122 Poachers and Poaching. 



early breeder, and eggs may often be found by 

 the middle of March. It is these first clutches 

 that fetch such fancy prices in the market, as 

 much as fifteen shillings having been paid for a 

 single egg. So anxious are the poulterers to obtain 

 these that one of them expressed himself to the 

 effect that if he were assured of having the first 

 ten eggs he would not hesitate to give five pounds 

 for them. Among birds the ground builders are 

 the most primitive architects ; but their very 

 obtrusiveness certainly aids them to escape de- 

 tection. Partridges and pheasants almost in- 

 variably lay their olive eggs upon dead oak- 

 leaves, and, moreover, cover them when they 

 leave the nest. The red speckled eggs of the 

 grouse are very much of the colour of the 

 heather, as are those of wild ducks to the green 

 reeds and rushes. The nest of the cushat, or 

 woodpigeon, consists of a mere platform of sticks* 

 and the eggs may almost always be seen through 

 the interstices of the crossed twigs. The goat- 

 sucker makes no nest, but lays its eggs among 

 burning bits of limestone on the sides of the 

 fells ; and that of the golden plover is equally 

 non-existent. Among tree builders the jay is 

 slovenly and negligent, while the scarlet bull- 

 finch is equally careless. Hawks, falcons, and 

 birds of the crow kind construct substantial plat- 

 forms of sticks ; though the crafty magpie is an 

 exception, and constructs a domed nest. The 



