48 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



have examined and described a very perfect nest of this 

 species In the collection of Mr. Seebohm. It Is com- 

 posed principally of moss, amongst which a few grass 

 stalks are Interwoven, and the whole is felted together 

 with hair, wool, and feathers. The lining is also com- 

 posed of wool and hair massed very compactly together. 

 It Is an open cup-shaped structure, about six Inches In 

 diameter over all, the cavity containing the eggs being 

 about three inches across and one and a half inches 

 deep. Of the actions of the birds at the nest all 

 observers appear to be silent. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Wall-Creeper are from three to five In 

 number. They are pure white in ground colour, min- 

 utely freckled with reddish-brown, and with numerous 

 underlying markings of lilac-gray. As a rule most of 

 the spots are on the large end of the Qg'g. Average 

 measurement, 78 inch in length by '56 inch in breadth. 

 It is not known whether male or female, or both, Incu- 

 bate the eggs, and the duration of the period remains 

 undetermined. 



Diagnostic characters : The size and minute 

 markings of the eggs of the Wall-Creeper distinguish 

 them from those of the Common Creeper, but from eggs 

 of the Wren and the Nuthatch they are not so readily 

 separated ; the style and situation of the nest is, how- 

 ever, a sufficient guide to their correct identification. 



