ARCHITECTURE OF BIRDS. 



253 



latter, restless and suspicious, attaches to the finished nest, with much 

 skill and address, a quantity of white lichens, so that the spotted 

 appearance of the whole completely misleads the seeker, and induces 

 him to take this charming and cunningly disguised nest for an acci- 

 dent of vegetation, a fortuitous and natural object. 







.^v. ^^ 



Glueing and felting play an important part in the work of the 

 weavers. It would be a mistake to separate these arts too widely. 

 The humming-bird consolidates its little house with the gum of trees. 

 Most birds employ saliva. Some — a strange thing, and a subtle 

 invention of love !— here make use of processes for which their organs 

 are least adapted. An American starling contrives to sew the leaves 

 with its bill, and does so very adroitly. 



A few skilful weavers, not satisfied with the bill, bring into play 

 their feet. The chain prepared, they fix it with their feet, while the 

 beak inserts the weft. They become genuine weavers. 



In fine, skill never fails them. It is very astonishing, but 



