EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 15 
hours a day, avoids the majority of dangers which threaten 
less favoured birds, and only lays two eggs, in a position 
very few other birds could adopt, yet one which secures her 
little household the amount of safety necessary for the due 
survival of the species. However, with her limited family, 
dexterity on the wing, and enduring powers, she seems to 
have no leisure time during the period her young require 
feeding. As an opposite, take the House Sparrow, with 
its five or six eggs, innumerable dangers, and easy access 
to food, and it must be confessed these things are ordered 
by a power of infinite wisdom. 
Curious Nesting-Places.—The general situation and 
locality in which each bird’s nest is likely to be found 
are mentioned in dealing with the bird under its separate 
heading ; however, it may not be uninteresting to chronicle 
a few of the most remarkable and well-authenticated de- 
partures from accepted rules. 
I have myself found a Dipper’s nest on the branch of a 
tree twelve or thirteen feet from the water and twenty from 
the bank. This nest was of ordinary shape and size, its mate- 
rial being of the same kind as others, and securely fastened 
amongst the prongs of the branch like a Missel Thrush’s. 
Whea the parent bird was disturbed she dived into the pool 
below to make her escape (a habit invariably adopted 
when nesting in an ordinary position). She reared her 
young in safety, however, in spite of the awkward situa- 
tion she had selected, and I have every reason to believe 
got them off without mishap. I have also found a Thrush’s 
nest on the ground, precisely in the position a Lark selects, 
House Sparrows furnish many examples of curious 
situations adopted for incubatory purposes. Not long 
ago a pair of these birds built their nest, and success- 
