90 BIRDS'-NESTING. 



about the nest of a bird that does not hnger about 

 the hive of the wild bees, the burrow of the wood- 

 chuck or the dome of the musk-rat ; and that it is 

 more a home than any of them. Yet I believe it 

 would be found true were a correct record available 

 of the impressions made upon the hearts of men and 

 women the world over. That it is a temporary 

 abode in most cases does not matter ; around it are 

 grouped the poetic and pathetic associations which 

 really make and mean home in the human sense of 

 the world, — and so are we drawn to the tender and 

 graceful builders. 



NEW GROUND TO BE EXPLORED. 



But, to become more practical, it must not be for- 

 gotten that plenty remains to be learned concerning 

 the nidification of our birds. Considering the vast 

 extent of territory in North America, and the number 

 of species counted in our avifauna, it is surprising, 

 indeed, that we are as well informed as we are on 

 this matter. It will be worth while, however, to 

 point out some present deficiencies in order that the 

 younger students may be guided in directing their 

 efforts in the most productive channels. 



First, there is a considerable number of our birds 

 whose nesting is not known at all. I will not pre- 



