. 



INDIAN AND AFRICAN BIRDS. 43 



s termination. Why such a position should be 

 selected by these charming little feathered beauties 

 for their nursery doubtlessly is, that their progeny 

 will there be safe from the attentions of different 

 varieties of tree snakes, the most numerous among 

 which is the Bucephalus capensis, or green tree- 

 climber. The tendrils on which these nests are 

 hung are too slim for the reptile to descend on, and 

 sufficiently elevated not to be reached by the enemy 

 from the water. The choice of such a locality for 

 incubating their eggs and rearing their delicate 

 offspring looks very much as if these ornaments 

 of creation were gifted with something approaching 

 closely to reasoning powers. Truly Nature is a 

 wonderful teacher. 



As this was not the breeding season, I sent one 

 of my people, the tall Zulu, to gather a large 

 quantity of these nests ; for, from their being so 

 springy, or even elastic, they are admirably adapted 

 for placing between guns or other hard materials 

 when packed for transportation. More than that, 

 if the curly hair of the klip-springer cannot be 

 obtained, there is no better material I know of with 

 which to stuff a horse's saddle. I am not the first 

 person, however, who has applied these nests to 

 this purpose, for I and others got the idea from 

 the mahouts, in India, who constantly use them for 

 stuffing their elephant pads. 



By-the-by, recalling India to memory, reminds 



