. Cassell's book of birds . , the quills and tail-feathers deepbrown, the former edged with olive, and the three outer tail-feathers tipped with white; the beak and THE SEARCHERS. 9 feet are blackish grey. This species is six inches and a half long, the wing measures two inches andtwo-thirds, and the tail one inch and three-quarters. These birds frequent banana plantations, and usually betray their presence by their shrillchirpino- cry. Were it not for the constant repetition of their note they would rarely be observed,as the hues of their plumage render it almost impossible to detect them amo
. Cassell's book of birds . , the quills and tail-feathers deepbrown, the former edged with olive, and the three outer tail-feathers tipped with white; the beak and THE SEARCHERS. 9 feet are blackish grey. This species is six inches and a half long, the wing measures two inches andtwo-thirds, and the tail one inch and three-quarters. These birds frequent banana plantations, and usually betray their presence by their shrillchirpino- cry. Were it not for the constant repetition of their note they would rarely be observed,as the hues of their plumage render it almost impossible to detect them among the foliage. We leamfrom Bernstein that their manner of building is very remarkable. The oval-shaped nest, some six orseven inches long, and three or four inches broad, is attached by threads to a large leaf, in such amanner that the latter forms the fourth side. Fine grass and fibres are employed for the interior, andhalf-decayed leaves, of which little more than the fibrous portion remains, are used for the outer wall,. THE HANGING BIRD {Araclinoccstra longirosiris). so that, when completed, the curious structure has rather the appearance of a substantial spiders webthan of a birds nest. The entrance is at one end. The eggs, two in number, are pure white, spottedwith reddish brown at the broad extremity. The HONEY-EATERS {Meliphagd) have a long, slender, slightly-curved beak, the uppermandible of which extends considerably beyond the lower portion. The feet are strong but moderate-sized, and furnished with powerful hinder toes; the wing, also moderate, is rounded, its fourth quillbeing the longest; the tail varies in its dimensions, but is usually rounded at its extremity; thenostrils are concealed by a cartilaginous skin; the gape is narrow, and the tongue provided with atuft of delicate fibrous bristles at its tip. The stomach is very small, and but slightly muscular. Theplumage, which differs little in the two sexes, varies considerably in different species. In some iti
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbreh, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds
