432 
NESTS OF ENGLISH BIRDS. 
a series of modulated cries, and springing up, performs a curved flight, 
flapping his wings and screaming as he proceeds. Presently the whole 
glen is vocal, but not with sweet sounds like those of the mavis and 
the merle. 
It is in vain, however, to pursue these birds, for they are the 
males; and their suspicion and wariness are so great, that it is 
seldom they can be captured. 
NESTS AT HOME. 
" Deep in the hawthorn bush secure it lies, 
Cunningly fenced and hid from prying eyes, 
The little fabric, made of wool and hair — 
Covered with ivy leaves, with feathers lined — 
Where, o'er her eggs, in softest moss enshrined, 
Broods the fond mother-bird, with loving care." 
Of curious and remarkable nests having said thus much, we would 
relieve ourselves and our readers by glancing at a few of those familiar 
to us in our English gardens and hedgerows — neither curious nor 
remarkable, but in several respects intei-esting. A contemporary 
essayist remarks upon some of them very pleasantly. He speaks of 
feeling a distinct delight for every different nest — from the thrush's, 
the clay cottage floor of which sets off" its blue eggs so well, to the 
goldfinch's, the very flower of nests, exquisitely perfect in shape, made 
of the gray moss upon the apple-trees in which this graceful bird loves 
best to build, lined with a beautifully wrought texture of hair and 
wool, and containing four dainty little pearls specked with pale red. 
The wagtail's or the linnet's nest is not unlike the goldfinch's ; that is, 
it resembles it as a delf cup does a china one of the same pattei'n. The 
wren's nest is snug to a proverb. Besides being so completely walled 
and roofed, it is always placed in shelter. When the wren builds in 
an ivied wall, she frequently faces her dwelling with ivy leaves ; and 
by these you may sometimes find her, for she does not seem to 
remember that they wiU fade. But be cautious in approaching it 
when found, for no bird is so easily induced to abandon her nest as 
Jenny Wren. She has a horror of strangers; a shy, domesticated, 
timid little bird, with as much objection to being " lionized " as the 
