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Transcriber Notes


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[Illustration: EGGS.

  1. Goldfinch.  2. Magpie.  3. Bullfinch.  4. Starling.
  5. Chaffinch.  6. Raven.  7. Linnet.  8. Rook.  9. Wren.
]




  Birds' Nests, Eggs
  and Egg-Collecting

  By R. Kearton, F.Z.S.

  Author of "With Nature and a Camera," "British
  Birds' Nests," "Wild Life at Home," etc. etc.

  _Illustrated with 22 Coloured Plates_


  [Illustration]


    Cassell and Company, Limited
    London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne
    1913


First printed _February 1890_. _Reprinted June 1890, May 1893._ New
and Enlarged Edition _January 1896_. _Reprinted June 1896, November
1898, July 1900, March 1902, September 1903, July 1905, December 1907,
January 1913._

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED




PREFACE


The very kindly reception by the press, and a steady public
appreciation, have led to this endeavour to make my little book
more complete, by preparing an Enlarged Edition, including all
British-breeding birds that have now any reasonable claim for
treatment. The work deals with a number of more or less familiar winter
visitors that do not stay to breed with us; however, this is perhaps an
advantage nowadays, when we all travel much and far.

As mentioned in the preface to the first Edition, this book is not
intended to encourage the useless collecting of birds' eggs from a mere
_bric-a-brac_ motive, but to aid the youthful naturalist in the study
of one of the most interesting phases of bird life. It is to be hoped
that the Act of Parliament empowering County Councils to protect either
the eggs of certain birds, or those of all birds breeding within a
given area, will be of great benefit to many of our feathered friends.

Besides a pretty extensive experience, I have, in the preparation of
this work, sought the aid of such excellent authorities as Yarrel
(fourth Edition), Seebohm, Dixon, and others, to all of whom I
gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness.

                                                     R. KEARTON.

  Boreham Wood, Elstree, Herts,
  1896.


                         Works by R. KEARTON,
                           F.Z.S., F.R.P.S.


                       KEARTON'S NATURE PICTURES

                    THE FAIRYLAND OF LIVING THINGS

                         BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS

                           OUR BIRD FRIENDS

                        NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS

                          WILD NATURE'S WAYS

                       WITH NATURE AND A CAMERA

                         PICTURES FROM NATURE

                           WILD LIFE AT HOME

                     THE ADVENTURES OF COCK ROBIN
                             AND HIS MATE

                     THE ADVENTURES OF JACK RABBIT

                   STRANGE ADVENTURES IN DICKY-BIRD
                                 LAND


             Cassell and Company, Ltd., London, New York,
                         Toronto and Melbourne




BIRDS' NESTS, EGGS, AND EGG-COLLECTING




INTRODUCTION.


=The Problem of Preservation.=--As a rule the first subject to which
the young naturalist turns his attention is the most interesting one
within his reach, and that subject is undoubtedly found in bird-life;
particularly that portion of it which concerns the nests, eggs, young,
and various modes of nidification, for this is really the kernel of
ornithology. Its details teach him the utility of systematic study and
close observation, two important points in all matters of scientific
research.

It is my intention in the following pages to furnish as full and
interesting particulars on Oology, which may fairly be entitled to the
dignity of a science, as can be found, or is likely to be required, in
any popular treatise of its modest compass.

This particular branch of natural history has been until lately but
indifferently studied--in fact, considered