NEST BUILDING 303 



gnarled roots, and stones. While some birds build 

 in the open, others hide in deep wood and conceal 

 nests with a foresight which seems uncanny. It 

 is certain that-feirds learn by experience. One is left 

 to wonder in summing up if there are not wise and 

 foolish birds, and if these nests in ill-chosen places 

 are not the first attempts of last year's birds that 

 wiil learn by experience. 



Bird architecture proves experience and even 

 wisdom on the part of some builders. I have in 

 my possession the nest of an oriole, built like every 

 other nest of its kind save that under the limb to 

 which it is fastened there is framed a window large 

 enough to admit the bird's head for light and air, 

 and if necessary it could be used for egress. The 

 nest was in a cotton wood, and the limbs were 

 large and heavy for oriole use. The limb to which 

 the nest was attached formed the upper sash, the 

 lower was a loop of cotton cord, firm and strong. 

 Over this loop, the nest material was passed and 

 drawn down into the body of the nest so closely 

 that it was more deftly finished than at the top. 

 Evidently the builder had decided on having this 

 window, for a first attempt too high for use had 

 been begun and abandoned for this one at just the 

 right height. 



It was impossible for this oriole to build this 

 window without knowing for what purpose she 

 intended using it; in fact, it required thought to 

 plan and construct it. She had to remember the 



