250 BBTVISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



coverts black. Legs, toes, and webs reddish-orange ; 

 claws black. 



The female differs considerably from the male, 

 having her head and neck mottled with two shades 

 of brown ; the feathers on the upper surface of the 

 body are dark brown in the centre, bordered with 

 a lighter shade of the same colour. Under-parts 

 of the body pale brown. 



Situation and Localit//. — In tufts of grass, rushes, 

 and heath beside sluggish rivers, lakes, broads, 

 tarns, and swampy heaths, in favourable situations 

 on the eastern coast of England ; also in Scotland 

 and Ireland. Our illustration is from a photograph 

 taken in Norfolk. 



Mater iaJii. — The little hollow chosen is lined with 

 sedges and dead leaves, dry grass, and, as incubation 

 advances, down. The tufts are of a dark neutral 

 grey colour, lighter in the centre and tipped with 

 white. They and the female form reliable dis- 

 tinctions. 



Eggs. — Seven to ten, or occasionally fourteen, 

 buffish-white, tinged with green, unspotted, and 

 slightly polished. Closely resemble those of the 

 Mallard and Pintail. Size about 2-0 by 1-5 in. 



Time.—M?ij. 



BeDuirlxS. — Eesident and migratory, being more 

 numerous in winter than in summer. Notes : quad-, 

 uttered in deeper tones by the male ; when flying, 

 puck, puck. Local and other names : Broad Bill, 

 Blue-winged Shoveller. Sits closely. 



SHRIKE, RED-BACKED. 



Description of Parent Biicls. — Length about 

 seven and a half inches ; bill rather short, hooked 



