BIRDS' NESTS. 83 



o'clock, when her husband came to her help, 

 and both worked pleasantly together until 

 eleven, bringing in and fitting moss. Prom 

 eleven till a quarter to one they were absent, 

 perhaps taking some refreshment. They then 

 worked again till four, still bringing in fine 

 moss. Between four and five o'clock, Mrs. 

 Wren again worked alone, but not so industri- 

 ously, as she brought home only three feathers. 

 After the day's work was over, Mr. Weir placed 

 a slender stalk across the opening of the nest, 

 in such a way that the birds could not get in 

 without removing it. This was not gone till 

 half-past eight on the third day. Both birds 

 again worked together till dinner time; but 

 every time the male bird assisted, he flew to 

 the top of the nearest tree, and sung aloud the 

 praises of his industry. At half-past two o'clock 

 the day's work was over. On the fourth day 

 they did not begin to build till nearly nine 

 o'clock, when they went in with fine moss and 

 feathers, about once in a quarter of an hour. 



