Nest-boxes and Nests. Ill 



that of these superior artists, may we say with Hurdis, 

 in that beautiful poem entitled " The Village Curate," 



" But most of all, it wins my admiration, 

 To view the structure of this little work, 

 A bird's nest. Mark it well ! within, without j 

 No tool had he that wrought no knife to cut, 

 No nail to fix no bodkin to insert 

 No glue to join ; his little beak was all. 

 And yet how neatly finished ! What nice hand, 

 With every implement and means of art, 

 And twenty years' apprenticeship to boot, 

 Could make me such another ? Fondly, then, 

 We boast of excellence, whose noblest skill 

 Instinctive genius foils." 



