INTRODUCTORY 31 



Palace, and made of hairpins and wire. The most 

 remarkable instances of abnormal sites occur amongst 

 species perhaps that make their nests in covered 

 situations ; and in such cases we generally find that 

 the selected place somewhat closely resembles the 

 ordinary site in its most 'salient characteristics. As 

 might naturally be expected, the most frequently 

 abnormal species are such homely birds as Robins, 

 Sparrows, Titmice, Wagtails, Flycatchers, and so on. 

 Discarded cans, crockery, flower-pots, saucepans, 

 kettles, and other domestic utensils left lying about 

 hedgerows or in tall grass and weeds seldom fail to 

 prove an irresistible attraction to the Robin ; whilst 

 even such less likely receptacles as old hats, bags 

 hanging on walls, and battered baskets, are occa- 

 sionally chosen. In most cases the typical nest of 

 the species is made in these curious artificial sites. 

 The House Sparrow is another species apparently ever 

 on the alert to pop a nest into every niche at all 

 capable of holding it. A nest of this bird has been 

 known inside a large gong which was in constant use ; 

 I have seen nests of this species amongst the orna- 

 mental ironwork of gasometers, behind advertisement 

 placards at railway stations, in the crevices amongst 

 statuary, and in signal posts. The partiality of Tit- 

 mice for pumps, boxes, water jugs, and other utensils 

 is well known, whilst the disused nest of some other 

 and larger bird is not unfrequently selected. Wag- 

 tails are little less familiar ; and the Spotted Flycatcher 



