280 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire. Our illustration, repre- 

 senting the male bird sitting on the nest, was 

 procured at Long Ditton. 



Materials. — Eeeds, rushes, dry flags, and grass, 

 often in great quantities, and down. 



^99'^ ■ — Three to twelv^e, generally six or seven ; 

 dull greenish-white. Size about 4-5 by 2*9 in. 



Time. — March, April, and May. 



Bemarlis. — Strictly speaking, this bird has no 

 proper claim for inclusion in a work of this character, 

 for although it breeds in a perfectly wild state on 

 the Continent, it has never been known to do so 

 within the limits of the British Isles. The case 

 of the Pheasant, however, another introduced half- 

 domesticated bird, holding its own only through 

 strict protection, paves the way. 



The Mute Swan is said to have been first intro- 

 duced into this country from Cyprus by Eichard I., 

 who commenced to reign in 1189. It is considered 

 a bird royal when at large and unmarked, and is 

 consequently afforded protection. Notes, soft and 

 low, plaintive, and of little variety. Local and 

 other names : Common Swan. A close sitter. 



SWIFT. 



Description of Parent BijyJs. — Length about 

 eight inches ; beak very short, with an extra- 

 ordinary width of gape, and black. The whole of 

 the plumage is a dingy black, excejit the chin, 

 which is of a dirty white colour. The tail is of 

 medium length and forked, and the wings very long 

 and sword-like ; legs, toes, and claws black. The 

 feet have two toes in front and two behind. 



The female is similar to the male in size and 



