YELLOW WARBLER 



them alighted on my shoulder by mistake in 

 her hurry to reach the nest over which I was 

 bending. She was surprised but not alarmed, 

 and flew at once to her work when I withdrew. 



As in the case of all birds' nests, the ma- 

 terial brought was shaped to suit by a turning 

 or wriggling of the little mother round and 

 round in the chosen spot, tucking ragged 

 ends in, scratching other places out, until 

 it felt comfortable and looked smooth. 



Even with these wee builders there is much 

 individuality, some of their nests being round 

 and trim with a nicely moulded edge, others 

 simply twisted togetherand fastened so loosely 

 that the least spreading of the branches by 

 the wind causes them to tip over. One little 

 nest that we found in a small broad-leaved 

 sapling had two of the leaves fastened down 

 over it in the weaving so as to form a com- 

 plete shelter and protection from the wind. 

 The little mother flew in at the side, and sat 

 with her head toward the opening, perfectly 

 concealed from curious eyes, vet having full 

 view of all her neighbors' doings. 

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