THE WOODLAND IN APRIL 



297 



Kow firmly felted together the structure is! Will 

 many more eggs be laid before the clutch is 

 completed ? " 



" Probably one or two more will be laid," I 

 answered; " but early nests I find usually have 

 but four. Here, luckily, is a Blackbird's nest 

 also. This is a stroke of good fortune, for I wish 

 to point out to you the difference in the home- 

 steads of the two birds. You will notice that 

 the nest of the Thrush is much deeper and more 

 cup-shaped; also that it has inside a coating of 

 rotten wood and mud, whilst that of the Merle, 

 although equally firm, has a lining of fine dry 

 grass." 



" A very simple and yet effective object-lesson 

 in avine architecture," replied my friend. 



" Do you hear that spasmodic little song that is 

 uttered ever and anon as we ramble through the 

 copse? " queried I. 



" That," answered my friend. 



" Yes," I said. 



" I have noticed that; what is it ? " 



" It is the Brown Wren," I replied. 



" Do you mean to say that so sm.all a bird as 

 the Wren utters such a strong song as that ? " 



" It is indeed true," said I, " and if you will peer 

 silently into that dead bracken you will observe 

 the mouselike little creature creeping along, and 

 see, now he has flown into the topmost branch of 



