BOOK VI 



THE ARCHITECTURE OE BIRDS. 



The extreme diversity in the Avorks constructed by birds 

 has excited the admiration of every one. These animals 

 vary to infinity the forms, style, and materials which they 

 employ. It is therefore possible to divide them into as 

 many categories as there are kinds of Avork. Some are 

 carpenters, others Aveave ; some build ; and Ave find among 

 them terrace-builders, masons, and miners; blacksmiths 

 alone are Avanting. 



Alongside of our gigantic monuments, such as St. 

 Peter's at Eome and the pyramids of the Pharaohs, the 

 nest of the bird is only a point in space; but the Avork 

 expands before our eyes Avhen Ave compare the Aveakness 

 of the Avorkman Avith the magnitude of his task ; for some 

 of our aerial architects, in order to build their dAvellino-s 

 amass more earth in proportion in one season than a man 

 Avould heap up in his Avliole life. 



Their nests lend animation to every part of the Avorld. 

 Some, hke the eagle and vulture, only build them on the 

 shattered mountain-tops, on the naked and arid rocks; 

 others, more delicate, such as some of the hummino'-birds 

 let them Avave at the Avill of the zephyr, and content them- 



