82 BIRDS' NESTS. 



opening with the stalks of leaves, which she 

 fitted together very ingeniously with moss. 

 The upper part was constructed with moss 

 only. To round it and give it the necessary 

 firmness, she pressed it with her breast and 

 wings, and turned her body in different direc- 

 tions. Most wonderful to tell, about seven 

 o'clock in the evening all the outside of the 

 snug little building was finished.' ' 



" Mr. Weir was not the kind of person who 

 did things by halves ; so, as early as half-past 

 two next morning he was on the watch again. 

 There had been heavy rain during the night, 

 but the nest was already waterproof. At ten 

 minutes past three, the male bird hopped round 

 and round, seemingly much pleased with the 

 progress his busy little wife had made. He 

 then flew to the top of a tree, and began to 

 pipe his morning song. At half-past three 

 Mrs. Wren went into her nest, and having 

 stayed five minutes to set matters to rights, 

 worked alone till between seven and eight 



