HEWITSON'S "; BRITISH OOLOGY." 87 



Of the Haw Finch's egg we have next two exquisite representa- 

 tions, and one of the Bullfinch, which we do not so much approve 

 of. It is certainly too large for an average specimen, and not blue 

 enough : however, there are many like it. We have repeatedly 

 met with the Haw Finch's nest in Kent and Surrey, but generally 

 with young ones, which have yellow heads and throats, and are 

 very prettily spotted on the under parts. For some time after they 

 quit the nest they are very clamorous, and utter contiriually a 

 shrill short note, resembling kisp kisp, or kusp. They are easily 

 reared in confinement, and grow up extremely tame. 



One egg of the Starling fills out (or rather does not fill out) a 

 whole plate. It is a good exemplification of the average. We 

 have one specimen of a much richer and deeper blue. 



Two excellent representations of the Raven's egg now delight 

 us — as characteristic as they could well be. We have seen some, 

 however, widely different. 



Three eggs of the Common Crow ; all very good, but two of 

 them not quite so diverse as we could wish. They are very com- 

 monly of a finer tint than any here represented, and are more 

 boldly spotted with black ; but their variations are literal) y endless. 

 Another capital plate, shewing three Rook's eggs. We do not 

 think that better examples could have been chosen. 



Two eggs of the Jackdaw, also very excellent, but a third might 

 with advantage have been introduced ; at least we have several 

 that are very unlike either. 



With the two representations of the Magpie's eggs we are not 

 quite so well satisfied, or rather a third, an average example, is also 

 wanted. There should have been one with the spots larger and 

 bolder. 



Two figures of Nuthatch's eggs, and one of the Treecreeper. 

 Our specimens of the former are more elliptical. Some Tree- 

 creepers' eggs are very like the one figured, but generally the dots 

 are smaller, and more exclusively at the large end. 



Here we have two Cuckoo's eggs, selected, we are told from 

 several specimens. No. 1 is very dark, No 2 a remarkably pale 

 example. Generally speaking, we think, they are much more ru- 

 fous. The author observes, " I should have been exceedingly gra- 

 tified could I have settled two very interesting points, which yet 

 remain undetermined, viz. — what number of eggs the Cuckoo lays 

 in one season, and whether or not it ever carries its egg (after hav- 

 ing laid it) to the nest of another bird." From all we have observ- 

 ed, we are inclined to dissent from the latter opinion ; and have 



