94 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



selects for its home some hollow in a tree, sometimes taking the 

 deserted burrow of a woodpecker, when it is fortunate enough to 

 secure so convenient a residence. Any holes in trees, however, 

 are used by the Wry-neck ; and it is very fond of those hollowed 

 places where a branch has been broken away, and the interior of 

 the tree has in consequence begun to decay. In such cavities 

 the bird makes its nest, 'or rather, lays its eggs, for it is quite sat- 

 isfied with chips of decayed wood for a bed whereon to place its 

 numerous white eggs; and, like all those birds which build in 

 burrows, it cares little about an elaborate nest. It will, however, 

 take advantage of the nest which has been made by some other 

 bird, and has been known to deposit its eggs in the deserted hab- 

 itation of a red-start. 



Though a timid bird, it is never slow in defense of its home 

 and its numerous young ; and though its slight beak can inflict 

 but very trifling damage upon ordinary foes, it often frightens 

 away the novice who has approached its domicile, by writhing its 

 neck, darting its head forward, ruffing its crest, and hissing like 

 an angry viper. On account of this habit, it is known in many 

 parts of England by the popular name of Snake-bird. The head 

 and neck of the bird have quite a formidable aspect as they thus 

 present themselves at the orifice of the burrow, and at a little dis- 

 tance the writhing neck and angry hiss give to the creature a 

 very sanguinary character. 



Among the semi-burrowers we may rank the Starling {Stur- 

 nus vulgaris), as this bird invariably lays its eggs in a hollow of 

 some kind. 



Its instinct teaches it to select spots wherein it can be hidden ; 

 and the deeper the burrow, and the narrower the entrance, the 

 better does the Starling seem to be pleased. In all kinds of 

 places the Starling makes its home, and its pale blue eggs may 

 be found wherever there is a hole that will contain them. Under 

 the eaves of houses the Starling contrives to creep, and finds 

 some retired spot where it can sit in security and tend its young. 

 Oftentimes when it resides in towns it displays so much ingenuity 

 in concealing the locality of its habitation, that the impatient cry 

 of the young birds affords the first indication of a nest. Fre- 

 quently it gets into pigeon-cotes, and associates quite amicably 

 with the rightful inmates. It has a great liking for the same 

 domicile as the jackdaw, and there is often a trial of skill between 

 the birds, each trying-to gain the disputed nesting-place. 



