PHASES OF BIRD LIFE. 



'95 



little artists constructing their nests? They first lay 

 the foundation, which is usually made of rather 

 coarse material, and is more or less loosely woven ; 

 and then they proceed to build the superstructure. 

 Some birds, like the robin and the bluebird, will have 

 their mouths full of material every time they come 

 to the nest ; while others, such as the dainty warblers, 

 will return with a single fibre. Usually the bird 

 leaps into the cup of the nest, and deftly weaves in 

 the new material with its bill ; and then shifts around 

 with a quivering motion of body and wings, to give 

 the structure proper shape and size. The nest must 

 be made to fit the body of the bird like a glove, so 

 that she may rest easily in it during the long period 

 of incubation. The robin and the wood-thrush bring 

 mud and clay ; this they mix, no doubt, with their 

 own saliva, which gives it its viscid character. The 

 dainty, blue-gray gnat-catcher collects lichens of 

 various kinds, with which she decorates the high 

 walls of her compact little cottage. Does this tiny 

 artist sometimes build nests just for fun or aesthetic 

 effect ? I watched the building of two nests one spring 

 that were never used. With what a graceful touch 

 the feathered dots laid the lichen bricks in the walls ! 

 The hatching of the eggs must be a severe tax on 

 the patience of the mother bird, for the principal 

 part of this work devolves upon her. Sitting hour 

 by hour upon the nest, looking out upon the wide 

 spaces of air waiting to be conquered by her active 

 wings ; with nothing except hope to feed her mind ; 

 with not even a book or a newspaper to read, — ■ 



