Jenniwiii Ornitholos^ia. ^^B 



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nest like that described by the ingenious and usually accurate 

 Montagu. Wilson, in the American Ornithology (vol. i. p. 3.), 

 justly remarks that, " though birds of the same species have a 

 common form of building, yet do they not all build exactly in 

 the same manner ; for as much difference will be found in the 

 style, neatness, and finishing of their nests, as in their voices. 

 Some appear far superior v^^orkmen, and, possibly, age may 

 improve them." 



In his account of the nest of the gold-crested wren (Sylvia 

 jRegulus), Mr. Jennings is also more correct than the author of 

 the Compeyidium^ who says it " is of a round form, with an 

 opening in the side." (p. 97.) Mr. Jennings says, " Nest 

 similar to that of the chaffinch, but lined with feathers ; some- 

 times placed against a tree covered with ivy, but most com- 

 monly beneath the thick branch of a fir." He adds that 

 Pennant says it is found principally on oak trees. We, how- 

 ever, have paid considerable attention to the habits of this 

 beautiful little bird, and can say that we never observed it 

 frequenting oaks nor woods, as the author of the Compendium 

 states. It chiefly frequents fir and pine plantations, where it 

 builds ; and, if it takes short excursions thence, it is only to th^ 

 nearest hedge-row, along which it flits, almost invisible, and 

 only to be distinguished by its fairy note, somewhat like the 

 ring of a small silver bell. The nest, we think, is more like 

 that of the goldfinch than that of the chaffinch, to which Mr. 

 Jennings compares it. 



That our author is no servile copier of others, but has 

 examined nature for himself, will appear from these extracts, as 

 well as the following : — " The nest of the thrush is, exteriorly, 

 composed of green or other moss, and a few straws ; interiorly, 

 it is plastered all over with some paste, apparently composed 

 of rotten wood, with something to cement it; it is generally of 

 a light buff colour. When dry, it is quite hard, so that the 

 eggs, if moved, rattle in the nest. The statement in many of 

 our books of natural history, that it is lined with clay, is, as 

 far as my experience goes, founded in mistake." (p. 1 9.) 



We agree with Mr. Jennings, that the plaster employed by 

 the thrush is not clay; but, though it may appear to him 

 similar to rotten wood, he will find that it is chiefly composed 

 of the dung of cows. Whether there is not a small intermix- 

 ture of clay, however, we cannot undertake to affirm. The 

 magpie, a bird not very distantly allied to the -Merulidae, 

 certainly uses clay, and in no sparing quantity, to plaster over 

 the inside of its thorny tent ; and the house swallow (iJirundo 

 riistica) forms the chief superstructure of its nest with clay. 



