EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 39 
THE KITE. 
Tuts bird locates its nest in a strong fork of some tall tree, 
building it with sticks and whatever softer material she 
can come at without much trouble, such as wool, &c. The 
eggs number three, and are of a grey or dirty white, 
spotted and blotched with dull red or orange-brown, the 
spots predominating at the larger end. 
THE RED-SHANK. 
Tus nest of the Red-shank is situated amidst a tuft of grass, 
or in a small hole sheltered by the surrounding herbage, and 
is constructed of a few blades of fine dry grass lightly put 
‘together. She lays four eggs of a cream or straw colour, 
blotched and speckled with dark brown, the spots being 
very variable, but generally forming a belt or zone at the 
larger end. ——— 
THE SAND-MARTIN. 
As denoted by the name, the nesting-place of the Sand- 
martin is at the extremity of a deep hole, which the bird 
excavates for herself in some sandbank, generally near a 
river. The nest is constructed of straw, hay, or dead 
rushes, whichever may be found in the locality where the 
bird is breeding, and lined with feathers. The eggs are 
from four to six in number, of an elongated shape, the 
extreme thinness of the shell giving them a pinky appear- 
ance, but when blown they are a beautiful white. 
THE LITTLE STINT. 
Tus bird does not breed in the British Isles, but in 
Northern Europe and Asia. The nest is situated on the 
ground, and is very similar in construction to that of most 
