132 



BIRD ARCHITECTS 



the birds leave the nest they pinch the walls of the opening 

 together, and at a time when such is the case, the blind 

 opening would naturally act as a decoy to any marauding 

 snake or field-rat, which might be as good an explanation 

 as the one offered by the blacks. 



The Penduline Tits lay from six to twelve tiny white eggs. 



Photo. ; Dr. Kirkman. 



Fig. 69. — Nest of Cape Penduline Tit. 



SWALLOWS 



It will now be necessary to make a big jump so far as 

 classification is concerned and turn to the Family Hirun- 

 dinidce (Swallows) whose nests of mud pellets are a familiar 

 enough sight to all. 



