EARLY NESTS 13 



much as the missel -thrush and blackbird line their nests with 

 dry grass. The muddiness of English weather must cer- 

 tainly prove attractive to our song-thrushes, and is perhaps 

 one reason of their abundance. Thrushes and blackbirds, 

 like crows and magpies, also require a considerable amount 

 of mud for the foundation of their nests ; and where mud is 

 scarce the fabric is considerably lightened, and framed with 

 a larger proportion of sticks or moss. 



The magpie's elaborate nest takes a long time to finish, 

 and is usually begun before the end of March, except in the 

 bleaker districts. The nest consists of a deep cup and a 

 large dome of sticks ; and although only the lower part of it 

 has a mud wall, the amount of mud collected and moulded 

 into its fabric is remarkable, considering that it has all to be 

 carried in the magpie's bill. As March gives place to April, 

 the bushy roof of the nest begins to rise, impudently con- 

 spicuous in the still naked boughs. Magpies seldom nest in 

 pines or other evergreens ; their deep cunning does not 

 extend to the adoption of any methods of hiding their brood 

 from man. But against all other enemies the nest is a safe 

 stronghold. One small hole in the side of the dome is the 

 only means of access ; and this the magpie is well able to 

 protect. Occasionally the fort may be seized in her 

 absence, and then the tables are turned. A moorhen 

 migrating in spring has been seen holding a magpie's nest 

 against its builder, which seemed extremely puzzled at this 

 unusual interloper. It is a mistake to suppose that the 

 magpie habitually roofs in its nest with thorns, so as to make 

 it a doubly formidable fortification. Where a quick hedge 

 has lately been clipped, they will weave the thorny shoots 

 into the prickliest of walls ; but if they happen to build 

 among ash-trees or elders, they do not trouble to hunt for 

 hawthorn shoots, but use the smooth dead branchlets. It is 



