170 BIEDS OF THE WATER 



to the necessary tieing back of some branches 

 and the excision of others. The pigeon is 

 most particular to guard against any risk 

 of this sort, and always selects a site in 

 open shade and where the sunlight is 

 filtered through many layers of leaf. 



The bird incubates indeed in almost 

 complete shade, for even at noon hardly a 

 chink of direct light falls on her. 



During August, when the mated birds, 

 clad in kings' raiment of purple and gold 

 and green, seem on their lichened kowhais 

 conscious only of the joy of spring 

 returned, perhaps really they are planning 

 their future nests. There can be no greater 

 error than to believe that any spot is good 

 enough for a bird to build, and I believe 

 m3^self that the nestling site is only chosen 

 after long deliberation. 



This year three times I chanced upon a 

 pair thus deep in thought, each time upon 

 the same branch, and within a yard of the 

 spot finally chosen for the nest — a nest 

 from which, unluckily, the egg was blown 

 or tumbled out. I have often admired the 

 care with which the details have been 



