under bramble bushes, brackens, weeds, and scrub,
on the outskirts of woods, plantations, and coppices
all over the country where there is plenty of wood,
water, and protection. Specimens have been found
occupying a deserted squirrel's drey, in a Scotch
fir, and on the tops of stacks. I have seen them
out in bare, open fields on one or two occasions.

Materials. — A few dead leaves, dried grass-
blades, bracken, or fern-fronds.

Eggs. — Eight to thirteen ; as many, however,
as seventeen have been found in one nest under
circumstances which pointed to their having been
laid by one hen, and in other cases even as many
as twenty-six, undoubtedly the joint production of
two hens, as the bird has often been known to share
a nest, not only so far as laying was concerned,
but sitting with other hens of its own species ;
also with the Partridge, and has been known to
lay in the nests of the Red Grouse, Capercaillie,
Wood Cock, and Wild Duck. Olive-brown is the
general colour of the eggs, but specimens may be
met with of a greyish-white, tinged with green or
bluish-green. They are unspotted, but finely pitted.
Size about 1.87 by 1.4 in. (See Plate XV.)

Time. — April and May, sometimes as early as
March, and as late as September or October.

Remarks. — Naturalised, and holds its own only
by protection. There can be but little doubt that
the bird was first introduced by the Romans.
Notes : crow of male, a short, loud cackle, and the
note of the female, a shrill, piping whistle. Local
or other name : none. Sits closely and, curiously
enough, emits little or no scent at this period. In

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

281

a wild state the bird is monogamous, but in this
country, in its semi-dDmesticated condition, it is
polygamous.

YOUNG PHEASANTS FEEDING.

PINTAIL DUCK. See DUCK, PINTAIL.

PIPIT, MEADOW.

(Anthus pratensis. )
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID.E (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill of medium
length, slender, straight,
and dark brown, except at
the base of the under-
mandible, where it is of a
lighter tint. Irides hazel.
Crown, nape, back, and
upper tail-coverts dark brown, the border of
each feather being of a lighter greyish tint.

MEADOW PIPIT.

282 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Wings brownish-black, the feathers being edged
with light brown ; tail dark brown, the two
outer feathers on either side margined with
white, the rest with light brown ; chin and
throat dull white ; sides of neck and breast
pale buffish- white or yellowish-brown, with numer-
ous elongated dusky spots ; belly and under tail-
coverts dull white, tinged with brown. Legs and toes
light brown ; claws dusky, hind one long and
curved.

The female is said to be slightly smaller, thoiigh
the difference is not at all apparent ; her plumage
is similar.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground in the
shelter of a tuft of grass, heather, bit of overhanging
bank or stone. I have on several occasions seen
nests in holes in banks and amongst rocks. The
bird breeds commonly throughout the British Isles,
but most numerously in pasture land and moorland
districts, where it is more often victimised by the
Cuckoo than any other British bird.

Materials. — Bents, bits of fine dead grass and
horsehair.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five ; French grey,
sometimes tinged with pale bluish-green, thickly
covered with light or dusky-brown. The markings
are generally so thickly distributed as to hide the
ground-colour ; indeed, I have met with speci-
mens where none of it could be seen. Occasionally
eggs may be found marked with hair-lines of dusky-
black at the larger end. Size about .8 by .58 in.
Distinguished by small size and brown appearance.
(See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and occasionally as
late as July.

MEADOW PIPITS NEST AND EGGS.

284 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Remarks. — Migratory and resident, the latter
being subject to local movement. Notes : song,
short, soft, and musical ; alarm notes, trit, trit ;
call, zeeah, zeeah, zeeah. Local and other names :
Titling, Moor Tite, Titlark, Ling Bird, Teetick,
Moss Cheeper, Wekeen, Pipit Lark, Heather Lintie,
Moor Titling, Moor Tit, Meadow Lark. Sits closely,
and hovers round, uttering its note, trit, trit.

YOUNG MEADOW PIPITS.

PIPIT, ROCK.

(Anthus obscurus.}
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID^E (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
and three-quarter inches. Bill medium, nearly
straight, slender, and dirk brown, except at the
base, where it is dull orange. Irides dark brown.
A faint yellowish-white streak runs over the eye
and ear-coverts. Crown, nape, back, rump, upper
tail-coverts, and wings dull brown, slightly tinged
with green, the feathers being streaked along the
centre with a darker shade. Edges and tips of
wing-quills lighter. Tail dark brown ; outer feathers

ROCK PIPIT'S NEST AND EGGS.

286 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

on either side greyish, on the exterior webs and at
the tips. Chin and throat greyish, or dull yellow-
ish-white, the latter and sides of neck mottled and
streaked with brown. Breast dull greenish- white,
streaked and spotted with brown. Sides olive-
brown ; belly, vent, and under tail-coverts dull
yellowish-white, sparingly streaked with brown.
Legs and toes reddish-brown ; claws black.

The female is a trifle smaller, but similar in
plumage.

Situation and Locality. — On ledges and in crevices
of rock ; under an overhanging piece of stone, or
in the shelter of a tuft of grass growing on rocky
sea coasts, pretty generally round our shores, with
the exception of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and
Lincoln.

Materials. — Seaweed and dry grass of various
kinds, with an inner lining of finer grass, and occa-
sionally horsehair.

Eggs. — Four or five, grey in ground-colour,
slightly tinged with green or reddish - brown,
minutely and closely spotted and mottled with
underlying markings of grey, and surface spots of
reddish-brown, occasionally marked at the larger
end with one or two dark brown lines. The spots
are, as a rule, more numerous at the larger end.
Size about .85 by .63 in. Distinguished by large
size and locality of the nest. (See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, although numbers migrate.
Notes : call, a shrill hist or pst. Local and other
names : Shore Pipit, Rock Lark, Sea Titling,
Dusky Lark, Field Lark, Sea Lintie. Sits
closelv.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 287

7

PIPIT, TREE.

(An thus trivialis.)
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID.E (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about six and a half inches.
Bill of medium length, nearly
straight, slender, and dirk brown,
lighter on the edges and at the base.
Iridss hazel. Crown, nape, and
back dirk brown, the feathers
being bordered with lighter brown ;
wings dirkish-brown; lesser coverts
edged and tipped with greyish- white ;
greater coverts edged with pale brown ; these two
lighter colours form distinct bars across the wings.
Rump, upper tail-coverts, and quills brown, the two
outer ones on each side nearly all dirty white ; chin
and throat pale brownish-white. A brown streak
runs from the gape, slightly backward, and for
some distance downwards. Sides of neck and breast
pale buff, with streaks of brown on the former and
round spots on the latter ; belly, vent, and under
tail-coverts dirty white. Legs, toes, and claws
pale yellowish-brown.

The female is a little smaller in size, and the
spots on her breast are not so large.

This species is larger than the Meadow Pipit,
has a stronger beak, fewer and larger spots on the
breast, and the claw on the hind toe is shorter.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, con-
cealed by a tuft of grass, in hedgerow banks, on
the sloping banks of streams, hidden by a low weed-
tangled bush. The bird seems fond of the same

288 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

locality, and I know several places in Yorkshire
where pairs return to nest year after year with
the utmost regularity ; the cocks using the same
tree, often the very same branch, to start from
and return to after their short singing flight. Near
woods, plantations, and tree-fringed streams. Affects
more cultivated districts than the Meadow Pipit.
Scattered over England in suitable districts, rare
in the west and parts of Wales, more numerous in
the south of Scotland, rare in the north, and not
reported in Ireland on trustworthy authority. Our
illustrations were procured in Surrey.

Materials. — Dry grass, moss, roots, lined with finer
grass and generally, though not always, horsehair.

Egg8- — Four or five, sometimes six ; exceedingly
variable in coloration. Professor Newton regards
those of " a french-white, so closely mottled or
speckled with deep brown as almost to hide the
ground-colour," as the normal type ; whilst Morris
regards those " greyish-white in ground-colour, with
a faint tinge of purple, clouded and spotted with
purple-brown or purple-red," as the most general,
and amongst the nests I have found this type has
certainly been the most numerous. In another
type the ground-colour is yellowish-white, and the
spots rich reddish-brown. Some eggs are of a
uniform brownish-pink, rarely marked on the larger
end with hair-lines of dark brown or black. The
spots not only vary much in colour, but in size
and distribution. Size about .83 by .63 in. The
larger size of the eggs, their inclination to reddish-
brown, and locality of nest, help to distinguish them.
(See Plate III.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and

TREE PIPIT'S NEST AND EGGS

290 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

departing in September or October. Notes : a sweet,
ringing tsee, tsee, tsee, uttered pretty quickly. Local
and other names : Field Lark, Field Titling, Pipit
Lark, Tree Lark, Grasshopper Lark. Sits closely,
especially when incubation is advanced.

PLOVER, GOLDEN.

( Charadrius pluviatts.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family CHARADRIID^: (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent
Birds . — Length between
eleven and twelve inches.
Bill of medium length,
straight, and black.
Irides brownish - black.
On the forehead is a
band of white ; crown,
nape, neck, back, wing-
coverts, rump, and tail-
coverts, deep greyish-

YOUNG GOLDEN PLOVER. ., ' '£ I .

brown, the edges and tips

of the feather being marked v/ith yellow ; wing-
quills brownish-black ; tail dark brown, barred with
brownish-black and greyish-white. Chin, throat,
sides of neck, breast, and belly deep rich black,
bordered on the sides below the wings by a band
of white ; under tail-coverts white. Legs, toes,
and claws black.

The female resembles the male, but both are
subject to some little variation, depending upon
constitutional vigour.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground. I have
met with nests in short closely-cropped heather

GOLDEN PLOVER'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

that were nearly as cup-shaped as the nest of the
Chaffinch, and in which the four eggs were almost
standing on their sharp ends. Amongst fringe moss,
coarse grass, and short heather in the rough moorland
and wild boggy parts of Somerset and Devon, the
north of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

Materials. — A few pieces of dry grass, rushes,
or heather-tops, forming a lining to the hollow of
the nest.

Eggs. — Four, pear-shaped, yellowish stone or
cream colour, blotched and spotted with umber-
brown and blackish-brown. They are larger than
those of the Lapwing, not quite so pyriform, and
lack the olive tinge in their ground-colour. The
birds also nest, as a rule, on higher and wilder
ground. Size about 2.07 by 1.4 in. (See Plate VII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local and
partial migration. Notes : tlui, and taludl, taludl,
taludl, the first note being uttered with low and
melancholy deliberation and the latter hurriedly.
Local and other names : Yellow Plover, Whistling
Plover. Does not sit very closely as a rule ; how-
ever, I have known the bird do so before incubation
was far advanced, and feign a broken wing in order
to decoy the intruder away.

GOLDEN PLOVER ON NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 293

PLOVER, GREAT. See CURLEW, STONE.

PLOVER, KENTISH.

{.d&gialitis cantiana.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family CHARADRIID^: (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about seven
inches. Bill shortish, nearly straight, and black.
Irides brown. Forehead and a line running over
the eye and ear-coverts white ; middle crown black ;
back of head yellowish-brown. A black streak
commences at the base of the beak, and passing
through the eye, includes the ear-coverts ; nape
white ; back, wings, and upper tail-coverts ash-
brown, with exception of the wing-primaries, which
are dull black, edged with white on, some of the out-
side shafts ; tail-quills ash-brown towards the
base, dusky-black towards the tip, and white on the
outsides ; chin, cheeks, and sides of upper part of
neck white ; sides of lower part of neck, just in
front of the shoulder or point of the wing, black ;
breast, belly, and under-parts white. Legs, toes,
and claws dark slate-colour.

The female differs only in having the black on
the head and sides of lower neck less distinct and
covering a smaller area. This species may be dis-
tinguished from Ringed Plover by smaller size and
lighter colours.

Situation and Locality. — In a hollow of the sand
or shingle ; sometimes on dry seaweed which has
been cast up by the waves. The breeding area of
the bird is very limited indeed, and its numbers
small. In suitable places along the coast between
Hastings and Dover.

KENTISH PLOVER'S EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 295

Materials. — None, the eggs being deposited in
a slight hollow.

Eggs. — Three or four, generally the former
number ; cream, stone, or dark buff in ground-
colour, streaked, spotted, and blotched with brown-
ish-black and very dark grey. More pyriform
than those of the Lesser Tern, and distinguished
from those of the Ringed Plover by scrawl-like
character of markings. Size about 1.25 by .9 in.
(See Plate VII.)

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April or early
in May, and departing in August or the beginning
of September. Notes : call, tirr, tirr, pitt, pitt,
pwee, pwee ; alarm, a plaintive and also a sharp
whistle. Local or other name : none. In
Yarr ell's time the eggs were in great demand as
table delicacies, and dogs were trained to find
them. It is very satisfactory to be able to state
that the bird and its eggs are now enjoying the
personal protection of a paid watcher. Does not
sit closely, and runs on quitting the eggs.

KENTISH PLOVER ON EGGS.

296

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

PLOVER, NORFOLK. See CURLEW, STONE.

YOUNG RINGED PLOVERS
AND EGGS.

PLOVER, RINGED. Also RINGED DOTTEREL.

(&gialitis hiaticula. )
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family CHARADRIID.E (PLOVERS).

Description of Parent
Birds.— Length about seven
and three-quarter inches.
Beak short, straight, black
at the tip, and rich, dark
yellow towards the base.
Irides brown. Forehead
white, middle of crown
black, followed by greyish-
brown, which extends down
the back of the neck ; back
and wings greyish-brown, except the ends of the
coverts, which are tipped with white, and the
primaries, which are dusky, with some white at the
base and along the shafts. Upper tail-coverts grey-
ish-brown ; quills greyish-black in the centre, out-
side feathers white. A black patch commences at
the gape and passes under the eye, backward and
downward, to the side of the neck. A broadish
collar of white passes round the upper part of the
neck, followed by a gorget of black, which is deepest
in front. Breast and all the under-parts white.
Legs and toes orange ; claws black.

In the female the black parts of the head and
neck are not so broad or well defined.

Situation and Locality. — On the plain surface or
in a slight hollow, scraped in the sand or shingle
above high-water mark on stretches of flat, sandy

298 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

shores, also in shallow crevices of bare, flat sea-
shore rocks ; sometimes quite inland on the banks
of rivers and lakes in nearly all suitable places
throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — None generally, but sometimes a
lining of small pebbles ; and in places where a
crevice in a flat rock has been adopted I have
often met with a lining of small sea shells.

Eggs. — Four, pear-shaped, pale buff, cream, or
stone colour, spotted with smallish and pretty
evenly distributed dots of black, blackish-brown,
and bluish-grey, which distinguish them from those
of the Kentish Plover. Size about 1.4 by i.o in.
(See Plate VII.)

Time. — April, May, and June, although eggs
have been found as early as March and as late as
August.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement. Notes : alarm, pen-y-et. Local and
other names : Sand Lark, Dull Willy, Sand Lav-
erock, Ringed Dotterel, Stonehatch. Does not sit
closely. Eggs harmonise very closely with their
surroundings.

RINGED PL

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 299

POCHARD.

(Fuligula ferina.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about nine-
teen inches. Bill of medium length, depressed
near the centre, black at the tip, pale blue in the
middle, and black at the base, which is slightly
raised. Irides red. Head and upper part of neck,
all round, deep chestnut, lower part of neck, all
round, black. Back, scapulars, tertials, and wing-
coverts finely freckled with grey and dusky undu-
lating lines ; secondaries and primaries bluish-grey,
the former tipped with white and the latter ending
in dusky -brown. Rump and upper tail-coverts
dusky-black ; tail feathers dusky-brown mixed with
grey. Breast, sides, and under-parts greyish-white,
marked by minute dusky lines, darkest on the vent.
Legs, toes, and webs leaden grey.

The female differs considerably in appearance.
Her bill is black. Irides reddish-brown. Head
and upper part of neck dull greyish-brown, lightest
in front ; lower portion of neck dusky-brown. Upper-
parts darker, and under-parts dull greyish- white,
clouded with brown ; under tail-coverts dusky grey.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in tufts
of rushes, coarse grass, in osier beds ; amongst
flags and sedges growing on the shores of lakes,
broads, and tarns in the north, east, and south of
England ; also in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Our
illustrations were procured in Norfolk. The nest
was situated amongst the reeds on the right-hand
side of the picture on page 301.

Materials. — Sedges, rushes, and dry grass, with

POCHARD'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

301

an inner lining of down. The tufts are brownish-
grey with whitish centres.

Eggs. — Seven to ten, occasionally as many as
thirteen or fourteen. Pale greyish-buff or greenish-
drab. Distinguished from the Tufted Duck only
by the browner colour of the down tufts. Size
about 2.35 by 1.7 in.

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Resident and migratory, being more
numerous in winter. Notes : a low whistle, but
when alarmed or vexed, a hoarse kind of croak, like
kr kr-kr. The Pochard has been induced to breed
season by season in some parts of the country by
turning a pair of pinioned birds on to a suitable
sheet of water, and thus accustoming their de-
scendants to look upon the place as their natural
breeding haunt. Local and other names : Red-
headed Wigeon, Duncur, Red-headed Poker, Dun-
bird, Vare- headed Wigeon, Attile Duck, Blue
Poker, Great-headed Wigeon. Sits closely.

NORFOLK BREEDING HAUNT OF THE POCHARD.

302 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

PTARMIGAN.

(Lagopus muttis.)
Order GALLING ; Family TETRAONID^E (GROUSE).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length fifteen
inches . Bill short, strong,
curved downwards, and
black. Irides hazel. Over
the eye is a piece of
erectile skin of a bright
red colour. Head and
neck barred and mottled
with black, rusty-brown,

YOUNG PTARM.GAN H.D.NG.

and upper tail-coverts

pale brown or ash, mottled with small dusky spots
and bars. Wings white, the shafts of the quills
being black. Tail-quills black, tipped with white,
the two centre feathers sometimes grey ; chin white ;
throat white, mottled with brown ; breast same as
back ; belly, vent, and under tail-coverts white.
Legs and feet dull white ; claws black.

The female is a trifle smaller ; her head and
upper-parts have more red, rusty-yellow, and black,
and less grey than in the case of the male. The dark
parts on the wing-quills are broader, and her under-
parts are darker.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
heather and the short stunted vegetation growing on
the rock-strewn and bleak mountains of the High-
lands of Scotland, and some of the larger islands
of the Hebrides.

Materials. — A few bits of dead heather, dry

304 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

grass, or leaves, used as a lining to the hollow
chosen for the reception of the eggs.

Eggs. — Seven to ten or twelve, greyish-white
to pale red-brown in ground-colour, blotched and
spotted all over with very dark, rich brown. Dis-
tinguished from the eggs of the Red Grouse by
their buify ground-colour and smaller number of
markings. Size about 1.7 by i.i in. (See Plate
XV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : sometimes low,
and at others a kind of loud and prolonged croak.
Local and other names : Rock Grouse, White
Grouse, White Partridge (from the fact that the
bird turns white in winter), White Game. Sits
very closely. The nest is somewhat difficult to
find. I have seen one under the shelter of a crag
jutting from a steep hillside.

BREEDING HAUNT OF THE PTARMIGAN.

Photographed close upon Midsummer.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 305

PUFFIN.

\(Fratercula arc t lea.)
Order PYGOPODES ; Family ALCID^: (AUKS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
\ Length about twelve inches. Bill
/4m ift\ ra-ther short, and deeper than it

/m Wi is long. Both mandibles are

^P H arched from base to tip, the upper

•I one being a trifle hooked. It is
\^^fr m °f such clumsy appearance as to

Wl suggest a kind of sheath over the
real bill. It is much compressed
sideways, and furrowed trans-
versely. The basal ridge is yellow ;

PUFFIN. J ri i • i

then occurs a space of bluish-grey,
followed by four ridges, and three grooves of a rich
orange colour. There is a space of naked skin
at the gape, which is yellow. Irides grey. Cheeks
and ear-coverts dirty white ; forehead, crown,
back of head, ring round neck, back, wings, and
tail, black. Breast, belly, and vent white. Legs,
toes, and webs orange ; claws black.

The female has a slightly narrower bill.

Situation and Locality. — In burrows of varying
length, dug by the bird's own exertions, in peat
or mould, or taken from a rabbit by force; some-
times amongst fallen rocks or in crevices of cliffs.
Our full-page illustration is from a photograph taken
on the Fame Islands, where a large colony nests
yearly. I took the egg from the end of one of two
burrows having the same entrance, and placed it
in front so as to show in the picture. In walking
across the top of the island, which is covered by

306 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

a soft layer of peat, the visitor feels the earth
giving way beneath his feet at each step, so
much is it honeycombed by the birds, which scuttle
out of their burrows in all directions. Breeds at
the Fame Islands, Flamborough Head, parts of the
south coast, Solly Isles, west coast of England,
Wales, Lundy, west coast of Scotland, Hebrides,
St. Kilda in vast numbers, the north of Scotland,
and in suitable places round the Irish coast.

PUFFINS AT HOME.

Materials. — Occasionally a few bits of grass,
feathers, or roots ; often nothing whatever.

Egg. — One ; dull white or grey, marked with
a few indistinctly defined spots of pale brown and
grey, generally at the larger end. They soon
become soiled and dirty from contact with their
surroundings. Size about 2.4 by 1.67 in. (See
Plate XIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and de-
parting in August. More northern breeding birds
winter with us. Notes : o-r-r to a-r-r, according to

PUFFIN'S NESTING BURROW AND EGG.

308 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the bird's state of mind. Local and other names :
Tammy Norrie, Coulter-Neb, Sea Parrot, Tommy
Tomnoddy, Ailsa Cock, Cockandy, Lunda Bonger,
Gulderhead, Bottlenose, Pope, Marrot, Mullet. Sits
closely.

QUAIL.

( Coturnix commums.)
Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID.E (PHEASANTS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven inches. Beak rather short, strong, slightly
curved, and dusky. Irides hazel. A broadish, pale
wood-brown streak commences at the base of the
beak, and passes over the eye and ear-coverts.
The crown is also divided by a much narrower
streak of the same colour. The feathers of the
head, neck, back, rump, and tail are brown, with
lighter coloured shafts and longitudinal streaks of
wood-brown. Wing-quills dusky-brown, with small
rust-coloured bands on the outer webs. Chin and
throat white, crossed by two dark brown gorgets ;
breast pale rusty-brown with lighter shafts ; under-
parts yellowish-white ; flank-feathers pale buff in
the centre, mottled and barred on the margins
with brown. Legs, toes, and claws pale brown.

The female lacks the gorgets, and has the breast
feathers marked with dark spots on either side
of the pale shafts.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground in grow-
ing cornfields, grass and clover fields, very sparingly
throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — The slight hollow used as a nest
is scantily lined with blades of grass, trodden down,
or a few dead leaves.

.

\. hfcvt a<$ j)'

PLATE 10.

HERRING GULL.
(Seef. 169.)

BLACK-HEADED GULL. KITTIWAKE.

(See f. 160.) (See p. 206.)

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.
(.See p. 166.)

NOTE.— In re/erring to the eggs the above names should be read from lejt to right.

PLATE 10

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 309

Eggs. — Seven to twelve ; as many even as twenty
have been found, doubtless the production of two
hens. Pale yellowish-brown of varying shades,
spotted, blotched, and clouded with umber-brown
and blackish-brown. Some eggs are only spotted,
whilst others are thickly clouded with varying
shades of brown. Distinguished by small size and
character of markings. Size about i.i by .9 in.
(See Plate XV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory and resident. Notes : click-
clic-lic. Other names : none. Sits closely.

RAIL, LAND. See CRAKE, CORN.

RAIL, WATER.

(Rallus aquaticus.}
Order FULICARLE ; Family RALLID.E (RAILS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length nearly twelve inches.
Beak rather long, nearly
straight, and red. Irides hazel.
Crown, neck, back, and wing-
coverts olive- or reddish-brown,
with a deep black mark in the
middle of each feather ; wing

WATER RA.L AND NEST. and ^ primaries dusky, with

lighter margins ; chin, cheeks, throat, sides of neck,
breast, and belly, leaden-grey ; sides and flanks
deep slaty-grey, with bars of white ; vent buffish ;
under tail-coverts greyish -white. Legs and toes
reddish-brown.

