Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

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Nests

Many birds

spend weeks

making a nest in

a sheltered place.

each kind of bird has

its favorite materials, such as twigs, grass,

or fur. each also chooses a particular place to

make the nest, such as a tree or a spot on the

ground. A pied wagtail, for example, often builds

its nest around farm buildings and uses twigs, straw,

leaves, and moss, with a lining of hair and feathers.

A gray wagtail builds its nest beside fast-flowing water

and uses grasses and moss, with a lining of hair.

MOst ANIMALs need shelter and

a place to bring up their young. A

nest in a tree or a burrow underground

protects an animal against predators

and extremes of temperature. Many

creatures, including birds and

squirrels, build nests. some creatures

weave complicated nests. the harvest

mouse makes a ball-shaped nest among

cornstalks, where it rests and sleeps.

Other animals, including birds, build

a nest only during the breeding season,

in which they lay eggs or give birth to

live young. they line the nest with

moss, grass, fur, or feathers to keep it

warm and dry. Rabbits and foxes dig burrows, or

tunnels, in the ground; a desert tortoise digs a

burrow in which to hide from the noon sun.

some burrows are shallow; others, such as rabbit

warrens, are deep, with escape routes, dead ends,

and a separate burrow for the breeding nest.

374

Nest has a soft, thick

lining of moss, hair, and

feathers to

keep eggs

warm.

Natural building

materials from the

surrounding area,

such as lichens, help

camouflage the nest.

Nesting boxes

and dovecotes

encourage

many birds to

breed in the

same place

each year.

Nests and burrows

FLAMINgO

Many animals, such as these

African flamingos, nest in

large groups called colonies.

When a predator approaches,

flamingos make such a noise

that few predators dare to enter

the colony. In a flamingo colony

there is safety in numbers.

Flamingo nests are

cone-shaped and

made of mud.

Young platypuses stay in the

breeding nest in a burrow

underground and suckle

milk from their

mother for up to

four months.

PLAtyPus buRROW

the Australian platypus digs

a complex breeding burrow

up to 66 ft (20 m) long in

the riverbank. Here, the

female lays eggs and

raises the young when

they hatch. each time

the platypus enters or

leaves the burrow to

feed, it digs its way

out and rebuilds the

series of doors made

of mud along the

tunnel to protect its

young from intruders.

tRAP-dOOR sPIdeR

the trap-door spider digs a small burrow in loose soil and hides

in it. using silk that it produces from its body, the spider glues

particles of soil together to make a neatly fitting, well-disguised

door. As an insect or other prey passes by, the spider flips open

the door and grabs the victim.

Find out more

Animals

Ants and termites

bees and wasps

birds

spiders and scorpions

Door

fits into

specially

shaped

top of

hole.

Trapdoor is

fixed by a

silken hinge.

Tunnel is up to

15 in (38 cm)

deep and lined

with silk.

Wagtail weaves twigs and stems

together to strengthen the nest.

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