246 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



There is a nest of another Australian bird which has some re- 

 semblance to that of the Swallow Dicasum, namely, the home of 

 the species called Malurus cyaneus, one of a rather large group of 

 birds which are peculiar to Australia. Like the habitation which 

 has already been described, the nest of the Malurus is placed 

 very high on the tree, and is purse-like in shape, having an aper- 

 ture in the side through which the bird can pass. The Malurus 

 belongs to the same group of birds as the remarkable emeu-wren, 

 so well known for its long, hair-like tail-feathers, and its odd cus- 

 tom of holding that appendage erect as it trips over the grass. 

 The Malurus has the same habit, though its tail is comparatively 

 short, and does not attract much attention. 



In a previous page it has been mentioned that a bird was un- 

 doubtedly the first tailor, and used needle and thread ages before 

 man had invented such implements. We now come to a bird 

 which may be accepted as the first hammock-maker, its nest be- 

 ing made of a hammock-like shape, and slung just as a seaman 

 slings his oscillating couch. Scarcely any more comfortable bed 

 could be invented, provided that it be properly suspended, and 

 the bird certainly deserves our gratitude, if it be only for the fact 

 that it might have given the first hint on the subject. 



It is one of the Honey-eaters, and is called the Lanceolate 

 Honey -eater (Plectorhynchus lanceolatus), on account of the 

 shape of its feathers. It is not a brilliantly colored bird, its hues 

 being only brown and white, diversified by a black line down the 

 middle of each feather. It does not seem to be a very lively bird, 

 being accustomed to sit on the very top of some lofty tree, such 

 as an acacia or eucalyptus, and to, remain almost motionless in 

 one spot. So still and quiet is it that it would hardly be seen 

 were not its presence betrayed by an occasional powerful and 

 shrilly-sounding whistle. Its food consists partly of insects, and 

 partly of the pollen and sweet juices of flowers. 



The wonderful nest of this bird was found by Mr. Gould on 

 the Liverpool Plains, overhanging a stream, and being a beautiful 

 example of the pensiles. The materials of which it is made are 

 grass and wool, intermingled with the pure white cotton of certain 

 flowers. As the reader may see by reference to the illustration, 

 it is hung from a very slender twig, and only suspended at op- 

 posite extremities of the rim, the tree selected being the myall, 

 or weeping acacia. The nest is rather small in proportion to the 



