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Robins’ nests in a row, but only two of these nests had eggs in them ; 
they were all forsaken and a brood was hatched in a more favoured 
spot just outside the shed. 
Pied wagtails and spotted Flycatchers sometimes build in or 
upon other birds’ nests. We had here a Wagtail’s nest built in a 
Blackbird’s nest and containing a Cuckoo’s egg as well as the Wag- 
tail’s eggs. 
Some birds use extraordinary materials for their nests.— A 
Missel Thrush once made a nest here almost entirely composed of 
thin strips of green and white paper which had been hung up to 
scare sparrows from a seed bed. Thrushes’ nests have been recorded 
which were built with string, lace and linen collars, &c. On ono 
occasion I had turned out of my collection a pair of stuffed 
Squirrels, which the gardener placed near some fresh sown peas to 
scare the enemy. (I think he had a very vague idea as to whether 
the dreaded enemy was a mouse or a titmouse.) For some days 
afterwards it was quite amusing to see a pair of great Tits plucking 
the stulled Squirrels in order to lino their nests with the red fur, 
these birds seem to prefer red fur or the rust coloured cottony down 
from the seed of the reed mace to anything else for lining or even 
for the entire structure of their nest ‘though they sometimes use 
rabbits ’ felt or moss.* 
I have called attention to gardens chiefly because it is so much 
easier to protect the nests in gardens than elsewhere, and, because 
being close at hand, the nests may bo watched and frequently 
examined at odd times, when one has not time enough to spare for 
a day’s “ birds’ nesting ” at a distance. 
A great number of different birds may be encouraged even in 
towns and cities. In the summer of 1861, I found twelve species 
of birds nesting in and upon the Norwich Cathedral, but none of 
these were Titmice or Hawks, although I believe both the Peregrine 
Falcon and the Kestrel nested there formerly, and probably several 
Tits nest there now. Pied Flycatchers, Jackdaws, and Choughs 
(already alluded to above) are fond of nesting in buildings such as 
* A moorhen’s nest which I found on an islet of pebbles in the river Earn, 
was composed entirely of dead beech leaves and stones. Another moorhen’s 
nest (noticed in the Field newspaper) was said to be ornamented with scarlet 
anemones round its edge. • 
