242 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



rook, are all so beautifully adapted to the situation which they 

 occupy, that to remove them from their surroundings is to de- 

 prive them of half their value. 



Although the leaves can not be induced to retain their form or 

 color, and always become crisp, and dry, and shriveled, and brown, 

 the branches still keep their form, and, if properly managed, may 

 be made to retain their position. The best plan for restoring the 

 nest to its original appearance is to substitute for the dried foliage 

 a new set of artificial leaves, which are now made so true to nature 

 that they can scarcely be distinguished from their living models. 

 Only, it is to be hoped that the arsenical green will not be used, 

 not only on account of its poisonous qualities, but also of its pecul- 

 iar hue, which is quite unlike that of living leaves. The life-like 

 appearance of the bark can easily be restored by the judicious use 

 of color, moistened wafers, and varnish. 



The eggs, too, should always be made to appear in their natural 

 hues, which in many instances are lost when the contents are re- 

 moved. This is invariably the case with all of the smaller eggs 

 where the shell is not deeply colored ; and in some instances, such 

 as the egg of the kingfisher, the swift, the dipper, and the sand- 

 martin, the color of the egg is changed from delicate pink to chalk- 

 white. I always renew the color of these eggs by injecting a mix- 

 ture of carmine and gamboge — a single drop is sufficient for a 

 small egg ; and in order to prevent it from drying in streaks and 

 blots, I hold it over a spirit-lamp, or before a fire, and turn it con- 

 tinually until it is quite dry. An unblown egg should be kept 

 as a model whereby the color can be precisely determined ; and 

 when it is properly done, the effect is very beautiful. A pure white 

 egg, like that of the kingfisher, is much improved by heating the 

 shell, after the color is dry, and then injecting a little boiling wax, 

 so as to back up the color, and restore the beautiful translucence 

 of the unblown egg. A tiny scrap of silver-paper should then be 

 fastened over the orifice, in order to prevent dust from entering. 



To return to our Honey -eaters. The material of which the 

 nest of the Painted Honey-eater is composed is fine fibrous roots, ' 

 interwoven very artfully, but loosety, and being of so frail a struc- 

 ture, that much care is required to remove it without damage. It 

 is fastened by the rim to the delicate twigs of the beautiful weep- 

 ing acacia (Acacia pendula), whose long lanceolate leaves droop 

 over and nearly cover it. It is a very small nest in proportion 

 to the size of the bird. 



