62 EGOS AND EOG-COLLBCTING. 



times bufEsh, wliite ground speckled all over with dark or 

 olive brown and einereous^ which become more dense at 

 the larger end and form a zone. The eggs are at times 

 more numerously spotted than at others j then the markings 

 are not so large. 



THE POCHARD. 



This bird breeds in the east and south of England, 

 also in Scotland and Irelandj although it is much less 

 numerous during the summer than the winter months. 

 The position of its nest is similar to that of the 

 Wild Duckj also the materials of which it is composed 

 (dead grass and sedge, as well as down when the bird 

 has begun to sit). Its eggs number from seven even to 

 thirteen, but ten is the usual number laid, of a greenish- 

 buff colour. 



THE BLACK EBDSTAET. 



This well-known visitor breeds in many parts of Europe 

 and North Africa, building a nest very similar to that 

 of the Robin, composed chiefly of twigs, straw, dried 

 grass, &c., and situated in holes of walls and other positions 

 similar to the above-mentioned bird. Five is the usual 

 number of eggs; however, four only, or as many as six, are 

 found, generally pure white in colour, occasionally tinged 

 faintly with brown. Cases are recorded where they have 

 been found spotted at the larger end with minute brown 

 spots. 



THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 



Many curious positions for rearing a family have been 

 chosen by the Spotted Fly-catcher, but its nest is generally 