The female resembles the male, although her

310 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

beak is not so long or her plumage so bright and
distinctive ; she also generally shows some white
bars, which the male lacks, on the wing-coverts.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
long grass, a clump of rushes or reeds, in thick
osier beds, swamps where alders grow, round ponds
and ditches, on the banks of slow-running rivers
and in boggy ground abounding in reeds and dense
aquatic growths. Said to nest generally through-

WATER RAIL SITTING.

out the United Kingdom, but nowhere abundant.
I have only met with it breeding in East Anglia.

Materials. — Reeds, sedge grass, and flags, in
rather liberal quantities.

Eggs. — Five to eleven, generally six or seven ;
creamy-white in ground-colour, speckled with a few
small reddish spots and underlying dots of ash-
grey. The locality of the nest and small spots
distinguish them from those of the Corn Crake.
Size about 1.4 by i.o in. (See Plate XV.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory and resident. Many of
our winter visitors retire north to breed. Notes : a

WATER RAIL'S NEST AND EGGS.

312

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

soft whit, heard after dusk ; also a harsher, grating
kind of note. Local and other names : Runner,
Skiddycock, Brook-runner, Bilcock, Velvet-runner,
Grey-skit, Oarcock. A pretty close sitter, slipping
away without demonstration.

RAVEN.

(Corvus cor ax.}
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID^E (CROWS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
^^Rt~ twenty-six inches. Beak

>p| of medium length, curved

downward towards the
^Hb*tefl£L4iu tip, stout, and black.

' ~?<*»<m 'iftt \ ' }

Irides brown and grey.
At the base of the beak
are a number of coarse
hairs pointing forward.
The plumage is a uni-
form black, glossed with
a purple and blue sheen.
Legs, toes, and claws black. The female is a little
smaller, and less glossed.

Situation and Locality. — In crevices and on
ledges of high inaccessible cliffs, either on the sea-
shore or inland. The bird sometimes nests in tall
trees, and is to be found in the wild unfrequented
parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
It is interesting to note that it bred in Caterham
Valley, not far from Croydon, some seventy years
ago, and in Epping Forest until a much later period.
Materials. — Sticks of various sizes, heather

ADULT RAVEN AT HOME.

RAVEN'S NEST.

3^4

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

stalks, or dry seaweed, with an inner lining of
grass, wool, and hair.

Eggs. — Five to seven ; greyish-green, bluish-
green, or greenish-brown, blotched, splashed, and
spotted with dark greenish or smoky brown, and
underlying markings of a lighter greyish-purple
tinge. Variable both in regard to coloration and
size, but generally distinguishable from those of the
Carrion Crow and Rook by their larger size. Average
measurement about 1.95 by 1.3 in. (See Plate I.)

Time. — February, March, and April.

Remarks. — Resident. Note: a deep hoarse
cronk, that may be heard at great distances. Local
and other names : Corbie, Corbie Crow> Great Corbie
Crow. Sits lightly, and shows a wonderful devotion
to old haunts. The central feathers in a Raven's
tail are longer than the rest, and thus serve to
identify the bird when it is sailing high overhead.

RAZORBILL.

(Alca tor da.}
Order PYGOPODES ; Family ALCID.E (AUKS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about seventeen or
eighteen inches. Bill fairly long,
straight, except towards the tip,
where it is much decurved, and
black. A white, curved line runs
across both mandibles, and a well
defined one from the top of the
bill to the eyes. The basal half
of the beak is covered with
dark brown. Crown, nape, back,

RAZORBILL.

feathers. Irides

wings, and tail black, with the exception of a narrow

RAZORBILL'S EGG.

316 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

band of white across the wings ; chin and throat dark
brown ; breast and all under-parts snowy white.
Legs, toes, and webs brownish-black ; claws black.

Female similar.

Situation and Locality. — In crevices, crannies,
under crags, and on ledges of high maritime cliffs ;
pretty generally round our coasts. One observer
says that he has found its egg in a Puffin burrow,
and another in a Cormorant's nest at the Fame
Islands. The latter is a somewhat remarkable

RAZORBILLS AT HOME.

circumstance, inasmuch as the Cormorants exclu-
sively occupy a rock there, and I have never once
seen a Razorbill breeding on the Northumbrian coast.
Our full-page illustration is from a photograph taken
on Ailsa Craig, where great numbers breed.

Materials. — None ; the egg, when laid on bare,
flat rock, is often swept off by a gust of wind.

Egg. — One ; varying from white to buffy-white,
or even reddish-brown, spotted and blotched with
large, bold, and numerous markings of greyish,
chestnut, reddish and blackish brown. Not so
pointed as that of the Guillemot, and interior of
shell greenish instead of yellowish-white, which is

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 317

the colour of all varieties of Guillemots' eggs,
except those with intense green or blue ground-
colours, when blown. Average size about 2.9 by
1-87 in. (See Plate XIV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but wandering, except
during the breeding season. Notes : a kind of
grunting noise when disturbed. Local and other
names : Black-billed Auk, Marrot, Murre, Razor-
bill Auk, Sea Crow, Bawkie, Alk or Oke, Falk ; in
Zetland, Hiogga. Gregarious, and a close sitter.

REDBREAST. See ROBIN.

REDPOLL, LESSER.

(Linota rufcsccns?)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID.E (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about four
and a quarter inches. Bill short, nearly conical,
thick at the base, and brownish horn colour. Irides
dusky-brown. Crown, to beyond the line of the
eyes, crimson red ; sides of head brown. Hinder
part of crown, nape, back, rump, and upper tail-
coverts dark brown, the feathers being bordered
with light reddish-brown, slightly mixed with grey ;
tail-coverts tinged with crimson. Wings dusky,
the feathers being edged with pale brown ; the
middle and greater coverts are tipped with light
reddish-brown, making two rather showy bars
across. Tail slightly forked and dusky, edged out-
wardly with pale brown. Chin black, throat and
breast rose-pink to vermilion ; the middle of the

3i8 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

breast, flanks, and under-parts light greyish. Sides
streaked with dull brown. Legs and toes darkish
brown ; claws nearly black.

The female is a trifle smaller, and lacks the red
on her breast and upper tail-coverts. Chin brown-
ish-black ; under-parts brownish-white, streaked
with dark brown on the breast, sides, and flanks.

Situation and Locality. — In alders, willows, elms,
firs, hawthorns, hazel and other trees and bushes,
generally pretty low down, but sometimes at a con-
siderable height. Occasionally it may be found
in a heather tuft. In shrubberies, coppices, planta-
tions, and bushes that fringe streams and ponds
in mountain districts. It has been found breeding
in nearly every county in England, but is most
numerous in the northern counties, in Wales, and in
Scotland. It breeds in Ireland most numerously in
the north.

Materials. — Fine twigs (used as a foundation),
dry grass, stalks, moss, and roots, with an inner
lining of willow down, sometimes hair and feathers.
It is cup-shaped, and, as a rule, a well made and
beautiful little structure.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five, of a very pale
bluish-green colour, spotted generally about the
larger end with orange - red, occasionally streaked
with a darker colour. There are also underlying
markings of pale greyish-brown. The black chin and
smaller size of the parent birds distinguish the nest
of this bird from those of either the Linnet or Twite.
Size about .62 by .46 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — May and June, as a rule, although nests
containing fresh eggs may sometimes be found as
late as the third week in July.

Remarks. — Resident in Scotland and the north

320 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

of England. A winter visitor further south, gener-
ally speaking, though specimens have stayed and
bred. Notes : call, peewit and kreck, kreck, hay id /
Song meagre but lively. Local and other names :
Lesser Redpoll Linnet, Lesser Red-headed Finch,
Rose Linnet. Sits very closely indeed.

REDSHANK.

(Totanus cah'dris.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family SCOLOPACID.E (SNIPES).

Description of Parent
Birds. - - Length about
eleven inches. Bill long,
straight, slender, and
dusky at the point and
reddish at the base. Irides
hazel. Crown, nape, back
and wing-coverts greyish-
brown, spotted and
streaked with black : secon-

YOUNG REDSHANK. -i ,• n • , -, n .,

danes tipped with white ;

primaries nearly black. Rump, tail-coverts, and
feathers white, the last barred with dusky black.
Over the eye is a white streak, and from the gape
to the eye a dusky-brown one. Chin, throat,
breast, and under-surface of the body greyish- white,
spotted and streaked with brownish-black. Legs
and toes red ; claws black.

The female resembles the male, but is larger.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in a
little hollow or depression, sheltered by an over-
hanging tuft of coarse grass or heather, or in the
crown of a rush-root, generally very well concealed ;

REDSHANK'S NEST AND EGGS.

REDSHANK COVERING HER YOUNG.

322

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

in fen, marsh, and boggy districts on the swampy
shores of mountain tarns and lochs ; in the eastern
and northern counties of England ; in Wales and
suitable parts of Scotland and Ireland.

Materials. — A few blades of grass or bits of
moss ; often nothing at all. The bird has a
trick of scratching out several nesting places
before finally selecting one for use.

Eggs. — Four and on very rare occasions five,

HAUNT OF REDSHANK.

much pointed at the smaller end ; ground-colour
varying from pale straw to buffish-brown, spotted
and blotched with rich dark brown, and underlying
markings of light brown and grey. Distinguished
by the buff ground-colour and bold blotches. Size
about 1.78 by 1.23 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local move-
ment. Notes : alarm, a shrill, discordant cry,
resembling took or tolk. Local and other names :
Redshank Sandpiper, Pool Snipe, Red-legged Horse-

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 323

man, Sandcock, Red-legged Sandpiper, Teuke. Sits
lightly in most instances, although I have known
individuals allow me to touch them on the nest.
When incubation has advanced, the bird resorts
to various alluring tricks to decoy the intruder away
from her eggs and is exceedingly noisy. Young
Redshanks can swim with ease and expedition.

REDSTART.

(Ruticitta phcenicurus.)

Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID.E (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about five and a quar-
ter inches. Bill of medium
length, straight, and black.
Irides hazel ; forehead white ;
crown, nape, back, scapulars,
and wing-coverts deep bluish-
grey ; wing-quills brown ; rump,
upper tail-coverts, and tail-
quills bright rusty-red, with

MALE REDSTART. ,. ' - ,, . -. -,-,

exception ol the two middle
feathers of the tail, which are brown like the wings.
Over the base of the upper mandible, chin, cheeks,
throat, and sides of the neck black. Breast bright
rust colour, belly paler, vent yellowish-white, under
the tail red. Legs, toes, and claws dark brown.

The female lacks the black and white on the
head ; has the upper-parts greyish-brown, tail duller,
and under-parts fainter.

Situation and Locality. — In holes in trees, walls,
thatches, rocks, and ruins ; occasionally in such
situations as inverted plant pots and disused pumps ;

324

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

FEMALE REDSTART.

sparingly distributed over
England, Wales, and Scot-
land, but rarely met with in
Ireland. According to my ex-
perience, it is far more numer-
ous in the dales in the north of
England and in the Welsh
valleys than anywhere else.

Materials. — Dead grass,
rootlets, and leaves, with
an inner lining of hair and
feathers.

Eggs. — Four to six, occa-
sionally eight, although I have never seen more than
seven, of a pale, bluish-green, unspotted, and polished.
Some text-books say, sometimes with a few faint

red specks, but I
have never found
a clutch of eggs
marked in any way.
Situation of nest
prevents confusion
with Hedge Spar-
row, and a sight of
parent birds distin-
guishes eggs from
those of Pied Fly-
catcher. All these
three species fre-
quently breed in the
same locality. Size
about .75 by .54 in.
(See Plate IV.)
Time. — May,

REDSTART'S NESTING PLACE. J Une, and

REDSTART'S NEST AND EGGS.

326 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
leaving in September. Notes : song, pleasing and
imitative, uttered very late in the evening and very
early in the morning while the female is sitting ;
call, represented by some authorities as chippoo,
and others as oichit. Local and other names :
Red-tail, Fire-tail, Bran-tail, Fire-flirt. Sits very
closely indeed.

RING OUZEL. See OUZEL, RING.

ROBIN. Also REDBREAST.

(Erithacus rub ecu la.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID.E (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about five and three-
quarter inches. Bill of medium
length, nearly straight, and
black ; crown, nape, back,
wings, and tail, olive-brown.
Round the base of the beak,
eyes, and upon the throat and
upper breast, orange-red, suc-
ceeding which is a narrow sPace
of bluish-grey ; the rest of the

under-parts white, tinged with brown on the sides,
flanks, and under tail-coverts. Legs, toes, and claws
reddish-brown.

The female is slightly smaller, and her colora-
tion is not quite so bright.

Situation and Locality. — I have found the nest
of the Robin in almost every conceivable situation —
holes in banks, in walls inside and outside buildings,
amongst ivy growing against walls and trees, in

ROBIN'S NEST AND EGGS.

328 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

flower pots, tea and coffee pots, old kettles, canisters,
baskets, in rabbit holes, in the sides of hayricks,
and other odd places. Common nearly everywhere
throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — -Fibrous roots and moss lined with
dead leaves and hair.

Eggs. — -Five or six, occasionally as many as
seven and even eight ; white or very light grey,
blotched and freckled with dull light red. Some-
times the spots become confluent over nearly the
entire surface of the shell, at others they are col-
lected round the larger end. Occasionally very
sparingly supplied or altogether absent. I have
met with specimens almost as distinctively
marked as those of a Great Tit. Size about .8
by .6 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — March, April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident and migratory. Some
naturalists are of opinion that the Robins which
inhabit our gardens and orchards in winter migrate
North in summer, and that their places are supplied
by more Southern members of the species. Any-
way, it is certain that the bird does migrate, from
the fact that specimens visit our lightships during
the great autumn rushes. Notes : call, sharp and
clear ; alarm, one a quick grating sound like the
running down of a broken watch spring, and another
a very monotonous, low and plaintive chee, hardly
ever uttered except when the nest is being visited
by an intruder. Song, sweet and plaintive, the
latter quality accentuated during the autumn.
Local and other names : Redbreast, Robin Red-
breast, Robinet, Bob Robin, Ruddock. Sits closely.
The male feeds the female very assiduously during
the time she is laying and sitting, and during the

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

329

latter period will sometimes feed the chicks of a
different species altogether when he has satisfied the
appetite of his mate.

ROBIN.

ROOK.

( Corvus frugilegus.}
Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID.E (CROWS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length from eighteen to twenty-
one inches. Beak large, strong,
arched towards the point, and
black. Round the base of the
bill in the adult bird the skin is
bare, rough, and light grey.
This feature readily distinguishes
it from the Carrion Crow. Irides
dark brown. The whole of the
plumage is black, glossed with

rich purple on the upper-parts. Legs, toes, and

claws black.

YOUNG ROOK.

330

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is, as a rule, smaller and less bril-
liant.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst the highest
branches of tall trees, in colonies or rookeries of
various sizes, throughout the country. I have seen
colonies of a dozen pairs of birds in an isolated
clump of ash trees away up in bleak hilly districts,

and as a contrast to
this, it may be men-
tioned that in 1847
it was computed that
Newliston Rookery,
near Edinburgh, con-
tained no less than
2,663 nests. There is
a curious tradition
prevalent in different
parts of the country
to the effect that the
birds never establish
a rookery on the pro-
perty of a Dissenter.
Rooks are very fickle
creatures. They will
breed ^season by season at some well-established
haunt, in spite of the fact that their young ones
are mercilessly slaughtered every spring, and
yet if a few dead trees are removed from a
rookery they will take umbrage and desert in a
body. Old-established rookeries are sometimes
suddenly deserted without any apparent reason
whatever. At Thurso, where I secured the picture
figuring on this page, Rooks nest quite commonly
in chimney pots, although the neighbourhood is by
no means destitute of trees.

ROOK SITTING ON HER NEST IN A

CHIMNEY POT WITH HER MATE

BESIDE HER.

^ i

\

i

±

m

CORNER OF A ROOKERY.

332 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — Sticks and twigs knitted and plas-
tered together with mud and clay, and lined with
straw, hay, or wool. The bird is often very par-
ticular about the kind of nest it constructs, and
will pull it to pieces and rebuild it several times.
It is an arrant rogue, and I have watched indivi-
duals steal each others' sticks on a good many occa-
sions. The old nests are sometimes repaired in the
autumn, and it is said eggs are occasionally laid at
that season.

Eggs. — 'Four or five, of a pale green or brownish-
green ground-colour, spotted and blotched with
greenish- or smoky -brown. Distinguished by bird's
gregarious habits. Average size about 1.68 by 1.18
in. (See Plate I.)

Time. — February, March, April, and May ; the
laying season varying according to the character
of the weather.

Remarks. — Resident, although numbers increased
by arrivals from Continent in winter. Note : craaw.
Local and other names : White-faced Crow, Craa.
Gregarious, and a fairly close sitter.

ROOK.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 333

RUFF.

(Machetes pugnax.)
Order LIMICOL^E ; Family SCOLOPACID^: (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twelve and a half inches. Bill long, straight,
rather slender, and brown. Irides dusky brown.
The bird varies very considerably in plumage, one
eminent authority having examined two hundred
specimens and only found two alike. Yarrell says :
" The head, the whole of the ruff or tippet (long
plumes growing on the head and neck, and capable
of being raised so as to form a kind of shield), and
the shoulders of a shining purple-black, transversely
barred with chestnut ; scapulars, back, lesser wing-
coverts, and some of the tertials, pale chestnut,
speckled and tipped with black ; greater wing-
coverts nearly uniform ash-brown ; quill-feathers
brownish-black, with white shafts ; rump and upper
tail-coverts white ; tail feathers ash-brown, varied
with chestnut and black ; the feathers of the breast,
below the ruff and on the sides, chestnut, tipped
with black ; belly, vent, and under tail-coverts
white, with an occasional spot of dark brown ; legs
and toes pale yellow-brown ; claws black."

The female or Reeve is about two inches less
in length, lacks the ruff or tippet altogether, and
although not differing much in other plumage, is
said to be more uniform in colour as a sex.

Situation and Locality. — In a tuft or tussock of
some kind of coarse vegetation growing in some
wet, swampy place. The bird used to breed at
several places in England, but the reclamation of
land, the requirements of gourmands, and, later, the

334 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

greed of the collector, have almost banished it
as a breeding species. It has nested during the last
year or two in Yorkshire, and occasionally attempts
to do so in Norfolk and Lincolnshire. I have seen
the Reeve on one or two occasions on the Broads.
Our illustrations were secured in Holland by my
brother during June, 1905.

Materials. — A few bits of dead grass or leaves
line the hollow in which the eggs are laid.

RUFFS AT HOME.

Eggs. — Four, varying from pale greyish-green to
olive-green or olive-brown in ground-colour, blotched
and speckled with greyish and rich liver-coloured
brown, generally most numerous on the larger end
of the egg. Somewhat similar to those of the
Redshank, though greyer and not quite so yellow
in ground-colour. Size about 1.7 by 1.22 in. (See
Plate VIII.)

Time. — 'May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May
and departing about September. Notes, kack, kick.
Local and other names : Reeve (female), Fighting

REEVE'S NEST AND EGGS.

33^

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Ruff, Shore Sandpiper, Greenwich Sandpiper, Yellow-
legged Sandpiper, Equestrian Sandpiper. Sits
closely. The males have a curious habit of meet-
ing at given places, such as that shown in our
first illustration, every morning during the pair-
ing season and dancing and fighting until they are
selected by the onlooking females as husbands.

SANDPIPER, COMMON.

( Totanus hypoleucus.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID^E (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length seven and a half inches. Bill
rather long, straight, slender, dark
brown towards the tip and lightish
brown at the base. Irides dusky
brown ; from the base of the beak a
light streak runs over the eye and
ear-coverts. Crown, back of the
neck, back, wing-coverts, and upper
tail - coverts greenish - brown, with
a line of a darker hue across and down the centre
of each feather. Wing-primaries nearly black with
dirty white patches on nearly all the inner webs,
the secondaries tipped with white. Tail -quills
greenish-brown in the centre, barred with greenish-
black, the outer webs of the two outside feathers
on either side white, barred with greenish-black.
Chin, throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts white ; sides of the neck and upper portion
of the breast duller, and streaked with dark brown

YOUNG COMMON
SANDPIPER.

COMMON SANDPIPER ON NEST.

338

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

or dull black. Legs and toes pale bluish-green ;
claws dark brown.

The female resembles the male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground ; in a
hole in a bank, under the shelter of a tuft of grass,

COMMON SANDPIPER'S NEST AND EGGS.

in a tuft of rushes ; sometimes in a slight declivity
on the bare ground, or in a patch of grass amongst
large stones on a little river island ; on the banks
of rivers, mountain streams with rough, gravelly,
and rocky banks, lakes, tarns, and reservoirs, and on
the sea shore in the extreme south-west of England
(Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset), Wales, the six
northern counties of England, Derbyshire, Cheshire,

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 339

Shropshire, and Stafford ; Scotland, and its surround-
ing islands, and Ireland. A nest of this species was
found a few years ago on the Norfolk Broads.

Materials. — Short pieces of dead rushes, some-
times dead leaves, with an inner lining of fine dry grass.

Eggs. — Four, pale straw to creamy-yellow in
ground-colour, with dark brown spots and blotches
on the surface, and underlying markings of light
brown and grey. On one occasion I found a nest
in North Uist with eggs in it which were marked
by dark broad bands of brown round the larger end.
Size about 1.5 by 1.08 in. (See Plate VIII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April, and
departing in September, although individuals may
be seen later. Notes : wheet, wheet, wheet. Local
and other names : Summer Snipe, Sand Lark, Willy
Wicket, Sand Lavrock, Spotted Sandpiper. Sitting
qualities variable, some individuals sitting closely
and others lightly, irrespective of the condition of
the eggs.

SANDPIPER, WOOD.

(Totanus glareola.)
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID.E (SNIPES).

The appearance of this bird, even as a visitor,
is neither frequent nor regular. It has been found
breeding with us in Northumberland and several
parts of Scotland, but not during very recent times,
so far as I can gather. The eggs number four, of
" a pale greenish white ground-colour, speckled and
spotted, particularly over the broad end, with
dark reddish-brown," according to Yarrell. (See
Plate VIII.)

340 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

SCOTER, BLACK. See SCOTER, COMMON.

SCOTER, COMMON. Also BLACK SCOTER.

(CEdemia m'gra.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
twenty-one inches. Bill of medium length, swollen
into a knob at the base, and flattened at the tip.
It is black, with the exception of a ridge of yellow,
which commences half an inch from the tip and
extends to the base. Irides dusky-brown. The
plumage is deep black all over, somewhat glossy
about the head and neck. Legs, toes, and webs
dusky, darkest on the last.

The female lacks the knob on the bill, and her
plumage is not nearly so deep a black in colour.

Situation and Locality. — A hollow scraped in the
ground or some natural declivity, hidden by low,
growing shrubs, sheltering heather, or rushes on
small islands, near lochs and rivers, not far from
the sea, in the most northern counties of Scotland.

Materials. — -Bits of dead heather, rushes, and
dry grass, with an inner lining of down. The
tufts are brownish-grey with pale centres, are large,
a little darker than those of the Mallard, and much
more so than those of the Goosander.

Eggs. — Six to nine, although I have known a
case of a bird with thirteen young ones, pale greyish-
buff or yellowish-white, sometimes slightly tinged
with green, smooth surfaced. Size about 2.5 by
1.78 in.

Time. — May and June. I should say from my

COMMON SCOTER'S NEST AND EGGS.

342

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

own experience far oftener the latter month than
the former.

Remarks. — A winter visitor principally. Is said
not to breed until it is two years old. Notes : call,
a grating kr-kr-kr. One authority represents the
call-note of the male as tii-tii-tii-tu y and the response
of the female as re-re-re-re-re. Local and other
names : Black Duck, Black Scoter, Black Diver.
Sits closely, and covers its eggs when leaving them
voluntarily.

SHAG.

(Phalacrocorax graculus!)
Order STEGANOPODES ; Family PELECANID^: (PELICANS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
twenty-seven inches ; bill
rather long, hooked at the
tip, and black. The gape
extends behind the line of
the eye, and the naked skin
about it is black, spotted
with chrome yellow. Irides
green. The forehead bears
a curved-forward kind of
crest, which makes its ap-
pearance early in the spring.
Head and neck, all round, rich dark green, glossed
with purple and bronze sheen ; back and wing-
coverts dark green, with a more intense margin of
the same colour round the border of each feather ;
wings and tail black ; breast, belly, and under-parts
generally the same as the head and neck ; legs,
toes, and claws black.

The female resembles the male.

SHAG.

