HONEYSUCKERS AND TAILOR-BIRDS 135 



outside of the nest and thrusting their long- curved 

 bills into the cavity with stores of food. 



When several male birds are contending for the 

 approval of one female, and therefore displaying all 

 their charms to the fullest advantage, the show of 

 twinkling wings and brilliant colours is quite exhila- 

 rating ; while the lady, in place of sitting in chilly 

 criticism, as so many hen-birds do in like circum- 

 stances, responds gaily, and, as it seems, impartially, 

 to all her admirers ; dancing on the twigs, turning 

 from one to another of her followers, flirting her 

 little wings and tail about, and chirping aloud all 

 the while. Their bathing is carried on among wet 

 foliage ; and it is quite refreshing to see a number 

 of them splashing about energetically on the top 

 of a shrub among masses of leaves that hang heavy 

 and twinkle with a load of adherent dew. Owing 

 to their small size and bright colouring, and their 

 habit of constantly jerking their wings about, they 

 often present a ludicrous likeness to the mechanical 

 birds that are sometimes attached as additional 

 attractions to musical boxes. As caged birds they 

 are very charming, but unfortunately seldom survive 

 captivity for more than a few days. Out of a very 

 large number of apparently sound birds that I tried 

 to keep, only one survived for any length of time. 

 He, however, was an ample reward for many failures, 

 and was a constant joy for several years, during which 

 he remained in beautiful plumage and the highest 



