He chooses a thick evergreen tree, and upon the fork of one of the branches makes a little platform of rubbish to support the nest.

With great care the couple gather shreds of bark, twigs, and small sticks, till they think they have enough; then they begin the nest itself, weaving it of softer materials and lining it with grasses, fur, and feathers, until they make a very comfortable bed for the pale-green, purple-spotted eggs to lie in." "How cold the poor birds' toes must be while they are working," said Dodo with a shiver; "and I should think the eggs would freeze instead of hatching." "But what do they find to eat when everything is frozen stiff ?" asked Rap.

"Are they cannibal birds that can eat other birds and mice ?" "These two questions can be answered together," said the Doctor.

"The nests are usually built in evergreens, which are cone-bearing or coniferous trees.

You all know what a cone is like, I think ?" "Yes, I do!" cried Rap.