222 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



is very beautiful. A pure white egg, like that of the kingfisher, 

 is much improved by heating the shell, after the colour is dry, 

 and then injecting a little boiling wax, so as to back up the 

 colour, aud restore the beautiful translucence of the unblown 

 egg. A tiny scrap of silver-paper should then be fastened over 

 the orifice, in order to prevent dust from entering. 



To return to our Honey-Eaters. The material of which the 

 nest of the Painted Honey-Eater is composed is fine fibrous 

 roots, interwoven very artfully, but loosely, and being of so frail 

 a structure, that much care is required to remove it without 

 damage. It is fastened by the rim to the delicate twigs of the 

 beautiful weeping acacia (Acacia pendula), whose long lanceo- 

 late leaves droop over and nearly cover it. It is a very small 

 nest in proportion to the size of the bird. 



Still keeping to the same interesting family of birds, we find 

 among the pensile builders another species of Honey-Eater. 



The White-throated Honey-Eater (Entomophila albogularis) 

 is rather like the Painted Honey-Eater, being brown above, 

 white below, and having a yellow patch on the base of the tail. 

 It is, however, easily distinguished from its congener by the 

 peculiarity from which it derives its name — viz. a large patch 

 of pure white in the front of the throat, extending as far as 

 the eyes. The top of the head is greyish blue, and the breast 

 is buff. 



It is a lively, active little creature, ever on the move, and 

 delighting to flit from branch to branch, but not caring to make 

 long flights. As it flies from one bough to another, it utters a 

 musical little song, much like that of the goldfinch, and continues 

 to sing for a considerable time. It detests wind, and is mostly 

 seen in the thick bush, and loves to frequent the masses of 

 mangroves which edge bays and creeks, because the air is com- 

 paratively still. In these places may be found its curious nest, 

 which is about as large as a breakfast-cup, and very much of 

 the same shape. It is made of the delicate paper-like bark of 

 the Melaleucse, and various vegetable fibres, with which it is 

 ingeniously hung to the branches. The broad, thin bark causes 

 it to be very smooth on the exterior. For the lining, the bird is 

 not indebted to any animal or bird, but uses grass-blades, which 

 are neatly laid, and form a soft resting-place for the eggs. 



