STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
150 
hurry with a long bit of grass in his beak. He would sit out- 
side the nest, holding on by his claws with the grass under them. 
He would then put the right end into the nest with his beak, I 
and the female inside would pull it through and put it out for 
him again, and thus the plaiting of the nest went on. All this , 
was done amidst great chattering, and the birds seemed to think 
it great fun. When a piece was used up one would give the 1 
other a peck, and he or she would fly off for more material, the 
other sitting quietly till the worker returned. Nests in every 
stage of building afforded every position for the bird, who 
seemed at home in all of them. The joy, the life, the activity, 
and general gaiety of the birds I shall never forget. 
‘August 18. — Noticed to-day how the birds obtained their 
grass. The little bird alights at the edge of the high, strong 
Seenta grass ( Andropogon euripeta T) with its head down, and 
bites through the edge to the exact thickness which it requires. 
It then goes higher up on the same blade of grass, and having 
considered the length needed, bites through it again. It then 
seizes it firmly at the first notch and flies away. Of course the 
strip of grass tears off, and stops at the notch. It then flies 
away with the grass streaming behind it. As the edge of the 
grass is much serrated, the bird has to consider and pass it 
through the work the right way. 
‘ In some instances the male continues to build for amuse- 
ment after the nest is finished, not only elongating the tubular 
entrance, but also making a kind of false nest.’ 
