THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



Robin, Veery, and Wood Thrush, deposit from three 

 to five, four being themost usual number. Wild Ducks, 

 Turkeys, and Grouse range from eight to a dozen or 

 more;while Quails sometimes lay as manyas eighteen. 



Eggs are variously coloured, and some are so 

 marked that the blending of their colours with those 

 of their surroundings renders them inconspicuous. 

 Thus those of the Killdeer, Sandpiper, and Night- 

 hawk, for example, are not easily distinguished from 

 the ground on which they lie. 



Many eggs that are laid in holes or other dark 

 places are white without markings of any kind, as il- 

 lustrated by those of the Chimney Swift, Belted 

 Kingfisher, and all Woodpeckers. In such instances 

 Nature shows no disposition to be lavish with her 

 colouring matter where it is not needed. 



Behaviour fVhen Nest Is Discovered. — ^After the 

 young are hatched it is even easier to find nests by 

 watching the parents. The nestlings are hungry at 

 all hours, and the old ones are visiting the nest at 

 frequent intervals throughout the day. Birds be- 

 [24] 



