During the time of incubation, the natural timidity of birds is greatly
lessened. The following instance, given by W. H. Hill, of Gloucester,
England, illustrates this: "Some time since, a pair of blue titmice
built their nest in the upper part of an old pump, fixing on the pin,
on which the handle worked. It happened that, during the time of
building the nest and laying the eggs, the pump had not been used: when
again set going, the female was sitting, and it was naturally expected
that the motion of the pump-handle would drive her away. The young
brood were hatched safely, however, without any other misfortune than
the loss of part of the tail of the sitting bird, which was rubbed off
by the friction of the pump-handle; nor did they appear disturbed by
the visitors who were frequently looking at them."