From: David C.
Date: Sun, 7 May 1995 00:39:32 -0400
To: jmorton@mhs.mendocino.k12.ca.us
Subject: Questions

Dear Jessica and Class,

Hi! Thanks for your wonderful questions! Sorry about the delay.

> Substitute-teacher: Mitchell Sprague

Hi Mitchell, thanks for helping the kids with this project. It is a pleasure meeting you by "Cyberspace" :-)

> This question by Scott Salo.
> How do birds make nests?

Hi Scott! There are many different ways that birds make nests. A bird builds a nest through instinct. There is a natural tendency for the bird to build a home, or a place to lay its eggs and take care of its young.

Also, there are MANY different types of nests. Some birds build their nests in a tree, like a robin. Others build their nests IN the tree, like a woodpecker, or an owl. Some build their nests underground, like a burrowing owl or a kingfisher. They also use many different things to construct a nest. For example, twigs, branches, leaves, feathers, straw, and even spider webs!

Some birds will build a nest and return to the same nest year after year, like the Eagle. They will continue to add to the nest every year until the nest can be VERY large. (As much as 6 feet wide by 5 feet high!)

Other birds use nests that they find abandoned. One example is the nuthatch. They will sometimes use a nest hole made by a woodpecker.

Your questions are very interesting and challenging! Frances and I hope that this will help and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Dave and Frances

Bird info by personal observation, reading, and by Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright 1993 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright 1993 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation

David C.
"Nine-tenths of wisdom consists in being wise in time."