IN. THE NORTH OF | KENL 79 
Part I, p. 120). It was about the shape 
and size of a cocoanut, a natty nest. It is 
at all times a very striking structure. I have 
always wondered how such a small bird as 
the long-tailed tit can cover and keep warm 
to hatching such a large number of eggs. 
The entrance hole, a single one in this in- 
stance (see Part I, p. 86) was, as usual, 
near the top. (I photographed this nest when 
the young birds had flown, not wishing to dis- 
turb them on the first occasion. Seep. 152.) 
The hill now engaged our attention. ‘The 
day was hot and the air still, and many in- 
sects and some butterflies were about. Blue- 
bottles whizzed past us as is their way in 
broiling sunshine. I kept a look-out for 
erass snakes, in the cracks of the earth, in 
which they like to bask inthesun, but did not 
see any. They often come out on hot days 
and lie on the top of furze and other bushes. 
I have seen them sunning themselves thus in 
Epping Forest. Not heeding the heat nor 
the weight of the camera and kit, we were 
soon at the topof the hill. From here we ob- 
