90 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



it is rudely and slovenly made, and is composed of a 

 little dry grass and quantities of moss felted together 

 with hair, and warmly lined with feathers. The birds 

 are careful not to betray the whereabouts of their nest, 

 and are very silent during the period of incubation. The 

 parent bird sits closely, and will hiss and peck at the 

 intruder's hand, remaining brooding over the eggs until 

 forcibly removed. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Coal Titmouse are from five to eight, 

 or even ten, in number. They are white in ground 

 colour, spotted and freckled with light red. As a rule 

 most of the markings are distributed over the larger end 

 of the egg, sometimes forming a zone, but frequently 

 they are scattered over most of the surface. On some 

 eggs the markings take the form of minute specks ; on 

 others they are larger and more irregular in shape. 

 Average measurement, '61 inch in length, by '46 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts 

 fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : It is impossible to dis- 

 tinguish the eggs of the Coal Titmouse from those of 

 allied species. The only reliable means of identification 

 is to observe the parents — usually a very easy task. 



