I 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 7 



structure, sometimes strengthened by wool or 

 spiders' webs. 



Eggs. Five or six, very variable, and often 

 difficult to identify, as they closely resemble those 

 of some of the other Warblers. The commonest 

 type is that of a greyish-white underground, suffused 

 with bumsh-brown, and spotted, blotched, and 

 marbled with dark brown. Sometimes they are 

 found pale brick-red, marked with a darker tinge 

 of the same colour, and reddish-brown ; also faint 

 blue, marked with grey and yellowish-brown. 

 Size about .78 by .58 in. (See Plate IV.) 



Time. Ma}/ and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and leav- 

 ing in September, odd specimens remaining till 

 November or December. Notes : alarm, tack, 

 tack, or tec, tec. Song of great power and freedom. 

 Local and other names : Hay Jack, Hay Chat, 

 Mock Nightingale, Nettle-creeper, Nettle-monger, 

 Blackcap Warbler. Sits very closely. The male 

 bird sometimes takes his share of the task of in- 

 cubation, and, it is said, relieves the tedium of his 

 task by singing whilst doing so. I have once or 

 twice seen a male bird of this species covering 

 the eggs, but have never yet heard him sing on 

 the nest. 



BULLFINCH. 



(Pyrrhula europcea.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID*: (FINCHES). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about six 

 inches. Bill short, broad, and thick at the base, 

 and black. Irides dark brown. Round the base 

 of the beak, and all the upper part of the head, 



