"In seven days they finished it. It was as white as snow, and on the outside it was nine inches high, and not smooth or regular in its shape; but in the inside it was shaped exactly like a hen's egg, with the small end up: the hollow was five inches high, and between four and five inches across; and it was so neatly felted together that it might have been taken for a piece of fine cloth a little worn; and so close that you could not take away any part without tearing the nest in pieces. Here is a picture of the nest, boys, and it is wonderful work for a small bird." [Illustration: Nest of the Capocier, from Vaillant's figure.] "Oh, Uncle Philip! we like the capociers very much. When they were tired of working, they were ready to play; and when they had played enough, they went back to work. Do not you think there was good sense in that?" "Yes, boys, I do: it will not do, either to work all the time or to play all the time. All that we have to do is to take care that we do not spend more time than we should at either. But there is a sweet little bird, boys, quite common in our own country, which makes felt: would you like to hear of it?" "Oh yes, Uncle Philip. What bird is it?" [Illustration: Nest of the Humming-bird.] "It is the humming-bird. Here is a drawing of its nest. It is about an inch deep, and an inch across; and from a little distance, appears more like a small knot upon the branch than like a bird's nest. The outside of the nest from which this picture is made, was covered with a kind of bluish-gray lichen, that grows in scales upon old trees and fences: this seemed to be glued on by the bird in some way or other. The inside was the felt, and was made of the fine down from seeds that float about in the air, mixed with the down from mullein-weed and stalks of fine grass. This, boys, is the smallest nest made by a bird, I believe; and some insects make larger houses for themselves than this bird does. "But I have not time at present to talk with you any longer, as I have letters to write; and therefore I must bid you good morning." "Farewell, Uncle Philip." FOOTNOTE: [11] M. Vaillant. CONVERSATION XVI. _Uncle Philip tells the Boys about Birds that are Weavers; and about the Politician-bird; and a Story about some Philosophers; and what may be learned from these Conversations._ "Well, boys, were you pleased enough with our last conversation to wish to hear more about birds' nests?" "Yes, if you please, Uncle Philip. You said something about birds that were weavers; we should like to hear something of them." "Very well, then; I will talk about the weavers this morning. And the first thing I have to say is that this is no uncommon trade among birds. Take the nest of any of the common small birds that use hair for a lining, and you will be apt to find some part of it woven." "But, Uncle Philip, you do not mean that birds weave as smoothly and regularly as people do!"