EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING, 35 
THE LITTLE GREBE. 
An immense mass of aquatic weeds floating on the surface 
of a quiet pond, and thoroughly saturated with water, forms 
the nest of this bird. She lays from five to six eggs, at 
first white, but gradually becoming dyed a dirty mud 
colour by the decaying weeds with which the parent bird 
eovers them on leaving her nest to seek food, &c. 
THE CAPERCAILZIE. 
Tuis bird’s nest is situated on the ground, and is composed 
of a few sticks and ling stalks. The eggs number from 
six to twelve, and are of a pale reddish-yellow brown, 
spotted all over with two shades of darker orange-brown, 
somewhat like those of the Black Grouse. 
THE MEADOW PIPIT. 
Tue nest of this common little bird is built of bents, with 
an inner lining of grass and hairs. It is situated on the 
ground, and generally in such a position that protection 
from the rain, sheep’s feet, &c., is afforded by a stout tuft 
of bents, a projecting piece of earth or stone. Its where- 
abouts is, however, generally betrayed by the parent bird’s 
peculiar flight when disturbed, even in the earliest stages 
of incubation. In the course of a day’s travel on the 
moors I have met with several nests, some of them remark- 
ably close to each other. The eggs number from four to 
six; and in spite of the fact that some eminent authorities 
have said that they are of a reddish-brown, mottled over 
with darker brown, varying but little, I should describe 
them as varying from light to very dark dusky brown. I 
