26 EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 
brown blotches. She generally makes no nest at all, 
but scratches a hollow in the soft earth on a ledge of rock 
situated on high mountain or sea cliffs. The deserted nest 
of the crow is sometimes utilised. 
THE ROBIN. 
Tuts beautiful little bird, the favourite of English children, 
builds her nest in walls and banks, where roots and moss 
abound. It is composed of moss, fibrous roots, and leaves, 
and is sometimes lined with hair. She lays five or six 
eggs of a very light gray, spotted with a dull light red; 
sometimes these spots are very few. 
THE REDPOLL. 
Tur eggs of this bird are four or five in number, of a very 
pale blue-green colour, spotted about the larger end with 
orange-red. The eggs retain much of their pretty colour 
after being blown, they are of such a beautiful blue. She 
makes her nest of hay and moss, lined inside with willow- 
down, and finishes it off in the most beautiful manner. 
She builds her nest in willows, alders, and other bushes 
that fringe streams and ponds in mountainous districts. 
THE RINGDOVE. 
Taz Ringdove makes a very loose, slovenly nest of twigs 
and sticks, and it is sometimes so badly built that the eggs 
may be seen through the bottom of the nest. She builds 
in fir, yew, or other trees, sometimes in ivy that grows 
upon rocks and trees, very near the ground. She lays two 
white eggs of a rounded oval shape. 
