340 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
not be endangered by her neighbours, for she came to the tree 
after the magpie had settled in it. 
The nest of the Ringdove is of so simple a character as 
scarcely to deserve the name. The bird chooses a suitable 
spray, and lays upon it a number of sticks, which cross each 
other so as to make a nearly flat platform. Many birds make a 
similar platform as the foundation of their nest, but with the 
Ringdove it constitutes the entire nest. So slight is the texture 
RINGDOVE AND NEST. 
of the platform, that when the two white eggs are laid upon it 
they can be discerned from below by a practised eye, and it 
really seems wonderful that they can retain their position on 
such a structure. 
Moreover, the open meshes of the nest allow the wind to 
blow freely between the sticks, so that nothing would seem to 
be more uncomfortable for the young. Above, they can cer- 
tainly be sheltered by the warm body and protecting wings, but 
