262 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



and attaches it to the rocky sides of some dark 

 cave. Some other species build hanging nests 

 of leaves, stalks and wool, with a lateral entrance ; 

 others form cup-like structures of lichens and 

 moss, placing them in forks of trees. The Plant- 

 cutters (Phytotomidae) have nothing uncommon 

 in their methods of nest-building, but in the 

 Wood Hewers (Dendrocolaptidae) we are again 

 introduced to a great variety of avine architec- 

 ture. Perhaps in no other family of birds do we 

 find so great a diversity in the nests. To this 

 family belong the famous Oven Birds (Funarius). 

 The Red Oven Bird is said by competent ob- 

 servers to begin nest-building in autumn, and to 

 continue the task right through the ensuing 

 winter. The wonderful structure is frequently 

 placed in the most conspicuous positions, on the 

 top of fences or boulders of rock, on some giant 

 cactus, or amongst the trellis-work on houses, 

 and sometimes several of these curious ovens 

 are made close together. This oven is nearly 

 globular in form, and is made of clay mixed with 

 bits of straw, horse-hair, and fibres. In the front 

 there is an upright opening, the wall on one 

 side of this curving inwards, forming a partition 

 nearly to the back (something like a univalve 

 shell), and leaving there a narrow passage, which 



