EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 81 



tussock or amongst reeds, tlie base generally resting in 

 water. The eggs number eight to ten, and even twelve, 

 and vary in ground colour from white to bufE, the inter- 

 mediate stages including olive and greenish-white. They 

 are spotted with reddish-brown of varying shadeSj and 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 



I HAVE seen this bird's nest in the Outer Hebrides, where 

 it is fairly common. It also breeds on the mainland of 

 Scotland and in Ireland. The nest is generally placed 

 close to the edge of some mountain tarn or loch, and is a 

 mere depression trodden in the peat earth, sometimes 

 scantily lined with bits of dead bent or water-weeds. The 

 eggs number two, of a dark brownish-olive, frequently 

 greenish, spotted with blackish-brown, and underlying 

 markings of a lighter character. 



THE BLACK-THROATED DIVER. 



The Black-throated Diver breeds in the Outer Hebrides 

 and on the mainland of Scotland. It places its nest, which 

 is made of reeds and aquatic weeds, lined with grass, on 

 the shingle of mountain-loch shores and small islands. 

 The eggs number two, dark olive-brown, or buffish-brown, 

 s])otted somewhat sparingly with blackish-brown and 

 umber-brown. The eggs need careful identification, else 

 they are likely to be confused with those of the Red- 

 throated species. 



