Birds’ Nests 
cated, except when done from genuinely sclen- 
tific motives. 
On the other hand, after the nest has been 
vacated, it has served its full purpose, and, if 
removed at once, its often perfect condition ren- 
ders it permanently illustrative of the peculiari- 
ties and skill of that particular species. Such 
a collection of nests will doubtless foster a livelier 
interest in this branch of natural history, and 
impress the acquired facts more permanently 
upon the mind, than any other phase of the 
subject. An attractive writer, Mr. Ernest In- 
gersoll, has referred in so interesting a manner 
to the relative claims upon our attention of nest 
and eggs, that his words are well worth quoting: 
‘¢ Whether or not it is worth while to collect 
nests—for there are many persons who never do 
so—is, it seems to me, only a question of room 
in the cabinet. As ascientific study, there is 
far more advantage to be obtained from aseries 
of nests than from a series of eggs. The nest is 
something with which the will and energies of 
the bird are concerned. It expresses the char- 
acter of the workman, and gives us a glimpse of 
the bird’s mind and power to understand and 
adapt itself to changed conditions of life. Over 
the shape and ornamentation of an egg the bird 
141 
