78 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE WHINCHAT. 



PLATE LXXVIII. 



The Whinchat makes her nest in a field or meadow, 

 under the shelter of some tuft of grass or weeds, just in 

 the same manner as the larks. The nest now lying be- 

 fore me, is composed of much dry grass and cow's hair, 

 placed in layers one over another. The first, or outer 

 coat, is dead grass ; the next hair ; then another of finer 

 grass ; and upon that the lining, which is wholly hair. 

 The diameter of the cavity is -three inches, the depth 

 not quite one inch. This bird seems very indifferent 

 with regard to the beauty of her nest, the materials be- 

 ing hurried together in a very careless and negligent 

 manner ; and, apparently, with great dispatch. The 

 eggs are five or six, of a glossy blue, and sometimes 

 have a few latent dark spots near the larger end. The 

 Whinchat has two or three broods in a year. 



