THE IDYLL OF THE BLOSSOM-BIRDS 99 



farmyard; strangely enough, it survived the 

 breezes. 



It is not often, however, that the birds take 

 liberties with the weather. I recall that in the 

 Spring of 1913, the Yellow-tufted and Fuscous 

 Honeyeaters built earlier than usual in some dis- 

 tricts, the reason becoming apparent in the high 

 winds of September. Moreover, they gave additional 

 strength to their nests, the Yellow-tufts by 

 abandoning the swaying in favor of the supported 

 type, and the so-called "Linnets" by introducing wool 

 among the fibres of their tree-top, breeze-blown 

 homes. And when wool is woven as tightly round 

 branchlets and bushes as these little builders can 

 manage, you may be quite sure that the branch will 

 break before the cradle will fall. But this novel 

 nesting material proved unexpectedly dangerous to 

 the young birds. There came under my notice no 

 less than three cases in which baby Honeyeaters, 

 apparently when opening their beaks to be fed, got 

 their fine brush tongues entangled in the wool 

 strands, and (the parents being unable to help 

 them) perished miserably. In one instance the baby 

 bird had sufficient of life to warrant an effort at 

 succor. It was too late. Removal of the wool and 

 application of moisture showed the top of the 

 tongue to be quite dry and the lower part pitifully 

 swollen. 



Those who know our Honey-Birds at all well will 

 remember that, in addition to what has been 

 emphasised regarding their uniform sprightliness, 

 all the species carry a broad general relationship in 

 build slim body, long bill, and strong feet. (The 



