CHAPTER III. 



SOME REMARKABLE NESTS AND EGGS (continued). 



Open-topped Nests — The Artfulness of the Carrion Crow— Covered 

 Nests -Diggers of Tunnels and Pits— The Wicked Bo)^ who 

 Stopped-up Sand-Martins' Nesting Holes -Builders in Holes in 

 Trees, Rocks, Walls, and Banks — Birds that Hiss when their 

 Nests are Molested Birds that Cover their Eggs when Le iving 

 their Nests — Birds that it is Difficult to See — The Eider Duck on 

 her Nest Birds that Do without Nests — More Exceptions to 

 Nesting Rules — Differences in Eggshells — Sizes of Eggs — 

 Shape as Tending to Preservaticn— Colour and Marlcings — 

 Number of Eggs Laid by Birds of Different Species — The 

 Cuckoo and its Eggs — Incubation. 



There is a fierce struggle for existence constantly 

 going on amongst wild birds, and as the breeding 

 season is the fullest of danger both to brooding 

 parents and to the contents of their nests, it naturally 

 behoves each species to make such a nest as will 

 best suit its habits and ensure the greatest amount 

 of safety to its eggs and helpless chicks. 



In order to show the utility of different kinds 

 of nests, I propose to divide them roughly into six 

 separate classes — (1) open-topped nests, (2) covered 

 nests, (3) nests in tunnels purposely dug for them, 

 (4) nests in natural holes, (5) nests covered over by 

 birds when leaving voluntarily, (6) nests that are 



