43 



substance wliicli forms tlie background. For examjDle — I 

 have taken their nests from the moss-grown sides of trees, 

 in which case the nest was of moss ; from a mass of i^y 

 and dead leaves, in which it was composed of dead leaves ; 

 and from dead bracken. This last nest is one of ,the 

 prettiest I ever saw ; it is composed entirely of the pre- 

 ceding year's fronds of bracken, and is lined with hundreds 

 of feathers. 



These birds have a curious habit of buildino-, durino- the 

 hard winter as a shelter for themselves, nests similar to 

 those which they build for their young, only without the 

 lining. These nests are always built in the most sheltered 

 parts. A deep well-sheltered lane leading from the Pewsey 

 road into the town of Marlborough, is a favourite place for 

 them. I have seen no less than five in it at one time. 



Sitta eiu'opaea. 



Nuthatch. 



EGG OBSERVED. 



April 28th, 1865. 

 May 14th, 1866. 

 May 11th, 1869. 

 1870. 

 This bird is not rare in the Forest, and yet it is not very- 

 common. The nests are found every year, in Lollow trees 

 and other similar places and a walk in the Forest will 

 always show one or two, but they are by no means as 

 common as those of many of our other birds. 



