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Life and Immortality. 



the side, it is lightly suspended. It is made of a delicate lace- 

 work, the grayish-green usnea moss, that grows on old trees. 

 The whole fabric is the work of two little birds with slate- 

 blue backs and yellow breasts. No other bird of our fauna 

 builds a nest akin to its swinging, eery nest. It is true much 

 of the material is found in position when the builders com- 

 mence their labor, but the exquisite outline and finish, as 

 well as the cozy interior, are due to the skill of the birds 



LACE HAMMOCK OF PARULA WARBLER. 

 Female Entering Nest and Male Adding to Its Adornments. 



themselves. Even when the structure is just so far com- 

 pleted that occupancy by the female is possible, the male 

 never wearies of its adornment by additional filaments of 

 usnea brought from a distance. He is the happiest of fellows, 



