542 HOMES WITnOUT HANDS. 



Tlie nest of the Ringdove is of so simple a character as 

 scarcely to deserve the name. The bird chooses a suitable spray, 

 and lays upon it a number of sticks, which cross each other so 

 as to make a nearly flat platform. Many birds make a similar 

 platform as the foundation of their nest, but with the Eingdove 

 it constitutes the entire nest. So slight is the texture of the 

 platform, that when the two white eggs are laid upon it they 

 can be discerned from below by a practised eye, and it really 

 seems wonderful that they can retain their position on such a 

 structure. 



Moreover, the open meshes of the nest allow the wind to blow 

 freely between the sticks, so that nothing would seem to be more 

 uncomfortable for the young. Above, they can certainly be 

 sheltered by the warm body and protecting wings, but below 

 they seem to be exposed to every blast. Yet they find shelter 

 enough, and not only find it, but make it. With the generality 

 of birds, the droppings are conveyed away by the parents, but 

 with the Eingdove they are allowed to remain, when they rapidly 

 fill up all the open interstices, and form a dry scentless plaster, 

 which effectually defends the tender bodies of the young from 

 the wind, and has the further effect of consolidating and 

 strengthening the nest. 



Although the nests are plentiful enough, and the eggs are 

 common in the cabinet of oologists, it is not very easy to find a 

 nest that is furnished with this curious plaster, probably because 

 some one of the many foes which persecute the Eingdove has 

 discovered the nest, stolen the eggs, or killed the parent before 

 the young birds were hatched. 



It has already been mentioned that, with many branch-build- 

 ing birds, the thickness of the nest, or of the platform on which 

 it is placed, is regulated by the exposed or sheltered position of 

 the branch, and such is the case with the Eingdove. Although 

 in some instances, the platform is so flimsy that the eggs can 

 be seen through the interstices, in other cases it is from half an 

 inch to an entire inch in thickness. In all cases, the longest 

 twigs are first laid, and followed by those of smaller size ; and, 

 although the whole stmcture is very rude, it is always made 

 with sufficient care to assume a tolerably circular shape. 



The Turtledove {Golumha iv.riur) builds a nest of very similar 

 form, and, if possible, even slighter in construction. 



