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HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



these birds have lived for some time in the Aquarium House, and 

 have always attracted much attention as they fly to and fro in the 

 large inclosure which is dedicated to them, to the dabchicks, king- 

 fishers, wagtails, and other water-loving birds. Owing to the bold 

 contrasts of black and white in their coloring they are very con- 

 spicuous, and their restless movements always attract the eye. 



Although in its shape the nest of the Pied Grallina does not re- 

 semble that of the Oven Bird, the materials with which it is con- 

 structed are almost identical, consisting of mud and clay, in which 

 are interwoven certain sticks, grasses, feathers, and stems of plants, 

 which serve to bind the clay together, just as cow's haiir binds to- 



Fairy Martin. 



Pied Grallina. 



gether the plaster on our walls. When looking at these nests, the 

 observer is irresistibly reminded of the old Babylonish bricks, in 

 which the grass and straw still remain, and serve to strengthen the 

 ill-burned clay, which in many cases was only dried in the sun. 



