306 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. xv. 



laborious work of collecting and carrying to 

 the spot all the materials of which it is com- 

 posed ; consisting chiefly of dry twigs and 

 straws crossed together. The task is, indeed, 

 not very burdensome ; being commenced at 

 sun-rise and completed in the evening, and 

 an egg is laid on the following day. In the 

 tame, domestic state, nests are however fre- 

 quently provided for them, either in small 

 wicker baskets, or in shallow, sloping, earthen 

 pans, partly filled with hay ; or, indeed, hay 

 alone, with a small ledge to prevent the eggs 

 from rolling on the floor, will answer the 

 purpose. 



The pan is the easiest cleaned, and the 

 least subject to the shelter of insects ; but 

 baskets are the most usual, and may be found, 

 together with feeding- boxes and water-bottles, 

 at most of the makers, of sizes appropriate 

 to the breed which you may have in your 

 possession, and with compartments for the 

 different purposes of carriage and putting up 

 to fatten : or, if left to themselves, with room 

 enough for their habitation, they will bring 

 up their little family without requiring any 

 further care ; and, except for the use of those 



