50 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Site of Xest. — Hedges, bushes, shrubs, etc. 



Materials Used. — Moss and grass, lined with hair. Often a large 

 structure, and sometimes slovenly built. 



Eggs. — Four to Six. White, or bluish, spotted and streaked with 

 reddish or purple and darker shades. They van' in size, shape, 

 and markings. 



Food. — Seeds of various kinds, especially those that are oily, also 

 buds and scraps in Winter. 



Voice. — One of the few British birds which sings upon the wing. 

 It is not a brilliant songster, although some individuals sing 

 better than others. The characteristic note is best compared 

 to the noise made by the bough of a tree when blown by the 

 wind, or a gate swinging to and fro. 



Chief Features. — One of our commonest Finches. The male is a 

 handsome bird in his green and gold livery. It is most vora- 

 cious, and often visits gardens for sunflower seeds. 



Plumage. — Yellowish-green, with variegations of yellow and ash- 

 grey. Length. — Six inches. 



GREENSHANK (Totanus canescens) 



Local Names. — Cinereous Godwit, Greater Plover, Green-Legged 

 Horseman, Green-Shanked Godwit. 



Haunt. — The coast, and also inland on moors and mountains. 



Nesting Period. — Middle to end of May. 



Site of Nest. — A depression in the ground. On occasions close to 

 water, at others some distance from it. 



Materials Used. — Heather, twigs, leaves, and blades of dry grass. 



Eggs. — Four. Creamy-white, or warm stone-colour, with purplish- 

 grey blotches and brown spots. 



Food. — Insects, worms, etc. 



Voice. — A clamorous cry. 



Chief Features — A rare British bird, called Greenshank because of 

 the green legs and feet. It only nests in Scotland. 



Plumage. — Greyish-white head and neck, with streaks of blackish- 

 brown ; almost black mantle and secondaries ; white rump and 

 tail-feathers, the latter with dusky-brown mottlings and bars ; 

 white under parts, with streaks and spots of ash-brown ; olive- 

 green legs and feet. The plumage in Winter is greyer above 

 and pure white underneath. Length. — Fourteen inches. 



GROUSE, BLACK (Tctrao tctrix) 



I.<>cal Names. — Black Cock, Black Game, Brown Hen, Grey Hen 



(female), Heath Cock, Heath Poult (female), Killockic. 

 Haunt. — Moors, mountain heaths, and woods. 



