134 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



those in trees are said to have none except the 

 decayed wood, and down from the bird's own body, 

 whilst in other situations liberal quantities of dead 

 weeds, dry grass, and small roots and down are used. 



Eggs. Six to twelve or thirteen. Creamy-white. 

 Size about 2.7 by 1.85 in. 



Time. April and May. 



Remarks. Migratory, being principally a winter 

 idsitor, but a few remaining to breed. Note : a low 

 plaintive whistle. Local and other names : Dun 

 Diver, Saw Bill, Jacksaw, Sparling Fowl. Sits closely. 



GOOSE, GREY-LAG. Also WILD GOOSE. 



(Anser cinereus.) 

 Order ANSEKES ; Family ANATID^E (DUCKS). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length thirty-five inches. 

 Bill of medium length, fairly 

 straight, and pink flesh- 

 colour, except on the tip of 

 each mandible, where it is 

 white ; irides brown ; head, 

 back of neck, and upper 

 portion of back, ash-brown, 

 the feathers of the last bor- 

 dered with a lighter tinge ; 

 wings lead-grey on the por- 

 tions nearest the back, each 

 feather being broadly mar- 

 gined with lighter grey, the outer front portion pale 

 bluish-grey, the rest dark leaden-grey ; lower portion 

 of the back and rump light bluish-grey ; upper tail- 

 coverts white ; tail-quills white on the inside webs and 



GREY-LAG GOOSE ON 

 NEST. 



