nest, composed of dead leaves, is generally placed on or near the ground 

 in low undergrowth. From four to six eggs (see British Bird Egg 

 Cabinet, drawer 1), usually of an olive brown colour, and protectively 

 coloured by resembling the colour tones of the surroundings, are laid 

 about the middle of May. 



Case 120. 



CROSSBILL {Loxia curvirostris). 



This species is a somewhat rare resident in our islands. It lias 

 been known to breed in numerous instances in England, but is more 

 often met with in the northern counties of Scotland, and parts of 

 Ireland. Its principal food is the seed of the pine and the larch, and 

 the peculiar shape of the bill is admirably adapted for tearing open the 

 cones. Four or five eggs (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 5) are 

 laid as early as February or March, and the nest is usually situated in 

 a pine tree some distance from the ground. 



Case 121. 



HAWFINCH (Coccotkraustes vulgaris). 



A fairly numerous and increasing resident, but so great is its shyness, 

 that it undoubtedly exists in many districts without revealing its 

 presence. The food consists of the seeds of trees, the fleshy pulp of 

 the most succulent fruits being rejected for the sake of the enclosed 

 kernel. The love of the Hawfinch for green peas is notorious. The 

 nest, generally placed in old hawthorn, oak, apple or other fruit trees 

 (here shown in the cherry), is built of twigs mixed with grey lichen, 

 and lined with fine roots and hair. The four or five eggs (see British 

 Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 4) are laid at the end of April or early in 

 May. One brood only is reared in the season. It may be noted that 

 the first plumage of the young birds is, in this species, quite different to 

 either of its parents (see group), whereas in most finches the young 

 bird in its first plumage resembles the female. 



Case 122. 



GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia hortensis). 



A common summer migrant arriving in the end of April, and often 

 seen late in the autumn in gardens and orchards. It feeds on insects, 

 peas, various fruits and berries. The nest is usually built in low trees 

 and brambles (here shown in a sycamore tree) and is loosely constructed 

 of grass stems, with a well shaped inner cup of horsehair. The eggs, 

 four or five in number, are white, marked and blotched with greenish- 

 brown and violet grey (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 2). 



