289 



When Mrs. Loggerhead arrives no time is lost in com- 

 mencing a new home, which is usually near where last year's 

 domicile was located. Great energy is at first displayed, 

 but later considerable dallying is noticed and often two or 

 three weeks are required in which to complete the new home. 

 It is a worthy structure, however, in its finished state, and, 

 like the scriptural house that was founded on a rock, is able 

 to withstand the March winds that come and the April floods 

 that are sure to descend upon it. The foundation is of 

 sticks and thorny twigs, laced and interlaced with root- 

 lets, grasses and strings. The deep and beautifully rounded 

 inner-nest is thickly and softly lined with the fur of small 

 animals and with feathers. The waving feathers give it an 

 appearance of warmth and comfort and it certainly proves 

 an attractive and well-loved place, for its owners are sel- 

 dom found at any distance from it. 



A ride along our country roads during the first week in 

 April will disclose many shrike nests in the process of con- 

 struction. They are easily observed at this season, for it is 

 a full month before the leafing of the hedges, and this ren- 

 ders them very conspicuous. This fact is in marked contrast 

 with the nesting habits of birds in general, the great ma- 

 jority of which depend upon the dense foliage to hide their 

 treasures from curious eyes. Except in occasional instances, 

 however, the conspicuity of shrike nests, does not prove det- 

 rimental to their safety, for only by extremely hard labor 

 and an absolute indifference to thorns, can one and its con- 

 tents be examined. The nests are placed in the thorniest 

 and most impenetrable parts of the hedge-rows and usually 

 just out of reach from the ground. 



From the observations of sev^eral years during which hun- 

 dreds of shrike nests have been examined, I would estimate 

 that a line drawn horizontally seven feet six inches from 

 the ground, would pass through a majority of them, while 



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