EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 15 
ground, and is met with only in the pine forests of Scot- 
land. Itis composed of grass, moss, wool, fur, and feathers. 
The eggs number four to seven or eight, and are white in 
ground colour, freckled and spotted with reddish-brown, 
generally forming a belt round the large end. 
THE GADWALL. 
Tuis bird is only known to nest in one or two places in 
Norfolk. It has been my pleasure to examine two nests— 
one situated amongst rough, dead grass, and the other in a 
tuft of rushes—in each case quite close to the water. The 
nest is made of dry grass, rushes, or withered leaves, and 
lined with beautiful soft down. From eight to twelve or 
thirteen creamy-white eggs are laid. 
THE TUFTED DUCK. 
Tu1s member of the Duck family selects the neatest and 
best concealed situation of all. It is generally well 
hidden in a tussock of rushes growing in or close to the 
water of a mere or pond. The nest is made of dead rushes, 
grass, or reeds, and is lined with small dark pieces of 
down, with whitish centres. The eggs are light greenish- 
buff in colour, and number from eight to ten, or even 
thirteen. They are very similar to those of the Pochard, 
but the down tufts in the nest are darker. 
THE STONE CURLEW. 
Founp on stony, arable land, commons, and rough, bare 
pastures. I have watched the bird through my binoculars, 
