THE CHIMNEY-SWALLOWS. 333 



Nest. Composed of mud, mixed with grass and straw, the 

 lining consisting of dry grass and feathers. In England the 

 nest is generally built on a beam or rafter, which serves as a 

 support to it, but on the Continent it is mostly built in the 

 same way as that of the House-Martin, against a wall or a 

 beam, while the bird is also scmetimes noticed building against 

 cliffs. 



Eggs. From four to six in number, varying a good deal in 

 size and shape, some being much longer than others. Ground- 

 colour creamy or china-white, spotted with reddish or purplish- 

 brown, with underlying spots of violet-grey intermixed, the 

 large end being often clouded, but seldom a ring of spots being 

 found. Occasionally the blotches and spots are much lighter 

 and even greenish-brown in colour. Axis, 075-0-85 inch; 

 diam, 0-5-0-6. 



