Part 1

Transcriber Notes

Italic text is denoted by underscores and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

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-à-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