WILLOW WREN. 
141 
We have more than once met with a hooded nest, placed 
upon the ground, and answering in every respect to those of 
the Willow Wren or Chiff-chafF, but of which the eggs cannot 
be referred to any known English bird. One of these nests, 
a most perfect specimen, was taken by us lately on St. AnneV 
hill in Surrey. It was placed in a bank by the road side, 
and so entirely concealed in the exterior part by the moss 
and dead grass of the bank against which it rested, that it 
would probably have passed unnoticed, had not the bird 
discovered it to us by flying off. On approaching the spot, 
three eggs were plainly to be seen in a nest rather deep, and 
hooded half the way over only. The bird as it flew off had 
much the appearance of a Chiff'-chaff’ or Willow Wren, both of 
which inhabit that locality, but could not be very distinctly 
seen. We were obliged unwillingly to possess ourselves of 
the nest without knowing more of its owner, as the place is 
frequented by many persons, including cow-herd boys, who 
would soon no doubt have made the nest their own. The 
eggs differ in all respects from those of the three species 
last described, in shape, size, and colour: and no other Bri¬ 
tish bird is supposed to build a hooded nest upon the ground. 
The eggs are white, but with so thin a shell that the yolk 
gives them an appearance of reddish flesh colour: they are 
thinly sprinkled, chiefly about the larger end, with large 
and distinct spots of pure rust; and are of a long egg-shape, 
measuring eight lines and a half by five lines and a quarter. 
The nest is rather large, and built of extremely fine dry 
grass, dead fern, and green moss : it is lined with fine roots, 
a few hairs, and a very few downy black feathers. 
A nest similarly constructed, and containing one egg of 
the same form and appearance, has been in our possession 
several years, marked “ Unknown.” 
VOL. II. 
L 
