250 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



stretched, can be pulled without breaking, and spring back to 

 their former position like a harp-string. There is also a great 

 variety in spiders' webs, so that the birds can procure at will the 

 Ion- elastic threads with which the materials of the nest can be 

 tiecf together, or the soft felt-like substances with which the moss, 

 bark, and fibres can be interwoven, so as to form a firm and wet- 

 resisting mass. 



'Hut . vJ s 



Little Hermit (PM'ithomis eremita). 



Our first example of the pensile Humming-birds is the beau- 

 tiful species called the Little Hermit (Phatthomis eremita), 

 a bird which is known by the warm ruddy color of the under 

 parts, and the black crescent on the breast. There are many 

 species of Hermit Humming-birds inhabiting Venezuela and the 

 Caraccas, and choosing those districts where the flora is most 



