216 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



nest even in a gooseberry bush. It is sometimes 

 partial to situations near the habitations of man, 

 and a small clump of trees or thorn bushes will suit 

 its purpose quite as well as a big wood or planta- 

 tion, apparently, for I have as often found it in 

 one as the other. Pretty generally over the British 

 Isles, except Orkneys, Shetlands, and Outer Hebrides. 

 A decreasing species, the diminution of its numbers 

 being connected with its aptitude for devouring 

 other birds' eggs and the consequent attention of 

 the gamekeeper. 



Materials. Dead thorn-sticks, brambles, and 

 twigs interlaced ; those forming the foundation of 

 the nest are firmly plastered together with liberal 

 quantities of clay and mud. The nest is bulky, 

 domed, and spherical, with a hole on the side and 

 near the top. It is lined internally with fibrous 

 roots, and is such a substantial affair that I once 

 saw a gamekeeper shoot at one from the foot of a 

 fir tree some fifty feet in height without breaking 

 one of the six eggs inside. 



Eggs. Six to eight or nine, the first number being 

 the most general. Dirty bluish-green, or yellowish- 

 brown, spotted, freckled, and blotched all over 

 with grey and greenish-brown. Size about 1.35 by 

 .95 in. (See Plate I.) 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. Resident. Notes, chattering. Local 

 and other names : Pyet, Madge, Mag, Maggie, 

 Pianet, Hagister. I have known the bird sometimes 

 sit closely when not far advanced in incubation, 

 and at others lightly ; something, I am inclined to 

 think, depending upon the height of the nest from 

 the ground. 



