EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 155 



materials as dry grasses of various kinds, and seaweed, 

 with an inner lining* of fine grass, and occasionally horse- 

 hair. Its eggs number four or five, of a grey ground- 

 colour, occasionally slightly tinged with green. The spots 

 are variable in shade, being sometimes greyish-brown, at 

 others reddish ; the underlying ones are always ligbt grey. 

 The spots are small, and more crowded at the larger end. 



THE CORMORANT. 



Rocky coasts are chosen by the Cormorant, which builds an 

 ample nest of sticks, seaweed, and coarse grass on some 

 ledge or shelf of sea cliff. Her eggs number from four to 

 six, of a chalky-white colour, varied with pale blue or 

 greenish tinge, which is really the colour of the proper 

 shell, the white being only a rough coat. 



if*- f THE CREEPER. 



This little bird generally builds its nest in a hollow tree, its 

 materials being fine twigs, dead grass, moss, and feathers, 

 and lays from six to nine eggs of a white ground-colour, 

 speckled with red- brown at the larger end, much resembling 

 those of the Willow Wren and Blue Titmouse. 



THE TURTLE DOVE. 



Thick woods, and principally in Kent, are the favourite 

 nesting-places of this Dove, which builds a loose nest of 

 sticks and twigs carelessly thrown together high up in a 

 fir, holly, or other bush. The eggs number two, quite 

 white, and much smaller for the size of the bird than the 

 Ring and Stock Doves. 



