EGGS AND kEGG-COLLECTING. 5d 
THE CURLEW. 
OF slight construction, the nest of this bird is situated 
on moorland, heath, and marsh tracts of land; a few 
leaves or other dry materials, carelessly brought together 
among long grass, heather, or in a tuft of rushes, is all 
that appears. The eggs are four in number, pear-shaped, 
and generally placed with the smaller ends together, of an 
olive-green colour, blotched and spotted with darker green 
and dark brown. 
THE HOODED CROW. 
Hoovep Crows lay four or five eggs of a grey-green, 
blotched and spotted with smoky brown. ‘Their nests are 
built of sticks, heather, and wool, and are situated amongst 
rocks and sea-cliffs in Scotland, occasionally in trees, and 
are very similar to those of the Carrion Crow. 
J rae COOT. 
Tur Coot lays from seven to ten eggs, of a dingy stone 
colour or dull buff, spotted and speckled with brown; the 
spots are less numerous but darker than the speckles. Her 
nest is situated in marshes and ponds, and is composed of 
decaying sedges, reeds, flags, and rushes; and, though of 
clumsy appearance, is very strong. It is built on willows 
that grow amongst the water, on tufts of rushes, and 
more commonly among reeds. It has been known to be 
dislodged from its position by a flood, and swept ashore 
