26 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



where the builders would have had unrivalled 

 opportunities of gathering those shed by the 

 chickens. On the other hand, nearly every nest 

 of the Redstart breeding in very similar sites and 

 producing eggs not so very unlike those of the Pied 

 Flycatcher I have dissected contained feathers in 

 greater or less abundance ; a distinction which 

 might prove of service were the owners of a 

 doubtful nest not observed. An average nest 

 measures about four inches across, with an "egg- 

 cup " some 2 in. in diameter by 1^ in. deep ; but, 

 of course, its size depends almost wholly on the 

 amount of accommodation afforded by the hole 

 selected. 



The eggs, numbering from five to eight seven 

 is a very common clutch and even up to ten, 

 are of a most lovely uniform pale blue ; and if 

 approaching the Redstart's in point of size (they 

 are usually smaller), in colour they far more 

 resemble those of the Wheatear. When blown 

 they quickly fade, and the shell is brittle, thin, and 

 slightly polished. 



In the lower parts of a " cwm," and in the 

 true lowlands patronized by this species (for it is 

 by no means found everywhere even in those 

 counties in which it is plentiful), full clutches are 

 frequent between May 17th and 25th, but nearer 

 the source of the hill-streams from the 25th to the 

 30th is a safer date, while genuine initial attempts 

 are not uncommon in the earliest days of June. 



