184 BIRDS' NESTS 



(Mnioteltidae) generally make open cup-shaped nests, 

 which they place in trees and bushes, more excep- 

 tionally on the ground, and in some cases arched 

 over, as in the Golden-crowned Thrush (Siurus 

 auricapillus), or even completely domed, as in 

 Dendroeca capitalis, the " Yellow Bird " of Barbados. 

 The materials employed are twigs, roots, dry grass, 

 leaves, lichens, and moss, the linings (more or less 

 elaborate) consisting of hair and feathers. Passing 

 over the more or less concealed nests of the Creepers 

 (Certhiidse) we come to those of the Honey-eaters 

 (Meliphagidae), where the open cup-shaped type again 

 prevails, although in one or two instances a globular 

 type is said to be made. These birds are confined to 

 the Australian region. Their nests somewhat resemble 

 those of the Orioles in the way they are suspended by 

 the upper rim to forks of branches. Coarse grass, 

 fibres, strips of bark, moss, and spiders' webs are the 

 principal external materials, cotton and other vege- 

 table downs and feathers compose the lining. The 

 nests of some of these Honey-eaters have been very 

 minutely described by Mr D. Le Souef. That of the 

 Banded Honey-eater (Myzomela pectoralis) was, as 

 usual, suspended between a fork near the extremity 

 of a branch of an ironwood tree, and made externally 

 of a few vine tendrils and strips of bark, bound together 

 by spider's webs, which also serve to attach the nest 

 to the supporting branches. The inside is sparingly 

 lined with fine grass. Owing to the thin lining in the 



