200 



THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



The peculiar form of this and other similar nests is evidently for the purpose of enabling 

 the parent bird to defend its home against the intrusions of the many foes to bird life with 



which these regions swarm. 



The eggs are generally from six to eight in number. 



Another species of the same genus, the Capocier, builds a nest which, although of 

 coarser texture, is quite as beautiful as that of the pinc-pinc. 



The materials are mucli the same as those employed by the pinc-pinc, but they are only 

 closely felted together in the interior of the nest, and are left to flow loosely on its exterior. 

 It is a very large edifice in proportion to the dimensions of the architect, and the cottony 

 down, the tiaxen fibres, and fine moss are woven together in so skilful a manner as to excite 

 our highest admiration. Le Vaillant, who watched a pair of Capociers hard at work upon 

 their nest, says that they were occupied for a whole week in their task. The interior of the 

 nest is of an oval shape, rather roughly corresponding with the external outline, and it is 

 entered through an opening in the side. One of these nests will sometimes reach nine inches 

 in height. The Capocier is a native of Africa. 



The genus which has been chosen as a type of this family is Malurus, the members of 

 which are only found on the continent of Australia. They possess the habits of Drymoica, 

 and even resemble those birds in the peculiar fashion of tilting up their tails as they run over 

 the ground. 



OuE last, and perhaps the most curious example of the Malurine birds, is the beautiful 



little Emeu Ween of Australia. 



This pretty bird is remarkable for the development of the tail-feathers, wliich are 



extremely lengthened, and are nothing more than bare shafts slightly fringed on each side. 



The bird never perches on 

 high trees, and very seldom 

 takes to wing, but runs over 

 the grass vrith very great 

 rapidity, holding its tail 

 erect over its back in a 

 singularly pert manner. It 

 is generally found among 

 long grass, and according 

 to Dr. Bennett it congre- 

 gated some years since in 

 the Sydney Domain, near 

 the Botanic Gardens, but 

 has not since appeared in 

 that locality. The color of 

 this little bird is mottled 

 brown above, and very light 

 fawn below, deepening into 

 chestnut on the flanks. 

 The throat of the male is 

 tinged with blue, and his 

 tail-feathers are larger than 

 those of his mate. 



The nest of the Emeu 



Wren is very large in comparison to the size of its inhabitant, and is placed on the ground, 



where it looks like a large ball of grass witli a hole in the side. The interior is snugly lined 



with soft feathers, and there are generally three eggs. 



The tiny Golden-crested Wren, as it is popularly called, is very common throughout 

 Europe, and may be seen hopping and flitting merrily among the branches in copses, orchards, 



KlUEtr WREH.StipUurwi tmilachunig. 



