]2 



to each other, we shall find upon a closer acquaintance with 

 them, that there are other connecting links. The nests of all 

 the species are much alike, each being strongly cemented with 

 clay ; and much as the eggs of the Common Thrush and the 

 Blackbird appear to diflfer at first sight, they nevertheless run 

 imperceptibly into each other, in some of their varieties. I 

 have seen eggs of both species, of a clear spotless blue. My 

 friend Mr. Doubleday, one year found several nests of the 

 Blackbird, at Epping, in one locality, the eggs of which were 

 all of this description ; a variety perpetuated, probably, through 

 the several individuals of one family. No one who has seen 

 the nests of the Swallow and the House Martin, (resembling 

 each other as much as they difier from those of all other 

 genera,) will need to be told that they are closely allied, much 

 as the eggs difier in colour. 



With regard to birds of the same species, although the 

 eggs of most of them are subject to more or less variety, some 

 are constant, or nearly so, in their colouring, whilst others 

 display an almost unceasing variety. Amongst the former, 

 are those chiefly of one colour, to which may be added a few 

 others, which seldom vary much. These are the Kite, Golden 

 Oriole, Lesser Whitethroat, the various species of Titmice, 

 Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, and Black Grouse. 



The eggs, on the other hand, which are subject to the 

 greatest variety, are those of the Water Birds, the Gulls, 

 Terns, Guillemots, &c. ; and of the land birds, the Red Grouse, 

 the Rook and Carrion Crow, Yellow Bunting, and House 

 Sparrow, and above all, the Tree Pipit. There is, notwith- 

 standing, in all these a character, by which a little experience 



