Some Bird Architects. 



favourable nesting site, about which it does not seem 

 to be very particular, for it will build in almost any 

 situation in a hedge, among the branches of old mossy 

 apple trees, in a bramble patch, the tall laurels of a quiet 

 shrubbery, or under the sheltering growth of an ivy- 

 mantled wall. But no matter the situation ; an enormous 

 amount of skill and loving care is bestowed upon the 

 construction of the nest, which is a most perfect piece 

 of bird architecture in its completion. Green moss, 

 gray down, soft wool, cobwebs, hair, and feathers go 

 to its making ; the whole being woven into a close, 

 compact, and shapely cup of uniform texture and sin- 

 gular beauty. Nor does this always complete the 

 labours of the little feathered architect, for if they are 

 available in sufficient quantity, the Chaffinch will almost 

 invariably bedeck the whole of the outside of its nest 

 with gray and various coloured lichens. It is a most 

 beautiful and decorative piece of work, and when, as is 

 often the case, the nest has been built in the fork of 

 an old moss and lichen covered apple tree, this outer 

 dressing of lichens helps to a wonderful degree to further 

 conceal the nest. But I am afraid we cannot safely 

 credit the little Chaffinch with a really deliberate or 

 definite attempt at imitations of the surroundings of 

 the nest, for the bird will often do exactly the same 

 thing when it has built its nest in the middle of a furze 

 bush or a thorn hedge, with the result that the nest is 

 made more conspicuous. 



I think that quite the most beautiful and remark- 

 able nest built by any British bird is the large, oval, 

 lichen-covered nest of the Long-tailed Tit. Though 

 the extreme length of its tail gives it an advantage in 



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