NESTS AND OTHER MATTERS 257 



case happens to be covered. As it is, the nest is 

 on one of the joists of a shed, and an imperti- 

 nent stranger has been known to clamber up and 

 examine the eggs. " Oh, if that well had only 

 been left open ! " the birds probably thought, as 

 they saw what he was doing. 



One kind of nest that is common here is set 

 so out in sight that none but a blind man could 

 miss it, though from its color it might readily be 

 passed as an old one, not worth investigation. I 

 do not remember just how many I have seen, 

 half a dozen, it may be, but I have never 

 looked into one. They cannot be looked into, 

 unless they are first torn to pieces. 



I speak of the verdin's nest. It is a marvel 

 of workmanship : globular, or roughly so, with 

 an entrance neatly roofed over well down on one 

 side ; constructed outwardly I cannot speak 

 beyond that, of course of countless small 

 thorny sticks, and in size and general color re- 

 sembling a large paper-wasps' nest. The bird, 

 as I say, plants it in full sight, in a leafless cat's- 

 claw bush, by preference, though I have seen 

 one beauty in a palo-verde tree. 



My first one I was directed to by the outcries 

 of the owner. The f oolish thing if she was 

 foolish actually went inside, and while there 

 scolded me. She took it for granted, I suppose, 



