THE OVEN BIRD. 



185 



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

 thoroughly dried, it is so strong that it seems more like the 



OVEN BIRD. 



handiwork of some novice at pottery than a veritable nest con- 

 structed by a bird, the fierce heat of the tropical sun baking the 

 clay nearly as hard as brick. 



The ordinary shape of the nest may be seen by reference to 

 the illustration, which is drawn from a remarkably fine speci- 



