98 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



lined with hair, roots and feathers. From an outside point of 

 view the nest of this bird is not particularly attractive, but in- 

 side it is a beautiful effort. Both nests were ready for eggs, 

 which sometimes number as many as a dozen. The cow-dung 

 lined nest of the Song Thrush showing off to perfection the 

 freckled blue eggs and the bulky home of the Blackbird were 

 to be seen at every turn. 



Into the hole of a rotten tree the Starling darts with a grub 

 in its mouth, to satisfy the voracious appetites of the young ones. 

 Truly a grub-destroying bird is the Starling. 



I found a Blackcap's nest ready for eggs in a most exposed 

 situation, and this bird was to be heard nearly the whole time 

 I was alone with Nature. The somewhat monotonous notes 

 of the Yellow Bunting drew my attention to that bird exhibit- 

 ing strange evolutions over the topmost twigs, and as he was 

 not anxious to vacate the locality I had the curiousness to peep 

 into the thick hedgerow. I stopped right in front of a matted 

 trunk, and secluded in the centre I had the gratification of 

 finding its nest. It was composed of dried grasses with a 

 lining of hairs, a veiy neat nest indeed. It was just ready 

 to receive the three to five eggs, which are white, with extra- 

 ordinary chocolate and dark-brown zig-zag lines and mark- 

 ings, which has resulted in the bird being called in some 

 localities the "Scribbling Lark." An illustration is given of a 

 Yellow Bunting's nest placed in a Strawberry plant and very 

 beautiful does it look in such a delicate position. 



By the side of the railway bank the Tree Pipit had a nest 

 methinks, and he also, like the Blackcap, was to be heard on 

 all sides. There are some species which are apparently on the 

 increase, and right glad news it is when evidences of such cruel 

 molestation are so evident. 



How beautifully graceful the flight of the Swallow is may 

 best be seen by a careful inspection of the bird on the left hand 

 side of our illustration. The nest as will be observed has 

 been placed in some outbuilding, and one of the parent birds 

 is making the beautiful feathered lining, after the mud, hay 

 and straw portions have been used to their satisfaction. 



It is pleasing to find the nest of the Turtle Dove. Mr. Stone 

 has given us a very careful study from still life on page 101. 



