98 CROW 



the side of the wood parallel to the tree it is on, some 

 three hundred yards off; then after a few moments to 

 another a good way nearer, and so gradually edge in to 

 the nest. In like manner they leave it in a very surrep- 

 titious manner on the least sign of any approach. It is 

 usually concealed as much as may be, for instance, among 

 the topmost branches of a tall fir tree. A pair built on 

 the ground in one of the Fern Islands, and their nest was 

 made of pieces of turf laid one upon another, and lined with 

 wool, all brought from the mainland, four or five miles 

 distant. 



The eggs, four to six in number, usually five, are pale 

 bluish green, spotted and speckled with grey and brown : 

 some are pale blue undertinted with grey. 



They are subject to a great amount of variation both 

 in colour and size, some specimens being nearly spotless. 



