. The birds of the British Isles and their eggs . ee at once, until, in the whirl of struggling wing, beakand claws, it was impossible to distinguish individuals ; allthe time one or more kept up florid song. At times onebird would dance and whirl by itself in a frenzy of excitement,throwing itself about in ecstatic mazes, or with drooped wingsand widely fanned-out tail, would exhibit its charms. TheWheatear not only nests in holes, but bolts into them forshelter from weather or an enemy ; when there was a tradein ortolans Wheatears were captured in large numbers bythe shepherds on the South D
. The birds of the British Isles and their eggs . ee at once, until, in the whirl of struggling wing, beakand claws, it was impossible to distinguish individuals ; allthe time one or more kept up florid song. At times onebird would dance and whirl by itself in a frenzy of excitement,throwing itself about in ecstatic mazes, or with drooped wingsand widely fanned-out tail, would exhibit its charms. TheWheatear not only nests in holes, but bolts into them forshelter from weather or an enemy ; when there was a tradein ortolans Wheatears were captured in large numbers bythe shepherds on the South Downs, who prepared shelterburrows for them in which a wire springe was fixed. Rabbit-burrows are the usual nesting holes on the sand-dunes and downs, but on the hills stone walls, clefts in rocksand peat-stacks are used ; in these a loosely built nest of grassand roots, with rabbit fur, wool, hair or feathers serves for thefive to six pale blue eggs (Plate 84), which are usually laid latein April or early in May. Two broods are recorded, but one.
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Keywords: ., bookauthorc, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherlondon
