60 COOT. 



for her own preservation. In this short time, however, 

 she almost always contrives to cover her eggs; and 

 though the nest itself remains a very conspicuous object, 

 a careless observer might pass it as deserted and empty.' 

 Quarrels arise among different birds sometimes at the 

 spring of the year, for the choice of a situation. 



The eggs are from six or seven, to ten or even 

 fourteen in number, of a light dull yellowish or greenish 

 pale brown, or stone-colour, spotted with small rust- 

 coloured spots. If the first hatch be taken or destroyed, 

 a second is produced, but in less numbers. 



The young almost immediately leave the nest to 

 run about, and after a few days entirely forsake it, 

 unless the weather is unseasonable, in which case they 

 return to it at night for a week or two, the old birds 

 carefully tending them as long as necessary. The hen 

 covers them with her wings. 



