64 ^tnuntu of ti)t Evttu 



delicate colours, shades, and tints of birds* 

 eggs, I would have to employ half the 

 painters' terms, which might confuse you. 

 Red and yellows do not occur to any ex- 

 tent in birds' eggs, but blues, greens, and 

 browns, and all the neutral tints between, 

 are used with the nicest art. One of the 

 most dainty colours on the painter's palette 

 is called robin's-egg blue. 



One of the very first to sit is Mrs. 

 Woodcock, who is not particular about 

 her nest, and chooses almost any depres- 

 sion that is slightly hidden. 



But the May days are not far advanced 

 when a dozen or more patient mother 

 birds are sitting upon their eggs, while 

 their mates sing through the morning 

 hours. 



The most common of these are Mrs. 

 Robin, in her plain nest in the crotch of 

 an old apple-tree; Mrs. Bluebird, who is 



