194 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



that gave to the nest when seen from without its pear- 

 shaped appearance. The nest was so firmly constructed 

 that it was with the greatest difficulty that I could 

 partially open it without tearing the whole fabric to 

 pieces. 



On examining one of these nests the feeling excited 

 is one of wonder and admiration at the skill and 

 patient labour displayed in their construction ; then 

 the question presents itself as to the purpose for which 

 all this skill and labour has been exerted. The ex- 

 planation usually given is that the nest is suspended 

 to protect the eggs and young birds from snakes, and 

 that the long, hollow tube is added as an additional 

 security, but this explanation has never appeared to 

 me at all satisfactory. The nest would be as safe in 

 a tree, for snakes do not ordinarily climb trees, while, 

 as to the hollow tube, no snake could reach the nest 

 as it is, and if one *did the lightly woven tube would 

 certainly afford no protection. 



A day or two after examining these nests I was 

 strolling through the garden. I passed a bush. Some- 

 thing brown darted out of it ; I thought it was a rat : 

 then, as it ran, I perceived it was a bird. It ran on and 

 joined its companions who were under another bush a 

 little further on. 



These birds — I forget their name — are very common 

 in the Indian gardens. They are about the size of a 

 thrush, and with plumage almost exactly the colour 

 of dust ; they rarely, if ever, fly, always run, and this 

 they do with outstretched necks and extreme rapidity. 

 Their size, their colour, their mode of running, and the 



