128 MATESHIP WITH BIRDS 



of pertinacity I have experienced in Birdland. Early 

 in August of 1912 they built first in a thin sapling. 

 The time was too early for such a precarious posi- 

 tion, and the high winds blew the frail structure 

 sidelong. With a piece of pliable sapling I tied the 

 home up and saved the precious eggs, whereat the 

 mother came back at once, and sat serenely, until the 

 next strong breeze blew the insecure structure to 

 pieces. But the material was not wasted ; the birds 

 gathered it up and built, more wisely, in the fork 

 of a sturdy sapling some twenty yards away. Here 

 they were safe from the winds, but not from other 

 dangers, and presently there were two of the pretty 

 pink eggs of the Bronze Cuckoo to keep the green 

 ones company. Some birds throw the Cuckoos' eggs 

 out, but this pair accepted them in good faith, and 

 soon a young Cuckoo was hatched out. The inter- 

 loper would probably have thrown the Robins' eggs 

 or young ones out very soon, but for another deve- 

 lopment : a marauding bird took the lot. 



Still the plucky Robins stuck to their chosen 

 locality; they built again, low to the ground, at a 

 point about ten yards from each of the previous 

 sites. But once more they were doomed to disap- 

 pointment, either a reptile or a small boy they are 

 equal in point of pestiferousness in this regard 

 confiscating the third set of eggs. 



It was November by this time, and the Psalmist 

 and his indomitable wife must have been growing 

 dubious about the desirableness of their chosen 

 locality. However, they emulated the Bruce's spi- 

 der tried again, and succeeded. The fourth nest 

 was built opposite the third, and the whole quar- 



