148 GOLDCREST. 
of Chaffinches to make their own; one was noticed to do so 
most slyly, watching its opportunity, and approaching from 
the opposite direction; but on the Chaffinch detecting and 
chasing it, it did not repeat the theft. It is frequently lined 
with feathers, and is altogether a singularly elegant piece of 
architecture; the feathers are so placed as to project inward: 
two nests have been found on one branch. Mr. Hewitson 
says ‘It is sometimes placed upon the upper surface of the 
branch; and I have also seen it, but rarely, placed against 
the trunk of the tree upon the base of a diverging branch, 
and at an elevation of from twelve to twenty feet above the 
ground.’ He also mentions in the ‘Zoologist,’ page 825, his 
having once met with the nest in a low juniper bush, very 
little more than a foot from the ground. Deserted nests of 
this species are frequently to be met with, but the reason is 
not known. The eggs in one nest were observed placed in 
two rows, with the small ends touching each other. 
The eggs are four, five, six, or seven, to eight, or even ten, - 
or even eleven in number; they are of a very pale reddish 
or brownish white, the larger end being much the darkest 
coloured, light reddish brown: some have been known pure 
white, sparingly spotted with reddish brown here and there. 
They are smaller than those of any other British bird, and 
are sometimes almost of a globular shape. The young are 
fed by both the parents. It is thought that two broods are 
reared in the year, and that the second is less numerous than 
the first. Eggs, fresh laid, have been met with in May and 
June, while young birds have been known fully fledged by 
the third week in April. The same nest has also been 
known to have been used twice the same season, two broods 
being hatched and reared; but whether by the same parents 
or not, of course could not be told. 
Male; weight, about seventy-six or from that to eighty 
grains; length, three inches and a half, to three and three 
quarters; bill, blackish: the mouth, dusky orange; iris, dark 
brown; the eyelid, black: the eyes are surrounded by a pale 
dusky ring, encircled by another of dull white. Forehead, 
pale greyish white with a tinge of yellow; head on the sides, 
yellowish grey, on the crown, in its centre, bright reddish 
orange, the feathers elongated and of a silky texture; the 
inner webs of the inner feathers pale yellow, on each side of 
this is a black band; neck on the back and nape, light 
yellowish olive green, with a tint of brown;. chin, throat, 
