280 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire. Our illustration, repre- 

 senting the male bird sitting on the nest, was 

 procured at Long Ditton. 



Materials. Reeds, rushes, dry flags, and grass, 

 often in great quantities, and down. 



Eggs, Three to twelve, generally six or seven ; 

 dull greenish-white. Size about 4- 5 by 2'9 in. 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. Strictly speaking, this bird has no 

 proper claim for inclusion in a work of this character, 

 for although it breeds in a perfectly wild state on 

 the Continent, it has never been known to do so 

 within the limits of the British Isles. The case 

 of the Pheasant, however, another introduced half- 

 domesticated bird, holding its own only through 

 strict protection, paves the way. 



The Mute Swan is said to have been first intro- 

 duced into this country from Cyprus by Richard I., 

 who commenced to reign in 1189. It is considered 

 a bird royal when at large and unmarked, and is 

 consequently afforded protection. Notes, soft and 

 low, plaintive, and of little variety. Local and 

 other names : Common Swan. A close sitter. 



SWIFT. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 eight inches ; beak very short, with an extra- 

 ordinary width of gape, and black. The whole of 

 the plumage is a dingy black, except the chin, 

 which is of a dirty white colour. The tail is of 

 medium length and forked, and the wings very long 

 and sword-like ; legs, toes, and claws black. The 

 feet have two toes in front and two behind. 



The female is similar to the male in size and 



