NEST BUILDING. 
317 
far from any lake or pond. In cases of necessity the 
material also is changed. 
Those who have closely observed birds while in the 
act of building, must have observed that the female 
is almost always the mechanic, while the male, more or 
less, plays the part of labourer. The reverse only takes 
place, to all appearance, in the construction of bowers 
and pleasure nests. As soon as sunny spring has 
awakened the tender passion, and the marriage bond 
has been contracted, the pair commence preparations for 
building. Both birds may be observed spying out every 
spot suitable for building in; and the female, also, may 
often be seen to turn and twist herself about in holes and 
corners, under branches and in forks of trees, as though 
really taking the necessary measurements, the male 
accompanying her the while. As soon as a desirable 
spot has been selected, work is commenced. When 
haste is no object, the morning is usually chosen for 
nest-building, before they seek their early meal; in cases, 
however, where no time is to be lost, the work is carried 
on in the afternoon, and evening as well; generally the 
male brings the materials. With some species, on the 
contrary, instance the Melodious Warbler and Chaffinch, 
he quietly sings his morning ditty, not troubling himself 
in the least either about his mate or her labours. With 
the Swallow, however, we find the reverse again, for 
the male not only assists in bringing mud and clay, 
but also helps his wife in the construction itself. All 
the materials are brought from the nearest possible 
source, though the less common and those used for 
lining the nest—such as horse-hair for instance—are often 
brought from a distance; and, indeed, it is frequently 
surprising how they manage to obtain them. Sticks and 
2-u 
