EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTINY. 41 
visited by it during the summer. Its nest is very similar 
to that of the ordinary Ring Ouzel or Blackbird, and is 
located in the middle of a dense bush. The eggs number 
frorm four to six, and are somewhat like those of the Field- 
fare, only not so large. It would take a very clever con- 
noisseur to pick out the egg of the Blackbird, Ring Ouzel, 
Fieldfare, and Redwing from some specimens without 
making a mistake, so much alike are they in colour, size, 
and shape. 
THE SANDPIPER. 
On the oanks of a river, lake, or tarn, this familiar little 
bird locates its nest, generally choosing some natural de- 
pression, where it will be protected by a projecting grass 
tuft, though I have found its nest on the bare ground, and 
once on a tiny piece of grass amongst a lot of rocks. The 
nest is lined with dead rushes, leaves, and fine grass. The 
eggs number four, of a creamy yellow or stone colour, with 
light brown spots and blotches, as it were, in the shell, 
and dark brown on the surface. 
THE LESSER WHITE-THROAT. 
THE situation chosen by the Lesser Whitethroat for its 
nest is amongst brambles, low bushes, and nettles, build- 
ing it of grass, bents, and an inner lining of horsehairs. 
The eggs number four or five, and are white, with a greenish 
tendency, spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with ash and 
light umber brown. 
THE RUFF. 
Tas bird, like the Snipe and Red-shank, makes her nest in 
wet, swampy places, using only the coarse grass found on 
