90 EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTIXG. 



in the southern counties of England, is said to be chosen 

 by the Marsh Warbler for its nest. It employs grass- 

 stems and leaves, moss and spiders^ webs, in the construc- 

 tion of its nest, with an inner lining of horsehair. The 

 eggs number from five to seven, and vary considerably in 

 coloration. One type is said to be greenish- white, spotted, 

 blotched, and marbled with olive-brown, and another 

 greenish-blue, blotched and spotted with olive-brown 

 and grey underlying marks. It is a rare and local breeder 

 with us. 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



The highest mountain-tops of Scotland and the Shetlands 

 are patronised by the Snow Bunting during the breeding 

 season. It makes its nest of withered grass, fine roots, and 

 moss, and lines it with down, wool, hair, or feathers, and 

 situates it in crevices of rock or amongst loose stones. The 

 eggs number from four to eight, but five or six are 

 generally found, varying from dull white to very light 

 greenish-blue in ground colour, spotted and blotched with 

 reddish-brown, and occasionally streaked with blackish- 

 brown. The markings are most numerous at the larc^er 

 end, and the underlying ones are of a light grey and pale 

 brown. 



THE SrOTTED CRAKE. 



The eastern and southern counties of England are the 

 favourite breeding resorts of this somewhat uncommon 

 bird. Its nest is large, and made of reeds, sedges, rushes, 

 and other materials growing in swamps, and is placed on a 



