LIEUT.-COL. DUTHIE ON NESTING OF BRITISH BIRDS. 
A 37 
I would humbly suggest that—if funds can be obtained—prizes 
be given to the boys for, say, the best collection of insects, for the 
best preserved insects, and so forth. 
The same suggestion might be applied to other branches of 
Natural Science, and who knows but that the ranks of the votaries of 
Natural Science might be largely recruited from the Boys’ Brigade? 
Perhaps the suggestion is worthy consideration. 
The boys deserve credit for their exemplary conduct throughout. 
It was all that could be desired, and cruelty to the creatures them¬ 
selves was only conspicuous by its absence. 
XIII .—Notes 071 the Nestmg of British Birds. 
By Lieut.-Colonel W. H. M. Duthie. 
(Read i6th January, 1896.) 
[The following Paper was read in order to introduce and explain a series of Lime¬ 
light Views of the Nests of Scottish Birds, photographed from Nature by Mr. 
G. Burn Murdoch and Mr. H. C. Munro, which were shown by Mr. R. 
Kidston, F.R.S.E., Stirling.— Ed.l 
The Nesting of our Birds, although nominally belonging to the 
spring-tide, really begins before the winter is over, and it extends far 
into the summer months. 
In February, when the snow is still lying deep in the Highland 
glens, the Ravens are seen hovering round their old homes, making 
estimates for repairs, while some of their race, who breed in the chalk 
cliffs of our southern coasts, have already laid their eggs. The 
Crossbill in the fir woods of the north is busy building, and the 
Long-eared Owl has selected an old Crov;’s nest or the roof of a 
Squirrel’s draw on which to rear her young. The coveys of Partridges 
are dispersed, and although the birds still roost together on the 
ground at night, they are flushed in pairs during the day time. If, 
by chance, these quiet indications of the nesting season escape our 
notice, our near neighbours, the Rooks, always take care to remind 
us of its advent. 
After many a grave consultation on the bare branches of their 
favourite trees, active operations usually take place by the first week 
in March, when the Rookery is a scene of great bustle and animation, 
and there is a business-like ring in the cawing of the birds as they fly 
hither and thither, carrying sticks and twigs, to repair old nests, or 
begin new ones. 
During this month a decided movement among our home birds 
is observable; crowds of Lapwings come up from the sea shores and 
