A SHORT STUDY OF BIRDS' NESTS. 127 



If now, as Mr. "Wallace has pointed out, and, as I be- 

 lieve, conclusively shown, young birds build their nests 

 through imitation, then the young robins reared in this 

 nest will seek out somewhat similar situations for their 

 own nests. Should such a locality not suit the bird's 

 mate, then a more exposed position would be chosen, as is 

 usually the case, and some of the peculiarities of the nest 

 in which one of the pair was reared would, I doubt not, 

 be retained. If, however, it should happen that the pair 

 in question were brother and sister, then it is probable 

 that an identical nest would be constructed, if a similar 

 locality could be found. Notwithstanding the wander- 

 ing disposition of our robins, it can be shown that the 

 same pair, year after year, return to the same locality to 

 build ; and if they, or indeed, if birds of any kind remain 

 together, or having separated they come again together, 

 year after year, there is no reason why the brood of one 

 year may not become more or less associated during the 

 ensuing spring, when they may mate and construct nests 

 of their own. I am very positive that this in-breeding 

 occurs very often among resident species, and with no 

 ill effects. We see it constantly, too, in our domestic 

 pigeons. 



In comparing the eleven typical nests of the robin, it 

 could not but be noticed that minor differences or pecul- 

 iarities existed. These small variations were in size, 

 which was in fact considerable ; in shape, some of the 

 nests being oval rather than circular ; in the choice of 

 material for the interior lining, and, in one case, this 

 lining, I am sorry to say, was surprisingly like that of a 

 chipping-sparrow's nest, and had probably been stolen. 

 Indeed, among robins, as well as among all other birds, 

 there are individual rogues, as well as cross-grained, scold- 

 ing wives and husbands. 



