Some Foreign Bird Architects. 



. 



is woven the hair of the kangaroo and one of the so- 

 called opossums, so *as to make the walls fairly weather- 

 proof, while the interior receives a soft lining of finer 

 grasses and cotton down obtained from various plants. 

 The Painted Honey-eater also hangs its nest amidst 

 the pendulous twigs and leaves of the myall tree ; but 

 it is a far less substantial structure, composed of finest 

 fibrous roots daintily but loosely interwoven, so that 

 it is really a very frail nest, and a most difficult one 

 to procure without damage. The Lanceolate Honey- 

 eater builds a perfectly charming and most fairy-like 

 cradle for its precious eggs. The little bird frequents 

 the Liverpool Plains of Australia, where, on myall 

 trees whose branches overhang some quiet stream, 

 it builds its dainty nest. For building materials the 

 bird collects grass, wool, and pure white cotton from 

 various plants, and with these it constructs a deep, 

 somewhat pouch-shaped nest, which is slung hammock 

 fashion from the slender twigs of the tree. In quiet, 

 sheltered spots, amidst the masses of mangroves which 

 fringe the bogs and creeks, the White-throated Honey- 

 eater makes its home ; and here, attached to some 

 low, slender branch that stretches out over the water, 

 its curious hanging nest is to be found. In shape 

 and size the nest rather resembles a good-sized break- 

 fast cup, and the bird uses in its construction the deli- 

 cate, paper-like bark of the Melaleuchce, and various 

 rootlets and vegetable fibres, the interior being lined 

 with fine, soft grasses. 



Two more interesting examples of Australian birds 

 which build hanging nests are the Rock Warbler, or 

 Cataract Bird, and the dainty wee Dicaeum Swallow. 



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