116 Bird-Nesting 



strange warblers and other small birds were singing in the 

 dense growth of bushes which fringed the east bank of the 

 creek, while several red-winged starlings close by were very 

 noisy on account of our being in close proximity to their 

 nests. We took in the charming landscape and pleasant sur- 

 roundings from our elevated position, as this was my last day 

 at Moosejaw. It was after eleven o'clock, and as we wished 

 to be in time for dinner, we descended the steep bank of the 

 creek, and seating ourselves in the boat, I had a steady pull 

 for two miles back to Moosejaw. 



I did not see any magpies around Moosejaw, but my com- 

 panion told me they were frequently seen here ; they are also 

 plentiful in the bluffs north of Regina, I did not come across 

 a nest of the magpie while in the North- West, but I have climbed 

 up dozens of trees after magpie's eggs in Yorkshire, England, 

 where the birds are common. The nests of the magpie, both in 

 Europe and America, are built in similar situations ; they are 

 built near the tree-tops, and made of twigs, a large structure, 

 arched over at the top, with an entrance at the side. Often 

 have I climbed some tall pine tree, and, on reaching the nest 

 almost exhausted, have been unable to find the side entrance, 

 and with great difficulty and numerous scratches have had to 

 work my hand through the side of the nest to reach the five or 

 six eggs. The nests are so compactly and strongly built, it is 

 no easy matter to break through the side. I once found a nest 

 at Fewston, in Yorkshire, England, that was built in a haw- 

 thorn hedge, and although the nest was only five feet from the 

 ground, it was impossible to get at it. The hedge was so well 

 barricaded with thorns and prickly twigs, and appeared so for- 

 midable that I did not attempt to reach the nest, and I ques- 

 tion whether a cat or a fox could have got at that nest without 

 considerable trouble, and risk of having their skins badly torn 

 with thorns and briers. 



" The thievish pie, in two-fold colours clad. 

 Roofs o'er her curious nest with prickly twigs, 

 And side-long forms her curious door ; she dreads 

 The talon'd kite, or pouncing hawk ; savage 

 Herself with craft suspicion ever dwells." 



