NEST ON A RAILROAD. 25 



near the wheel of a lathe, which revolved within 

 a foot of it. In this strange situation the bird 

 hatched four young ones ; but the male, not having 

 accustomed himself to such company, instead of 

 feeding the nestlings himself, as is usual, carried 

 such food as he collected to a certain spot on the 

 roof, where he left it, and from whence it was 

 borne by his mate to the young. It is still more 

 remarkable that she was perfectly familiar with 

 the men into whose shop she had intruded, and 

 flew in and out of it without fear. If by chance 

 a stranger or any other of the persons employed 

 in the same factory entered the room, she would, 

 if in her nest, instantly quit it, or if absent, would 

 not return. The moment, however, that they 

 were gone she resumed her familiarity." 



Another instance of irregularity of situation also 

 relates to this bird. It built a nest close to the 

 rails of a railroad, undisturbed by the thunder of 

 the traffic on the line. 



v "The tree," says Mr. Waterton, "that noble 

 and gigantic son of earth, is the favourite resort 

 of most birds." It is also the selected home of 

 some who penetrate into its trunk, and there 

 construct a nest defended on every side by living 



