268 INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 



entrance to their nests very narrow, and line the 

 interior with an abundance of such materials as 

 conduct heat slowly ; while the ring-dove, which 

 lays two eggs only, forms so slight a structure, 

 that they may frequently be seen through it. 

 The partridge, land-rail, and those birds whose 

 young are able to run almost as soon as they are 

 hatched, generally give themselves] very little 

 trouble in providing nests for their progeny ; and 

 some species of waterfowl do not make any, 

 but deposit their eggs in the crevices, and on the 

 projecting shelves and ledges of lofty rocks, or 

 upon the bare ground. The sociable grosbeak 

 builds in society under a common roof. The 

 pensile, Abyssinian, and Phillippine grosbeaks 

 construct curious nests which they suspend from 

 the slender twigs of trees, particularly such as 

 grow over water; by this means, securing their 

 offspring from the predatory attacks of their 

 numerous enemies ; and the taylor-bird frames 

 its temporary abode by sewing two leaves toge- 

 ther with the flexible fibres of plants, and 

 lining the cavity with the lightest and softest 

 animal or vegetable down. 



It is true, that in preparing their nests, birds 

 occasionally accommodate themselves to some 

 circumstances, and take advantage of others, 

 in a manner which seems to indicate a large 



