A BIRD'S NEST, AND OTHER ANIMAL HOMES 35 



When does building begin ? How long does it last ? 

 How soon after finishing the nest are the eggs laid ? 

 Are all the eggs laid at one sitting ? Do both birds take 

 part in incubation, i.e., sitting, or but one, and if but one, 

 is it the male or the female 1 

 What does the other do .' 

 How long before the eggs 

 hatch .' Do they all hatch at 

 the same time } 



After hatching the care of 

 the fledglings should be well 

 watched. Do both parents 

 bring food 1 How many 

 times is food brought in one 

 hour, or if so much time can 

 be given to continuous watch- 

 ing, in two or three } What 

 is the food 1 Is the nest 

 cleaned .' If so, how often ^ 

 When are the first flying 

 lessons given .' How long 

 do the young birds continue ^'^^//t^"'' °^ h>,mming-bird 



-' o made oi sycamore down (one-half 



to come back to the nest at natural size). 

 night after they first leave it } 



Other incidents in the course of nest-building incu- 

 bation, and care of the young birds will certainly be 

 noted if sufficient observation to answer the above ques- 

 tions is given. Attacks by cats and bluejays (fig. 19), 

 disputes between the parent birds, accidents from high 

 winds or other causes are all likely to enter into the 

 course of nesting. And the behavior of the parent 

 birds under such more or less unnatural circumstances 

 will be interesting to observe and record. 



While some pupils are watching a robin's nest others 

 should observe the nesting of other kinds of birds — the 



