107 



where its wants are most readily supplied, and 

 where it can best defend itself. Some, as the 

 finches, use light and simple materials, such as hay, 

 roots, leaves, and reeds ; and others, as the thrush, 

 in addition to these, prepare a sort of mortar from 

 clay and wool, and plaster their nests. The Cape 

 titmouse makes its snug dwelling of vegetable 

 down, so that it looks like flannel, and constructs 

 at its side another little nest for the male. In most 

 cases the female is the builder, though often assist- 

 ed by the male in the collection of materials. 

 Excepting, however, amongst the swallows, where 

 both work with equal industry, he performs a 

 much lower part, though he gathers food for his 

 mate, and cheers her labours by singing, and by 

 every token of gladness. 



The shape of nests differs very widely, and is 

 much more simple in some species than in others. 

 The snipe, the bustard, and the plover content 

 themselves with a plain bed of twigs and straw 

 placed on the ground, and sheltered from wet. 

 The jay, the sparrow, and the jackdaw build warm 

 and comfortable nests in clefts of rocks, in hollow 

 trees, and in old walls. A number of singing-birds, 

 as the wren, build in the shape of a cup; others, as 

 the hedge-sparrow, in the shape of an oven; and 

 others, in that of a purse. The tailor-bird sews 

 together the edges of a leaf to form its nest, as re- 

 presented in the cut at the beginning of this lesson. 



Birds are very careful, in finishing their nests, 

 to guard the opening from wet, and to make the 