SHAGS' NESTS AND EGGS.

344 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — Crevices, fissures, and
caves in sea cliffs ; sometimes on ledges or amongst
the boulders of the rock-strewn beaches of small
islands. Pretty generally round our coasts, where
suitable accommodation is to be found, but prin-
cipally on the west coast of Scotland, the Orkneys
and Shetlands.

Materials. — Seaweed and twigs, lined with grass,
the whole plastered and befouled with droppings

YOUNG SHAGS.

and decomposing fish. Where conditions admit,
it is a bulky structure.

Eggs. — Two to five, generally three ; pale green,
almost wholly covered by a chalky substance, which
soon becomes discoloured. The eggs resemble those
of the Cormorant closely, but are usually a trifle
smaller in size. The situation of the nest and
presence of birds readily distinguish them. Average
measurement, 2.45 by 1.5 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local move-
ment. Note : a harsh guttural croak. Local and
other names : Crested Shag, Scart, Scarf, Crested
Cormorant, Green Cormorant. Shag and Cor-

PLATE 11.

-ESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.

(See p. 172.)

COMMON GULL. RICHARDSON'S SKUA.

(See p. 16?.) (See p. 364.)

COMMON SKUA.

{.See p. 361.)

NOTE. /H referring lo the eggs the above names should be read from left tv right.

PLATE 11.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 345

morant are names frequently interchanged by
seamen and coast dwellers. Gregarious. A bold
and fairly close sitter, sometimes allowing itself
to be caught on the nest.

SHEARWATER, MANX.

(Puffinus anglorum.}
Order TUBINARES ; Family PROCELLARIHLE (PETRELS).

Description of Parent Birds. — 'Length about
fourteen inches ; bill rather long, straight, except
at the tip, where it is curved downwards, and
blackish-brown, lighter at the base. Irides hazel.
Head, nape, back, wings, and tail brownish-black ;
chin, throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts white. The sides of the neck are barred
transversely with grey and white. A patch of
brownish-black is situated behind the thigh on each
side ; legs, toes, and webs flesh-colour, tinged with
yellow.

The female is similar to the male, but slightly
smaller.

Situation and Locality. — At the end of a burrow,
generally excavated by the bird, and varying from
two to ten or twelve feet in depth, in crevices, and
under pieces of rock ; sometimes in a small hole
scratched out between two stones. In the Scilly
Islands, Wales, on the islands to the west of Scot-
land, and in suitable places off the Irish coast. It is
possible that its peculiar habit of keeping out of
sight during the day and only coming forth at night
may have conduced to some of its nesting haunts
having been overlooked. The bird is known in one
case to have been driven away from its nesting
stations by Puffins, and in another by rats.

MANX SHEARWATER'S NESTING HOLE.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 347

Materials. — Sometimes a few dead fern-fronds,
or blades of dried grass, at others nothing whatever.

Egg, — One ; pure white, smooth, and large for
the size of the layer. Size about 2.4 by 1.65 in.

Time. — 'May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to much local
movement, except during the breeding season.
Notes : a low guttural crooning, delivered in their
holes, and when they fly at night time notes that
sound like "It's your fault," "Kitty koo-roo," or
" It-y-corka" Local and other names : Shearwater
Petrel, Manx Puffin, Cuckle, Skidden, Scraib, Fac-
hach, Lyrie, Scrapire. Gregarious. A close sitter.

SHELDRAKE. Also COMMON SHELDRAKE
or BURROW DUCK.

(Tadorna contuta.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATIM: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length twenty-
four to twenty-six inches ; bill fairly long, thick
at the base, depressed in the middle, slightly
hooked at the tip, and red in colour. On the top
of the upper mandible, at the base, is a large fleshy
knob. Irides reddish - brown. Head and upper
parts of neck dark green ; lower half of neck white
all round ; upper parts of breast and back, rump,
wing, and upper tail-coverts white ; scapulars and
a portion of secondaries blackish ; outer webs of
inner secondaries rich chestnut. On the last-named
feathers is a patch of rich purple-green ; primaries
almost black ; tail-quills white, except at the tips,
where they are black ; in the middle of the lower
breast and belly the feathers are dark brown ; sides,

348 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

flanks, vents, and lower tail-coverts white ; legs,
toes, and webs flesh-colour.

The female is rather smaller and duller in colour.

Situation and Locality. — 'Rabbit burrows are
the favourite haunts of this bird, although it is said
sometimes to dig its own burrow or adopt that of
a fox or badger ; holes under rocks and ruins at
various depths, sometimes four or five feet in, at
others as many as twelve. In low sand-hills and
dunes at various suitable places on the east and
west coasts, such as Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire,
Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Lancashire,
and Cheshire ; in Wales ; on various parts of the
coast of Scotland, Orkney Islands, Hebrides, and
Ireland. Our illustration was obtained in the
Hebrides.

Materials. — Dry grass, bents, and down from
the bird's own body. The tufts are lavender-grey,
mixed with a few white ones.

Eggs. — 'Six to sixteen, generally ten to twelve ;
white, slightly tinged with cream colour. Size about
2.7 by 1.9 in. Nest distinguished by down-tufts.

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — 'Resident. Notes : male call, a deep
korr-korr ; female, a loud quack. Local and other
names : Sly Goose, Bargander, Burgander, Burrow
Duck, Skeeling Goose, Common Shieldrake, Skel-
goose. The nest is very difficult to find ; but a
good way to accomplish this is to look out for
footprints in the sand at the entrance to likely
holes, also to watch the movements of the male
during flight, and any suspected hole morning and
evening when the birds leave and enter. I have
generally been astir at three o'clock in the morning
for that purpose, and the subject of our picture

SHELDUCK'S BREEDING HOLE.

350 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

was discovered not long after that hour by the aid
of my binoculars. Sits closely.

SHELDRAKE, COMMON. See SHELDRAKE.

SHOVELLER.

{Spatula clypeata.}
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — -Length about
twenty inches. Bill rather long, narrow in the
middle, and widening towards the tip, nearly
straight, and leaden grey. Irides yellow. Head
and upper part of neck deep glossy green, lower
part of neck white. Back, in the centre, blackish-
brown, the feathers being edged with a lighter tint.
Lesser wing-coverts light blue, greater white ;
scapulars white, quills brownish-black. The specu-
lum, or glossy patch upon the wing, is green. Rump,
upper tail-coverts, and tail-feathers brownish-black.
Breast and belly chestnut ; vent white ; under tail-
coverts black. Legs, toes, and webs reddish-orange ;
claws black.

The female differs considerably from the male,
having her head and neck mottled with two shades
of brown ; the feathers on the upper surface of the
body are dark brown in the centre, bordered with
a lighter shade of the same colour. Under-parts
of the body pale brown.

Situation and Locality. — In tufts of grass, rushes,
and heath beside sluggish rivers, lakes, broads,
tarns, and swampy heaths, in favourable situations
on the eastern coast of England ; in Wales, Scot-
land and Ireland.

SHOVELLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

352 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — The little hollow chosen is lined with
sedges and dead leaves, dry grass, and, as incuba-
tion advances, down. The tufts are of a dark
neutral grey colour, lighter in the centre and tipped
with white. They and the female form reliable
distinctions.

Eggs. — Seven to ten, or occasionally fourteen,
bumsh-white, tinged with green, unspotted, and
slightly polished. Closely resemble those of the
Mallard and Pintail. Size about 2.0 by 1.5 in.

Time. — May.

Remarks. — Resident and migratory, being more
numerous in winter than in summer. Notes : quack,
uttered in deeper tones by the male ; when flying,
puck, puck. Local and other names : Broad Bill,
Blue-winged Shoveller. Sits closely.

SHRIKE, RED-BACKED.

(Lamus collurio.) ': . ,

Order PASSERES ; Family LANIID.E (SHRIKES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about seven
and a half inches ; bill
rather short, hooked at the
tip, and black or dusky
brown, lighter at the base
of the lower mandible.
Near the end of the upper
mandible is a prominent
tooth or notch. Irides

YOUNG RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

hazel. Three or lour strong

black bristles spring from just above the gape. Round
the base of the upper mandible, through the eyes,

RED-BACKED SHRIKE'S NEST AND EGGS

354 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and as far as the ear-coverts, the feathers are black ;
crown and back of neck grey ; back and wing-coverts
bright reddish-brown ; wing-quills dull black mar-
gined with reddish-brown ; upper tail-coverts red-
dish-grey ; tail-quills, in centre, black tipped with
white, rest white on the basal half, and black from
thence to the end, which is slightly tipped with white ;
chin grey ; breast, belly, and under-parts of a rosy
tinge, with the exception of the under tail-coverts,
which are white ; legs, toes, and claws dusky-black.

The female is very much less conspicuous in
her plumage. Her beak is not so dark in colour ;
over her eye is a yellowish-white streak ; her upper
parts dull rusty-brown, tinged with grey on the
neck and tail-coverts ; chin, throat, breast, and under-
parts greyish-white, barred with greyish-brown.

Situation and Locality. — In high rough hedges,
thorn bushes in woods, and on rough commons.
Our illustration is from a photograph of a nest in
a slight thorn bush, surrounded by hazels and big
trees in a small Surrey spinney, where I meet with
a nest every year regularly. I found a Red-backed
Shrike's nest in a low bramble bush, intermixed
with rushes, a few years ago close to London. The
nest was not more than eighteen inches from the
ground and within a few feet of a much-used coun-
try lane. The cock bird was so bold that he came
within four feet of me as I stood looking at his mate
sitting upon her eggs. Breeds pretty generally over
England, with the exception of the extreme north,
and in Wales, but is rarely met within Scotland or
Ireland.

Materials. — Slender twigs, dead grass, stalks,
dead weeds, honeysuckle stems and stalks, roots,
wool, moss, and occasionally feathers, lined with

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 355

hair, sometimes with willow catkins and fine, fibrous
roots. As a rule it is a very large nest for the
size of the bird ; but I have noticed that specimens
differ in this respect as well as in the character of
the materials employed in their construction.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally four or five ; very
variable in ground - colour and markings ; pale
huffish-white, spotted, freckled, and blotched with
pale reddish-brown, and underlying markings of
grey or salmon-colour, marked with light red and
lilac-grey. Some varieties are white, greyish-white,
yellowish-white, or greenish in ground-colour. As
a rule, the markings form a ring round the larger
end. Size about .9 by .66 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — May and June. I once found one at
the beginning of July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in August or September. Note : call, a
harsh croak ; song a mixture of the notes of the
Goldfinch, Blackcap, Nightingale, and other birds
frequenting its vicinity according to Bechstein.
Local and other names : Jack Baker, Murdering
Pie, Whiskey John, Butcher Bird, Flusher, Cheeter.
A fairly close sitter.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE ON NEST

356 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

SHRIKE, WOODCHAT.

(Laniits pomeranus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family LANIID.E (SHRIKES).

A rare and accidental visitor, which is said to
have bred once or twice in the Isle of Wight.

The eggs number four or five, and are, according
to Yarrell, very variable in colour, " some being
white tinged with green, or pale olive blotched
irregularly with olive and lilac of different shades,
the markings sometimes diffused and sometimes
forming regular spots often disposed in a zone, while
other specimens are of a cream colour with light
red and suffused lilac spots. Size, .97 to 1.86 by
from .7 to .65 in. (See Plate III.)

SISKIN.

(Chrysnmitris spinus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID/E (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length nearly five
inches. Bill short, conical, sharp-tipped, and orange-
brown. Irides dusky-brown. Top of head black ;
over and under each eye is a yellowish streak. Sides
of head yellowish-green ; nape and wings (except
greater coverts and quills, which are brownish-
black, tipped and bordered with yellow) greenish-
olive, streaked with black ; rump yellow ; upper tail-
coverts greenish-olive. Tail slightly forked, and
dusky-black, yellowish on the upper half, with the
exception of the middle pair of feathers. Chin
black, throat and breast yellowish-green ; belly, sides,
flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts, greyish- white>

SISKIN'S NEST AND EGGS

358 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

streaked with dusky-black. Legs, toes, and claws
brown.

The female is smaller, and lacks the black on
the crown and chin. Her upper-parts are olive-
brown, throat and breast greenish-yellow, and rest
of under-parts greyish-white. With the exception
of the centre of the belly she is streaked all over
with dusky-black.

Situation and Locality. — In plantations, woods,
and forests. Its nest has been found, on very
rare occasions in different parts of England, in furze
and juniper bushes ; but in Scotland, where it
breeds sparingly, it adopts higher situations amongst
the forks and branches of fir-trees. It breeds regu-
larly in the south of Ireland, where, thanks to our
friend Mr. Ussher, the accompanying photograph
was obtained.

Materials. — Slender twigs, dried grass, and moss,
lined internally with hair, rabbit or vegetable down,
and sometimes a few feathers.

Egg8- — Four to six, greyish-white, tinged with
green or pale bluish-green, spotted and speckled
with rusty and dark brown spots, sometimes streaked
with the darker colour. The markings are gener-
ally scattered over the surface of the eggs, but are
sometimes collected round the larger ends. They
resemble those of the Goldfinch very closely indeed,
but are said to run larger, and the ground-colour to
be of a darker tinge. The situation of the nest and
a sight of the owner are the only reliable evidences,
however. Size about .66 by .52 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — A winter visitor of erratic appear-
ance ; a few resident. Notes : call, a metallic
keet ; alarm note, chuck- a- chuck, keet. Some natur-

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

359

alists represent the call note as a weak tit-tit-tit-tit,
and tsyzing, others as a loud deedel or deedlee. Local
and other names : Aberdevine (used by bird-
catchers), Barley Bird. Nest difficult to find. A
close sitter.

SKUA, COMMON. Also SKUA, GREAT.

( Stercorarius cafarrhactes.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about twenty-four inches.
Bill of medium length, hooked
at the tip, and with bare
skin round its base, black.
Irides dark brown. Head and
neck dark umber-brown, slightly
streaked with lighter brown ;
back, wings, and tail-coverts
dark brown, streaked with light
reddish-brown. In some speci-
mens the feathers at the nape,
and the middle and edges of
those on the back, are greyish-
white. The wing-quills are white
at the base and blackish-brown
towards the tip ; tail-quills very
dark brown. Chin and front of neck, breast,
belly, vent, and under tail-coverts dusky rust-
colour. Legs, toes, and webs black ; claws large,
much curved, strong, and black.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
moss, coarse short grass, and stunted heather ; at
two places in the Shetland Islands only, where the
birds and their nests and eggs are protected, and

COMMON SKUA GETTING
READY TO ATTACK.

NEWLY HATCHED COMMON SKUA.

COMMON SKUA'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 361

it is gratifying to be able to say they have, during
the last decade or two, increased in numbers — on
Hernia Ness in Unst, at any rate.

Materials. — All the nests I examined in the
Shetlands some years ago were made of dead grass
and bents in varying quantities. In nearly every
case a mock nest had been built not far from the
one containing eggs, and the birds have been known,
when an original nest became flooded through
heavy rains, to convey their eggs to the supple-
mentary structure.

Eggs. — Two, occasionally only one, varying from
light buff to dark olive-brown, blotched and spotted
with dark brown and rusty- or greyish-brown.
Similar to Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls,
but markings are fewer and duller, and presence
of parent birds readily settles the point. Size
about 2.85 by 1.95 in. (See Plate XI.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving at its breeding
haunts in April and leaving in August. Notes :
ag-ag and skua. Local and other names : Great
Skua, Bonxie, Brown Gull, Skua Gull, Morrel Hen.
Gregarious. Sits lightly and readily attacks a
single human intruder approaching its nest and
eggs or young. The method of attack is to swoop
from a considerable height at a terrific speed, and,
when sufficiently close to the intruder, to drop both
feet and hit him with their fronts on the back of
the head. As soon as the blow has been delivered
the birds shoot upwards, and circle round for a
fresh attack. According to my experience they
never strike the object of their resentment in
the face.

362

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

SKUA, GREAT. See SKUA, COMMON.

Parent
about

SKUA, RICHARDSON'S.

(Stercorarius crepidatus'}
Order GAVI^: ; Family LARID^: (GULLS).

Description of
Birds. — Length
twenty inches. Bill mode-
rately long, strong, straight,
except at the tip, where
it is hooked, bluish lead-
colour at the base, and
blackish elsewhere. Irides
dark brown. This bird is
subject to considerable indi-
vidual variation, and there
are two distinct and well-
marked varieties, known as
" light " and " dark " which interbreed freely. The
dark variety is more common in low latitudes, and
the light one in high latitudes, as might be ex-
pected.

Mr. Seebohm, in describing the bird, says : "In
the adult of the dark form, the whole of the plumage
is an almost uniform dark sooty -brown, slightly
suffused with slate -grey on the upper -parts, and
with a bronzy yellow on the sides of the neck.

" In the adult of the light form, the slate-grey
of the upper-parts is a little more pronounced than
in the dark form. The general colour of the under-
parts is white, shaded with brown on the sides
of the breast, the vent, and the under tail-coverts ;
the white on the throat extends round the sides

RICHARDSON'S SKUA SITTING.

NEST AND EGGS OF RICHARDSON'S SKUA.

364 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

of the neck and across the lower ear-coverts, almost
to the nape, and is suffused with yellow. Legs and
feet black."

The female is, so far as is known, indistinguish-
able from the male, except that the elongated feathers
of the tail are somewhat shorter.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
short heather, moss, and coarse grass, in the moor-
land parts of the Orkneys, Shetlands, Hebrides,
and in one or two places on the extreme northern
mainland of Scotland. Our illustrations are from
photographs taken in the Outer Hebrides.

Materials. — Dried grass and moss, used as a
scanty lining to the hollow in which the eggs are
laid ; sometimes none at all.

Eggs. — Two ; as many as three have been found,
and upon occasions only one. Varying in ground-
colour from dark olive-green to brownish-green,
irregularly spotted and blotched with differing
shades of dark brown and greyish-brown, generally
distributed over the entire surface of the egg, but
sometimes most numerous at the larger end. They
closely resemble some of the Gulls in appearance,
and the only safe method of identification is to
watch the parent bird on or off the nest, a by no
means difficult task with a pair of ordinary field-
glasses. Size about 2.3 by 1.62 in. (See Plate XL)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in August and September. Notes : mee and
mee-awk, represented by some authorities as kyow
and yah-yah. Local and other names : Arctic Gull,
Arctic Skua (also applied to Long-tailed or Buff on' s
Skua), Shooi, Scoutie- Allen, Black-toed Gull. Sits
lightly.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 365

SKYLARK.

(A I and a a rv ens is.)
Order PASSERES ; Family ALAUDID.E (LARKS).

Description of Parent
Birds. - - Length about
seven inches. Bill of
medium length, straight >
strong, and dark brown.
Irides hazel ; crown dark
brown, the feathers being
edged with a lighter and
redder tinge, and some-
what elongated, forming
a crest which is erectable

at will. Back of neck, back, wing, and tail-coverts
reddish-brown, each feather being bordered with
a pale tint. Wing and tail-quills dusky -brown,
with lighter edges and tips. Throat and breast
light cream-colour, spotted with dark brown;
under-parts pale straw-colour, tinged with brown
on the thighs and flanks. Legs, toes, and claws
brown; middle toe largest, and hind claw very
long and curved.

The female is not quite as large as the male, but
is similar in her plumage.

Situation and, Locality. — Under tufts of grass,,
ling, and heath, sometimes on the plain open,
ground, in a slight declivity. In cultivated and un-
cultivated districts throughout the United Kingdom,,
but not in woods and plantations.

Materials. — Grass, roots, and horsehair, the
latter two often quite absent and the first used
sparingly.

SKYLARK'S NEST ON THE CROWN OF A FURROW.

SKYLARK'S NEST IN A ROUGH GRASS PASTURE

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 367

Eggs. — Four to five, of a dirty white ground-
colour, occasionally tinged with olive-green, thickly
spotted and speckled with olive-brown, and under-
lying markings of greyish-brown. The markings
are generally so thickly and evenly distributed as
to hide the ground - colour, but occasionally the
markings are less thickly distributed and collected
in a kind of belt at the larger end of the egg. Dis-
tinguished from Woodlark by crowded olive-brown
markings. Size about .93 by .68 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, though subject to partial
migration and much local movement. Notes : song
consists of several strains, trilling, warbling notes,
variously modulated, and interrupted now and again
by loud whistling. At the beginning of the breeding
season the song is of short duration, and towards
the end is frequently uttered whilst the bird is on
the ground. Local and other names : Lavrock,
Field Lark. A close sitter when the ground is
rough and uneven, but not particularly so when it
is bare and the situation exposed.

SKYLARK FEEDING YOUNG.

368 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

SNIPE, COMMON.

(Gallinago coelestis^)
Order LIMICOL/E ; Family SCOLOPACIM: (SNIPES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about ten
and a half inches ; beak
very long (about two and
three-quarter inches),
straight, and pale reddish-
brown at the base and
dusky towards the tip.
Irides dark brown. Crown
blackish-brown, divided in
the centre by a buffish-

YOUNG COMMON SNIPE. i i -, -,. -, n.

brown longitudinal line ;

another line of the same colour commences at the base
of the bill and passes over the eyes. A dusky line
passes from the base of the beak to the eye ; back
and scapulars dark brown, barred with rusty-brown.
Four distinct lines of dark brown feathers, bordered
with rich buff, run along the upper-parts of the
body. Wing-coverts dull black, spotted with pale
brown and tipped with white ; quills dull black,
some of them edged and others tipped with white ;
upper tail-coverts dusky-black, barred with brown ;
tail-quills black, barred and spotted with dull
orange-red, and tipped with pale reddish-yellow ;
chin brownish-grey ; neck and cheeks light brown ;
front and sides of neck a mixture of dark and rusty-
brown ; breast, belly, and vent white ; under tail-
coverts pale brown, barred with dusky-black ;
legs and toes greenish-brown, dusky, or leaden
colour.

COMMON SNIPES NEST AND EGGS.

COMMON SNIPE: MALE AND FEMALE COVERING CHICKS.
Y

370 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is practically like the male, except
that she is a trifle larger.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in a
tuft of long coarse grass, amongst rushes or heather,
generally hidden by an overhanging tuft of half-
dead grass. In wet pasture-lands, marshes, and
swamps, near tarns and bogs, in suitable localities
throughout the United Kingdom.

Materials. — A few dry grass stalks, slender
sprigs of dead heather, or other bits of herbage, used
as a lining ; sometimes hardly anything at all.

Eggs. — Four ; ground-colour varying from olive-
green to greyish-yellow ; spotted and blotched with
blackish-brown, light brown, and underlying mark-
ings of grey. The markings are generally most
numerous at the larger end, and the eggs are sharply
pointed at the smaller. Size about 1.58 by i.i in.
(See Plate IX.)

Time. — April and May, although nests containing
eggs have been found as early as the third week in
March, and I have found them quite fresh as late as
the end of July.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local migra-
tion. Notes : tjick-tjuck, tjick-tjuck, uttered both
whilst the bird is perched and between the drum-
mings when it is on the wing at dusk and on dull
days. Local and other names : Hammer Blate,
Whole Snipe, Heather Bleater. Sits closely, and
simulates lameness when flushed, in order to draw
the intruder away from its eggs. The male bird
helps the female to feed and take care of the
chicks, as I proved when I photographed both
birds covering their offspring, figured on the
previous page.

•j<5 k

PLATE 12.

ROSEATE TERN. SANDWICH TERN.

(Seep. 409.) (5«/.4».)

COMMON GUILLEMOT.
(.Seep. 158-)

COMMON TERN. LITTLE TERN. ARCTIC TERN

(&«/. 4050 CSK*4<*.> CS«A 402.)

NOTE. — In referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 12.

« . •> • «•

* c * »e »

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

MALE COMMON SPARROW.

SPARROW, COMMON. Also SPARROW, HOUSE.

(Passer domcsticus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FKINGILLID^G (FINCHES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length nearly six
inches. Bill short, thick
at the base, strong, and
dusky. Irides hazel. Crown
and nape ash-grey (where
Tree Sparrow is chestnut-
brown) ; back, scapulars,
and wing-coverts reddish-
brown, mixed with black,
the last - named feathers
being tipped with white,
which forms a bar across the wing. Wing-quills
dusky, edged with reddish-brown ; tail dusky-
brown, bordered with grey. Cheeks whitish ; chin
and throat black ; belly and vent light ash-grey.
Legs and toes brown ; claws black.

