246 THE CRIMSON TOPAZ. 



long thread of the " beard " and fixes it by either 

 end to a branch. This is the beginning of the nest. 

 Then comes the other bird with another thread, 

 and fixes it side by side with the first. 



Thus the two birds assist each other in building 

 the nest; and it is woven so firmly that no tempest 

 and no rain can injure it. 



The nest of the Crimson Topaz is made of a fun- 

 gus, and fastened together with a fine net like a 

 cobweb. It is of the shape of a cup, and is found 

 in some sheltered spot, or dark and lonely creek. 



The bird itself sparkles like a jewel, and well 

 deserves its name of Topaz. Its colours are 

 gorgeous ; and the feathers seem to overlap each 

 other like scales. 



Nothing can be more splendid than the tail- 

 feathers of this beautiful bird. They are, as 

 you see, orange and green, and the throat is the 

 loveliest green and yellow. 



The Crimson Topaz is the largest of the Hum- 

 ming-Birds. The mother -bird lays two eggs in 

 her cup-like nest. 



