198 BlilTIsn BIEDS' NESTS. 



red, each feather edged with rich hlack, 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 

 j)rincipally of yellowish and dark brown. 



Situation and Local it ij. — 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. Our illustration 

 represents one amongst tall dead grass at the foot 

 of a hedge. 



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 2^<^iiif^(^^ fo 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 botli in the nest of the Red Grouse and 

 Capercaillie. 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. 



Time. — April and May, sometimes as early as 

 March, and as late as September or October. 



BemarJiS. — Naturalised, and holds its own onh- 