The female is not quite so large as the male ;
the plumage on her upper-parts is not so bright,
and she lacks entirely the black on the chin and
throat. Town-dwelling birds have their plumage
much dulled by grime and smoke, which even
penetrates to the interior of their bones.

Situation and Locality.- — Holes in walls, under
tiles and slates, behind signboards fastened against
walls, holes in cliffs, the old nests of Sand and House
Martins ; in the thatch of houses, barns, and ricks,
holes in hollow trees ; amongst ivy trained against
houses ; the rafters of stables and sheds ; amongst
the loose sticks under Rooks' nests, in old Magpie's

372 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

nests, Pigeon cotes, on ledges, amongst the
branches of trees, and almost any situation capable
of accommodating a few straws and feathers. I
know several small villas in the north of London
with globular cast-iron ornaments on their summits ;
into these the Sparrows have found their way and
turned them to account as nesting sites. I met
once with a colony in a low whitethorn hedge,
quite away from any houses whatever, and have
counted as many as twenty-six nests in the
branches of a single tree. Our full-page illustration
represents one of two Pigeon cotes, standing close
together, out of which upwards of two hundred
Sparrows' eggs were taken during a single nesting
season.

Materials. — Straw, hay, bits of string, moss,
worsted, and cotton rags, wool and hair, with a
liberal inner lining of feathers. Where the nest is
under cover it is not so bulky, and is open at the
top, as a rule ; but where it is exposed it is covered,
bulkier, and better constructed, with a hole in the
side, and generally near the top.

Eggs. — Four to seven, generally five or six, pale
grey or greyish-white, sometimes tinged slightly with
green or blue, spotted and blotched thickly with
brown, of various shades, and grey. I have seen
Sparrows' eggs pure white. One egg generally
differs from the others in a clutch in regard to
the character of its markings. Distinguished from
Tree Sparrows' eggs by larger size, situation, and
female lacking black patch on her chin. Size
about .9 by .6 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — March to July or August.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : a monotonous
chirrup, and a hurried scolding when engaged in

DOVECOTE IN WHICH COMMON SPARROWS NESTED.

374

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

warfare. One authority makes the surprising
statement that when under proper training the bird
can be taught to sing even better than the Canary.
Local or other name : none. Sits pretty closely.

YCUNG COMMON SPARROW.

SPARROW, HEDGE. Also HEDGE ACCENTOR.
(Accentor modularise)

Order PASSERES ; Family SVLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
five and a half inches ;
bill of medium length,
almost straight, light
brown at the base, and
darker at the tip.
Irides reddish - brown.
Crown and nape dull
bluish - grey, streaked
with brown ; back and
wings dusky-brown, the
feathers being edged with reddish-brown ; wing-
quills dusky-brown ; tail-coverts olive-brown ; tail-
quills dusky-brown and slightly forked ; chin,
throat, sides of neck, and upper-parts of breast

HEDGE SPARROW ON NEST.

HEDGE SPARROW'S NEST AND EGGS.

376 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

dark bluish-grey ; breast and belly buffish - white ;
sides pale yellowish-brown, streaked with a darker
tinge of the same colour ; vent and under tail-
coverts pale tawny - brown ; legs and toes dark
orange-brown ; claws black.

The female is duller in plumage, with more mark-
ings on the head and sides, and is a trifle smaller.

Situation and Locality. — Hawthorn hedges are
favourite situations ; the nest may, however, be
found in all kinds of low bushes, such as furze,
gooseberry, briars, brambles, and nettles. On one
occasion I met with three nests, containing eggs,
close together amongst the black-currant bushes of
a small garden in Westmorland ; and remember
on another finding one quite on the ground in
Yorkshire. Found pretty generally throughout the
United Kingdom, with the exception, perhaps, of
the islands lying to the north, and some of the
smallest and bleakest of those to the west of
Scotland.

Materials. — Slender twigs (sparingly used and
sometimes entirely absent), roots, moss, and dry
grass, with an inner lining of wool, hair, and feathers.
I have on several occasions seen nests made entirely
of moss and cowhair. Many individuals of this
species have a habit of covering their eggs when
they leave them before commencing to sit. In July,
1905, I found a Cuckoo's egg covered over in a
Hedge Sparrow's nest which contained no other eggs.

Egg8- — Four to six, of a beautiful unmarked tur-
quoise-blue. Size about .77 by .6 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June, sometimes
as late even as July.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : a low plaintive
cheep-cheep , and a cheerful, though not long sus-

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

377

tained, song. Local and other names : Hedge
Accentor, Shufflewing, Hedge Warbler, Dunnock,
Hempie, Cuddy. Sits closely, and slips away with-
out demonstration.

HEDGE SPARROW FEEDING YOUNG.

SPARROW, HOUSE. See SPARROW, COMMON,

SPARROW, REED. See BUNTING, REED.

SPARROW, TREE.

(Passer montanus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^E (FINCHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about five and a half
inches. Bill short, strong,
broad at the base, and lead
coloured. Irides hazel. Crown
and nape dull chestnut-brown
(where Common Sparrow is
ash-grey). Beneath the eye
is a streak of black. Cheeks
white, with a large black spot.
The upper part of the back and scapulars bright rusty-

YOUNG TREE SPARROW.

378 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

brown, streaked with black ; lower part of back
and upper tail-coverts brownish-grey. Lesser wing-
coverts bright rusty -brown ; greater black, with rusty-
coloured edges and white tips ; quills dull black,
bordered with rusty-brown. Tail-quills greyish-
brown, edged with lemonish-brown. Chin and
throat black ; sides of neck, running somewhat far
back, white ; breast bright ash-grey ; belly dull
white, tinged with huffish-brown on the sides, vent,
and under tail-coverts. Legs, toes, and claws pale
yellowish-brown .

The female is a little smaller, but her plumage
differs in nothing but its lesser brilliancy from that
of the male. In this respect the species differs radically
from the House Sparrow, the female of which is not
adorned by the black patch on the chin and throat,
so conspicuous in the male. In the case of the
Common Sparrow the young are all like the female
in their first coat of feathers, but the chicks of the
species under notice have the chin and throat
black as in the case of their parents.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in pollards and
other trees, crevices of rocks, holes in walls, and the
thatch of barns. It is very local, and in few places
numerous. It is said to breed most commonly in
the midland and eastern counties of England, but
I have met with it far more numerously in the Outer
Hebrides than anywhere else. As an example of its
absolute commonness in some parts of the Western
Isles I may mention that I one day found eight
nests, five containing eggs and three young ones, all
in the ruins of one small building. Whilst at St.
Kilda in 1896 I succeeded in finding four Tree
Sparrows' nests. It is met with sparingly on the
mainland of Scotland, in Wales, and Ireland.

TREE SPARROW'S NESTING SITE.

380 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Materials. — Straws, dry grass, and roots, lined
with hairs and liberal supplies of feathers. It is
generally open at the top, but domed when situation
demands it.

Eggs. — Four to six, although I once found eight
in a nest, and a friend of mine at Northampton has
seen a clutch of nine. Generally four or five,
greyish- white in ground-colour, thickly spotted all
over with dark grey or dark brown. Occasionally
the ground-colour is white, thickly spotted and
freckled with grey spots and blotches. One member
of a clutch is often lighter coloured than the rest,
and sometimes the eggs are streaked with a dark line
or two. They are not unlike the eggs of the
Pied Wagtail or Meadow Pipit, but of course
the position of nest differs widely. Size about .8
by .57 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local move-
ment. Notes : numerous Sparrow-like chirrups.
Local or other name : Mountain Sparrow. A
fairly close sitter.

TREE SPARROW WITH FOOD FOR YOUNG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 381

SPARROW-HAWK.

(Accipiter nisus.}
Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID.E (FALCONS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
twelve inches ; beak short,
curved, and bluish ; bare
skin round the base of the
beak yellow. Irides yel-
low. Head, nape, back,
wing, and upper tail-
coverts deep bluish-grey,
edged with rusty-red ;
wing-quills dusky, barred

with black on the outside webs, and spotted with
white on the lower portions of the inside webs ; tail
deep ash-colour, crossed with broad bars of dull
black and tipped with whitish-grey ; throat, breast,
sides, belly, and vent reddish-brown, marked with
transverse bars of orange in some and brown in
others ; legs and toes yellow ; claws black.

The female is about three inches longer, and
nearly twice as heavy. Her upper-parts are browner,
with the exception of the back of the head, which
is greyer. The breast and under-parts are lighter,
and the markings on them larger and browner.
Both sexes are subject to considerable variation, and
are said to grow greyer with age.

Situation and Locality. — In fir, alder, larch, oak,
pine, and other trees, in well-wooded districts
throughout the British Isles. It is generally placed
in a fork or on a strong horizontal branch.

Materials. — Sticks and twigs, the finest in the

SPARROW-HAWK'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 383

centre, which is simply a slight hollow on a large
platform. Many naturalists assert that the bird
often utilises the old nest of a Magpie or Crow ;
but Mr. Dixon says that the nest is always made
by the birds themselves. I have examined a great
number of nests in widely different parts of the
country, and in nearly every instance I am able to
endorse what he says. Besides, I have actually
photographed a bird of this species in the act of
adding sticks to her nest, which is proof of her
capacity for nest building.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five ; ground-
colour white, tinged with blue or bluish-green,
clouded, blotched, and spotted with pale brown and
dark rich brown. The markings generally form
a zone round the larger end of the egg ; sometimes
the ground-colour is almost entirely hidden, and
at others nearly, if not quite, all exposed. Size
about 1.65 by 1.3 in. (See Plate VI.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. -- Resident. Note: alarm, a harsh
scream. Local or other name : Pigeon Hawk.
A close sitter.

YOUNG SPARROW-HAWKS IN NEST

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

STARLING.

STARLING.

(Stumus vulgaris.)
Order PASSERES ; Family STURNHME (STARLINGS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about eight and a
half inches. Bill rather long,
nearly straight, and yellow,
except at the base, where it
is light bluish-grey. Irides
brown. The head, neck, and
upper parts are black, glossed
with purple-green and steel-
blue ; the feathers of the head
and neck are very slightly
tipped with buffish - white ;

those of the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts are
tipped with larger spots of the •same colour. Wing
and tail-quills greyish-black, edged outwardly with
huffish-white ; breast and belly black, glossed with
purple and steel-blue ; vent and under tail-coverts
black, tipped and edged with huffish-white, lighter
than on the back. Legs, toes, and claws reddish-
brown.

The female is not so bright as the male, either in
her plumage or bill.

Situation and Locality. — Fissures and crevices
in cliffs, holes in the gables of old houses, stables,
and barns ; in ruins, under eaves, in hollow trees,
holes in the ground on steep hill sides, and some-
times even amongst the loose sticks forming the
foundation of a Rook's nest or Osprey's eyrie. Our
full-page illustration represents a hollow apple-tree, in

STARLING'S NESTING HOLE AND NEST AND EGGS.

386 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

which a pair of Starlings breed every year. During
one season three clutches of six, six, and five eggs
respectively were taken out of this nest, on account
of the owner of the orchard having seen the parent
birds feeding from the fruit of a strawberry-bed
close by. I have known Starlings on several occa-
sions adapt the nests of House Sparrows when they
have been built in thick Scotch fir trees, and
once whilst staying at an hotel in Kinross I
watched a pair of birds of this species feeding a
brood of young ones in a nest which was situated in
a thick evergreen where one might have expected
the home of a Song Thrush or a Blackbird.
Indeed I am not sure that the chicks were
not occupying an old nest built by one of the
above-mentioned birds.

Materials. — Straw, hay, and fibrous roots, lined
with feathers, wool, moss, or whatever may be
easily obtainable. Nests made with nothing what-
ever but straw are often met with.

Eggs. — Four to six, of a uniform pale blue. I
have seen clutches once or twice that were as near
white as possible. Size about 1.18 by .84 in.
(See Plate I.)

Time. — April, May, and June, although eggs
have been seen in January and later than June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to southern
movement in winter. Notes : alarm, spate, spate ;
song, a mixture of all kinds of sounds, the bird being
a very clever imitator. Local and other names :
Sheep Starling, Stare, Sheep Stare, Brown Star-
ling, Starnel, Sheep's Starnel. A close sitter.

We have so many birds of this species in our
country nowadays, in consequence of a long succes-
sion of mild, open winters, that I am of opinion that

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 387

some of them do not succeed in finding nesting
quarters. On May ist, 1905, I was staying with
some friends near the Blackwater in Essex, and
made the following entry in my diary : "In the
evening I visited a little wood where Starlings roost
in some thick bushes growing alongside tall trees,
and although late for flocks of unpaired birds, found
thousands of Starlings at roost. When I struck
the bushes with my walking stick, the birds rose in
a black cloud, and the noise made by their hurrying
wings was just like that produced by the shooting of
truckloads of small coals into the hold of a steamer.
The air was quite still, and I could plainly smell the
aroma thrown off the bodies of the winged throng."

STONECHAT.

(Pratincola rubicola.}
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^E (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length a little over five
inches. Bill of medium
length, slightly curved down-
ward, and black. Irides
dusky-brown. Head, nape,
and back black, edged with
tawny-brown ; rump and
upper tail - coverts white,
tipped with tawny - brown
and black. Wing - coverts
black, edged and tipped with
rusty-brown ; those nearest
MALE STONECHAT. the body ^e ^te, and form

a conspicuous patch on the wings ; quills dusky,
some of them edged with rusty-brown. Tail-feathers

388 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

black, faintly edged and tipped with pale reddish-
brown. Chin and throat black ; sides of neck white ;
breast dark rich rust colour, belly much lighter ;
vent and under tail-coverts a mixture of black
and white, which varies in individual specimens ;
some are dark and others quite light coloured in
these parts.

The female is dull brown on the head, nape, and
back, the feathers being edged with buff ; the rump
is brownish, the chin buff, the sides of the neck
brownish- white, and the breast and belly duller.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground,
amongst grass, brambles, at the foot of gorse bushes,
and amongst rough, tangled vegetation ; in pas-
tures, grass fields, on furze and heath-covered com-
mons, and ground covered with juniper brambles,
boulders, and bushes. The nest is somewhat diffi-
cult to find ; the one shown in our illustration was
stumbled upon quite by accident on a Suffolk com-
mon. The bird is very local, but breeds more or
less in suitable localities all over the British Isles.

Materials. — Roots, moss, and dry grass, with an
inner lining of hair, feathers, finer grass, and some-
times a little wool.

Eggs. — Four to six, rarely seven, of a pale bluish-
green, closely mottled, and especially round the
larger end, with reddish-brown spots. Sometimes
without any spots at all. Distinguished from the
eggs of the Whinchat by lighter ground-colour
and more defined markings, also by parent birds.
Size about .7 by .57 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local migra-
tion. Notes : u-tic, it-tic, changing when the young
are hatched to chuck, chuck. Local and other

STONECHAT'S NEST AND EGGS.

390 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

names : Stoneclink, Stone Chatter, Stone Smick,
Stone Chack, Stonesmith, Chick Stone, Black Cap,
Moor Titling (a name generally applied to the
Meadow Pipit in some districts). A fairly close
sitter, but when at the foot of a furze bush the bird
runs for some distance before taking flight. It is
extremely wary, and I have lain for hours and hours
together watching a pair through my binoculars
without being able to discover the nest.

SWALLOW.

(Hirundo rustica.}
Order PASSERES ; Family HIRUNDINID^E (SWALLOWS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about eight and a
half inches ; bill short, straight,
somewhat flat, and black.
Irides hazel. Forehead chest-
nut ; crown, neck, back, rump,
and upper tail-coverts steely-
blue ; wings and tail sooty-
black, the former long and
sword-like, and the latter very much forked. From
several specimens examined I have found that one
side of the tail (sometimes the right and at others
the left) is a trifle longer than the other ; chin
and throat chestnut. Round the lower part of the
throat and upper part of the breast is a broad
steely-blue collar ; lower breast, belly, vent, and
under tail-coverts buffy - white ; legs, toes, and
claws short, slender, and black.

The female is not so richly marked in her
plumage, and her tail is not so long.

Situation and Locality. — Generally, as shown in

SWALLOW'S NESTING^SITE AND NEST AND EGGS.

392 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

our full-page illustration, on the rafter of a barn,
stable, or shed. Sometimes on ledges and other
projections in chimneys and from walls. I recollect
once finding one inside an old disused mountain
lime-kiln, and have known odd pairs of birds to breed
underneath the arches of stone bridges. Not long
ago I saw one, built upon a piece of ivy dangling from
the roof of a shed through which it had grown.

Materials. — Mud, straws, dry grass, and feathers
in liberal quantities.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five, white, speckled,
and blotched with dark red-brown, and underlying
markings of ash-grey. The markings are generally
most numerous round the larger end. I have seen
eggs once or twice with hardly any marking on
at all. Size about .83 by .55 in. (See Plate V.)

Time. — May, June, July ; and sometimes eggs
may be met with as late as the beginning of August.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and de-
parting in September and October. Notes : wet-
wet y a warbling kind of song note, and pink, pink
when the bird is alarmed. Local and other names :
Barn Swallow, House Swallow, Chimney Swallow,
Common Swallow. Not a very close sitter until
incubation has advanced some stages.

YOUNG SWALLOWS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

393

SWAN, MUTE.

(Cygnus o/o r.)
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^: (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
four feet eight inches to five feet ; beak fairly
long, black on the edges and tip, rest red. The

SWANS AT NEST.

knob, or tubercle, on the base of the upper
mandible, and the naked skin between the eyes
and the base of the bill, black. Irides brown.
The whole of the plumage is snowy white. Legs,
toes, and webs black.

The female has the knob smaller, the neck more
slender, and swims deeper in the water.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
reeds and coarse vegetation. On small islands and
banks. Close to the water of sluggish rivers or
lakes in various parts of the country, but princi-

394

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

pally on the Thames, Avon, Norfolk Broads, and at
Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire.

Materials. — Reeds, rushes, dry flags, and grass,
often in great quantities, and down.

Eggs. — Three to twelve, generally six or seven ;
dull greenish-white. Size about 4.5 by 2.9 in.

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — Strictly speaking, this bird has no
proper claim to be included in a work of this character,
for although it breeds in a perfectly wild state on
the Continent, it has never been known to do so
within the limits of the British Isles. The case
of the Pheasant, however, another introduced half-
domesticated bird, holding its own only through
strict protection, paves the way.

The Mute Swan is said to have been first intro-

SWAN'S NEST AND EGGS.

duced into this country from Cyprus by Richard I.,
who commenced to reign in 1189. It is considered

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

395

a bird royal when at large and unmarked, and is
consequently afforded protection. Notes : soft and
low, plaintive, and of little variety. Local or
other name : Common Swan. Male and female
Swans are called "Cob" and "Pen" respectively
on the Thames. A close sitter.

SWAN CARRYING CYGNETS.

SWIFT.

(Cypselus apus.)
Order PICARLE ; Family CYPSELIM: (SWIFTS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about eight
inches ; beak very short,
black, and with an extra-
ordinary width of gape.
The whole of the plumage
is a dingy-black, except the
chin, which is of a dirty-
white colour. The tail is of
medium length^and forked,
and the wings very long and sword-like ; legs, toes, and
claws black. The feet have all the four toes in front.

SWIFT

ROPE.

396 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is similar to the male in size and
colour. Easily distinguished from the Swallow by
large size, shorter tail, and colour.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in church towers,
chimneys, sea cliffs, the walls of old ruins, some-
times within even six feet of the ground, under the
tiles of houses and barns. Our illustration is from
a photograph of part of Gracious Street, Selborne,

GRACIOUS STREET, SELBORNE.

where astonishing numbers of Swifts nest every year,
The tenant of a cottage where Swifts breed once
informed me that he could hardly ever sleep after day-
break on account of the noise made by the hungry
young birds. Throughout the British Isles ; though
there are districts where the bird is not met with.

Materials. — Scarcely any, consisting only of a
few straws lined with feathers, and often glued or
cemented together with viscid saliva. The Swift
will turn to account the old nest of any other bird,
provided it is suitably situated, or even lay its eggs
amongst a collection of cobwebs and dust.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 397

. — Two, sometimes three and even four ;
white, unmarked, and of a narrow elongated shape.
Size about i.o by .66 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May,
and leaving in August and September. Note : a
harsh scream. Local and other names : Black
Martin, Screech Martin, Screecher, Screamer,
Squeaker, Deviling. Gregarious, and very fond of
its old nesting haunts. Sits closely.

TEAL.

( Qiterquedula crecca.}
Order ANSERES ; Family AXATHVE (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
fourteen inches and a half ; beak of medium length,
fairly straight, and almost black. Irides hazel.
Head and upper neck chestnut ; a narrow line of
buff starts from the base of the bill, goes upward,
and passes over the eye and ear-coverts, and onward
to the back of the head ; a second commences in
the front corner of the eye, passes under it, and
ends behind the ear-coverts. All the feathers
between these two lines are of a rich glossy green ;
back of lower part of neck, scapulars, and upper
part of back, waved or barred with narrow transverse
black and white lines ; lower part of back shaded
with dark brown ; wings dark brown, beautifully
barred with a patch of glossy green and a line of
white ; upper tail-coverts nearly black, edged with
reddish-brown ; tail feathers pointed and brown ;
lower half of neck, in front, pale purplish-white,
spotted with black ; breast and belly dusky-white ;
sides and flanks barred with fine wavy lines of black

398 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and white ; under tail-coverts velvet black ; legs,
toes, and webs greyish-brown.

The female is much subdued in coloration ; her
head is light brown, speckled with a darker tint
of the same colour ; the green spangle on the wing
is velvety black ; back dark brown, the feathers
being edged with a lighter tinge of the same colour ;
breast and under parts dull white, spotted with

NEWLY HATCHED YOUNG TEAL IN NEST.

dark brown. The male assumes female plumage
about the end of July.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
heather, rushes, sedges, and coarse grass, near lakes
and small sluggish streams, in mountain swamps,
by pools and tarns, and in moss bogs. In nearly
all suitable districts throughout the British Isles,
perhaps scarcest in the south.

Materials. — Dried sedges, flags, rushes, reeds,
and grass, lined with down from the bird's own
body.

Eggs. — Eight to fifteen, usually nine or ten ;
buffish or creamy white, sometimes very faintly
tinged with green. Distinguishable from those of

TEAL'S NEST AND EGGS.

400 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the Garganey only by down tufts which are brown
without white tips. Size about 1.7 by 1.35 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident and partially migratory.
Notes : call, krik ; alarm, knake. Local or other
name : Common Teal. Sits closely, and when dis-
turbed is wonderfully cunning in trying to decoy
the intruder away.

TERN, ARCTIC.

(Sterna macrura.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID^: (GULLS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about fif-
teen inches. Bill, rather
long, straight, slender,
sharp-pointed, and pinky-
red. Irides dark brown.
Upper part of head and
nape black ; back, wing-
coverts, and wings,
French grey ; tail-coverts
and quills white, with

the exception of the two longest feathers, which are
grey. The wings are very long, and the tail much
forked. Cheeks and chin white ; throat and sides
of neck ash-grey ; breast, belly, and vent, French
grey. Legs, toes, and webs, orange ; claws black.
The female is similar to the male. This species
can be distinguished from the next described by
the facts that the bird has no black tip to its
bill, has shorter legs, and longer outer tail quills.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
sand, shingle, and on bare rock, near the edge of

ARCTIC TERN S EGGS.

2 A

402 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the water ; on low islands, and at suitable places
on mainland shores ; on the Fame Islands, on
the Yorkshire side of the mouth of the Humber ;
the Stilly Isles ; on the Welsh coast, Lancashire,
Cumberland ; generally round the Scottish coast,
and at various suitable places in Ireland.

Materials. — None whatever, as a rule, and I
am inclined to think that where bits of grass and
seaweed are found their presence is accidental.

HOME OF THE ARCTIC TERN.

Eggs. — Two or three, varying in ground-colour
from pale bluish-green to brownish-buff, blotched and
spotted with varying shades of brown and grey.
They are found nearer the water's edge as a rule,
are slightly smaller, more boldly marked, and in-
clining to green in the tinge of their ground-colour,
than those of the Common Tern. It is, however,
generally impossible to distinguish them. Size
about 1.55 by i.i in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May
and departing in September and October. Note : a

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 403

prolonged krr-ee. Local or other name : none,
except Sea Swallow, which applies generally to the
Terns. Gregarious. A light sitter, the whole colony,
when visited, rising and fluttering overhead in a
noisy throng. The bird is not shy, however, and
will alight after a little while and sit on its eggs
within fifteen or twenty yards of the intruder.

