BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
231 
cases the birds evidently go to considerable trouble, and manifest a taste 
for the beautiful. A case in point is given by Wilson. In one, of bis 
travels he came across a nest that was literally paved with oyster and clam 
shells, and which, in addition, was neatly surrounded by a wall of the 
same, closely and curiously arranged. These birds were doubtless possessed 
of higher mental capacities than are common to their tribe, or they would 
not have gone to so much pains to beautify and improve their domicile. 
Again, nests are often found which do not show the least vestige of a 
lining. Scarcity of materials, or absolute lack thereof, might be offered as 
an explanation of the circumstance, hut we have observed such apparently 
incomplete abodes in situations where there could have been no difficulty 
in procuring the necessary articles. Such a simple affair, as the nest ordi- 
narily is, cannot certainly occupy the builders for any great length of 
time. Consequently, we find that the female is ready to commence laying 
on the day succeeding the establishment of her home. Her complement 
of eggs beirlg but four, usually at the. expiration of the fourth day, she is 
prepared to incubate. Like most birds that lay their eggs in similar situ- 
ations, the heated sand or pebbles have much to do with the hatching- 
process. This is presumably the case in fair weather. On cloudy days, 
during stormy weather, and at nights, it is necessary that they should be 
covered. Upon the female devolves this duty, and right cheerfully does 
she assume it. The time required to hatch the eggs depends upon various 
circumstances, such as seasonal warmth, condition of weather, and devotion 
of the sitting-bird. At any rate, in about sixteen days from the time of 
the deposit of the last egg, the young birds are ready to appear. Their 
deliverance is hailed with joy. Nothing can exceed the attachment of the 
parents to their charges. Let the nest be approached by a jjerson, and 
the birds resort to various expedients to draw him away from the spot, or 
to infuse a feeling of feai- into his bosom. They beat the air above his 
head with swiftly-plying pinions, or run along the ground with counter- 
feited lameness, uttering incessantly and loudly their shrill, hut unmis- 
takable call-notes. These movements are kept uji for a long time, until 
