216 Wonders of the Bird World 



feels as if it were made of the finest felt carpet, and how 

 the birds contrive to weave it out of cotton and seed-down 

 is a mystery. Towards the upper end of the nest is a 

 funnel-shaped opening, and below this is a distinct little 

 pocket, the use of which is not clearly understood, though, 



Nest of the Roclc-Warb!er (flrignta rubricata). (After Gould.) 



as in the case of the Australian Warbler mentioned above, 

 it is supposed to be a roosting-plaee for the male, for whom, 

 as the nestlings grow larger, there would be no room in the 

 nest itself. The little birds are said to draw in the tubular 

 entrance of the nest before they finally go to sleep, and 

 they then fasten it up tightly, so that any enemy, snake or 



