BIRD-NESTING. 
6 1 
is ready again. The crow holds his ground from sheer 
cowardice rather than obstinacy, and twists his neck in 
vain efforts to present an open beak at the point of attack. 
At last he overbalances himself and hangs by his feet for 
a moment in utter despair, then flies for his life. With a 
derisive yell, the victor makes one last descent into his 
back, as if it would transfix him, then returns slowly to 
the tree, panting but triumphant. While the Butcher Bird 
and the King-crow are defying their enemies, the 
tiny Sunbird is outwitting them. It has selected 
a dirty-looking 
tree, literally 
alive with blood- 
thirsty red ants. 
At the very end 
of a waving 
branch it has 
hung a neat little 
purse, with a 
small hole on 
one side, near 
. . , i SUNBIRD. 
the top, and a 
porch to keep out sun and rain. The lining is of cotton 
