BIRDS' NESTS AND EGGS 361 



serve, and completely in harmony with the requirements of 

 their builders. Instead of viewing the nest of the Chaffinch 

 and the Wren as mere structures, the paragon of perfection 

 and architectural skill, the results of perfect natural tools, 

 they should be regarded as nests, the only object their beauty 

 and perfection serves being a useful and protective one. 



A bird's beak and its legs and feet are the tools with 

 which its nest is made ; yet neither on the form, the length, 

 or any otlier peculiarity of these parts does the comparative 

 beauty and perfection of the nest depend. The Wren has a 

 finely-pointed bill and long legs ; with these tools she builds a 

 well-made nest, which seems to owe its perfect form and well- 

 woven walls to the little creature's natural nest-building tools. 

 But the Chaffinch, with her comparatively clumsy bill and 

 short legs, also makes a nest equally well woven, and even 

 rivalling in its external appearance the Wren's abode. The 

 Titmice, with their short bills and clumsy legs, build nests in 

 holes in trees and walls — structures so poorly made that it is 

 impossible to remove them entire. But the Long-tailed Tit- 

 mouse, we know, with similar tools builds a nest in the 

 branches, the paragon of beauty and well-w^oven perfection ! 

 The Dipper is another instance. The Swift, with its weak 

 bill and short legs, seems unable to make an elaborate nest ; 

 but we know it seeks a hole for its purpose for other motives 

 than its seeming inability to make a nest, and, as is the case 

 with nearly all hole -building birds, irrespective of their 

 natural tools, it is poorly made. The Swallow^ and the Martin 

 possess similar tools to those of the Swift, yet they build 

 w^ell-made structures, either fastened to the eaves of buildings 

 or on the beams and ledges in sheds and chimneys. The 

 delicate Warblers, with appliances similar to those of the 

 Wren, make slight net-like nests ; whilst the Finches, with 

 clumsy beaks and somewhat short legs, weave nests well 

 made and beautifully adapted to the purposes they serve. 



