Some Bird Architects. 



often included within the framework of the nest, giving 

 it additional strength. This is an interesting feature, 

 inasmuch as from it probably gradually evolved the 

 tree pensile or hanging nest that is built by many birds. 

 The lining, composed of feathers, must cost the little 

 Long-tailed Tits an enormous amount of labour; for 

 Macgillivray states that he found in one of their nests 

 no less than 2,379 feathers, which had originally formed 

 part of the plumage of the Pheasant, Rook, Partridge, 

 and Wood Pigeon. 



Feathers and down are eagerly sought by many 

 birds to form a lining, and in some cases to be built 

 into the main structure of the nest, the most charming 

 and artistic results often being obtained. The Lesser 

 Redpole often uses feathers most effectively. It builds 

 a small and very beautiful nest, delicately and neatly 

 constructed ; the framework generally consists of 

 woven twigs, grass stems, and moss, the little cup being 

 smoothly lined with cotton-grass, down, and feathers. 

 In the nest figured in Plate XIII. we have a particularly 

 beautiful example, the birds having used the stems of 

 the wild clematis, which they had obtained from a 

 hedge near their nesting site, for the outer wall ; and 

 from the border of the mill-pool near by, frequented by 

 a pair of swans, they had obtained a supply of swan's- 

 down, with which the cup was not only lined, but its 

 edge adorned by a most beautiful fringe, only the tips 

 of the delicate white feathers showing, and curving 

 gracefully inwards so as to partially screen the eggs 

 from view. 



A truly remarkable nest is built by the Reed Warbler 

 (Plate XIV.), and is of particular interest because in its 



199 



