AMERIOAX ORNITHOLOGY. 191 



cate shade of brown. Entire under parts pearl gray. The beak is 

 straight and pointed, and is used very dexterously for piercing leaves 

 in nest building. Male and female almost identical, except that the 

 male bird often has tail quills extended slightly, giving the appearance 

 of pins. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



The picture books of our boyhood days but very poorly give an idea 

 of the nest and nesting habits of this ever busy little friend. The 

 habits of the bird are very much like those of the Carolina Wren of the 

 homeland. One naturally feels that he has met some member of the 

 Wren family upon first forming an acquaintance with the little Tailor- 

 bird, and as the nesting season approaches he begins to follow the little 

 fellow among the flower pots of the door yard, hoping to see him dis- 

 appear inside the door of a Wren's home. The bird is very seldom 

 seen at any very great height from the ground, so it is but natural that 

 we should expect to find the nest among the flowers of the garden as 

 this is the most favorite resort of the bird. 



The nest is a very compact structure, composed of only the very 

 softest vegetable fiber, webs and plant down. There is a slight frame- 

 work of grasses which seems to be used for no other purpose than to 

 give form and strength to the nest. This little nest is firmly riveted to 

 to a folded leaf, or as the case maybe, to one or more leaves which have 

 been made to constitute the walls of the little residence. 

 The bird very skillfully draws the leaves together and pierces them 

 with her beak. Through these holes webs and hempen fiber is thread- 

 ed in such a way as to form a rivet which cannot be withdrawn through 

 the same hole. These threads are shortened and interwoven in such a 

 way as to draw the leaf, or leaves, forming the exterior wall of the nest 

 into a cup-shape. Within the confines of these walls the compact struct- 

 ure is skillfully formed into a little home. 



Figure Xo. 1, shows the nest of the Tailor-bird in a large banana 

 leaf. This nest was about eighteen feet from the ground and contained 

 four eggs. Figure Xo. 2, shows a nest constructed by the same pair 

 of birds. This nest was constructed within three days from the time 

 nest No. 1 was taken. This nest was placed in the leaf of a canna, and 

 only eleven inches from the ground. 



■ Both of these photos will serve to correct the idea that theTailor-bird 

 sews its nest up in a leaf In the criss-cross fashion as portrayed in our 

 picture books. 



Figure Xo. 3 shows a nest placed between two or more leaves, and 



