AN ORNITHOLOGICAL LECTURE. 



103 



the far north-west. In the materials used, and the con- 

 struction of the nest, birds adapt themselves largely to cir- 

 cumstances. In the Northern States, for example, the Bal- 

 timore oriole uses hempen fibres, cotton twine, et ccetera, for 

 its nest; but in the heat of Louisiana the same pouch-shaped 



THE VVOOD-PEWEE. 



structure is woven of Spanish moss, and is light and cool. 

 The intelligence and foresight that some birds exhibit in 

 their architecture prove reason rather than instinct, as we 

 popularly use these words ; while others are so stupid as to 

 upset all our respect for their faculties of calculation. Both 

 sexes usually help in building the nest, and work industri- 



