THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HEDGEROWS. 147 



stump, or in a crotch where several lichen-covered 

 branches meet. An elder stump is a very favourite 

 place. The Chaffinch's nest is a very elaborate one, and 

 nearly a fortnight is taken up in its construction. The 

 hen bird alone is the nest-builder, but the cock brings 

 much of the material. As soon as the pair of Chaffinches 

 have made up their minds on a site, the dainty little 

 structure is commenced. So slowly does it progress the 

 first day or so, that only the most experienced eyes can 

 detect the slight foundation. This is formed of scraps of 

 moss, fine roots, and bits of dry grass, strengthened with 

 lichens, and cemented together with scraps of spiders' 

 web. Then the inside is warmly lined with hair and 

 feathers, and the down from various seeds. No birds are 

 more solicitous for their unfinished nest than Chaffinches. 

 Even when only the first scrap or two of moss have been 

 placed in position, the anxious owners cannot be driven 

 from the neighbourhood of the place, but keep up a 

 chorus of loud cries as they flit from branch to branch 

 with material in their beak. The Chaffinch tries by the 

 aid of mimicry to hide her nest, and to this cause we 

 must attribute its exceeding beauty and variety. 

 Wherever it is placed the materials of which it is com- 

 posed harmonize very closely in colour with the sur- 

 roundings. Thus when placed in the lichen-covered 

 branches, bits of lichen either silver or gold in colour 

 are neatly attached to the outside of the structure, so 



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