164 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



hen help in the work, and very charming it is to 

 watch them flitting to and fro, bringing nesting 

 materials for their home. 



By the first days of June the eggs are usually 

 laid and incubation commenced. The eggs number 

 from four to seven, occasionally more. They closely 

 resemble those of the Common or Brown Wren, 

 being of a white ground colour and spotted with a 

 beautiful rich red. The spots usually are more 

 numerous at the larger end, but sometimes are 

 distributed equally all over. When freshly laid, 

 the yolk, shining through the shell, gives the latter 

 a delicate pink tinge. 



The nest is marvellously constructed, being 

 domed, with a side entrance, and lined with feathers, 

 which form a warm and soft bed for the eggs to 

 lie on. The outside of the nest is composed princi- 

 pally of dried grass with an occasional sprig of 

 withered heather. The nest is so well hidden that 

 even after marking the exact spot it is difficult 

 to locate, and often the eggs are trampled on by 

 unwary gardeners and keepers. 



The hen bird sits very closely, and when flushed 

 flits noiselessly away, but almost immediately re- 

 turns, showing the greatest signs of anxiety as she 

 hovers round the intruder, uttering her plaintive 

 alarm note, " Whoo-ee, whoo-ee." This soon brings 

 her mate to her side, and they both hover rest- 

 lessly round. 



1 The period of incubation is about fourteen days, 

 and the young, when first hatched, are very help- 

 less little things, with eyes shut and bodies almost 

 naked. A fortnight's careful feeding by the parent 

 birds works wonders, however, and by the end of 

 that time the young ones leave the nest and are 



