290 



THE UNIVERSE. 



work, but other birds imitate their industry, although they 

 belong to different families. 



Some weavers, less skilful, content themselves with twist- 

 ing grass rudely together, and forming a little cup of it, in 

 which the female lies deeply ensconced. It is in this that 



]39. Nest of the Fondia erythrops (Bonaparte). From the Rouen Museum. 



she carefully hatches her eggs. The Fondia erythrops 

 builds one of these nests of imperfect tissue. 



The Cassicans and the Baltimore Oriole deserve to be 

 mentioned in the first rank among another kind of work- 

 men, on account of the large bag-shaped nests which they 

 hang to the trees, and in which they rear their young. 



