In the early part of March Starlings started to nest in a pigeon-hole in the gable of one of our office houses, and I boarded portion of it up to make it more suitable for them. Three and sometimes four birds appeared to co-operate in the building, and one–if not all–appeared to be the possessor of an artistic temperament, as shown by the effort made to attain a decorative effect. The following kinds of building materials were used. Numbers of leaves of Hard Fern, Wild Parsnip, Common Avens, “sitfast” (Ranunculus repons, L.), Mouse-eared Chick-weed, and flowers of the Birds-eye, besides quantities of lichens and moss plants, with a finishing coat of fine straws in the centre of the nest, which was at the back of the hole. The remainder of the pigeon-hole was beautifully decorated with an assortment of the above-mentioned materials.
On mentioning the apparent co-operation of the birds to three other observers I elicited the following facts (I shall call the other observers A, B, C).
Magpies
A.–A Magpie’s nest was constructed this season on a fir tree on our property, eight Magpies co-operating at the work. Three worked at the nest, keeping up a continual chatter the while. The other five–carrying sticks and other building material–worked silently and methodically until the nest was completed. This occurrence points not only to co-operation, but also to active superintendence as well. Perhaps the prospective possessors of the nest were young and inexperienced, and had solicited the aid of a veteran thorn twister and his associates to help them.
Swallows
B.–A few years ago a pair of Swallows nested beneath the roof of a neighbouring shed, and about the laying time the owner of the shed, finding they were soiling a driving trap stored beneath, procured a pole and knocked down the nest. The next day nine Swallows congregated about the shed and rebuilt the nest. This allows not only the idea of co-operation, but also of sympathy for others when in distress.
House Martins
C.–Early last year I had thatch removed from an office house–where House Martins usually nested–and replaced it with corrugated iron, the gable immediately beneath being plastered smooth. A pair of Martins arrived as usual and attempted to nest on the gable. However, the spot chosen being on the smooth part, the birds dropped away time and again without being able to attach any mud. At last a brilliant idea into their heads, and they executed a clever little engineering feat. One Martin caught hold of a rough spot beneath the nesting site and pressed itself against the wall. The other bird slighted on the improved platform and, stretching up, placed mud in position, repeating the performance until a sufficient foundation was laid, then building proceeded as usual.
George Barnett 