and dried leaves had been 

 erected upon it, and skilfully 

 intermeshed at the sides or 

 rim, a small hole having been 

 left for a door-way. A soft 

 lining of cotton or wool and 

 feathers almost filled the interior. 



I carefully replaced the snuggery, and doubtless had 

 I thought to visit it occasionally during the subsequent 

 months a half-dozen whiskered, furry, bead -eyed in- 

 fants would have crowded at that little door- way to 

 give me a squeaky reception. For I had intruded upon 

 the winter retreat of the field-mouse, destined soon to 

 be a well-packed nursery. 



The field-mice are the natural successors and heirs to 

 the bird domicile, and their evidences are to be seen in 

 many a disintegrating nest in the woods. On several 

 occasions I have discovered the nests of vireos and the 

 hair- bird lined with a variety of litter for which the 

 bird builders could hardly be held responsible chaff of 

 oats, Indian -corn with the eyes cut out, buckwheat- 

 shells, and the like. 



There is no telling what whims the vireo might not 

 take in nest building, but when we find the lining of its 



