HOMES FOR WILD BIRDS 297 



them all, will nest in the boxes ; the blackcap and 

 garden-warbler, the best songsters after the nightin- 

 gale, are very fond of bramble bushes, and a few 

 long runners planted in the corner of a shrubbery 

 will soon find a tenant. The nightingales are harder 

 to entice, for they insist on thicker covert, if possible 

 in the neighbourhood of oak trees, with the dead 

 leaves of which the nest is always finished ; but they 

 may be invited by keeping a piece of coppice or clump 

 of shrubs cut low, and so forcing them to grow close 

 and bushy. It is by no means necessary that the 

 spot shall be a retired one, for small birds during 

 the nesting season are almost indifferent to men. 

 The writer knew of a nightingale which nested in a 

 window box, and has found many nests within a few 

 feet of a path. Only one precaution need be observed 

 the birds must not be frequently disturbed, nor 

 the eggs handled. Rooks are probably more often 

 the object of direct request for the 'honour of their 

 company ' than any other bird ; but the writer can- 

 not recall a single instance in which such invitations 

 have been successful. Probably a few sham nests 

 put in suitable trees might attract the young birds 

 driven from neighbouring rookeries ; but they are 

 more exacting and particular than any other species 

 as to their choice of a residence. For the following 

 story the writer could give both place and date if 



