EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 33 
THE MERLIN. 
Lixz some other of the Hawks, the Merlin does not take 
much trouble in the construction of her nest, simply 
selecting a little hollow, usually well hidden by heather, 
in moorland districts, lining it with dead ling and a little 
grass. The eggs number from three to six,according to 
some authorities; but I have usually found four on the 
North Riding moors, brown in colour, thickly covered with 
spots, blotches, and marblings of a reddish hue, especially 
at the larger end. 
THE BITTERN. 
Tux ground is chosen as the situation of this bird’s nest, 
well hidden amongst the dense growth of reeds and flags, 
in close proximity to the water it haunts. It is composed 
of a plenteous supply of sticks, reeds, flag-leaves, &c. 
The eggs are found in numbers of from three to five, and 
have been described as of a pale clay-brown, stone colour, 
and olive brown, all of which are as near the mark asa 
verbal description ean come. 
THE NIGHTJAR. 
Tuts bird cannot really be said to make a nest of any kind, 
simply selecting some natural depression in the earth, 
beneath the shelter of a furze-bush or common bracken. 
She lays two eggs, which are grey, beautifully spotted, and 
marbled or veined with dark brown and tints of a bluish- 
lead colour, glossy. The female sits so closely, and har. 
monises so well with her surroundings, that, unless one 
happens to detect her beautiful large eye, the chances are 
very much against finding her nest. 
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