160 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



much light on the matter. Whether a layer of fishbones 

 is purposely laid for the reception of the eggs, as Mon- 

 tagu asserts, I cannot say, but in every nest I have ex- 

 amined I have never found any other material used, nor 

 have I ever seen the eggs on the bare ground. In every 

 instance they rested on a layer of the castings, which 

 were slightly hollowed for them, though the latter form 

 may have been produced by the mere weight of the 

 parent bird while the eggs were laid. I believe that a 

 deserted hole of the water-rat is usually chosen, and that 

 they rarely excavate for themselves. 



The young ones, after they have left the nest, are ex- 

 ceedingly clamorous ; so much so, that their loud, shrill 

 twitterings were once the cause of my witnessing the in- 

 teresting scene of a brood being fed by their parents. 

 They were six in number, and were perched on the 

 boughs of a dead bush overhanging the stream. They 

 seemed very voracious ; for though both the parent birds 

 were constantly bringing them food sometimes a small 

 fish, sometimes what appeared like a slug or leech 

 they apparently failed in satisfying their appetites, and 

 every fresh supply was eagerly competed for, sometimes 

 a sort of scuffle taking place as to which was to receive 

 it. During the absence of the parents the young ones 

 sat very quietly ; but the distant approach of the old 

 ones was quickly perceived, and in a moment their list- 

 less attitude was changed into one of animation, they 

 stretched themselves eagerly forward, and with loud 

 twitterings and open mouths showed how expectant 

 they were. 



The Chimney Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is almost 

 as much a household bird as the robin ; it appeals to 

 our better nature by the fearless confidence with which 