TERN, COMMON.

( Sterna fluviatilis. )
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID/E (GULLS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about four-
teen and a half inches. Bill
rather long, slender, straight,
sharp-pointed, and pinky
red in colour, except at
the tip, which is black.
This fact and its longer
legs distinguish it from the

COMMON TERN ON NEST.

brown. Upper part of head and nape black ; back
ash-grey ; wings very long, and same colour as the
back. Tail much forked and white, except the outer
webs of the two longest feathers, which are ash-grey.
Chin, throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts white, distinguishing the bird from the Arctic
Tern, which is grey on its under-parts. Legs, toes,
and webs crimson ; claws black.

Situation and Locality. — A mere hollow on the
ground, amongst shingle, sand, coarse grass and
vegetation, on rocks and dried wrack ; on small
islands and quiet stretches of shingly beach round
the coasts of the British Isles. Less numerous

COMMON TERN'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 405

round the northern and western coasts and islands
of Scotland than the Arctic Tern, but more nume-
rous on the southern and western coasts of England.

Materials. — Dry grass, used as a lining to the
slight declivity made or chosen. When the eggs
are laid on bare rocks, sometimes a slight kind of
mat of grass is made. Often there is no kind of
material whatever, even when the eggs are laid
in this situation.

Eggs. — Two or three. Ground-colour light stone
or buff to olive- or umber-brown, with ash-grey
and light and dark brown spots. Subject to great
variation. A trifle larger than those of the Arctic
Tern, less boldly marked and lacking green tinge.
Size about 1.7 by 1.15 in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in August, September, and October. Note :
a sharp, angry pirre. Local names : Sea Swallow,
Tarney or Pictarney, Tarrack, Tarret, Rittock,
Rippock, Sporre, Scraye, Pirr, Gull Teaser. Gre-
garious ; sits lightly, and flies overhead when dis-
turbed, uttering its sharp cry.

COMMON TERNS' EGGS ON THE FARNE ISLANDS.

406 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

TERN, LESSER. See TERN, LITTLE.

TERN, LITTLE. Also LESSER TERN.

(Sterna minuta?)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID^E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length between
eight and nine inches. Bill fairly long, straight,
and orange-coloured, except at the tip, which is
black. Irides dusky. Forehead white, crown and
nape deep black. Back and wings French grey, the
first two wing-quills being a trifle darker ; the wings
are long and narrow. Upper tail-coverts and tail,
which is much forked, white. Chin, throat, sides
of neck, breast, belly, and vent, clean glossy white.
Legs, toes, and membranes orange.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, on
sandy, flat coasts interspersed with banks of shells,
gravel, and shingle. Some authorities assert that
the bird scrapes a slight hollow for the reception of
its eggs, whilst others deny this. According to my
experience the bird may scrape a slight declivity
when breeding on sand, but not when dropping
her eggs amongst pebbles. Small colonies are still
said to breed on the Kentish side of the mouth of
the Thames ; also on the coasts of Essex, Suffolk,
Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Cumberland, and
Lancashire, and in suitable places round the Welsh,
Scottish, and Irish coasts. It also breeds in a few
suitable inland places.

Materials. — None, the eggs harmonising well
with their surroundings.

Eggs. — Two to four, generally two or three,
varying in ground-colour from stone-yellow to pale
brown, spotted, speckled, and blotched with grey

LESSER TERN'S EGGS.

408

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and dark chestnut-brown. Distinguished by smaller
size of eggs and also of parent birds. Size about
1.25 by .95 in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in September or early October. Note : a
sharp pirre. Local and other names : Lesser Sea
Swallow, Lesser Tern. Gregarious. When a colony
is visited the birds fly boldly round, uttering their
sharp cry, and settle quite close to the intruder.

LESSER TERN ON EGGS.

TERN, ROSEATE.

(Sterna dougalh'.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
fifteen and a half inches. Bill rather long, straight,
and sharp pointed ; from the tip to the nostrils
it is black, and thence to the base red. Irides
dark brown. Crown and back of head black ;
neck white all round ; back and wings ash-grey ;
tail much forked, long, and pale ash-grey. Breast,
belly, sides, vent, and under tail-coverts white,
tinged strongly with rose colour. Legs, toes, and

.sr

.TOM3JJIUQ XOAJ8

PLATE 13.

RED-THROATED DIVER.
{See p. 73.)

BLACK GUILLEMOT.

155.)

PUFFIN.
S«/. 306.)

Order

Description
fifteen and a 1
and sharp pc
it is black, ai

Family LAR*
Parent Birds.
;hes. B-

B LACK-THROAT ED DIVER.
(.Seep. 71.)

tail much 1
belly, side

NOTE.— In referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 13.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 409

webs red. It may be distinguished from the other
members of the Tern family by its rose-coloured
under-parts and elegant, attenuated form. It has
been mentioned as occupying the same place
amongst Terns as the greyhound does amongst dogs.

The female is very similar to the male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in a
slight hollow, amongst sand and shingle, on low
rocky islands, such as the Fame and Scilly. So
far as the British Isles are concerned, this beautiful
bird, as a nesting species, was supposed at one time
to have become banished. A few pairs, however,
attempt to re-establish themselves from time to
time in old haunts, but soon dwindle and disappear
if their whereabouts become known to collectors.
Even at such places as the Fame Islands, where they
are afforded protection, the birds do not appear to
make much headway.

Materials. — Sometimes with, and at others with-
out, a slight lining of bents.

Egg8- — Two or three. " Ground colour creamy
white or buff-brown, blotched and clouded with
bluish-grey and rich brown," according to Mr.
Saunders. Subject to same variations as the Com-
mon and Arctic Terns, but a trifle longer than the
second. Distinguishable, however, only by the
appearance of parent birds. Size about 1.7 by
1.15 in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting, probably about the time of the other
Terns. Note : krr-ee. Local or other name : none,
except Sea Swallow, which, as before stated, is
applied to ah1 the Terns. Gregarious, and not a
close sitter.

410 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

TERN, SANDWICH.

(Sterna cantiaca.)
Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
fifteen inches ; bill rather long, straight, slender,
and pointed ; black in colour, except at the tip,
which is primrose-yellow. Irides hazel. Crown of
the head and nape black ; the feathers at the
back of the head are rather long and form a loose,
pointed plume ; back pearl-grey ; wings very long,
pearl-grey in colour, except the longest quill-feathers,
which are rather darker ; tail white and much
forked; chin, throat, breast, belly, and vent white,
sometimes tinged with salmon pink ; legs, toes,
membranes, and claws black.

The female is very similar to the male.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in a
slight hollow in the sand or pebbles on low rocky
islands. The principal colony in this country is
on the Fame Islands. Our full-page illustration is
from a photograph taken on a slight ridge of sand,
measuring about twenty by seven yards. The keepers
informed us that in 1892 they counted 210 Sand-
wich Terns' nests on the same ridge. When our
boat neared the Tern Island (Wamseys) the birds
(Sandwich, Arctic, and Common) rose in a perfect
cloud, and whirled round and round, for all the
world like a thick shower of snow played upon
by fickle gusts of wind. Small colonies breed at
Ravenglass, in Cumberland, and at various points
on the Scottish and Irish coasts.

Materials. — Generally none ; sometimes, a few
bits of dead herbage, and occasionally even a
liberal supply of dry grass is used.

412

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Eggs. — Two or three, usually the former number ;
varying very much in colour, from creamy-white
to buffy stone-colour, spotted, blotched, and clouded
and scrolled with grey, deep rich brown, and chest-
nut. During one of my visits to the Fame Islands
I saw one of a uniform dark brown, although its
fellow egg was of the normal coloration. Size
of parent birds and eggs prevents confusion with
those of any other Tern. Size about 2.1 by 1.4
in. (See Plate XII.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May
and departing in August. Note : a hoarse and
grating kind of kirkitt or kirhit. Local and other
names : Great Tern, Sea Swallow. Gregarious, sits
lightly, and flies round the intruder, uttering its
hoarse cry. I am very pleased to be able to say
that this species is extending its breeding area in
the British Islands.

SANDWICH TERNS AT THE FARNE ISLANDS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 413

THICKNEE. See CURLEW, STONE.

THRUSH, COMMON. See THRUSH, SONG.

THRUSH, MISSEL. Also MISTLETOE THRUSH.

(Tiirdus visctvorus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^: (THRUSE1ES).

Description of Parent
Birds. Length about
eleven inches ; bill mode-
rately long, slightly curved
downwards, and dark
brown, with a yellowish
tinge at the base of the
lower mandible. Irides
hazel. Top of the head,
nape, and back,light brown;

rump yellowish - brown ; wings dark brown, the
coverts being tipped and the quills edged with wood-
brown ; the tail is darkish brown, the outside
feathers edged and tipped with greyish-white ;
cheeks, chin, throat, breast, and under-parts straw
colour or yellowish-white, lightest on the belly and
vent ; the throat and breast are marked with
triangular spots of blackish-brown, and the belly
with roundish ones of the same colour ; legs and
toes light brown ; claws brownish-black.

The female is similar to the male. Easily dis-
tinguished from Song Thrush by its larger size,
greyer colour of the back, and the fact that the
bird conspicuously shows a white quill on either side
of the tail when flying away from the observer.

414 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — Generally near the top
of a tree, where the trunk ends and two or three
strong branches spring from it, or on a strong
bough close to the trunk, at varying heights.
I have sometimes found it only three feet from
the ground, and at others as many as forty. In
orchards, large gardens, woods, plantations, parks,
and tree-fringed streams all over the United King-
dom. It is a brave bird, and I have seen it sitting
on its eggs when one side of the tree has been plas-
tered white with wind-driven snow.

Materials. — Slender twigs, grass stems, wool,
moss, and mud, with an inner lining of fine dry
grass. The wool often hangs down from the sides
of the nest in long conspicuous rags. On one occa-
sion I found, quite by accident, a nest of this species
adorned with fresh ivy leaves in such a way as to
make it harmonise with the green moss-clad branch
upon which it rested. On the other hand, I have
seen a nest adorned with large white feathers from
a barndoor fowl's wing in such a way as to make
the whole structure look most conspicuous.

Eggs. — Four to six, according to some authori-
ties. Mr. Dixon, however, says never more than
four. Mr. Seebohm says they very rarely exceed
four, and in but very few cases are less. Messrs.
Dresser and Sharpe say the number is usually
five, sometimes four ; Waterton says generally
five ; Macgillivray, usually four, or from three to
five. I have certainly heard of more than four ;
but although I have examined a goodly number of
nests, I personally never saw more, except on one
occasion near to Stalham in Norfolk. They vary in
colour, some being greyish-green with underlying
markings of grey, and blotches and spots of reddish-

MISSEL THRUSH'S NEST AND EGGS.

416 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

brown. Others are reddish-grey in ground-colour,
with brownish-red markings, which vary in size
and distribution. Size about 1.3 by .88 in. (See
Plate IV.)

Time. — February, March, April, May, June, and
July. I have found them in every month but the
last.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to southern
movement in winter. Song loud and defiant, but
not considered of much value by bird-fanciers, as
it is somewhat melancholy and made up of five or
six broken strains ; alarm note, a jarring kind of
scream. Local and other names : Holm Thrush,
Storm Cock, Holm Screech, Mistletoe Thrush, Missel
Bird, Bell Throstle, Screech Thrust. Sits pretty
closely, and makes a great deal of demonstration
when disturbed.

A brave Missel Thrush has been known to attack
a weasel in defence of its young, and perish for its
temerity. I once saw a bird of this species dash
at a stuffed owl fixed in a tree near her nest.

YOUNG MISSEL THRUSHES.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

417

THRUSH, SONG. Also THRUSH or COMMON
THRUSH.

( Turdus mtisicus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDHXE (THRUSHES).

SONG THRUSH.

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about eight
and a half inches. Bill
of medium length, nearly
straight, and dusky. Irides
hazel. Head, nape, back,
wings, rump, tail - coverts,
and quills yellowish-brown,
spotted with darker brown
on the sides of the head,
and edged with a lighter
tinge on the wing-quills. Throat, breast, and
under-parts pale tawny-yellow ; lighter on the vent
and under tail-coverts. The space from the throat
to the thighs is studded with arrowhead-like spots.
Legs and toes pale brown ; claws darker.

The female is a trifle smaller than the male, and
the spots on her breast are larger and the ground
colour lighter.

Situation and Locality. — In evergreens, especially
early in the spring, hedgerows, bushes, in ivy growing
against walls and trees, in holes and on " throughs "
of dry walls ; on ledges of rock, on beams and in
holes of barns, and sometimes quite on the ground ;
in woods, plantations, on commons, hedges, trees
and bushes growing by the side of brooks. Through-
out the British Isles, with few exceptions, and those
where no cover is afforded.

Materials. — Twigs, coarse grass, moss, and clay,
with an inner lining of cow-dung or mud, mixed with

2 B

SONG THRUSH'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 419

bits of decaying wood ; sometimes thickly studded
with bits of rotten wood. During droughty weather
the bird is occasionally unable to secure any suitable
materials wherefrom to make an inner lining, and
has in consequence to make a nest very similar to
that of the Common Blackbird.

Eggs- — Four to six, of a beautiful deep greenish-
blue, spotted with black. The spots sometimes
describe a well-defined ring round the larger end,

FEMALE SONG THRUSH AT NEST WITH YOUNG.

at others they are sparingly scattered over the
egg, and in rare cases are absent altogether. Very
variable in size. Average measurements about 1.05
by .8 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — February, March, April, May, June, and
July ; sometimes as late as August, and even
October. The bird may sometimes be seen bravely
covering her eggs when the ground has been thickly
mantled in snow.

Remarks. — Resident, subject to local movement,
and partially migratory. Notes : call, sik, sik, sik,
sik, siki, tsak, tsak. The song of the cock is well

420

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

known and highly esteemed. In North Yorkshire
it is verbalised as Pay thy debt, pay thy debt, shifting
Mick, shitting Mick. Local and other names :
Throstle, Mavis. Sits closely, and protests loudly
against molestation.

MALE BEARDED TIT.

TIT, BEARDED.

(Panums biarmicus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family PANURIM: (REEDLINGS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length just over
six inches, the tail forming
about half of this ; bill
short, upper mandibles
slightly curved downwards,
and yellow. Irides yellowr.
Crown bluish-grey ; nape,
shoulders, back, and
rump, golden brown;
wings black and greyish,
the feathers being bordered and tipped with white
and deep rusty-red ; upper tail-coverts and tail,
which is graduated and wedge-shaped, deep rufous
brown, some of the outer feathers being tipped
and edged with white and greyish-white. A
black patch extends from the base of the bill
to half way over the eye and, passing downwards,
ends in a tuft of elongated, tapering black
feathers growing from the side of the chin and
throat very like a moustache. Centre of chin
and throat dirty-white ; breast flesh-colour ; belly
and vent like the back, but brighter ; under tail-
coverts black ; legs, toes, and claws black.

The female has the crown dull rusty-brown ;

BEARDED TIT'S NEST AND EGGS.

422 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

tufts on the sides of the chin pale brownish-fawn ;
chin and throat mixed with light brown; breast of
a lighter tinge than in the male ; and under tail-
coverts pale golden-brown.

Situation and Locality. — Close to the ground, in
a tuft of coarse grass, or sedge ; sometimes amongst
broken-down reeds, but never suspended between
stems of any kind. It is well hidden. This inter-
esting and rare species has its headquarters amongst
the extensive reed-beds and marshes round the
Norfolk Broads. It also breeds in one or two places
in Suffolk, and has been seen within twenty miles
of London within the last few years ; but, of course,
the exact localities must, for obvious reasons, remain
nameless, as the bird and its eggs are persistently
sought after by collectors, one of whom recently
left Broadland with no less than four clutches in
his possession. The significance of a raid of this
character can be appreciated, when one considers
that a competent authority recently gave it as his
opinion that the Bearded Tits did not number
forty pairs in the whole county.

Materials. — Dead aquatic vegetation, such as
leaves of reeds and blades of sedges, lined with
fine grass and seed-down. It is cup-shaped.

Eggs. — Four to seven, white, faintly tinged with
cream colour, and marked with small specks, short
irregular streaks and splashes of dark brown.
Distinguished by situation, size of eggs, and streaky
markings. Size about .7 by .56 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — March, April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local move-
ment. Notes : shrill and musical when alarmed.
They also utter a clear silvery note — which may be
very successfully imitated by poising a half-crown

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

423

on the tip of the finger of one hand and tapping it
with a similar coin held in the other — before alight-
ing. Local or other name : Reed Pheasant.
Sits closely.

THE HOME OF THE BEARDED TIT.

TIT, BLUE.

(Parus cczmleus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family PARID.E (TITMICE).

Description
of Parent Birds.
— Length from
four to four and
a half inches.
Bill short,
strong, and
dusky. Irides
dark brown.
Crown clear blue, under which runs a band of white
on either side. From the base of the beak, through
the eyes, passes a bluish-black line. Cheeks white ;
a broadish circle of dusky blue runs round from the

BLUE TIT.

424 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

back of the head to the throat, where it becomes
almost black. Back and rump lemonish-green ;
wings and tail blue, the former marked with white
on the coverts and tertials. Chin and throat blue-
black ; breast, belly, and under-parts yellow. Legs,
toes, and claws dull leaden-blue.

The female is less brilliant and distinctive in her
coloration.

Situation and Locality. — In holes, in trees, walls,
banks, and often in such queer places as disused
pumps, letter-boxes, stone bottles, flower-pots, boxes,
and cocoanuts, hung in trees for its accommoda-
tion. Our illustration is from a photograph of a nest
in a hollow fruit tree. The entrance to the nest
was in the centre of a decayed branch which had
been sawn or broken off close to the trunk, at the
place where the dark excrescence-like growth ap-
pears, the hole through which the eggs are to be seen
being cut artificially through the wood, so as to
show its exact position. In barns, stables, cottages,
orchards, gardens, woods, and cultivated districts
generally, throughout the United Kingdom, with
the exception of the islands lying to the west and
north of Scotland.

Materials. — Grass, moss, hair, and wool ; some-
times a few soft leaves woven together, with an inner
lining of feathers. I have met with specimens
containing few or none of the last.

Eggs. — Six to nine, sometimes as many as eleven
or twelve, white, spotted with light red or red-brown,
sometimes evenly distributed, at others most numer-
ous at the larger end. A sight of parent birds
only will definitely settle identification. Size
about .6 by .46 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

BLUE TIT'S NEST AND EGGS.

426 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Remarks. — Resident. Note : a peculiar twe-twe.
Local and other names : Tomtit, Blue Tomtit,
Billy Biter or Willow Biter, Blue Bonnet, Blue Cap,
Blue Mope, Hickwall, Nun, Titmal. A close sitter,
hissing like a snake when disturbed.

TIT, COAL.

(Partis britannicus.}
Order PASSERES ; Family PARID^E (TITMICE).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about four and a half
inches. Bill short, straight,
pointed, and black. Irides hazel.
Head, neck, and upper part of
breast black ; cheeks and nape
white. Back, wing-coverts, rump,
and tail greyish-blue, with a
bufhsh tinge on the rump.
Wing-quills brownish-grey, bor-
dered with green. Lower breast
dull white ; belly, flanks, vent,
and under tail-coverts fawn colour, slightly tinged
with green. Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female closely resembles the male. This
bird is easily distinguished from the Marsh Tit by
means of the white patch on the back of its head
and neck.

Situation and Locality. — In holes, from three or
four to sixteen or eighteen inches deep, in trees,
walls, and banks ; those in the last-named situa-
tions having originally belonged to rats, mice, or
moles. The bird will, however, enlarge any selected
hole for its accommodation, if necessary. It may

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

427

be found in orchards, spinneys, coppices, woods, and
plantations throughout England, Wales, Scotland,
and Ireland.

Materials. — Dry grass, moss, wool, and hair,
lined liberally with feathers.

Eggs. —
Five to ten,
ge ner ally
seven or
eight, white,
spotted and
freckled with
light red,
the mark-
ings being
generally
most numer-
ous at the
larger end.
They bear a
very close
resemblan c e
to those of
other mem-
bers of the
Tit family,
but a sight
of the parent

birds will readily distinguish them.
.62 by .47 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Note: a harsh, shrill, che-
chee, che-chee. Local and other names : Colemouse,
Coal Titmouse, Coalhead. Sits closely, and hisses
when molested.

COAL TIT'S NEST AND EGGS.

(Bricks removed to show it.)

Size about

428

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

CRESTED TIT.

TIT, CRESTED.

(Partis cristatus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family PARID^E (TITMICE).

Description of Parent Birds.
-Length about four and a half
inches ; bill short, straight, and
almost black. Irides hazel.
The feathers on the top of the
head, especially behind, are
lengthened, and form a con-
spicuous crest ; these feathers
are dull black in colour, tipped
with light grey ; back, wings,
rump, and tail brown, the quills
being somewhat darker. A
black streak runs from the base of the beak to
the eye, and passes onward between the base of
the crest and the ear-coverts to the nape,
whence a broader black, curving line descends
behind the cheeks and ends abruptly on the sides
of the neck. Cheeks white, spotted with black.
The black line just described is followed beneath
by a broader band of white, which in turn gives
place to a narrower curving black line, descend-
ing from the back of the head, and, passing in front
of the point or shoulder of the wing, joins the black
on the upper breast ; chin, throat, and upper breast
black ; lower breast, belly, and flanks dull white,
suffused with buff on the sides ; under tail-coverts
dull buff ; legs, toes, and claws lead-grey.

The female resembles the male, except that her
crest is shorter, and the black on her chin, throat,
and upper breast occupies less space.

CRESTED TIT'S NESTING HOLE IN DEAD TREE.

430 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in the trunks,
branches, old stumps of trees, and posts. The hole
is situated from a few inches to ten or twelve feet
from the ground, and is sometimes dug by the bird's
own exertions. On the Continent it patronises the
deserted nests of Crows and old squirrel dreys. It
breeds in old pine, fir, and oak forests in Ross,
Banff, Perth, Inverness, and possibly one or two
other favourite localities in Scotland only.

THE HOME OF THE CRESTED TIT.

Materials. — Dead grass, moss, feathers, and down
of hares and rabbits. The four nests I have ex-
amined of this rare and interesting species consisted
almost entirely of deers' hair and rabbits' down.

Eggs. — Five. Professor Newton says that they
do not seem to exceed five in number, which my
own experience confirms. Mr. Dixon gives the
figures as from five to eight, and Mr. Morris from
seven to ten. Possibly the last is the result of
some Continental information, as it is said the bird
lays from eight to ten eggs there. White, spotted,

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

431

blotched, and speckled with red of various shades ;
the spots are generally most numerous round the
larger end. A sight of the parent birds and locality
of the nest are the only safe means of identifi-
cation. Size about .65 by .51 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident and very local. Notes : si,
si, si, followed by a spluttering note like ptur, re,
re, re, ree. Local and other names : Crested Tit-
mouse. Sits closely.

TIT, GREAT.

(Partis major.}
Order PASSERES ; Family PARIM: (TITMICE).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
and three-quarter inches ;
bill of medium length,
nearly straight, and black.
Irides dusky. Head black ;
cheeks white ; nape green-
ish-yellow, surrounding a
whitish spot ; back olive-
green ; rump bluish-grey ;
wing - coverts bluish, the
larger being tipped with white ; quills dusky, edged
with light greenish-blue ; tail quills dusky, the outer
feathers on each side being edged with white ; breast
and belly yellow, tinged with green and divided longi-
tudinally by a broad black stripe, which commences
at the chin and, passing down the throat, is joined
by the black on the sides of the neck, and extends
to the vent, which is white on either side ; lower tail-
coverts whitish ; legs, toes, and claws bluish-grey.

GREAT TIT.

432 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is not so distinctive in coloration ;
the black stripe on her under-parts is not so wide or
pronounced, and vanishes about the middle of the
belly. She is also said by some ornithologists to
be smaller, but this is certainly not a very noticeable
feature.

Situation and Locality. — In holes in trees, walls ,
posts, banks, and buildings. The bird will sometimes
excavate a hole for itself in a rotten tree. It also
occasionally fixes its abode beneath the nest of a
Crow, Rook, or Magpie ; inside upturned plant pots
standing in gardens, old pumps, and other odd
situations. I once found one built inside the old
nest of a Blackbird situated in a dense, tangled
hedge. Great Tits often return year after year to
the same hole to breed. In orchards, gardens,
yards, well-timbered commons, woods, plantations,
parks, and other wooded places throughout the
United Kingdom, with few exceptions.

