THE HONEYSUCKER. 61 



able for courage ; I have heard of one which was long kept 

 successfully in an aviary, and asserted his authority there- 

 in over a number of inmates larger than himself. And I 

 myself have seen a weakly bird, which had been seized by 

 a Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus), defend himself bravely 

 against his ruffianly adversary, though whether he escaped 

 altogether I cannot say. 



It is very probable that the reason for the courage and 

 activity of honey-feeders lies in their mode of life ; they 

 must be very active to obtain a sufficient quantity of their 

 comparatively innutritions food, whether they do so by 

 hovering bee-like like the American " hummers," or by 

 perching and clinging on slender twigs, like our birds and 

 the much larger Australian honey-birds. And in addition 

 they need a long-pointed bill to run into the flowers, which 

 in case of need becomes a bayonet-like weapon against 

 any other bird. Our little Honeysucker's tongue is also 

 long, and split into filaments at the tip and tubular in form, 

 so as to suck up the liquid nectar. So fond is he of sweets, 

 and so fearless, that a captured bird will readily sip up 

 syrup if he be held in the hand and his bill dipped into the 

 liquid. Indeed, for a short time the Honeysucker will 

 appear contented enough in confinement, and continually 

 give out his lively little song of " Chi-chit, chit-che-wee," 

 as if he were at liberty. But unless he be provided with 

 insect-food in addition to honey, he will not survive very 

 long, for his dinner must include a course of meat as well 

 as sweets. And in any case, I hope none of my readers 

 will cage this dear little bird unless for purposes of export 

 to Europe or elsewhere, for so harmless and happy a little 



