22 INTRODUCTION^. 



There^s no effect without a cause: 

 This one of Nature's wisest laws. 

 To be all which you may desire 

 Your child will certain things require : 



Among the nests of foreign birds, that of the Taylor Bird 

 dfiferves especial mention: the bird itself is a diminutive one, 

 being little more than three inches long; it is an inhabitant of 

 India. The nest is sometimes constructed of two leaves, one of 

 them dead; the latter is fixed to the living one as it hangs upon 

 tlie tree, by sewing both together in the manner of a pouch or 

 purse : it is open at the top, and the cavity is filled with fine 

 down; and, being suspended from the branch, the birds are 

 secure from the depredations of snakes and monkeys, to which 

 they might otherwise fall a prey. 



In Dr. Latham's collection is a specimen of the taylor bird's 

 nest, composed of a single large leaf, of a fibrous rough texture, 

 about six inches long independent of the stalk, five inches and 

 a half in breadth, and ending in a point. The sides of this leaf 

 are drawn together so as to meet within three-quarters of an 

 inch ; within is the nest, about four inches deep and two broad, 

 opening at the top; the bottom of the leaf is drawn upwards, to 

 assist in the support of it. This interior nest is composed of 

 white down, with here and there a feather and a small portion 

 of white down intermixed. 



Another nest of this bird has also been described as composed 

 of several leaves, like those of some kind of hazel sewed toge- 

 ther ; the inner nest formed of dry bents, fibres, and hairs, sus- 

 pended from a tree. It is, therefore, probable that this bird, 

 as well as some others, varies the structure of its nest as occa- 

 sion and the materials may require. These singular works are 

 performed by the bird's using his bill instead of a needle, and 

 vegetable fibres for thread. We still want, however, more 

 information on this interesting subject. See the note on the 

 Taylor bird in Part II. 



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