272 OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



larger end. It has been carefully preserved by 

 Mr. Tomlin. 



As long as his man remained in the tree the 

 hen bird continued to fly round, uttering at 

 intervals a loud flute-like note, and occasionally 

 making a curious noise, such as a cat makes 

 when angry. 



It is perhaps scarcely necessary to remark 

 that, as regards situation, form, and the mater 

 rials of which it was composed, the nest did not 

 differ from those which one is accustomed to see 

 on the Continent. Invariably placed in, and 

 suspended under, the fork of a horizontal bough, 

 the sides of the nest are firmly bound to each 

 branch of the fork with blades of dry grasses 

 and fibrous roots. There is generally a good 

 deal of sheep's wool in the nest itself, which, 

 taken in connection with its peculiar shape, 

 gives it a very singular and unique appearance. 



On the 12'th of July, as we approached the 

 nest in question, the hen bird was sitting, but 

 left as we advanced, and perched in a neighbour- 

 ing elm, whence at intervals she uttered the 



