BIRDS 293 



birds, for example the English sparrow, rear several broods 

 of young a year, but most species have one or two. In 

 some species the male aids in building the nest and takes his 

 turn at sitting on the eggs, while in other species the 

 female does practically all of the work of rearing the young. 

 Nesting habits. — In building homes in which to deposit 

 eggs and rear the young, birds differ greatly. Perhaps the 



Nest of a mocking bird. 



least careful birds in these matters are the auks. Some 

 of these birds drop their eggs on the bare ground or among 

 the loose stones and rocks with no attempt at making any 

 nest whatever. The majority of birds, however, take great 

 care in building their nests and concealing them from 

 iiarauders. The Old World cuckoo and the cowbirds 



