44 EGGS AND EOa-COLlEGTINO. 



elliptical sliape^ numbering from three to fivej and are 

 quite white, 



THE HEREING GULL. 

 Sea cliffs and rocky islands round the coasts of England, 

 Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, are the nesting-places of this 

 bird, the materials used being dried grass and ferns, loosely 

 put together. The eggs are three in number, of a stone 

 colour, sometimes light olive-brown — but this rarely — 

 spotted with dark brown. 



THE CAERION CROW. 



This bold predatory bird is like the Raven, monogamous, 

 and sticks to its mate for life. They use the same nest 

 often year after year, driving their young forth as soon 

 as they are capable of looking after themselves. On an 

 average four or five eggs are laid, of a grey-green colour, 

 blotched and spotted with a smoky brown. In some 

 instances, like those of the Rook, they are found quite 

 blue, minus spots. The nest is situated at the tops of 

 trees in woods or plantations, and is composed of sticks 

 like those of most birds, using the larger for the outside, 

 the smaller for the inside, which is plastered with mud, 

 clay, or cow-dung, lined with wool, horse and cow hair. 



THE SWALLOW. 



I HAVE observed that the Swallow's favourite nesting- 

 place is amongst the rafters of cow-barns, stables, and 

 out-houses of a similar nature. Nests may be found 



