154 



Wild Birds 



the nest and leaves about it are all set to vibrating in unison. 

 After the circular wall was up and well plastered with mud, this 

 Robin would occasionally pause and sit perfectly quiet for 

 several seconds, apparently resting from the fatigue of her 

 efforts. Sometimes it even seemed as if she were trying the fit of 



Fig. 97. Nest of Robin against side of stump, two feet from 

 ground. From photograph by Mr. J. B. Parker. Cleveland, 

 Ohio. 



the nest, or was adapting it to her breast-form, but this was 

 uncertain. After such pauses she would turn about and re- 

 sume work again; then, giving a low wit-wit ! or cut-cut ! note, 

 she went off in haste. Once while this bird was busy at mold- 

 ing, a loud tseet-tseet ! from a neighboring Robin family elicited 

 a quick response in corresponding key, while she went on with 

 her work. When fully alarmed, whether carrying burdens or 