Materials. — Dry grass, moss, hair, wool, and
feathers, somewhat carelessly put together. Some-
times no materials at all. Montagu and Morris
supposed that where materials were dispensed with
altogether, the bird had had her first eggs and nest
taken, and had not had time for more nest-building.
This theory appears to be perfectly sound, for a few
years ago I came across an instance of a bird that
had had her first clutch of eggs taken, along with
the nest, from a hole in an apple tree, laying again
promptly on the rotten powdered wood at the
bottom of the hole.

Eggs. — Five to twelve, generally seven or eight ;
a Surrey gardener told me one day that a pair of
Great Tits nested in a disused beehive close to his
master's house, and that he took the eggs away as

GREAT TIT'S NEST AND EGGS UNDER AN UPTURNED PLANT POT.

2 C

434 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

laid with the exception of one. Before the bird
gave up the task as hopeless she deposited no less
than thirty-two eggs inside the old hive. White in
ground-colour, spotted and freckled with pale red.
The markings vary in size, number, intensity, and
position. Sometimes they are generally distributed,
at others they form a zone at the larger end of the
egg. They are larger than the eggs of any other
Tit, but are likely to be confused with those of
the Nuthatch if care is not taken. Size about
.7 by .53 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes: a clear, pealing
pinker, pinker, repeated several times. Local and
other names : Oxeye, Pickcheese, Great Black-
headed Tomtit, Blackcap, Great Titmouse, Bee-
biter, Tom Collier, " Sit-ye-down." Sits closely,
and hisses like a snake when disturbed. This
bird is somewhat like the Robin in its love for
odd nesting quarters. Last spring I had three
nests shown to me beneath upturned plant pots
standing in gardens, although there were plenty
of eligible nesting sites in the immediate neigh-
bourhood.

NEWLY FLEDGED GREAT TITS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 435

TIT, LONG-TAILED.

(Acredula rose a.)
Order PASSERES -Family PARID^: (TITMICE).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
and a half inches, of which
the bird's abnormally long
tail forms a considerable
part ; bill very short, and
black. Irides hazel. Fore-
head and crown white. A
black streak of variable
width commences near the
base of the bill. and. passing

YOUNG LONG-TAILED TIT. ,, -

over the eye and ear-coverts,

meets on the back of the neck, and descending forms
a kind of triangle, the lowest point of which reaches
the middle of the back. The scapulars and rump
are suffused with a dull purplish-red ; wing-coverts
and quills black, the inner ones of the latter edged
with white ; upper tail-coverts and six centre quills
black, the remainder of the feathers on either side
of the tail being more or less white. The feathers
of the tail are much graduated in length, those in
the centre being about an inch and three-quarters
longer than those on the sides. Cheeks and ear-
coverts white, the latter mixed with grey. Chin,
throat, breast, belly, and under-parts greyish-white,
tinged with purplish-red on the sides, flanks, vent,
and under tail-coverts ; legs, toes, and claws almost
black.

The female is somewhat similar, with the excep-
tion of her head, which has more black upon it ;

436

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

however, both sexes are subject to variation in the
intensity of coloration.

Situation and Locality. — In whitethorn hedges,
sloe, gorse, and wild rose bushes. I have seen
specimens within a couple of feet of the ground on
some occasions, and on others between thirty and
forty feet high fixed to the side of a single bough
in an oak tree. It is found in nearly all suitable

localities through-
out the British
Isles.

Materials. -
Moss, lichens, wool,
spiders' webs, cun-
ningly felted to-
gether, and skil-
fully formed into
an oval - shaped
nest, which is
plentifully lined
with feathers and
securely fastened
to its surround-
ings. During the
spring of 1905 I one day found a nest which had
been shown me by a woodcutter torn out and
destroyed, and even amongst the fragments of the
structure I counted over three hundred feathers
which had belonged to seven different birds. Up-
wards of 2,000 have, however, been found in one nest.
Eggs. — Seven to ten ; as many as twenty have
been found, but such a number was undoubtedly
the production of two hens. White or rosy-white
until blown, by reason of the yolk showing through
the delicate shell, with very small, faint red or

LONG-TA.LED T,T AT NEST.

LONG-TAILED TIT'S NEST AND YOUNG.

438 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

reddish-brown spots, sometimes collected round the
larger end, at others sparingly scattered over the
entire surface ; occasionally without spots altogether.
The smaller number of spots, the character and
situation of the nest, and the appearance of the
parent birds readily identify the eggs of this Tit.
Size about .57 by .44 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes: a sharp chirrup
or twitter, varied by a lower and hoarser note.
Local and other names : Mufflin, Poke Pudding,
Longpod, Bottle Tit, Oven-builder, Caper Long-
tail, Long-tail Pie, Long-tailed Capon, Bottle Tom,
Mum Ruffin, Long-tailed Mag, Huckmuck (a name
also applied to the Willow Warbler), Long-tailed
Mufflin, etc. Sits closely, with the tip of her tail
protruding from the hole. The male keeps the
female company in the nest at night time during
the period of brooding.

TIT, MARSH.

(Partis pa Ins tr is.}
Order PASSERES ; Family PARID^: (TITMICE).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about four
and a half inches. Bill short, straight, sharp-pointed,
and black. Irides dark hazel. Forehead, crown,
and nape deep black. Back, wing-coverts, and upper
tail-coverts ashy - brown, mixed with a greenish
tint. Wing and tail -quills greyish-brown, with
edges of a lighter tinge. Cheeks dirty-white ; chin
black ; throat and breast dull greyish-white ; belly
and vent of the same colour, tinged with brown.
Legs, toes, and claws bluish-black.

440 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is similar in appearance to the male.
The bird may be easily distinguished from the Coal
Tit by its having no white on the back of the
head and neck or wing-coverts.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in trees, pre-
ferably pollards, gate-posts, walls, and banks, at no
great height from the ground. Instances are on
record of rabbit-burrows and rat-holes doing duty as
nesting sites. In orchards, woods, by the side of
sluggish rivers, and in hedgerows of cultivated
districts. It is met with in most parts of England
suitable to its habits. Scotland and Ireland can
both claim it, but it is somewhat scarce, especially
in the northern parts of both countries.

Materials. — Moss and fine dried grass, lined
with wool, feathers, hair, rabbits' down, ripe
catkins of the willow, the whole being compactly
knitted together, and tightly wedged into the
situation chosen for their reception.

Eggs. — Six to ten, white, spotted with reddish-
brown, more thickly at the larger end. The spots
are variable in size, number, and distribution. They
very closely resemble those of the Tree Creeper, Blue
Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, and Great Tit, although,
as a rule, they are somewhat smaller than the last.
Size about .63 by .49 in. (See Plate III.)
Time. — April, May, and June.
Remarks. — Resident. Notes : call, chee-chee or
peh, peh, uttered quickly, and several times in
succession, and a kind of whistle, made use of
only in the spring, according to Montagu. Local
and other names : Black Cap, Little Black-headed
Tomtit, Willow Biter, Coalhead. Sits closely, and
hisses and bites when disturbed.

RAZORBILL.
(.See p. 317.)

PLATE 14.

LEACH'S FORK-
(See p. 272.)

CORN CRAKE.

I.S.Y/.43.)

SPOTTED CRAKE.

' 4-)

NOTE.— /w referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 14

' r Ct ^

. » •»

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 441

TWITE. Also MOUNTAIN LINNET.

(Linota flavirostris^)
Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID^: (FINCHES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
and a quarter inches ; bill
short, broad at the base,
and pale yellowish flesh
colour. Irides hazel.
Crown, neck, back, and
upper tail-coverts dark
brown, the feathers being
edged with light rufous-

TWITE ON NEST. ... .

brown ; rump purplish-
red ; wing and tail quills very dark brown, more or
less edged on the outer webs with white. The
feathers round the base of the beak and below the
eyes tile-red ; sides of the head dark brown, edged
with a lighter tinge ; chin and throat rufous, lighter
on the breast and sides, which are speckled with
brown ; belly nearly white ; vent tinged with brown ;
under tail-coverts almost white ; legs, toes, and
claws dusky ; tail slightly forked.

The female is lighter coloured on her upper
parts, and lacks the red on her rump.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst tall heather,
ling, brushwood, and furze, in honeysuckle, small
gooseberry bushes, in large holes of old dry stone
walls, under loose rocks. I once saw one built in a
creeping geranium inside a small Hebridean green-
house. Frequently on the ground against the side of
a bank or by a stone in moorland districts in the
north of England, Scotland and the surrounding

TWITE'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 443

islands, and Ireland. According to my experience
it is more numerous as a breeding species in the
Outer Hebrides than anywhere else in our country.

Materials. — Twigs, fibrous roots, grass stalks and
blades, moss, and wool, with an inner lining of
feathers, hair, or down.

Eggs. — Four to seven, generally five or six ;
very similar, indeed, to those of the Linnet. Pale
bluish-green, spotted and streaked with reddish-
brown and dark brown ; sometimes streaked with
the lighter reddish tinge. Some authorities say
that they are a little more streaked, and that the
light red markings are less frequent than in those
of the Linnet. The markings are generally most
numerous on the larger end of the egg. Easily
distinguished by the appearance of the parent
birds. Size about .69 by .5 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident in its breeding haunts, but
a winter visitor to the more southern portions of
England. Notes: twite; the cock has a pleasing
little song. Local and other names : Mountain
Linnet, Twite, Finch, Heather Lintie. Sits closely.

YOUNG TWITES.

444 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

WAGTAIL, BLUE-HEADED.

(Motacilla ftava.)
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLIDVE (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six
and a half inches ; bill fairly long, slender, straight,
and black. Irides dullish brown. Crown and nape
bluish-grey ; scapulars, back, and upper tail-coverts
greenish-olive, suffused with yellow ; wing-coverts
and primaries dark brown, the former, as well as
the tertials, bordered with greyish-yellow. The
tail is black in the centre and white on the outer
edges. Over the eye and ear-coverts is a white
streak, also one of shorter dimensions under the
eye ; ear-coverts bluish-grey ; chin and cheeks
white; throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-
coverts golden-yellow; legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is somewhat smaller and less brilliant
and distinctive in coloration. The bird may be
distinguished from the Yellow Wagtail, which it
closely resembles, by its bluish-grey head and the
white streak over the eye and ear-coverts.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
meadow grass, on hedgerow banks, amongst the
exposed roots of trees, in pastures, grass meadows,
and cornfields, according to Continental observations.

Materials. — Dead grass, moss, and fibrous roots,
lined with horsehair.

Eggs. — Four to six, usually five ; quite similar
to those of the Yellow Wagtail ; greyish-white,
suffused, mottled, or spotted with varying shades
of brown ; sometimes marbled with a few fine lines
of dark brown. Size about .78 by .56 in. (See
Plate III.)

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

445

Time. — May and June, according to Messrs.
Dixon and Miller Christy ; but these months are
either based upon Continental observations or
deductions from the laying season of the Yellow
Wagtail.

Remarks. — About forty specimens of the Blue-
headed Wagtail have been procured in this coun-
try, shot in January, April, June, and October.
Its nest has only been met with on one or two
occasions at Gateshead, but it is thought that
from its close similarity to the Yellow Wagtail
it has often been overlooked. Call note: chit-up.
Local or other name : Grey - headed Wagtail.
There is, so far as I can gather, no precise in-
formation forthcoming as to whether the bird
is a close sitter or not.

WAGTAIL, GREY.

(Motacilla melanope.}
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID^: (WAGTAILS).

Description of
Parent Birds . —
Length about seven
and three - quarter
inches, nearly half
of which is ac-
counted for by its
unusually long tail.
Bill of medium
length, nearly
straight, and dusky-brown. Irides dark hazel. Crown
and sides of head bluish-grey ; a narrow white streak

GREY WAGTAIL ON NEST.

446 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

runs over the eye and ear-coverts. Back of neck,
back, scapulars, and rump bluish-grey ; wing-coverts
black, or very nearly so, tipped with buffish-white ;
quills black, some of the inner ones edged on the
outer webs with yellowish-white, and liberally
marked on the inner, towards the base, with white.
Upper tail-coverts greenish-yellow ; tail black,
yellowish on the edges of the centre feathers
towards the base ; the two outside quills on either
side white, with the exception of a narrow black
line on the outer web of the second feather. Chin
and throat black, separated from the sides of
the head and neck by a white line ; breast, belly,
and under-parts bright yellow. Legs, toes, and
claws pale brown.

Situation and Locality. — On shelves of rock, in
crevices, in rough, rocky, and uneven banks, holes
in stone walls, behind or under large stones, rarely
far away from water. It is very local, and, like the
Dipper, seems to lay claim to a certain length of
stream. I am familiar with two waterfalls on moor-
land becks in the north of England where a Dipper
and a Grey Wagtail nest almost yearly within a
few yards of each other. I have known the bird
on one occasion become foster-parent to a young
Cuckoo. It breeds in the western and northern
counties of England ; in Wales, Scotland, and
in parts of Ireland. Our illustrations were pro-
cured in Westmorland.

Materials. — Rootlets, grass, and moss, lined
with horse and cowhair ; sometimes a few
feathers.

Eggs. — Four or five, occasionally six, of a greyish-
white ground-colour, spotted and speckled with
pale brown. Sometimes the ground-colour is buffi sh

GREY WAGTAIL'S NEST AND EGGS.

448

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and the markings creamy-brown. Occasionally a
few streaks of dark brown are present. Much like
the eggs of the Yellow and Blue Headed Wagtails,
also Sedge Warbler, but easily identified by
locality, situation, and a sight of the parent birds.
Size about .75 by .56 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but subject to local migra-
tion. Notes : sziszi or zisyy sharply uttered. Local
and other names : Dun Wagtail, Nanny Washtail,
Grey Wagster. Sits closely, and when disturbed
hovers round with her mate, uttering a note
of alarm.

WAGTAIL, PIED.

(Motacilla lugubris.)
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID^: (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about seven and a
half inches, several of which
are accounted for by the some-
what abnormally long tail.
Bill moderately long, nearly
straight, slender, and black.
Irides dusky. Forehead, sides
of head, round the eyes, and
a portion of the sides of the
neck, white. Latter half of
J crown, nape, back, and upper
tail - coverts black ; wing-
coverts black, edged and tipped with white; quills
black, some of them bordered with greyish - white

PIED WAGTAIL.

PIED WAGTAIL'S NEST AND EGGS.

2 D

450 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and white; tail-quills black, except the two out-
side feathers, which are nearly all white. Chin,
throat, sides, and flanks black ; breast, belly,
and under -parts white. Legs, toes, and claws
black.

The female is somewhat smaller, and dusky-grey
on the back, where the male is black.

Situation and Locality. — In ivy, growing against
walls and trees, in holes in dry walls, bridges, niches
of rock, on ledges, and tufts of grass growing from
crevices of rock ; in faggot, hay, and brick stacks,
collections of rough boulders, and numerous other
situations, generally near fresh water, throughout
the British Isles. It has been recorded in such
curious situations as a potato top, and under a
railway switch.

Materials. — Dry grass, roots, and moss ; some-
times a few dead leaves or fern-fronds, with an inner
lining of wool, feathers, horsehair, cowhair, and
rabbit down. The materials vary both in quantity
and character, according to situation.

Eggs. — Four to six, greyish-white, thickly speckled
with ash-grey or light brown. They vary a good
deal, according to the tint of the ground-colour,
size of the spots, and their colour. Those in the
nest represented on page 449 were of a bluish-
white, marked all over with small ash-grey spots.
Indistinguishable from those of the White Wagtail
or certain varieties of the House Sparrow, except
by the parent birds in the former case and the
nest and its position in the latter. Size about .8
by .6 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Partially resident, but with a southern
winter movement. Notes: chiz-zit, chiz-zit. Local

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 451

and other names : Dishwasher, Black and White
Wagtail, Washtail, Nanny Washtail, Wagster,
Water Wagtail, Washerwoman. Sits rather closely.

YOUNG WAGTAILS IN NEST.

WAGTAIL, WHITE.

(Motacilla alba.)
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID.E (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length nearly eight
inches. Bill of medium length, straight, and black.
Crown and nape black ; back, scapulars, and upper
tail -co verts French or light ash-grey. Wings
brownish-black, each feather having a broad outer
margin of greyish-white, tail-quills black, with the
exception of the two centre feathers, which are
margined with white, and the two outer feathers
on each side, which are white, with black inner
webs. The front and sides of the head, together
with a patch on either side of the neck, are white.
Chin, throat, and upper part of the breast, black.
Lower breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts
white. Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is less distinctive in coloration. Her

452 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

forehead and cheeks are not so pure a white ;
throat mottled with white ; black on back of head
occupies less space, and her back is tinged with olive.

Situation and Locality. — Similar in all respects
to those of the Pied Wagtail.

Materials. — Same as employed by last species.

Eggs. — Five to seven, of a wider colour variation
than those of the Pied Wagtail, according to Mr.
Dixon. The ground-colour varies from pure white
to bluish-white, speckled all over with different
shades of grey and brown ; sometimes a few hair-
like lines occur at the larger end. The markings
vary, both in regard to size and distribution, and
there can hardly be any safe means of identification
cipart from the difference in the parent birds. Size
about .8 by .6 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, but little is known as to
its comings and goings. Although a common bird
on the Continent, only a few well-authenticated
instances of its breeding in the British Isles are
on record, and those in the southern counties of
England. It is, however, thought that it may
often have been overlooked from the fact that its
general appearance and eggs are so similar to those
of the Pied Wagtail, to all except the practical
and experienced ornithologist. Notes : call, chiz-zit.
Local and other names : Grey and White Wagtail.
The male differs from the Pied Wagtail in being
grey on his upper-parts below the nape instead of
black, but the females of the two species only
differ in that of the White Wagtail being " pearl-grey
or very light ash-grey tinged with olive," and that
of the Pied Wagtail being " lead-grey mottled
with darker feathers " on those parts.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

453

YELLOW WAGTAIL
AT N EST.

WAGTAIL, YELLOW.

(Mofacilla rail.)
Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID^: (WAGTAILS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length about six and a half
inches. Bill moderately long,
straight, slender, and black.
Irides hazel. Crown, nape,
back, and scapulars light olive.
Wing - coverts and primaries
darkish-brown, the first-named
being tipped, and the tertials
bordered and tipped with grey-
ish-yellow. Upper tail-coverts
olive ; tail - quills brownish-
black, with the exception of the two outer feathers,
which are white, streaked with black on the inner
web. Over the eye and ear-coverts is a line of
golden-yellow. Chin, throat, breast, belly, and
vent a bright golden-yellow. Legs, toes, and claws
black.

The female is much less handsome, her head and
back being darker, and the yellow of her breast
and under-parts not nearly so bright.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, in the
shelter of a tuft of grass, heather, or coarse herbage ;
sometimes behind the long grass of an overhanging
bank, well hidden. I know several places in the
north of England where pairs breed year after
year with unbroken regularity. In grass meadows,
pastures, commons, and other suitable places, pretty
generally throughout England, except Cornwall and
Devonshire. I have met with it more numerously

YELLOW WAGTAILS NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 455

in Norfolk, parts of Suffolk, and in Yorkshire and
Westmorland, than anywhere else in the British
Isles ; also in the south of Scotland, and, to a
very limited extent, in Ireland. The bird is wary,
and the nest difficult to find. I have watched a
pair for three or four hours through my binoculars ,
and when able to locate the nest pretty closely have
still failed to find it.

Materials. — Dead grass, fibrous roots, and moss,

YELLOW WAGTAIL'S NEST AND YOUNG.

with an inner lining of horse or cowhair, feathers,
or down.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally five, ground-colour
greyish-white, mottled and spotted with varying
shades of brown ; sometimes marbled with blackish-
brown at the larger end. The markings are thickly
distributed over the surface of the egg. They
are very similar to those of the Blue-headed Wag-
tail, Pied Wagtail, and Sedge Warbler. The differ-
ence pointed out in regard to the plumage of the
first in describing it, and the situation of the two
latter, ought to prevent confusion. Size about .78
by .58 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — Some very good authorities say April,

456 BRITISH BIRDS1 NESTS.

but I have never met with a nest so early. May,
June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in March or April,
and leaving in September. Notes : tzee-tzee, sipp-
sipp. Local and other names : Cowbird, Ray's
Wagtail, Yellow Wagster. Sits lightly, and, although
by no means shy, is very wary.

WARBLER, DARTFORD

(Melizophilus undatus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIIM: (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
inches, nearly half of
which is accounted for
by the bird's exception-
ally long tail ; bill fairly
long, slightly curved down-
ward, and blackish, with
the exception of the base
of the lower mandible
and along the edges of the

upper, which are orange. Irides light or dark red,
according to age. Head, neck, back, and upper-
tail coverts greyish-black ; wings blackish-brown,
the quill-feathers being bordered with a lighter
tinge ; tail blackish-brown, the external feathers
being broadly tipped with grey ; chin, throat,
breast, and sides chestnut-brown ; belly white ;
under tail-coverts slate grey ; legs and toes pale
reddish-brown ; claws darker.

The female resembles the male, except that she
is more tinged with brown on her upper- and lighter

DARTFORD WARBLER'S NEST AND YOUNG.

458 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

on her under-parts. The chestnut-brown does not,
however, extend so far down the breast.

The Dartford Warbler has the power of partly
erecting the feathers on the head, so as to form a
kind of crest.

Situation and Locality. — In the lower parts of
thick furze bushes ; very locally and sparingly on
commons and other places covered by furze bushes,
principally in the counties along the south coast
of England. It was at one time not supposed to
nest north of the Thames, but Mr. Dixon has proved
that it does so as far north even as Yorkshire. It
is not found either in Scotland or Ireland.

Materials. — Small and slender branches of furze,
grass stalks, bits of moss and wool, with an inner
lining of fine grass, and sometimes a few horsehairs.
It is a somewhat slight structure, and has been
likened to that of the Whitethroat.

Eggs. — Four or five, greenish or huffish-white in
ground-colour, speckled all over with dark olive-brown,
and underlying markings of grey, which generally
become more dense at the larger end, and form a kind
of zone. There is very little difference indeed between
the eggs of this bird and those of the Whitethroat,
except that the markings are more conspicuous.
Size about .68 by .5 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : pit-et-chou-cha-ch-
cha. Local or other name : Furze Wren. Sits
closely, and slips away quietly. The photograph
showing adult bird with food in its bill was
secured through the kindness of a friend who
carefully placed meal worms day by day on the
furze bush represented until the individual figured
grew accustomed to finding and feeding upon them.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 459

WARBLER, GARDEN.

( Sylvia hortensis. )
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about six
inches ; bill fairly long,
straight, strong, and dark
brown in colour. Irides
hazel. Head, neck, back,
wings, and tail uniform
light brown, slightly
tinged with olive ; chin,
throat, breast, belly,

and Under

GARDEN WARBLER ON NEST.

coverts dull brownish-

white, dark on the throat and breast, and light on
the belly ; legs, toes, and claws purple-brown.

The female is similar to the male in appearance.

Situation and Locality. — Generally a few feet
from the ground in thorn bushes, briars, brambles,
gooseberry bushes, nettles, and peas. Sometimes
lower down in coarse grass and taller wild plants.
In woods, clumps of trees growing beside streams,
shrubberies, thick hedges, orchards, and gardens,
sparingly, in suitable localities nearly all over
England. It also breeds in one or two parts of
Wales, in the southern parts of Scotland, and in
different parts of Ireland.

Materials. — Straws, blades of grass, fibrous roots,
sometimes a little wool or moss, and lined with
horsehair. It is a somewhat flimsy structure.

Eggs. — Four to six, generally four or five, vary-
ing in ground-colour from white to greenish-white

GARDEN WARBLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 461

or yellowish stone-grey, blotched, spotted, and
clouded with brown of various shades ; deep olive,
with underlying markings of ash-grey. The mark-
ings are variously distributed, occasionally being
congregated at the larger end. Some specimens
are marbled with brown. Size about .77 by .6 in.
Often indistinguishable from those of the Black-
cap, except by a sight of the parent birds. (See
Plate IV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
May, and departing in September or October.
Notes : song, deep, harmonious, and mellow ;
call, tee. Local and other names : Petty chaps,
Fauvette, Greater Pettychaps, Fig Bird. Sits
closely.

