IRatuve ■(l•■lote6 : 
Zbe Selboviic Society’s ni^aoasinc 
No. 77. 
MAY, 1896. VoL. VII. 
BIRD-NESTING. 
IRD-NESTING, as commonly understood and practised, 
must always be strongly deprecated by the Selborne 
Society ; and even the more humane bird - nesting, 
where few eggs are taken — and then only when wanted 
for some sufficient purpose — and the nest left uninjured, is so 
liable to abuse, that lovers of bird life hesitate to say anything 
that might encourage it. But there is one kind of bird-nesting 
which has all the pleasure that can be gained from this pursuit, 
with none of the remorse, and from which an extensive know- 
ledge of birds and their habits is to be acquired, without causing 
the birds themselves any trouble beyond a few moments’ uneasi- 
ness. Little birdcraft is required to walk along a hedgerow 
until the bulky and conspicuous nest of a blackbird or thrush is 
seen amongst the half naked twigs, and the individual who can 
find any satisfaction in dragging out that bundle of dried grass 
and the blue eggs is beyond the reach of humanitarian influence. 
But all birds do not place their nests in such exposed situations, 
and there is a keen delight to be gained from the search for some 
of these better concealed bird homes, and when found, the 
position and materials carefullj^ observed, the number and 
marking of the eggs noted, there is more real pleasure in 
leaving everything as you found it, and listening to the happy 
chirruping of the little owners as you retire, than can be got 
from any number of casual glances at the eggs in a cabinet. 
This kind of bird-nesting the most conscientious Selbornian can 
recommend, and also indulge in with profit ; for it improves the 
powers of observation, and gives a more accurate knowledge of 
bird life than can be gained from books. 
