154 
SYLVIA D.E. 
arc placed in holes in buildings, or under thatched roofs ; 
some among piles of wood or faggots, some in a hay or 
corn-rick, or among the exposed roots of trees ; some arc 
placed against the trunks of large trees, and others upon 
the ground among fern or brambles. Concealment for their 
nest does not appear to be . much sought after, as it is often 
to be found beside a high road, where the little builder is 
disturbed by every passer. One thus circumstanced we 
have lately seen built in a hole in the top of a low pollard 
by the river side, in the most frequented spot in the village, 
where every fisherman and every idle boy was in the habit 
of passing. The anxiety this appeared to cause to the little 
birds was extreme ; every minute their attention was dis¬ 
tracted from their young, and their vociferations were in¬ 
cessant, as if they thought that every one’s business and 
convenience should give place to theirs. 
The nest of this species is well constructed and very 
curious, and remarkably varied in form and structure, to 
suit the locality selected. When the stem of a tree is 
chosen, the manner in which the little builder commences 
the work is exceedingly ingenious. The first indication of 
the future nest is a slight circular outline traced upon the 
stem, by means of a few slender grass stalks attached to 
the rough bark, generally of the elm, which tree appears 
favourable for such an undertaking, on account of the slender 
branches, or spurs, that spring at right angles from its stem, 
and are sometimes used to attach the external parts of the 
nest to. This slight circle may be observed for some days 
nearly in the same state, so slow is the progress made in 
this stage by the builders. By degrees a few more grasses 
appear within the outline, and a little moss, but these little 
creatures will seldom sulFer any one to see them at work; 
on the contrary, they jealously watch until any intrusive 
passenger is out of sight; thus ten days or a fortnight are 
