BIRDS. 



305 



finished nest of the Goldfinch (^Fig. 251) contrasted with the 

 coarser edifice of the Rook or the Magpie. 



But, regarded merely as a work of art, some of the nests 

 from foreign countries appear more ingenious aud more artisti- 

 cal, though, of course not better adapted to the wants of their 

 respective occupants. Thus the nests of the Baya, a bird of 

 Hindostan, are formed of long grass woven together in the 

 shape of a bottle {Fig. 252), and suspended " to the extremity 

 of a flexible branch, the more effectually to secure the eggs 

 and young brood from serpents, monkeys, squu-rels, aud birds 

 of prey. These nests contain several apartments, appropriated 

 to diflerent purjioses."* The entrance is at the lower pai-t, so 

 that the parent birds reach it only when on the w'ing. 



Another species, called, with great justice the Tailor-bird 

 (Sylvia sutoria), collects from the cotton-plant fibres of cotton, 



Fig. 252.— Nlst of the Bata. Fig. 253.— Xest of the Tailob-Bird. 



and with them sews two leaves together, the bill being used as 

 a needle, Tlie nest is concealed in the space between the two 

 leaves {Fig. 253). 



* Forbes's Oriental Memoirs, vol. i. p. 48. 



