BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



springs ago that a Robin spent one long morn- 

 ing tugging at the fringe that edged a towel on 

 the clothes line. The next year their wants 

 were anticipated, and a supply of nesting ma- 

 terial put out. Shop twine, cut in small pieces, 

 cotton batting, and bits of wool are readily 

 gathered up. The wood-pile is the place they 

 seem to like best to come for their nesting ma- 

 terial. Quite by accident some string was 

 thrown out there, and while at breakfast the 

 next morning, we watched an Oriole tugging 

 and pulling at a long piece that had twisted 

 around a knot on a bit of apple wood. It got 

 it off at last and flew away with one end of the 

 string in its beak, the other floating away be- 

 hind it. After that strings and bits of paper 

 were put on the wood, and a fresh supply had 

 to be put out every few days in the nest-build- 

 ing season. The arrival of a flock of sheep was 

 a great help to the birds, for nothing could give 

 a warmer lining to their nests than the wool 

 shed on bush and fence. One hot day in June, 

 a Robin was seen carrying great beakfuls of 

 wool from the barnyard up to her nest in the 

 aspen. She had been unfortunate in her first 

 nest and was obliged to build again, and lined 

 [195] 



N 



