THE THRUSH GENUS 373 



In one case the cock is known to have assisted in bringing to the 

 chosen site the rough material used in constructing the outside of the 

 nest, but he took no part in the construction, nor did he bring the 

 material for the lining. It is highly probable that this thrush did as 

 much, if not more, than most males of his species. 1 



Still less is known of the nest-making habits of the ring-ouzel. I 

 can find only one statement based on personal observation, but this 

 has all the interest of the unexpected. It is that the cock was seen 

 doing the greater part of the nest-building. Let us hope that further 

 observation will not diminish the credit gained for his species by this 

 masculine model of domestic virtue ! 2 



The time taken in the construction of the nest varies according to 

 the weather and the state of the hen's ovary. The influence of weather 

 on nidification has already been noted in the chapter on the Crows 

 (p. 50), where it is shown that the attempts made by various species to 

 start breeding again in the autumn are governed by climatic con- 

 ditions, a lowering of the temperature bringing them to a standstill. 

 The same fact was noted in the case of the spring nesting of song- 

 thrushes by Hewitson in the earlier half of the last century. In fine 

 weather the nests of this species will be completed, and the first egg 

 laid within a week. A hen blackbird was observed in two successive 

 years to take about the same time, working undisturbed, and without 

 aid from her mate. 3 The length of time taken is no doubt due to the 

 fact, frequently observed, that building is normally confined to the 

 earlier hours of the morning. When owing to the destruction of the 

 first nest or other cause the hen is in a hurry to get a new one ready 

 for her eggs, the time of construction is shortened very considerably, 

 the birds working at all hours of the day. I have myself seen a thrush 



1 Country Life, Feb. 19, 1910 (A. Taylor). 



2 Forrest, Fauna of N. Wales. Bailly, who is generally reliable, states in his Ornithologie 

 de la Savoie, vol. ii. p. 214, that both sexes build. Therefore it is probable that further investi- 

 gation will establish the reputation of the cock ring-ouzel on a firm basis. 



3 By Mr. H. Gaythorpe. See note 3, p. 372. The first nest was begun on April 10th or 17th, 



1906, and the first egg laid on the 24th following ; the second was begun on April 22nd or 23rd, 



1907, and the first egg laid on the 28th. 



