EXPLANATFOX OF PLATES. 199 



XXII. A ffroiip of "Parasitic liirds" which place their eg-gs in the nests of other 

 species and leave their young- to be brmight up by the foster-parents. 

 Fi(/. \. A pair nf the Common Cuckoo (CuviiIkx ciiiinnis). 

 l-'ii/. 1'. A ]iair of Cow-birds {Molof/inif Iniiinricnfiis). 

 Ft(j. :i. A pair of Bobolinks (TjoHc/ioni/.r nn/zlrDrux). 



Tlie two latter brlouL"- lo the Ann-rican family of IlauL'-nest^ (Irtt-ridie). 



X.XIil. Fii/. 1. A pair of (he Australian ]-yre-bird (Meiiiira siijur/iri) shewing the 

 extraordinary development of the tail in the male. 

 l-'ii/. '2. X pair of the Hardener Bower-liird {Amiilyvniis iii(iniii/ii) from New 

 (.(ninea. These birds are remarkable for their architectural skill and the 

 {esthetic taste they display in preparing- their playing- grounds. They build 

 a miniature cabin made of diflerent n-.osses. surrounded by a perfectly-kept 

 meadow of moss and studded with biilliantly coloured flowers, fruits and 

 insects, which as they become faded are constantlv replaced. 



X.\l\'. .\ skeleton of the Iceland Falcon (llu'rufalio isUtnilus) to shew the various 

 bones referred to iu the Appendix on the Structure of Birds. 



