CHIFF CHAFF 



101 



Londesborough Park, at a height of six feet from the 

 ground ; and on being disturbed, the bird built a little 

 farther on in some ivy against the side of the wall, about 

 four feet up. 



The eggs, usually six in number, are more than ordi- 

 narily rounded at the larger end : they do not vary much, 

 and are of a white ground colour, with very small dots and 

 spots of pale red or purple brown, chiefly at the thicker 

 end, which they sometimes surround in the way of a zone 

 or belt. Mr. Neville Wood saw a nest which contained 

 five eggs of the usual colour, and the sixth pure white. 

 The shell is but little polished. The eggs are laid towards 

 the middle or end of May, and the young birds are fledged 

 about the middle of June : they quit the nest early. 



Incubation lasts thirteen days, and the male ocasionally 

 relieves the female at her post. Two broods are sometimes 

 reared in the season. 



