80 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



the same pale blue colour, but with a few very 

 minute specks at the larger end. 



Repeated observation of a similarity in the colour 

 of eggs to the substance upon which they are laid 

 induces the following speculation. A bird being 

 unable to find any other materials than those of a 

 particular colour — quer}^ whether it has the power 

 of laying eggs wdiich approximate in colour to the 

 substance upon which they are laid, and thus afford 

 less chance of discovery — or whether the bird, 

 previous to laying, is instinctively cognizant of the 

 colour of its eggs, and is in consequence led to select 

 such materials in the construction of its nest as 

 may most nearly resemble them in colour ? 



Brambling, or Mountain Finch, Fringilla mon- 

 tifringilla. Appears towards the end of autumn in 

 small flocks. Its flight and general appearance at a ' 

 distance is not unlike thpct of the Chaffinch, but it 

 may be alwaj^s distinguished from that species by 

 the white colour of the upper tail-coverts, which at 

 all seasons of the year is conspicuous. A favourite 

 locality for Bramblings is Caen Wood, Hampstead, 

 where the}^ resort to feed upon the fallen beech- 

 mast. A few small flocks may generally be found in 

 the autumn along the banks of Kingsbuiy Reservoir. 

 Tlie}^ appear to be attracted by the seeds of tlie bar 

 marigold, Bidens tripartita, or, more likely, those of 

 Polygonum hyclroinjper, which is very common there, 

 and is much liked by small birds. Such numbers of 



