so THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



of the Goldcrest, nearly globular in shape, and slung 

 from the drooping extremities of a branch, several of 

 the twigs being interwoven with the structure. It is 

 composed of moss, bound together with spiders' webs, 

 and studded with lichens, and warmly lined with great 

 quantities of feathers. In Algeria, and other places, 

 where the timber is heavily draped with long lichens 

 and tree moss, this material forms the greater part of 

 the nest, and renders its discovery most difficult. In 

 the vicinity of the nest the Firecrest is remarkably shy 

 and retiring, and the female sits closely. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Firecrest are from six to ten in number, 

 seven or eight being a usual clutch. They are very 

 pale brick-red in ground colour, mottled, clouded, and 

 speckled over the whole surface with brownish-red. 

 Occasionally a few specks and short streaks of darker 

 brown occur. As a rule the markings are evenly dis- 

 tributed and conceal most of the ground colour, but on 

 some varieties the surface colour is most abundant at 

 the large end of the ^g'g-> in the form of a cap o,r zone. 

 Average measurement, '53 inch in length by '43 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, 

 lasts about fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The only ^gg with which 

 the ^gg of the Firecrest can be confused is that of the 

 Goldcrest, but it is readily distinguished by its much 

 redder appearance. 



