20 
many interesting peculiarities. Some will content themselves with 
the bare ledge of a rock, the pyriform shape of their eggs being the 
only safe-guard against their falling over the precipice; others deposit 
their eggs on a mass of sea-weed or in a floating nest composed of 
rotten aquatic plants, as is the case with the Grebes. Where a more 
ambitious structure is erected, we find every degree of complication, 
from the loosely built platform of the Wood-Pigeon to the elegant 
lichen-crusted nest of the Long-tailed Tit. Hach species shows in its 
nesting a most perfect adaptation to the exigences of the situation. 
Where, like the nest of the Sedge Warblers, it is swayed to and fro 
amidst the reeds by every passing wind, the deep purse-like shape of 
the interior is a safe provision against the eggs being blown out; 
under our eaves the homely Martin plasters its nest of mud; the 
Golderest hangs its hammock-like cradle beneath the tip of a 
pendent fir bough; and in holes of trees and walls the Tits delight 
to construct their felted nests. 
I should fatigue my readers and exceed the latitude allowed me in 
this introduction, were I to dwell longer upon the situations affected 
by various species in their nidification or the wondrous forms shown 
in the construction of their homes; otherwise I might dilate upon 
the ingenuity displayed in the dome-like nests of the Magpie, in 
the approach to that shape seen in those of the common House-Spar- 
row when built in trees, or in the fish-bone floor of the Kingfisher’s 
retreat ; but all these will be found more fully dwelt upon in the 
descriptions attached to the representation of each species in the body 
of the work ; I may, however, remark in passing that the structural 
skill displayed by many of our birds is far surpassed by that of certain 
foreign species ; and we are struck with astonishment when we gaze 
upon such nests as those of the Tailorbird, the Sociable Grosbeak, 
the Weaverbird, the /ctert or Hang-nests. 
In writing upon subjects connected with ornithology I find the 
associations of my boyhood ever flitting before me. Well can I re- 
collect the dried body of the brightly coloured Kingfisher hanging 
from the cottager’s ceiling, and supposed by its movements to point 
the direction of the wind*—a superstition now, like many others, 
happily abandoned. We'll do I recollect also the particoloured strings 
of eggs with which I and my companions delighted to festoon the 
walls, and which were-rigorously destroyed in our games, before the 
termination of the year, in order to ward off the ill-luck otherwise 
supposed to ensue. [can still remember with what intense admiration 
I was filled in gazing upon the nest and lovely blue eggs of the com- 
mon Hedge-Sparrow, and the pride I had in consigning them, when 
blown and thus bereft of half their beauty, to that string which was 
to hold so many of my subsequent findings. Coequally with the 
spread of natural history generally, has advanced the interest felt in 
the collecting of eggs—so much so that even amongst school-boys 
they now find their way into carefully appointed cabinets, in place 
* « But how now stands the wind ? 
Into what corner peers my halcyon’s bill ? 
Martown’s Jew of Maite, 
