t32 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



dry in a short time. The grass is mingled with the hair of 

 the Kangaroo and the fur of some phalangist, vulgarly called 

 opossum, which serve to mat the grass together, and to make 

 It impervious to the wind and rain ; and the interior is neatly 

 lined with grasses and vegetable down. 



There is another of these pretty birds, called the Painted 

 Honey- Eater, on account of the variety of its colouring. Its 

 scientific name is EntotJiophila picta. The general colour of 

 this handsome bird is rich brown above, with the exception of 

 a yellow patch on the base of the tail, and white, slightly 

 spotted, below. A characteristic mark of the species is a little 

 patch of pure white just by the ears. 



This handsome species inhabits the interior of New South 

 Wales, and does not confine itself merely to a diet of sweet 

 juices, but feeds much on small insects. The generic title, 

 Entomophila, is composed of two Greek words, which signify 

 insect-lover, and is given to this bird, and several other Honey- 

 Eaters, on account of their insect-eating habits. The birds are 

 extremely active, and devote much of their time to the pursuit 

 of insects on the wing, in which occupation they have a great 

 resemblance to our well-known fly-catcher. They sit on a 

 branch, keeping a careful watch, and whenever an insect passes 

 near, they dart into the air, catch it, and return to their post. 

 They are generally seen in pairs, and are very playful, chasing 

 each other merrily, and spreading their tails so as to show the 

 white colour. When on the wing, they are so like the common 

 goldfinch that they might easily be mistaken for that bird, the 

 patchy distribution of the colour, and tlie white spot on the 

 face, adding greatly to the resemblance. 



The material of which the nest of the Painted Honey- Eater 

 is composed is fine fibrous roots, interwoven very artfully, but 

 loosely, and being of so frail a structure, that much care is 

 required to remove it without damage. It is fastened by the 

 rim to the delicate twigs of the beautiful weeping acacia 

 {Acacia pendula) J whose long lanceolate leaves droop over and 

 nearly cover it. It is a very small nest in proportion to the 

 size of the bird. 



