98 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground amongst 

 rushes, brambles, long rank grass, sedge tufts, under 

 a bunch of heather, and in corn fields and hedge 

 bottoms. Generally near lakes, rivers, tarns, and 

 ponds, or in marshes, bogs, and swamps. They 

 are, however, often found at considerable height s > 

 in faggot stacks, deserted Crows' nests, squirrel 

 dreys, Hawks' nests, in hollow trees, pollards, and 

 other elevated situations in ruins and rocks, from 



MALLARD AND WILD DUCKS ON ICE. 



which heights the female has been said to convey 

 her progeny upon her back. Pretty general in all 

 suitable places throughout our Isles. In 1902 a 

 case came under my notice of a Wild Duck and 

 Corncrake laying in the same nest in North Uist. 



Materials. Dry grass, bracken, or other suit- 

 able vegetation near at hand, with a lining of down 

 from the bird's own body. The tufts are neutral 

 grey, tipped very slightly, with white. 



Eggs. Eight to fifteen or sixteen, generally ten 

 to twelve ; greenish-white tinged with buff. Size 

 about 2.3 by 1.6 in. 



Time. February, March, April, May, June, and 

 even as late as November, individual nests have 



