EGOS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 135 



THE LITTLE GREBE. 



An immense mass of aquatic weeds floating" on the surface 

 of a quiet pond, and thoroughly saturated with water, forms 

 the nest of this bird. She lays from five to six eggs, at 

 first white, but gradually becoming dyed a dirty mud 

 colour by the decaying weeds with which the parent bird 

 covers them on leaving her nest to seek food, &c. 



THE CAPERCAILLIE. 

 This bird's nest is situated on the ground, and is composed 

 of a few sticks and ling stalks. The eggs number from 

 six to twelve, and are of a pale reddish-yellow brown, 

 spotted all over with two shades of darker orange-brown, 

 somewhat like those of the Black Grouse. 



THE MEADOW PIPIT. 

 The nest of this common little bird is built of bents, with 

 an inner lining of grass and hairs. It is situated on the 

 ground, and generally in such a position that protection 

 from the rain, sheep's feet, &c, is afforded by a stout tu*'t 

 of bents, a projecting piece of earth or stone. Its where 

 abouts is, however, generally betrayed by the parent bird's 

 peculiar flight when disturbed, even in the earliest stages 

 of incubation. In the course of a day's travel on the 

 moors I have met with several nests, some of them remark- 

 ably close to each other. The eggs number from four to 

 six ; and in spite of the fact that some eminent authorities 

 have said that they are of a reddish-brown, mottled over 

 with darker brown, varying but little, I should describe 

 them as varying from light to very dark dusky brown. I 



