How Animals Work. 



different members of the Crow tribe some, like the 

 Rooks, using sappy twigs for the cups of the nest, 

 which they line with dry grass, moss, and leaves ; 

 others, like the Carrion Crow, using wool, tufts of 

 hair, and roots for the lining. As the same nest is 

 often used again and again, year after year, repairs and 

 additions being made to it annually, the structure gradu- 

 ally assumes considerable proportions, and contains a 

 surprising amount of material. 



The Magpie builds a large and conspicuous nest at 

 almost any height and in varied situations, being equally 

 at home in the topmost branches of a tall elm or beech, 

 or amidst the prickly embrace of a dwarf thorn bush. 

 The nest is a solid structure of sticks and clay, basin- 

 shaped, and roofed over with a lighter dome of twigs. 

 First of all the bird collects a quantity of sticks, and 

 interlaces them to form the base and outer framework 

 of its nest, and this is succeeded by a substantial layer 

 of clay and mud. Within this basin a double lining 

 of fine twigs, rootlets, and grass forms a springy bed 

 for the eggs to rest upon, and also a porous one, effectu- 

 ally preventing the nest becoming water-logged during 

 a heavy downpour of rain, as so often happens to the 

 nest of the Thrush. Then for the construction of the 

 dome of the nest the Magpie selects long, tough twigs, 

 which it interlaces with considerable skill, so that they 

 form an open network, which, though it does not entirely 

 conceal the interior of the nest, nevertheless constitutes 

 a stout fortification against foes on egg-stealing intent, 

 only a small hole at the side, just sufficient for the bird 

 to slip in and out, being left. By this means the large 

 and generally conspicuous nest is pretty effectively pro- 



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