NEST LIKE A WINE-GLASS. 103 



present us with an extraordinary specimen of 

 bird-architecture. The entrance to these nests is 

 at the bottom. 



To select another example of a singularly formed 

 nest from the ornithology of this newly explored 

 region, perhaps the most beautiful nest of all is 

 that of the white -shafted fantail. Pendent on the 

 branches of a shrub, which overhang some mountain 

 rivulet, this beautiful fabric is found. In shape 

 it resembles a wine-glass, without the foot. 

 A less elegant comparison would be, to say that 

 it is somewhat like an inverted extinguisher ; 

 but this, considering the beauty of its form, would 

 scarcely be just. The nest is composed of portions 

 of the inner bark of the eucalyptus ; it is lined 

 with the downy portions of the tree-fern, inter- 

 mingled with stalks of moss. Externally, webs 

 of spiders enter largely into its construction, 

 matting it together, and attaching it to the 

 branch from which it is suspended. The long 

 part, which hangs downwards, seems to be in- 

 tended to preserve the balance of the fabric, 

 and to render it less liable to be overturned by 

 the wind.* 



* Gould. 



