Among the nests of Foreign birds, that of the _Taylor Bird_
deserves especial mention; the bird itself is a diminutive one, being
little more than three inches long; it is an inhabitant of India. The
nest is sometimes constructed of two leaves, one of them dead; the
latter is fixed to the living one as it hangs upon the tree, by sewing
both together in the manner of a pouch or purse; it is open at the top,
and the cavity is filled with fine down; and, being suspended from the
branch, the birds are secure from the depredations of snakes and
monkeys, to which they might otherwise fall a prey.

In Dr. Latham's collection is a specimen of the taylor bird's nest,
composed of a single large leaf, of a fibrous rough, texture, about six
inches long independent of the stalk, five inches and a half in breadth,
and ending in a point. The sides of this leaf are drawn together so as
to meet within three-quarters of an inch; within is the nest, about four
inches deep and two broad, opening at the top; the bottom of the leaf
is drawn upwards, to assist in the support of it. The interior nest is
composed of white down, with here and there a feather and a small
portion of white down intermixed.

Another nest of this bird has also been described as composed of several
leaves, like those of some kind of hazel sewed together; the inner nest
formed of dry bents, fibres, and hairs, suspended from a tree. It is,
therefore, probable that this bird, as well as some others, varies the
structure of its nest as occasion and the materials may require. These
singular works are performed by the bird's using his bill instead of a
needle, and vegetable fibres for thread.

The _Rufous Bee-eater_, or _Merops Rufus_, constructs also a
very singular nest. This bird is a native of Buenos Ayres; the nest is