EGGS OF SOMERSETSHIRE BIRDS. 167 
ammer, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, and blackbird, 
of which those of the hedge-sparrow and titlark 
have the preference. They are very small, equalling 
exactly in size the eggs of the skylark, though the 
difference of the birds is four to one. Colour of the 
egg a reddish grey, size 11 lines by 8 lines. 
INSESSORES. 
FISSIROSTRES. 
HALCYONIDAE. ALCEDO. 
69.—Alcedo Ispida.— Kingfisher. 
The eggs of this species are nearly globular in shape, 103 
lines by 9 lines, of a pure and shining white, de- 
posited in some hole in a river bank, occasionally on 
a layer of fish-bones. 
HIRUNDINIDAE. HIRUNDO. 
70,—Hirundo rustica, —Swallow. 
Egg 93 lines by 63 lines, white speckled with ash colour 
and dark red. These birds have two broods in the 
season, the first in June, the other in August. 
71.—H. urbica.— Martin. 
Eggs smooth and white, 9 lines by 6 lines, three or four 
broods in the season. 
72.—H. riparia.— Sand Martin. 
Eggs as the preceding, but smaller, 8 lines by 6 lines. 
CYPSELUS. 
73. —Cypselus murarius.— Swift. 
The nest of these birds seems glued together, probably by 
some secretion from themselves. Eggs from two to 
four in number, white, 1 inch by 8 lines. 
CAPRIMULGIDAE. CAPRIMULGUS. 
74.—Caprimulgus Europeus.—Nightjar. 
The eggs of this bird are perhaps the most beautiful of any 
