266 POULTRY AND WILD BIRDS 
Birds are far from being equally skillful builders. The 
hanging nest of the Oriole and the gourd-shaped mud nest of 
the Eave Swallow excite the admiration of all. On the other 
hand, the English Sparrow, though collecting plenty of ma- 
terial, throws it together in very loose and careless fashion, 
and the Mourning Dove uses such 
a small quantity of sticks that 
we can sometimes see through it 
from beneath and count the eggs. 
The Eggs.— The study of 
birds’. eggs used to be more 
fashionable than it is now. It 
may be admitted that it is rather 
fascinating, but as our love for 
birds increases, the feeling also 
grows that it is bad manners to 
pry into their private family 
affairs. Of course, persons who 
have sufficient interest in birds to read these pages would not 
think of robbing the nests, but we should bear in mind that 
the bird even resents the touching of the eggs or nest and 
often deserts them when we have intruded too closely. 
Hatching. — The period required to hatch the eggs of a 
medium-sized perching bird is about twelve days (ten days in 
case of the Wren), while the Ostrich egg is said to require 
between forty and fifty days: In general, the length of the 
period is proportionate to the size of the egg. Domestic hens 
require 20 to 22 days, geese and turkeys about 28 days, ducks 
28 to 34 days. 
Usually the female is the sitter. In these cases the male 
generally takes her place on the nest for a time each day to 
let her get her food; but in some species he renders no such 
THE Hancinc NEST OF THE ORIOLE 
