240 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



in question was commenced ; the interstice was 

 then deep, and the nest not large, but contained 

 five eggs, which seemed to be covered by one 

 bird. Mr. Kirk was absent from that district for 

 several weeks, and on his return he observed that 

 the nest appeared much larger, and was told it 

 contained four birds. He did not disturb them on 

 that occasion, but on returning about ten clays 

 thereafter, a servant was sent up to examine the 

 nest, which he reported to be empty. Mr. Kirk, 

 not feeling quite satisfied with this report, ascended 

 the tree himself, and brought down the nest entire. 

 On the upper surface lay one rotten eggj. partially 

 concealed by the sticks, grasses, and leaves, of 

 which the nest was composed ; on removing 

 another stratum of the same materials, with a 

 larger proportion of leaves, seven eggs were dis- 

 covered ; and on repeating the search further, and 

 after the removal of full four inches of leaves, 

 first ten, and then four more eggs were discovered, 

 making a total of twenty-two addled eggs after 

 the young birds had taken flight. 



From observations made on this and former 

 occasions it appeared certain that the community 

 added to the general stock of eggs, and also to the 



