EVERY one knows the common catchweed so plentiful in waste ground. The long trailing stems of this plant are used by a pretty little bird in making its nest, and are most ingeniously twined among the branches into the needful shape. The bird which uses this plant is the WHITETHROAT (Curruca cinerea) sometimes called the Haychat and Nettle-creeper. Its ordinary name is due to the white feathers of the throat, and it is called Nettle-creeper because it is so active among the weeds that fringe the hedgerows. The nest is always placed low, and I have mostly found it towards the top of some stubby bush or shrub, about three feet from the ground. Although placed in such localities, it is not very easy of discovery, as it is well hidden by the foliage, and in most instances the boughs must be pressed aside before the nest can be made clearly visible. Although the catchweed is used by the bird in making the framework of the nest, it does not consider itself bound to employ no other substance, but uses grass blades and vegetable fibres. The lining of the nest is simply made of fine hay, among which are twined a variable number of horsehairs, sometimes only twenty or thirty, and sometimes in such a quantity as almost to conceal the hay. It is in allusion to the lining of the nest that the bird is called Haychat. The nest varies much. in thickness, probably in proportion to the density of the bush in which it is placed.

THE celebrated MOCKING-BIRD of America (Turdus [or Mimus] polyglottus), is also one of the Branch-builders.

The situation chosen by the bird is always variable, depending almost entirely on the nature of the district and the character of the inhabitants. Should the bird be resident in some wild part of the country, it takes some pains to conceal its nest, choosing the most impenetrable thicket that can be found. A thick thorn-bush is a favourite spot, because the sharp points serve to deter intruders from forcing their way to the nest; and the cedar is sometimes chosen, because its dark masses of foliage. afford such a cover for the nest that it can scarcely be detected even by one who is looking for it.

But, should the bird build in some inhabited locality, where it is taught by instinct that it will not be molested, it makes its nest close to the house, and cares not to hide it. Six or seven

feet from the ground is the usual height at which the nest is placed, and the bird has so little anxiety about its nest that it often builds upon the branches of a pear or apple-tree. The nest itself is rather a pleasing specimen of bird architecture, and is mostly built upon a slight foundation of delicate twigs, intermixed with dry weeds of the preceding year. The body of the nest is formed of straw, grass, wool, and vegetable fibres, and the lining is almost wholly composed of very fine fibrous roots.

Although the bird is so careless about concealing its nest, it is jealously anxious about intruders, and attacks indiscriminately any beast, reptile, or bird that approaches the favoured spot. Dogs are forced to run away from the sharp beak and buffeting wings of the angry bird; the cat finds that the ascent of a tree while a pair of infuriated birds are pecking her nose and blinding her eyes is an impracticable task, and even man himself is attacked by the fearless defenders of the home.

The worst and most treacherous foe however, is the black snake (Coryphodon constrictor), a harmless reptile, but one that is much dreaded by uninstructed pedestrians, because it imitates the manners of the rattlesnake with such fidelity that it is generally reckoned among the poisonous serpents. This snake lives mostly on rats, mice, young birds, and eggs, and in pursuit of the last-mentioned dainties will ascend trees and traverse any branch which holds a nest.

The very sight of the black snake inflames the Mocking Bird with fury, and he instantly darts at it, avoiding its stroke with admirable quickness, and dealing a rapid succession of blows on the reptile's head. The black snake is peculiarly vulnerable about the head, and even tries to retreat, but is prevented from escaping by the Mocking-Bird, which redoubles his efforts and easily beats the reptile down. As soon as he sees his advantage he seizes the snake by the neck, lifts it from the ground, buffets it with his wings, pecks it again as it drops, and ceases not until the hated enemy is left dead on the ground.

THE well-known WATER HEN or MOOR HEN (Gallinula Chloropus) is nearly, though not quite, as variable in its nesting as the red-winged starling lately described. The nest is always placed near the water, but the bird seems to be very indifferent about the precise locality.

Sometimes it is made on the ground, and in that case is laid among sedges and rushes where the water cannot reach it. The Water Hen, however, is not averse to nesting in a warm and comfortable place, for Mr. Waterton mentions that on one occasion, when he had built a neat little brick house for a duck, and furnished it with dry hay for a nest, a Water Hen took possession of it, and the duck had to find a home elsewhere.

