150 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



occasionally with dark red. Both the nests of the Wren 

 and the Chaffinch are frequently found rather poorly 

 made the work of young and inexperienced birds, a 

 fact which is all the more apparent among nests of such 

 great skill and beauty, though the same imperfections 

 exist in the work of most other birds, building for the 

 first time. 



We cannot well wander by the hedgerows in spring- 

 time without coming across the charming nest of the 

 Long-tailed Titmouse This is the only British species 

 of Titmouse that builds a nest in the branches. The 

 holly bushes are a favourite situation, and in shape this 

 nest is similar to that of the Wren, but the materials 

 selected are almost the same as those chosen by the 

 Chaffinch. Nothing in bird architecture exceeds in 

 beauty the nest of this Titmouse moss, lichens, cob- 

 webs, hair, and feathers being deftly felted into a 

 charming abode. Some nests have two entrance 

 holes, one on either side ; and I have a nest in my 

 possession which is fitted with an admirable trap-door, 

 made of moss and lichen, which opened and shut as 

 the parent birds went in and out. From six to ten 

 eggs are laid, white, sparingly spotted and speckled 

 with pale red. The Great Titmouse, the Blue Tit- 

 mouse, and the Coal Titmouse, often make their nests 

 in knot-holes or decayed stumps in the hedgerows, es- 

 pecially amongst the hazel bushes. These nests are 



