Nepal, Aug. 21 -- Every morning, for the past five months, a tailorbird couple sits outside our window, their distinctive cheep-cheep-cheep call acting as our alarm clock. In these months, the couple has raised two sets of chicks. The first brood had three chicks, each a little ball of fluff, and I saw them one evening as they huddled close to each other in a jasmine bush as the parents rushed about trying to gather insects for them.

The second brood had two chicks, born sometime in the past month. The tailorbird sews leaves together to make a nest of brilliant craftsmanship, another of everyday nature's wonders. But I am yet to see the nest in my garden, despite my many attempts. If the past five months have taught me anything, however,...