BIRDS 1589 



tions of grass, stems, twigs, etc., as are made by the 

 crows, missel-thrushes, and most singing birds. The 

 green weaving birds (Ploceus pensilis) hang their 

 loosely woven nests, with downward directed open- 

 ing, on the Madagascar trees. The South African re- 

 publican birds (Philitaerus socius) form hundreds 

 of hanging nests on the branches, under the shelter 

 of a common thatch. Woven nests are the more deli- 

 cately constructed and really woven constructions of 

 wool, hair, bark, grass, etc., which are made by such 

 birds as the goldfinch, the Baltimore bird, and very 

 many others. Sewed nests, composed of leaves sewed 

 together by the beak as needle, are well illustrated 

 by various species of Icterus, and by the Indian tailor- 

 bird (Orthotomus bennetii). Felt-work nests are 

 woven from the wool of plants or animals, sometimes 

 with other material in addition; the humming-birds 

 and the bullfinch form beautiful nests of this fashion. 

 Cement nests are bound together by a viscid and 

 very adhesive secretion, which is mixed with saliva, 

 and used to glue the materials of the nest together. 

 The nests of the American swallow, the edible birds' 

 nests of the Salangani, sought after as luxuries by 

 Chinese and others, are of this cemented type. Dome 

 or moss nests are roofed in above and have an en- 

 trance on the side. The common wren, the water- 

 wagtail, and the tits build on this principle. The 

 beautiful bottle-shaped nest of the titmouse is one of 

 the best examples. The parasite habit is well known 

 among cuckoos and cowbirds. The nest of another 

 bird is utilized to the future loss of the rightful in- 

 mates, and with obvious economy of labor on the part 



