﻿PENDULOUS NESTS. 



183 



stems, which would thus be brought nearer together*, 

 and support the nest on its sides, but not on its bottom. 

 This is, consequently, a pendulous nest, because it 

 hangs ; and yet it is very different from what may be 

 called the typical perfection of this style of building in 

 the architecture of birds. This perfection, however, is 

 developed in the very same genus, as will be apparent 

 in the following account of the Parus pendulinus L. 

 (C The most curious circumstance," observes Dr. La- 

 tham, iC of this species is the nest, being of a most sin- 

 gular construction, in shape roundish, not unlike that of 

 the long-tailed titmouse, but composed of still finer ma- 

 terials. The nest is made of the down of the willow 

 and poplar, as also of the thistle. These it entwines 

 with its bill into a close body, strengthening the fabric 

 outwardly with small fibres and roots of plants,, and 

 lining the whole with some of the loose soft down above 

 mentioned. This is hung on the extreme end of some 

 weak branch which projects over the water, and is wholly 

 covered, except a hole left for entrance, which appears 

 on one side, and generally that which faces the water. 

 By this cautious instinct neither quadruped nor rep- 

 tile will venture to attack it." So wonderful does this nest 

 appear to the simple people of Bologna, in the marshes 

 of which place this species is found, that " the peasants 

 thereabouts hold both bird and nest in great estimation, 

 hanging one of the latter near the door of their huts. 

 As to the bird itself, it is accounted almost sacred ; and 

 they behold it with that superstitious veneration which is 

 so commonly the effect of unenlightened minds." t But, 

 perhaps, the most elaborate of the pendulous architects, 

 at least among the European birds, is the Languedoc 

 titmouse (Parus Narboniensis) , mentioned by the au- 

 thor we have just quoted, as ee similar in manners to the 

 penduline species, and not inferior in respect to the 



* General History, vol. vii. p. 259. It is much to be regretted that the 

 notices under the head of " Propagation" in Temminck's Manual, are so 

 short, and at the same time so vague, as to render it of no authority upon 

 these questions. 



. f Latham, General History, vol. vii. p. 262. 



N 4? 



