48 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
All tilings being in readiness, the male is the first to commence ope- 
rations. Stationing himself upon the spot which is to constitute the door- 
way to his home, with claws imbedded in the wood to prevent from 
falling, he digs the bark away in the form of a semi-circle. Then 
reversing his position, he goes through the same difficult but trying task, 
his little bill his only implement of execution, until he has wrought a 
perfect circle. Continuing the labor, he delves away into the soft or 
hardened interior, like a veritable Trojan, until an inch or more of the 
wood has yielded to the blows of his small but powerful chisel. Tired, 
at last, he resigns the work to his companion, and settles himself upon 
a branch close-hy to rest. Having recuperated his exhausted energies, he 
starts off in quest of food, but to return in the course of a half-hour to 
the relief of the female. Thus the work goes on, day after day, with an 
industry and patience truly commendable, until success crowns the under- 
taking. 
The opening to the chamber is perfectly circular, and quite as accu- 
rate as a skilful mechanic could make it with compasses. The cavity is 
first directed downwards at an angle of forty degrees, for the space of five 
inches, when it takes a perdendicular course for nearly ten inches further, 
widening perceptibly at the bottom. Such is the capacity of the latter 
that the sitting-bird is able to turn around therein with considerable ease, 
but the external orifice is just large enough to admit the bodies of herself 
and partner. 
Few species are more careful to direct attention from the scene of 
their labors than the subjects of our sketch. The chips produced during 
the work of excavation are usually carried to some distance, so as to 
remove all traces that might lead to detection. But howsoever clandes- 
tinely they may act, and whatever jjrecaution they may exercise, their 
home does not always escape the keen eye of the experienced oologist, or 
the sharpness and sagacity of the mischievous and insinuating little 
House Wren — one of the most annoying enemies Avith which it has to 
contend. 
