But then, that this work may not,
while it is soft and green, pull itself down by its own weight, the
provident architect has prudence and forbearance enough not to
advance her work too fast; but by building only in the morning, and
by dedicating the rest of the day to food and amusement, gives it
sufficient time to dry and harden. About half an inch seems to be a
sufficient layer for a day. Thus careful workmen when they build
mud-walls (informed at first perhaps by this lithe bird) raise but a
moderate layer at a time, and then desist; lest the work should
become top-heavy, and so be ruined by is own weight. By this
method in about ten or twelve days is formed an hemispheric nest
with a small aperture towards the top, strong, compact, and warm;
and perfectly fitted for all the purposes for which it was intended.
But then nothing is more common than for the house-sparrow, as
soon as the shell is finished, to seize on it as is own, to eject the
owner, and to line it after is own manner.
After so much labour is bestowed in erecting a mansion, as nature
seldom works in vain, martins win breed on for several years
together in the same nest, where it happens to be well sheltered and
secure from the injuries of weather.
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