Round the Countryside
' Early Nests and Eggs'
C. C. GADDUM
It is probable that there is no greater thrill to the average child than the finding of a bird's nest. Nor need the thrill be predatory. Just to see the lovely colour of the eggs is enough--there is no need to take one. Few seeing in the hedgerow the bright eye of the mother thrush. her beak uplifted above her speckled breast, as she sits on her eggs, will disturb her if they use their imaginations. She has enough enemies in the shape of cats, and trusts boys and girls to leave her alone.
Today Mr. Gaddum is to talk about the first signs of nesting. The sparrow goes house-hunting, and there is activity in the rookery. He will describe the rebuilding of new nests, the choosing of new sites, and the first nests to be found in the open fields.