1624 THE STORY OF THE UNIVERSE 



There it rolls them, works them up, and arranges 

 them with much art, so as to manufacture what re- 

 semble thimbles, which it fills with honey and in 

 which it lays. 



The Anthocopa acts in a similar manner, carpeting 

 the holes of which it takes possession with the deli- 

 cate petals of the corn poppy. 



The retreats of nocturnal birds of prey do not 

 differ in method of construction from these two kinds 

 of nests. They are holes in trees, in ruins, in old 

 walls, and are lined with soft and warm material. 

 These dwellings are related, not to the type of the 

 hollowed cave, but to that of the habitation manu- 

 factured from mingled materials. They constitute 

 an inferior form in which the pieces are not firmly 

 bound together, but need support throughout. The 

 cavity is the support which sustains the real house. 



Diurnal birds of prey are the first animals who 

 practice skilfully the twining of materials. Their 

 nests, which have received the name of eyries, are 

 not yet masterpieces of architecture, and reveal the 

 beginning of the industry which is pushed so far by 

 other birds. Usually situated in wild and inaccessible 

 spots, the young are there in safety when their 

 parents are away on distant expeditions. The abrupt 

 summits of cliffs and the tops of the highest forest 

 trees are the favorite spots chosen by the great birds 

 of prey. The eyrie generally consists of a mass of 

 dry branches which cross and mutually support one 

 another, constituting a whole which is fairly re- 

 sistant. 



The abodes of squirrels, though exhibiting more 



