220 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



suhstance is an absolute necessity, and the toughness of iibre 

 and the felting property of the wool make it a most valuable 

 addition to the building materials used by the bird. 



For the lining of the nest, the Lunulated Honey-Eater retains 

 the materials to which it has always been accustomed, and uses 

 the fur of the phalangists, which has the advantage of being 

 very soft, very warm, of retaining its elasticity, and of not 

 adhering to the claws of the inmates, as would be the case 

 with wool. 



There is another of these pretty birds, called the Paimteb 

 Honey-Eatee, on account of the variety of its colouring. Its 

 scientific name is Enfomophila picta. The general colour of this 

 handsome bird is rich brown above, with the exception of a 

 yellow patch on the base of the tail, and white, slightly spotted, 

 below. A characteristic mark of the species is a little patch of 

 pure white just by the ears. 



This handsome species inhabits the interior of New South 

 Wales, and does not confine itself merely to a diet of sweet 

 juices, but feeds much on small insects. The generic title, 

 Entomophila, is composed of two Greek words, which signify 

 insect^lover, and is given to this bird, and several other Honey- 

 Eaters, on account of their insect-eating habits. The birds are 

 extremely active, and devote much of their time to the pursuit 

 of insects on the wing, in which occupation they have a great 

 resemblance to our well-known fly-catcher. They sit on a branch, 

 keeping a careful watch, and whenever an insect passes near, 

 they dart into the air, catch it, and return to their post. They 

 are generally seen in pairs, and are very playful, chasing each 

 other merrily, and spreading their tails so as to show the white 

 colour. When on the wing, they are so like the common gold- 

 finch that they might easily be mistaken for that bird, the patchy 

 distribution of the colour, and the white spot on the face, adding 

 greatly to the resemblance. The nest of this bird is a beautiful 

 example of the pensiles, and on looking at a specimen it is im- 

 possible to restrain a feeling of regret that the art of preservation 

 as it now stands will not permit us to retain the branch and 

 its delicate leaves in all their lovely greenery, their long, spear- 

 like blades affording so beautiful a contrast to the dry and 

 withered substance of which the nest is made. 



