38 



Marvels of the Universe 



SOME WONDERFUL BIRDS' NESTS 



BY FRANK FINN. B.A., F.Z.S. 



The mo?t remarkable nests built by birds are to be found in the tropical regions of the earth : not 

 only is there a greater variety of bird-types inhabiting those zones, inv()lving greater variety of 

 habits, but also the infinitely larger number of animal types generally implies the presence of more 

 varied enemies of bird-life, thus stimulating the inventive powers of the birds, if the expression may 

 be allowed. Thus we find arboreal beasts and reptiles much more in e\'idence in hot countries where 

 the vegetation is so luxuriant, and these are the chief foes with which bird-life has to reckon. Hence 





[/iy H. UniHtold. 



A FLAMINGO ON ITS NEST. 



Formerly these nests were thought to be sugar-loaf shaped, and so tall that the sitting bird dansled her long legs at the 

 sides as she sat on top. It is now known that the mound-like nest, though very large, is too low lor this, and that, as shown, 

 the bird doubles her legs under her. 



there is in such regions a wonderful development of that hanging type of nest which gives security 

 by rendering it unsafe for foes to venture on an attack. One of the most curious, perhaps, is the 

 long-celebrated structure of the Tailor-bird of India, one of the commonest small birds of the 

 East. The bird is very like a wren, but olive-green instead of brown in colour. It selects a 

 low shrub or plant with large leaves, and, according to the size of the leaf, either sews the two 

 edges of one leaf together, or attains the same object, that of making a cup, by sewing two or 

 more leaves together, if the leaves are smaller. The thread is usually the cocoon-silk of caterpillars, 

 but the bird wiU gladly pilfer any ends of thread it may find lying about ; the needle is, of course, 

 its slender bill, and though it does not, as has been asserted, make a knot in the end of the threads, it 

 nevertheless fixes them securely by the resistance of the material. Inside the cup the nest is built, of 