WARBLER, GRASSHOPPER.

(Locustella HKvia^]
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^: (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
and a half inches ; bill of
medium length, straight,
strong, and brown in colour.
Irides brown. Crown, nape,
back of neck, back, and
wings olive-brown, the centre

GRASSHOPPER ^WARBLER of each feather being of a
ON NEST darker tinge ; tail rather long,

much rounded at the tip, and brown, barred with a
paler tinge of the same colour ; chin, throat, breast,
and all under-parts pale brown, darker on the flanks.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 463

The neck and breast are spotted with darkish
brown ; legs and toes pale brown ; claws light
horn colour.

The female is very similar to the male, but is
said to lack breast spots.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground
under furze and other small bushes, in tufts of tall
rank grass growing at the foot of a hedgerow, and
similar situations affording plenty of cover. In
woods, on commons, fens, clumps of trees with
plenty of undercover, thickets, and coppices. Pretty
generally throughout England and Wales, but
more sparingly distributed in Scotland and Ireland.
The position of the nest and the skulking, mouse-
like habits of its owner make it very difficult
to find.

Materials. — Strong dry grass and moss, with an
inner lining of finer grass. The nest is pretty deep
and well built.

Eggs. — Four to seven, pale rosy-white, profusely
spotted and speckled all over with reddish-brown.
Sometimes the markings are more numerous at
the larger end, and occasionally a few thin, hair-
like streaks are present. Size about .72 by .54 in.
(See Plate IV.)

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May,
and departing in September. Notes : call, tic, tic ;
song, a chirping noise, similar to that made by
a grasshopper, but louder and longer. Local and
other names : Reeler, Cricket-Bird, Grasshopper Lark.
Leaves the nest quietly and quickly, in the most
mouse-like fashion, and hides in the surrounding
undergrowth.

464 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

WARBLER, MARSH.

(Acrocephahis palustris.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^: (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — This bird very closely
resembles the Reed Warbler,
and it is only within recent
years that it has been ad-
mitted to be a distinct Brit-
ish breeding species. Mr.
Harting has done much to
establish this fact, and speci-
MARSH WARBLER ON mens have been seen and

procured in different parts of

the country. Length about five and a half inches.
Bill shorter and broader than in the case of the
Reed Warbler, nearly straight, dark brown above,
and pale brown below. Irides hazel. Mr. Seebohm,
who has had special facilities for examining speci-
mens, describes the bird as follows, in his admirable
work on British Birds :

" The Marsh Warbler has the general colour of
the upper-parts varying from olive-brown in spring
plumage to earthy-brown in summer, with a scarcely
perceptible shade of rufous after the autumn moult,
slightly paler on the rump. The eye stripe is nearly
obsolete, and the innermost secondaries have broad,
ill-defined pale edges. The breast, flanks, and
under tail-coverts are pale buff, shading into nearly
white on the chin, throat, and the centre of the
belly. . . . Legs, feet, and claws horn colour."

Dresser and Sharpe say that this Warbler has
the legs of a pale flesh-brown, and that those of
the Reed Warbler are dark slaty-brO^n.

MARSH WARBLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

2 E

466 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female resembles the male, but is somewhat
smaller in size.

Situation and Locality. — A celebrated Continental
authority says that the nest is situated in low bushes,
overgrown with nettles, reeds, and other plants, and
that, unlike the Reed Warbler, which builds its nest
amongst the reeds growing from the water, this bird
builds its nest amongst vegetation growing from the
bank of a stream or pond, and is never situated
over water. The limited number of nests I have
seen certainly answered this description exactly.
The structure is placed from a few inches to several
feet from the ground in swamps and other places
affording plenty of rough undergrowth cover.
It has been met with in the west of England,
where our illustrations were secured in Surrey,
and in the Fen country.

Materials. — Dry grass-stems, dead leaves, moss,
and downy-fibre, with a lining of horsehair. The
nest is not so deep as that of the Reed Warbler,
and lacks the wool which is so often used by the
last-named bird.

Eggs. — Four to seven, varying in ground-colour
from greenish-white to greenish-blue, moderately
clouded and spotted with olive-brown, and under-
lying markings of grey. The spots vary in size,
intensity, quantity, and disposition, but are generally
most numerous at the larger end of the egg. Their
paler ground-colour generally distinguishes them
from those of the Reed Warbler. Size about .72
by .54 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — June and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in May and de-
parting in August. Notes: call and alarm, very
similar to those of the Reed Warbler, but the song

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 467

is far finer, more melodious, and varied. It is
delivered during the night as well as by day in a
similar way to that of the Nightingale, and the
bird is a wonderful mimic. Local or other name :
none. Not a very close sitter, but wonderfully
adroit in slipping off the nest and hiding in sur-
rounding vegetation.

WARBLER, REED. Also REED WREN.

(Acrocephahis streperus.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^: (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent Birds. —
Length about five and a half
inches. Bill fairly long, strong,
nearly straight, dark horn colour
on the upper mandible, and lighter
on the under, which is yellowish
at the base. Irides light yellow-
ish-brown. A streak of cream
YOUNG REED WARBLER. co}our runs from the base of the

beak over the eyes. Head, neck, back, wings, rump,
upper tail-coverts, and tail-quills pale brown, with a
tinge of chestnut, which is most pronounced on
the rump ; wing -quills dusky, and bordered with
pale brown. Chin and throat white ; breast, flanks,
and under tail-coverts white, tinged with cream
colour ; belly white. Legs and toes dusky or slaty
brown.

The female is rather smaller than the male, but
similar in plumage.

Situation and Locality. — The nest is slung or
suspended between the stems of reeds, at varying
heights above the water. It is supported generally

468 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

by three reeds, but upon occasion by two, four, or
even five. Specimens may sometimes be met with
amongst the branches of willow and other trees
growing near sluggish water. I have known a nest
near to Stratford-on-Avon built at some distance
from the water on account of persistent persecution,
there is reason to believe, by people who cut the
beautiful structure and the reeds supporting it out
and carry them away as ornaments. In reed beds,
osier beds, and other places where suitable cover
may be found, on the banks of broads, ponds,
reservoirs, and sluggish streams, principally in
the eastern counties. It does not breed in the
extreme western peninsula of England, and is rare
in the northern counties. It is not known to
breed in Scotland or in Ireland, and is said to be
somewhat rare in Wales.

Materials. — Long blades of dried grass, seed-
branches of reeds, roots, dry leaves, and wool, lined
with fine grass and hairs. The nest is very deep,
a necessity occasioned by its supports being swayed
to and fro by gusts of wind.

Eggs. — Four or five, dull greenish-white, greyish-
green, or pale greenish-blue, spotted, blotched, and
blurred with darker greyish-green and light brown.
A few black spots or streaks of dark brown are
sometimes present. They are variable, both in the
tint of the ground-colour and markings. Their
darker ground-colour and the situation of the nest
distinguish them from the eggs of the Marsh
Warbler. Size about .74 by .53 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — End of May, June, and even at the
beginning of July eggs may be found.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May,
and leaving in September. Notes : varied, loud,

REED WARBLER'S NEST.

470 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and hurriedly delivered. Naumann represents them
as tiri, tier, zach, zerr, scherk, heid, tret, each
note being repeated a number of times. Local
and other names : Night Warbler, Reed Wren, and
in some localities Reed Sparrow. Sits rather
closely, and is noisy when disturbed. I have on
several occasions watched the female industriously
carrying piece after piece of building material to
her nest whilst her mate flitted about from
place to place pouring out his notes in breathless
and vehement haste, but never once attempting
to assist her in her work.

REED WARBLER ON NEST

WARBLER, SAVFS.

(Locustella luscim'oides.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

This bird used formerly to breed in the Fen
country, but has long since ceased to do so on
account of the drainage carried out therein, and
is now only a very rare summer visitor, so that I
fear we must now number it amongst Britain's
lost breeding birds.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 471

WARBLER, SEDGE.

(Acrocephalus phragmitis. )
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
— Length four and three-
quarter inches. Bill fairly
long, straight, pointed, and
brown, yellowish at the base
of the under mandible. Irides
brown. Crown of the head
streaked with light and dark
brown longitudinal lines ;

SEDGE WARBLER. , ' >

back of neck, back, and

wing-coverts light reddish-brown, mixed with a
darker tint of the same colour, wing-quills dark
brown, bordered with lighter tinge ; rump and upper
tail-coverts tawny ; tail-quills brown, indistinctly
barred ; from the base of the beak a yellowish-
white streak runs over the eye and ear-coverts,
the latter of which are brown. Chin and throat
white ; breast, belly, and under tail-coverts pale
buff ; under-side of tail-quills dusky brown ; flanks
bright buff. Legs, toes, and claws pale brown.

The female is darker on the under-parts, and less
rufous on the under tail-coverts.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst thick, coarse,
climbing herbage, brambles, wild rose, and other
bushes, near streams, rivers, and swamps, pretty
generally throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — Grass, coarse bents, and bits of moss,
sometimes none of the latter whatever, lined inter-
nally with horsehairs, and occasionally with willow
down. It is a deep, cup-shaped, loosely-built structure.

Eggs. — Five or six, pale yellowish or umber

SEDGE WARBLER'S NEST CONTAINING A CUCKOO'S EGG.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 473

brown, sometimes a little clouded, suffused, or
mottled with darker brown, and often streaked at
the larger end with a few short, hairlike, black lines.
Variable, both in coloration and size. Measure-
ments about .67 by .52 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and May
and departing in September. Notes : call, harsh
and frequently uttered. The song of the male is
loud, merry, imitative, and uttered often, during
the night as well as the day. Local and other
names : Chat, Sedge Bird, Sedge Wren, Reed
Fauvette. Sits rather closely.

WARBLER, WILLOW. Also WILLOW WREN.
(Phyllo&opus trochtlus.)

Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
inches ; bill rather short,
slender, slightly curved, and
brown in colour ; under man-
dible paler at the base. Irides
hazel. Crown, neck, back,
and upper tail-coverts dullish
olive-brown, wings and tail
dullish slate - brown, the
feathers of the former being
bordered with olive -green.

A pale yellow line runs over the eye and ear-coverts ;
chin, throat, and breast whitish - yellow ; belly,
flanks, and lower tail-coverts greyish-white, slightly
tinged with yellow ; legs, toes, and claws light
brown.

474 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is very similar in all respects to the
male. The bird is larger than the Chiffchaff,
and the feathers in its nest readily distinguish it
from the structure built by the rarer Wood Wren.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
coarse grass and weeds, entwining themselves round
slender twigs of low, open bushes growing on banks.
I have found it most frequently on banks near
willow- and alder-fringed streams whilst trout-fishing,
and have often sat and watched the hen hop about
restlessly, and after a great deal of timid hesitation,
re-enter her nest. I was shown two nests in West-
morland during June, 1894, in holes in walls.
One was at least three feet from the ground, and
the other about a couple, not reckoning a high
bank upon which the wall stood. In 1905 I found
a nest in some ivy growing against a stable wall
at Dingwall, at least six feet from the ground.
Throughout the British Isles, wherever trees and
bushes are to be found in sufficient quantities.

Materials. — Dead grass, moss, dead fern-fronds
and leaves, lined with horsehair, cowhair, and
liberal quantities of feathers. It is dome-shaped,
with a hole in front which is somewhat larger
than that of the Chiffchaff.

Eggs. — Four to eight, generally six or seven ;
white, spotted variably with pale rusty-red. Some-
times the spots are small and scattered pretty
evenly over the surface ; at others they are larger,
less numerous, and more thickly congregated round
the larger end. Pure white and unspotted specimens
have been met with. The pale rusty-red markings
distinguish the eggs of this bird from those of the
Wood Wren and Chiffchaff. Size about .64 by
.47 in. (See Plate IV.)

WILLOW WARBLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

476 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Time. — April, May, June, and July, although
the last-named month is somewhat late. I found
some years ago a member of this species in
Hertfordshire sitting on eggs as late as the first
week in August.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in March and
April, and departing in August and September
according to some authorities, and October accord-
ing to others. Specimens have been seen during
the winter in the southern counties of England.
Notes : long and shrill. Local and other names :
Oven Bird, Jenny Wren (a name also applied to
Common Wren), Scotch Wren, Yellow Wren, Hay
Bird (a name also applied to the Whitethroat),
Huckmuck (also applied to the Long -tailed Tit),
Ground Wren, Mealy Mouth. A close sitter. It
has been asserted that female Willow Warblers
sometimes hover over their nests like humming
birds, but, although I have watched a good many
individuals of this species during the last thirty
years, I have never once seen the bird practise
the feat.

YOUNG WILLOW WARBLERS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 477

WARBLER, WOOD. Also WOOD WREN.

(Phylloscopus sibilatrix^
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about five
inches ; bill rather short,
slender, slightly curved, and
brown ; crown, nape, lesser
wing - coverts, back, and
upper tail - coverts olive-
green, tinged with yellow ;
wings and tail dusky, bor-
dered with yellow of varying

shades. A line of bright primrose-yellow runs from
the base of the bill over the eye and ear-coverts ;
cheeks, chin, throat, and breast yellow ; belly, vent,
and under tail-coverts white ; legs, toes, and claws
brown. It is distinguished from the Willow Warbler
by its broader yellow band over the eye, greener
upper- and whiter under-parts, and longer wings.

The female is said to be a trifle larger than the
male, but is similar in plumage.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground amongst
thick herbage or dead brackens, in old plantations,
woods, and other places well supplied with tall trees.
Scattered generally throughout England and Wales,
most numerous in some parts of Yorkshire and
Durham. Met with in Scotland, but rare in Ireland.
Materials. — Dead grass, moss, and leaves, lined
with fine grass and horsehair. Rarely feathers are
said to be found, but I have never met with any.
It is oval, and domed like those of the Chiffchaff and

WOOD WARBLER'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 479

Willow Wren ; but is distinguished from them by
having no feathers as an inner lining.

Eggs. — Five or six. I have generally found the
former number although some authorities say the
latter forms a usual clutch ; white in ground-
colour, thickly spotted and speckled all over with
dark purplish-brown and ash-grey, most thickly at
the larger end. Size about .65 by .56 in. (See
Plate IV.)

7Yw£.— May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and de-
parting in October. Notes : song, twee, twee, chea,
chea ; call note, dee-ur. Local and other names :
Wood Wren, Yellow Wren. Sits closely.

WATERHEN. See MOORHEN.

WHEATEAR.

(Saxicola cenanthe.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID.E (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about six
inches. Bill fairly long,
strong, and black, with a
few bristles at the base.
Irides hazel. Crown, nape,
and back bluish-grey , tinged
with light -brown; rump
and upper tail - coverts
white. Wings nearly black,
MALE WHEATEAR. some of the feathers edged

and tipped with buff. c^T ail-quills, upper two-thirds
white, the remaining third black and broad. From

480 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the base of the beak, through the eye to the ear-
coverts, is a band of black, over which is one of
white, running from the forehead. Chin and throat
dull white ; breast pale cream colour, turning to a
dull yellowish-white on the remainder of the under-
parts. Legs, toes, and claws black.

The female is not nearly of such distinc-
tive coloration, and is browner on her upper-
parts.

Situation and Locality. — Holes in dry walls,
heaps of stones, old mine hillocks, under lumps of
stone jutting from steep hillsides, in chinks of rock,
quarries, peat stacks, and occasionally in rabbit-
burrows. On high moorland and uncultivated dis-
tricts bare of trees but abounding in rocks. To
be met with in suitable districts over the whole of
the British Isles, but most numerous in the north
of England, Wales, Scotland, Shetlands, Orkneys,
and Ireland.

Materials. — Roots, dead grass, moss, lined with
wool, hair, rabbits' down, and feathers, often loosely
and clumsily put together. The materials named
are, of course, not all present in the same nest, but
are found according to the facilities the bird may
enjoy for picking them up.

Eggs. — Four to seven, more generally five or six,
of a pale greenish-blue, unspotted. I have found
specimens nearly white sometimes, and they are
said to be met with occasionally with a few small
rusty spots on the larger end. Size about .83 by
.61 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in March and
departing in August or September, stray individuals
sometimes lingering as late as December. Notes :

2 F

482 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

chick-chack-chack. Local and other names : White
Rump, Fallow Chat, Fallow Smick, Chacker, Chack-
bird, Clodhopper, Fallow Finch. A close sitter.

YOUNG WHEATEARS.

WHIMBREL.

{Numenius phoeopus.}
Order LIMICOL.E ; Family SCOLOPACID^: (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about six-
teen inches. Bill long, slender, curved downward,
and brown ; dark at the tip, and lighter towards
the base. Crown dark brown, with a light central
streak, and another passing from the base of the
beak over the eye and ear-coverts ; neck brownish-
grey, streaked with dark brown. Wings dark brown,
the feathers being margined and spotted with pale
brown and white ; rump white, streaked sparingly
with brown. Tail-quills ash-brown, barred with
darkish brown. Chin white ; upper breast light
brown, streaked with a darker tinge ; lower breast
and belly almost white ; flanks dull white, barred
with brown. Lower tail-coverts white, streaked

WHIMBREL'S NEST AND EGGS.

484 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

with brov/n. Legs and toes bluish-black ; claws
black. Distinguished from the Curlew by being
considerably smaller in size and having a difference
in call note.

The female is similar in plumage, but about two
inches greater in length.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
the heather, or in the shelter of a tuft of grass,
on open moors in the Shetlands, Orkneys, and
Hebrides. I have only met with its nest in one
place in the Shetlands, and although I see small flocks
until the middle of June in the Outer Hebrides
each year, have never found a nest there.

Materials. — A few blades of dried grass, used
as a lining to the depression chosen.

Eggs. — Four, pear-shaped, olive-green to olive-
brown in ground-colour, blotched and spotted with
varying shades of brown and light grey. They
resemble the darker varieties of the Common
Curlew's, but are smaller, and are rather larger and
more pear-shaped than those of Richardson's Skua,
with which they are likely to be confused. Size
about 2.35 by 1.65 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving at its breeding
grounds in April and May and departing in Sep-
tember. Notes : tetty, tetty, tetty, let. Local and
other names : Whimbrel Curlew, Little Whaap,
Lang Whaap, Jack Curlew, Half Curlew, Curlew
Knot, Maybird, Mayfowl, Titterel, Seven Whistler,
Stone Curlew (a name also given to the Norfolk
Plover or Thicknee), Chequer Bird. Not a close
sitter, but makes a considerable outcry when dis-
turbed.

PLATE 15.

RED-LEGGED
PARTRIDGE.

(See p. 266.)

RED GROUSE.

(Seep. 1530

PTARMIGAN.
(See p. 304.)

COMMON PARTRIDGE.
(See p. 264. )

PHEASANT.

(See p. 280. )

WATER RAIL.
(Seep. 310.)

CAPERCAlLLlE.

(Sec p. 25.)

QUAIL.
(See p. 3090

BLACK GROUSE.

(Sec p. 148.)

NOTE. — In referring to the eggs the above names should be read from left to right.

PLATE 15

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 485

WHINCHAT.

(Pratincola rubetra.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TURDHVE (THRUSHES).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five
and a quarter inches ; bill rather short, straight,
and shiny black. Irides brown. Crown, nape,
back, and smaller wing-coverts of two shades of
brown, the feathers being dark in the centre and
light round the edges ; wings dark brown, the
secondaries and tertials being edged with a paler
hue ; bastard or spurious wing white ; upper half of
tail white ; lower dark brown, edged with a paler
tinge of the same colour. From the base of the
upper mandible, over the eye and ear-coverts, is a
lengthy and rather broad streak of white. From
the gape to the eye buff ; chin white, extending
beyond the lower margin of the ear-coverts ; throat
and breast light chestnut, turning to pale buff on
the belly, vent, and under tail-coverts ; legs, toes,
and claws black.

In the female the white over the eye and on
the wing is less distinctly marked, and the breast
and belly are not so rich in coloration.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground
in grass-fields, rough pasture land, on commons,
at the foot of gorse bushes amongst the thick,
tangling grass and dead lower branches ; also
amongst heather and coarse herbage. I know
several small pastures in Yorkshire where pairs
nest regularly year after year. The bird is extremely
local, and very wary concerning the betrayal of
its nest, which is well hidden ; but I must confess
I have not noticed the track or maze it has been
reported to make as an approach to its nest.

WHINCHATS NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 487

Materials. — Dead grass and moss, with an inner
lining of horsehair.

Eggs. — Four to six, of a beautiful greenish-blue,
sparingly speckled round the larger end with minute
spots of reddish-brown. They are more attenuated,
of a deeper blue, and less richly and clearly marked
than the eggs of the Stonechat. The appearance
of the parent birds, which are not often met with
close together, will, however, readily settle any
doubts. Size about .76 by .57 in. (See Plate IV.)

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
departing in September or October. Notes : u-tac.
Local and other names : Furze Chat, Grass Chat.
Sits lightly, and, as before mentioned, is extremely
wary. I detected the one figured opposite by
watching through my field-glasses the female go on
to her nest, and then directing my brother to the
spot by signs.

WHITETHROAT.

(Sylvia cinerea?)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about
five and a half inches ;
bill somewhat short,
straight, and brown,
lighter towards the
base of the under man-
dible. Irides yellowish.
The whole of the upper-
parts are brown, grey-
ish on the head and

WHITETHROAT ON NEST.

488 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

neck, and reddish on the other parts ; wing-quills
greyish-brown, some of the smaller ones being
edged with reddish-buff ; tail-quills dull brown,
some of the outer ones being edged and tipped
with dirty white ; chin and throat white ; breast,
belly, and under-parts generally, pale grey, tinted
with a beautiful rosy flesh colour ; legs, toes,
and claws brown, lightest on the first named.

WHITETHROAT'S NEST WITH NEWLY-HATCHED CHICK.

The female is less distinct in coloration, lacking
the grey on the head and neck and the rosy tinge
on her under-parts.

Situation and Locality. — Amongst nettles,
brambles, thick rough grass, wild rose bushes, on
hedgebanks in woods ; on banks of streams, and
wooded commons in nearly all suitable localities
throughout the United Kingdom.

Materials. — Dry grass stems and hair. The
nest is deep, very flimsily constructed, and loosely
attached.

Eggs. — Four to six, of a dirty greenish-white,
spotted and speckled with grey and brown. The
spots are larger but not so pronounced as those of

WHITETHROAT'S NEST AND EGGS.

490 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

the Lesser Whitethroat ; nor do they so often form
a zone at the larger end, according to my experience.
The ground-colour is not so clear a white either.
Size about .72 by .55 in. (See Plate III.)

Time. — May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
departing in September or October ; individual
specimens have, however, been observed as late
as December. Notes : song " consists of numerous
agreeable strains given in rapid succession " whilst
the bird is in the air. Local or other name :
Nettle Creeper. Sits closely.

WHITETHROAT, LESSER.

(Sylvia curruca.)
Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length from five to
five and a quarter inches ;
bill rather short, yellowish-
brown at the base, and
nearly black towards the
tip. Irides from yellowish
to pearl white, according
to the age of the bird.
LESSER WHITETHROAT Head, neck, back, rump,

and upper tail-coverts grey-
ish-brown ; wing and tail-quills dusky, edged with
greyish-brown ; ear-coverts dark greyish-brown ;
chin, throat, and under-parts greyish-white, tinged
between the thighs and round the vent with red,
also, in some specimens, across the breast ; legs,
toes, and claws leaden grey.

LESSER WHITETHROAT'S NEST AND EGGS.

492 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is a trifle duller in her plumage
than the male, but in all other respects is very
similar. Differs in size, as its name implies, from
the Whitethroat, and its darker ear-coverts distin-
guish it.

Situation and Locality. — In a low, sloping hedge
(our full page illustration is from a photograph of a
nest in such a situation and was taken in Surrey),
amongst briars, brambles, nettles, gorse and low
bushes, entangled by tall coarse grass and weeds ;
in gardens, orchards, on commons, rough waste
lands, by river banks, and the sides of small woods.
Fairly plentiful in the south and east of England,
but rare in the west, north, and Scotland, and
met with very seldom in Ireland.

Materials. — Dead grass stalks, with an inner
lining of horsehair. The whole structure is but
a shallow, frail network-looking affair, that can be
seen through with ease. It is sometimes tied or
cemented together with old cobwebs.

