Some Remarkable Nests and Eggs. 



53 



build spare nests, which some naturahsts think are 

 constructed as landing stages for their chicks. The 

 nest figured in our illustration had been built by 

 the latter bird 

 for the accom- 

 modation of its 

 young. 



Everybody 

 knows that the 

 Common Wren 

 makes two or 

 three spare 

 nests for every 

 one occupied by 

 eggs, but no- 

 body is quite 

 sure what pur- 

 pose these extra 

 empty houses, 

 which are known 

 as "cocks' nests,'"' 

 are intended to 

 serve. They 

 never contain 



the inner lining of soft feathers and down which 

 declare the character of a finished abode with cer- 

 tainty. Some naturalists have given it as their 

 opinion that they are built to be used as sleeping 

 apartments; but my investigations do not bear out 

 this theory, for I have found the birds comfortably 



WATEKHEX'S SPARE NEST. 



