The Zoologist— October, 1871. 2795 



which are soon to be constantly fanning the lazy air. To meet 

 these indispensable requirements, the security offered by the 

 densely-tangled thicket is most commonly neglected for the retire- 

 ment that IS to be found beneath the high bank of some shady 

 creek: the bough usually selected stands out well from the mai^ 

 stem not too close to other branches. The foundation of the nest 

 IS laid by adronly securing the slender chips of decayed wood with 

 lines of cobweb to the spray selected : this delicate operation must 

 o necessity be a work of great difficulty ; in places where splinters 

 of decayed wood were not to be obtained, we have noticed that the 

 glumes of a coarse grass have been used instead. Who could fail 

 to admire the persevering efforts of these little architects ? what 

 dexterity and cleverness have been employed in raising the frail 

 platform on which is to be built the thick-felted wall of the snug 

 home! At the next stage additional exertions are called forth 

 from the variety of materials required, longer flights become neces' 

 sary for then- collection, mossy stones and roots are scrutinized, 

 and places frequented by live stock visited; fine grasses, thread- 

 hke roots dead leaves or skeletons of leaves, hair, green tufts of 

 moss with tiny imbricated leaves, and the down of tree ferns are 

 now wanted, crevices are searched, and the numerous holes before 

 which the murderous spider," lurking in the dark, has spread the 

 treacherous net. 



It is whilst collecting cobwebs that the plumage of the flycatcher 

 IS exhibited to the greatest advantage; hovering on the wing, the 

 fan-hke tail outspread to the utmost width, with rapid gyrations 

 they move round the spot till enough has been secured for a load • 

 the quantity made use of would surprise those who have not 

 wi nessed these labours; it is the most important element in 

 telting-in fact, it is the mortar of the future structure. Whilst 

 building the exterior of the wall is always kept higher than the 

 centre of the nest, so that at an early stage of its progress it looks 

 saucer-hke in shape ; the birds (for both join in the labour, although 

 the female appears to undertake the greatest share) try the strength of 

 their work in every way; it is well trampled, the webs are carried 

 from the interior to the outside in festoons from left to right, and 

 right to left, as far down as the beak can reach : this working in of 

 the web IS persevered with throughout the entire building of the 

 tabric, thus the materials are repeatedly braced together. As the 

 wall rises, the bird, with tail elevated, is itself the mould by which 



