226 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



could be invented, provided that it be properly suspended, and 

 the bird certainly deserves our gratitude, if it be only for the fact 

 that it might have given the first hint on the subject. 



It is one of the Honey-Eaters, and is called the Lanceolate 

 Honey-Eater {Plectorhynchus lanceolatus), on account of the 



Lanceolate Honey-Eater. (Plectiyrhynchus Unuxolaius.) 



shape of its feathers. It is not a brilliantly coloured bird, its 

 hues being only brown and white, diversified by a black line 

 down the middle of each feather. It does not seem to be a 

 very lively bird, being accustomed to sit on the very top of some 

 lofty tree, such as an acacia or eucalyptus, and to remain almost 

 motionless in one spot. So still and quiet is it that it would 

 hardly be seen, were not its presence betrayed by an occa- 

 sional powerful and shrUly-sounding whistle. Its food consists 

 partly of insects, and partly of the pollen and sweet juices of 

 flowers. 



The wonderful nest of this bird was found by Mr. Gould on 

 the Liverpool Plains, overhanging a stream, and being a beautiful 



