78 



beneatli the liigli bank of some shady creek ; the bough usually selected stands 

 out well from the main stem, not too close to other branches. The foundation 

 of the nest is laid by adroitly securing the slender chips of decayed wood with 

 lines of cobweb to the spray selected ; this delicate operation must of necessity 

 be a work of great difficulty, " c'est le premier pas qui coute ;" 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 j from the variety of materials required, longer flights 

 become necessary for their collection, mossy stones and roots are scrutinised, 

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

 dead leaves or skeletons of leaves, hair, green tufts of moss with tiny imbri- 

 cated leaves, and the down of tree ferns, are now wanted, crevices are searched, 

 and the numerous holes before which "the murderous sj)ider," 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-like 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 witnessed these labou.rs ; it is the most important 

 element in felting ; in fact, it is the mortar of the future structure. "Whilst build- 

 ing, 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-like in shape ; the birds 

 (for both join in the labour, although the female appeai-s 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 fabric, 

 thus the materials are repeatedly braced together. As the wall rises, the bii-d, 

 with tail elevated, is itself the mould by which the rounded cavity is beauti- 

 fully shaped ; seated in the centre of the rising structure, it turns round 

 repeatedly, fluttering the wings, which action keeps the wall pressed out to its 

 proper shape, the head and chin is pressed on the top, the materials pulled in 

 towards the centre ; this manoeuvi^e is performed at freqvient intervals. So 

 earnest are these little workers that they scarcely rest for hours ; sometimes, 

 by a sudden flutter, they obtain a few insects, or the creek is visited for water ; 

 the cock now and then finds time for a brief twittei', moving its head from 

 side to side, as if criticising or admiring the result of their united exertions, 

 but quickly both are at work again. Whilst watching one of these birds 

 drinking at the creek, with an air of such evident refreshment, it occurred to 



