14 INTRODUCTION. 



probably very few who do not do so, if the first is broken up 

 or destroyed. They rarely raise the second in the same nest 

 as the first, but generally build another (often hurriedly) near 

 the site of the former, particularly if that has been disturbed 

 or removed. The principal exceptions to this latter statement 

 are the Pewees, Swallows, and those birds who lay their eggs 

 in holes. The second set of eggs usually appears from four to 

 six weeks after the first, if that has not met with serious mis- 

 haps ; otherwise, sooner. If a Hawk's nest be robbed,^^ the 

 parents commonly repair an old nest near by, often hastily 

 lining it with evergreen or the like, and at the end of about 

 a fortnight two or three eggs are laid. The Sharp-shinned 

 Hawks, Kingfishers, Golden-winged Woodpeckers, and very 

 probably other species, are said to continue sometimes for 

 several days, though continually robbed, to lay eggs almost 

 daily, after the first sets have been taken. 



Smaller birds have been known to build a second, and even 

 a third nest, within a few feet of the previous ones, when these 

 were removed. They have also been known to cover the eggs 

 of a Cow-bird, by building a second story, or even a third, 

 which became their own nursery. Such cases are, however, 

 exceptional, and lead me to speak of desertion. 



§ P. Birds differ widely in respect of desertion, the Wood- 

 peckers, especially the Golden-winged, being in case of dis- 

 turbance uncertain in their movements. The latter often leave 

 forever the excavation on which they are at work, if they 

 imagine that they are watched, though occasionally they are 

 regardless of those passing by. If their eggs be disturbed, 

 they sometimes " desert," and at other times the female con- 

 tinues to lay eggs in the manner already described. She often 

 deepens her nest, and lays a second set. A general rule is 

 that birds will not desert their nests (if not injured) when 

 one egg is taken from three or four, two from five or six, and 

 three from more than six. Never handle a nest or eggs not 

 to be at once taken ; the bird does not perceive your " touch," 

 as many persons suppose, but one's hand very often so dis- 



^ Unless that of a Marsh (or Sparrow ?) Hawk. 



