360 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



end of the bower. Mr. Gould mentions that the bird places the 

 heaviest stones so as to keep the twigs in their places, and that it 

 will even bring the skulls and bones of the small mammalia to 

 aid in the decoration of its bower. 



These birds are allied to the common starling, and belong to 

 a small group of that family which have gained the name of 

 Glossy Starlings on account of their satin-like plumage. 



The color of the Spotted Bower Bird is warm brown, profusely 

 spotted with buff, and upon the back of the neck there is a kind 

 of falling ruff or collar of long feathers which shine like spun 

 glass, and are of a lovely rose-pink color. The generic name 

 " Chlamydera" literally signifies " cloak-necked," and is given to 

 the bird on account of this peculiarity. The classical reader will 

 remember that the chlamys was a short cloak or scarf, that could 

 be thrown round the neck or over the shoulder at the conven- 

 ience of the wearer. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



BUILDING INSECTS. 



The Termite, or White Ant. — General Habits of the Insect. — African Termites 

 and their Homes. — Termites as Articles of Food. — Indian Termites. — Account 

 of their Proceedings. — American Termites. — Mr. Bates's Account of their Hab- 

 its. — European Termites. — Their Ravages in France and Spain. — M. de Quatre- 

 fages and his History of the Termites of Rochefort and La Rochelle. — The Eu- 

 menes and its mud-built Nest. — The Trypoxylon of South America. — The Pe- 

 lop.eus and its curious Nest. — The Mud-dauber Wasp. — Mr. Goss's Account 

 of its Habits. — The Melipona of America. — Mr. Stone's Wasp Nests and their 

 History. — Difference of Material. — The Foraging Ants of South America and 

 their various Species. — Nests and Habits of the Foraging Ants. — The Agricul- 

 tural Ant of Texas. — Dr. Lincecum's Accounts of its Habits. 



We now pass to the many insects which may be classed among 

 the Builders. The reader will probably notice that several of the 

 true builders are omitted in this department, but will find them 

 under the head of Social Insects. 



Of the Building insects, the Termite, or White Ant, as it is 

 popularly and wrongly called, is the acknowledged head and chief. 

 There are certain other insects which erect habitations which are 

 truly wonderful, but there is not one that approaches the Ter- 

 mite in the size of its building or the stone-like solidity of the 

 structure. 