Sometimes the nest is made on a branch, and in that case the bird selects a very low bough which overhangs the water. I have found several nests thus placed, and in one case the only method of getting at the nest was to enter the water and swim round to it. It is a large and rudely made nest, and from its size appears to be more conspicuous than is really the case.

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When it is placed on a bough, the twigs of the same branch often dip into the water, and the nest looks like a bunch of weeds and other débris that have floated down the stream and been arrested by the branch.

The similitude is increased by a curious habit of the bird. When she leaves her nest, she pulls over her eggs a quantity of the same substances as those which form the materials of the nest, so that they are completely hidden from sight, and the form of the nest is quite obscured. It is true that the nest is not unfrequently found with the eggs exposed, but this apparent negligence is always caused by the frightened bird dashing off at the approach of the intruder, and having no time to cover her eggs properly. The object of covering the eggs was once thought to be the retention of heat, the neighbourhood of water being imagined to be injurious. As, however, many birds build as close to the water as does the Water Hen, and do not cover the eggs, it is evident that concealment and not warmth is the object to be attained.

I may mention that the illustration was sketched from a nest before it was removed, and that most of the nests have been drawn in the same manner from actual objects.

The eggs are many in number, seldom less than six, and often eight, and their united weight is far from inconsiderable, as they are fully proportioned to the size of the bird. The young are the oddest little beings imaginable, looking like spherical puffs of black down, rather than birds. They take to the water at once, and if the reader can manage to watch the mother and her little family, he will see one of the quaintest and prettiest groups that our country can supply. The little black balls swim about quite at their ease, keeping within a short distance of their parent, and traversing the water with a rapidity that reminds the observer of the gyrini, or whirligig beetles. In spite of the prolific nature of the bird, it is not so numerous as it might be, having many enemies in its youth, the worst of which is the pike, which comes up silently from below, opens its terrible jaws, and absorbs the unsuspecting bird.

CHAPTER XXIX.

FEATHERED BRANCH-BUILDERS CONCLUDED.

The SEDGE-WARBLER-Its nest and loquacity-The REED-WARBLER-Use of its peculiar tail-Localities haunted by the bird-Song of the Reed-Warbler-Its deep and beautifully balanced nest-Colour of the eggs-The INDIGO BIRD-The CAPOCIER-Familiarity of the bird-Le Vaillant's experiments-How the nest is made-Division of labour-Lover's quarrels-Structure of the nest—Humming-birds again-The FIERY TOPAZ-Its nocturnal habits-Appearance of the nest-Its shape and the materials of which it is made-The HERMIT HUMMINGBIRDS and their nests-The RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD-Variable dimensions of the nest-Concealment-Mr. Webber and his discoveries-Variable form and positions of the nest-Materials of which it is made-Its deceptive exterior-Feeding of the young-The VERVAIN HUMMING BIRD-How the nest assumes its shape-The RED-BACKED SHRIKE-Use of the Shrike in falconry-Their singular mode of feeding-Impaled prey-Conspicuous character of the nest Popular ideas concerning the Red-backed Shrike-Structure of the nest-The HEDGE SPARROW-Its proper title-Carelessness about its nestFoes of the Hedge Sparrow-Its fecundity.

ANOTHER bird that loves to build near water is the pretty little SEDGE WARBLER (Salicaria phragmitis).

The nest of this bird is placed at a very low elevation, usually within a foot or so from the ground, and raised upon rushes, reeds, or other coarse herbage, which is found abundantly in such places. There is more material in the nest than might be supposed from the size of the bird and the slender stems by which it is supported. Viewed from the exterior, it seems to have the ordinary cup-shaped form which is so prevalent among small birds, but looked at from above, the apparent depth is seen to be owing to the mass of material, the hollow being singularly small and shallow. It is a well-made nest, the general framework being formed of leaves of grass-blades, while strength, warmth, and density are attained by the quantity of wool and hair which are woven into the fabric.

The Sedge Warbler is well known for its loquacity, and its ceaseless chatter. Should it be silent, a stone flung among the