IDENTIFICATION, NEST-BUILDING, ETC. 23 



To this list should be added the list of the general 

 nest-building materials, as : 



1. Lint-like strippings from plants. 



2. Twigs of vines. 



3. Fragmentary substances of plants. 



4. Old leaves. 



5. Snake skins. 



6. Feathers. 



7. Hair. 



8. Spider-webs. 



9. Lichens. 



10. Rabbit fur. 



11. Cotton-like plant substances. 



12. Strings. 



13. Paper. 



14. Roots. 



15. Mud. 



16. Mosses. 



17. Pine needles. 



18. Bare ground. 



19. Shell heaps. 



20. Down from parents' breasts. 



The preceding tables will be of much assistance in 

 the identification of the owners of any nest found when 

 the builders are not at home; and the comparison of 

 the familiar Robin and Crow will be an aid in identifying 

 birds by size comparison, when referring to the field 

 guide-book. 



Birds are more easily approached during the nesting, 

 incubating and brooding periods, not that they appre- 

 ciate our presence close to their homes at these times, but 

 because tiey loose their usual caution and timidity and 

 are drawn closer to their eggs and young by their own 

 home ties and parental feelings. 



Some birds seem to seek nesting sites near to man's 

 habitation, not because they recognize man and desire 

 his companionship but because they seek favorable con- 

 ditions that man has brought about; orchards and open 

 spaces for Bluebirds and Flickers, hanging and un- 

 crowded elm branches for Orioles, bunches of lilacs for 

 Brown Thrashers and climbing vines for Chipping Spar- 

 rows. 



