. The history of birds : their varieties and oddities, comprising graphic descriptions of nearly all known species of birds, with fishes and insects, the world over, and illustrating their varied habits, modes of life, and distinguishing peculiarities by means of delightful anecdotes and spirited engravings . of mimosa;which grows to anuncommon size, andseems well suited tothem, on account ofits ample head, andstrong wide-spread-ing branches. Thetallness and smooth-ness of its trunk isalso a perfect defenceagainst the serpent and monkey tribes. The mode in which the nestsare fabricated is high
. The history of birds : their varieties and oddities, comprising graphic descriptions of nearly all known species of birds, with fishes and insects, the world over, and illustrating their varied habits, modes of life, and distinguishing peculiarities by means of delightful anecdotes and spirited engravings . of mimosa;which grows to anuncommon size, andseems well suited tothem, on account ofits ample head, andstrong wide-spread-ing branches. Thetallness and smooth-ness of its trunk isalso a perfect defenceagainst the serpent and monkey tribes. The mode in which the nestsare fabricated is highly curious. In one tree, described by , there could not be fewer than from eight hundred to athousand under one general roof. Mr. P. calls it a roof, because besays it resembles that of a thatched house; and projects over theentrance of the nest below, in a very singular manner. The industryof these birds seems almost equal (observes this traveller) to that ofthe bee. Throughout the day they appear to be busily employed incarrying a fine species of grass ; which is the principal material theyemploy for the purpose of erecting this extraordinary work, as wellas for additions and repairs. Though my short stay in the countrywas not sufficient to satisfy me, by ocular proof, that they added to. S>Si eOCUBLE OROSBEAE. 166 THE BULFINCa. their nest as they annually increased in numbers; still, from thipmany trees which I have seen borne down by the weight, and otherswhich I have observed with the boughs completely covered over, itwould appear tbat this is really the case. When the tree, which iathe support of this aerial city, is obliged to give way to the increaseof weight, it is obvious that the birds are no longer protected, and areunder the necessity of rebuilding in other trees. One of thesedeserted nests I had the curiosity to break down, for the purpose ofinforming myself of the internal structure of it; and found it equallyingenious with that of the external. Th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectzoology
