A WINTER BIRD'S-NEST 



December ist 



UR birds'- nest hunter at this season 

 may learn much of the constructive 

 arts of the birds. As I showed in a 

 former chapter, the unravelling of these 

 abandoned nests reveals a surprising va- 

 riety of textiles and linings and deco- 

 rative materials. 



But if we suppose that we are the 

 only birds'- nest hunters in the woods, 

 we are greatly mistaken. We will say 

 nothing of the owls, the cow- bird, the 

 jays, the fish-crow, the black-snake, and the red squir- 

 rel, which have all had their turn at the bird cradles, 

 with more or less murderous success. If we continue 

 our search long enough, we are certain to come upon 

 the most novel nest of all one which has been found 

 before us, and which has been packed as full of inno- 

 cent mischief as a " jack-in-the-box." 



