18 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



growth of mosses of various kinds is generated, 

 and that these mosses not only grow upon the 

 trunks of decayed trees, but are often accu- 

 mulated in large masses at the extremities of the 

 drooping branches. These masses often become 

 of sufficient size to admit of the bird constructing 

 its nest in the centre of them, with so much art, 

 that it is impossible to distinguish it from any of 

 the other pendulous masses in the vicinity. These 

 bunches are frequently a yard in length, and in 

 some instances hang so near the ground as to 

 strike the head of the explorer during his rambles. 

 In others they are placed high up upon the trees, 

 but only in such parts of the forest where there 

 is an open space entirely shaded by overhanging 

 foliage. As will be readily conceived, in whatever 

 situations they are met with, they at all times 

 form a remarkable and conspicuous feature in 

 the landscape. Although the nest is constantly 

 agitated by the wind, and liable to be shaken when 

 the tree is disturbed, so secure does the inmate 

 consider itself from danger or intrusion of any 

 kind, that I have frequently captured the female 

 while sitting on her eggs ; a feat that may always 

 be accomplished by carefully placing the hand 



