Nesting Time. 



PacIiiG Coast still contents itself with 

 the primitive nest in a hollow in an oak 

 tree. I might continue at great length 

 to cite cases of birds which have changed 

 their nesting habits, but the examples 

 given are enough to enforce the point. 

 We must therefore look at the birds as 

 genuine architects who work with an 

 intelligent idea of making a home for 

 themselves. We find that their first 

 thought is necessarily of safety, but the 

 loving pains bestowed by the bush-tit 

 and the oriole upon their beautiful 

 homes surely implies a sense of beauty 

 as well as of utility. I cannot but feel, 

 however, that instinct, developed by the 

 habit of generations, plays a part in 

 directing the building of the nests, at 

 least to the extent of impelling the 

 birds to their task. 



The color of the &gg seems to be 

 largely determined by the need for pro- 

 tection. We notice that as a general 

 rule birds that nest in the dark lay 

 white eggs, and that the more exposed 

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