2go 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
building a nest, but he has never found such a nest, nor heard 
of one. The Batikin is one of the parasitic group, usurping 
the nest of another bird, and taking possession of it in a very 
curious fashion. 
In Australia there is a bird belonging to the genus Pomato- 
rhinus , which somewhat resembles the bee-eater, except in 
plumage, which is quite dull and sober. This bird builds a 
large, domed edifice, and appears to make a new nest every year. 
The deserted nests are always usurped by the Batikin, which 
establishes herself without any trouble. The reader would 
naturally imagine that when the bird finds herself in possession 
of so large and warm a nest, she will pass into the interior, and 
hatch her young under the protection of the roof. This plan, 
however, she does not follow, preferring to take up her abode 
on the very top of the nest, exposed to all the elements. She 
takes very little trouble about preparing her home, but merely 
works a suitable depression upon the soft dome, lays her eggs 
in it, and there hatches them. 
The reader will remember that there are several birds which 
form a supplementary nest upon the exterior of the original 
domicile, and the parasitic nest of the Batikin is evidently an 
extension of the same principle. 
In England we have many parasite birds, one of which is 
the common Sparrow-Hawk (. Accipiter Nisus), which is in the 
habit of usurping the nest of the common crow, magpie, or 
other bird, and laying its handsome eggs therein. 
Whether it forcibly drives away the rightful owner, or whether 
it contents itself with a nest which has already been abandoned, , 
is not precisely known, different naturalists inclining to opposite 
opinions. In all probability, therefore, both disputants are right, 
and the Sparrow-Hawk takes a deserted nest when it can find 
one, and when it cannot do so, attacks birds which are in actual 
possession of a suitable nest, and takes possession of their home. 
In such a case, the combat must be a sharp one, for both crow 
and magpie are courageous birds, nothing inferior in deter- 
mination to their assailant, and armed with bills which are 
