<h2><SPAN name="BIRDS_AND_THE_WEATHER" id="BIRDS_AND_THE_WEATHER"></SPAN> BIRDS AND THE WEATHER.</h2>
<p>BIRDS are dependent on the elements
as well as is man, and in
the want of materials and the
requirements in nest-building
the birds are comparable to the lords
of creation.</p>
<p>It is not a rare thing for a pair of
robins to be badly handicapped in
nesting-time by a lack of rain, for in
May, and even in the showery month
of April, there is occasionally a dry
run of weather lasting for more than a
week.</p>
<p>I have seen a pair of robins start a
nest, and the dry weather would come
on and stop operations, and the disconsolate
pair would wait for the rain
so that they could make mortar for
their nest. Robins must have mud to
use in the construction of their little
home, and all the dry materials will
avail them nothing unless there is a
good stock of mortar on hand to
cement the grass, rags, and other materials
together.</p>
<p>On one occasion we supplied a pair
of redbreasts with plenty of mortar
by letting the hydrant run on the
ground. The delighted robins immediately
accepted the situation and
gathered materials for the partially
finished home, which was quickly completed
and the four beautiful eggs deposited.
We broke the law by letting
the water run, but then we can excuse
ourselves in behalf of the faithful
birds by saying that "necessity knows
no law."</p>
<p>The eave-swallows also require mortar
for the construction of their nests,
and they select quarters not very far
removed from lakes, ponds, or streams.
There is a neighborhood where the
swallows used to build in great numbers,
and the barns were well patronized
by these little insect-feeders, rows
of the gourd-shaped nests being seen
beneath the eaves.</p>
<p>At last the pond in the section was
drained, and all the swallows deserted
that neighborhood. There are very
few birds which are not more or less
affected by civilization, and a study of
this subject is most interesting.</p>
<p>Years ago the chimney swifts were
in the habit of building their stick
nests in the hollows of big trees, and
even at the present day we may find
nests in these old-time situations. As
time passed the swifts found that the
chimneys of men's houses offered
better situations for nests, and so the
reasoning birds adopted our city and
village chimneys to the abandonment
of the primitive habit of nesting in
hollow trees.—<i>Humane Alliance.</i></p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</SPAN></span></p>
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