112 
SYLVIA D.E, 
and elastic. Tlie last named quality, elasticity, is due to 
the horse-hairs with which it is usually very thickly lined, 
so as, in some specimens, nearly to conceal the stalks or 
grasses of the outer work ; while in others very few hairs 
are perceptible. We must conclude that in the nests of 
this species, as well as others, many varieties of construction 
occur, since we can neither find that specimens in our posses¬ 
sion are bound together outside Avith spider wmbs to keep 
them together, nor the horse hair glued with saliva, as some 
credible authors have affirmed. All the specimens Ave have 
seen are formed exteriorly of the dry, rough stalks of a species 
of galium, sufficiently clinging in its own nature to answer 
the purpose required ; and we think no necromancy is 
necessary, beyond the instinctiA’'e skill of the little architect, 
to keep the long hairs in their places. Let us not, however, 
be understood to disparage the qualities of spider cots as 
a building material of the most efficient kind; since some 
nests, such as those wonderful structures of the long-tailed 
titmouse, appear to owe a great deal of their consistency 
to this production. We have noticed, in all the nests of 
this species that have come under our observation, that 
the hairs used for lining have been of a dark colour, mostly 
black ; but Ave do not know Avhether this is a constant 
character. 
The eggs of the Whitethroat vary greatly in size and 
colour; but in the character of their markings they are 
tolerably constant. The dimensions vary from nine and a 
half lines, the size represented in the plate, to eight lines. 
The most usual colour of the ground is pale green, mottled 
with greenish brown, and freckled over the larger end with 
dull ash-coloured spots. In some nests of this species very 
different eggs are found: we have some specimens nearly 
grass green, freckled Avith large dark-green spots ; others in 
Avhich the ground colour is olive brown, freckled in a similar 
