26 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



watch the crop from the very top twigs of the 

 highest trees, as if they had been told off for 

 that purpose. At the height they sit they 

 might be taken for linnets. When they do 

 come to grief, great care is necessary when 

 shooting, for the precious "marrer" pods hang 

 thick. Locality, the structure of the tree or 

 trees, and it may be, at times, convenience, 

 have much to do in the building of the haw- 

 finch's nest. To say that one type will answer 

 for each species in talking of birds' nests, would 

 be untrue. Perfect types of each species exist 

 certainly, but they are at times strangely modi- 

 fied to suit the builder's purpose. But birds' 

 nests are manufactured, and eggs are got up 

 for those who don't know better. 



Proverbs are not always to be relied on. 

 For instance : " Foolish birds build homes for 

 wise hawks to live in ; " and again, " Hawks do 

 not pick out hawks' een." As to the first, the 

 hawks certainly make use of the deserted homes 

 of other birds, and in some cases of squirrels' 

 dreys, as foundations for their own ; enlarge- 

 ment of the structures ready provided is often 

 all that is necessary. 



The second proverb will not hold good at 

 all ; for it is a well-known fact at least it ought 



