THE NORTH ISLAND ROBIN 69 
brush and bough. Suitable sticks and bits of 
branch were grasped by their centres, thus mini- 
mising the chances of jar and jerk. Fragments 
of twig-tip, chewed as a preliminary into the 
shape desired and perhaps afterwards oiled, mouth- 
fuls of moss, dry leaves, soft grey pappus of 
shrubs and creepers, were also carried. As the 
work proceeded we could see her seated within 
the nest bulging it out with neck and breast, 
sewing and tucking in frayed fibre and web. To 
ensure the proper shape, she would half - circle 
first one way and then the other. At a later 
stage, with the nest reaching completion, still 
sitting, she would spread her wings nearly to the 
full, and with weight and force beat down the 
edges smooth and firm. The male bird mean- 
while occupied himself in the collection of food, 
from time to time calling his companion away 
from her labours, and at a few yards’ distance 
regaling her with various insects, hard-looking 
brown grubs and caterpillars. On 19th October 
eggs had been laid, their number unknown, as 
we feared to disturb the bird. This nest was 
plundered by rats. A second nest containing eggs 
was found on 6th November. It also was destroyed. 
A third was found on 23rd November with two 
eggs. These hatched out, for on 10th December a 
pair of youngsters had chipped the shell. This 
third nest was likewise ruined and the hen killed, 
