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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.--_Humane Alliance._