NESTS (Lat. aides, Gael. need; allied to Ger. ?Ohm, Sax. mean, Lat. neciere, to sew, bind, or tie) are the structures which animals prepare for the rearing of their young. They are very different, not only when the creatures which construct them belong to widely separated divisions of the animal kingdom, but often when the animals are of the same class, or even when they mire nearly allied; and whilst some conkruct very simple nests, and those of others are very curious and elaborately framed, some make no nest at all. Among KonLii.s the only nest-builders are certain rodents, as mice, dormice, squirrels, etc. The structures of some of the species are as artfully contrived and as beautifol as the nests of birds. It is among Brims that nest-making is most general; although there are not a few species which merely scrape a hole in the ground, and many sea-fowls lay their eggs on ledges of naked rock. The situations chosen by birds for their Il•StS are very various, each species affecting some particular kind of situation, as each species also exhibits a uniformity in choice of materials and in form and mode of structure; these particulars, however, being all liable to modification—within certain limits—according to circumstances. Some birds' nests consist merely of a few straws or leaves collected together; some of such materials as twigs, straws, moss, hair, etc., very nicely interwoven. and often with a lining finer than the frame-work; sonic, as those of swallows, are made of clay or other soft material, which hardens as it dries. Birds' nests are generally open at top. but some, as those of swallows, are so placed under a projec tion of rock or of a building as to be covered, and have the opening at the side; whilst others are vaulted, and have the opening at the side. Some. are situated in holes exca vated in clayey, loamy, or sandy banks. The nests of troupials, baltimores, weaver-birds, etc., are remarkable for the ingenious contrivance displayed in them; and a very singular. nest is that of the tailor-bird, made by sewing together the edges of leaves. 'These arc noticed in the articles on these birds. Many birds are as solitary as possible in their
nidification ; whilst others, as rooks and herons, congregate in large communities.—No REPTILES are known to construct nests; their utmost approach to it being to make a hole for their eggs in sand. or in some suitable situation.—The nests of FISHES have recently attracted much attention of naturalists. It is supposed that the ancients were acquainted with the nest-building instinct of some fishes; but it was unknown to modern naturalists till 1838, when Mr. Edwards discovered it in a species of stickleback (q.v.). It now gives interest to many a fresh-water aquarium. Not many fishes are yet known as nest-builders. Among them are gobies and the goramy. Many are known not to construct nests. The salmon and others exhibit an approach to the nest-building hltlot In making a place for their eggs in the sand or gravel which they choose for a bed. small i)ropOrtion;boweer, of the whol6 number, and mostly nests, as bees, wasps. and ants. The nests of the social bees and wasps arc also their ordinary habitations, but the nests of solitary bees are entirely devoted to their young. A few insects, not hymenopterous, as seine weevils, may also be said to make nests; but among insects provision for the wants of the young is usually made in very different ways. Certain spiders, amongst which may be named the water spider, con3truct nests.—The instinct of connected as it is with the instinct ive care for their youno. which the Creator has made so important a part of the nature of so many animals, is by no means an index either of that care or of the affection with which, in many cases, it is conjoined ; and some of the animals which construct no nest are among those in which affection for their young is exhibited in the high( st degree.— The nest-making instincts of animals seem to be a very essential part of their constitu tion; and even in the most perfect domestication are still retained and exhibited; although the accommodation to circumstances which is also manifested shows something—and that not inconsiderable—of reason.