BLACK AND YELLOW CREEPER. 85 



to twig, and throwing the body into all positions, 

 often clinging by the feet with the back downwards, 

 the better to reach the interior of a blossom, with 

 his curved beak, and pencilled tongue. The minute 

 insects which are always found in the interior of 

 flowers, are the object of his search, and the reward 

 of his perseverance. Unsuspectingly familiar, these 

 birds often resort to the blossoming shrubs of gar- 

 dens and yards. A large Moringa tree, that is 

 all through the year profusely set with fragrant 

 spikes of bloom, is a favourite resort both of these 

 and the Humming-birds. One within a few feet 

 of my window, is, while I write this note, being 

 carefully scrutinised by two active little creatures, 

 that pursue their examination with a zeal perfectly 

 undisturbed by my looking on, while the same 

 blossoms are rifled on one side by a minute Hum- 

 ming-bird, and on the other by that gorgeous 

 butterfly Urania Sloaneus : an interesting associa- 

 tion ! The Quit often utters a soft, sibilant note, 

 as it peeps about. 



The nest of this bird is very frequently, perhaps 

 usually, built in those low trees and bushes, from 

 whose twigs depend the paper nests of the Brown 

 Wasps, and in close contiguity with them. The 

 Grass Quits are said to manifest the same predilec- 

 tion : it is a singular exercise of instinct, almost of 

 reason ; for the object is doubtless the defence af- 

 forded by the presence of the formidable insects ; 

 but upon what terms the league of amity is con- 

 tracted between the neighbours, I am ignorant. 



It is in the months of May, June, and July, that 



