232 ELBMKiraS OP OENITHOIiOGT. 



bright (as the Kingfisher), or both dull (as the Swift), build 

 in holes or covered nests ; while others, in which the female 

 is the duller, make covered nests, as especially in the genus 

 Malurus. 



The Savannah Cuckoo {Crotophaga ani) is said to be a social 

 nest-builder, several Birds using a nest in common. The 

 Weaver-birds of Africa, however, practice the most curious, 

 social nidification. They form nests associated together in large 

 masses, which are pendent, with a stocking-like entrance- 

 . funnel, by which they better avoid the attack of snakes. The 

 Birds construct together the general cover which is common 

 to and protects all their nests. Then, underneath this cover 

 and suspended from it, they separately form their individual 

 nests placed closely side by side. New nests are annually con- 

 structed beneath, and suspended from, the older ones, till the 

 ■whole mass becomes too heavy for their support and gives 

 way. Then the labour is recommenced in another locality. 



As everyone knows, the Cuckoo builds no nest, but places 

 its egg in the nests of other Birds. The same is the case with 

 the Cow-bird of the New "World {Moloihrus pecoris), and the 

 Argentine Cow-bird {Moloihrus honarierms) is singularly irr,e- 

 gular in its modes of laying. But some other birds occasion- 

 ally do the same, from stupidity or otherwise. Pheasants' and 

 Partridges' eggs being often laid in the same nest. 



Generally each species adheres to one mode of nidification, 

 but sometimes this wiU. vary. The Heron wiU breed in trees 

 or in open fens, according to circumstances, and the Palcon 

 and Golden Eagle will show an analogous versatility from 

 rocky clifi" to plain. The Water-hen will often build in trees in 

 districts liable to sudden floods. 



The male very often sings zealously while his mate is sitting, 

 his song stopping short when the eggs are hatched, though it 

 will be renewed should the young be destroyed very quickly, 

 the female then laying again, perhaps in a new nest. Some 

 Birds, however, as the Eobin and the Wren, wdll sing their 

 song all the year round, save at moulting-time and in severe 

 weather. Skylarks and Thrushes also sing after their moult, 

 but their notes have not the force and melody of the spring, 

 and, indeed, the sounds uttered by Birds are specially related 

 to the breeding-season, whether those sounds be whistles, 

 screams, hoots, bleatings, drumming, or booming sounds, 

 or whatever they may be. Akin to these vocal utterances 



