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A Marauder and His Captive
(33) It is a curious fact that these birds remarks that the delicacy and perfection appear to know the safety which lies in of the nest will bear a direct relation to their white plumage, inasmuch as they the size of the bird, its structure and have been known to dash boldly into the habits. That of the wren or the humsnow on the approach of a hawk, and to ming-bird is, perhaps, not finer nor more thus conceal themselves until the danger beautiful in proportion than that of the was past. blackbird, the magpie or the crow.
The The Ptarmigans, Quails, and their wren, having a slender beak, long legs, neighbors, do not display much ingenu- and great activity, is able with great ease ity in the construction of a nest-that to form a well-woven nest of the finest special theme of admiration in the history material, and places it in thickets and of bird habits. Thus the "scratching hedgerows which it frequents in its birds," as a rule, deposit their eggs on search for food. The titmouse, haunting the ground, a mere apology for a nest fruit-trees and walls, and searching in existing in the shape of a depression in cracks and crannies for insects, is natthe earth, lined with grass or leaves. urally led to build in holes where it has Very varied are even the materials which shelter and security; while its great birds use in nest-building. The wren activity and the perfection of its tools (bill uses moss as its chief material, whilst the and feet) enable it readily to form a beaukingfisher uses the bones of its finny prey tiful receptacle for its eggs and young. wherewith to make its nest. A swift in Pigeons, having heavy bodies and weak the Eastern Archipelago makes a nest of feet and bills (imperfect tools for forming its own solidified saliva. The swallow a delicate structure), build rude, flat nests uses clay; and the crow lines its nest with fur and wool.
Mr. Wallace, speaking of birds' nests, of sticks, laid across strong branches which will bear their weight and that of their bulky young. They can do no better.
