100 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



pectoral collar only, and the merest speck of abdominal 

 yellow. The male of this pair of breeders, when first seen, 

 while selecting a covert in which to build (10th October 

 approximately), appeared uniform grey, and darker upon the 

 crown. The pectoral collar could only be faintly distinguished 

 on the 10th December. 



To watch a pair that is not in nuptial plumage is easy and 

 pleasant work when it has selected the portion of dense covert 

 it intends to occupy with a nest. Like many birds, they have 

 a way of letting one know the place is sacred to them for a 

 season. 



Nesting Habits. 



Observation L] — September-October, 1899. Heytesbury 

 Forest. 



25th September. — First egg laid in nest. 



26th September. — Second egg laid in nest. 



12th October. — Young hatched out, having a little reddish 

 down on body. 



16th October. — Grey quills rise from wings, tail, and along 

 ridge of back. 



20th October. — Eufous feathers growing rapidly on wings 

 and back. 



21st October. — Eyes of young open; feathers 'forming on 

 breast and neck. 



23rd October. — Young leave nest ; feathers formed on 

 crown. 



Observation II. — October-November, 1899. Heytesbury 

 Forest. 



15th October. — Building of nest commenced, the female 

 alone doing the work from start to finish. 



28th October. — Nest completed, and first egg deposited 

 in it. 



29th October. — Second egg laid. 



