278 HOMING WITH THE BIRDS 



the history of almost any tree or bush nest one can 

 find. 



I can almost hear someone asking: "Why didn't 

 you make a series of studies of the building of that 

 nest?" Impossible! Almost every nest location 

 chosen is in deep shade, among branches and 

 twigs; the building birds move constantly and in 

 a tremor of anxiety. At no other time in their 

 lives are they so shy, secretive, suspicious of man 

 and animal as when building. There is no light 

 for a snap-shot, and too much movement for a time 

 exposure. If a camera could be so hidden that 

 the birds would not discover it, it would be utterly 

 impossible to let in sufficient light to reproduce 

 motion, before the birds have brooded until their 

 eggs have quickened, at which time they will risk 

 much to stay on their nests. When building they 

 are abnormally shy and discreet, and will desert 

 a location, often if they merely feel that it has 

 been discovered. Any attempt to work around a 

 nest in the course of construction would instantly 

 cause the bird to desert and change building sites. 



A dove's nest is a ramshackle structure contain- 

 ing only a small amount of material ; the male keeps 

 close and helps carry the few small sticks and twigs 

 used. The customary location is about the height 

 of or slightly above the top of the average rail fence. 

 Some nest on fences sheltered by bushes, some in 

 brush heaps lower, some in thorn and wild crab 

 bushes higher. One pair of doves on a fence on the 



