THE CHIMNEY-SWALLOWS. 
333 
ifest.— Composed of mud, mixed with grass and straw, the 
lining consisting of dry grass and feathers. In England the 
nest "is generally built on a beam or rafter, which serves as a 
support to it, but on the Continent it is mostly built in the 
same way as that of the House-Martin, against a wall or a 
beam, while the bird is also sometimes noticed building against 
cliffs. ' 
Eggs. — From four to six in number, varying a good deal in 
size and shape, some being much longer than others. Ground- 
colour creamy or china-white, spotted with reddish or purplish- 
brown, with underlying spots of violet-grey intermixed, the 
large end being often clouded, but seldom a ring of spots being 
found. Occasionally the blotches and spots are much lighter 
and even greenish-brown in colour. Axis, 075-0-85 inch; 
diam, o - 5-o - 6. 
