188 BIRDS' NESTS 



extremities of branches. These nests are remarkably 

 well-woven, the rim on either side enclosing the sup- 

 porting twigs, and are formed of a variety of fibrous 

 and soft material, the interior especially being very 

 neatly finished. Some of the species stucco the 

 sides of their exquisite little homes with lichens, as, 

 for instance, the Yellow-throated Greenlet {Vireo 

 flavifro7is). 



We now arrive at the very extensive family 

 in which is contained the Thrushes and Warblers 

 (Turdidae). The nests of many of the species in- 

 cluded in this group have already been described, such 

 as those of the Rock Thrushes, the Redstarts, and 

 the Chats; some others, especially in the Warbler 

 section, must be reserved for the following chapter. 

 The remaining number of " open " nests is, however, 

 not only very considerable, but includes numerous 

 well-defined types. The nests of the Thrushes 

 (Turdin^), with the above mentioned exceptions, are 

 certainly the most uniform in type — a well-made, 

 fairly bulky structure, which may be placed either on 

 the ground or in bushes, trees, and other vegetation, 

 at a moderate height above it. A description of one 

 or two of the most divergent nests must suffice for 

 the present purpose. As a nest thoroughly repre- 

 sentative of the Thrushes, we may take that of the 

 Blackbird {Merula vulgaris). This nest, placed in a 

 variety of situations, but usually in the centre of a 

 bush or on a bank, passes through three distinct 



