POPULAR RECORD-BREAKERS 165 



such are the birds that are commended as " good 

 breeders" by aviarists, and in wild nature in this 

 country we may notice that it is the Song- Thrush 

 and the Robin which generally contribute the 

 " early bird's nest " newspaper records, leaving even 

 such prolific birds as the Blackbird and the Sparrow 

 far behind in the race for actual priority of com- 

 mencement, though these may equal the output 

 before the year is over. 



Generally speaking, however, it may be said that 

 wild birds nest only once a year, and some of the 

 large birds of prey are said only to do so in alternate 

 years. 



