174 



Fig. 150. CLEANING THE NEST. 



and chirp excitedly as long as an intruder is in sight, while 

 another may quiet down in a very few moments and carry 

 on their household duties as though they were alone. The 

 birds shown in the accompanying pictures belonged to the 

 latter class. 



The nest, or what was later to be the nest, was discovered 

 almost as the first straw was laid. During two hours fol- 

 lowing the discovery the nest grew wonderfully. The fe- 



