A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



labours of others and builds an untidy nest 

 in holes or fissures of rocks, being especially 

 fond of rabbits' burrows. 



What birdlover does not love the " caw- 

 ing " of the rooks ? Their nests are simple 

 constructions of twigs, placed on tree tops 

 at great heights, a rookery showing how 

 gregarious are these birds. 



The peregrine falcon trusts to inaccessi- 

 bility for safety, and the eyrie is a simple 

 affair, usually placed in most unget-at-able 

 situations ; the same also applies to the 

 home of the golden eagle. 



Ducks' nests are fairly simple affairs; it 

 is the lining of down plucked from the hen's 

 breast which gives to them the air of warmth 

 and comfort. Most of the ducks place their 

 nests in open situations or under the shelter 

 of a bush. The celebrated eider duck 

 prefers to nest close to the sea, often on 

 some low rocky islet, whilst the sheldrake 

 is partial to disused rabbit-holes. 



The sand-martin excavates a tunnelled 

 nest on the face of some clay, earthy or sand 

 cliff, or in the soil at the edge of a quarry. 

 The opening is bored with the bill, all loose 

 material being cast out by the feet. These 

 48 



