250 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



stretched, can be pulled without breaking, and spring back to 

 their former position like a harp-string. There is also a great 

 variety in spiders' webs, so that the birds can procure at will the 

 long elastic threads with which the materials of the nest can be 

 tied together, or the soft felt-like substances with which the moss, 

 bark, and fibres can be interwoven, so as to form a firm and wet- 

 resisting mass. 



Little Hermit iPJuxethomia eremita). 



Our first example of the pensile Humming-birds is the beau- 

 tiful species called the Little Heemit {Phaeihomis eremita), 

 a bird which is known by the warm ruddy color of the under 

 parts, and the black crescent on the breast. There are many 

 species of Hermit Humming-birds inhabiting Venezuela and the 

 Caraccas, and choosing those districts where the flora is most 



