1 64 Wild Birds 



material in such a nest, from which no young had been success- 

 fully reared. Very often, too, late in July, when some chicks 

 have taken to the water, nest-repairing is not only kept up, 

 but many brand-new nests are begun which can never be oc- 

 cupied. In some of these, which are rarely finished, eggs are 

 even laid, but it is too late for the successful rearing of chicks. 

 When we see a Robin with stubble in its bill, the meaning is 

 clear and infallible. The nesting season for Robins is on, and 

 that bird has eggs to be laid and probably to be hatched. Only 

 the other day, October 30, I saw a House Sparrow fly up towards 

 the window with a sprig of dead grass. No doubt it was build- 

 ing its bag-shaped winter house or lodge ; but when you see a 

 Great Herring Gull toying with sticks, grass, or feathers, it is 

 impossible to say what it means. You must watch and see, and 

 the sights which are likely to follow are often well worth watching. 



I have seen a Gull standing on the rocks pick up and drop 

 several times a stick one and a half feet long, as if listlessly 

 playing with it, or seeking an outlet for its energies. I have 

 seen a timid Gull, when approaching its nest of eggs, hesitate, 

 and then picking up a chip, advance a few steps nearer, as if 

 gaining assurance by such actions. I have seen an old Gull, 

 while sitting on eggs, repeatedly reach out and pull up grass by 

 the roots and incorporate it into the nest. In sparring bouts, 

 which are sometimes the prelude to desperate encounters, these 

 birds will stand facing each other like fighting cocks, cats, or 

 dogs, when suddenly one will give the other a vicious lunge. 

 Very often such sallies come to nothing, when one or both birds 

 seem suddenly to lose all interest in the quarrel, and begin to 

 pick up chips, pull grass, or stab a rotten log with their strong, 

 chisel-pointed bills. At other times the encounter is more friendly, 

 and probably corresponds to what in other species, like the 

 Albatross, has been described as a dance. Bending until the 

 breast touches the ground, and bringing the head up and down 

 with quick jerks, they give a peculiar crooning note. Then they 

 begin to play with chips and grass, and after indulging in fre- 

 quent screams finally separate, or begin their elaborate toilets. 



It is curious to see a pair of birds attended by chicks whining 



