356 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



times it is seen actually upon the trunk of a tree, attached to 

 the bark by its side ; and in a few rare instances it has been 

 found in a garden, attached to some strong-stalked herb. Gene- 

 rally, however, the bird selects a white oak sapling if it builds 

 in the woods, and a pear-tree if it prefers the garden. 



The tiny nest is scarcely more than one inch in width and the 

 same in depth, so that its size is very small when compared with 

 that of its occupants, which, when full grown, are more than 

 three inches in total length. The materials of which the nest is 

 made are principally the delicate cotton-like fibres which form 

 the * wings ' of certain seeds, such as those of the thistle, and 

 are so carefully woven together that they form a tolerably 

 stout wall. Upon this wall are stuck quantities of a light grey 

 lichen which is found on old fences and trees, so that the ex- 

 ternal appearance of the nest is rendered very similar to that of 

 the branch on which it is placed. The lining is composed of 

 the fine hairs which clothe the stalks of mullein and ferns and 

 other pubescent plants, and forms a thick, soft bed on which 

 repose the two minute pearly eggs. 



The nest is not merely placed upon the branch, because in 

 that case it would present a decided outline, and be compara- 

 tively easy of recognition. On the contrary, the base of the 

 nest is partly continued round the branch, so that the whole 

 fabric rises gradually from the bough, as if it were a natural 

 excrescence. 



When the young are hatched they are fed by thrusting their 

 beaks into the opened mouths of their parents, and extracting 

 the supply of liquid sweets which have been collected from the 

 flowers. 



In the hedgerows of our own country may often be found a 

 nest which is not only pretty in itself, but remarkable for its 

 accessories. This is the home of the Red-backed Shrike 

 {Enncoctoiius collurio). 



The predatory habits of the Shrikes are well known, and one 

 species, the Great Grey Shrike (Lafiius excubitor), was formerly 

 used as a falcon for the purpose of catching winged game. True, 



