BIRDS AS BUILDERS 



BIRDS are the architects of the animal 

 kingdom and one involuntarily considers 

 them as nest builders. Nevertheless, the 

 type of nest constructed varies enormously ; 

 with some birds there is practically no nest, 

 whilst others fashion a highly complicated 

 structure. 



In looking at a few of the nests of British 

 birds, it is well to start with the simplest 

 forms, and so ascend to the more complicated. 

 The ringed plovers prepare practically no 

 nests for their eggs, which are simply de- 

 posited in a hollow on the sand or shingle, 

 whilst the lapwing lays its eggs on the bare 

 furrows of the fields. The guillemot selects 

 for its nursery some rocky ledge on the 

 cliffs, a situation which is also shared by 

 the razor-bill. The night- jar believes in 

 the safety of terra firma and duly deposits 

 her eggs upon the bare ground ; the jack-daw 

 again is glad to take advantage of the 



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