324 Passeres. BIRDS. Sylviid.e. 
boars a bright orange crest, bordered on each side with 
biach. Several other species of Regulus are known, 
and two of these have been seen in this country. 
THE REED WARBLER ( Calamodyla arundinacea) visits 
this country in April, and departs again in September. 
During its stay here it takes up its abode amongst the 
reeds and osiers which fringe our rivers and lakes. The 
nest of this species is built amongst the reeds. It is 
composed of long grass, and of the seed branches of the 
reeds, and is attached by its sides to three or four 
reeds ; it is of an elongated conical form externally, 
and its cavity is also veiy deep, in order to prevent 
the eggs from rolling out when the reeds are swayed 
by the wind. The food of this and of several other 
species, which like it haunt the reeds and sedges 
about our fresh waters, consists of worms, slugs, and 
insects. 
THE SEDGE WARBLER {Calamodyta phragmitis), 
one of these species, is far more common than the 
Reed Warbler, in company with which it is usually 
found. Another species has been called the Grass- 
hopper Warbler (C'. locustella), from its almost con- 
stantly emitting a shrill cricket-like note. 
THE INDIAN TAILOR "BTKD {Ortliotonmslongicauda) . 
Several species of this family, generally inhabitants of 
the East Indies, are remarkable for the extraordinary 
mode in which their nests are made, which has pro- 
cured for them the name of Tailor Birds. The present 
species, to which the name was applied by the older 
naturalists, is common in most wooded districts of 
India, and also frequents the gardens, where its singular 
mode of nidification may often be observed. Selecting 
a suitable leaf, the ingenious little architect proceeds 
to draw the edges together by means of its bill and feet; 
then piercing holes through the approximated edges, 
it secures them in their place by means of threads of 
cotton, at the ends of which it leaves small bunches to 
j>revent their drawing through. Sometimes the bird 
jiicks up a fallen leaf, and applying it to one still grow- 
ing on the tree, sews the edges together in the same 
way, and thus prepares a hanging cradle for its nest. 
The cavity is filled up with a mass of cotton, iiax, and 
other vegetable fibres, mixed with a little hair, and in 
this comfortable bed the eggs are deposited, and the 
young brought up secure from the attacks of snakes 
and monkeys. 
THE BLUE WREN {Malurus cyaneiis) of the Austra- 
lian colonists, is an abundant species in the brushes of 
New South Wales, and during the winter becomes very 
tame, haunting the gardens and houses of the settlers. 
The male is a beautiful bird, having the upper parts 
and the chest black, with the crown of the head, the 
ear coverts and a crescent-shaped mark on the back 
light blue, the wings brown, and the belly white. The 
female is of a brownish tint, paler, or whitish beneath. 
The habits of this bird are somewhat similar to those of 
the European Wren, which it also resembles in its song. 
The nest is built in a bush or tuft of grass; it is domed, 
with a hole at one side near the top. The eggs are 
white, spotted with reddish-brown. Several nearly 
allied species are found in different parts of Australia. 
THE EMU WREN {Stipiiturus malacurus), which 
resembles the precediiig in its general structure and 
habits, and is an inhabitant of the whole southern part 
of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, is remarkable 
for having the tail composed of long feathers, with the 
barbs widely separated, or decomposed, giving the 
bird a singvdai appearance. Both the male and 
female are reddish-brown, with the feathers of the 
upper surface streaked and spotted with dark brown; 
the male has the throat blue. It is a rather shy bird, 
residing in mar.shy districts amongst long grass and 
rushes ; its wings are very short, and it flies but little, 
but runs upon the ground with great ease and rapidity, 
carrying its tail elevated over the back. 
THE AUSTRALIAN SINGING LARK {Cincloramphis 
rufescens) is one of the few Australian birds which 
deserve notice on account of the sweetness of their 
song. It is found in all parts of Australia, and dwells 
principally on the ground, from which it ascends per- 
pendicularly to a great height in the air, singing both 
in its ascent and descent in the manner of our sky- 
lark. Two other nearly allied species are met with in 
Australia, one of which is called the Skylark by the 
colonists of Port-Phillip. 
THE REDBREAST [Erytliacus ruhecula),V\a.ie. 10, fig. 
33. — This favourite little native of our islands is too 
well-known to need any description. He is a perma- 
nent resident with us, and also in all the temperate 
parts of Europe, but in the colder northern regions he 
is a summer bird of passage. In every place where he 
occurs, he is regarded with a greater degree of favour 
than is shown to any other wild bird ; his red vest and 
bright eye seem to make him friends wheiever he 
goes, and the affection with which he is welcomed 
at the cottage door is heightened by the boldness and 
sprightliness of his habits. In the wdnter, especially, 
when his favourite food is scarce, and the places where 
he might seek it covered up with snow', the Robin seems 
as it were to cast himself upon the charity of man, not 
only coining about human habitations to pick up 
what he can, which is done by many other birds, but 
actually coming to show himself on the wdiidow sill or 
threshold, as if asking to have his w'ants supplied. 
Even in the breeding season, when most birds become 
very shy, the Robin does not lose his confidence in 
man, but builds his nest either in the hedgerow or about 
the sheds and outbuildings, sometimes in places where 
a considerable amount of bustle is going on. The nest 
is cupshaped, and composed of moss, leaves, and grass, 
lined with hair and feathers ; it usually contains five 
or six eggs, which are w'hite, with pale reddish-brown 
spots. Tlie song of the Robin is very sweet and 
powerful, and is continued throughout the whole warm 
season from spring to late in autumn. 
THE INDIAN ROBIN {Thamnohia fuUcata). This 
bird, like its English namesake, is a great favourite 
in its native countries, w’here it frequents the abodes 
of man as boldly and familiarly as our Robin. It sits 
upon the housetops and fences, descends into the 
verandahs to feed, and sometimes even enters the 
houses. The male has a sweet and pleasing song. 
The food of this species consists principally of insects, 
which it pursues upon the ground w'ith great assiduity. 
THE MAGPIE ROBIN {CopsyeJms saularis), whicli, 
like the preceding, is a native of India and Ceylon, is 
