NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



ing for the aptitude of the bird's popular 

 name ; breast and under parts pale grey, 

 tinged with a beautiful rosy flesh-colour. 



The female lacks the grey on her head, 

 also the rosy tint on her under parts. 



This species breeds in suitable locali- 

 ties all over England, Wales, Ireland, 

 and the greater part of Scotland. 



It builds its nest in all kinds of low 

 bushes, such as bramble, thorn, briar, 

 and furze, and is so partial to nettles that 

 it is generally known amongst country 

 people as the " Nettle Creeper." The 

 structure, though deep, is of a very 

 flimsy character, and consists of dead 

 grass stems and horsehair, the latter 

 being used as a lining. 



The eggs number from four to six, 

 of a dirty greenish-white ground colour, 

 speckled and spotted with brown and 

 grey, generally evenly distributed over 

 the surface of the shell. 



The song consists of a few sweet and 

 oft-repeated notes, delivered with great 

 vehemence, not to say passion, the vocal- 

 ist appearing to labour under consider- 

 able excitement whilst hurrying through 

 his brief carol. This species commences 

 to sing very early in the morning, and 

 during May and June often continues 

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