Eggs. — Four or five ; white, light creamy white,
or white with the faintest suggestion of green, in
ground-colour, spotted and speckled with ash-grey,
greenish-brown, and umber-brown. The markings
generally form a belt round the larger end. Size
about .66 by .52 in. Distinguished by small size,
clean ground-colour, and bold belt -inclining spots.
(See Plate III.)

Time. — May, June, and July.
Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April and
leaving in September. Notes : call, check, repeated
several times, and an incessant chattering, some-
times loud and grating, at others low and not
unpleasant. Local or other name : none. Sits
closely.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 493

WIGEON.

(Mareca penelope^]
Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about eighteen
inches ; bill rather short,
narrow, highish at the base,
and bluish-grey, tipped with
black. Irides dark brown.
Forehead and crown cream
colour ; rest of head and
upper part of neck rich bav.

WIGEON ON NEST. fr , \, , ,, , . " '

almost black on the chin and

throat. A streak of green passes backward from the
eye, and the cheeks and neck are minutely spotted
with blackish-green ; back and scapulars greyish-
white, barred with fine irregular lines of black ; wing-
coverts white, tipped with black ; outer webs of
secondaries green, tipped with black ; tertials or
inner secondaries black on the outer webs, which are
broadly margined with white ; primaries dusky-
brown ; upper tail-coverts freckled with grey ; tail
feathers long, wedge-shaped, and dusky-black, mixed
with grey and brown ; lower part of the neck and
shoulders pale red ; breast, belly, and vent white ;
sides and flanks marked with fine undulating lines
of black ; under tail-coverts rich black ; legs, toes,
and webs dark brown.

The female is a little smaller ; her head and
neck are brown, tinged with red and speckled with
dark brown. The feathers on her upper-parts are
dark brown, margined with light reddish-brown ;
breast pale brown ; under-parts almost white ; wings
and tail somewhat similar to those of the male.

494 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

At the end of the spring and beginning of
summer the male retires to some solitary swamp,
and casts off his gay dress and assumes a sombre
one, which he continues to wear until the autumn.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, generally
amongst fairly tall heather, in a clump of rushes,
or amongst coarse grass, flags, reeds, and under
dwarf bushes, cleverly concealed, in the neighbour-

NEWLY-HATCHED WIGEON IN NEST.

hood of lochs, swamps, tarns, or rivers, where the
ground is rough and affording shelter ; in suitable
parts of the north of Scotland, the Orkneys and
Shetlands, and probably in one or two parts of
Ireland, although no nest of the species had been
found up to the commencement of the twentieth
century.

Materials. — Reeds, decayed rushes, leaves, and
dry grass, with an inner lining of down from the
bird's own body. The tufts are dark sooty-brown,
with conspicuous white tips.

Eggs. — Six to twelve, generally seven or eight ;
creamy white, somewhat like those of the Gadwall.
The locality of the nest, and the character of the

WIGEON'S NEST AND EGGS.

496 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

down tufts prevent any chance of confusion with
that duck. Size about 2.2 by 1.5 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — A winter visitor, generally arriving
in September or October, and departing north in
March or April. Notes : a shrill whistle, sounding
like " whee you!' Local and other names : Whew
Duck, Whewer, Pandle Whew, Yellow Poll, Easter-
lings, Whim. A fairly close sitter, although diffi-
cult to photograph on the nest. Our initial to this
article was secured by building a stone hiding house
close by the nest.

WOODCOCK.

(Scot op ax rusticula.)
Order LIMICOL^: ; Family SCOLOPACID.E (SNIPES).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about fifteen inches.
Bill long, straight, dark brown
at the tip, and pale reddish-
brown at the base. Irides dark
brown. A dark streak of brown
extends from the gape to the
eye. Head and upper-parts a
mixture of rusty-brown, black,
and grey, which occur in each
feather and produce a hand-
somely variegated effect.
Cheeks and the whole of the

under-parts yellowish-white, numerously barred with

dark wavy lines. Legs and toes brown ; claws black.
The female is similar in plumage to the male,

but both are subject to great variation in size and

colour.

WOODCOCK'S NEST AND ESGS.

2 G

498

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst
dead grass, under brackens, ferns, brambles, and
sometimes amongst dead leaves at the foot of a
tree ; in woods, plantations, coppices, and forests
with plenty of the undergrowth just named ; very
sparingly in many localities but pretty generally
throughout the United Kingdom. I have seen as
many as three nests during one morning in North-
umberland.

Materials. — Dry grass, fern-fronds, and dead
leaves, placed in some natural, dry, and sheltered
hollow ; sometimes a suitable declivity is scraped
by the bird.

Eggs. — Four, yellowish-white to huffish-brown,
blotched with pale chestnut-brown and ash-grey.
Size about 1.7 by 1.35 in. (See Plate IX.)

Time. — March, April, and May.

Remarks. — A winter visitor, although numbers
stay with us all the year round. Notes : alarm,.
skaych, somewhat resembling that of the Snipe.
Local or other name : none. Harmonises in
appearance wonderfully well with its natural
surroundings, and sits very closely indeed.

NEWLY-HATCHED WOODCOCK IN NEST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 499

WOODLARK.

(Alatida arboreal)
Order PASSERES ; Family ALAUDID^: (LARKS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about six inches.
Bill of medium length, straight,
and dusky-brown, lighter at
the base of the under man-
dible. Irides hazel. Crown
light brown, streaked with a
darker shade of the same
YOUNG WOODLARK. colour • feathers form an
erectile crest. Over the eye and ear-coverts is a
streak of pale yellowish-brown. The upper parts of
the body are of a light reddish-brown, streaked
and patched with dusky on the neck and back.
Wing-quills dusky, bordered with brown. Tail-
coverts long and brown. Tail short, outer feathers
on either side brownish-black, tipped with dirty
white. Throat, breast, belly, and vent yellowish-
white, tinged with brown, the first-named being
sparingly speckled and streaked with a darker hue ;
breast streaked and spotted more thickly with the
same colour. Legs, toes, and claws brown ; hind
claw long and curved.

The female is smaller than the male, and is
said to be yellower on the breast and to have larger
markings. Distinguished from the Skylark by its
more slender bill and shorter tail.

Situation and Locality. — On the ground, usually
well concealed by a tuft of grass, heather, or
low plant ; sometimes at the foot of a tree or on the
side of a bank, in fields and pastures, on commons

WOODLARK'S NEST AND EGGS.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 501

and heaths adjoining woods, copses, and plantations,
most numerously in the southern and eastern
counties, occasionally in the north, in Wales, and
rarely in Scotland and Ireland.

Materials. — Coarse grass on the outside, finer
grass, moss, and hair as an inner lining. The
nest is placed in a little hollow, either natural or
scratched out by the bird.

Eggs. — Four or five, pale greenish-white, light
brownish-yellow, or pale reddish-white in ground-
colour, thickly speckled and spotted with dull
reddish-brown, and underlying markings of dark
grey. The markings sometimes form a zone at
the larger end. Size about .84 by .65 in. Dis-
tinguishable from those of the Skylark by small
reddish-brown spots and lighter and less obscured
ground-colour. (See Plate II.)

Time. — March, April, May, and June.

Remarks. — Resident and migratory. Notes:
sings on the wing and perched on the boughs of
trees ; call, uttered constantly during flight, tweedle,
weedle, weedle. Local or other name : none.
A close sitter.

WOODPECKER, GREATER SPOTTED.

(Dcndrocopus major.)
Order PICARLE ; Family PICID.E (WOODPECKERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length nearly nine
and a half inches. Beak of medium length, straight,
sharp at the tip, and dusky. Irides red. Forehead
buffish ; round the eyes and ear-coverts dirty white.
Crown black ; back of head bright scarlet. A black
stripe commences at the gape and, widening, passes
backward under the eye and ear-coverts to the

502 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

nape ; another commences on the side of the throat
and, passing backwards, also meets the black on
the back of the neck. A horizontal, elongated patch
of white is enclosed by the black on either side of
the neck ; the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts
are black. Wings black, variegated with white spots
and a large patch of the same colour on the scapulars.
Tail longest in the centre, and black, the outside
feathers being tipped in increasing lengths from the
middle with white. Chin, throat, breast, and belly
dirty white ; vent and under tail-coverts bright
scarlet. Legs, toes, and claws greenish-grey.

The female is a little smaller than the male,
and lacks the scarlet on the back of her head.
Easily distinguished from the Lesser Spotted Wood-
pecker by its much greater size and lack of white
on the back.

Situation and Locality. — In holes in trees, either
dug by the bird's own exertions, or a decayed hole
in the trunk or a branch, adapted and enlarged.
It is somewhat similar to that of the other Wood-
peckers, and varies from ten to twenty inches in
depth. In forests, well-timbered parks, woods, and
other places where old trees exist. It is found in
nearly all the counties of England and Wales,
excepting those north of Yorkshire, where it is a rare
bird ; it is local in Scotland, but apparently increasing
in central and south-eastern parts ; rare in Ireland.

Materials. — None, the eggs being laid on the
powdered wood and chips produced in making the
cavity for their reception.

Eggs. — Four to seven, occasionally as many as
eight, white, unspotted, and glossy. Size about
1.05 by .75 in. Distinguished by their size and
characteristics of parent birds.

"

SITE OF A GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER'S NEST.

504 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Resident, but its numbers are said
to be increased in winter by Continental visitors.
Notes : gich-gich, quet-quet, tra, tra, tra. Local
and other names : Witwall, Woodnacker, Wood-pie,
French-pie, Great Black and White Woodpecker,
Spickel-pied Woodpecker. A very close sitter.

WOODPECKER, GREEN.

(Gecinns viridis.)
Order PICARLE ; Family PICIM: (WOODPECKERS).

Description of Parent Birds.
—Length about thirteen inches.
Beak rather long, strong, and
dusky in colour. Irides greyish-
white. Crown, crimson ; neck,
back, lesser wing-coverts, and
scapulars green ; rump yellow ;
upper tail-coverts yellow, tinged
with green in parts. Wing-
quills dusky, barred and spot-
ted with bumsh-white, some of

GREEN WOODPECKER. the lesser being margined with
olive-green. Tail-quills dusky,

barred with greyish-brown, some of them being
margined with green. From the base of the beak,
round and behind the eyes, the feathers are black.
A crimson streak, bordered with black, runs from
the gape some little way down the sides of the
neck. Chin, throat, breast, and all under-parts pale
greyish-green. Legs, toes, and claws ash-colour.
The toes are disposed, two in front and two
behind, and claws hooked.

The female has less crimson on her crown, and

GREEN WOODPECKER'S NESTING-HOLE

506 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

none at all from the gape down the sides of the
neck, which is black.

Situation and Locality. — In holes in trees, gener-
ally dug by the bird's own exertions, those com-
posed of soft wood being preferred. The hole is
from ten to eighteen inches deep. It breeds in
suitably wooded localities nearly all over England
and Wales, but is least numerous in the northern
counties, and does not breed in either Scotland or
Ireland.

Materials. — Only the chips and bits of decayed
wood that have become detached in hewing the
nesting-place.

Eggs. — Five to seven, sometimes eight, pure
white, unspotted, and glossy. Size about 1.3 by
.92 in. Distinguished by large size and appearance
of parent birds.

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes, several, which have
been represented as follows : male spring note,
tiacacan, tiacacan ; call, used all the year round,
pleu, pleu, pleu. Some writers represent the call
as yaffa, yaffa, yaffle! Local and other names:
Rainbird, Popinjay, Awlbird, Yaffle, Tongue Bird,
Gaily, Rain-fowl, Pick-a-tree, Whetile, Woodwale,
Wood-speight, Yaffingale. A close sitter, often
occupying the same nest year after year, when not
evicted by Starlings. I have known a Green
Woodpecker occupy herself day by day for a
whole fortnight in laboriously digging out a nest-
ing hole, and directly it was completed she was
turned out and the place taken possession of by
a pair of old Starlings.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 507

WOODPECKER, LESSER SPOTTED.

{Dendrocopus minor?)
Order PICARLE ; Family PICIM (WOODPECKERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five
and three-quarter inches. Beak of medium length,
broad at the base, straight, and leaden grey in
colour. Irides hazel. Crown bright scarlet, sides
of head brownish-white. A black stripe runs from
the base of the beak over the eye to the nape, which
is black also ; another runs from the base of the
under mandible below the eye, and beneath the
ear-coverts. Back of neck and upper back black.
Wings black, barred and spotted with white ; middle
of back white, barred with black ; rump and upper
tail-coverts black. Tail-quills black, some of them
edged and tipped with white, others white, barred
with black. Chin, throat, and under-parts brownish-
white ; sides of breast and flanks streaked and slightly
barred with black. Legs, toes, and claws lead grey.

The female has the crown brownish-white, occa-
sionally shaded with red ; black of nape commences
further forward, and under-parts are darker.

Situation and Locality. — In a hole, dug or
enlarged, in the stem or large branch of a tree.
Pear and apple trees appear to be favourites. The
hole is usually from six or seven to twelve or fourteen
inches deep. In orchards, spinneys, parks, woods,
and well-timbered districts generally, in the south
and west of England, and as far north as York.

Materials. — None, the eggs being laid on the
wood-dust and fine chips at the bottom of the hole.

Eggs. — Five to nine, six being the general
number, white and glossy. Size about .76 by .58 in.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER'S NESTING SITE.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

509

Distinguished from those of the Wryneck only by
smaller size and a sight of parents.

Time. — April and May.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : tic-tic, or kink-
kink. Local and other names : Crank Bird, Pump-
borer, Least-spotted Woodpecker, Little Black and
White Woodpecker, Hickwall, Barred Woodpecker.
Sits closely.

WREN, COMMON.

( Troglodytes pamulus. )
Order PASSERES ; Family TROGLODYTID.E (WRENS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length a little
under four inches ; bill of
moderate length, slightly
curved downwards, dark
brown on the top, and
light brown underneath.
Irides hazel. A dull,
whitish line runs over
the eye and ear-coverts.
Head, nape, back, and
rump reddish - brown,
faintly marked on the two
latter with wavy bars of
light and dark brown ; wing and tail feathers marked
with light reddish-brown and black bars ; chin,
cheeks, throat, and breast greyish-white, tinged
with buff ; belly, sides, and thighs light brown,
marked with narrow wavy bars of a darker tint of
the same colour ; under tail-coverts indistinctly
spotted with black and dirty white ; legs, toes, and
claws pale brown.

COMMON WREN'S NEST.

5io BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

The female is rather smaller, duller on her
upper-parts, and darker beneath.

Situation and Locality. — I have found the nest
of this bird in crevices and holes of rock, in the
gnarled roots of trees growing on the banks of
streams, amongst fern roots growing on the sides
of banks, in banks of rivers, amongst ivy growing
against walls and trees, in holes in brick and stone
walls, faggot and hay-stacks ; in the thatch of
barns; amongst wreckage lodged in a thorn bush
by a high flood ; between the stems of two trees
growing close together over a stream, and lodged
amongst a few slender twigs sprouting from the
trunk of a tree where a large branch had been
lopped off, fixed to the bare trunk of a tree, and in
various other situations. The nest has been found
in all sorts of odd places, such as in cabbages run
to seed, bodies of scarecrows, and the skeleton
of a Carrion Crow hanging against a wall. Generally
throughout the British Isles.

Materials. — Moss, dead leaves, fern-fronds, roots,
dry grass-stalks, the stems of leaves, lined with
hair and feathers. I remember once finding one
lined entirely with the feathers of a hen grouse,
whose skeleton I discovered not far away. The
bird seems to have some idea of the value
of harmonisation. The nest I mentioned finding
amongst fern roots was composed outside of
dead fern -fronds, and the one between the stems
of two trees growing close together over a brook,
of bright green moss, matching that upon the trunk
on either side exactly. The one in the twigs
growing from the stem of a tree was composed
outside entirely of dead leaves, and looked exactly
like an accidental collection. However, there are

COMMON WREN ABOUT TO ENTER NEST BUILT IN THE
SIDE OF A STUMP.

5i2 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

exceptions to this rule, and I have found specimens
made of bright green moss situated in the bleached
side of a hayrick. The bird practises the curious
habit of building the outer structure of several
nests, but whenever one is found with an inner
lining of feathers it is sure, in the absence of acci-
dents, to be laid in.

Eggs. — Four to eight, generally from five to
seven, although as many as twelve and fourteen,

COMMON WREN PEEPING OUT OF NEST.

and even twenty, have upon rare occasions been
found. White, sparingly spotted with brownish-
red of varying shades, generally distributed at
the larger end. Specimens are sometimes found
quite unspotted. One day I discovered a nest
which contained three unspottec| eggs, and
I remarked to my brother that the layer
was in a poor state of health. We photo-
graphed it on the Saturday afternoon, and I
visited the nest at six o'clock on the following
Monday morning, and found the hen in-
side. I went away for an hour, and when I

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

513

returned she was still on her eggs, and I discovered
that she was quite dead and in a very emaciated
condition. On dissection there was no sign of
further eggs in her body. Size about .7 by .51 in.
(See Plate III )

Time. — April, May, June, and July.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : alarm, a jarring
kind of note ; song, loud, joyous, and heard all
the year round. Local and other names : Cutty
Wren, Titty Wren, Jenny Wren (a name also applied
to the Chiffchaff and Willow Wren), Tom Tit (in
the North of England), Kitty Wren. A close sitter.

WREN, ST. KILDA.

(Anorthura hirtensis.)
Order PASSERES ; Family TROGLODYTID^E (WRENS).

To Mr. Charles Dixon
belongs the credit of first
discovering the differences
between this bird and its
mainland representative.
Whilst staying at St. Kilda
in 1896 my brother and
I gave the species particu-
lar attention, and our
observations resulted in
establishing the following facts. It is larger than
its mainland representative; its beak, legs, toes
and claws are a trifle stronger and lighter in
colour, and its plumage is generally much paler
and more distinctly marked. The bird does not
cock its tail at the acute angle so characteristic of
the mainland species. Sings oftener on the wing,

2 H

YOUNG ST. KILDA WREN.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

and builds a somewhat
larger and rougher nest.
It lays larger eggs, as
will be seen by reference
to our illustration be-
low, and not so many of
them ; six appearing to
be the maximum num-
ber of a clutch. (See
Plate III.)

It is said that the
Shetland Wren is also
larger than its typical
mainland representa-

ST. KILDA WREN'S NEST. <• -i i ,-i •,

tive, but whether it

differs as widely as the bird found in St. Kilda I
am unable to say.

Whether the St. Kilda Wren does or does not
differ sufficiently to entitle it to a specific name I
must leave systematists to decide, but there can be
no doubt whatever that the publication of its points
of difference was a bad thing for the bird, and it has
been found
necessary to
protect it and
its eggs by
law. It is very
gratifying to
be able to
state from
personal
knowledg e
that the

proprietor Oi UPPER Two EGGS LAID BY ST. KILDA WREN.

St. Kilda LOWER TWO BY MAINLAND WREN.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 515

McLeod of McLeod, and his factor, Mr. John Mac-
kenzie, are doing everything in their power to
prevent its extermination by the natives and the
temptation-offering collectors.

WREN, GOLDEN-CRESTED. See GOLD-CREST.

WREN, REED. See WARBLER, REED.

WREN, WILLOW. See WARBLER, WILLOW.

WREN, WOOD. See WARBLER, WOOD.

WRYNECK.

(lynx torquilla.)
Order PICARI^E ; Family PICID^E (WOODPECKERS).

Description of Parent Birds. — Length about
seven inches. Beak rather short, straight-pointed,
and brown. The whole of the upper-parts of the
body consist of varying shades of brown, mixed
with grey, pencilled, mottled, barred, and streaked
with buff, greyish-white, brownish-black, and black.
The top of the head is barred with blackish-brown,
the nape of the neck striped with the same, and
also parts of the back and wings. The wing-quills
are dark brown, barred and spotted with two shades
of buff. Tail-quills greyish-brown, marked with
several irregular blackish - brown bars. All the
under-parts are dull white, tinged with yellowish-
buff on the chin, throat, flanks, and under tail-
coverts, which are barred with dark brown.
The breast and belly are marked with small

WRYNECK AT NESTING HOLE IN FENCE POST.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 517

triangular spots of dark brown. Legs, toes, and
claws brown.

The female is somewhat duller in her colora-
tion.

Situation and Locality. — In holes in trees and
posts, at varying heights from the ground and at
differing depths. The deserted hole of a Woodpecker
is a favourite site. In open woodlands, parks, trees
growing by brooks, roads, and in fields ; in the
south and east of England. It is scarce in the west
and north, and more so in Scotland and Ireland.

Materials. — Generally the decayed and powdered
wood at the bottom of the hole selected. Occa-
sionally it is said to contain other materials, such
as moss, wool, hair, or feathers, but these might
have been previously deposited by some other bird,
as the Wryneck is not averse to using a hole so
furnished. My friend, Mrs. Patterson, of Limpsfield,
tells me that Wrynecks sometimes turn even the
Great Tit out of a nesting box in her grounds, and
after getting rid of the eggs of the rightful owner,
lay in the nest.

Eggs. — Six to ten, generally seven or eight, pure
white, unspotted, and often mistaken for those of
the Lesser Woodpecker, from which they differ,
however, in being a trifle larger. A sight of the
parent birds is the only certain method of identi-
fication. Average size about .85 by .63 in.

Time. — May and June.

Remarks. — Migratory, arriving in April, and
leaving in September. Note : a betraying peel, peel,
peel, uttered about nine times in unbroken succession.
Local and other names : Snake Bird, Cuckoo's Mate,
Tongue Bird, Emmet Hunter, Long Tongue,
Barking Bird. Sits closely, and hisses.

BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

YELLOW HAMMER ON
NEST.

YELLOW HAMMER. Also YELLOW BUNTING.

(Emberiza cifrinula.)
Order PASSERES ; Family EMBERIZID^E (BUNTINGS).

Description of Parent
Birds. — Length about seven
inches. Bill short, strong,
and bluish horn colour,
tinged with brown. Irides
dark brown. There are a
few short bristles round the
base of the bill. Head and
nape yellow, tinged with
green, and marked on the
crown with a few streaks of
dusky-black and olive. Back bright reddish-brown,
tinged with yellowish-green. Wing-quills dusky,
bordered with greenish-yellow ; rump bright chest-
nut ; tail slightly forked, dusky-black, edged with
greenish-yellow, the two outer feathers being marked
with white spots. Throat, breast, belly, and under
tail-coverts bright yellow, the breast being some-
times marked with reddish spots, and the sides
streaked. Legs, toes, and claws yellowish-brown.

The female is a trifle smaller, and much duller
in her plumage. She is less yellow, and more thickly
marked with brown. Her tail is also lighter, and
has less white on the outsides. I have often been
struck by her close harmonisation with surrounding
objects when her nest is on the ground. Both sexes
are subject to variation, but lack the black of the
male, and the yellowish-brown of the female Cirl
Bunting under the chin.

Situation and Locality. — On or near the ground,

YELLOW HAMMER'S NEST AND EGGS.

520 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS.

although specimens may sometimes be found at a
height of eight or ten feet. In hedgebanks, amongst
brambles, nettles, and coarse grass at the foot of
light open bushes. On pieces of waste land, com-
mons, pastures, grass-fields, and arable lands, in
all suitable localities throughout the United King-
dom.

Materials. — Dry grass, roots, and moss, with an
inner lining of fine grass and horsehair. The nest
varies in bulk according to situation.

Eggs. — Three to six, generally four or five.
Ground-colour dingy-white, tinged with purple, and
streaked, veined, spotted, and blotched with dark
purplish-brown, the streaks and lines generally ter-
minating in a spot of the same colour. There are
also underlying markings of purplish-grey. The
purple tinge of the ground-colour and the thick
scribbling lines distinguish them from those of the
Cirl Bunting, with which they are likely to be
confused. Subject to great variation. Size about
.88 by .65 in. (See Plate II.)

Time. — April, May, June, July, and August.

Remarks. — Resident. Notes : chit, chit, followed
by a long, harsh chire-r-r. Bechstein represents the
song by te, te} tey te, te, te, tywee, but it is popularly
interpreted in this country as Bit o' bread and no
chee-e-e-se. Local and other names : Yellow Bunting,
Yellow Yowley, Goldspink, Yoist, Yellow Yite,
Yellow Yoldring, Yeldrock, Yellow Yeldring. A
very close sitter.

PRINTED BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, B.C.

*.

Kb art 011

r •. i1, !. j

Briti;

5 £

QL675

K4
1908

894819

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY