This little bird lays four to eight eggs of a yellowish-white tinge, spotted at the larger end with a kind of brownish-red. It builds several supplementary nests, which are simply made of moss and lichen; this is attributed to the male bird by some naturalists; but however this may be, as a rule two of these nests will be found to one of the others lined with feathers, which is intended for incubation. The nest is built in old barns, on the sides of cliffs, and in the roots of trees growing from high banks; it is dome-shaped, and has a very small entrance.
EGGS.
1. Jay. 2. Sparrow. 3. Jackdaw. 4. Grouse. 5. Kestrel.
6. Robin. 7. Redpoll. 8. Ringdove. 9. Wryneck.
THE JAY.
The Jay lays five or six eggs of a pale greenish-blue, sometimes yellowish-white, thickly spotted with minute brown spots, generally confluent on the larger end, where there are several irregular black lines. She builds her nest in the thickest parts of woods, where it may be well out of sight. It is composed of sticks, small twigs, small fibrous roots, and grass.