356 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
times it is seen actually upon the trunk of a tree, attached to 
the bark by its side ; and in a few rare instances it has been 
found in a garden, attached to some strong-stalked herb. Gene- 
rally, however, the bird selects a white oak sapling if it builds 
in the woods, and a pear-tree if it prefers the garden. 
The tiny nest is scarcely more than one inch in width and the 
same in depth, so that its size is very small when compared with 
that of its occupants, which, when full grown, are more than 
three inches in total length. The materials of which the nest is 
made are principally the delicate cotton-like fibres which form 
the 4 wings ’ of certain seeds, such as those of the thistle, and 
are so carefully woven together that they form a tolerably 
stout wall. Upon this wall are stuck quantities of a light grey 
lichen which is found on old fences and trees, so that the ex- 
ternal appearance of the nest is rendered very similar to that of 
the branch on which it is placed. The lining is composed of 
the fine hairs which clothe the stalks of mullein and ferns and 
other pubescent plants, and forms a thick, soft bed on which 
repose the two minute pearly eggs. 
The nest is not merely placed upon the branch, because in 
that case it would present a decided outline, and be compara- 
tively easy of recognition. On the contrary, the base of the 
nest is partly continued round the branch, so that the whole 
fabric rises gradually from the bough, as if it were a natural 
excrescence. 
When the young are hatched they are fed by thrusting their 
beaks into the opened mouths of their parents, and extracting 
the supply of liquid sweets which have been collected from the 
flowers. 
In the hedgerows of our own country may often be found a 
nest which is not only pretty in itself, but remarkable for its 
accessories. This is the home of the Red-backed Shrike 
( Enneoctonus collurio ). 
The predatory habits of the Shrikes are well known, and one 
species, the Great Grey Shrike ( Lanius excub it or), was formerly 
used as a falcon for the purpose of catching winged game. True, 
