BIRD NESTING. 113 



three. It was in Norfolk, and he tried to shoot them. But they 

 would not come so long as he remained, however closely hidden. 

 As soon as he left they returned, so he took his keeper with him 

 and presently sent him off. But the Ravens were not to be cheated 

 so. Then he took the under keeper also, and they three went to- 

 gether. Presently the two keepers left and their master remained 

 in hiding. And now the Ravens, watching these men till they were 

 fairly gone, thought the coast was clear and so returned to meet 

 their doom. 



But some of the shyest of birds become quite bold at nesting 

 time. What can be more wild or shy than an autumn or a winter 

 Missel Thrush ? And yet this bird nests in the garden in the most 

 exposed situation, and will sit close, winking a bright eye within a 

 foot of your face as you walk by. Many birds are entirely 

 dependent on the labours of others for their nesting places. The 

 Long Eared Owl would fare badly were it not that it nests so 

 early that it can make use of the old Crows' nests that are still 

 pretty weather-tight since last year. 



Think as one may, it seems impossible to generalize satis- 

 factorily as to the reasons which prompt the different birds to nest 

 in one way or another. Why, for example, does the Magpie, who 

 is so supremely capable of protecting its interests by weapon and 

 courage, go to the exceeding trouble of doming its big nest ? I 

 cannot think of any answer except a guilty conscience. And 

 there seems to be a code of honour even among Magpies. For 

 the Starling sometimes makes its nest in the very base of the 

 Magpie's structure, and yet eggs and young are safe. 



One never visits a heronry without being struck by the anomaly 

 presented by these long-legged birds most uncomfortably swaying 



Q 



