246 



THE WESTERN ROBIN 



nut lx*injj w illulrawii t'nmi must familiar observation. IndetM, as in the case 

 of tlic accompanv in}^ illustration, tlie bird ai)iK'ars ratbcr to court notoriety. 

 The major crotdu-s of orcliani or shade trees are not sliunned. From five 



to fifteen feet is the 

 usual elevation, but 

 nests are sometimes 

 ff)und at fifty feet: 

 and again, tho rare- 

 ly, on the ground. 

 Window sills and 

 l)eams of porches, 

 hams, and outbuild- 

 ings are favorite 

 places, and, in de- 

 fault of these, brusli- 

 piles or log-heaps 

 will <lo. 



The mud used in 

 construction is, of 

 course, carried in the 

 beak. Arrived at 

 tlie nest witii a beak- 

 ful of mud, tlie 

 mother bird drops 

 iier load, or plasters 

 it loosely on the in- 

 side of the cup. 

 Then she hops into 

 the nest, settles as 

 low as |)OssibIe, and 

 l)egins to kick or 

 trample vigorously 

 with her feet. From 

 time to time she 

 tests tlie smoothness 

 or roundness of the 

 job by settling to it 

 with her breast, but 

 altogctlier accoinplislied in tlie peculiar tedder action of 



From 11 riiotografih L opyrigUt, 1908. by /, 

 Tlir. RoniXS NF.ST. 



the siiaiiiiig 

 her feet. 



On the other hand, oik- Robins nest wliicli I found in the open sage had 

 no mud in its construction ;mh1 was altogether com]»osed of felted \egetal)le 



