NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 141 



nest in the mountain-ranges of Central Europe. In England it breeds 

 principally in the northern counties, and in Scotland it is a resident 

 throughout the year wherever woods and thickets of brushwood are 

 found. 



The nest, which is a beautiful little structure, is usually placed in a 

 sheltered position in a low tree or bush and contains from four to six 

 eggs. In the south of England the breeding-season commences in 

 April, but in the north it is often a month later. Two broods are 

 frequently reared in the season. 



Norfolk, May. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



No. 13. TWITE. (Linota flavirostris.) 



The Mountain-Linnet, as this species is often called, is a resident in 

 the British Islands, breeding on the wild moorlands from the Midlands 

 northward, and is especially numerous on the islands off the coast of 

 Scotland. It is also common on the mountains of Ireland. During 

 the winter months it leaves the higher ground and is then to be met 

 with in flocks near the sea-coast, except in the south-west of England 

 and Wales. The nest, made of dry twigs and roots, lined with wool, 

 hair, and feathers, is usually placed among heather or in a low bush, 

 and often on the ground among grass or other herbage. From four to 

 six eggs, of a pale greenish-blue blotched with reddish-brown, are laid 

 towards the end of May. 



Island of Tiree, Hebrides, June. 

 Presented by Colonel L, H. Irby and Captain S. G. Reid. 



No. 14. HOUSE-SPARROW. (Passer domesticus.) 



There are few localities in the British Isles in which the Sparrow 

 has not attached itself to the habitation of man, appearing and rapidly 

 increasing wherever the land is brought under cultivation. Though a 

 harmless and pleasant companion to the dwellers in towns, it becomes, 

 owing to its numbers, a serious pest in the country, where it does an 

 infinite amount of mischief at all seasons. It is not particular as to a 

 site for its nest, which is placed in almost any suitable 'situation on 

 buildings or in trees in their vicinity. When building in trees and 

 adopting its natural mode of nidification, it constructs a large domed 

 nest of any dry stuff, well lined with feathers, and with an entrance in 

 the side. It frequently takes possession of the nests of both the House- 



