n 



under one of the cracks in the loose board roof. The 

 nest was receiving its first linings when there came 

 a long, hard rain that beat through the crack and 

 soaked the little cradle. This was serious, for a great 

 deal of mud had been worked into the thick founda- 

 tion, and here, in the constant shade, the dampness 

 would be long in drying out. 



The builders saw the mistake, too, and with their 

 great good sense immediately began to remedy it. 

 They built the bottom up thicker, carried the wall 

 over on a slant that brought the outermost point 

 within the crack, then raised the whole nest until 

 the cup was as round-rimmed and hollow as the 

 mould of the bird's breast could make it. 



The outside of the nest, its base, is broad and 

 rough and shapeless enough ; but nothing could be 

 softer and lovelier than the inside, the cradle, and 

 nothing drier, for the slanting walls shed every drop 

 from the leaky crack. 



Wet weather followed the heavy rain until long 

 after the nest was finished. The whole structure was 

 as damp and cold as a newly plastered house. It felt 

 wet to my touch. Yet I noticed the birds were already 

 brooding. Every night, and often during the day, I 



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