THE SWALLOW DICiEUM. 223 



The nest is placed very low, being often found scarcely two 

 feet from the water, in that point resembling the nest of the 

 African weaver birds, which have already been described. It 

 is always hung near the extremity of a branch, and invariably is 

 so placed as to be under the protection of a spray of leaves, 

 which act as a roof whereby the rain is thrown off. 



In order that these singular Australian nests which have 

 been described may be compared with each other at a glance, 

 five of the most remarkable examples have been placed in the 

 same illustration, and by comparing the description with the 

 figures, a better idea will be obtained than if each had formed 

 the subject of a separate illustration. 



Befoee proceeding to describe another remarkable pensile 

 builder of Australia, I must draw the attention of the reader to 

 a bird of our own country, which ofteus builds a pensile nest, in 

 some respects resembling that of the White-throated Honey- 

 Eater. Want of space forbids me to introduce an illustration of 

 this exquisite little creature, including a figure of its nest, which 

 equals in beauty the home of many foreign birds. As, however, 

 this nest is tolerably familiar, and examples can always be 

 obtained, I have prefen-ed to insert figures of the nests made by 

 exotic and less known birds. 



The Golden-crested Ween {Regulus cristatus), whose fown 

 and colours are so well known as to require no description, 

 builds a beautifully neat little nest, thickly lined with feathers, 

 in which the minute little nestlings can lie securely. The nest 

 is always placed under the protection of a natural roof, a spray 

 of leaves being a favourite spot. Almost invariably the nest is 

 fairly suspended, and in several instances I have noticed that 

 three branches were used for the purpose. 



We will now return to our Australian birds. 



There is a genus of veiy small birds, called DicfBum, which is 

 spread over many parts of the world, and finds several repre- 

 sentatives in Australia. All are interesting birds ; but as the 

 present work only treats of birds as the architects of their nests, 

 it is necessary to select one which builds a pensile habitation. 

 This is the Swallow Dictum {Dicwum hirundinaceum), a bird 

 scarcely as large as our common wren, and glowing with brilliant 



