20O STRAJSIGE DWELLINGS. 



building a nest, but he has never found such a nest, nor heard 

 of one. The Batikin is one of the parasitic group, usurping 

 the nest of another bird, and taking possession of it in a very 

 curious fashion. 



In Austraha there is a bird belonging to the genus Pomato- 

 rJwius, which somewhat resembles the bee-eater, except in 

 plumage, which is quite dull and sober. This bird builds a 

 large, domed edifice, and appears to make a new nest every year. 

 The deserted nests are always usurped by the Batikin, which 

 establishes herself without any trouble. The reader would 

 naturally imagine that when the bird finds herself in possession 

 of so large and warm a nest, she will pass into the interior, and 

 hatch her young under the protection of the roof This plan, 

 however, she does not follow, preferring to take up her abode 

 on the very top of the nest, exposed to all the elements. She 

 takes very little trouble about preparing her home, but merely 

 works a suitable depression upon the soft dome, lays her eggs 

 in it, and there hatches them. 



The reader will remember that there are several birds which 

 form a supplementar}' nest upon the exterior of the original 

 domicile, and the parasitic nest of the Batikin is evidently an 

 extension of the same principle. 



In England we have many parasite birds, one of which is 

 the common Sparrow-Hawk {Accipiter Nisus\ which is in the 

 habit of usurping the nest of the common crow, magpie, or 

 other bird, and laying its handsome eggs therein. 



Whether it forcibly drives away the rightful owner, or whether 

 it contents itself with a nest which has already been abandoned, 

 is not precisely known, different naturalists inclining to opposite 

 opinions. In all probability, therefore, both disputants are right, 

 and the Sparrow-Hawk takes a deserted nest when it can find 

 one, and when it cannot do so, attacks birds which are in actual 

 possession of a suitable nest, and takes possession of their home. 

 In such a case, the combat must be a sharp one, for both crow 

 and magpie are courageous birds, nothing inferior in deter- 

 mination to their assailant, and armed witli bills which are 



