84 SOCIAL HABITATIONS. 
in some cases the entire body forms the home of the 
parasite. 
Many examples of the first description may be given. 
For instance, where the puffin invades the rabbit-burrows, 
and drives out the rabbits by dint of courage and a 
powerful beak; or where the Coquimbo owl and rattle- 
snake take possession of the homes which had been ex- 
cavated by the prairie dog. JHxamples of the second 
description of parasites have also been given. The 
kingfisher, for instance, usurps the deserted hole of a 
water-shrew ; and the humble-bee and wasp usually take 
advantage of the deserted burrow of some rat or mouse. 
In the account of the sociable weaver-bird, mention is 
also made of certain little green parrots, which are apt to 
take possession of the great nest, and use it for their own 
purpose. And an instance has been recorded where a 
carder-bee established herself in the deserted nest of 
a wren, and so saved herself the trouble of fetching 
materials and building a dome. 
Birds of various kinds are notorious parasites, the 
Cuckoos ranking as chief among them, inasmuch as they 
make no nest at all, but simply lay their eggs in the 
nests of other birds, and foist upon them a supposititious 
offspring, which occupies the entire nest and monopolises 
all the care of its foster-parents. 
All Cuckoos, however, do not possess this habit; for 
some of the group build nests which are remarkable for 
their beauty, and tend their young as carefully as do any 
birds. The celebrated Honey-finders, for example, which 
are found in most hot portions of the globe, are notable for 
their skill in architecture. The nests of these birds are 
pensile, and not unlike those of the African weaver-birds, 
which have already been described. They are made of 
