Transcriber Notes Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=. [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-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 STRANGE ADVENTURES IN DICKY-BIRD LAND Cassell and Company, Ltd., London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne