A COUPLE OF NEGLECTED CRAFTSMEN 223 



nest. Besides this tailor-made nest, the species makes 

 one of grass, beautifully and closely woven, domed, and 

 with the entrance near the top. I have never seen this 

 latter type of nest, but so many ornithologists have 

 that there can be no doubt of its existence. 



The strange thing is that both types of nest have 

 been found in the same neighbourhood, so that the 

 difference in the form of nursery is not a local pecu- 

 liarity. 



I am at a loss to account for the existence of these 

 two types of nest. I have no idea how the habit can 

 have arisen, nor do I know what, if any, benefit the 

 species derives from this peculiarity. So far as I am 

 aware, no one can say what it is that leads to the con- 

 struction of one type of nest in preference to the other. 

 The nests of this species present a most interesting 

 ornithological problem. I hope one day to be in a 

 position to throw some light on it ; meanwhile I shall 

 welcome the news that some one has forestalled me. 

 The ashy wren-warbler is a common bird, so that most 

 Anglo-Indians have a chance of investigating the 

 mystery. The same kind of eggs are found in each 

 type of nest. They are of exceptional beauty, being a 

 deep mahogany or brick-red, so highly polished as to 

 look as though they have been varnished. 



