THE CRIMSON TOPAZ. 81 



thread, and fixes it side by side with the 

 first. 



Thus the two birds assist each other in 

 building the nest, and it is woven so firmly 

 that no tempest and no rain can injure it. 



The nest of the Crimson Topaz is made 

 of a funofus, and fastened tos^ether with a 

 fine net like a cobweb. It is of the shape 

 of a cup, and is found in some sheltered 

 spot, or dark and lonely creek. 



The bird itself sparkles like a jewel, and 

 well deserves its name of Topaz. Its 

 colours are gorgeous, and the feathers 

 seem to overlap each other like scales. 



Nothing can be more splendid than the 

 tail-feathers of this beautiful bird. They 

 are orange and green, and the throat is the 

 loveliest green and yellow. 



The Crimson Topaz is the largest of the 

 Humming-Birds. The mother bird lays 

 two eggs in her cup-like nest. 

 G 



