Nesting Time. 



the nest the more perfectly are the eggs 

 protected in their markings. To be 

 sure, there are exceptions to this as to 

 most rules, but think of the wood- 

 peckers and owls. Here are large 

 groups which generally nest in holes in 

 trees and which lay spotless white eggs. 

 On the other hand, many of the spar- 

 rows, whose nests are exposed on the 

 ground or in the low bushes, lay green 

 eggs with brown dots upon them. 

 Nothing could blend more perfectly 

 with the green grass or foliage than this, 

 and many a brood of young has been 

 saved from bright-eyed prowlers by the 

 harmonious coloring of the eggs with 

 their surroundings. 



Singular as it may appear, among the 

 earliest birds to begin nest building 

 about Berkeley is Anna's humming- 

 bird. Instances are on record of nests 

 containing eggs in January and Febru- 

 ary, but this, of course, is very unusual. 

 Early in March, however, the birds 

 regularly commence work upon their 

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