856 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



nest — the one in the top corner shown in the photograph. 

 In order to show the normal position of Martins' nests, and 

 the abnormal one upon the pane of glass, he fixed up the 

 latter beside the former — and this is well depicted in the 

 photograph, which was taken by Mr. Norrie in my presence. 



J. A. Harvie-Brown. 



Nests of House-Martin — the one in the corner built in a normal 



position ; the other on a pane of glass. (From a Photograph 



lent by Mr. J. A. Harvie -Brown.) 



[Nests placed in abnormal positions, and made of unusual 

 materials are always interesting, and occasionally they are 

 something more than this, as when they draw attention to 

 details that have hitherto escaped observation under normal 

 circumstances. The two photographs herewith subjoined well 

 illustrate this point. One cannot help wondering how these 

 birds managed to lay the foundations of such nests, and how 

 afterwards the completed structures retained their hold. We 



