THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NESTS 169 



nest typical of their species." It is by an extension of 

 experiments of this sort that the interpretation of the sub- 

 jective aspect of nest -building will be raised above the level 

 of opinion. 



It may be possible to combine the two theories in the 

 view that the fashioning of the nest is in greater part 

 instinctive, yet in some measure traditional, while we can 

 hardly doubt there is often a spice of personal intelligence 

 on the artist's part especially evident when quite novel 

 sites and materials have to be dealt with. After quoting 

 some evidence, Professor Lloyd Morgan concludes, in his 

 Habit and Instinct, that " some birds build their nests true 

 to type, without opportunities or with but the slenderest 

 opportunities of imitation or instruction. It appears to me 

 that the evidence before us justifies the conclusion that nest- 

 building in definite ways is an instinctive activity ; but that 

 it is modifiable by individual experience." 



