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HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



It is about as large as a lark, and is a bold-looking bird, rather 

 slenderly built, and standing very upright. Its color is warm 

 brown. It is very active, running and walking very fast, and is 

 much on the wing, though its flights are not of long duration, 

 consisting chiefly of short Sittings from bush to bush in search 

 of insects. It generally haunts the banks of South American 

 rivers, and is a fearless little bird, not being alarmed even at the 

 presence of man. The male has a hard, shrill note, and the fe- 

 male has a cry of somewhat similar sound, but much weaker. 



The chief interest of this bird centres in its nest, which is a 

 truly remarkable example of bird architecture. The material of 

 which it is made is principally mud or clay obtained from the 

 river banks, but it is strengthened and stiffened by the admixture 

 of grass, vegetable fibres, and stems of various plants. The heat 



Oven Bird. 



of the sun is sufficient to harden it, and when it has been thor- 

 oughly dried, it is so strong that it seems more like the handi- 

 work of some novice at pottery than a veritable nest constructed 



