472 HOMES WrmoUT HANDS. 



can ftardly depart so far from usual custom as to be incapable of 

 building a nest, but he has never found such a nest, nor heard 

 of one. The Batikin is one of the parasitic group, usurping the 

 nest of another bird, and taking possession of it in a very 

 curious fashion. 



In Australia there is a bird belonging to the genus Pomato- 

 rhinus, which somewhat resembles the bee-cater, except in 

 plumage, which is quite duU and sober. This bird builds a 

 large, domed edifice, and appears to make a new nest every year. 

 The deserted nests are always usurped by the Batikin, which 

 establishes herself without any trouble. The reader would 

 naturally imagine that when the bird finds herseK in possession 

 of so large and warm a nest, she will pass into the interior, and 

 hatch her young under the protection of the roof. This plan, 

 however, she does not follow, preferring to take up her abode 

 on the very top of the nest, exposed to all the elements. She 

 takes very little trouble about preparing her home, but merely 

 works a suitable depression upon the soft dome, lays her eggs in 

 it, and there hatches them. 



The reader will remember that there are several birds which 

 form a supplementary nest upon the exterior of the original 

 domicile, and the parasitic nest of the Batikin is evidently an 

 extension of the same principle. 



In England we have many parasite birds, one of which is the 

 common Sparkow-Hawk {Accipiter Nisus), which is in the habit 

 of usurping the nest of the common crow, magpie, or other bird, 

 and laying its handsome eggs therein. 



Whether it forcibly drives away the rightful owner, or whether 

 it contents itself with a nest which has already been abandoned, 

 is not precisely known, different naturalists inclining to opposite 

 opinions. In all probability, therefore, both disputants are right, 

 and the Sparrow-Hawk takes a deserted nest when it can find 

 one, and when it cannot do so, attacks birds which are in actual 

 possession of a suitable nest, and takes possession of their home 

 In such a case, the combat must be a sharp one, for both crow 

 and magpie are courageous birds, nothing inferior in deter- 

 mination to their assailant, and armed with bills which are 

 much larger, and quite as formidable as that of the Sparrow- 

 Hawk. 



