264 THE UNIVERSE. 



of the bird seems ill adapted enough for needle-work, and 

 yet some of these animals produce work exactly analogous. 

 I do not here in any way allude to the weaver-birds, 

 the nests of which, made of fine grass and known to all 

 the Avorld, represent an inextricable net-work; but to the 

 tailor-bird, a charming exotic species, which takes two 



157. Nest of the Tailor-biitl — Siilria sutoria (Latham), — From the British Museum. 



very long lanceolated leaves and sews the edges of them, 

 neatly whipped, by means of flexible grass in the form of 

 thread. After this the female fills the little sack which 

 they form with cotton, and deposits her pretty young ones 

 upon this downy bed, which is gently rocked by the least 

 breath of wind. 



This nest, which is extremely rare, but of which I saw 

 some specimens in the British Museum, is a real master- 

 piece of ingenuity. 



The oriole of our climate executes an analogous task. 



