i8 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE YELLOW-HAMMER. 



PLATE XVIII. 



Yellow-hammers build their nests about the borders 

 of woods, placing them on or near the ground, under 

 the shelter of some bush or low shrub. 



In the specimen now by me, the outside is formed 

 with broad blades of withered grass, fragments of leaves, 

 dried stalks of plants, and various kinds of moss. These 

 are well and closely compacted together, and with them 

 the cavity is formed, and the general shape of the nest 

 constructed. The lining consists of a thick coat of small 

 fibres of roots, mixed with a few hairs. The diameter of 

 the cavity is near three inches, the depth an inch and 

 an half. 



The Yellow-hammer lays four or five white eggs, 

 with blotches and scratches of a brown purple colour. 



In winter they fly in flocks. They feed on insects, 

 on grain, and the seeds of plants, and in spring are fre- 

 quently seen pecking about the catkins of the * hazle- 

 tree, birch, alder, &c. They also devour spiders and 

 small beetles. I have figured the cock on a branch of 

 the hazle-tree in blossom. 



The song of the Yellow-hammer is not excellent, 

 though not unpleasant; it is short, and not much varied, 

 but is ingeminated with boldness and spirit ; and the 

 fine shape and pretty colours of the cock bird suf- 

 ficiently recommend him to all the lovers of this most 

 beautiful part of animated nature. 



* Corylus avellana. 



