NESTS AND NEST-BUILDING IN BIRDS 



189 



regular, their symmetry is not the result of molding and turning 

 movements, practiced with the stereotyped uniformity seen in 

 all nests of the standing type. (See section 4.) 



By compacting the soft cotton or down of seeds, or using 

 similar products, the penduline tit (Remiza) produces a remark- 

 able retort-shaped structure, which it suspends between upright 

 twigs rather than from a forking branch; it has a tubular 

 entrance built out from the upper end, while below is seen a 

 pocket, thought by some to represent a " false entrance," and 

 to be of use in warding off night attacks of lizards and snakes; 

 according to such ideas, the sleeper when aroused by a " knock " 



m 



Figure 9^ — Pendent stiff nest of red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus, showing suspension 

 to forked twig, and character of cup and outer wall. (See table 2, — 2, a} II.) 



at the blind door, has a chance to make good her escape either 

 by everting the tube or piercing the opposite wall. 



The most highly differentiated forms of the suspended type 

 of nest, with the possible exception of such admirable fabrics 

 as the Remiza builds reaches the acme of construction in the 

 truly pendulous, flexible " purse," " stocking," flask-, or retort- 

 shaped cradles of the oriole, the cassique, and certain of the 

 weaver birds. The wonderful nest of the Brazilian cassique 

 {Ostinops decumans) in the shape of an elastic and greatly elon- 

 gated guard, is swung to a bough by a single cord of woven 

 grass, the whole sometimes reaching a length of six feet. 



