Bird Homes

Courtship. The nesting-season begins with the courtship of the birds, during which time the birds mate in preparation for the nest-building and the rearing of the young. The male is in full song at this time and frequently performs curious antics as a means of attracting the attention of a mate. In some cases it is probable that birds mate for only one season, while in other cases it is believed that this mating lasts for life. Some birds, such as pheasants, are polygamous. The author once watched a male red-winged blackbird which had three mates, each with a nest and young ones.

Distinguishing characteristics of nests. After the mating, the next step is the construction of the nest. Each species builds a characteristic nest similar to those built by its parents, so that it is possible from seeing a nest to tell the bird which made it. But while the nests of birds of the same species arc quite similar, yet there are many individual variations within these limits set by the species. It is interesting to know that the first time a young bird builds a nest, it uses the same sort of material, makes the nest of the same shape, and constructs it in the same manner as did its parents before it, although it has never seen a nest built.

Time of building. There is a regular time and order in nest-building as there is in migration, although the order is not exactly the same. In any given locality certain kinds of birds begin to nest at about the same time each year; in some species the older birds beginning to nest before the younger ones. Certain birds, like the robin and bluebird, are always among the first to nest, and other birds, like the cedar-bird and goldfinch, are always among the last to nest, and this order of nesting remains the same frozn year to year. In the northeastern United States the first birds begin to nest in February (the great horned owl), the last begin the latter part of July (goldfinch), but May is preeminently the nest- building month. Some birds, like the robin, bluebird, and house wren, rear two broods, and this brings the nesting-season well along into the middle of the summer.

Location of nest. Nests are found in a great variety of places. Many birds nest on the ground. Some of these, such as the bob-white and bobolink, build their nests in open fields. Others, such as the ruffed grouse and hermit thrush, build their nests on the ground in woods. The oven-bird builds an arched nest with an entrance on one side. Some birds, such as the red-winged blackbird and the marsh wren, build their nests among the reeds of marshes, a few feet from the ground. Still others, as the field sparrow, catbird, chipping sparrow, and many warbiers, build in low shrubberies or small trees. Others, as the robin, wood thrush, and many hawks, place their nests in the crotches of trees; while still others, such as the hummingbird and chebec, saddle them on to branches. Others hang their nests from branches, as do the Baltimore oriole and the vireos. The chimney swift glues the sticks of its nest together and attaches it to the chimney by means of its sticky saliva.

Many birds nest in cavities in trees. Some birds, like the woodpeckers, drill these holes themselves. Other birds, such as the house wren, bluebird, and tree swallow, use holes which they find already made, either by woodpeckers or through decay.

Kingfishers and bank swallows dig tunnels in banks and rear their young here. These tunnels extend from three to eleven feet. At the end of the tunnel the swallow makes an enlargement and constructs a nest of straw and feathers, but the kingfisher usually makes no nest.

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