BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 137 



Eggs. Five to nine, the former number being 

 an average clutch according to my experience. 

 Sometimes twelve to fourteen are said to have been 

 found ; but all the best authorities have had to 

 accept the latter numbers on hearsay. Dull yellow- 

 ish, or creamy-white, with a very slight suggestion 

 of green. Size about 3.4 by 2.35 in. 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. Resident, but subject to much local 

 movement, and numbers increased by northern 

 arrivals during winter. Note : a " gaggle/' Local 

 and other names : Wild Goose, Grey Goose, Grey- 

 legged Goose. Sits closely, and covers eggs with 

 down when voluntarily leaving nest. 



GREY-LAG GOSLINGS. 



GOSHAWK. 



(Asturpalumbarius.) 

 Order ACCIPITRES ; Family FALCONID^: (FALCONS). 



Has now quite ceased to breed within the British 

 Isles, and is only a straggler seen upon rare occasions. 



