EGGS AXD EGG-COLLECTING. 153 



when dry. If the weather is dull it takes her some time 

 to build her nest, but if it is dry and fine she runs it up 

 quickly, working most dexterously at it early in the morn- 

 ing. She lines it internally with straw, hay, and feathers, 

 and returns to the same nesting-place year after year, some- 

 times to find her cosy little nest occupied by sparrows. 

 She lays four or five eggs, white, the yolk giving them 

 a slight pinky tinge, unspotted. 



THE HEDGE-SPARROW. 



THE Hedge-sparrow's favourite nesting-place is in haw- 

 thorn hedges, the nest is also found in furze -bushes, low 

 shrubs, laurels, &c., and is composed of straw, dried grass, 

 moss, and wool, lined with hair. The eggs are four or 

 five in number, of a beautiful greenish-blue. 



THE DIPPER. 



THE Dipper, or Water Ouzel as it is called in some dis- 

 tricts, builds her nest in such splendid harmony with its 

 surroundings that it is very difficult to find. It is gene- 

 rally placed near to some waterfall, and very often behind 

 it, so that the bird has to fly through the water on entering 

 and leaving her nest, It is also found in caves, underneath 

 the arches of bridges, and I have even found one in a tree. 

 The exterior is composed of aquatic mosses, and the interior 

 beautifully lined with dry leaves. Dippers' nests are 

 40 



